AP Biology is an introductory college level Biology course. Students learn about the core scientific principles, theories and processes governing living organisms, biological systems and natural phenomena.

Students develop their ability to generate explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, that they test and refine through laboratory investigations.

Emphasis is placed on the development of advanced reasoning and inquiry skills as students design experiments, collect and analyze data, and interpret that data to draw conclusions.

The AP Biology student is highly motivated and naturally curious about the natural world. Students must collaborate and work collectively to solve problems and apply conceptual knowledge to new challenges!

We encourage any grade 11 or 12 students that wish to pursue a degree in Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Physiotherapy or Microbiology to consider AP Biology.

Along with the AP Biology curriculum students will cover the same topics found in Anatomy & Physiology 12 and hence will receive credit for both upon successful completion.

In order to enroll in AP Biology, students must have completed:

• Science 10 and either:

• Life Sciences 11 or 11 Honors or Anatomy & Physiology 12 prior to enrolling.

• Chemistry 11 is highly recommended as a pre- or co-requisite.

AP Chemistry (Semester - 4 Credits)

AP Chemistry is an introductory college-level chemistry course. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based lab investigations as they explore the four Big Ideas: scale, proportion, and quantity; structure and properties of substances; transformations; and energy.

This course has been integral in preparing students interested in STEAM careers for both the rigor and content knowledge that is essential for success in any college/university program.

In order to best facilitate the BC Provincial curriculum and the AP program, it is recommended that you take the following courses prior to AP Chemistry

Chemistry 11/Chemistry 11 Honours (4 Credits)

• Chemistry 11 is a survey course that starts building the fundamental knowledge of all Chemistry, it is heavily lab based and provides a foundation for all future learnings in Chemistry. It is an absolute pre-requisite for Chemistry 12 and AP Chemistry.

• Chemistry 11 Honours differs from the standard Chemistry 11 in that course is faster paced and covers materials that are more AP Content focused that would not be traditionally covered in a standard Grade 11 Chemistry course. It is recommended for students planning on taking AP Chemistry or who want to challenge themselves.

• Important to note, students are NOT barred from taking AP Chemistry if they have taken the standard Chemistry 11, as the materials covered in Chemistry 11 Honours are covered again during AP Chemistry.

Chemistry 12 (Semester 1) (4 credits)

• Students will take Chemistry 12 in their first semester, a very rigorous and intensive course. Chemistry 12 is a major pre-requisite for many university programs and the BC Curriculum aligns very well with the big ideas of the AP Chemistry framework, and acts as the first half of the AP Chemistry course. Students will complete this course, receiving credit for their successful completion of the Chemistry 12 and then begin the AP Chemistry part of the course in Semester 2.

AP Chemistry (Semester 2) (4 credits)

• In Semester 2, the content covered is Atomic theory and Nature of light, Gas Laws, Rate Laws and Thermodynamics. 1st year level Chemistry labs are also conducted during this time, allowing students access to equipment and techniques they may not see until their first year of university. These additional units are taught and assessed, then preparation towards the AP Exam begins in earnest.

• The AP Exam is administered by the college board (https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/) and students will receive a score of 1-5. A score of ‘4’ or ‘5’ indicates that a candidate is extremely well qualified for first year studies and can claim university credit.

• The goal is not just to obtain a high score on the exam, but to learn how best to prepare for a university level exam. Students are encouraged to take the exam for the value in learning their Chemistry more deeply and gaining tactics and tips for engaging with more difficult assessment practices in a university setting.