ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY
Course Syllabus 2005-2006
Instructor: Miss Stacy Baker, Room H323
sbaker@mountpisgahschool.org
678-336-3401, ext. 4309
Available 7am - 8am, during Study Hall, and 3pm - 5pm (except Thurs.)
Course Description:
The AP Biology course is intended to be equivalent to an introductory biology course taken by college
freshmen at the university level. This college course in biology offers students the opportunity to
participate in an internationally recognized program whose high standards are widely known and highly
regarded by 200 universities in the United States alone.
The AP Biology course is very different from your high school biology class taken during your freshman
year. The supplemental materials, textbook, pace of instruction, range and depth of topics covered, and
laboratory activities presented in AP Biology are equal to the academic level and standards of a typical
university-based laboratory science course. AP Biology students need to recognize that substantially
greater effort and time is required on their part to successfully complete course demands and
challenges. Students are expected to spend at least 1-2 unsupervised hours (a.k.a. students’ personal
time) per day to read, study, and review materials covered in lecture and/or labs. At the end of the
school year, students who take and demonstrate mastery of the content on the Advanced Placement
Exam in biology may earn up to one-year college credit in a laboratory life science course.
The course and the AP Exam are organized into three major instructional areas. The breakdown of AP
Biology is as followed:
MAIN TOPICS % of Course
I. Molecules & Cells 25%
II. Heredity & Evolution 25%
III. Organisms & Populations 50%
Course Procedures:
At the beginning of each month, you will be given a calendar detailing the topics to be covered, take-
home essay due dates and lab schedules. The calendar is subject to change, if necessary, due to
unforeseen school events or weather events. Assignments may be added/deleted/changed by the
teacher if deemed necessary and you will be notified of the change(s).
Lecture/Discussion:
You will be given nightly reading assignments that will include the topics to be covered in the next day’s
lecture. Reading guides will be given to you to help you focus your reading. You should come to class
having already read the material to be covered during lecture and be prepared to ask questions and
discuss the topic.
Laboratory:
One-fourth to one-third of the credit in college biology courses is derived from laboratory work. A similar
proportion will be allocated for the laboratory in the AP course. Students will be exposed to all 12 of the
AP lab topics and meet all of the objectives for each of the labs.
Students should note that some colleges require evidence (i.e. lab notebook) of completed laboratory
work before giving full credit for the class, regardless of AP exam score. That said, because of the
short, 45-minute class period, it is not possible to adequately complete all 12 of the AP labs during the
school day. There will be optional Saturday morning and/or weeknight labs given during the year to
complete the longer labs. It is in the student’s best interest to attend these sessions. If a student
chooses not to attend, the student must complete the lab online and/or analyze dry lab data and submit
a formal lab write-up that covers the objectives of the lab.
To allow students to show their mastery of laboratory science skills and knowledge, some questions on
the objective portion and/or one or more of the four essay questions on the AP exam will reflect the
topics and objectives associated with the 12 AP laboratories.
Materials:
Minimum 3” 3-ring binder for class notes & handouts
Notebook tab dividers
Notebook pockets
Lab notebook
Calculator
Evaluation:
Quizzes/Homework 15%
Take-home essays/Projects 10%
Laboratory 25%
Unit Exams 30%
Semester Exam 20%
Evaluation Guide:
Quizzes/Homework: The cd-rom that came with your textbook contains pre-tests, quizzes, and practice
tests that can be emailed to your instructor when completed. These will occasionally be assigned as
homework. In addition, in-class pop-quizzes may be given at any time to check for completion of the
previous day’s reading assignment.
Take-home essays/Projects: At the beginning of every unit take-home essay questions will be assigned
that are related to the topics to be covered. These essay questions are derived from previous AP
exams. They will help you better understand the concepts covered as well as help you learn how to
master the proper writing format necessary to excel on course exams and the AP exam in May. Also, a
few special projects will be assigned throughout the year.
Laboratory: Please see the laboratory section of this syllabus.
Unit Exams: These exams are shortened versions of the AP exam and are given after each unit is
covered in class. Please see Appendix A for additional information.
Semester Exams: The semester exam is comprehensive and follows the AP exam format.
Late Work: Due to the collegiate level of this course, no late work will be accepted. Students will be
given sufficient notice of all due dates.
Grading Scale:
A = 90 – 100 Excellent Progress
B = 80 – 89 Above Average Progress
C = 70 – 79 Satisfactory Progress
D = 60 – 69 Unsatisfactory
F = 59 – below Failing
AP Grade Policy: At the end of each semester, 6 points will be added to the semester grade. However,
these grade points will not be reflected on report cards. They only show up on final transcripts.
Course Outline and Tentative Exam Dates:
FALL SEMESTER
Topic Chapters Lab Exam Date
Intro & Ecology 1,50, 52-55 Dissolved Oxygen & Sept. 2
Primary Productivity*
Chemistry of Life 2-5 Diffusion & Osmosis Sept. 19
Cells 6-8,11,12 Enzymes Oct. 4
Cellular Energetics 9,10 Cell Respiration Oct. 21
Photosynthesis
Heredity 13-15 Mitosis & Meiosis Nov. 11
Molecular Genetics 16-20 Molecular Biology* Dec. 8
Genetics
Semester Review 1-20, 50, Lab Review Dec. 15-20
52-55
SPRING SEMESTER
Topic Chapters Lab Exam Date
Evolution & Behavior 22-24, 51 Population Genetics* Jan.25
Animal Behavior
Taxonomy 25-34 No Lab Feb. 9
Plants 35-39 Transpiration Mar. 3
Animals (part 1) 40-44 Physiology Mar. 31
Animals (part 2) 45-49 No Lab Apr. 28
AP Exam Review 1-20, 22-55 Lab Review May 8
*Saturday lab
A Final Note from Ms. Baker…
To my AP Biology students: I want you to know that I am thrilled to be teaching this course and I’m
eagerly awaiting to work with each of you during the 2005-06 school year. I look forward to helping you
build confidence in yourselves and develop a sense of class camaraderie as we work our way to May
and the AP Exam.
I promise that I will do my best to make this year and course an interesting and rewarding experience.
This is a very challenging course, but I know each of you will excel and succeed. If at any time you are
feeling lost, please do not hesitate to ask for help.
Sincerely yours,
Miss Stacy Baker