_AP_Biology_Syllabus_

Contact Information
Teacher: Ms. Brittany Cox
Rm. 103
Brittany.cox@lincoln.kyscohools.us

Important Resources
Twitter: @mscoxLCHS
Breakingdownbio.weebly.com
Quizlet: bcox9305

Remind 101
Text :@mscoxap
To: 81010

Course Description and Objective

This course follows the guidelines created by the college board. Successful completion of the AP
biology exam can lead to either introductory biology credit or elective credit depending on the
requirements of the college the student is attending. AP biology students will demonstrate the
ability to us specific skills and processes, appropriate scientific terminology, and major biological
concepts to explain the uniqueness and interdependence of living organisms, the interactions
with the environment, and the continuation of life on Earth.

How this Course Works

Every assignment you do will not be graded. You will be graded on each power standard.
Learn Checks
o In this class the daily assessment set will make up your learn check grades. Daily
assessment set items are composed of multiple choice questions, short writings, and
math problems depending on the target being assessed.
o Each student will be allowed one retake per target that may be completed after
school.
o Learn Checks will be entered in to the gradebook as follows
4- Mastery- student completed 100% correct
3- Approaching mastery- student completed 75-99% correct
2- Partial Mastery- student completed 50-75% correct
1- No Mastery- student completed less than 50% correct
0- No attempt
o Nearly every night students will be provided with an outline to read. Students
must read the outline to prepare for a portion of the daily assessment set. In
addition to reading the outline, students should view the outline images provided on
the course website. I strongly advise students to either read the accompanying
chapter in the Campbell text, to view the Paul Anderson video, or to view the crash
course biology video that corresponds to the content. I do correlate this on the
course website to facilitate accessibility for all students!
Summative Assessments
o In addition to learn check grades you will have summative assessments. These
summative assessments will include lab reports, major papers, and unit exams.
o In AP Biology unit exams are modeled after the AP Biology exam. The exams will
include both high level multiple choice and free response questions. Due to the
extremely rigorous nature of the unit exams they will be graded using the A+ soft
landing scale. THIS SCALE ONLY APPLIES TO UNIT EXAMS.

% CORRECT

A+ SOFT LANDING SCALE

AP SCORE CORRELATION

% ENTERED IN
GRADEBOOK
75%-100%
5
100%
65%-74.4%
4
90%
59%-64.4%
3
75%
30%-58.4
2
60%
UP TO 29.4%
1
50%
o PLEASE do not be deceived by this scale. The exams will be extremely difficult and
will include independent study material students should be accountable for on their
own. Students will need to truly prepare to achieve in the 4-5 range.
o When required lab reports must be completed in the pre-approved format with
correct information to receive full credit.
Notebooks/Miscellaneous
o In order to be successful during the course and on the AP Biology exam students
will need to organize and manage their work. At the end of each unit the teacher
will check each notebook
End of Course Assessment
o All KY students are required to take the biology end of course exam. AP students
are still required to take the state exam in addition to the AP exam. This course is
15% of each grade, and the teacher will note view the exam prior to the student
completing it.

Expectations
Academic Expectations
This class will move at a very fast pace, and between labs, lectures and reviews, there is
really no way to make up a missed class or most of the labs.
I expect all of those who enroll in AP biology to prepare for and take the exam, Please plan
on taking the AP exam! This exam will determine whether or not your receive credit. The
fee for the exam is $89. The AP biology exam will be Monday, May 11. The first part of the
exam is 90 minutes. It is made up of 60 multiple choice questions and 3 grid in questions.
The second portion is a 90 minute free response section.
This course will be extremely rigorous. If you are not prepared for an academic challenge
you may not be satisfied with this course.
Behavioral Expectations

Be Respectful
Be Kind
Give 100% effort
Ask for help
Keep your hands to yourself

Exemplars
o Be in your seat with materials when the bell rings
o Check the board for bellwork, and begin immediately..

o The classroom noise level should be silent unless you are told otherwise. It is NOT
acceptable to talk and work. Unless I tell you otherwise, you should be quiet.
o You must raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged before speaking in class
o You MAY NOT begin packing up materials before the bell rings. I will dismiss you.
o When in groups or pairs, your conversation should be on topic.
o If you cannot make responsible choices with your cellphone, I will make choices
about it for you.
o You may not interrupt instruction to sharpen a pencil or throw trash away. You
should wait until independent work time.
o When I assign a lunch detention, I will also speak to your parent or guardian.

Seating charts, instructional activities, and classroom operations will be partially decided
by your behavior. If you demonstrate the ability to make good choices as a class, I will
allow you more opportunities to make choices.

Do Overs and Academic Dishonesty

o You are entitled to Retakes in the Learn Check Category
o Within the Summative Category you may fix an assignment for an improved grade if you
feel the assignment is unsatisfactory
o This grace period is restricted to 7 school days
o Lab report corrections must be made in a different ink color so I may track
changes
o Unit Exam Re dos must be preceded by a one on one interview. You must schedule
this interview AT Least 24 hours before you would like the meeting. If you try to
schedule the meeting on the 7th school day, you will not be able to complete the
process within the grace period.
o Up to date grades are posted on infinite campus. YOU are responsible for checking your
grade
o With my generous retake policy, I find cheating completely unacceptable. If you are
caught cheating it will be turned over to administration. Each case will be dealt with on
an individual basis.

Textbook
You will have a Campbell, N.A. and Reece, J.B., Biology, Edition 8 checked out to you. You are
responsible for your books care. You will be required to pay for a replacement due to loss or
damage.