Course Syllabus

AP Biology

Course Syllabus

Teacher: Mrs. Kathleen Leitz                                                Classroom: 03-032

Email: Leitzka@myscps.us                                                    Office hours: M/T/TH 2:30-3:15

Term: 2025 – 2026                                                                                        (or by appointment)

                              

Course Description and Objectives: The AP course-at-a-glance will be provided to each student. College Board mandates the following topics to be covered during the course:

• Course Units:

 

Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Unit 3: Cellular Energetics

Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle

Unit 5:   Heredity

Unit 6:   Gene Expression and Regulation

Unit 7:   Natural Selection

Unit 8:   Ecology

 

 

Books Used:

            Morris, et al; Biology for the AP Course

 

Internet Access: It is essential that you have access to the internet for you to get the most out of this course. There will be many online resources and websites we will utilize this year to supplement in-class material. You can use school computers before school, during lunch, and after school in the media center when it is open to student use.  There are also many things that can be accessed from a smart phone or tablet as well.  

 

eCampus: As a class, we will be using eCampus (which you can access directly from your Clever home page) to communicate throughout the school year.  On eCampus, you will find lectures, assignments, quizzes, and supplemental material. In addition, you will be required to submit assignments via eCampus and TurnItIn.  You are also required to check here if you are ever absent to find your missing material. It is essential you do not fall behind. Please make sure that you have access to both Clever and eCampus and are checking it daily.

 

AP Classroom: Access and use of AP Classroom is required. We will go over sign up and access in class, in addition to registering for the AP Exam. Assignments, quizzes, and reviews will be done through here. More details will be discussed in class.

 

Labs: These will assess the required skills by College Board and supplement content understanding. These will be conducted throughout the year corresponding to the appropriate topic. If you miss a lab activity due to an absence it is your responsibility to schedule a make-up and satisfy the requirement.

 

Materials to Buy:

 

• Pencils & Pens (multiple colors are helpful)
• 24 count Colored Pencils – for diagraming
• Highlighters (multiple colors are helpful)
• 3-ring binder (1.5-2.5 inch) with dividers
• Notebook Paper
• Calculator

 

 

Donations:

 

• *Hand/Dish Soap Refills*
• *Hand Sanitizer*
• *Lysol (or any brand) Cleaning Wipes*
• *Paper Towels*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grading: Grades will be based on student participation, assignments, labs, quizzes and tests. Grades will be entered in to Skyward on at least a weekly basis (if not daily!).

 Grading Scale:           

• 80% of your quarter grade: **point values can and will vary**
  • Tests ~ 100 pts
  • Labs ~ 25-50pts
  • Binder Checks ~ 50pts
  • Quizzes ~ 10-25 pts
  • HW/CW ~ 5-15pts
• 20% of your quarter grade = nine weeks exam

 

Class Procedures:

Binders

• To pass this course you will need to keep an organized binder. This should include any handouts you get in class, lab notes, and daily lecture notes. KEEP EVERYTHING! All assessments are based on notes taken during class and activities completed. As you progress in your education and careers, the importance of making good notes cannot be underestimated. Binders will be checked throughout the year.

 

Electronic Use

• The student code of conduct will reference Florida Statute 1006.07(2)(f) regarding cell phone use in class. “This policy will be followed at the teacher’s discretion within the classroom”.
• Suffice to say I will expect this to be followed, especially during lecture and laboratory time.
• Routinely you will be permitted to use your cell phone, or other electronic device, for assignments or to help augment instruction. You will be expected to be mindful of appropriate technology use in class.

 

Excused Absence

• Students MUST check eCampus, and/or another student, for any missing assignments and then gather the appropriate work from myself. Nearly everything needed for an assignment is posted.
• There will be a class calendar that the student can look at and see what was discussed on which days. 
• If the student missed a test, lab, or assessment they then need to schedule a time to make it up within a timely manner if excused (however many days absent plus 1).  If unexcused the student will be expected to make up missing work on the next day when they return.
• Sometimes a lab cannot be made up in the same context as what is completed in the classroom. In that case an alternative make-up assignment will be given. It is imperative you attend class as much as possible to avoid missing out on lab opportunities.
• **Just because you are absent does not mean you are excused from assignments that have been posted on eCampus. That is accessible regardless of being present or absent. 
• **It is expected that you make up all missed work, including labs. It is your responsibility to make up all work that you missed (including absences due to illness, approved in advance, emergencies, etc.). 

 

Late work

• It is essential you complete your work on time and in general I will not accept late or missing work for unexcused absences. Please speak with me beforehand if you feel you are falling behind on an assignment.