AP Biology

Summer Assignment

Please pick up a copy of our textbook, Campbell's Biology in Focus, Second Edition, before school is dismissed for the summer. If you are new to Bear Creek, please contact Dr. Blakeley (hblakeley@tbcs.org), and she will arrange for the book to be made available to you.

Read and study chapters 1 – 3 of Campbell's Biology in Focus. Chapters 1 – 3 are review of scientific method and foundational chemistry. If you have not yet taken a chemistry course, you will want to spend significant time with chapters 2 – 3. Prepare a study guide for your own use covering significant concepts from each chapter. There will be an exam on this material early in the coming school year. 

The following are suggestions to aid in preparation for the exam.

• Study all bold-faced terms in each chapter. For those unfamiliar to you, make a glossary defining the terms. Use the text explanation itself as much as possible for this glossary. If you use the back of the book or online sources, you won't have the most relevant, complete definition. 
• Study all diagrams and pictures in each chapter. Read the captions carefully and memorize/retain the information contained in the illustrations; it is often the most important information in the chapter. 
• If a section of chapter text is too dense and difficult, turn to the chapter summary at the end of each chapter and read the pertinent summary section first. Then try again with the chapter text. 
• Review the questions at the end of each chapter. Quiz yourself and check your answers in the appendix at the back of the book. 
• Don't lose sight of the big picture! Read through the headings of each chapter and connect the new information you have read with each of the headings.