AP Biology

COURSE DESCRIPTION

AP Biology/BIOL191 is a year-long class covering the basic characteristics of living systems including the chemical and physical structure of cells, genetics, development, evolution, and ecology. By exploring the four AP Biology Big Ideas, we will develop an understanding and appreciation of the complexity of life. These four Big Ideas are:

1. The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.

2. Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

3. Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes.

4. Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

This course will have many hands-on activities and labs, and will further your skills in doing science. As this is a college course, I have high expectations for you! You will have an active role in your science education, and will need to be responsible and organized to be successful. Plan on at least four hours of studying, or more, each week if you plan to do well in this class. The AP exam is Monday, May 11^th, 2020, and taking the exam is a requirement of taking this course. By taking this exam, you have the opportunity to earn college credit for this course. Credit is based on the score you receive and the college you are attending.

You may also choose to register to take this course for concurrent credit. By doing so and successfully completing the requirements of the course, you may earn 4 college credits. The grade you receive in the course (for Ridgevue) is the same grade as will appear on your college transcript. Registration for concurrent enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year occurs in September.