Flagstaff High School. Biology Syllabus

Transcription

1 Flagstaff High School Biology Syllabus Instructor: Jean Block - Bachelor of Science in Biology/Master of Science in Biology jblock@fusd1.org Room: 504 Course Description: This is an introductory Biology course that will emphasize Arizona s College and Career Ready Standards for Science and Technical Subjects. Students will engage in reading, answering questions from text, writing, speaking, listening, and supporting claims with evidence. The majority of class time will be devoted to inquiry-based activities and laboratory investigations. During laboratory investigations students will utilize scientific processes to develop and test hypotheses, analyze data, create and interpret tables/figures, share ideas, provide feedback to peers, form evidence-based conclusions, and write scientific reports. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to discuss, interpret, and integrate topics related to: basic building blocks of life. structures and functions of cells and cell organelles. chemicals that make up individual cells. gene-based inheritance patterns. genetic mutations. macro and micro evolution. classification of living organisms. basic structures of plants. basic systems within animals. functions of systems within animals. ecological processes. Prerequisites: Algebra I Text: Nowicki, Stephen Biology. McDougal Littell, Evanston, Ill. Online Text Resource: Required Supplies: Recommended: One 7-1/2"x 9-3/4"composition notebook with college-ruled white paper inside to take notes One 2 three- ring binder for all course handouts, assignments, quizzes, homework, and labs. #2 pencils AND blue or black ink pens (have two or three of each available at all times) One reusable water bottle filled with fresh drinking water (students may not leave class to drink water) 1

2 Grading Policy: At the end of fall and spring semester and before the final exam, grades will be based on the following: 1) 20% performance-based activities (e.g., individual/group data collection, inquiry activities, reading and writing activities, daily participation points, notebook checks) 2) 20% practice-based activities (e.g., quizzes, study guides) 3) 60% measurement (tests, formal laboratory write-ups, research papers/presentations) The final exam will account for 15% of the above semester grade. Grades will be awarded based on the following percentages: 100% % A 89.4% % B 79.4% % C 69.4% % D 59.4% or below F Attendance/Absences/Tardies: Regular attendance, participation, and honest effort usually result in a good grade. Excessive absences (excused or unexcused) usually result in a poor or failing grade. If students want a passing grade in this course, it is their responsibility to attend class regularly, arrive on time prepared to work, listen to directions and participate, and complete assignments/homework on time. Absences should be for dire emergencies or excused team sports only. Each student will earn a maximum of 10 points per day for arriving to class on time and for full participation. Students will not earn the maximum 10 points per day if they are tardy and/or do not fully participate. No participation points will be given to students with unexcused absences. If a student has an excused absence and makes up the work for that particular day, they will receive the full 10 points. Flagstaff Unified School District policy will apply for excessive tardies and absences. Makeup Work: Excused Absences: Class work must be made up within the time equal to the number of days absent or within a time period agreed upon between the student and Mrs. Block. Unexcused Absences: Class work must be made up. However, no credit will be awarded. NOTE: It is important to make up work with unexcused absences. Students will need this knowledge if they want to continue to be successful in the class. Out of School Suspension: Class work during out-of-school suspensions must be made up. Upon return, students will have one day for each day missed to turn in missed work for full credit. Late work: Late work will be accepted for 1/2 credit for excused absences within a specific time period. No credit will be awarded for work turned in after this time period. Classroom conduct: Flagstaff High School emphasizes Focus, Honor, and Respect. Focus means to arrive on time and be prepared, participate and ask questions, be responsible for learning, and focus on solutions. Honor means to practice honesty, express gratitude, respect different points of view, and use positive words and language. Success means to be silent when others are addressing the class, turn off and put away phones, ipods and headphones, attain excellence, and dress for success. 2

3 Additional mandatory codes of conduct include: Being in your seat when the tardy bell rings engaged in bell work. Raising your hand if you have a question. Asking appropriate questions related to the topic of the day at appropriate times. Not eating or drinking flavored beverages in class. If students have food or flavored beverages that they did not finish during passing or at lunch, they should place it in their backpacks out of site. The only bottle allowed is a water bottle. Not asking to leave class for a drink of water. Asking questions about missed work or about how I graded a particular assignment before or after school by appointment or during intervention. Students may not ask me to answer these types of questions during class time or between classes. During class, only going to the bathroom in the event of a dire emergency and only with a bathroom ticket issued by the instructor (1 per month and one emergency only pass per semester). Disruptive, disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. Academic Integrity Pledge: As a student enrolled in this class, I affirm the principle of academic integrity and commit to upholding integrity by completing all academic assignments in the manner expected, informing the instructor of suspected instances of academic misconduct by myself and my peers, and fully engage in the class and its related assignments for the purpose of learning. Course Outline: Unit 1: Nature of Life Introduction to Biology Characteristics of life and unifying themes Domains and kingdoms Scientific processes Scientific tools and measurement Unit 2: Chemistry behind Life Processes Atoms, elements, molecules, compounds, ions Water's special properties Acids and bases Carbon-based molecules Chemical reactions Enzymes Unit 3: Molecular/Cellular Biology Cell theory Cellular structure/organelles/function Diffusion/Osmosis Photosynthesis, respiration, fermentation Cell cycle and Mitosis Meiosis DNA, Protein synthesis, Mutations -End of first semester- 3

4 Unit 4: Genetics Mendel's laws of heredity Punnett Squares Genes, alleles, genetic variation Traits and probability Patterns of inheritance Unit 5: Evolutionary Theory: Early ideas Darwin's observations Agents of evolutionary change Micro/macro evolution Evolution of populations History of life/geologic time scale Unit 6: Ecology Biotic and abiotic relationships Energy and nutrients in ecosystems Cycling of Matter Population and community ecology Unit 8: Plant and Animal Biology Levels of organization Interaction among systems and system functions The instructor reserves the right to adjust this syllabus with reasonable notification to the students enrolled. After reading the course syllabus, please sign the next page and return it to Mrs. Block by Monday, August 11, Thank you in advance for your support. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. The best way to reach me is by at I look forward to working with you this year! 4

5 Please sign below and return to Mrs. Block by August 11, 2014 indicating that you have read the above syllabus and understand class expectations: Student Name: (Print) Student Signature: Parent/Guardian: (Print) Parent/Guardian Signature: Parent/Guardian phone #: Parent/Guardian 5