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Syllabus:

Science is a process rooted in curiosity, awe, understanding and respect for the natural world in which we live.  In science courses at St. Margaret’s, students are encouraged to become autonomous learners in a collaborative environment.  We teach students to be critical thinkers who use logic, experimental design, and problem solving as vehicles for discovery.  Our students are asked to demonstrate scientific literacy and effective communication skills.  With this background, we hope students will mature into responsible stewards of the Earth and build a life-long interest in science.  Under these principles, the Science Department seeks to impart to its students through its K-12 curriculum, an enduring understanding of how to approach problems or questions of interest.  Our students learn how to

·         apply the scientific method

o        ask an interesting question

o        research the question, learn theory, make observations

o        formulate an educated guess (hypothesis) and make predictions based upon the hypothesis

o        design a controlled experiment to test the hypothesis

o        conduct the experiment

o        draw and evaluate conclusions

o        report their results in well articulated written and oral expression

·         build the foundations of scientific literacy and work to make bridges across the curriculum

·         think logically and critically

·         become independent learners while recognizing the value of collaboration and communication

·         make connections to their inner and outer environments 

Course Description: 

AP Biology is a second-level biology course designed to meet the objectives of a college-level general biology course and to prepare students to challenge the AP Exam and the Subject Test in Biology.  The instruction relies on lecture/discussion and in-depth laboratory activities.  Students are required to prepare a scientific research presentation on a prearranged topic of interest, including a summary of recently published scientific literature after the AP exam in May.

Textbook and Study Guides:

·          Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (11th edition) by Starr & Taggart

·          Student Resource and Activity Manual - Biology 1 - BioZone

·          Student Resource and Activity Manual - Biology 2 - BioZone

·          AP Biology Review Book (Cliffs AP, recommended) 

 Habits Of Mind:

•     An understanding and appreciation for the recent advancements in (molecular) biology.

•     Comprehension of the material presented in lecture by incorporation of the twelve required laboratory exercises into the curriculum.

•     Preparation to be successful in the Advanced Placement and SAT II exams in biology and any subsequent college biology course they might take.

  Concepts Mastered:

•     Cells are the structural and functional units of life.

•     Cellular processes are based on physical and chemical changes.

•     Heredity events control the passage of structural and functional information from one generation to the next.

•     The relationship of structure to function is a theme that is common to all organisms.

•     All organisms interact with each other and their environment in very specific ways.

Skills Developed:

•     To cultivate proper research skills, including use of books, periodicals and electronic resources.

•     To develop and enhance the students' ability to evaluate data, incorporate biological principles and synthesize this information into a concise, accurate and insightful laboratory report which includes an abstract.

•     To enable students to think critically, analyze data and stimulate an interest in the subject that will, hopefully, carry into their collegiate years.

•     To develop laboratory skills and techniques that can be applied to other lab science courses.

 Teaching Strategies:

•     Lecture/discussion 

•     In depth lab experimentation

•     Group analysis of lab data

•     Demonstrations

•     Videos/laser discs/computer animations and labs

•     Research papers

•     Guided self-study

Evaluation Methods:

•     Test/quizzes

•     Lab reports

•     Homework

•     Computer based tutorials

•     Reports - in depth research

•     Graphic analysis