J.M. Jones

JPS Science Dept.

Email: jay.jones@edison.k12.nj.us

Website: www.jpsaos.com/jones

 

 

Advanced Placement Biology:

 

1) Point System: Grades are based on a simple point system able to be determined at any time during MP. % Grade  = points achieved on labs & exams + extra credit / points available. Grades are available online (Genesis' Parent Portal). Edison Township weights Tests/Exams 45%, Quizzes 40% and Homework as 15%. Note, that I deem my Labs as quizzes, thus they are worth 40%. I offer Extra Credit. Each point will be 0.1% of your grade, thus 10 points = 1% added to your grade.

What does all of this mean? Your grade is based on:

 ~50% Exams/Lab Practica/Quizzes

 Per Marking Period: average of 4 Exams, one Practicum and 4 quizzes

~50% Laboratory Free Response Questions (F.R.Q.s), Lab Presentations and Problem Sets

Per Marking Period: average of 4 Labs with (F.R.Q.s) one Lab Presentation and 4 Problem Sets

~

 

2) Laboratory Activities: Almost every week a lab is performed – all labs due within one week. We will perform (or cover) all 12 College Board® A.P. Biology labs.

 Here are some of the labs we will do (some of which are Experimental Design (ED)):

Acids and Bases and Titration, Osmosis & Diffusion, Molecular Modeling, Enzyme Catalysis, Meiosis & Mitosis, Pigment Analysis (ED), Cell Respiration (ED), Exercise Science and Respiration, DNA isolation & Analysis from various cell cultures, Molecular Biology Plasmid Purification, Digestion and Electrophoresis, Population Genetics (Hardy-Weinberg) ED, Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity (ED) (at JPS Pond!).

 

*New(er) to JPS  AP Bio curriculum: thermocyclers, microcentrifuges, Pipetman; P-20, P200, P-1000, various enzymes, PCR and Alu sequence lab , The Rutgers Waksman Student Scholar Program (WSSP), the list goes on…….

 

3) Exams: All my Exams are Multiple Choice and F.R.Q./Fill in. I construct them from Campbells® BIOLOGY test bank and I use essays similar to essays used in the past.

 

4) The College Board® AP Biology Exam (in May).  We prepare in class. A phrase I often say is “After the AP exam – the mode of the class changes drastically” “Work hard until the A.P. exam and I will reward you with a seminar-type environment the final month of your senior year.”

 

5) Jeopardy (A question and answer-type review game, for complete jeopardy rules see www.jpsaos.com/jones): Once a student scores 20 (personal) extra credit points (~2% added to MP grade) he she is automatic score keeper until the next MP.

 

6) Absences: If a student is absent on any Jeopardy (review) day he/she still must take the test on scheduled day. If he/she is absent on any one note taking day + days leading to test (Jeopardy played on those days), then, he/she will receive a postponement.

 

7) Behavior: Be on time and respectful to all humans, animals and plants too! Observe all laboratory directions (we will cover lab rules separately). There is no chewing of natural chicle or synthetic rubber like polyisobutylene, or for that matter, any food in class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Jay M. Jones

Honors Biology                                

JPS Science Dept.

Email: jay.jones@edison.k12.nj.us

Website: www.jpsaos.com/jones

 

See *powerpoint lecture notes

       *your grades

Honors Biology:

 

1) Point System: Grades are based on a simple point system able to be determined at any time during MP. % Grade  = points achieved on labs & exams + extra credit / points available. Grades are available online.

2) Laboratory Activities: Every week a lab is performed – all labs due within one week. Here are some of the labs we will do:

Acids and Bases, Osmosis & Diffusion, Molecular Modeling, Meiosis & Mitosis, Pigment Chromotography, Exercise Science and Respiration, DNA isolation & Analysis from Onion and Cheek cells, DNA technology, Family Genetics, Population Genetics (Hardy-Weinberg), and Nature Walk (at JPS Pond!). 

3) Tests: All my Tests are Multiple Choice and Essays/Diagrams.

 

4) Jeopardy (A question and answer-type review game, for complete jeopardy rules see www.jpsaos.com/jones): Once a student scores 20 (personal) extra credit points (~2% added to MP grade) he she is automatic score keeper until the next MP.

 

5) Absences: If a student is absent on any Jeopardy (review) day he/she still must take the test on scheduled day. If he/she is absent on any one note taking day + days leading to test (Jeopardy played on those days), then, he/she will receive a postponement.

 

6) Behavior: Be on time and respectful to all humans, animals and plants too! Observe all laboratory directions (we will cover lab rules separately). There is no chewing of natural chicle or synthetic rubber like polyisobutylene, or for that matter, any food in class.