Course Overview

AP Biology B builds on the foundation established in AP Biology A, completing the full scope of the Advanced Placement® Biology curriculum. Students deepen their understanding of the four unifying themes of biology: evolution, energy use and homeostasis, information storage and transmission, and system interactions. This second semester emphasizes physiology, ecology, population biology, and advanced applications of evolution and genetics, preparing students for both the AP® Biology exam and future college-level coursework.

Key Learning Focus

Students will:

• Explore physiological processes in plants and animals, including systems that maintain homeostasis.
• Analyze ecological principles, from population dynamics and community interactions to ecosystems and global change.
• Investigate how evolutionary mechanisms drive adaptation across different levels of biological organization.
• Apply knowledge of information storage and transmission to case studies in genetics and biotechnology.
• Conduct laboratory experiments and simulations that reinforce inquiry, reasoning, and the application of scientific skills.

Instructional Approach

The course emphasizes inquiry-based learning, experimental design, and data interpretation. Students engage in labs aligned with AP Biology expectations, strengthening their ability to connect content knowledge to real-world biological phenomena.

Outcome

By the end of AP Biology B, students will:

• Demonstrate mastery of biological systems and their interactions.
• Apply critical reasoning and scientific argumentation to explain patterns in life sciences.
• Synthesize knowledge from molecular biology, genetics, physiology, and ecology into a coherent understanding of living systems.
• Be thoroughly prepared to sit for the AP® Biology exam, with strong skills in evidence-based reasoning and experimental interpretation.