Prerequisites: Successful completion of full year Biology and Chemistry courses at either GHP or Honors level. The AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester college introductory biology course. The aim is to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal with the rapidly changing science of biology. The course is taught as a hands-on, inquiry-based approach structured around the four Big Ideas identified by the College Board. The major concepts of the course include molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and populations. Each of these concepts has ties to the Big Ideas and incorporates the themes of science as a process, structure and function, energy use, reproduction, and evolution. Students are expected to spend two hours of studying and preparation outside of class for every hour of class time. (This includes reading the text, completing online activities and assessments, reviewing mrials, and completing research and lab reports.) Grade weighted upon successful completion of course. NOTE THAT BIOLOGY AP DOES NOT FULFILL THE BIOLOGY GRADUATION REQUIREMENT AS STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A FULL YEAR OF BIOLOGY TO PARTIALLY FULFILL THE PREREQUESITES FOR THIS COURSE.