Advanced Placement (AP) Biology

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) BIOLOGY: The syllabus of this course is equivalent to a college foundation course in biology.   Course topics will be the chemistry of life, cells, cellular energetics, heredity, molecular genetics, evolutionary biology, diversity of organisms, structure and function of plants and animals and ecology.  Students will be expected to do additional scientific readings and research beyond the text.  Labs will include such areas as DNA technology, aquatic ecosystem sampling and Drosophila genetics.  Due to the complexity of the labs, this course requires a consecutive two period block of time.  Students will be expected to take the AP Biology exam in May.  The curriculum is aligned with College Board guidelines.

Length: Year

Offered: Fall/Spring

Number of Periods per Semester: Two

Grade Level: 10-11-12

Course Prerequisites:   Recommended: Biology, Chemistry, Algebra II

Application:  None

Tryout : None

Counselor Approval Required: None

Dual Credit:  No, Possible AP Credit

Weighted: Yes, Full Point

Diploma Path: Directed Elective or Elective for All Diploma Paths

Quantitative Reasoning: Yes

Other:  Advanced Placement and dual credit courses use collegiate texts and are likely to have higher textbook and consumable fees.