AP Biology (Sem 1)
Course Description:
This course is the first semester of a two-semester sequence, aligned to the Advanced Placement curriculum for Biology. The course provides an overview of cell biology, evolution, genetics, ecology, as well as the structure and function of plant and animal systems. In AP Biology, students build the conceptual framework necessary to understand science as a process. Course does not include the AP Exam; students can contact their school’s AP Coordinator or the College Board to sign up to take the Exam. In order to maintain the integrity of AP standards, it is highly advisable that local school districts proctor their online student AP course midterm and final exams.
Course Details:
| Course Title (District): |
AP Biology (Sem 1) |
| Course Title (NCES SCED) : |
AP Biology |
| Course Provider : |
Michigan Virtual |
| Content Provided By : |
Michigan Virtual |
| Online Instructor Provided By : |
Michigan Virtual |
| Standards Addressed : |
National Collegiate Athletic Association, CollegeBoard |
| Alignment Document : |
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v25jXkRisJxMeDrEt6bM7Ql2432xsvx4/view?usp=sharing |
| Academic Terms : |
Semester |
| NCES SCED Code : |
| Subject Area : |
Life and Physical Sciences |
| Course Identifier : |
AP Biology |
| Course Level : |
High School (Secondary) |
| Available Credit : |
0.5 |
| Sequence : |
1 of 2 |
|
How To Enroll:
Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or
registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration
Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for
the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the
registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with
your school after submitting a registration request.
Start Registration Request
Additional Course Information:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (888) 889-2840
Additional Cost: $125.0
Additional Cost Description:
Biology, © 2016 by Mader and Windelspecht (12th Edition), McGraw Hill Education ISBN: 978-0078024269
Optional additional study materials: eTextbook with Connect Plus option: The Biology textbook can be purchased with a Connect Plus subscription from McGraw Hill that helps test students’ understanding of required reading and information provided in the text as well as take practice tests. This is optional on the part of the student, but recommended by instructor. If you purchase a Connect Plus subscription, please notify your instructor. You can order the text via numerous textbook websites, on amazon.com, or call McGraw Hill Customer Service 800.334.7344. Course does not include the AP Exam. Contact your local school counselor or AP coordinator on sign up and fees required to take the College Board's AP Biology exam.
Upon completion of the course, students will use the scientific method to solve problems, employ metric measurements; analyze the chemical composition of organisms; describe in detail cell infrastructure and function of cellular organelles; assess the role of ensymes in life processes; trace the biochemical pathways involved in respiration and photosynthesis; describe cell division; describe principles of genetics and demonstrate knowledge of the principles of ecology and the role of energy flow, biogchemical cycles, population growth, habitats and niches.
iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Courses
| Academic Content Standards and Assessments |
Rating
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Comments |
| The goals and objectives clearly state what the participants will know or be able to do at the end of the course. The goals and objectives are measurable in multiple ways. |
Partially Met
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The goals and objectives are stated but are very vague. They are general statements rather than "Students will be able to..." objectives. |
| The course content and assignments are aligned with the state’s content standards, Common Core curriculum, or other accepted content standards set for Advanced Placement® courses, technology, computer science, or other courses whose content is not included in the state standards. |
Fully Met
|
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| The course content and assignments are of sufficient rigor, depth and breadth to teach the standards being addressed. |
Fully Met
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The course will be a challenge for many as it should be. Students will have to study to learn the material. |
| Information literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum. |
Fully Met
|
The discussion and written assessments are well done and found throughout the course. Discussion questions require that students connect with other students to share thoughts. |
| Multiple learning resources and materials to increase student success are available to students before the course begins. |
Fully Met
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These are interesting and varied. |
| Course Overview and Introduction |
Rating
|
Comments |
| Clear, complete course overview and syllabus are included in the course. |
Fully Met
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The syllabus and pacing guide were evident and clear. |
| Course requirements are consistent with course goals, are representative of the scope of the course and are clearly stated. |
Fully Met
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There is strong evidence in place. |
| Information is provided to students, parents and mentors on how to communicate with the online instructor and course provider. |
Fully Met
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The information is clearly presented. |
| Legal and Acceptable Use Policies |
Rating
|
Comments |
| The course reflects multi-cultural education, and the content is accurate, current and free of bias or advertising. |
Fully Met
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| Expectations for academic integrity, use of copyrighted materials, plagiarism and netiquette (Internet etiquette) regarding lesson activities, discussions, and e-mail communications are clearly stated. |
Fully Met
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| Privacy policies are clearly stated. |
Fully Met
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These are clearly stated in the course. |
| Instructor Resources |
Rating
|
Comments |
| Online instructor resources and notes are included. |
Fully Met
|
Present, and they should be helpful for each lesson. |
| Assessment and assignment answers and explanations are included. |
Fully Met
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These are present in the lessons, but more could be added. |
| Accessing Course Effectiveness |
Rating
|
Comments |
| The course provider uses multiple ways of assessing course effectiveness. |
Fully Met
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| The course is evaluated using a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness and the findings used as a basis for improvement. |
Fully Met
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| Course Updates |
Rating
|
Comments |
| The course is updated periodically to ensure that the content is current. |
Fully Met
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| Certification |
Rating
|
Comments |
| Course instructors, whether faceto-face or virtual, are certificated and “highly qualified.” The online course teacher possesses a teaching credential from a state-licensing agency and is “highly qualified” as defined under ESEA. |
Fully Met
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| Instructor and Student Support |
Rating
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Comments |
| Professional development about the online course delivery system is offered by the provider to assure effective use of the courseware and various instructional media available. |
Fully Met
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| The course provider offers technical support and course management assistance to students, the course instructor, and the school coordinator. |
Fully Met
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| Course instructors, whether face-to-face or virtual, have been provided professional development in the behavioral, social, and when necessary, emotional, aspects of the learning environment. |
Fully Met
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| Course instructors, whether face-to-face or virtual, receive instructor professional development, which includes the support and use of a variety of communication modes to stimulate student engagement online. |
Fully Met
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| The provider assures that course instructors, whether face-to-face or virtual, are provided support, as needed, to ensure their effectiveness and success in meeting the needs of online students. |
Fully Met
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| Students are offered an orientation for taking an online course before starting the coursework. |
Fully Met
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| Instructional and Audience Analysis |
Rating
|
Comments |
| Course design reflects a clear understanding of all students’ needs and incorporates varied ways to learn and master the curriculum. |
Fully Met
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| Course, Unit and Lesson Design |
Rating
|
Comments |
| The course is organized by units and lessons that fall into a logical sequence. Each unit and lesson includes an overview describing objectives, activities, assignments, assessments, and resources to provide multiple learning opportunities for students to master the content. |
Fully Met
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This is clearly presented and logical in sequence. |
| Instructional Strategies and Activities |
Rating
|
Comments |
| The course instruction includes activities that engage students in active learning. |
Fully Met
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The resources are entertaining as well as educational. |
| The course and course instructor provide students with multiple learning paths, based on student needs that engage students in a variety of ways. |
Fully Met
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The varied methods will keep students interested. |
| The course provides opportunities for students to engage in higher-order thinking, critical reasoning activities and thinking in increasingly complex ways. |
Fully Met
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Discussion and written assessments are complex enough to develop critical thinking and students are required to share them with other students. |
| The course provides options for the instructor to adapt learning activities to accommodate students’ needs. |
Fully Met
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| Readability levels, written language assignments and mathematical requirements are appropriate for the course content and grade-level expectations. |
Fully Met
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This was evident throughout the course. |
| Communication and Interaction |
Rating
|
Comments |
| The course design provides opportunities for appropriate instructor-student interaction, including opportunities for timely and frequent feedback about student progress. |
Fully Met
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There are many opportunities provided. |
| The course design includes explicit communication/activities (both before and during the first week of the course) that confirms whether students are engaged and are progressing through the course. The instructor will follow program guidelines to address non-responsive students. |
Fully Met
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There is clear evidence of this, especially in early assignments. |
| The course provides opportunities for appropriate instructor-student and student-student interaction to foster mastery and application of the material. |
Fully Met
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There were many feedback opportunities. |
| Resources and Materials |
Rating
|
Comments |
| Students have access to resources that enrich the course content. |
Fully Met
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Textbook and resources listed are appropriate. There are many non-traditional resources also provided. This will make learning and reading interesting. |
| Evaluation Strategies |
Rating
|
Comments |
| Student evaluation strategies are consistent with course goals and objectives, are representative of the scope of the course and are clearly stated. |
Fully Met
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More clearly written objectives would make this clearer. |
| The course structure includes adequate and appropriate methods and procedures to assess students’ mastery of content. |
Fully Met
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Students must study to pass assessments; this course is rigorous. |
| Feedback |
Rating
|
Comments |
| Ongoing, varied, and frequent assessments are conducted throughout the course to inform instruction. |
Fully Met
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There are an excellent variety of assessments along the way. Smaller assessments could be provided at the end of lessons to provide more feedback. |
| Assessment strategies and tools make the student continuously aware of his/her progress in class and mastery of the content. |
Fully Met
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Students will easily be able to track their progress. Feedback opportunities from the instructor were evident. |
| Assessment Resources and Materials |
Rating
|
Comments |
| Assessment materials provide the instructor with the flexibility to assess students in a variety of ways. |
Fully Met
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This is present, but more could be added. |
| Grading rubrics are provided to the instructor and may be shared with students. |
Fully Met
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Yes, these are clearly evident in the course. |
| The grading policy and practices are easy to understand. |
Fully Met
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| Course Architecture |
Rating
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Comments |
| The course architecture permits the online instructor to add content, activities and assessments to extend learning opportunities. |
Fully Met
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| The course accommodates multiple school calendars; e.g., block, 4X4 and traditional schedules. |
Partially Met
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There is only one schedule present. |
| User Interface |
Rating
|
Comments |
| Clear and consistent navigation is present throughout the course. |
Fully Met
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The course was easy to follow. |
| Rich media are provided in multiple formats for ease of use and access in order to address diverse student needs. |
Fully Met
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There are many and a variety of assignments that students should find entertaining and informative. |
| Technology Requirements and Interoperability |
Rating
|
Comments |
| All technology requirements (including hardware, browser, software, etc...) are specified. |
Fully Met
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| Prerequisite skills in the use of technology are identified. |
Partially Met
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| The course uses content-specific tools and software appropriately. |
Fully Met
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| The course is designed to meet internationally recognized interoperability standards. |
Fully Met
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| Copyright and licensing status, including permission to share where applicable, is clearly stated and easily found. |
Fully Met
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| Accessibility |
Rating
|
Comments |
| Course materials and activities are designed to provide appropriate access to all students. The course, developed with universal design principles in mind, conforms to the U.S. Section 504 and Section 508 provisions for electronic and information technology as well as the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility guidelines (WCAg 2.0). |
Fully Met
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| Data Security |
Rating
|
Comments |
| Student information remains confidential, as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). |
Fully Met
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Review Conducted By: Michigan Virtual
Date of Review:
07/28/2014
The first semester is broken into six units.
- Unit 1:Chemistry of Life
- Unit 2: Cell Structure
- Unit 3: Metabolism
- Unit 4: Cell Reproduction
- Unit 5: Genetics
- Unit 6: Evolution
| Term Type |
Enrollment Opens |
Enrollment Ends |
Random Draw Date |
Enrollment Drop Date |
Course Starts |
Course Ends |
# of Seats |
Course Fee |
Potential Additional Costs |
|
Semester |
03/29/2024 |
09/20/2024 |
07/01/2024 |
09/13/2024 |
08/30/2024 |
01/17/2025 |
100 |
$440 |
$125 |
| Drop Policy |
Completion Policy |
Term Type |
Enrollment Opens |
Enrollment Ends |
| Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. |
Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. |
Semester |
03/29/2024 |
09/20/2024 |
Students can use chat, email or private message system within the course to access highly qualified teachers when they need instructor assistance.
http://www.mivhs.org/Support/Technical-Requirements
