Course Syllabus

LIVING ENVIRONMENT (4304) (was Biology)              

40 weeks - 1 credit                                                                        Open to Grades 9-12

Prerequisite:  Earth Science credit earned

The Living Environment is a course of study that provides an in-depth understanding of living things, and an appreciation of the natural world.  It teaches students about organisms, their increasing complexity, and the adaptations of earth’s inhabitants.  Students learn proper laboratory techniques, including the use of the microscope, and other various laboratory skills.  They are expected to apply concrete concepts to new or unique situations.  Successful completion of a laboratory component, as noted in the introduction to the Science Course offerings (1200 successfully completed lab minutes), including  4 specified State required laboratory experiences, is necessary for admission to the Regents Examination.  Areas of study include:

1.The Nature of Life

2. Biochemistry

3. Cells and Cell Functions

4. Reproduction and Development

5. Genetics

6. Evolution

7. Ecology

ADVANCEMENT PLACEMENT BIOLOGY (4305)

40 weeks - 1 credit                                                               Open to Grades 11 & 12      

Suggested Prerequisite:

Course Organization

APBiology is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester college introductorybiology course, with labs.  This course is conducted on a college level, and students are expected to work accordingly.  AP differs significantly from a traditional high school course due to the amount and depth of material presented, lab work,and time and effort required to achieve mastery.

Thiscourse is structured around the four big ideas and the enduring understand­ings identified in the Curriculum Framework (see AP Central). All essential knowledge will be taught and all learning objectives will be addressed through this curriculum. The course will focus on inquiry-based laboratory work and the use of the seven science practices in both lab and non-lab activities.

Thefour Big ideas are:

                  Bigidea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.

                  Bigidea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building

                     blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

                  Bigidea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to

                     information essential to life processes.

                  Bigidea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their

interactions possess complex properties.