Should I take Biology or AP Biology? BIOLOGY AP BIOLOGY LEVEL College-preparatory College TOPICS Essential and traditionally popular topics The new AP Curriculum has cut content such that are chosen such as ecology, human we cover fewer topics than in the past, but still more physiology. than Biology. SUMMER No summer assignments In order to avoid excessive homework over most PREP breaks, and to allow for some review time before the AP Exam, 3-4 chapters are assigned over the summer, and there will be a test on the second day of school. PACE Challenging, but not ridiculous Fairly fast. 1—2 chapters per week. TYPE OF All students are welcome! There are Students who enjoy and do well in both Chemistry STUDENT usually approximately equal numbers of AP and US History; are organized and self-motivated to Bio and Biology students. do homework; got acceptable grades (B+ or higher) in Chem and Phys due to hard work and/or ability. LABS Approx. 1 lab, activity, or project per week. Approx. 1 lab, activity, or project per week. Includes Includes one independent experiment one independent experiment GRADING Different weights for tests, homework, Straight point system. Approximately 60-70% of the science fair, labs. 55% based on tests and grade is based on tests and the final exam. Rest = the final exam. labs, homework, and optional homework.

GOALS To gain a conceptual understanding of Same as for BIOLOGY, and to prepare students to essential concepts in biology. To inspire a take the AP exam in May. love and awe of life. To prepare students to be informed citizens. To gain further experience in conducting experiments. To be well-prepared for college-level biology. OTHER If you begin in AP Biology, and switch into regular Biology THINGS 1. your grade remains with you and gets averaged into your grade in regular Biology 2. you will not be allowed to switch into a Biology class with 18 students If you begin in Biology and switch into AP Biology 1. you will be expected to take the summer reading test 2. you will be expected to catch up on missed material, labs, and tests There is a final exam for both AP Biology and Biology in the spring

* AP PHYSICS Students who plan to major in Engineering or Physics in college may consider taking AP Physics as juniors, though preference still goes to seniors. Please note that there is a Biology pre-requisite for some senior electives, namely Neurobiology and AP Environmental Science. Seniors in Bio/AP Bio frequently have scheduling difficulties. Seniors taking Biology and AP Biology still will take a (modified) final exam (day to be scheduled with the teacher).

* SUMMER BIOLOGY: You may take Biology in the summer after your sophomore or junior year. If interested, sign up through the Summer Enrichment Program. Reasons to take summer Bio: 1) you then have the prerequisite to take more science electives during the next school years; 2) you may spend a semester or year away, and need to have biology to graduate; 3) you may want to take more non-science classes during the school year; 4) you took AP Physics as a junior and want to take electives that require Biology as a pre- requisite. 5) You want to take for credit, or audit, summer Biology as a prep for AP Biology