AP Biology Syllabus

2011-2012
K.Shunkwiler
Email: krista.shunkwiler@cms.k12.nc.us
Wiki: kristashunkwiler.cmswiki.wikispaces.net

Text: Biology, 7th Edition, Raven, Johnson, Losos, Singer

College Board AP Biology Website:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_bio.html?biology

I.Materials Needed
A. Binder for class notes
B. AP Biology Lab Manual for Students
C. Binder for lab work
D. Pencils, color pencils, graph paper, unlined and lined loose-leaf paper,
Calculator
E. Cliffs AP Biology (3rd Edition)

II. Course Description and Prerequisites

AP Biology is a college level course and will be taught as such. We will follow
the College Board Course Description with only minor deviations. Students who earn a 4
or 5 on the AP Exam are well prepared for advanced work in college and, in many cases,
the waiver of two semesters of freshman Biology. Students should have earned a B or
higher in an introductory Biology course and a B or higher in an introductory Chemistry
course before enrolling in AP Biology.

III. Course Requirements

Students are expected to complete reading assignments in the textbook prior to
class. Students will also be expected to take notes on the reading assignments. Reading
is essential to your success in AP Biology. I will spend class time teaching content via
lecture, discussion, and hands-on activities. All reading assignments, lecture notes and
class work should be kept in your class notes binder. Lab work is also a critical
component of AP Biology. The twelve required AP labs will be conducted throughout
the year, in addition to alternative laboratory activities of my choosing. It is crucial that
you keep your lab work organized in your laboratory binder. You may want to have your
Lab Manual hole-punched to more easily organize it in your binder. You will also use
your lab binder to take notes and collect data during the lab. Tests cover multiple
chapters and are listed following the letters on the course outline. Unit syllabi will be
provided at the beginning of each unit. You will be required to download all notes and
work from my website PRIOR to the first day of the new unit.
.IV. Course Outline and Quarter Correlations
QUARTER ONE
The Life of the Cell
A. Biochemistry
1. Text Chapters 1-3
2. Labs/activities
Scientific Method
Enzyme Catalysis {AP}
B. Cytology
1. Text Chapters 4-7
2. Labs/activities
Light Microscopy and Cells
Osmosis and Diffusion {AP}
C. Bioenergetics
1. Text Chapters 8-10
2. Labs/activities
Plant pigments and Photosynthesis {AP}
Cellular Respiration {AP}
Cellular Reproduction and Genetics
A. Cellular Reproduction and Inheritance patterns
1. Text Chapters 11-13
2. Labs/activities
Mitosis {AP}
Genetics of Drosophila melanogaster {AP}
Meiosis {AP}
Sordaria Crossing Over {AP}
QUARTER TWO
B. Molecular Genetics
1. Text Chapters 14-20
C. Genetic Engineering and the Human Genome Project
1. Text Chapters 14-20
2. Labs/activities
DNA Restriction Analysis {AP}
Transformation {AP}
Organisms and Populations
A. D. Bacteria, D. Archea, K.Protista, K. Fungi
1. Text Chapters 25-28, 30
2. Labs/activities
Classification
B. Plants
1. Text Chapters 29, 35-41
2. Labs/activities
Plant Classification
Plant Anatomy
Transpiration in Plants {AP}
EXAM REVIEW
QUARTER THREE
C. Animal Diversity and Unity
1. Text Chapters 31-34
2. Labs/activities
Simple Animals, Protostomes, Deuterostomes
Vertebrate Tissue
D. Animal Movement (Multiple Tests with dates TBD)
Text Chapter 42
E. Animal Nutrition and Respiration
Text Chapters 43-44
F. Animal Internal Transport and Protection
1. Text Chapter 44
2. Labs/Activities
Cardiovascular System {AP}
G. Animal Internal Maintenance
Text Chapters 47-49
H. Animal Reproduction and Development
Text Chapters 50-51
I. Animal Responses
Text Chapters 45-46
Evolution
1.Text Chapters 21-24
2. Labs/activities
Population Genetics and Evolution {AP}

QUARTER FOUR
Ecology
1. Text Chapters 52-57
2. Lab/activities
Animal Behavior{AP}
Dissolved Oxygen {AP}

AP Exam Review (Two weeks)

AP EXAM - Monday, May 14th, 2012

V. Assessment
Unit Tests – 70%
Lab Work – 15%
Class Work/Homework -15%

KEEP THIS SHEET FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!