Curriculum Map

Muir, Christine / Biology AP / Grade 10, 11, 12
           

Unit Title

Q1: A.P. Biology

Content

Introduction to Life on Earth
Unit I: The Life of the Cell
-The Chemistry of Life, Atoms and Molecules
-Energy flow in the life of the cell
*Principles of Enzyme catalysis /Lab/
-Cell the unit of life
-Cell structure and function
-Membrane structure and function
-principles of Osmosis, Diffusion, Facilitated
diffusion and Active transport
-Photosynthesis
-Glycolysis and Cellular Respiration
*Plant pigment chromatography and
photosynthesis /Lab/
Unit II: Inheritance
-The Molecules of Heredity; DNA structure and
replication
-Gene expression and regulation;
Protein synthesis
-The continuity of Life, Cellular reproduction,
Mitosis and Meiosis
-Patterns of inheritance; Mendelian Genetics
-Molecular genetics and Biotechnology
*DNA Restriction and Analysis /Lab/
*Gene Transformation of E.coli cells /Lab/
End of Quarter I

Skills

-College level reading comprehension of science
text and science articles
-Ability to do independent work when required
-Ability to think critically and creatively
-Knowledge of computer and software application
-Be able to participate in extensive class
discussions
-Ability to work cooperatively in a group
setting
-Well established laboratory skills

Resources

-Biology - Life on Earth - Text book (Audesirk) - newest edition
-Internet connection to the text book
-Various scientific publications
-Haiku - posted lecture notes, videos, animations and websites for interactive learning
-AP Biology Resources - AP Central

Instructional Strategies

-Lecture / discussion / clicker questions
-Interactive group work
-Case studies and problem-based learning
-Data analysis and synthesis
-Laboratory exercises - both open ended inquiry based labs, and detailed labs borrowed from the AP Biology curriculum
-Videos, animations, demonstrations

Assessment

-Homework and essential knowledge application packets
-Case study analyses
-Data and experimental design analyses
-Use and understanding of biological statistics
-Lab write ups and critical evaluation
-Involvement and Contribution in class discussions and lab activities
-Unit tests (4+ chapters) that incorporate both essential knowledge, critical thinking, and science practice questions.

Outcomes

-Students will have an understanding and
appreciation of the origin and diversity of
Life on Earth
-Students will have a college level
understanding of the chemistry of life and the
central importance of energy for living systems
-Students will understand the principle of
Continuation of Life; Cell structure, function
and reproduction
-Students will understand the Mendelian Laws of
heredity; DNA structure, replication and
expression
-Students will be familiar with modern genetic
engineering techniques
-Students will be able to evaluate pros and cons
of genetic engineering critically

Unit Title

Q2: A.P. Biology

Content

Unit III: Evolution
-Principles of Evolution
-Mechanisms of Evolution
-The Origin of Species - Darwinian Evolution
-The History of Life on Earth
*Population Genetics and Evolution (Lab)
-Taxonomy: Imposing order on diversity
-The Diversity of Life
-Survey of the Kingdoms:-Microorganisms
-Fungi
-Plants
-Animals
*End of Quarter II
*Semester Exam

Skills

-College level reading comprehension of science
text and science articles
-Ability to do independent work when required
-Ability to think critically and creatively
-Knowledge of computer and software application
-Be able to participate in extensive class
discussions
-Ability to work cooperatively in a group
setting
-Well established laboratory skills

Resources

-Biology - Life on Earth - Text book (Audesirk) - newest edition
-Internet connection to the text book
-Various scientific publications
-Haiku - posted lecture notes, videos, animations and websites for interactive learning
-AP Biology Resources - AP Central

Instructional Strategies

-Lecture / discussion / clicker questions
-Group work
-Case studies and problem-based learning
-Data analysis and synthesis
-Laboratory exercises - both open ended inquiry based labs, and detailed labs borrowed from the AP Biology curriculum
-Demonstrations

Assessment

-Homework and essential knowledge application packets
-Case study analyses
-Data and experimental design analyses
-Use and understanding of biological statistics
-Lab write ups and critical evaluation
-Involvement and Contribution in class discussions and lab activities
-Unit tests (4+ chapters) that incorporate both essential knowledge, critical thinking, and science practice questions.

Outcomes

-Students will understand and appreciate the
principles and mechanisms of Evolution
-Students will have a good understanding of
the vast diversity of Life on Earth
-Students will see order in the midst of
diversity by understanding the principles of
modern Taxonomy

Unit Title

Q3: A.P. Biology

Content

Unit IV: Plant Anatomy and Physiology
-The Structure and Function of land plants
-Nutrition and Transport in plants
-Plant reproduction and development
-Control of the plant life cycle
*Principles of Transpiration (Lab)
Unit V: Animal Anatomy and Physiology
-Homeostasis and of the Animal body
-Circulation/Transporting Systems
-Respiration
-Nutrition and Digestion
*Physiology of the Circulatory System (Lab)
-Excretion and the Urinary System
-Chemical control of the Animal Body;
The Endocrine System
-Defense against disease; The Immune System
-Information processing; The Nervous System
and the Senses
*Anatomy of the Mammalian organism/ Dissection
of the fetal pig (Lab)
-Action and Support; The Muscular and
Skeletal Systems
-Animal Reproduction and Development
End of Quarter III

Skills

-College level reading comprehension of science
text and science articles
-Ability to do independent work when required
-Ability to think critically and creatively
-Knowledge of computer and software application
-Be able to participate in extensive class
discussions
-Ability to work cooperatively in a group
setting
-Well established laboratory skills

Resources

-Biology - Life on Earth - Text book (Audesirk) - newest edition
-Internet connection to the text book
-Various scientific publications
-Haiku - posted lecture notes, videos, animations and websites for interactive learning
-AP Biology Resources - AP Central

Instructional Strategies

-Lecture / discussion / clicker questions
-Group work
-Case studies and problem-based learning
-Data analysis and synthesis
-Laboratory exercises - both open ended inquiry based labs, and detailed labs borrowed from the AP Biology curriculum
-Demonstrations

Assessment

-Homework and essential knowledge application packets
-Case study analyses
-Data and experimental design analyses
-Use and understanding of biological statistics
-Lab write ups and critical evaluation
-Involvement and Contribution in class discussions and lab activities
-Unit tests (4+ chapters) that incorporate both essential knowledge, critical thinking, and science practice questions.

Outcomes

-Students will understand the different plant
tissues, their organization and function
-Students will understand the alternation of
generations as the universal reproductive
method in the Plant Kingdom
-Students will understand and appreciate the
importance of Plants in the maintenance of Life
on Earth and their importance
-Students will understand and appreciate the
complex organization of the Animal Body
-Students will be familiar with the structure
and function of the different Animal Tissues,
Organs and Organ Systems
-Students will understand and appreciate the
complexity of the human anatomy and physiology,

Unit Title

Q4: A.P. Biology

Content

Unit VI: Ecology
-Animal Behavior; Principles of individual and
Social Behavior
-Population growth and regulation
-Community Interactions
-Structure and Function of Ecosystems
-The Planet Earth's Diverse Ecosystems
*Behavior: Habitat Selection (Lab)
*The last week of the course can be used for continued study in Ecology or SAT II prep

Skills

-College level reading comprehension of science
text and science articles
-Ability to do independent work when required
-Ability to think critically and creatively
-Knowledge of computer and software application
-Be able to participate in extensive class
discussions
-Ability to work cooperatively in a group
setting
-Well established laboratory skills

Resources

-Biology - Life on Earth - Text book (Audesirk) - newest edition
-Internet connection to the text book
-Various scientific publications
-Haiku - posted lecture notes, videos, animations and websites for interactive learning
-AP Biology Resources - AP Central

Instructional Strategies

-Lecture / discussion / clicker questions
-Group work
-Case studies and problem-based learning
-Data analysis and synthesis
-Laboratory exercises - both open ended inquiry based labs, and detailed labs borrowed from the AP Biology curriculum
-Demonstrations

Assessment

-Homework and essential knowledge application packets
-Case study analyses
-Data and experimental design analyses
-Use and understanding of biological statistics
-Lab write ups and critical evaluation
-Involvement and Contribution in class discussions and lab activities
-Unit tests (4+ chapters) that incorporate both essential knowledge, critical thinking, and science practice questions.

Outcomes

-Students will understand and appreciate
Animal Behavior
-Students will understand and appreciate the
vast diversity of the Earth's Ecosystems
-Students will understand how Ecosystems work
-Students will understand the fragility and
limited carrying capacity of our Planet Earth
-Students will understand and appreciate the
importance of conservation and wise management
of Earth's resources
*Students will synthesize the whole year course,
integrate their knowledge of Biology and will
be ready for the SAT II exam