Slide 1

AP Science Courses offered:
Prerequisite

Biology

Biology
Co-Req:
Chemistry

Teacher

Sarah Kelly
Janet Cascio

Teacher’s Email
[email protected]
[email protected]

Chemistry

Chemistry

Robert Mandes
Aaron Dobbs

[email protected]
[email protected]

Physics C

Physics &
Pre-Calculus
Co-Req:
AB Calculus

Tim Gresh

[email protected]

No grade required, but an A/B average and passing SOL scores are
encouraged


Slide 2

Curriculum and Pace is determined by the College Board guidelines
www.collegeboard.com
For subject majors
Lecture
Labs

Problem solving

Discussion

Not many grades, but always homework
Think analytically & conceptually
Do not be discouraged if it takes your child some time to adjust to
the academic vigor of an AP course
Essential Qualities of an AP student:
Desire Work Ethic Background

TIME

Attendance

Advice: Take another science concurrently
If you fall behind, get help ASAP, AP teachers are notoriously
available extra hours
SCOPE – Summer program for beginning AP students


Slide 3

Biology
It aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual
knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the
rapidly changing science of biology.
The two main goals of AP Biology are to help students develop a
conceptual framework for modern biology and to help students gain
an appreciation of science as a process. The ongoing information
explosion in biology makes these goals even more challenging.

Primary emphasis in an AP Biology course should be on
developing an understanding of concepts rather than on
memorizing terms and technical details. Essential to this
conceptual understanding are the following: a grasp of science as a
process rather than as an accumulation of facts; personal experience
in scientific inquiry; recognition of unifying themes that integrate the
major topics of biology; and application of biological knowledge and
critical thinking to environmental and social concerns


Slide 4

Biology Topic Outline
Molecules and Cells, 25%

Heredity and Evolution, 25%
Organisms and Populations, 50%


Slide 5

Biology Exam
60% of the Exam
80 minutes 100 Multiple Choice Questions

40% of the Exam
10 Minute Reading/Planning
& 90 minute Free Response
4 Essay Questions (All required)


Slide 6

2009 Biology Grade Distribution
International, not SBHS
Examination Grade

% of Students
Earning Grade

5 - Extremely Well Qualified

19.5

4 - Well Qualified

15.5

3 - Qualified

15.8

2 - Possibly Qualified

15.1

1 - No Recommendation

34.0


Slide 7

Chemistry
The course should contribute to the development of the students'
abilities to think clearly and to express their ideas, orally and in
writing, with clarity and logic.
The college course in general chemistry differs qualitatively from the
usual first secondary school course in chemistry with respect to the
kind of textbook used, the topics covered, the emphasis on chemical
calculations and the mathematical formulation of principles, and the
kind of laboratory work done by students.
Quantitative differences appear in the number of topics treated, the
time spent on the course by students, and the nature and the variety
of experiments done in the laboratory.


Slide 8

Chemistry Topic Outline
The following outline for an AP Chemistry course is
intended to be a guide to the level and breadth of
treatment expected rather than to be a syllabus. The
percentage after each major topic indicates the
approximate proportion of multiple-choice questions
on the exam that pertain to the topic.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Structure of Matter (20%)
States of Matter (20%)
Reactions (35-40%)
Descriptive Chemistry (10-15%)
Laboratory (5-10%)


Slide 9

Chemistry EXAM
50% of the Exam
90 minutes
75 Multiple Choice Questions

50% of the Exam
95 Minute Free Response
3 Quantitative Problems, 1 reactions problem and
2 Essay Questions


Slide 10

2009 Chemistry Grade Distribution
International, not SBHS

Examination Grade

% of Students
Earning Grade

5 - Extremely Well Qualified

18.0

4 - Well Qualified

17.9

3 - Qualified

20.2

2 - Possibly Qualified

14.2

1 - No Recommendation

29.8


Slide 11

Physics
Strong emphasis is placed on solving a variety
of challenging problems, some requiring
calculus. The subject matter of the C course
is principally mechanics and electricity and
magnetism, with approximately equal
emphasis on these two areas.


Slide 12

Physics Topic Outline
In the typical Physics C course, roughly one-half
year is devoted to mechanics. Use of calculus
in problem solving and in derivations is
expected to increase as the course progresses.
In the second half-year of the C course, the
primary emphasis is on classical electricity and
magnetism. Calculus is used freely in
formulating principles and in solving problems.
See the topic outline for each area:
Newtonian Mechanics (50%)
Electricity and Magnetism (50%)


Slide 13

Physics EXAM
Both Physics C exams are 90 minutes
long and contain 45 minutes of
multiple-choice questions and 45
minutes of free-response questions.
50%
50%

35 Multiple Choice Questions
3 Free Response Questions


Slide 14

2009 Physics C Grade Distribution
International, not SBHS
Electricity & Magnetism
Examination
Grade

% of
Students
Earning
Grade

5 - Extremely Well
Qualified

34.1

4 - Well Qualified

26.8

3 - Qualified

10.9

Mechanics
Examination
Grade

% of
Students
Earning
Grade

5 - Extremely
Well Qualified

24.9

4 - Well Qualified

24.6

3 - Qualified

20.3
15.0
15.1

2 - Possibly
Qualified

16.7

2 - Possibly
Qualified

1 - No
Recommendation

11.5

1 - No
Recommendation


Slide 15

SCOPE
The only SCOPE course offered over the
summer in the sciences is AP Biology.


Slide 16

AP Science Courses offered:
Prerequisite

Biology

Biology
Co-Req:
Chemistry

Teacher

Sarah Kelly
Janet Cascio

Teacher’s Email
[email protected]
[email protected]

Chemistry

Chemistry

Robert Mandes
Aaron Dobbs

[email protected]
[email protected]

Physics C

Physics &
Pre-Calculus
Co-Req:
AB Calculus

Tim Gresh

[email protected]

No grade required, but an A/B average and passing SOL scores is
encouraged