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Advanced Biology |
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It is not just a class it is an experience "No class is an island": words spoken by my Bacterial Physiology professor after my class received very low marks on an exam. I think he used that quote to justify poor teaching, but still it seems a very appropriate quote for this class. We will pull from many disciplines of science that you have already taken--chemistry, physics, biology, and yes even that sad class Earth Science. AP Biology is a rigorous course that can lead to 8 college hours of biology (10 if you go to the University of Miami). The only thing that stands in your way is what is said to be the hardest AP test offered. Almost all freshmen in college take at least one year of science regardless of their majors. And since most colleges charge by the hour, what courses do you think are the big money makers? Yes, I bet biology pulls in its share. So in order to protect hungry biology professors' jobs, the colleges use the AP Biology exam to make sure that if you come to their institutions with biology credits in tow, you deservedly earned them. Thus if you receive AP credit, you prove you know your biology. So how do we prepare you for that trial? We forget about the test and we learn biology for the sake of learning biology. We seek to understand how all factors in us, flowing through us, and surrounding us allow for a very short but sweet existence on this planet. I am amazed on a daily basis of how living systems have adapted to cope with an ever changing environment. I do not need a test generated by hungry professors to motivate me to learn biology and I hope you will feel the same. Grading:
Test: Cumulative. All material is fair game. Content covered in August will be on the test in May Quizzes: 2-3 per week. 1-2 questions Labs : Many labs will be conducted,
but 12 are required for AP credit. Yellow cards: Most of you need no explanation. "The Cards will know!" Essay question: Part of the AP test is a free response section. In order to prepare you for this, we will have at least one question / week requiring you to think and respond. Materials:
Lab/Extra Help: 24-7 ( I do have a child, so
try to keep it on the early side of 24-7) |
