Course Syllabus

Advanced Topics & AP Biology Syllabus

raji.suresh@ucps.k12.nc.us

Introduction Video 2021-22

Course Design: This course is for students desiring a first year college-level biology course.  AP Biology is taken in high school as a second year course. AP biology meets every day for 90 minutes for two semesters.   

 

Objectives and Skills: 

• To develop reasoning skills so that students can grasp science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts.
• Use inquiry-based learning to explore essential concepts and gain understanding of scientific processes.
• Learn to collaborate with others both in and outside of class. 
• Realize that studying is a daily process and must never be put off until the last minute.

Science Practices: 

• The student can use representations and models to communicate scientific phenomena and solve scientific problems.
• The student can use mathematics appropriately.
• The student can engage in scientific questioning to extend thinking or to guide investigations within the context of the AP course.
• The student can plan and implement data collection strategies appropriate to a particular scientific question.
• The student can perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence.
• The student can work with scientific explanations and theories.
• The student is able to connect and relate knowledge across various scales, concepts, and representations in and across domains.

AP Exam

Students are expected to take the AP exam. The exam will be on May 11^th 2022.  The exam is scored on a scale of 5 to 1, five being the highest score and three is considered passing. In the days after the exam, students will be engaged in science research and projects and will make their presentations on the scheduled exam day.

 

The Laboratory Component

Laboratory assignments offer the opportunity for students to learn about problem solving, the scientific method, the techniques of research, collaborating with a group, and the use of scientific literature. You will be expected to read and study the lab and be completely prepared before the lab is to begin. Being prepared means that you may need to complete a Pre-Lab Assessment assignment and that you will bring questions with you to class that you discover while reading the lab material.  In addition, you will complete lab reports as specified. 

Topic Outline

Topic	Chapters	Approximate Dates
Biochemistry	1 – 5	August 23 - Sep 7
Cell	6, 7	Sep 8 - Sep 28
Bioenergetics	8 - 10	Sep 29 - Oct 22
Cell Communication & Cell signaling	11 - 12	October 20 - Nov 10
Heredity	13 - 15	Nov 12 - Dec 6
Unit 1 - 5  Midterm Exams		Dec 7
Gene Expression , Regulation & Biotechnology	16 -20	Jan 5 - Jan 31
Evolution	22 - 26	Feb 1 – Mar 3
Ecology	51 - 56	March 3 – Apr 1
Review		April 4th  - May 10
AP Biology Exam Monday May 11th 2022

 

Course Overview

Advanced Placement Biology is part of a nationwide program based on the belief that many students are ready for college work while still in high school, and their abilities should be recognized, encouraged and rewarded. As a college level course, the amount of material covered as well as the complexity of the topics will be high. It is the responsibility of the student to come to class each day understanding the previous day's material. An ongoing unstated assignment, therefore, is to learn the material as it is presented. Students must be certain that they are willing to accept this challenge and be committed to keep up with the work.

AP Biology is structured around four Big ideas described in the Curriculum Framework, which encompass the core scientific principles, theories, and processes governing living organisms and biological systems. At least one of the Big ideas will be incorporated in every lesson throughout the course.

The four Big ideas are:

Big idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.

Big idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

Big idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes.

Big idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

The two main goals of AP Biology are to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to help students gain an appreciation of science as a process. The ongoing information explosion in biology makes these goals even more challenging. Students are encouraged to focus on understanding important relationships, processes, mechanisms, and potential extensions and applications of concepts. The course provides opportunities to connect scientific knowledge to major social issues to help students become scientifically literate citizens. [ CR 5 ]

 

Hands-on labs will constitute at least 25% of instructional time [ CR 7 ].   Students will have the opportunity to complete at least two lab experiences in each of the four big ideas.  [CR 6 ] Many of these labs are inquiry based, and emphasize collaboration, development of hypotheses, data collection, analysis and presentation.  Students will maintain a laboratory notebook that documents their investigations throughout the year.

 

TEXTBOOK AND OTHER RESOURCES

Campbell Biology (12th Edition) by Jane B. Reece (Author), Lisa A. Urry (Author), Michael L. Cain (Author), Steven A. Wasserman

AP Biology Investigative Labs: An Inquiry-Based Approach, The College Board, 2012

 

Grade Distribution:

 

Tests	50%
Labs	15%
Quizzes	20%
Homework	15%

 

Laboratory Experiences and Scientific Practices: The 13 laboratory investigations support the AP Biology course. These laboratory investigations help students gain enduring understandings of biological concepts and the scientific evidence that supports them. 

2019 Lab Manual

Supplies: A lab notebook for keeping lab records has been ordered for you. I will go over the costs and how to pay for it. In additon you will need a binder, calculator and pens.

AP Test Scores

Score	2020 Global	2020 MRHS	Suresh AP Bio
5	7%	22%	26
4	19%	32%	28
3	32%	30%	33
2	30%	14%	11
1	11%	1%	2

 

Some Important Things to Remember:

• This is a college level course and will be difficult. Your effort and daily attendance matters!
• Stay organized with your material and time. Dedicate a fixed time daily for reading chapters.
• You will have daily reading assignment of about 5 - 10 pages. Read chapters for details and deeper understanding.
• You must submit assignments on the due date. I will not accept late assignments after 2 days. Please contact me by email if you cannot complete an assignment.
• I expect a score of 3 or above. Most colleges give credit if you make 4 or 5. 

Good Luck!!