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Course Syllabus for
Advanced Placement Biology Workshop

July 11 - 15 2011

Course Description:
Designed to prepare high school biology teachers to teach AP Biology in their high schools, and provide participants with the tools to design and implement a successful AP program in their schools.  The main focus of the institute will be the 12 AP Biology labs.  Participants will conduct, analyze, and discuss all 12 labs.  Free response questions and their answers from past exams will be used to illustrate biological topics. 

Course Content/Organization:
Each day will be divided into morning and afternoon sessions.  A portion of each session will be devoted to one of the 12 AP labs.  We will discuss lab set-up, pre-lab objectives, lab procedure and implementation of labs within the participants’ schools.  The remainder of each session will be devoted to course design, the AP exam, free response questions, and current topics in biology.  Participants will work assigned tests and practice scoring free response questions following AP standards and guidelines. 

We will also devote time each day discussing how we can best transition to the new curriculum for 2012.

Day 1: Monday
Morning session:
Introduce the workshop
Discuss course organization and AP Exam
Introduce Big Ideas, Essential Knowledge, Enduring Understanding and Learning Objectives.
AP Lab 1; Diffusion and Osmosis
Practice AP Free response (2002)

Afternoon session:
AP Lab 2; Enzyme Catalysis
Review all labs from day 1

Homework:  Lab analysis from labs 1, and 2.  Read labs  12, 5 and 6B  (DNA fingerprinting lab), and 6A (pGLO).   Predict measurable results for labs 12 and 5.  Take Practice AP exam.

Day 2: Tuesday
Morning session:
Review homework analysis questions

AP lab 5; Cell Respiration
Discuss lab 5
pGLO Bacterial Transformation Lab (6A alternative)
Lab 6B restriction digest of the DNA


Afternoon session:
AP lab 6B; Restriction Enzyme Cleavage of DNA and Electrophoresis, pour and run gels
AP lab 12; Disolved Oxygen and aquatic Primary Productivity;
Lab 12A
Lab 12 B  set up the lab

Homework:  Lab analysis from lab 5.  Really look over the class data, take averages generate a graph that reflects the class average data.  Look over all analysis questions from this lab.
 If you are new to restriction enzymes and gel electrophoresis, then be sure to complete appendix B.
Answer pGLO transformation analysis questions that are posted on this website.

  Read
lab 4 and  predict measurable results for these labs. 


Day 3: Wednesday
Morning session:
Review homework analysis questions

Lab 11
Discuss AP lab 3; Mitosis and Meiosis
Observe Data from lab 6
Discuss operon systems

Afternoon session:
AP lab 4; Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis
Discuss lab 4 and photosynthesis
AP Free Response practice

Homework:  Lab analysis for labs 3,  4 and 11  Read labs 7, 8, and 9.



Day 4:  Thursday
Morning session:
Review homework analysis questions
Chi Square and m&m activity
Discuss AP Lab 7: Genetics of organisms and Statistical Analysis section

Afternoon session:

Lab 9; Transpiration

Lab 8: Population Genetics and Evolution

Homework:  Lab 8 and 9 analysis. 
Read lab 10


Day 5: Friday
Morning session:

Lab 10; Physiology of the Circulatory System


Sharing time

Afternoon session:
Wrap-up
Discuss biology on the internet, web pages, and other tools for teaching AP.
 


Materials Needed
Each participant should arrive with a bound notebook, scientific calculator, and a calendar of the upcoming school year.

Course Requirements:
In order for participants to receive credit for the Institute, they must attend and participate in all sessions.  Each participant will also develop a syllabus and timeline for their own proposed or existing course, and must complete a self-designed project that has been agreed upon by the participant and myself.