The AP Biology (Life Science) course is equivalent in content, depth, and complexity to an introductory biology course at the college level. This course is designed to prepare the student to excel on the AP exam offered in May, and follows the AP curriculum. AP Biology is an in-depth, content-intensive study of biological principles that allows students the opportunity to engage hands-on in scientific experimentation. Units of study include but are not limited to evolution and natural selection, the chemistry of life, cell structure and function, cellular energetics, cell communication and the cell cycle, heredity, gene expression and regulation, and ecology. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May. Students are required to complete an assignment over the summer due on the first day of school.
Corequisite – Students enrolling in this course must also enroll in the corresponding AP Science Laboratory course, which meets once per week for 50 minutes outside of the regular bell schedule. Meetings will occur before or after school.
* Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
AP Science courses require an intensive laboratory component extending beyond the regular class meetings. Once per week for 50 minutes, the Laboratory course will meet outside of the regular bell schedule. Meetings will occur before or after school. Students who anticipate a scheduling conflict in the time period before school are asked to contact the Science Department chair.
*This course receives a half-credit – graded pass/fail
AP Science courses require an intensive laboratory component extending beyond the regular class meetings. Once per week for 50 minutes, the Laboratory course will meet outside of the regular bell schedule. Meetings will occur before or after school. Students who anticipate a scheduling conflict in the time period before school are asked to contact the Science Department chair.
*This course receives a half-credit – graded pass/fail
AP Science courses require an intensive laboratory component extending beyond the regular class meetings. Once per week for 50 minutes, the Laboratory course will meet outside of the regular bell schedule. Meetings will occur before or after school. Students who anticipate a scheduling conflict in the time period before school are asked to contact the Science Department chair.
*This course receives a half-credit – graded pass/fail
INTRODUCTION — The mission of our department is to teach students the scientific method so they can understand modern scientific descriptions of the universe and come to objective conclusions about the natural world. All of our science courses provide students with the opportunity to develop skills in forming hypotheses, gathering and interpreting data, and drawing rational conclusions.
St. Ignatius College Preparatory requires all students to complete a minimum of two years of laboratory science: one in the life sciences (such as Biology) and one in the physical sciences (such as Chemistry). College-bound students are advised to enroll in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and to consider a 4th year science elective or Advanced Placement course. Science electives include Astronomy, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Environmental Science, Engineering, Biotechnology, Science Research Project, and Advanced Science Research Project. Advanced Placement courses include AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and
AP Physics C.
All of our science courses, with the exception of the Science Research Project, Environmental Science, and Engineering courses, fulfill UC’s laboratory science requirement. These courses are UC-approved as science electives. UC requires students to take at least one natural (life) science and one physical science (see descriptions below).
