AP Biology 2016-2017 Instructor: Ms. Ingwaldson Class Website: http://ingwaldsonscience.weebly.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 406-281-5481
Course Description AP Biology is a year-long course that is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course. This course provides students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. The course is designed around the new AP Biology curriculum framework that focuses on the Big Ideas in biology and their connections. The curriculum provides the opportunity to integrate knowledge through inquiry-based activities and laboratory investigations. Critical reading skills are extremely important for the format of the new test. The AP Biology curriculum is structured around four Big Ideas. These ideas encompass the core principles and theories of all living systems. To master the concepts, students will use many different modes of curriculum like: textbooks, inquiry labs, activities, video lectures, current event articles and case studies. AP Exam College Credit Colleges vary in what score they will accept for credit. A score of 3 or better is passing. The AP Biology ExamTest Date: Monday, May 14th @ 8:00 a.m. Materials 1.Textbook:Principles of Life 2nd edition (keep at home) 2. Notebook: bound, composition type college ruled paper 3. Writing utensil 4. 4-function calculator with square root (not a graphing or scientific calculator)
Class Expectations:
Come to class prepared! Have all materials present with you and be ready when the bell rings.
Come to class! The work we will be doing during class cannot be replicated at home, labs in particular. Missed labs or activities are difficult to make up and, unless it is an excused absence, any missed labs will be given a zero.
Be engaged with the materials.
Keep all personal electronics put away.
Work only on AP Biology.
Grades You are responsible for all material covered in class whether you are here or absent. Grades are composed of the following parts: 1. (10%) Labs: There are 8 required AP labs throughout the year in addition to other labs we will conduct to enhance learning. Labs will be assessed on lab writeups and data. 2. (20%) Assignments: Essay writing, reports on specific topics, and long-term projects will be assigned several times in each quarter. There are also guiding questions for many of your reading assignments. 3. (70%) Exams/Quizzes: As in a college course, these will make up the bulk of your grade. Scores should reflect your strong efforts in all of the above work, reading assignments and class discussions. Exams often cover up to four to five chapters of material and must be completed in a defined amount of time. Quizzes are usually on just one chapter. Late work will be accepted only during the current unit. The maximum score possible on late work is 80%. Cheating Cheating or plagiarism is taking credit for work or knowledge that is not yours. This includes copying homework, cheating on quizzes and tests, or working together on assignments without prior permission. Students caught cheating will receive an automatic zero grade and a conference with the Assistant Principal.