AP Biology Syllabus
Overview: AP Biology covers the same material as a normal Biology course, but at a much greater depth. This course is meant to be the equivilant of a year of Freshamn Biology at a University, meaning that it is conducted at a college level; therefore, those enrolled are expected to act and perform accordingly. The prerequisites for AP Bio are Biology and Chemistry, as it essential that you have a working knowledge of their concepts.
Themes: AP Biology is based on 8 overarching concepts and themes, which are recurring throughout the course:
- Science as a Process
- Evolution
- Energy Transfer
- Continuity of Change
- Relationship of Structure to Function
- Regulation
- Interdependence in Nature
- Science, Technology, and Society
(http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/biology/ap-cd-bio-0708.pdf)
Textbook: Campell and Reece. Biology, 8th Ed. (AP Edition). 2008. (additional resources are linked to this site on the "Resources" page)
Expectations:
- Attendance is vital to your success in this course. All make-up work must be completed in a timely fashion.
- Readings MUST be completed before class discussions and labs.
- Class participation is a large percentage of your grade: you are expected to take part in ALL labs and class discussions.
- Ask questions! It is better to resolve problems BEFORE an assignment is due or a test is given. I stay after school to help students, or you can always e-mail me with questions and concerns.
- You will only get as much out of this course as you put in: if you spend an adequate amount of time studying and participating in and out of class, there is no reason you should not succeed in this class.
- Take the test! Not only can you earn college credit if you do well, you can get a better idea of what will be expected of you from college courses you will take in the future.