AP Biology 2011-2012
Instructor: Peg Cornell
Email: peg.cornell@corvallis.k12.or.us
Website: www.csd509j.net/cvhs/staff/cornelp
Text: Biology (3rd edition, by Campbell)
AP Biology is a rigorous laboratory-based college level course for highly motivated students who have earned a grade of “B” or better in both Biology and Chemistry. Previous or current enrollment in Anatomy & Physiology is recommended but not required. The following is a list of the chapter topics for each unit exam.
Unit 1: Biochemistry Chapter
Labs: Scientific Method, Molecular Modeling
Unit 2: Cells Chapter
Labs: Diffusion & Osmosis, Mitosis
Unit 3: Cellular Energy Chapter
Labs: Enzymes, Respiration, Photosynthesis
Unit 4: Classical Genetics Chapter
Lab: Drosophila
Unit 5: Molecular Genetics 1 Chapter
Lab: Molecular Modeling
Unit 6: Molecular Genetics 2 Chapter
Labs: Restriction Analysis, Bacterial Transformation
Unit 7: Evolution Chapter
Labs: Hardy-Weinberg, Heterozygote Advantage
Semester 1 Cumulative Final Chapters 1-24
Unit 8: Ecological Principles Chapter
Labs: Interactions, Animal Behavior, Stream Study
Unit 9: Biodiversity Chapter
Lab: Biodiversity/Taxonomy
Unit 10: Plants Chapter
Lab: Primary Productivity, Transpiration
Unit 11: Animals Chapter
Lab: Circulatory System
AP Exam Review (AP Exam May 14, 2012)
Final Project: Human Health Issues
AP Biology Goals and Objectives: At the completion of AP Biology, the student will be able to organize, discuss, interpret, and integrate the following concepts.
1. The unifying themes of biology
2. Scientific experiments and experimental results
3. Fundamental characteristics of living organisms
4. Chemical processes underlying life processes
5. The structure and function of cells and cell parts
6. The central role of energy in living systems
7. Factors associated with genetic variation in individuals and in populations
8. The role of natural selection in evolution and how biodiversity relates to evolutionary relationships
9. The five-Kingdom and three-Domain classification systems
10. Differences and similarities in major groups of microorganisms, fungi, plants, and animals
11. The relation of form, function, and regulation of internal environments in representative plants and animals
12. The historical development of major ideas in biology
AP Biology Course Outline
The following is an outline of major topics and defines the scope of both the
AP Biology Course and the International APES Exam in May. The
percentage after each major topic heading shows the approximate
proportion of questions on the May 14th examination that pertain to the
heading.
I. Molecules and Cells (25%)
A. Chemistry of Life (7%)
1. Water
2. Organic molecules in organisms
3. Free energy changes
4. Enzymes
B. Cells (10%)
1. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
2. Membranes
3. Sub-cellular organization
4. Cell cycle and its regulation
C. Cellular Energetics (8%)
1. Coupled reactions
2. Fermentation and cellular respiration
3. Photosynthesis
II. Heredity and Evolution (25%)
A. Heredity (8%)
1. Meiosis and gametogenesis
2. Eukaryotic chromosomes
3. Inheritance patterns
B. Molecular Genetics (9%)
1. RNA and DNA structure and function
2. Gene regulation
3. Mutation
4. Viral structure and replication
5. Nucleic acid technology and applications
C. Evolutionary Biology (8%)
1. Early evolution of life
2. Evidence for evolution
3. Mechanisms of evolution
III. Organisms and Populations (50%)
A. Diversity of Organisms (8%)
1. Evolutionary patterns
2. Survey of the diversity of life
3. Phylogenetic classification
4. Evolutionary relationships
B. Structure and Function of Plants and Animals (32%)
1. Reproduction, growth, and development
2. Structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations
3. Response to the environment
C. Ecology (10%)
1. Population dynamics
2. Communities and ecosystems
3. Global issues
Laboratory Experiences
There are 12 laboratory experiments in AP Biology required by the College Board. Lab experiments and field investigations are designed to complement the classroom discussions and lecture. The purpose of these studies is to 1) think critically about biological systems, 2) develop and conduct well-designed experiments, 3) utilize appropriate techniques and equipment, 4) analyze and interpret data including statistical and graphical presentations, 5) form conclusions and evaluate their quality and validity, 6) propose further questions for study, and 7) communicate accurately about observations and conclusions. It is highly recommended that students maintain all laboratory information in their notebook.
Grading
Graded assignments will include exams, laboratory/field reports, chapter review questions, written reports, oral presentations and a final field studies project after the AP Exam in May. As a college-level course, approximately 70% of the final grade for AP Biology each semester will be based on test scores.
1. Unit Exams (70 to 100 points): Covering up to 5 chapters, 50 to 60 multiple-choice questions and 2 free response questions.
2. Semester 1 Exam (200 points): Given over two days at the end of semester 1, covers all semester 1 material; 100 multiple-choice questions (100 points) and 4 free response questions (100 points).
Grades are calculated by dividing the points you earn by the total points possible.
AP Biology is a 1-credit class, which meets every other day all year. You will earn 0.5 credit at the end of the first semester and 0.5 credit at the end of the second semester. Grades do not carry forward from one grading period to the next.
Pass/No Pass: Any student taking the course Pass/No pass must maintain a minimum of a “C” average throughout the course to receive credit.
Extra Credit: There will be no extra credit assignments in this course.
Class Expectations
1. Attend class. By enrolling in AP Biology, you have a made a commitment you should honor; skipping class is NOT acceptable. You will be learning important and interesting material every day. I am a very punctual person, and always start my classes on time. Being tardy to class means that you will miss important information, so DON'T BE LATE!
2. Read and study every night. Depending on how quickly you read and assimilate information, you should plan on spending a minimum of one hour per night on AP Biology. We will move very quickly through this material, so even if I don’t formally assign homework on a given night, the expectation is that you are keeping up. I am happy to answer questions that you bring in to class from your reading.
3. Take notes. By taking notes on text readings, class lectures and discussions, videos and other resources, you will be creating what should be a very valuable study guide to prepare for all exams and quizzes, including the International AP Exam on May 14th, 2012.
4. Be an active class participant. Please do not work on material from your other classes while in AP Biology. Thank you.
5. Be present on exam days. You will know these dates well in advance and should be in class. If you must miss an exam for a legitimate reason, please be prepared to make it up during class on the day you return.
6. Homework assignments (e.g., lab reports, chapter reviews, etc.) are due at the beginning of class. Assignments are considered late if they are turned in after the start of class on the due date. CVHS science department policy states that a 30% reduction will be applied to work that is up to one day late. NO CREDIT will be awarded to work turned in more than on day late. If you email me, please make sure you get a reply that I have received the message and work. If you don’t hear back from me, I have NOT received your email/assignment.
7. Science department policy states that there should be no eating or drinking in any part of the science wing (classrooms or hallways). However, we all have times when we are really hungry and did not have a chance to eat breakfast. Rather than secretively (or perhaps not so secretively) taking bites from your peanut toffee buzz bar, I would rather you simply ask me if you can address your metabolic demands to be a bit more comfortable. I will probably say yes. These cases should be the exception, NOT the routine. If you need to stay hydrated, please be an Earth-friendly consumer and have your water in a reusable container. Disposable water bottles are not welcome in F23. Thank you.
The May AP Exam (May 14th 8:00 – Noon)
It is my expectation that students enrolled in AP Biology will take this exam. If you are willing to put forth the effort and devote the necessary time, you will be in a good position to be successful on the May AP Exam. The AP Biology Exam is three hours in length and consists of two parts:
Part I: 100 Multiple Choice Questions in 80 minutes = 60% of score
Part II: 4 Free Response Questions in 100 minutes = 40% of score
I: Multiple Choice Questions: The number of MC questions taken from each of the major topic areas in the course outline is reflected in the percentage next to each topic (please see the AP Biology Course Outline). For example, you can expect to see 7 MC questions dealing with The Chemistry of Life.
II: Free Response Questions: The FRQ section emphasizes the application of principles in more depth than a MC question can involve. You will need to demonstrate organizational, reasoning and analytical skills, as well as the ability to synthesize material from several sources into cogent and coherent essays. In general, there will be one FRQ on molecules and cells, one on genetics and evolution, and two on organisms and populations. Some questions may cover more than one of these areas. One or more of the four questions may be designed to test analytical and reasoning skills, and the laboratory experiences may be reflected in them as well. Within the free response section, each of the four questions is weighted equally.
Grading of the AP Exam and College Credit
A total grade for the AP Exam is reported as follows:
5 = Extremely Well Qualified
4 = Well Qualified
3 = Qualified
2 = Possibly Qualified
1 = No Recommendation
Scores of 3, 4, or 5 often qualify students for college credit of 10 to 15 hours and/or placement into higher-level biology courses and/or waiving of requirements. It is important to review the credit policies of colleges you are considering.
LBCC Credit/College Now
AP Biology students may also choose to participate in College Now. College Now is a program that provides high school students an opportunity to earn college credit by completing comparable college-level course work on-site at CVHS with faculty members who are approved to teach college level courses. Students can transfer College Now credits to OUS (Oregon University System) schools and to some private and out-of-state public institutions by completing the regular transcript request procedures at Linn-Benton Community College. Students maintaining an A or a B for all four quarters are eligible for 12 credits from LBCC for General Biology (BI 101, BI 102 and BI 103).
Final Thoughts
During the academic year, we will explore every major AP Biology topic on the AP Exam. Given the format of the May 14th AP Exam (only 100 MC and 4 FRQs), it is not possible for this exam to be as detailed and comprehensive as the “sum” of all the class meetings we will share this year. You will have 3 hours to take the May AP Exam, responding to questions dealing with areas we have spent 135 hours or so of class time exploring, plus all the hours devoted to text readings, note-taking, preparation for exams, and assignments outside of class throughout the year. The May AP Exam is one part of the course. It is not “The End”, and it may or may not be “The Summit”. Your interest, involvement and effort in the course will contribute to your success on the Exam. The journey is the destination.
Thanks for choosing to be a part of AP Biology at CVHS. Enjoy!