At Cherokee, the vast majority of students begin their science education with a year of biology, followed by a year of chemistry. Most junior students then take physics, but another option is open to seniors, juniors, and even brave sophomores: AP Biology.
AP Biology offers more in-depth teaching of concepts introduced in first-year bio, as well as additional content that is not taught in a first-year course. First-year biology is a prerequisite, and it is recommended that chemistry is taken before enrolling in the course (although deep knowledge of chemistry is not required for AP biology). The course adheres to the AP Biology curriculum as outlined by the College Board; however, most of the assignments are not assigned through the College Board website, AP Classroom. Taking this course will prepare you for the AP Biology exam that offers possible college credit. Most colleges accept credit for fours or fives on this AP exam.
AP Biology covers a broad amount of topics in biology, ecology, and even some chemistry. The course begins with a review of first-year biology and an introduction to biochemistry. As you progress through the course, you will learn all about cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, and even ecology and evolution near the end of the year. If you ever wanted a deeper understanding of biology, an opportunity to conduct complex lab experiments, and an introduction to a college-level science experience, then AP Biology might just be the class for you.
If you are planning to take AP Biology, here are a few tips that I would personally recommend after looking back on my time in the course.
- Stay on top of your work – AP Biology does have a respectable amount of work, and it’s important to budget your time wisely and not leave work for the last minute. The work given does align with what you learn in class, and so by doing the work on time and methodically, you can gain a better understanding of the information come test day.
- Read the textbook – I know it sounds boring, but possibly the most helpful thing that I did to study for this class was just to simply read and understand the textbook. By doing this, in-class lectures became more of a review, and I always felt prepared for everything that we did because I had a rough idea of the material beforehand.
- Stay organized – Keep track of due dates, test days, and lab periods. Mr. Dilks and Mrs. Justice do a great job of making the class schedule organized via their unit agendas.
I took AP Biology my sophomore year, and I personally found it to be the most interesting and rewarding class I have ever taken. The class was definitely challenging, however with some effort, I think that anyone has the ability to excel in this class. Mr. Dilks and Mrs. Justice are often available if you need help in the class, and they are dedicated to your success and perusal of knowledge. They also do a fantastic job of preparing you to take the AP Biology exam. By the time we started preparing for the AP exam, we had covered every topic so well that the test actually seemed relatively easy.
A solid understanding of biology is useful not only in career applications but also in everyday life. For this reason, and because Cherokee’s biology program is so great, I would encourage anyone considering taking this class to try it. If it does not suit you, then you can always switch out; but, if you’re like me, then you might just find a deep passion for the subject and gain a profound understanding of the living aspects of the natural world.
