SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY

1818 Advanced College Credit Program

Principles of Biology BL X104

Ste. Genevieve High School

Advanced Biology

Advanced Biology Syllabus

2008-2009

Instructor: Mr. Paul Taylor

Contact Information: Office Address: Room 222

E-mail Address:

Phone: 573-883-4500 (High School Office)

Availability: One hour before school, throughout the day, one hour after school, or by appointment.

Text Information: Freeman, S. 2005. Biological Science (2nd Edition). Pearson Education, Inc. Prentice Hall NJ. 1283pp.

Course Objectives: Advanced Biology is structured to investigate more in depth biological concepts concerning the two main unifying ideas in all of science: the cell theory and the theory of evolution by natural selection. These two unifying concepts are pervasive in science and well will investigate Biological Science by using textbook activities, projects, group work, laboratories, and research papers. Advanced Biology can be taken for college credit through Saint Louis University’s 1818 Advanced College Credit Program.

Course Calendar:

DATE / UNIT / CHAPTER
1st Quarter
August 15 – October 10 / 1 – The Origin and Early Evolution of Life / 1-6
2 – Cell Structure and Function / 7-11
2nd Quarter
October 13 – December 19 / 3 – Gene Structure and Expression / 12-20
3 – Gene Structure and Expression / 12-20
3rd Quarter
January 5 – March 11 / 5 – Evolutionary Processes and Patterns / 23-26
5 – Evolutionary Processes and Patterns / 23-26
4th Quarter
March 12 – May 18 / Research Paper / None
4 – Developmental Biology / 21-22

Assessment Schedule: A test will be given roughly after every 2-3 chapters, and a comprehensive final (10% of semester grade) will be given at the end of each semester. You are also required to complete an advanced literature review on a topic in biology.

Grades: Your grade will be calculated by dividing your earned points by the total points possible in the class. Grading scale will coincide with the district grading scale below.

GRADING SCALE

LETTER
GRADE / PERCENTAGE
A / 96-100
A- / 92-95
B+ / 89-91
B / 86-88
B- / 83-85
C+ / 80-82
C / 77-79
C- / 74-76
D+ / 71-73
D / 68-70
D- / 65-67
F / 0-64

Other Information: Your success in this course is determined by your ability to master the material and to communicate with me. If at any time you are falling behind or feel that you are having trouble please set up an appointment with me to discuss it. I am here to help you in any way that I can.