AP Biology with Mrs. Heapy

For more information contact: Mrs. Heapy at ivonneh@mathscionline.org

How to Register?

1. Check Prerequisites and Read Description

2. Complete the Application (Mrs Heapy will reach out to you to confirm going forward with your application)

• if you do not have any experience with advanced STEM courses I recommend you take AP Chemistry before this course or a preparatory Honors Biology course offered by AP Homeschoolers
• For young students, a phone call will be required before accepting application for enrollment to the course

Register!

Prerequisites:

• High school level Biology that covers topics: Ecology, Cellular Division, Genetics and data analysis
• Algebra 1 with a minimum B+ grade (must include graphing and statistical analysis)
• Strongly recommended that the student have previous experience with advanced science courses especially Chemistry or AP Chemistry

This course requires a strong background in Algebra, introductory Biology and Chemistry.

Class Time: 

Every Wednesday 4 - 5 pm

• Lectures
• Hands on Labs (College Board required Investigations)
• Office Hours  

Description:

Mrs. Heapy's AP Bio Online is a course designed to be the equivalent of a first-year college level biology course. The emphasis of this course will be on developing an understanding of advanced biological concepts, as well as preparation for the AP^® Biology College Board Examination. This course has a lecture and lab component. Average time spent on this course is 2 hours daily (depending on students' academic preparation for this course)

The student must be able to manage large amount of content, as well as the time and effort required to complete intensive hands on labs which require materials, knowledge of lab skills, math skills and additional time for lab report write up. This course also covers statistical concepts related to investigative research in Biological Science, so a strong math foundation is highly recommended.

Sample Pacing Guide

Canvas will be used to deliver AP^® Biology content as well as other digital tools, such as Zoom. 

Successful students tend to be independently driven, organized and have a solid foundation in high school level science (middle school level biology often DOES NOT provide adequate depth for this course).

AP ^® Exam Prep: the last few weeks of the course are dedicated to an overall review of the course with focus on AP^® Biology Exam prep.

Labs: 

AP^® College Board investigative hands-on labs are additional to the lecture component of the course. Materials must be purchased separately. Lab kits can be purchased from Mrs Heapy but only for domestic US shipping. Students will be investigating the following:

• oxygen production rates in cellular respiration by building a respirometer.
• examining the effects of pH and temperature on enzyme function in biological reactions
• examining movements of molecules across the cellular membrane 
• building models of cellular membrane, proteins and DNA
• investigating reactions important in biology that are mediated my specific enzymes
• measure water potential using osmosis rates
• using cellular staining to measure mitotic rates in cells
• measuring rate of CO2 production in photosynthesis

AND more..

Tests and Quizzes:

There is a test at the end of every unit and online quizzes and assignments via myapclassroom.com (a classroom account for registered students on College Board). This is not a course recommended for students taking other demanding AP^® courses or for students with no experience taking an advanced STEM course.

Main topics:

• Chemistry Review (acid/base reactions, pH, Bronsted/Lowry reactions, polarity, molecular charges, ions) **Student is expected to have a good understanding of these topics before starting the course; these will not be taught in this course**
• chemistry of life (macromolecules)
• Water Properties (strong understanding of fundamentals of molecular chemistry required)
• proteins and enzymes
• cells and cell energetics (free energy, laws of thermodynamics, mitosis, cell cycle regulation)
• heredity, molecular genetics (meiosis, DNA, mendelian genetics)
• evolution (population dynamics)
• biotechnology
• Biological systems and regulation
• Introduction to Statistics as it applies to Biology (standard deviation, confidence intervals, t test) **students are expected to have a good background in Algebra 1**
  
  • Chi Square
  • Probability as it applies to Genetics.
  • Standard deviation and confident intervals used for Data Analysis
  • Water Potential

 Materials:

1) Textbook: AP Biology By Campbell 13th Edition

3) General Supplies: notebook; graph paper; college-ruled loose leaf lined paper; scissors; highlighters; math calculator; pens or pencils; 1 lab books (100 pages paper book or digital lab book approved by teacher)

4) Lab Materials - for an additional fee of $70 you can purchase a BASIC LAB KIT from the instructor ($10 non refundable handling fee)

 Course Fees:

1) Course: $850 

2) Textbook: ($100-200)

3) Additional Lab Supplies: Basic Lab Kit for domestic students only $70 ($10 non refundable handling fee)

My Results:

(2022/23) 42% of my class earned a score of "5" 

(2023/24) 50% of my students earned a score of "5"

(2024-25) 75 % of my students earned a score of 4-5

For more information see Mrs Heapy's Website

  About the Instructor:

Ivonne Heapy, B.Sc, M.S. Ed., OCT, WA state certified, NY Biology 7-12 certified

Mrs. Heapy is certified in both the US and Canada as a Biology and Chemistry high school teacher. She has taught diverse levels of science in Canada, NY state and WA state. Ivonne studied Neurophysiology at the University of Toronto, later working in research in neurophysiology at the same Canadian university. She has been a certified high school teacher with a variety of experiences in education including working in public & private schools, homeschool parent coops and alternative learning programs. Currently, Mrs. Heapy lives in NY state and works for a local high school teaching Regents Chemistry. Mrs. Heapy was also taught High School Math and Physics in WA state for three years along with working with PA Homeschoolers teaching online AP Biology since 2019. 

Mrs Heapy's challenges her student's bringing rigorous academics to the forefront while offering students many supports to reach their maximum potential.

She was also a homeschool mom of three children. As a homeschool parent she brings a wealth of experience and as an educator she has many years of experience working with homeschool students getting them ready to transition to college level education. She understands the unique dynamics of a students studying remotely and in a homeschool environment.

Additional information: 

AP^® Examination information  

The 2026-2027 AP Biology examination will be given in May 2027.  Examinees must register by November in order to take the May 2027 examination.  Additional information will be given during the year in class.

This course is intended to support all students interested in advanced Biology with a focus on the AP^® Exam. 

 For more information contact: Ivonne Heapy at ivonneh@mathscionline.org