Welcome to AP Biology! 2011-2012

This course is fast and furious so let’s get down to business…

How can you get the most out of this course and prepare yourself to take the AP exam? First, make sure you know what is expected of you. Visit AP Central web site to view the Course Descriptions for AP Biology http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/ (click on the “THE COURSES” topics on the left in green, then the Course Descriptions drop down menu. Click on Biology to reach the complete PDF manual for the course) AND check my website frequently.) Second, remember that answers in science are not always readily available. The fun and thrill is in the quest. Learn to think for yourself and use deductive reasoning. This will help you not only in biology but also in life. Third, plan to put a lot of time into this course. Remember, this is not just “another AP course” but rather a science AP course. I know each of you is capable of achieving great things but you must be willing to work hard and study a lot. Set your goals, share your strengths and weaknesses, and together we can have a great year of success. Since AP Biology is a college-level course with a college-level exam at the end of the year, many topics must be mastered and covered in depth. In order to do this, we must get started quickly during the first week of school. It is in your best interest to do the following over the summer.

#1 -- Sign in using your login information. DO NOT SHARE THIS WITH OTHER STUDENTS AT OTHER SCHOOLS AS WHEN WE RUN OUT WE ARE OUT! 1. Register at www.pearsonschool.com/access, 2. Click on Covered Title (Campbell Biology 7th Edition), then click on your title from the list 3. Choose Student Registration 4. Click I Accept at the bottom of the License Agreement page. Enter the access codes below (if it no longer works, contact Mr. Haas for a new code): Student: SSNAST-QUIPU-OBEYS-SIDED-TRASH-BALES

5. Provide your school zip code (92130) and country 6. Next page, complete your Personal Information and School Information 7. Create your Username, Password and Security Question 8. Once you have completed the registration process, you will receive a confirmation email that includes a link to the website where you can log in using the username and password you created.

#2 --Review the chemistry you already learned. Don’t panic! I don’t expect you to remember every detail of Chemistry from your previous courses or understand everything in the text. However, you must try to understand the chemical foundations of Biology as discussed in the Campbell text.

#3 – This is a college laboratory science and the expectations for writing a laboratory report are significant. There is an lab that may be done over the summer that will introduce you to the level of expectation as well as cover material found on the AP exam that we will not have time to cover in-depth in class. This lab will be due to Friday of the first week of school, on top of other work assigned that week. (see link online for lab 11A/B/C).

I am looking forward to forming a community of learners in our class next year and I know that we will have a great year together. Enjoy your summer and make sure to have fun and relax. See you in September!

RECOMMENDED SUMMER PREPARATION I. Know your Textbook and begin using it Your AP Biology textbook is the 7th edition, Biology, by Campbell. Be sure to peruse the online text to become familiar with its style and components.

Read Chapters 1- 3 (pp. 1-46) and pp. 100-118 (yes include the Interview for context).

It is strongly suggested that you begin the practice of making Reading Notes on your textbook assignments. Your notes should contain the following:

a) Any new vocabulary words- defined, importance explained and examples given b) Diagrams of important functions, concepts and structures related to the bulleted outline at the beginning of each chapter c) Provide you with enough study material that will allow you to answer the chapter quiz in each chapter’s online “chapter guide” and get above a 90%.

Example Vocabulary Card

Hydrolysis and Condensation a) H-chem rxn, splits apart molecules and consumes water. C-small molecules are bonded to make larger a) define molecules, water is a product b) importance b) key to most chemical rxns in living org. c) peptide breakdown and formation c) examples

II. Although “not required” over summer, it is in your best interest to complete (design and execute) AP Lab 11a/b/c over the summer. The lab report will be due during the first full week of the semester (Friday). You will also be tested on Lab 11a/b/c during the first week. We will not be doing the actual lab during class, aside from discussing the results.

AP Biology Lab 11a/b/c can be found on Mr. Haas’ AP Bio class website.