• AP Biology Syllabus

     

    Contact Information for Mrs. Perez:      Email: lorraine.perez@rcs.k12.al.us

     

    Course Overview: AP Biology is a fun yet challenging course! It is equivalent to the first two college introductory biology courses with lab. AP Biology differs significantly from a traditional high school biology course due to text content, depth of material covered, lab work, and time and effort required to achieve mastery in the subject area. Our goal is to understand Biology and be college ready. All students must read the material that is being discussed BEFORE coming to class. As far as the AP Biology Exam, you will get out of the class only what you are willing to put into it. “If you are not willing to put forth the effort, you cannot expect grand results!”

     

    Personal Supplies: Keep these with you EVERYDAY!! BRING SUPPLIES MONDAY!

    1. Small binder with loose leaf paper. This will be for handouts, notes you take while reading, etc.
    2. 1 Subject spiral notebook.
    3. Composition/theme notebook 9 ¾ x 7 ½ in.
    4. Blue or black pens AND pencils to be brought to class EVERY day.
    5. Put in ziplock bag or zipper pouch: Highlighters (yellow, plus another color); Colored pencils (if you already have a set, you can use them), at least 2 glue sticks, ruler
    6. Calculator, with a square root function. NO phone CALCULATORS!
    7. Lab fee of $20 for lab supplies.

    Class Donations: (Optional) Roll of Paper Towels, kleenex, or liquid soap

     

    Electronics Policy: Electronics are to be kept in backpacks unless using them for Kahoot, Socrative, etc. Any student having a device during a quiz, test, data set, etc. will receive a zero on that assignment. Test, quiz documents are secure documents and under no circumstances should a student have a phone out during these times.  Students are NOT allowed at any time to record, video etc. in class unless SPECIFICALLY told to do so. Students will lose their privilege to use devices for classwork and may be faced with other disciplinary action.

     

    Absences: If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed. If absent during quiz or test, you will be required to take the quiz or test upon your return. You will not be exempt from taking the test/quiz if you are absent the day before. ALL tests are posted at least a week in advance. If you have missed several days prior, you will be given another date to make up.

     

    Cheating: It is expected that students will use genuine, sincere, and fair means for the accomplishment of the tests, tasks, or projects from which evaluations of progress shall be determined. Students found plagiarizing, copying, or cheating in any way (this includes sharing daily work answers) will receive zeros. Parents & INOW will be notified; thus will be on your permanent record. ANY use of a digital device during the test will result in a zero for that test.

     

    Grading Percentages: 40% Tests; 30% Quizzes/Synthesis; 30% Labs/Projects, Daily     

     

    Grades & Extra Credit There will be NO extra credit at the end of the nine weeks. Students are given ample opportunity to bring their grade up along the way. Students may retake tests but only up to a 70. Ex. If they score a 50 on the test, they can retake to bring it up to a 70.

     

    The Four Big Ideas

    Big Idea 1:  The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.

    Big Idea 2:  Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

    Big Idea 3:  Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.

    Big Idea 4:  Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.