Scholars Online Course Description for AP Biology Option

AP Biology Option • Offering for 2019 • Grade 9 or above • Science Sequence

Primary Instructor

Sections
[Enrolled students will be notified if teacher schedules change between course posting at the time enrollment opens and the scheduled start of classes. Please see Tuition and Fees for refund policy.]

Section 1 Instructor: Christe McMenomy: Classes meet from September 3, 2019 to June 8, 2020; Friday 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM ET; Enrollment Policy: Full Year Only; Tuition: $200.00

Website

Please review more extensive materials at the teacher's AP Biology Option website.

Description

The AP Biology option allows students to explore selected topics from each unit of the Honors Biology course in greater depth, to apply scientific methods and analyze current research results, to perform more detailed and complex laboratory investigations, and to engage in learning activities and quizzes, which (together with the Honors Biology course requirements) meet or exceed the AP standards for a first-year college level biology course and which are also designed to prepare them to excel on the AP Biology examination..

Students must be taking Honors Biology simultaneously to be accepted for the AP Biology Option.Together with the Honors Biology course, the AP Option has been certified by the College Board as meeting or exceeding all syllabus requirements, including lab work, for AP Biology. Students completing this course satisfactorily will receive AP credit for their work.

REQUIRED LAB WORK: Students must complete 10 AP level labs in addition to the 10 labs required for the Core Biology course.

This course is taught using the Scholars Online Chat software, which allows the teacher to embed graphics, mathematical equations, and movies in the chat session, with complete logging available for the entire year. Audio software is not used to allow students with limited internet access to participate fully, and to encourage precise thinking and writing skills.

Meetings

This course meets once a week for discussion and review of assigned homework.

Homework

In addition to readings, assignments, labs, and examinations required for Honors Biology, AP Option students must complete additional weekly exercises, quizzes, and labs. Lab reports will be required every two weeks.

Prerequisites

One year accelerated life science course at junior high level, Natural Science II. or high school biology. Students must be enrolled Honors Biology simultaneously whether or not they have taken high school biology already.

Recommended background

See Honors Biology course.

Instructor's Notes

Attendance at one weekly session is required for all students to discuss materials, exercises, AP exam preparation, and laboratory investigations.

Textbooks and Materials

Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments (Edition: 1)
Robert B. Thompson, Barbara F. Thompson

This text is required.
ISBN: 1449396593
Publisher's website: Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments
Best sources: Scholars Online Bookstore
Other information: Lab materials for the lab section of the course may be purchased from a number of places. However, the Home Scientist website also offers several kits to supplement this text.

AP Biology Investigative Labs: An Inquiry-Based Approach Student Manual
The College Board

This text is recommended; purchase and use is optional.
ISBN: None
Publisher's website: AP Biology Investigative Labs: An Inquiry-Based Approach Student Manual
Best sources: store.collegeboard.com/productdetail.do?Itemkey=110084587
Other information: Item #110084587

Home Biology Laboratory Kit BK01A
Robert B. and Barbara F. Thompson

This text is recommended; purchase and use is optional.
ISBN:
Publisher's website: Home Biology Laboratory Kit BK01A
Best sources: The Home Scientist
Other information: The BK01A version of the biology kit contains most (but not all) equipment required to complete the AP level biology experiments for this course. While it is possible to secure individual items for each lab, and may be less expensive for students completing only the Honors option, you may find purchase the kit more convenient.

Scholars Online was accredited by AdvancED and the Northwest Accreditation Commission from 2009-2016 and was accepted March 2018 with Candidate Status as a member of MSA-CESS.