Introduction to AP Biology

2013-2014

What is AP Biology

AP Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a University Introductory Biology Course

It is recommended that students spend 1-1.5 hours on homework per class

This year’s date: Monday, May 12, 2014

The Big Ideas

Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and

unity of life Evolution Genetics Cells Taxonomy

The Big Ideas

Big Idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and

molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis Biochemistry Metabolic Processes Ecology - Cycles Cells Homeostasis

The Big Ideas

Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and

respond to information essential to life processes Genetics Cell Communication Population Dynamics (Ecology) Homeostasis

The Big Ideas

Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems

and their interactions possess complex properties Biochemistry Ecology

Science Practices

Designed to ensure that AP Biology students engage in the practice of science

Enable students to develop questions and hypotheses, and then design experiments that provide evidence and explanations

Science Practices

#1 – The student can use representations and models to communicate scientific phenomena and solve scientific problems (ex. graphs, diagrams, pictures, etc…)

#2 The student can use mathematics appropriately

Science Practices

#3 – The student can engage in scientific questioning to extend thinking or to guide investigations within the context of the AP course

#4 – The student can plan and implement data collection strategies appropriate to a particular scientific question

Scientific Practices

#5 – The student can perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence

#6 – The student can work with scientific explanations and theories

#7 – The student is able to connect and relate knowledge across various scales, concepts and representations in and across domains (big ideas)

Scoring

The exam is rated on a 1-5 scale with 4 or 5 usually needed for University credit

The exam has two parts: Multiple Choice (50%) Essay (50%) 80-90 minutes are allowed for each part

Multiple Choice

69 Questions: 63 multiple choice 6 grid-in questions 90 minutes 50% of exam

Short Answer

8 Free Response Questions (50%) 10 min (reading) + 80 min (writing) 2 multi-part questions

1 connects to a lab 25%

6 single-part questions 25%

Science is based on:

Observations Experiments Deductive Reasoning

Scientific Method

Outlines a series of steps for answering questions

Obtains “evidence” through the use of experiments

Scientific Methods Steps

1. Identify the problem. 2. What is already known? 3. Formulate a hypothesis. 4. Conduct an experiment. 5. Collect data 6. Compare data to hypothesis 7. Conclusions and new hypothesis

Laboratory

Inquiry-Based Labs 12 labs are suggested

Recommended to do at least 8 2 per big idea

Many error analysis questions How can the graph/data set be improved? How can the experimental design be improved?

Summary

We will see the “big ideas” at various times throughout the course.

AP Biology students must be able to design an experiment to test a hypothesis

Why Take AP Biology?

To gain university credit For the academic challenge For advance preparation of what to expect in a

university course For university admission reasons

Suggested Prerequisites

Willing to spend the time for success Self-motivated worker 1-2 years of high school Biology Chemistry Good communication skills