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�AP Biology

Morton High School� �2025– 2026 School Year

Mrs. Mary Holmgren, Biology Teacher

Science Department Chairperson

�Email: mary.holmgren@mcusd709.org �Phone: (309) 266-7162 EXT. 6044�Rm: 44, science office��

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Welcome to Biology!

Please be prepared to work hard in this class. I hope that you develop a passion for the subject matter as well as discover a real-world connection. It is my expectation that you come to class prepared each day (with reading and any daily work done before arrival) so you can be actively involved in classroom discussion.

Be prepared to do work that may not be assigned such as reading the book. Reading the book is critical to your full comprehension of the material. It is an expectation that you are doing this. Those who read the book typically have a deeper understanding and perform better on exams.

Units Covered:

This class uses the College Board Course and Exam Description.

https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-biology

Textbook:

Biology for the AP® Course, W.H. Freeman, 2022

Classroom Expectations:

Be responsible
Be Respectful
Be Prepared
No Cheating
Follow all school policies

*All school rules and policies as noted in the Student Handbook apply in this classroom. This includes policies on academic dishonesty and the use of AI.

Grading Procedures:

A Total points system is used to calculate grades. Grades are determined by dividing an individual student’s accumulated point total by the total number of points possible.

Since the purpose of the AP Biology course is to prepare for the national exam, the calculation of grades will be predominantly on exam and lab performance. Your grade will be a composite of the following areas:

�Tests: …………………………..…………..…100pts Max

Quizzes ………………………………………50pts Max

Labs …………………………………….……50pts Max

Homework ……………………………………Pts Vary

Projects ……………………………………….Pts Vary

A 95-100 C 79-82

A- 93-94 C- 77-78

B+ 91-92 D+ 75-76

B 87-90 D 71-74

B- 85-86 D- 73-70

C+ 83-84 F Below 70�

Homework: Assignments will be posted in Schoology and on the board. There will be times where we submit on Schoology and turn in by hand in class. Play attention to directions.

HELPFUL WEBSITES

PowerSchool is an excellent way to stay on top of your grades, tardies, and absences:�https://ps1.morton709.org/public/home.html

Schoology is where students AND parents access content, assignments, announcements and resources: http://mcusd709.schoology.com

Other suggested materials include AP Biology 1 and AP Biology 2 student workbooks by Biozone.

Supplies Needed:

Notebook and Folder
Pencils/Pens
Charged iPad
Calculator

Other Recommended Supplies:

Highlighters

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Academic Assistance

�M-Th: 3:00pm – 3:40pm

M-F: Homeroom

Prep Periods: 3rd and 4th

By appointment only. Students must sign up for assistance via email or during class. We are always happy to work with students when they need assistance, but students need to be proactive so that they can get help when they need it.

Make – up Work/late work:

You have full access to presentations, notes, handouts, and assignments through Schoology.

You will be expected to make up all missed homework and tests according to the handbook policy.
If you have a pre-planned absence you are expected to notify me ahead of time. We will have to make a plan for missed labs. Tests can be taken upon return.
Make-up tests may be different from tests given on the test day.

All tests and quizzes must be made-up according the handbook policy.

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Course Values:

Engage in and be responsible for the process of your education, maximize your potential
Produce quality work – strive for excellence, in all things
Communicate & collaborate effectively & efficiently, be responsible for your contributions, verbal and written
Act like a scientist – employ the science practices: claim, evidence, reason
View failure as an opportunity to self-correct, it has the potential to make us better and refines our understanding
Maintain integrity – always, do not submit/present work that is not your own unless indicated to work as team

The course goal is to prepare each of you for the A.P. Exam that will be taken in May, and hopefully, you will earn college credit. My goal is to open your eyes to important information, new techniques, and generally turn you on to the study of the world around you, and the relevance Biology has in your life. Throughout this class, you will develop analytical skills, be introduced to new laboratory techniques, and refine your written communication. The AP Biology Curriculum is framed around four big ideas:

The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.
Biological systems utilize energy and molecular building blocks to grow, reproduce, and maintain homeostasis.
Living systems retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.
Biological systems interact, and these interactions possess complex properties.

The Advanced Placement Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a College Introductory Biology Course taken by science majors during their first year. A college biology course differs significantly from the usual high school course in respect to the textbook used, the range and depth of topics covered, the laboratory work done by students, and the time and effort required. Again, each night you need to read the material which will be discussed in class the next day. Without this preparatory work, you will be unable to participate in the class discussion which is essential to developing a deep conceptual connection with the material. Videos will also be suggested or assigned through Schoology.

Students in AP Biology will only succeed if they appreciate that this course will be taught at the college level and will be challenging. It is recommended that students be prepared to spend a minimum of 1 hour of study time per 1-hour class period. Students who do not wish to invest this type of effort should NOT enroll in AP Biology.

We will be doing AP labs as well as a few additional ones to help enhance your knowledge and understanding of the content. Students will be asked to answer analysis questions after all of the laboratories as well as graphing and manipulating data. For each of the AP labs, you will have to summarize data. Lab reports may be written throughout the year. Some labs will have a certification that needs to be completed prior to starting the lab. Labs will give each of you the opportunity to learn new skills, work in groups, find out how biology really works, and create student-driven experiments. Students will learn proper measurement techniques. You will find that in the AP labs, you will be required to “design your own experiment.” This student-driven learning will carry over into other activities done in the classroom.
The non-laboratory classroom time will be a mixture of teacher lectures, student/teacher discussions, and practice in writing skills. Students will be given homework problems and other activities to help master the information. These problems will be worked on in class if requested. In some classes, we will be completing POGIL activities and online labs through HHMI and pHet.
Tests will be designed to help you prepare for the format and timing of the AP exam.
In December, students will take a cumulative test to maintain knowledge of prior topics.
During the spring semester, we will take a full-length AP exam in order to better narrow down which topics are essential to review. They will also act as a measuring stick of where you are at.
The A.P. exam will be in early May. All students taking the class will have the opportunity to take the AP exam.

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Please sign to acknowledge that you have read and understand the Biology 25-26 Syllabus.

Student Name (Please Print): ________________________________________________________

Student Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: _____________

Parent/Guardian Name (Please Print): _______________________________________________

��Parent/Guardian Signature ____________________________________ Date: _____________

If you have any questions, comments or things I should know please reach out!