2017-2018 Huntsville High School Honors Biology Syllabus

2017-2018 Huntsville High School Honors Biology Syllabus

Mrs. Shari King /
Mrs. Andrea Clayton /
Mr. John Johnson /
Mr. Malcolm Parker /

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Honors Biology is a first year high school course, which is a pre-requisite for Advanced Placement (AP) Biology. At the end of the second year course, AP Biologystudents will be prepared to take the College Board Advanced Placement Biology Exam. Biology is a “hands-on” course using techniques to introduce the student to the structure of matter, its changes and the energy involved in supporting life, different forms of life, and the interconnections of the abiotic/biotic factors. A comprehensive approach to learning will be emphasized. For many students, Biology is the first course requiring enhanced learning and skill usage. Students must study at home to internalize the concepts and gain problem-solving skills.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course is designed to give students an understanding of all that composes life on Earth. Students will gain:

Knowledge of various and scientific laws.
Appreciation of various ways organisms and the environment can affect our world.
Skills in using the scientific method to solve problems and design experiments.
Knowledge and practical application of laboratory safety, and laboratory techniques.
Skills in collection, processing, and evaluating laboratory data, and scientific writing.

STANDARDS

Select appropriate laboratory glassware, balances, time measuring equipment, and optical instruments to conduct an experiment.
Describe cell processes necessary for achieving homeostasis, including active and passive transport, osmosis, diffusion, exocytosis, and endocytosis.
Identify reactants and products associated with photosynthesis and cellular respiration and the purposes of these two processes.
Describe similarities and differences of cell organelles, using diagrams and tables.
Identify cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems as levels of organization in the biosphere.
Apply Mendel's law to determine phenotypic and genotypic probabilities of offspring.
Describe the roles of mitotic and meiotic divisions during reproduction, growth, and repair of cells.
Identify the structure and function of DNA, RNA, and protein.
Differentiate between the previous five-kingdom and current six-kingdom classification systems.
Distinguish between monocots and dicots, angiosperms and gymnosperms, and vascular and non-vascular plants.
Classify animals according to type of skeletal structure, method of fertilization and reproduction, body symmetry, body coverings and locomotion.
Describe protective adaptations of animals, including mimicry, camouflage, beak type, migration and hibernation.
Trace the flow of energy as it decreases through the trophic levels from producers to the quaternary level in food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids.
Trace biogeochemical cycles through the environment, including water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Identify biomes based on environmental factors and native organisms.
Identify density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors that affect populations in an ecosystem.

Year Overview:

Fall Semester
1st Nine Weeks
Unit 1: Biochemistry

Chemistry of Life
Biological Molecules
Proteins as Enzymes

Unit 2: Biological Principles & The Cell

Science Inquiry
Mathematics & Measurements

Science in Practice
Structure & Function of Cells
Cell Transport & Communication

Unit 3: Bioenergetics

Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis

End of 1st Nine WeeksAssessment
2nd Nine Weeks
Unit 4: Mendelian Genetics

Types of Dominance

Genetic Crosses/Pedigrees
Genetic Diseases/Disorders

Unit 5: Molecular Genetics

Chromosomes & Genes
Structure DNA
Cell Reproduction
Mitosis and Meiosis

End of 2nd Nine Weeks Assessment/Semester Exam / Spring Semester
3rd Nine Weeks
Unit 5: Molecular Genetics

Function of DNA, RNA and proteins
Gene Expression and Mutations
Genomics
Biotechnology

Unit 6: Taxonomy

Taxonomy
Viruses

End of 3rd Nine Weeks Assessment
4th Nine Weeks
Unit 7: Evolution

Origin of Species
Tracing Evolutionary History

Unit 8: Ecology

Population Ecology
Community Ecology
Ecosystems
Biomes
Cycling of Matter
Growth factors

End of Course Exam (EOC)/Final Exam

TEXTBOOK

Campbell Biology: Concepts and Connections, 7eReece/Taylor/Simon/Dickey

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
1. Entering and Beginning Class

Enter the classroom on time and in an orderly and civilized manner.
Be in your assigned seat before the tardy bell rings.
Come to class prepared with all required materials. Do not depend on the instructor to provide these items.
All assignments are due before the beginning of the period – unless otherwise noted.
Begin working on the Bell-ringer assignment as soon as class begins.
Sharpen pencils before the bell rings.

2. Asking/Answering Questions

Unless it is an emergency, raise your hand to be acknowledged during all classroom discussions.
Do NOT shout out answers or talk while someone else is sharing a response. It is disrespectful.

3. Changing Activities

When it is time to transition between classroom activities, stop talking and give me your full attention.

4. Cooperative Work

When working in groups during class or lab, students are expected to stay on task.
Roles for each student will be assigned within cooperative groups; students are expected to contribute to the group’s work and to fulfill their individual role.
Group activities will usually be timed. When it is indicated that the time for the activity has expired, stop talking, and listen for further instructions.

5. Assignments

Work to be turned in must be written neatly in pencil, blue or black ink (other colors are NOT acceptable), or typed. Don’t forget your NAME! If you forget your name, ten points will be deducted.
All work to be turned in must be neat, organized, legible, dated, and labeled. If I cannot read your work, it will not be graded.
Follow the procedure for heading your assignments. Incorrect headings will result in a ten-point deduction.

6. Disruptions

If you have an emergency (nauseous, bloody nose, etc.) you do not have to raise your hand. Go to the restroom (if necessary). I will send someone to check on you.
Students will not be able to leave class without a pass from the person you need to see.
Please sharpen your pencil BEFORE class or during the Bell-ringer. Do not sharpen your pencil when your teacher is talking.
You may not ask to go to another teacher’s room without prior permission from that teacher and me.

7. End of Class

Students should expect to work up until the bell rings every day. There will be NO packing up before class is dismissed. There will be NO standing at/near the door waiting for the bell.
The bell DOES NOT dismiss you.
You are not allowed to leave the room until your belongings and any trash around your table are picked up; the chairs must be in order.

Teacher will adhere to the Behavior Learning Guide. Please refer to that guide if you have any questions.
Day to Day Behavioral Infractions:
First Offense: Verbal Warning
Second Offense: Last One Out
Third Offense: One-Minute Detention (Parent/Guardian Notification)
Fourth Offense: Writing Prompt (Parent/Guardian Notification)
Fifth Offense: Progression to Level 1/Level 2 Responses (Parent/Guardian Notification)

GRADING SCALE

A student’s grade will be determined by the following evaluative measures:

Summative Assessments 60%

Tests
Major projects
Lab Reports

/ In-class Assignments 40%

Daily class assignments
Inquiry Activities
Quizzes
Minor projects
Homework

LETTER GRADES AND PERCENTAGES

A =100-90% / B=89-80% / C= 79-70% / D=69-60% / F=below 60%

CALCULATING SEMESTER AND YEARLY AVERAGES

1st and 2ndNine Weeks is 45% each and 1st Semester is 10% of grade.

3rd and 4th Nine Weeks is 45% each and 2nd Semester is 10% of grade.

1st nine weeks
x2 / 2nd nine weeks x2 / 1st semester final exam x1 / 3rd nine weeks x2 / 4th nine weeks
x2 / 2nd semester final exam x1 / Final Grade

ASSIGNMENT POLICY

All assignments are due the following class day unless otherwise noted on the calendar. Late assignments will receive full credit only if received the day you return from an EXCUSED absence.

Students who have not completed homework or who have unexcused absences will be given an alternate assignment that may be completed for reduced credit according to the following guidelines:

1 day late=70%
2 days late=65%
3 days late=60% / 4 days late=55%
5 days late=50%
6 days late=45% / 7 days late=40%
8 days late=35%
9 days late=30%
10 days late = 1%

MAKEUP ASSIGNMENTS

Students who miss a test with an excused absence will take the appropriate portion of the nine week makeup test that was missed. Students who score below 70 on a chapter/unit test may also take the nine-week makeup test for a maximum grade of 70. Students missing test grades for unexcused reasons can take the makeup test for a maximum grade of 70. If you are absent with an excuse, you may make up quizzes. An assignment calendar will be made available to all students via Edmodo. Assignments must be obtained prior to going to In-school suspension (ISS). It is your responsibility to arrange all makeup work with the teacher. You may refer to Edmodo for assigned work that you are responsible for that was missed in your absence. Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will receive a grade of zero.

INFORMATION (iNow)

Students and parents may monitor grades on the online grading system iNOW. Please contact your teacher and/or guidance counselor for iNow registration.

SUPPLIES

1-inch vinyl binder with three rings and pockets; 6-Notebook dividers; Loose-leaf paper; scientific calculator, composition notebook and a student planner.
One box of kleenex

CONTACT

Please email your teacher if you have any questions. When emailing a teacher please include student’s full name and period in the subject line. Parents may call or email for a parent-teacher conference. Please limit telephone calls to afterschool or planning. Huntsville High telephone: 256.428.8050

Honors Biology Syllabus and Parent Information

(Due Date: __August 7-8, 2017____)

Internet Access and Picture Publication:

INow and Edmodo will both be updated regularly and may be of great assistance to you and your student. Help me understand you and your student’s ability to access these resources at home. Please circle the appropriate response.

Can the student access the Internet from home? Yes or No

Can the parent or guardian access the Internet from home? Yes or No

Can student’s picture be displayed in class, Edmodo, or HHS webpage? Yes or No

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I have read the Honors Biology syllabus and I agree to abide by the rules and consequences set by my teacher and Huntsville High School. I acknowledge my responsibilities in this course. I am aware of the testing, grading and make-up/late policies for this course.

______

Student Printed Name & Signature Date

I have read the Honors Biology syllabus and I agree to have my student abide by the rules and consequences set by his/her teacher and Huntsville High School. I acknowledge their responsibilities in this course. I am aware of the testing, grading and make-up/late policies for this course.

______

Parent/Guardian Printed Name & Signature Date

Parent/Guardian Contact Information

Student Name: ______Class Period: ______

Parent/Guardian Name ______

Daytime Telephone Number______

Evening Telephone Number ______

Parent Email Address______

Best time to contact you: Morning Afternoon Evening

Preferred method of contact: Phone Email

Anything that you would like me to be aware of about your child that will make this year a success for him/her.

______

For Teachers Use only: Parent/Guardian Contact Log

Date / Method / Contact / Reason / Outcome