Welcome to AP Biology! You can expect a challenging, fast-paced, and rewarding year, as you continue to explore many of the themes introduced in the first-year course, critically examine current and controversial events within the field of Biology, prepare for the AP exam, and do extensive work in the laboratory. We will be looking at life from ecological, evolutionary, cellular, and molecular perspectives, and one of our main goals will be to integrate these perspectives. Some of our guiding questions will include:
How do form and function relate, and how is evolution a driving theme here?
What is the molecular basis for life? How can we discover more about life's origins?
How is internal balance or homeostasis achieved by living organisms?
What patterns and similarities exist between species, no matter how different these species may seem from one another?
How does such diversity arise, despite so much being nearly identical between species?
How can our understandings be applied to medical and environmental progress?
Forensics is a one-semester lab-based course focusing on modern criminal and forensic investigation and analysis techniques. We will focus on applying current scientific methods to the collection, documentation, preservation, examination, and interpretations of physical and biological evidence using modern laboratory techniques and procedures. It would be impossible to investigate all areas of forensic science in one semester. We will explore a range of fields, topics and techniques to give a sense of the diverse nature of forensics, but may skip certain topics to explore others in depth; especially if there is intense student interest in a particular topic. Your success in Forensic Science will require patience, an inquiring mind, and use of deductive, scientific reasoning while applying previous biology, chemistry, physical science, and math skills.
As students become more familiar with the SAT and practice test-taking strategies, their confidence and scores are sure to grow! This course will
explore the types of questions on the test as well as test-taking strategies. Students will also learn time management and the benefits of taking an
educated guess. Math skills learned in prior and current math classes will be reviewed including the best way to approach the exam based on individual
skills. Students MUST respond to the survey due the week prior to taking the course.
BIOLOGY 1 is a college preparatory survey course intended to prepare students for further study in science at the college level. The high performance expectations for this course include ability to express oneself in writing. Course work includes scientific readings, exams and quizzes, homework, projects/presentations, and laboratory assignments which require students to analyze data and graphical information as it pertains to a biological system. On this website, you can access schedules, grades, handouts, videos, articles, and more.
BIOLOGY 2 is a college preparatory survey course intended to prepare students for further study in science at the college level. This course is meant to help you develop an appreciation for living things, while teaching you to think like a scientists. You can expect this to be challenging, interesting, and rewarding. Course work includes scientific readings, exams and quizzes, homework, projects/presentations, and laboratory assignments that require students to analyze data and graphical information as it pertains to a biological system. On this website, you can access schedules, grades, handouts, videos, articles, and more.