AP Biology

Description

AP Biology Syllabus

This live online AP Biology course prepares students to achieve success on the College Board AP Biology exam as well as confidence in further study at the college level. Students will cover the biological chemistry of life, cell structure and function, enzymes and metabolism, cell communication, molecular genetics and heredity, gene expression and regulation, natural selection and evolution, and biological ecology. There are six science practices that will be developed and practiced throughout the year. These include explaining concepts in writing, analyzing visual representations of biological concepts, using the scientific method, representing and describing data, performing statistical tests and calculations, interpreting data, and developing and justifying scientific arguments using evidence.

In addition to building content knowledge, students will develop essential academic skills that will serve them well beyond the AP exam. A key part of this course is helping students grow as learners by encouraging them to analyze their own progress through tools on AP Classroom. Students will use reading strategies for daily reading assignments and be encouraged to participate in student study sessions to review materials, quizzes, and exams to enhance the learning process. In addition, independent and collaborative laboratory exercises will practice working as a scientist and as part of a research team. The lab activities will also help students prepare for “laboratory-based” questions on Unit Exams and the AP Exam. Students will be asked to reflect on their own progress by analyzing their formative assessment results using AP Classroom multiple-choice questions similar to the AP Exam.

Major assignments will include labs and, if needed, independent remediation projects. In-class activities may include group collaboration on diagram analysis, case studies, lab and data interpretation, and researching and explaining an illustrative example of the content learned. Student progress will be measured through frequent Topic Exit Slips on AP Classroom and unit progress checks, during which students will analyze questions they missed and reflect on their learning progress throughout each unit. Students will have many opportunities to practice content learned and answering AP style questions prior to the Unit Exams.

Course Structure

The course is structured around a combination of independent and interactive learning. Students will complete reading assignments and activities posted on both Canvas and AP Classroom to prepare for weekly one-hour live classes. These live sessions are designed to clarify more challenging content, provide targeted instruction, and guide students in tracking their academic growth.

Active participation is encouraged during live classes, and discussions often stem from formative assessments in AP Classroom or questions submitted via email throughout the week. To stay on track, students will need to read assigned textbook sections, watch short College Board videos, complete exit slips in AP Classroom, and work through Unit Progress Checks—all of which build toward success on each Unit Exam. In addition to using the textbook and AP Classroom for learning the content, students will complete labs and data interpretation exercises on PIVOT Interactives to practice applying the concepts.

Prerequisites:

Before taking this course, students should have previously completed basic chemistry, algebra, basic statistics, and general biology.

Who Should Apply

The course is intended for students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades who are interested in the topic or wish to study Biology or health-related fields in college.

Technical Requirements:

• Computer
• Internet access
• Email functionality

Evaluation & Feedback

I will regularly correct assignments and provide feedback on graded assignments through Canvas. I will provide feedback on Unit Exams in AP Classroom. I am available and will respond to email within 24 hours, unless it is a weekend, in which case it will be 48 hours.

Communication

I am available and will respond to email within 24 hours, unless it is a weekend, in which case it will be 48 hours. Email is the best way to communicate with me, and I will use it to communicate with students and parents. I will also use Canvas’s announcement feature to communicate with the entire class at once. Contact: jking[at]aimacademy.online