AP Biology

Email: katelyn.morse@ucps.k12.nc.us

Tutoring Times: Before School and by appointment

Course Description:

The College Board provides the following course description for AP Biology:

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes — energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions.

AP exam: Students are expected to take the AP exam in May. Students that receive a score of 3, 4, or 5 are considered passing, though many schools only award college lab credit for a score of 4 or 5.  The test consists of 2 90-minute sections. Section 1 has 60 multiple choice questions. Section 2 has 2 long FRQs and 4 short ones.

Materials:

1. Please get a 3 ring binder with the following tabs:  
   1. Intro/Unit 1- Chemistry of Life
   2. Unit 2- Cell Structure and Function
   3. Unit 3- Cellular Energetics
   4. Unit 4- Cell Communication/Cell Cycle
   5. Unit 5- Heredity
   6. Unit 6- Gene Expression and Regulation
   7. Unit 7- Natural Selection
   8. Unit 8- Ecology
   9. Exam Review

2. Composition Notebook 

Grading

This is a college level course, which means the majority of your grade will reflect your understanding of the material and ability to use that information. Extra Credit is only offered to the full class. Do not ask for extra credit on assignment.

Formal Assessments (90%)

Tests- 40%

          All tests are cumulative and timed

Graded Assignments- 50%

This includes labs, quizzes, and any assignment completed in class that is checked for accuracy.

Informal Work/Completion (10%)

This includes your readings, completion homework, and any AP Classroom completion assignment.

Unit Outlines-Canvas

Students, you will be provided an outline for the upcoming unit before it begins in addition to all the homework assignments that will be due. This will include information about all reading assignments, due dates, and test dates.  I do this to allow for you to complete your work during the time you have available. If you know you have a conflict, you can complete the work for that day in advance.

I will not remind you about due dates or readings due each day. It is your responsibility to review this outline each night and make sure you have nothing due.

Attendance

The student is responsible for collecting all make-up for excused absences and making arrangements to come in to make up assignments. Students are responsible for completing all assignments within the required time frame.

Lab make up is not always possible. If a student has an excused absence that causes them to miss a lab and a make-up is not possible, they will be provided with an alternative assignment. Unexcused absences on lab days will result in a 0.

Late Work Policy

Most work will be turned in on Canvas. Late work will be accepted 4 days after the due date unless otherwise stated with a 50% late penalty. After that 4 days, the canvas assignment will close and you will not be able to submit your assignment.