AP Biology

Syllabus

Text

Biology, Campbell Tenth Edition (AP Edition)     

Grading

60% -- Major Grades (Tests)

30% -- Labs & Quizzes

10% -- Daily work

Topic Outline

      I. Molecules and Cells

 A. Chemistry of life

            B.  Cells  

 C.  Cellular energetics                                              

 D. Cell communication

    II. Heredity and Evolution

A. Heredity                                               

B.  Molecular Genetics                                              

C.  Evolutionary Biology                                               

III.   Organisms and Populations

A.  Diversity of Organisms                                             

B.  Structure and Function of Plants and Animals

            IV.    Ecology

Learning Targets

Learning Targets are given to students at the beginning of each unit. All assessments are designed from the content on the learning targets. This document is intended to help students focus on important concepts and vocabulary that will appear on unit quizzes and tests. 

Makeup Policy

For every one day a student is absent, the student will have one school day to make up assignments. The student is responsible for getting the assignments that were missed. School related activities are known in advance and the assignment will be due before the absence occurs, if possible.  Tests and quizzes will be expected to be completed the day students return from school related activities.

Tutorials

Tutorials are available before school from 8:15-8:45 am. Students should feel free to drop by.  After school tutorials are by appointment only.  Any student requesting after school tutoring should to email me (emartin@eanesisd.net) to check for availability. 

Assessment / Reassessment Policy

Learning is an ongoing process.  When a student takes a quiz or test, new learning can (and should) occur.  In order to best reflect the new learning of students, at the end of each unit, I will replace the a students quiz grade with their unit test grade (if the grade would be higher).  At the end of each 9 weeks students will take a cumulative test over all information for the 9 weeks.  This cumulative test will also act as a replacement grade for the lowest test in the nine weeks.  

Unit tests will be able to be reviewed 2-3 days after taking the test. Tests are not to be taken out of the classroom. Parents wishing to view the test after student completion of the test may schedule an appointment with the instructor to view the test. 

Personal Electronic Device Policy 

In grades 9-12, students are not permitted to display, turn on, or use a personal device, during instructional class periods. For grades 9-12, an instructional class period is the time from the tardy bell to the dismissal bell for a class period, and does not include lunch, passing periods, and off periods. With specific teacher permission, students can access personal devices to listen to music during independent study or self-paced time. When appropriate for instructional use, students can use a personal device to supplement the learning, as appropriate.

Honor Code

Please familiarize yourself with the Honor Code as outlined in the WHS Student Handbook.

Required Class Materials

• Charged iPad

• Spiral notebook, binder, or folder with loose-leaf paper 

• Pens/pencils

Google Classroom

Westlake High School utilizes the Google Classroom platform to share classroom resources, many assignments, and assessment preparation materials to students. WHS students will receive a classroom code to access these materials, submit assignments, and track any missing work.