Length: Grade Level: Credit:

Full Year SUNY ESF Credit (4 per semester) 11th or 12th OR AP credit based on exam score 1.25

Description:The SUNY ESF Biology curriculum is a college course usually taken by biology majors during their first year of college. Students obtain weighted credit by successfully completing the course and taking the SUNY ESF exams in January and June. Students may also take the AP Biology exam in May. The course differs significantly from living environment with respect to the kind of textbook used, the range and depth of topics covered, the kind of laboratory work done by students, and the time and effort required by the student. The primary emphasis of the course is on developing an understanding of concepts; 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 the application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns.

Topics covered in the course include chemistry of life, cells and cell energetics, heredity, molecular genetics, evolution, diversity of organisms, structure and function of both plants and animals, and ecology. The course is broken down into 4 big ideas

Commitment: As a college-level course, students should expect a workload equal to what would be encountered in college. The typical college formula is that students will spend 3 hours of their own time per hour spent in class. In this class, typically, the formula is that students spend two hours of their own time per hour spent in class. As we meet every day for 40 minutes and 85 minutes every other day, you can see that you will need to put in a good amount of your own time to be successful in this course. You will need to be in class and ready to go everyday as our time together is limited and very precious. A summer project must be completed to remain enrolled in this course.

Final Assessment: January ESF Biology exam for fall semester, June ESF Biology exam for spring semester, AP Examination (fee required, $92).

Recommendation: Successful students have an overall average of 85 in math and science courses.

Special notes: ESF requires students enrolled in ESF Biology must have successfully completed high school biology and high school chemistry. Upon completion of course with a B (85) or better, students will receive 8 credits (4 each semester) from SUNY ESF. Students who meet ESF admission requirements will have preferred admission. Course Tuition (approximately $300 per semester) is determined yearly by SUNY ESF.