AP/Dual Credit Biology
Alisa Morris
903-796-4411 ext. 5109
Conference 8-8:46
AP/DC Biology Course Syllabus
First Semester
Unit 1
Nature of Science
Characteristics of Living Things/Chemistry of life
Includes the chemical background of organisms, and the organic compounds that make them up. Includes the functions of enzymes.
Unit 2
Cells
Includes history of cells, cell parts and how they function to create an organism. Compares and contrast the structure/reproduction/characteristics of prokaryotes/eukaryotes/viruses.
Includes the importance of the cell membrane in transport and in cell communication.
Unit 3
Cellular processes
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Includes how cells use the two processes to survive and cycle food and energy through an ecosystem.
Unit 4
Cell cycle
Includes the creation and life cycle of the cell. Includes the process of meiosis.
Unit 5
Protein Synthesis
Includes transcription and translation of proteins from DNA and how non-functioning protein will disrupt homeostasis. Also includes the controlling factors of protein synthesis and how they differ between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Unit 6
Genetics and Heredity Also focuses on how DNA/genes are passed from one generation to another. Includes the mechanisms to prevent mutations and what occurs when those mechanisms do not work.
Second Semester
Unit 1 Biotechnology
This unit will include advances in gene technology.
Unit 2
Evolution and genes
Includes how variations in genes contribute to evolution.
Includes Darwin’s theory of natural selection and Hardy-Weinberg’s equation on non-evolving populations.
Unit 3
Classification/History of life
Uses Linnaeus system of classification to differentiate between the Kingdoms.
Focuses on micro-organisms and their importance to life.
Unit 4
Plant Structures and Adaptations
Includes the cells, tissues and organs of plants that have made them so successful on earth and the adaptations they have to survive in different biomes.
Unit 5
Body Systems
Includes body systems of different animal species, how they are the same and different. How human body systems are responsible for maintaining homeostasis.
Unit 6
Ecology
Includes the biomes, energy flow, types of relationships, and disturbances in an ecosystem
Each unit will have lab activities that correlate with the subject in that unit. We will also be using technology on a regular basis to create projects that will help us understand our topics better.
What you need…
Classroom Rules
Late work policy- student handbook policy-
1 day late -20 points
2 days late -30 points
3 days late -40 points
4 days late -50 points
5 days late -50 points
work not accepted after 5 days…grade goes in as a zero
Make-up work
You are responsible for make up work. Make-up assignments will be located in the make-up folder. You will have two days to do makeup work.