Biology (Advanced Placement) Syllabus 2007-2008 School year

 

Teacher:                 Mr. Henry

 

Materials

 

Textbook:            Biology, Campbell, and Reece Benjamin Cummings, 2005

Notebook:            For class notes, labs and assignments.

All class notes, labs and assignments are kept in a notebook for Biology class only. Notebooks are  collected on a regular basis and graded for accuracy and completeness.

Lab:                      Lined notebook and graph paper for assigned labs

 

Parents are encouraged to contact Mr. Henry with any concerns or questions. The best way to contact Mr. Henry is by e-mail (henry@palmahs.org). Parents may also contact Mr. Henry by calling Palma High School @ (831) 422-6391 and leaving a message. Mr. Henry will return calls at the earliest opportunity. Students are encouraged to see Mr. Henry for help when they feel they need it. Most days Mr. Henry will be available immediately after 8th period or by appointment for help or to meet with parents.

 

 

 

COURSE OVERVIEW

 

The overall intent of the Biology (Advanced Placement) course is two-fold.  First is obviously to prepare the students to successfully challenge the AP Exam.  Secondly is to introduce the students to current concepts in the field of Biology and to stimulate thought regarding the newest advances in the subject. Evolution, the foundation of all modern biological theory, will be a major focus for all course work. While the course does teach to the test in some instances, it is designed to increase interest and improve understanding of new and complex discoveries to allow the students to make well-informed decisions when faced with current events and proposed policies. The course provides a detailed background for future studies in the area of life science and related courses.

 

The class meets every day; four sections daily of 46 minutes each and a lab period of 70 minutes (28% of the weekly total) one day a week.  This allows the completion of more than 12 labs a year although some of the AP Labs require a 2-day session to complete all segments.  The units are organized around the eight themes from the AP Biology Curricular requirements in the following, general order:

 

1.       Science as process

2.       Energy transfer

3.       Relationship of structure to function

4.       Evolution

5.       Regulation

6.       Continuity and change

7.       Interdependence in Nature

8.       Science and Technology

 

Students are required to take quizzes following each chapter (or combined chapters) within the unit and each student is required to submit their own lab report, even though they often work in groups to complete the procedure.  Students also complete in-class written essays graded with typical AP Biology standards with rubrics that are developed by both the Instructor and the students.   Supplementary worksheets, outlines, videos, DVDŐs, and activities are also required.  Students are also required to maintain a bound notebook in which they record vocabulary and definitions from all lectures throughout the course.  Students are assigned reading from the textbook. In addition, various other sources will be investigated in order to emphasize practical applications of the curriculum as they apply to social concerns, and research controversial topics in biology.

 

 

III. STUDENT OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course;

1.  The student will demonstrate skills of experimental design, data analysis and critical thinking.  The student will be able to complete a lab report following a standard format and utilizing the Scientific Method.

     ESLRŐs ADDRESSED: Intellectual, Physical, Social

     2.  The student will demonstrate an understanding of how biological research is done and what its implications for individuals and society may be.

     ESLRŐs ADDRESSED: Intellectual, ,Spiritual/Moral,  Social

     3.  The student will be able to describe the interdisciplinary nature of the biological sciences.

     ESLRŐs ADDRESSED:  Intellectual, Social

     4.  The student will have the opportunity to gain an appreciation of the role of the sciences and technology as an ongoing enterprise to advance the well-being of all living things.

     ESLRŐs ADDRESSED:  Intellectual, Social, Spiritual/Moral

     5.   The student will demonstrate proficiency in developing essay answers to complex biological questions following the format described in the AP course requirements.

          ESLRŐs ADDRESSED:  Intellectual

6.       The student will demonstrate adequate preparation to challenge the Advanced Placement exam.

    ESLRŐs ADDRESSED: Intellectual

7.       The student will be able to demonstrate that evolution is the basis of modern biological models and thought.

    ESLRŐs ADDRESSED: Intellectual

 

ASSESSMENT

 

Chapter quizzes account for 50% of the studentsŐ grade with assignments counting for 20% and lab reports 30%.  Assignments include worksheets and outlines.  Lab reports are required from each student, although they work in groups to complete the lab procedures.

Reading is assigned outside of class time.  A final exam during the week of May 28-31 is required by the school administration. Student exams are produced from the following sources:

á         Campbell Test Study Guide- 5th , 6th , and 7th editions

á         Released Exams 1986- 2002

á         Free Response Questions from 1986- present.

 

Evaluation:         

1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

First Semester Grade

Tests/Quizzes                              50%

Tests/Quizzes                              50%

First Quarter grade               40%

Classwork/Homework               20%

Classwork/Homework               20%

Second Quarter grade           40%

Lab Reports                                  30%

Lab Reports                                  30%

Final Exam                           20%

 

 

 

3rd Quarter

4th Quarter

Second Semester Grade                     

Tests/Quizzes                              50%

Tests/Quizzes                              50%

Third Quarter grade               40%

Classwork/Homework               20%

Classwork/Homework               20%

Fourth Quarter grade             40%

Lab Reports                                  30%

Lab Reports                                  30%

Final Exam                           20%

 

TOPIC SYLLABUS

 

Date

Topic

Labs/Activities

Chapter Readings

Themes

Aug. 17-25

Science Process

Review of emergent properties

Introduction to Themes

1(Campbell)

1

Aug. 28-Sept.8

Basic Biochemistry IUPAC naming

Organic Macromolecules

IUPAC naming Ex.     Aspirin Synthesis Lab

Catalase Enzyme Lab(AP Lab 2)

2,3.4(Campbell)

1

Sept. 11- Sept. 22

Structure and Function

Cells, Cell Membranes, Enzymes

Diffusion, Osmosis

Water Potential Lab

(AP Lab 1)

7,8,9(Campbell)

3

Sept. 25-Oct. 20

Energy Flow

Photosynthesis

Respiration

Chloroplast Chromatography Lab

Photosynthesis Rate Lab

(AP Lab 4)

9,10(Campbell)

2,8

Oct.23- Nov. 3

Cell Cycle

Mitosis, Meiosis, Genetics

Mitosis Counts Lab

Punnett Square Practice (AP Lab 3)

12.13.14,15,16,17

(Campbell)

5

Nov. 6-Dec. 1

Modern Genetics

DNA Technology

Genetic Diseases

Bacterial Transformation Lab

Bacterial DNA

Electrophoresis Lab (AP Lab 6)

Molecular Biology (AP Lab 7)

18,19,20,21

(Campbell)

 

6,8

Dec. 4-15

Evolution

Review for Sem. Exam

Hardy-Weinberg

Case Study

(AP Lab 8)

22,23,24(Campbell)

Selections from

SELFISH GENE

Dawkins, 1976.

4

Jan 16-26

Three Domains

Phylogeny

Sci. Kit/Boreal Poster kit- 3 Domains

25,26,27,29,30,31

(Campbell)

6

Jan.29- Feb. 23

Plant Physiology

Plant Transpiration Lab(AP Lab 9)

Respiration Rate Lab(AP Lab 5)

 

35,35,37,38,39

(Campbell)

Plant Physiology

Meyer, etal.  Litton Publishing.

3,5

Feb. 26- Mar. 30

Animal Physiology

Transparencies (Libr.Ref.Needed)

Circulatory System (AP Lab 10)

Animal Behavior (AP Lab 11)

40,42,43,44,45,48

(Campbell)

3,5

Apr.2-

Apr. 20

Ecology

Population Biology

D.O. Aquatic Primary Productivity(AP Lab 12)

50,52,53,54

(Campbell)

7

Apr. 9- 13

Assign Ecosystem Topics

Spring Break

 

7

Apr. 23-

May 11

Complete Topics

Complete Review

Essay Practice Practice Exams

 

 

 

May 14

EXAM

 

 

 

May 15-final

Selected Topics

In current Biology

Student PowerPoint

Presentations

Sem II exam based on presentations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAB SCHEDULED

 

Science Process-

á         Microscope Measurement.  Observe Stained Plant and Animal cells.  Measure field sizes.

Biochemistry-

á         Aspirin Synthesis.  Basic organic replacement reaction.

á         Enzyme Catalysis (AP Lab 2). Edvotek Kit # 282

Cell Structure and Function-

á         Diffusion and Osmosis(AP Lab 1). Edvotek Kit # 281

Energy Flow-

á         Plant Pigment Chromatography and Photosynthesis(AP Lab 4). Edvotek Kit # 284

á         Respiration Rate Lab (AP Lab 5)

Cell Cycle and Mitosis-

á         Mitosis Stage Counts(AP Lab 3).

Genetics-

á         Bacterial Transformation(AP Lab 6). Edvotek Kit #221

á         DNA Restriction Enzyme Cleavage, Electrophoresis(AP Lab 6). Carolina Biological Mini-Gel System.

á         Molecular Biology (AP Lab 7)

Evolution-

á         Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium(AP Lab 8).  Students test for phenotypes(PTC tasting, Widows Peak, Ear Lobes, etc.) and complete a Hardy-Weinberg population exercise according to instructions in the AP Lab Manual.

Plant Physiology-

á         Plant Transpiration(AP Lab 9).  Procedure taken from AP Lab Manual, 2001.

Animal Behavior-

á         Animal Behavior(AP Lab 11).  Procedure (pillbugs) taken from AP Lab Manual, 2001.

á         Circulatory System (AP Lab 10)

Ecology-

á         Dissolved Oxygen, Primary Productivity.(AP Lab 12). Procedure taken from AP Lab Manual, 2001.  Using Edvotek kit

 


Student Name     ___________________________________________

 

Biology(Advanced Placement) Syllabus 2007-2008 School year

Teacher:                 Mr. Henry

Materials

 

Textbook:            Biology, Campbell, Reece Benjamin Cummings, 2005

Notebook:            For class notes, labs and assignments.

All class notes, labs and assignments are kept in a notebook for Biology class only. Notebooks are  collected on a regular basis and graded for accuracy and completeness.

Lab:                      Lined notebook and graph paper for assigned labs

 

Parents are encouraged to contact Mr. Henry with any concerns or questions. The best way to contact Mr. Henry is by e-mail (henry@palmahs.org). Parents may also contact Mr. Henry by calling Palma High School @ (831) 422-6391 and leaving a message. Mr. Henry will return calls at the earliest opportunity. Students are encouraged to see Mr. Henry for help when they feel they need it. Most days Mr. Henry will be available immediately after 8th period or by appointment for help or to meet with parents.

 

ASSESSMENT

 

Chapter quizzes account for 50% of the studentsŐ grade with assignments counting for 20% and lab reports 30%.  Assignments include worksheets and outlines.  Lab reports are required from each student, although they work in groups to complete the lab procedures.

Reading is assigned outside of class time.  A final exam during the week of May 28-31 is required by the school administration. Student exams are produced from the following sources:

á         Campbell Test Study Guide- 5th , 6th , and 7th editions

á         Released Exams 1986- 2002

á         Free Response Questions from 1986- present.

 

 

Evaluation:         

1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

First Semester Grade

Tests/Quizzes                              50%

Tests/Quizzes                              50%

First Quarter grade               40%

Classwork/Homework               20%

Classwork/Homework               20%

Second Quarter grade           40%

Lab Reports                                  30%

Lab Reports                                  30%

Final Exam                           20%

 

 

 

3rd Quarter

4th Quarter

Second Semester Grade                     

Tests/Quizzes                              50%

Tests/Quizzes                              50%

Third Quarter grade               40%

Classwork/Homework               20%

Classwork/Homework               20%

Fourth Quarter grade             40%

Lab Reports                                  30%

Lab Reports                                  30%

Final Exam                           20%

 

Classroom expectations AP Biology:

 

1)Students will be prepared for class before the bell rings. This means sitting in your seats, with your supplies out and being ready to start working. 

2) Safety is the number one concern in the Lab. Students will only handle equipment when instructed to and will always follow all directions in the correct and safe usage of science equipment, and lab procedures . Any unsafe activities will not be tolerated, and the student will be dismissed from class as a safety hazard.  If a student is dismissed from a lab period, he will receive a grade of zero for the work that day and for the lab write-up.

3) Respect will be shown to all people at all times. This includes other students, the teacher, or any other person in the classroom. Students will listen when other students are asking questions or the teacher is talking, and will refrain from any behavior that disrupts or delays class activities.

4) No food or drink will be allowed in the classroom.

 

 

 

Student signature ____________                                  ________________                                          

 

Parent Name _____________ ___                   ________                                                                         

 

Parent e-mail address _________                                  ________________                                          

 

Daytime Phone ________    _____                                                                                                           

 

Home Phone _____          _______                                                                                                           

 

Parent signature ______________                                 ________