Questions? Contact

Mrs. Sledge

ksledge@dpisd.org

Students who are interested in a ca-

reer in life science or the medical

field are encouraged to take AP Biol-

ogy. Students who also might be

interested in a life science major in

college will also benefit from AP Bi-

ology.

Successful Students:

Are willing to spend time outside

of class studying for this course

Have completed or are concur-

rently enrolled in chemistry

Have completed Biology 1

Have good communication skills

Are self-motivated workers

Are curious about the world

Who Should

take AP Biology? AP

BIOLOGY

To prepare for the AP test in May

the course is broken down into 6

areas of study: Biochemistry, Cellular

Processes, Genetics, Evolution, Ecol-

ogy, and Organisms Form and Func-

tion. During the year each unit will

be related to one or more of the 4

big ideas of AP Biology.

Course Topics

Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the

diversity and unity of life.

Big Idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy

and molecular building blocks to grow, to repro-

duce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, trans-

mit and respond to information essential to life

processes.

Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these

systems and their interactions possess complex

properties.

Course Objectives:

The goal of this course is to prepare students for the College Board Advanced Placement Biology Exam in May by:

Helping students acquire content knowledge

Training students in exam strategies

Develop essay writing skills

The 4 Big Ideas of AP

Biology What is AP Biology? AP Biology is equivalent to freshman or intro-

ductory Biology at college. The primary focus

of this course is to develop understanding of

biological concepts. Students will have

unique experiences with hands on inquiry lab

activities to explore the underlying themes

throughout the course. Labs include Artificial

Selection, Comparing DNA Sequences using

online databases, Rate of Photosynthesis, Bac-

terial Transformation, Restriction Enzyme

Analysis of DNA, Transpiration, Animal Behav-

ior, How Enzyme Reaction Rate can be Al-

tered, and Exploration into Diffusion and Os-

mosis. Through lab, lecture and projects stu-

dents will gain understanding of scientific in-

quiry and the underlying themes that inte-