Dear Future Advanced Placement Biologist,
I want to welcome you to Advanced Placement Biology. I am looking forward to the coming school year and our time together in class. Hopefully, we will have time to appreciate the broad ideas in biology, and its effect on our daily lives.
There will be a meeting at Lunch announced in the e-bulletin or you will be sent an invitation through School Loop to get information about the new course. The school does provide a textbook for your use during the school year. There is an optional summer assignment (to get ahead if you choose). You can borrow the book early from the textbook room, as soon as I know when the books will be available I will let you know.
The textbook we use is Campbell's Biology 9th Edition. Many former AP students have commented about how useful it is to be able to highlight their textbooks for greater understanding and some who purchased the study guide found it very helpful, please note I will be supplying you with supplementary lab materials when school begins in August. You can find used 9th edtion books also on line through used textbook sites. You may be able to find used copies from online used textbook sites.
If you are interested in purchasing new, (remember YOU DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE a book) the book and/or study guide and/or AP Test Prep book and/or Active Reading Guide can be purchased through the school. (See grid below). This version of Campbell 9th Edition text book has a high school binding which is more durable than the college binding and was specifically designed for AP Biology courses. (ISBN #978-0-13-137504-8). Checks are made out to SRVHS and should be turned into the bookkeeper’s office or me ASAP (next week please). This year the publisher has rebundled the textbook with Mastering Biology (tutorial area that includes BioFlix animations), access to the e-text, no need to carry your book with you if you have a smart phone + a media CD. There is also a new Active Reading Guide if you are interestes as well as the AP Biology Test Prep for the AP Exam in May, and the regular study guide book. If you order book(s) you will receive an email when the materials arrive. You will be able to pick them up at the bookkeeper's office during the summer.
| AP Biology |
Book (Campbell 9th) + Mastering Biology +Student Media CD+ e-text with 6 yr access ISBN:9780321683205 |
Study Guide 9th edition | AP Test Prep 9th Edition (reflects changes for new AP course) | Active Reading Guide 9th Edition | Subtotal | Tax (.0825) | Shipping (~10%) | Total | |
| Option 1 | 146.97 | 146.97 | 12.13 | 14.00 | $173 | ||||
| Option 2 | 146.97 | 24.97 | 171.94 | 14.19 | 17.00 | $203 | |||
| Option 3 | 156.97 ISBN:9780131375611 |
included | 156.97 | 12.95 | 15.00 | $185 | |||
| Option 4 |
24.97 ISBN: 9780321629920 |
24.97 | 2.05 | 3.00 | $30 | ||||
| Option 5 |
14.97 ISBN: 9780131375536 |
14.97 | 1.24 | 2.00 | $18 | ||||
| Option 6 | 12.97 ISBN: 9780132603867 | 12.97 | 1.07 | 1.00 | $15 |
* Price update 4/19/2012
This summer will present an opportunity for you to do some
reading that will assist you in understanding some of the material presented
during the school year. I have also enclosed a
suggested reading list. Before you panic, please read
the enclosed information. I hope that a selection will spark your interest in
biology. Please take care to follow the
directions later on in this document for your write-up. Remember the extra credit book review i
I have also included a survey that I would like to have back by the lunch meeting or before you leave school this year.
Please email the completed survey in my mailbox or bring to the lunch meeting on May 13th.
Have a great summer,
Robin Groch
925-552-3728, email: rgroch@srvhs.org
Web site: http://www.grochbiology.org/apbioindex.htm
Optional Ecology Summer Homework Assignment: If you would like to get ahead start and not have to read and write up your 6 chapter notes in 3 weeks, you can get started as soon as you have your book. The instructions are located on the link Homework Calendar) Due by the first unit test in September.
|
Assignment |
Format |
|
Chapters
51-56 (Campbell, Biology 9th Edition). |
See the Homework Calendar for details |
|
Book Review |
Pick either
a fiction or non-fiction book from the list, instructions are listed later in
the letter for the typed assignment,
due end of September. |
Assignment
Requirements:
1. You will need to purchase a sewn-bound
journal*, when you pick up your
textbook I will show you an example and I have journals for sale at the meeting
($2). I have found that the ones with
graph paper are more useful, however the lined ones are acceptable. (Composition books can be found at Office
Depot or Staples).
2. You should always read through the Review of Key Concepts and do the Self-Quiz. (These are located at the end of each chapter, answers are on pages A-1 and A-2 in the rear of your textbook. Assigned focus questions are worth between 2-4 points per chapter.
3. Quality and
legibility on typed assignments are important for full credit.
Please include
the following: Authors Name(s), Book Title, Publication Title, Publication
Date, and Number of Pages.
The book review requires a summary of the book. Generalize
the information and give your opinions regarding material that you found
interesting and controversial. No more than two typed pages please.
Be aware that just copying scientific jargon will constitute plagiarism. If you
choose a fictional book, you must also provide a section describing several
places within the novel where you found biological sciences portrayed either
accurately or fantastically. Please
verify the accuracy of the science. You can cite either a web site or a
hardcopy source.
Extra
Credit: SUGGESTED
BOOK LIST:
Non-Fiction (Please, email me for permission to read other non-fiction books)
Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin
Survival of the Sickest by Sharon Moalem
Out of Thin Air by Peter Ward
Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice for All of Creation by Olivia Judson
Oxygen--the molecule that made the world and Power, Sex and Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life. by Nick Lane
The Last Dinosaur by Mitchell
The Song of the Dodo or Flight of the Iguana, by Quammer
Any book by Richard Dawkins (i.e. The Selfish Gene)
Any book by Stephen Jay Gould (i.e. Hen’s Teeth and Horse’s Toes)
The Clone Age by Andrews
.Why Geese Don't Get Obese, by Widmaier
Deadly Feasts by Rhodes
The Secret Family or The Secret House or The Secret Garden by Bodanis
Viruses, Plagues, and History by Oldstone
The Beauty of the Beastly or Natural Obsessions by Angier
T-Rex and the Crater of Doom by Alvarez
Killer Germs by Zimmerman
Egg and Ego by Slack
Yellow Fever/ Black Goddess by Wells
Cheating Monkeys and Citizen Bees by Dugatkin
Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice by Mark Plotkin
Ebola by William Close
The Trouble with Testosterone by Sapolsky
Any biography of Charles Darwin, Watson and Crick, Barbara McClintock or any interviewee in the text book.
Fiction (Please, email me for permission to read other
fiction books)
Neanderthal by John Darnton
The Experiment by John Darnton -
The Eleventh Plague - by John S. Marr
The Genesis code by John Case
The First Horseman by John Case
Biostrike by Jerome
Beyond Recall by Stephen Kyle
Toxin by Robin Cook
Carriers or Omega by Patrick Lynch
Ishmael or The Story of B or My Ishmael by Daniel
Quinn
Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut
Extinct by Charles Wilson
Plague Tales or The Burning Road by
Ann Benson
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Mendel’s Dwarf by Simon Mawer
How
to be Successful in A.P. Biology
How well a
student learns and understands the material in A.P. Biology depends, in part,
on motivation. (Just ask one of this year's students.) When taking the A.P.
Biology Exam in May, it will be to your advantage to do well consistently
throughout the year. Differences exist between individuals; in the number of
difficult courses attempted, in the approach of study to a subject, in your
attitude regarding achievements, goals, etc. It is important to be
organized and maintain a steady work effort. Organization will be your
best friend. It is important to take good notes. Keeping materials in
order will also assist you in your review for the A.P. Exam.
You will discover that time is your worst enemy. We are burdened with a
schedule that i
Please Note: The following article reviews will be
required during the school year. The one book
review during the summer is extra credit.
During the fall and spring semesters you will be required to read and write
a review on an article from scientific journals and magazines. Articles
must be about original research, news excerpts or news briefs are not acceptable.
These articles must relate to the topics covered in the month assigned
and must be timely within the last two years. Copies of these journals are
available in the classroom and I have access to pdf copies of any articles (just
email and ask).
The following publications are acceptable:
Nature
http://www.nature.com
Science
http://www.sciencemag.org/ (has
a Science and Society/bioethics feature)
Instruction for Article Reviews and Book
Review Write-ups
Article
Review/Book Reviews will be due on the following dates:
|
Assignments |
Topics |
Date Due |
|
Book Review #1 |
Your Choice/ Extra Credit |
Last Friday in September |
|
Article Review #2 |
Photosynthesis |
Last Friday in October |
|
Article Review #3 |
Cell Reproduction (Extra Credit) |
Last Friday in November |
|
Article Review #4 |
Genes |
Friday before Finals |
|
Article Review #5 |
Prokaryotes (Extra Credit) |
Last Friday in February |
|
Article Review #6 |
Evolution: Mechanisms |
Last Friday in March |
|
Article Review #7** |
Bioethics (Extra Credit**) |
The day of the AP Exam |
|
**(Note: students taking the AP Exam are exempt from #7 Article Review, if you do not take the AP Exam you must complete Article Review #7 and a research paper). |
||
Please include the following: Authors Name (s), "Title of Article", Publication Title, Date, Volume, Page Numbers. (Either includes a copy of the article or the URL.)
The Article Review write-up requires a summary of the article, 1-2 typed pages. Analyses could include why the research is important, how has it added to our knowledge, how has it changed/or updated the textbook, and any criticisms of the work. Grades are based on your understanding of the article and the ability to express your understanding in writing. (Yes, spelling and grammar count.) Articles must be about original research, news excerpts or news briefs are not acceptable Great site on how to write summary articles http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/~agraham/guides/guidec.shtml
It
is my desire that you be successful in your goals in this class. Feel
free to speak with or email me about any problems that you may experience during
the summer.
(Please bring the survey and the completed placement agreement to the meeting (date to be announced) at Lunch in S-4)
Student
Survey: PLEASE BRING WITH YOU TO THE MANDATORY MEETING! OR EMAIL
DIRECTLY TO ME. IF YOU CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS DURING THE SUMMER PLEASE LET
ME KNOW. THANKS.
_______________________________Cut Here_____________________________
Name: ___________________
Grade: ___
Address: ________________________________ Telephone Number: __________
Email Address (so I can reach you this summer): ____________________________
Web page URL (if applicable): _____________________
Do you know any scientists personally? Would you be willing to ask them to be potential speakers? ________________________________________
Career Plans:
College Choices:
Which areas of biology do you find the most interesting?
Do you have any special needs that I should know about before class
starts?