AP Biology is an introductory, college-level biology course which is fundamentally driven by three overarching topics: Molecules and Cells (8 weeks); Heredity and Evolution (8 weeks); and Organisms and Populations (16 weeks). The College Board authorizes this Biology course to use the AP designation. This Advanced Placement Biology course meets and exceeds the expectations that colleges and universities have for college-level Biology. The Board further acknowledges that his course provides a college-level learning opportunity to students. This authorization grants Grosse Pointe North High School the permission to use the AP designation on students’ transcripts in association with this course. The topics experienced in this course are divided into units of instruction and the curriculum within the units is approached thematically so that students are able to: 

1.       make connections and perceive patterns

2.       relate new learning to prior learning

3.       learn in multiple contexts

4.       discover effective learning strategies

5.       apply biological principles to varied contexts

6.       experience the scientific method— generating ideas and formulating hypotheses, applying the scientific literature, developing and implementing appropriate experimental designs, evaluating and monitoring laboratory progress, analyzing and interpreting data, drawing conclusions, and developing expertise.

Critical thinking is fused with the curriculum; and the manifest of this union steers students toward the challenges of a mindful approach when discovering a most challenging college curriculum in many and varied contexts for transfer learning. Students build upon the skills and behaviors emphasized in the Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry courses, which establish a foundation for their academic background knowledge. AP Biology students are held accountable to rigorous standards which are designed to provide feedback on their ability to:

1.       draft cogent and coherent responses to multi-tiered questions

2.       develop laboratory questions

3.       research variables which are prompted by their extension questions arising from the twelve required AP Biology labs

4.       explain the biological concepts

5.       dialogue with classmates about multiple views held concerning controversial biological issues

6.       develop understanding of science as a process  throughout their ongoing research projects

 Students are assessed for:

1.       logical progression of ideas

2.       range and depth in understanding of concepts and their applications of the biological concepts

3.       original thinking

4.       vision for future studies

5.       insight into implications of current biological research

KEY CONCEPTS:
Chemistry of Life (7), Cells (10), Cellular Energetics (8), Heredity (8), Molecular Genetics (9), Evolutionary Biology (8), Diversity of Organisms (8), Structure/Functions Plants & Animals (32), Ecology (10)

Primary Textbook
The Board of Education approves all textbooks and laboratory manuals used in the classrooms. A textbook review committee consisting of the AP Biology teachers, other AP science teachers, parents, students and administrators meets to assess eligible college textbooks; may pilot a text or two for feedback; and then recommends purchase of the selected textbook to the Board of Education. The textbook is then made available for a thirty day public review. The required text for AP Biology students is:
            Campbell, N.A., & Reece J.B. (2005). Biology (AP ed., 7^th ed.). San Francisco: Pearson.


Laboratory  Manuals
            The College Board, (2001). AP Biology Laboratory Manual for Students. AP College Board.
            Masterman, D. & Holman, S. (2003). Biology with Computers (3^rd ed.). OR: Vernier Software and Technology.

Goals Common to All Laboratory Investigations
All laboratories conducted in the AP Biology course are interactive experiences that require students to observe and manipulate materials, living specimens, and laboratory tools. These observations and hands-on manipulations serve as triggers for students to:

1.       Generate and explore answers to experimental questions

2.       Gather data and perceive patterns

3.       Evaluate data and observations

4.       Draw conclusions

5.   Share findings—done formally for all 12 required AP Biology Laboratory Investigations and informally in
 the student’s science journals for all supplemental hands-on lab investigations

school DISTRICT INTEGRITY policy regarding student work
Academic honesty means original work and authentic performances. Academic dishonesty includes plagiarism, cheating, and dishonest behavior referred to in the student code of conduct. Unethical behavior will be managed according to the school district policy printed in each student planner.

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