Syllabus

__**ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY SYLLABUS (2010-2011)** __ Mr. Ian Kearns E-mail: ian_kearns@dpsk12.org Room: 216B School Phone: (720) 423-9000  ** __ TEXTBOOK __ **** :  ** Campbell, N. A. and Reece, J. B., // Biology //, Edition 8 AP Edition, Benjamin Cummings Publishers (2008) ** __ SUPPLIES __ **** :  ** 3 ring notebook w/ dividers for lecture notes, practice test printouts, self-quizzes, and labs. ** __ LOGISTICS __ **** :  ** This class is taught on a block schedule (90 minutes per block) and meets five times every two weeks for a total of approximately 88 blocks (some blocks are lost to Junior passage presentations and Senior portfolio presentations and seminars. Class periods will be composed of lecture, labs (more than 22 blocks worth, which is well over 25% of the class), quizzes, exams, and practice tests/AP exam preparations. A premium will be put on both labs and written response/essay composition. Each exam will have at least one detailed essay, and many quizzes will be in-class or take-home essays.      This class will move at a very fast pace and when considering the time required for labs, lectures and reviews, ** there is really no way to make up a missed class or most of the labs **. It is, therefore, essential you attend every class and lab and ** be prepared to participate **. If you are familiar with my teaching philosophy you are aware that it is up to you to take personal responsibility for your learning to maximize your AP experience and meet the DCIS goal of being academically prepared. __ Although it is not mandatory,  __ I expect all of those who enroll in AP Biology to prepare for and take the exam. This class has a very special dynamic when we are all working towards the same goal. If you are not looking for an academic challenge at the highest level, you should consider taking a different course. ** __ MAJOR THEMES IN THE COURSE __ **** :  ** The AP Biology Development Committee has identified eight major themes that recur throughout the course:  I. **  Science as a Process  ** – Science is a way of knowing. It can involve a discovery process using inductive reasoning, or it can be a process of hypothesis testing. //  Example: The theory of evolution was developed based on observation and experimentation. //  II. ** Evolution  ** – Evolution is the biological change of organisms that occurs over time and is driven by the process of natural selection. Evolution accounts for the diversity of life on Earth. //  Example: Widespread use of antibiotics has selected for antibiotic resistance in disease-causing bacteria. //  III. ** Energy Transfer –  ** Energy is the capacity to do work. All living organisms are active (living) because of their abilities to link energy reactions to the biochemical reactions that take place within their cells. //Example:Tthe energy of sunlight, along with carbon dioxide and water, allows plant cells to make organic materials, synthesize chemical energy molecules, and ultimately release oxygen to the environment.//  IV. ** Continuity and Change –  ** All species tend to maintain themselves from generation to generation using the same genetic code. However, there are genetic mechanisms that lead to change over time, or evolution. //Example: Mitosis consistently replicates cells in an organism; meiosis (and hence sexual reproduction: results in genetic variability.//   V. **  Relationship of Structure to Function  ** – The structural levels from molecules to organisms ensure successful functioning in all living organisms and living systems.     //   Example: Aerodynamics of a bird’s wing permits flight.   //   VI. **  Regulation –  ** Everything from cells to organisms to ecosystems is in a state of dynamic balance that must be controlled by positive or negative feedback mechanisms.    //   Example: Body temperature is regulated by the brain via feedback mechanisms. //  VII. ** Interdependence in Nature  ** – Living organisms rarely exist alone in nature. //Example: Microscopic organisms can live in a symbiotic relationship in the intestinal tract of another organism; the host provides shelter and nutrients, and the microorganisms digest the food.//  VIII. ** Science, Technology, and Society –  ** Scientific research often leads to technological advances that can have positive and/or negative impacts upon society as a whole. //Example: Biotechnology has allowed the development of genetically modified plants.// ** __ COURSE PLANNER __ **** :  ** **  Quarter 1: Chemistry of Life, Cells, and Cellular Energetics (18.5 blocks)   ** Unit 1 Chemistry of Life (7.5 blocks including Labs 1 & 2 and Exam I)     Distribute books, syllabus, etc. Assignment: Read Ch. 2-5.      Lectures/Activities: (~4 blocks) Experimental Design: Seed Germination; Structures and Properties of Macromolecules, Water Essay AP Lab(s): Lab 1 Diff./ Osmosis; Lab 2- Enzyme Catalysis (~3 blocks) Exam: Unit I Exam (~0.5 blocks) ** // Molecules and Cells (topic = 25% of AP Exam)  // ** ** //  A. Chemistry of Life (Ch. 2-3, 5, esp. Concepts 3.1-3.3, 5.1-5.5)   // ** Unit 2 The Cell and Cellular Energetics (11.5 blocks including Labs 4 & 5 and Exam II) Assignment: Read Ch. 6-12 (omit 11) Lectures/Activities:  (~7.5blocks) Floating Disk Assay, Formal lab write-up required, Lactic Acid Fermentation; Cell Diversity; Cell Structure & Plasma Membrane, Mitosis/Meiosis, Cell Communication Essay, Osmosis Essay AP Lab(s): Lab 4 Pigments/Photosyn.; Lab 5 Cell Respiration (~3.5 blocks) Exam: Unit II Exam (~0.5 blocks) ** // Molecules and Cells (topic = 25% of AP Exam) // ** <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 243pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 243.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> ** // B.  // **** //  Cells (Ch. 6, 7, 12, esp. Concepts 6.1-6.7, 7.1-7.5, 12.1-3)  // ** Primary Labs: Maximizing Cell Size, Onion Cell Mitosis <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 243pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 243.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> C. ** //  Cellular Energetics (Ch. 8, 9, 10, esp. Concepts 8.1-8.5, 9.1-9.6, 10.1-10.4)  // ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> __ End of Quarter 1  __ **  Quarter 2: The Gene and Mechanisms of Evolution (22 blocks)   ** Unit 3 The Gene (16 blocks including Labs 3, 6, 7 and Exams IIIa and IIIb) Assignment: Read Ch. 13-20.      Lectures/Activities: (~9 blocks) DNA/replication & protein synthesis models, Drosophila Fly Essay, Genetic Engineering Essay AP Lab(s): Lab 3 Mitosis and Meiosis, Lab 6 Molecular Biology, Lab 7 Genetics of Organisms, including chi-square analysis of your data; (~6 blocks) Exam: Unit IIIa Exam and Unit IIIb Exam (~0.5 blocks ea. = 1 block) ** //  Heredity and Evolution (topic = 25% of AP Exam)   // ** ** //  A. Heredity (Ch. 13-15, esp. Concepts 13.1-13.4, 14.1- 14.4, 15.1-15.5)   // ** ** //  B. Molecular Genetics (Ch. 15-20, esp. Concepts 15.4, 16.1 & 16.2, 17.1-17.7, 18.1-18.4, 19.1-19.3, 19.5, 20.1-20.5)   // ** Unit 4 Mechanisms of Evolution (6 blocks including Lab 8 and Exam IV) Assignment: Read Ch. 22-25.      Lectures/Activities: (~4 blocks) Natural Selection and Speciation of Snakes, Evolution Essay AP Lab(s): Lab 8 Population Genetics (~1.5 blocks) Exam: Unit IV Exam (~0.5 blocks) ** //  Heredity and Evolution (topic = 25% of AP Exam)   // ** <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 243pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 243.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> ** // C.  // **** //  Evolutionary Biology (Ch. 22-25, esp. Concepts 22.2-3, 23.1-4, 24.2-3, 25.1, 2, 4)  // ** __ End of Quarter 2  __ ** Quarter 3: History of Biodiversity and Plants (21 blocks)  **//  begin Animals/Ecology last 4.5 blocks  // Unit 5 History of Biodiversity (4 blocks including 0.5 block from Q2 & Exam V)     Assignment: Read Ch. 26, 28, 29, 30, 32-34      Lectures/Activities: (~3.5 blocks) Parade Through the Kingdoms, Pond Water Survey, Diversity of Life Essay, Plant Fast Plants Exam: Unit V Exam (~0.5 blocks) ** // Organisms and Populations (topic = 50% of AP Exam)  // ** ** // A. History of Biodiversity (Ch. 26-34, skim through  // **    ** //   Select chapters, focusing on core concepts and pp. 175-189 in __Cliff’s Notes__   // **    Unit 6 Plants (8 blocks including Lab 9 and Exam VI)      Assignment: Read Ch. 35-39.       Lectures/Activities: (~5.5 blocks) Leaf, Flower, Fruit Structure; Plant Reproduction; Plant Survey; Dissect Fast Plants; Plant Tropisms Essay; Plant Hormones Essay      AP Lab(s): Lab 9 Transpiration (~2 blocks)      Exam: UnitVI Exam (~0.5 blocks)     ** //  Organisms and Populations (topic = 50% of AP Exam)   // **   ** //   B. Plants (Ch. 35-39, esp. Concepts   // ** ** //  35.1 & 3, 36.1 & 4, 37.1 & 3, 38.1 & 4, 39.1& 2)   // **  **   Animals and Ecology    **    Unit 7a Animals (8 blocks including Labs 10 and Exam VIIa)      Assignment: Read Ch. 40-43.       Lectures/Activities: (~5.5 blocks) Homeostasis Essay      AP Lab(s): Lab 10 Circulatory Physiology (2 blocks)     ** //  Organisms and Populations (topic = 50% of AP Exam)   // **   ** //   B. Animals (Ch. 40-45, esp. Concepts   // ** ** // 40.1, 3 & 5, 41.1 & 2, 42.3 & 5, 43.1-3, 44.1-6, 45.1 & 4  // **      Exam: Unit VIIa Exam (~0.5 blocks) Unit 7b -// begin 1.5 blocks //Animals (8 blocks including Exam VIIb) Assignment: Read Ch. 44.      Lectures/Activities: (~1.5 blocks) Homeostasis Essay ** // Organisms and Populations (topic = 50% of AP Exam)   // ** <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 3.75in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 3.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> ** // B.  // **** //  Animals (44.1-6)  // ** __ End of Quarter 3  __ **  Quarter 4: Animals and Ecology (15.5 blocks plus AP BIO EXAM REVIEW)   ** Unit 7b (cont.) -// finish 7.5 blocks- //Animals (8 blocks including Exam VIIb) Assignment: Read Ch. 45-49. (omit 47) Lectures/Activities: (~6 blocks) Nerve transmission and muscle contraction models; menstruation/reproduction inquiry, Nerve and Muscle Contraction Essays, Menstrual Cycle Essay Exam: Unit VIIb Exam (~0.5 blocks) ** // Organisms and Populations (topic = 50% of AP Exam)   // ** ** //  B. Animals (Ch. 46-49, esp. Concepts    // **   ** //  46.4 & 5, 48.2, 4, & 6, 49.1, 2, 4 & 6)  // ** Unit 8 Ecology (8 blocks including Labs 11 & 12 and Exam VIII) Assignment: Read Ch. 51-54.      Lectures/Activities: (~4 blocks) Goldenrod Gall and t-test; succession activity; Biogeochemical Cycles Essay, Succession Essay AP Lab(s): Lab 11 Animal Behavior & Lab 12 Dissolved Oxygen (~3.5 blocks) Exam: Unit VIII Exam (~0.5 blocks) ** // Organisms and Populations (topic = 50% of AP Exam)   // ** ** //  B. Ecology (Ch. 50-56, esp. Concepts    // **  ** //   51. 2 & 5, 52.3-6, 53.1 & 4, 54.3-5) and pp. 285-310 in __Cliff’s Notes__   // ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> May 10 AP Exam!! <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> Last day of class- Comprehensive Final Exam– Waived for those who take the AP Exam ** __ COURSE REQUIREMENTS __ ** : Each student is required to complete the assigned reading and quizzes each week, take ten (10) exams each worth 100 points, which will account for ** 50% ** of the class grade Exams will cover the lecture, discussions, lab exercises, and reading material in this course. =      = = __   Each student is required to complete additional material, which may be made up of essay questions, quizzes, papers, homework assignments, etc. as determined by the instructor. This additional work will be worth a total of up to 800 points (200 per quarter). This additional material will be weighted 20% of the overall grade. Classwork and participation are also valued at 10 %. __ =   Students will be required to keep detailed, organized lab notebooks and to complete occasional lab write-ups. The grades on these and on lab quizzes will be combined and will be weighted ** 20% ** of the overall grade for the course. __ Grading Criteria:  __ A = 90% - 100% B = 80% - 89% C = 70% - 79% D = 60% - 69% F = 0% - 59% In case of illness or emergency, tests may be made up at the discretion of the instructor within the usual school district guidelines. NOTE: Just as it is handled at the university level, academic dishonesty on a test or any assignment will result in no credit for the test or assignment involved. All persons that knowingly participate in dishonest behavior are equally guilty and may be dealt with in the same manner. = __  ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION:    __ = Because class sessions will introduce new material, allow time for questions, and include special instructions, there is really no way to make up a missed class. It is, therefore, essential that the student make a conscientious effort to attend every class and be prepared to participate. = __  STUDY SUGGESTIONS:  __  = <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ø Focus in class – paying attention in class can save you hours of studying outside of class. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ø This is a college level course and the class will be handled as such, you will be graded primarily on tests and labs and you will be expected to monitor and analyze your own learning. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ø Biology is different from other introductory courses in terms of the amount of vocabulary involved to get a basic understanding of the science. You ** must **study some every day. Waiting to review your notes until just before the exam is a ** bad ** idea. Staying on top of the material will help you develop a deeper understanding and keep the material from seeming overwhelming and confusing. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ø Make use of ALL online resources, especially the Campbell // Biology Ed.8 AP Ed. // site. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ø Come in for help or get help from a classmate as soon as you have trouble with a concept, you need to be an advocate for your own learning. Consider forming a study group, even if it’s only with one other person. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ø Keep an organized lab notebook and organized notes. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ø Your syllabus is your best friend in this class – check it frequently and use it to plan your studying – you always have homework in AP Bio, if nothing else, start reading ahead. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ø After a quiz or test take time to figure out why you missed questions – think about whether you misread the question or needed to study more. If you needed to study more, do it right away – the concepts build on each other AND you will MORE THAN LIKELY be having comprehensive exams at the end of both semesters. And, of course, remember you are always working toward your AP exam on May 11th, 2009. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ø Make sure you do your labs carefully and completely and that you understand what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Labs are an important part of your preparation for the AP exam, especially for the essay questions (which are 40% of your score). <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ø Make up labs immediately – biology lab materials usually have a short shelf life – you can’t do a lab if the organisms are no longer fresh, no longer alive, or are no longer in the right stage of their life.