Advanced Placement Biology: Goals and Course Outline

DEPARTMENT: Science	DATE: 2009-2010
COURSE TITLE: AP Biology	COURSE NUMBER: 8540
YEAR	QPA: 4.5
SEMESTER	CREDITS: 6

TEXTBOOK: (Title, Author, Publisher, Edition)

Biology, Campbell & Reece, Pearson, 7^th Edition 2005

GOALS:

• To understand major biological concepts and how they are relevant in our society
• To acquire sufficient skills with scientific laboratory equipment
• To acquire the knowledge necessary for successful completion of the AP exam

CONTENT OF COURSE:

FIRST SEMESTER, FIRST QUARTER

1. Basic Chemistry
2. Biochemistry
3. Cell Structure and Function
4. Energy Acquiring/Releasing Pathways

FIRST SEMESTER SECOND QUARTER

5. DNA Structure and Function
6. Cell Reproduction and Genetics
7. Pathogens & Immunity

SECOND SEMESTER THIRD QUARTER

8. Animal Physiology
9. Plant Structure and Function

SECOND SEMESTER FOURTH QUARTER

10. Ecosystems
11. Evolution

Advanced Placement Biology Skill Proficiencies

By the end of the course, students will be able to

1. Understand and critique scientific articles written on topics relevant to our fields of study.
2. Be able to evaluate and answer complex questions involving biological issues likely to be encountered on the AP exam.
3. Be able to operate scientific equipment such as a spectrophotometer, blood pressure apparatus, respirometer, etc. Students will also know how to implement this equipment into standard college level biological laboratory practices.

Advanced Placement Biology Unit Proficiencies

Students will be able to…

UNIT 1: BASIC CHEMISTRY

1. Recognize and describe different atomic bonding patterns glands
2. Understand the role of acids and bases in human physiology
3. Understand the role of electro negativity in hydrogen bonding
4. Describe the chemistry of water

UNIT 2: BIOCHEMISTRY

1. Recognize and describe the 4 major macromolecules of life
2. Understand the role of enzymes in biological activity

UNIT 3: CELL STRUCTURE & FUNCTION

1. Recognize and describe organelles in eukaryotic cells
2. Understand the role of diffusion / osmosis in membrane transport
3. Understand the role of active transport in biological activity
4. Describe Endosymbiosis

UNIT 4: ENERGY ACQUIRING / RELEASING PATHWAYS

1. Recognize and describe cell respiration
2. Understand the role of enzymes in energy related pathways
3. Understand the role of sunlight in photosynthesis
4. Describe photorespiration

UNIT 5: DNA STRUCTURE & FUNCTION

1. Recognize and describe DNA structure
2. Understand the role of electrophoreses in DNA technology
3. Understand the molecular basis for cancer
4. Describe transcription / translation

UNIT 6: CELL REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS

1. Recognize and describe mutations and their causes
2. Understand the role of statistical analysis in genetic analyses
3. Understand Mendelian genetics
4. Describe mitosis / meiosis

UNIT 7: PATHOGENS & IMMUNITY

1. Recognize and describe lytic / lysogenic cycles
2. Understand the role of leukocytes in human immunity
3. Describe viruses / bacteria

UNIT 8: ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY

1. Recognize and describe the methods of gas exchange in animals
2. Understand the physiology of the nervous system
3. Understand the physiology of the cardiovascular system
4. Describe endocrine receptors and hormones

UNIT 9: PLANT STRUCTURE & FUNCTION

1. Recognize and describe leaf structure
2. Understand the role of hormones in plant development
3. Understand plant nutrition
4. Describe internal transport in plants

UNIT 10: ECOSYSTEMS

1. Recognize and describe biomes
2. Understand the role of the carbon and nitrogen cycles
3. Describe energy transfer in an ecosystem

UNIT 11: EVOLUTION

1. Recognize and describe variation, adaptation, speciation
2. Understand the concept of phylogeny
3. Describe Darwinian evolution