This college-level elective is open to qualifying Honors or Academy seniors who have successfully completed the Living Environment and Chemistry courses. The three main objectives of the course are to help students develop (1) a conceptual framework for modern biology, (2) analytical skills to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology, and (3) an appreciation of science as a process. The ongoing knowledge explosion in biology makes these objectives even more challenging.
The AP Biology Exam, taken in May, seeks to be representative of the topics covered by the syllabus. Accordingly, goals have been set for percentage coverage of three general areas:
I. Molecules and Cells, 25%
II. Heredity and Evolution, 25%
III. Organisms and Populations, 50%
Prerequisites:
• Minimal final grade of 85% in Living Environment and Chemistry
• Minimal grade of 85% on the Living Environment Regents exam
• Passing grade on the Chemistry Regents exam
• Approval by the course instructor