Instructor: Mrs. Carolanne Grogan

Course Title: AP Biology Instructor: Mrs. Carolanne Grogan Email: [email protected] Course Description: The Advanced Placement Biology curriculum is equivalent to a college course usually taken by biology majors during their first year of college. Students obtain weighted credit by successfully completing the AP Biology exam at the end of the course. The course differs significantly from a first year high school Biology course with respect to the kind of textbook used, the range and depth of topics covered, the kind of laboratory work done by students, and the time and effort required by the students. The primary emphasis of the course is on developing an understanding of concepts; a grasp of science as a process rather than as an accumulation of facts; personal experience in scientific inquiry; recognition of unifying themes that integrate the major topics of biology; and the application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns. The curriculum is built around the four big ideas in AP Biology. They include the following 1. The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life. 2. Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building block to grow, reproduce and maintain dynamic homeostasis. 3. Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes. 4. Biological systems interact. These systems and their interactions possess complex properties. The big ideas are interconnected and cannot be taught in isolation. The students will create concept maps throughout the year that will connect the big ideas and enduring understanding with one another.

Textbook: Biology, 10th edition. Mader, Sylvia. McGraw-Hill.

Class Requirements:  Pencils with erasers  Blue or black ink pens  2 Composition notebooks (no spiral bound notebooks)  2 rolls of paper towels  Access to a computer and the internet  $15 lab fee Optional Supplies you may want to have:  2-3 inch binder  Loose-leaf Paper  Pack of highlighters  Colored pencils or markers  Post it notes These materials are to be brought to class each day – no exceptions. Grading Scale: A 90 -100 B 80 – 89 C 70 – 79 D 60 -69 F 0 – 59

Grading Per Nine Weeks:  Tests (Tests, Quizzes, and Major Projects) 60%  Teacher’s Choice: Mini Projects and Class Work 30%  Homework 10% Tests: Exams will be over material we cover in class, supplemental material you are asked to read, and material covered in handouts, labs, or other activities. Quizzes may be given at any time covering assigned reading, previous lectures, homework, or lab procedures. A comprehensive exam will be given each quarter and will 10% of the quarter grade. Students should study daily to be prepared for exams & quizzes. The teacher reserves the right to administer a different make-up exam &/or quiz. Labs: Laboratory experimentation and exploration are a large part (at least, 25%) of this course. It is vital that the students follow all laboratory procedures and safety rules/guidelines. Failure to comply with behavior expectations can result in removal from the lab activities. A safety contract will be sent home and filled out by the student and the parent/guardian. These documents will be kept on file and are needed before a student can participate in any labs. Students will record and analyze data for each laboratory experiment in their Biology Interactive Learning Log (BILLS). Students will also produce a lab product to communicate their results and conclusions. Several labs will require lab reports in a formal format. Other lab products may include: 1. Scientific posters 2. PowerPoint presentations 3. Question/response assessment 4. Open-format creative product

Homework: Homework is a very important aspect of this course. Homework helps reinforce the skills for the students after they leave class to prepare for the next class period. Notes and accompanying power point for this class are posted on Mrs. Grogan’s SHS website. Students should print and read through these notes as a supplement to class activities. Honor Code: Students are expected to complete their homework, class work, tests, and other assignments on their own. Unless the work is designated as group work, all written assignments, homework, and tests are strictly individual and are not be completed as a group. Copying/Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated. Cheating on any assignment will result in a 0 being given as the assignment grade per school policy. Student/Teacher Conferences: Any student during the semester who is receiving a grade of “F” or any other unsatisfactory grade may make an appointment to see the teacher before or after school to discuss this at any time. Please also feel free to stop by to discuss make-up work, homework, or anything else. However, extra credit work is not given in this class. There is no need to ask for any assignments for extra credit. Make-Up Work: In the case of an absence, the FIRST responsibility of the student is to turn in any work that should have been turned in on the day of the absence. This is expected immediately upon entering the classroom. The teacher will not ask for this work. This does not include long term projects. Long term projects are due on or before the due date whether the student is present in class on the due date or not. It is the student’s responsibility to remember what was due the day of the absence. The student will have three days (per school board policy) to make-up any assignments that have been not completed due to an absence. It is the student’s responsibility to ask for make-up and schedule make-up tests. Being absent the day before a test is not a valid reason for taking the test at a later date. In order to miss a test, a student must be absent for at least two days before the test or absent the day of the test. Late Work: Students are expected to turn all assignments on time. However, if a student hands in an assignment late, 10% of the grade will be deducted for each day that the assignment is late. Tutoring: Tutoring will be offered one afternoon a week (day to be determined) in Mrs. Grogan’s classroom from 3 to 4 pm and by appointment in the on other afternoons or before school. Study Techniques: The most common problem new students have is that their study skills are not adequate for a college level class. Studying for classes involves more than just "cramming the night before a test." The following are suggestions to improve your grade in biology and other courses. 1. Prepare for class before coming by reading over your notes soon after you have written them and also read over the sections of your text that will be covered in that day's lecture. 2. Make and use a vocabulary list as you go. 3. Do all worksheets, study questions, etc. 4. Keep your handouts, lecture notes, and study questions organized in a notebook. 5. Always read assigned material and make sure you outline all the main ideas and not just a single item in a section. 6. Pay attention and don't daydream in class. 7. Study frequently and in small doses. Cramming does not foster understanding that will stick with you! 8. Set up a study group and study with friends. 9. Understand figures and diagrams from lecture and from your text. 10. If you are having trouble with the material, get help early. Do not wait until TEST DAY!!! Parent and Student Contract Please fill out and sign. Each student MUST have a completed sheet on file.

My child and I have read and understand each of the documents listed below:  Syllabus  Lab Safety Contract

We understand that we will be held accountable for this information and any additional written or verbal instructions provided by the school district or my teacher. I agree to permit the Saraland City Schools to photograph, audiotape, or videotape my child at any time my child may be at any school function or activity, and I give my permission to the Saraland City Schools to use any such photographs, audiotapes, or videotapes including my child’s full name for whatever educational purpose they may deem appropriate. ____ I Agree ___I Disagree

Please return this completed sheet by ______.

______(Student’s signature) (Date)

______(Parent’s Signature) (Date)