AP® Biology
For Educators
Teachers can use the complete Plus course curriculum for flexible instruction.
Course Summary
Explore the molecules, systems, and processes that support life. Through interactive media, labs, inquiry projects and assignments, students examine foundational biological concepts including evolution, dynamic homeostasis, and how systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information. In this course, students delve into cell theory and the theory of evolution by natural selection to gain an in-depth understanding of living systems and the complexities of their interactions with one another.
This course prepares students for the AP® Biology exam.
Curriculum
This is a two-semester course. Each semester requires a commitment of approximately 70 or more hours of coursework. While students may enroll in both semesters within the same term, UC Scout does not recommend this due to the intensive workload, especially during shorter terms like summer.
Unit 1: Chemistry of Life
- What is Biology?
- Ancient Earth
- Protein & Nucleic Acid
- Fats & Carbohydrates
Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
- Membranes
- Cell Structure
Unit 3: Cellular Energetics
- Metabolism
- Photosynthesis
- Cellular Respiration
Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle
- Cell Communication
- The Endocrine & Nervous Systems
- Cell Cycle
Unit 5: Heredity
- Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction
- Mendel & Genes
- Chromosomal Inheritance
Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation
- Molecular Inheritance
- Gene to Protein
- Viruses & Bacteria
- Eukaryotic Genomes
- Genetics of Development
- DNA Technology & Genomics
Unit 7: Natural Selection
- Darwin's Theory
- Population Evolution
- Speciation
- Phylogeny
Unit 8: Ecology
- Response to Environment
- Population Ecology
- Community Ecology
- Biodiversity and Conservation