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AICE/AP Biology at GHS

Welcome to AICE AS/A2 and AP Biology!  By the end of this year, you will be experienced in the three main areas of AICE Biology coverage.  You will both know and understand biology at a much deeper level than was covered in your IGCSE Biology class, though we will review some old concepts. Because this class covers both AS and A2 levels, we will be integrating the two curricula throughout the year in a way that makes sense, rather than covering AS and then A2 Biology separately.  In addition to knowing and understanding, you will learn to apply what you learn when encountering new information or solving problems.  Finally, you will become well-versed in biological laboratory techniques.  Our class has a heavy emphasis on experimental skills and investigations, so look forward to frequent labs that mimic real-world scientific applications.  AICE Biology is offered as a two-period block to allow for lengthy labs and enable coverage of what would normally be two years of courses.  Given that, AICE Biology should be given the time and preparation of two science classes taken concurrently. Expect to spend at least 5-10 hours each week outside of class time working and studying for this course.

Simply put, biology is the study of life. However, it is important to not just understand and memorize biological concepts.  I hope that by the end of this year, you have a true appreciation of the biological sciences and the impressive diversity of life around us.  The applications sections of our course (largely in the second semester) will expose you to the many opportunities biological research has unlocked, and will hopefully encourage you to pursue or value further biology experiences.  As the basis of anatomy and medicine, learning biology can prepare you for future ambitions or careers, or lend a better understanding of your body.  All of these facets ensure that our busy year in AICE Biology will be difficult, but very rewarding.

LAB NOTEBOOK PAGES

First Nine Weeks
  1. Biochem Lab #1: Reducing Sugars and Starch
  2. Biochem Lab # 2: Non-Reducing Sugars
  3. Biochem Lab #3: Lipids and Proteins
  4. Osmosis Lab: Plasmolysis in Plant Tissues
  5. AP Lab 3: Onion and Whitefish Mitosis
Second Nine Weeks
     
7.  "Can We Create Life?" Notes and Reflection
      8. AP Lab 8: Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium
      9. Simpson Diversity Index Lab

Third Nine Weeks
     10. Plant Pigment Chromatography Lab
     11. Photosynthetic Limiting Factors Lab
     12.  Microscopy Lab: Plant Transport Structures
     13. Microscopy Lab: Mammal Transport Structures
     14. Heart Dissection Lab

Fourth Nine Weeks
     15. Disease Transmission Lab
     16. Contagion Reflection
     17. Kidney Dissection Lab
     18. Whole animal dissections: Perch and Fetal Pigs
     19. Practice AP Essays

General Documents:
AICE Biology Syllabus 2017-2018
File Size: 36 kb
File Type: docx
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Lab Notebook Rubric: 2nd Nine Weeks 2019-2020
File Size: 15 kb
File Type: docx
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Class Notebook Rubric: 2nd Nine Weeks 2019-2020
File Size: 12 kb
File Type: docx
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Lab Practical Review
File Size: 2087 kb
File Type: pdf
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"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' but 'That's funny...'" --Isaac Asimov