AP Biology Syllabus
Mr. Justin Lovrien, Room 256
Email: Justin.Lovrien@k12.sd.us
Phone: 988-0265 (Please dont call after 10 PM)
Web page: http://jl041.k12.sd.us (that is two letters "jl"
followed by three numbers "041")
Advanced Placement biology is designed to be a college-level introduction to the biological sciences. At the end of the course, students will have the option of taking the College Board AP Biology test for college credit. The main goal of any AP course is to prepare students for the challenging academic work expected at the college level. Additionally, AP biology aims to help students develop an understanding of the conceptual framework of modern biology and appreciate the process of science.
Grading:
While this class will be challenging, students will have ample opportunity to demonstrate understanding of class material. Grades will be roughly based on the following system:
Tests 70%
Week Quizzes 10%
Daily Assignments 10%
Lab Reports 10%
Tests will be based on the AP test format. Generally, there will be approximately 70 multiple-choice questions and two short answer questions. If a student chooses to take a semester test, the test will be 100 multiple-choice questions and will count for 20% of the semester grade (with each quarter counting for 40%).
Work will be graded on the Brandon Valley AP scale:
A 92-100% D+ 68-70.9%
89-91.9% D 65-67.9%
B+ 86-88.9% D- 62-64.9%
B 83-85.9%
80-82.9%
C+ 77-79.9%
C 74-76.9%
C- 71-73.9%
Labs:
In recent years, the College Board (through AP courses) has been a strong leader in encouraging inquiry-based secondary science education. Towards this end, we are required to complete twelve standard AP labs. A significant portion of the AP test involves these labs and therefore the lab reports will be a significant portion of the class grade. Students must keep prelab questions, experimental notes and calculations in a lab notebook (a good thing to hold on to some colleges ask to see the lab notebook before granting college credit).
AP Credit:
At the end of this course, we will have covered the material for a biology course for majors. Students have the option of taking the AP test for college credit. Most colleges grant credit to students earning a 3, 4 or 5 on the test. The credit would be for 4-hours of a laboratory science. Even if you dont choose to forgo the introductory science course, many schools allow students to enroll in honors courses with adequate AP scores.
Textbook:
I have selected the Solomon, Berg and Martin textbook Biology (2008, 8th Edition).
Website:
I maintain a useful website which includes assignments, class notes, unit packets, a photo album and other information. If a student doesnt have access to a home computer, there are plenty available at BVHS. The library and computer labs have plenty of networked computers available for student use before or after school.
Contacting Mr. Lovrien:
Teachers are often difficult to reach over the phone at school. It is easiest to reach me by email or at my home.
Class Rules:
No late work will be accepted. AP coursework is difficult and students need to keep up with the work. If you miss class for an excused absence, work is to be done ahead of time. If a lab is missed, students will be expected to complete questions using class data. If a student has been too busy to complete an assignment, he/she needs to come to see me IN ADVANCE. If there is a legitimate reason for the late work, no points will be deducted. This is good prep for college (approach teachers, take advantage of office hours)!
As AP courses are college-level courses, cheating will not be allowed in any form. Students must sign work to indicate that they are following the class Honor Code. Students caught cheating will be asked to drop AP biology.
Treat others with respect. This means students need to listen in class, help with lab work and be kind to all members of the class.
School rules, as explained in student handbook, will be enforced.
Course Content:
We will study the topics/materials covered on the College Boards AP exam. The course content far exceeds state and national content standards for high school students. The outline will be as follows:
Molecules and Cells (25%)
A. Chemistry of Life (7%)
1. Water - Chapter 2, Labs #1 and #12
2. Organic molecules in organisms Chapter 1,2, and 4. Labs #2 and #8.
3. Free energy changes Chapter 5, 7-8
4. Enzymes Chapters 3,4 and 7. Lab #3.
B. Cells (10%)
1. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells Chapters 4-5, 21-22. Labs #1, #5, #6, #7.
2. Membranes Chapters 4 &5. Lab #1.
3. Subcellular organization Chapter 4.
4. Cell cycle and its regulation Chapters 9-14. Lab #3.
C. Cellular Energetics (8%)
1. Coupled reactions Chapter 5. Labs #4 and #5.
2. Fermentation and cellular respiration Chapters 7-8, 42. Lab #5.
3. Photosynthesis Chapters 7, 21-32. Lab #8.
Heredity and Evolution (25%)
D. Heredity (8%)
1. Meiosis and gametogenesis Chapters 10-12. Lab #6.
2. Eukaryotic chromosomes Chapters 9-16. Lab #3 and Lab #9.
3. Inheritance patterns Chapters 11-12.
E. Molecular Genetics (9%)
1. RNA and DNA structure and function Chapters 9-12. Lab #3.
2. Mutation Chapters 14 and 18.
3. Viral structure and replication Chapter 22.
4. Nucleic acid technology and applications- Chapter 16 and lab #6.
F. Evolutionary Biology (8%)
1. Early evolution of life Chapter 20
2. Evidence for evolution Chapters 17-19.
3. Mechanisms of evolution Chapter 19.
Organisms and Populations (50%)
G. Diversity of Organisms (8%)
1. Evolutionary patterns Chapter 20.
2. Survey of the diversity of life Ongoing.
3. Phylogenetic classification Chapter 21.
4. Evolutionary relationships Chapters 20 21.
H. Structure and Function of Plants and Animals (32%)
1. Reproduction, growth, and development Chapters 9-16, 29-45.
2. Structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations- Chapters 29-30, 33-40. Lab #7 and Lab #10.
3. Response to the environment- Chapters 32 and 43-45.
I. Ecology (10%)
1. Population dynamics Chapters 46-48.
2. Communities and ecosystems Chapters 48-50.