Course Syllabus

SYLLABUS AP BIOLOGY 2019-2020

Mr. Gvazdauskas

Welcome to AP Biology, my name is Mr. Jason Gvazdauskas or Mr. G. I am looking forward to a fun, exciting, and interesting year. I received a B.S. in Biology with a focus in vertebrate physiology and a graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Pennsylvania State University. This is my Sixteenth year teaching science. Over the years, I have spent a lot of time in laboratories that fueled my curiosity for science and I hope I can do the same for you by teaching you how biological systems work and the techniques to research them.  As you will see Biology is currently in a scientific Renaissance. North Carolina has the third largest biotech center in the United States. I’m looking forward to this class and I hope you are as well. 

 

AP Biology is designed to offer students a solid foundation in introductory college-level biology. By structuring the course around the four big ideas, enduring understandings, and science practices I assist students in developing an appreciation for the study of life and help them identify and understand unifying principles within a diversified biological world. What we know today about biology is a result of inquiry. Science is a way of knowing. Therefore, the process of inquiry in science and developing critical thinking skills is the most important part of this course. 

 

At the end of the course, students will have an awareness of the integration of other sciences in the study of biology, understand how the species to which we belong is similar to, yet different from, other species, and be knowledgeable and responsible citizens in understanding biological issues that could potentially impact their lives. 

Instructional Context 

Prerequisites: Students must have completed both first year biology and chemistry prior to enrolling in AP Biology. 

Instructional Resources 

Reece, Jane, et al., Campbell Biology, 8th Edition, 2011, Pearson Benjamin 

Cummings. [CR1] 

AP Biology Investigative Labs: an Inquiry Based Approach. 

Required Supplies:

• Chromebook 
• 3 Ring Binder 
• Notebook
• Writing Utensil
• Composition book to be used as a lab notebook.
• Pair of safety glasses or goggles. (optional, but would strongly recommend.)

Chromebook: Bring your Chrome book to class every day. We will utilize Chromebooks almost daily. Through Canvas you will be able to access many of your assignments as well as turn them into me. We also use Chromebooks to do virtual labs, access your textbook, and research for the course. A Chromebook is  necessary for this class.

Rules:

• Follow Forest Hills High School’s Discipline Code.
• Be seated in your assigned seat when the bell rings with your warm up.
• Do not use cell phones in this classroom. 
• Arrive prepared for each and every class.
• Please respect others in the classroom and their property.
• When absent check Canvas to see what you missed. You are responsible for making up anything you missed when absent. 
• Notes must be written by hand. Chromebooks can not be used for note taking. 

Student Responsibilities

Following these items will increase your performance and enjoyment of my class:

1. Complete all assignments to the best of your ability.
2. Actively participate in all class activities/discussions.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
4. Remain on task when in class.
5. Maintain organization of work and awareness of important dates.

Absences: It is your responsibility to make up anything you missed while you were out. You have one day to make up class work, much of it will be available online. Please check Canvas.  Any time you miss a test or lab, you will need to schedule a time to make it up with me.  You have a maximum of 5 days to make up any missed tests.

Grades:

50% Tests and quizzes

25% Classwork

25% Labs 

 

Tutoring: If you need help please come see me as soon as possible. I will be after school every Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00, but I will be available on other days if I do not have previous commitments and you make arrangements at least a day prior. Please do not wait until the last minute to get help. If you are having difficulty come to see me or send me an email as soon as possible. 

Contact Information: 

Mr. Gvazdauskas (Mr. G)

jason.gvazdauskas@ucps.k12.nc.us

Advanced Placement Biology Content 

AP Biology is structured around the four big ideas, enduring understandings within the big ideas and the essential knowledge within the enduring understanding. The big ideas: 

BIG IDEA 1: EVOLUTION (EVO) The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life. 

BIG IDEA 2: ENERGETICS (ENE) Biological systems use energy and molecular building blocks to grow, reproduce, and maintain dynamic homeostasis.

BIG IDEA 3: INFORMATION STORAGE AND TRANSMISSION (IST) Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.

BIG IDEA 4: SYSTEMS INTERACTIONS (SYI) Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions exhibit complex properties. 

The Investigative Laboratory Component 

Science PracticesThe updated AP Biology framework included in the course and exam description outlines distinct skills, called science practices, that students should practice throughout the year—skills that will help them learn to think and act like biologists.

The course is also structured around inquiry in the lab and the use of science practices throughout the course. Students are given the opportunity to engage in student-directed laboratory investigations throughout the course for a minimum of 25% of instructional time. 

Skill	Description	Exam Weighting
1. Concept Explanation	Explain biological concepts, processes, and models presented in written format	25%–33%
2. Visual Representations	Analyze visual representations of biological concepts and processes	16%–24%
3. Question andMethod	Determine scientific question and method	8%–14%
4. Representing and Describing Data	Represent and describe data	8%–14%
5. Statistical Tests and Data Analysis	Perform statistical tests and mathematical calculations to analyze and interpret data	8%–14%
6. Argumentation	Develop and justify scientific arguments using evidence	20%–26%

Units of Instruction 

This is an overview of the year long class and the units we will cover. You are expected to read the Chapters for each unit. This is your responsibility.

Unit 1 Chemistry of Life

5-7 Class Periods   8-11% AP Exam Weighting Cell Structure and Function 

1.1 Structure of Water and Hydrogen Bonding

1.2 Elements of Life

1.3 Introduction to Biological Macromolecules 

1.4 Properties of Biological Macromolecules

1.5 Structure and Function of Biological 

1.6 Nucleic Acids

 

UNIT 2  Cell Structure and Function 

11-13 Class Periods 10-13% AP Exam Weighting Personal Progress

2.1 1 Cell Structure: Subcellular Components

2.2 Cell Structure and Function

2.3 Cell Size 

2.4 Plasma Membranes

2.5 Membrane Permeability 

2.6 Membrane Transport 

2.7 Facilitated Diffusion 

2.8 Tonicity and Osmoregulation 

2.9 Mechanisms of Transport 

2.10 Cell Compartmentalization 

2.11 Origins of Cell Compartmentalization

Unit 3 Cellular Energetics

Class Periods 14-17 12-16 % AP exam weighting 

3.1 1 Enzyme Structure

3.2 Enzyme Catalysis 

3.3 Environmental Impacts on Enzyme Function 

3.4 Cellular Energy 

3.5 Photosynthesis 

3.6 Cellular Respiration 

3.7 Fitness

 

Unit 4 Communication and Cell Cycle

Class Periods 9-11 10-15 % AP exam weighting

 4.1 Cell Communication 

4.2 Introduction to Signal Transduction 

4.3 Signal Transduction 

4.4 Changes in Signal Transduction Pathway

4.5 Feedback 

4.6 Cell Cycle 

4.7 Regulation of Cell Cycle

Unit 5 Heredity

Class Periods 9-11 8-11% AP exam weighting

5.1 Meiosis 

5.2 Meiosis and Genetic Diversity 

5.3 Mendelian Genetics 

5.4 Non-Mendelian Genetics

5.5 Environmental Effects on Phenotype 

5.6 Chromosomal Inheritance

Unit 6 Gene Expression and Regulation 

18-21 Class Periods 12-16 % AP Exam Weighting

6.1 DNA and RNA Structure 

6.2 Replication

6.3 Transcription and RNA Processing 

6.4 Translation

6.5 Regulation of Gene Expression 

6.6 Gene Expression and Cell Specialization 

6.7 Mutations 

6.8 Biotechnology

 

Unit 7 Natural Selection

20-23 Class Periods 13-20 % AP Exam Weighting

7.1 Introduction to Natural Selection 

7.2 Natural Selection

 7.3 Artificial Selection 

7.4 Population Genetics 

7.5 Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

7.6 Evidence of Evolution 

7.7 Common Ancestry 

7.8 Continuing Evolution

7.9 Phylogeny

7.10 Speciation 

7.11 Extinction 

7.12 Variations in Populations

7.13 Origin of Life on Earth

 

Unit 8 Ecology

18-21 Class Periods 10-15% AP Exam Weighting

8.1 Responses to the Environment

8.2 Energy Flow Through Ecosystems

8.3 Population Ecology 

8.4 Effect of Density of Populations 

8.5 Community Ecology 

8.6 Biodiversity 

8.7 Disruptions to Ecosystems