Biology II Course Syllabus
Dear parents and students:
Survey of Advanced Topics in Biology is an academically rigorous, in-depth study that allows highly motivated students to delve more deeply into biological systems and processes. It is modeled after the Intro. To Biology course (Bio. 110) at UL in an effort to help bridge what seems to be an extensive gap between high school and college. As shocking as it may seem, over 40% of college students at UL lose TOPS their first year! In addition nearly 50% can’t pass the entry level Bio. 110 course their first go around. As an educator this is extremely troubling and I’ve been on a crusade to change the way I teach to better assure my students are successful at the next level. Make no doubt about it – this class will require a lot of dedication and hard work!
Units of Study and Timeline:
Unit 1: The Chemical Basis of Life ……………………………………………………….………4 weeks
- Chapter 2: Elements, atoms and molecules
- Chapter 3: Introduction to Organic Compounds
Unit 2: Cellular Biology and Biochemistry………………………………………….……..8 weeks
- Pages 84 & 85
- Chapter 4: A Tour of the Cell
- Chapter 6: Cellular Respiration: How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy
- Chapter 7: Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food
- Prokaryotes 319 – 323
Unit 3: Genetics and Biotechnology……………………………………………………….…..8 weeks
- Pages 4 & 5
- Chapter 10: Molecular Biology of the Gene
- Chapter 11: How Genes are Controlled
- Chapter 12: Forensics: DNA Technology and Genomics
Unit 4: Evolution: Mechanisms and Evidence……………………………………………2 weeks
- Pages 8 and 12
- Chapter 13: How Populations Evolve
Unit 5: Plant Anatomy and Physiology…………………………………………………………4 weeks
- Chapter 31: Plant Structure, Reproduction and Development
- Chapter 32: Plant Nutrition and Transport
Unit 6: The Evolution of Biological Diversity ……………………………………………..8 weeks
- Chapter 18: Invertebrates
- Chapter 19: Vertebrates
- Chapter 20: Unifying Concepts of Animal Structure and Function
HOMEWORK AND ASSIGNMENTS:
· Most WILL NOT be graded – JUST BECAUSE IT ISN’T GRADED DOESN’T MEAN IT’S NOT IMPORTANT !!
· The purpose of this type of work is to help you learn challenging biological concepts and processes. In my experience, only by doing this “practice work,” will you be able to demonstrate a high level of proficiency on test and quizzes.
· For assignments that are collected for a grade (labs, essays, reports, etc.), incomplete or poor quality work will be returned for completion and then considered late. Late assignments receive no more than half of the possible points.
· Most homework activities will be self or peer scored in class.
MAKE-UP WORK:
· If you have an excused absence, you have five class periods to turn in missing work and take tests and quizzes.
· It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed by checking the “Homework” section of the dry erase board in the front of the class and/or check with a reliable student.
· When you turn in work that is late due to an excused absence, write "Late due to excused absence" at the top. Please note: no credit will be given for late assignments, labs, quizzes or tests due to an unexcused absence.
· Class time is very short and dedicated to the day’s lesson. If you need my assistance with makeup work, please realize it will have to be after school NOT during the class. This also includes all school sanctioned absences.
ASSESSMENTS:
Assessments include all of the ways you will be evaluated and ultimately receive a grade in this class. A wide array of assessment "tools" will be used. These include:
• presentations, both by teams and individuals
• lab activities and reports
• written tests and quizzes that have a variety of short-answer,
multiple choice and essay questions
• mid-term and final exam
ABSENCES:
Being in class on time and ready to learn is essential for this class. Much of this course cannot be duplicated outside of regular class time, therefore daily attendance and promptness is a necessity. The EHS attendance policy will be closely followed.
TARDINESS:
You are either early or late in getting to class. You may be late only three times during the school year without suffering any consequences. Please see the EHS student handbook for official school policy.
Class Rules:
I have six basic expectations of students in this class.
1. Show respect for teachers and classmates.
2. Respect the animals by observing them at a distance. Do not
touch, harass, or put anything in their enclosures.
3. Appropriate classroom behavior is expected at all times.
4. Come prepared to class: pencil/pen, biology binder, etc.
5. Stay awake, focus, and participate.
6. Keep food and drinks out of the classroom.
These rules are posted in the classroom.
ETHICS:
· Academic dishonesty (cheating and plagiarism) will not be tolerated and will result in a loss of all credit on the homework, quiz or test. You are responsible for doing your own work, even if you are working with someone else in a lab or group setting.
· Printed ("cut" and "pasted") material from a computer source may not be turned in as if it is your own. This is plagiarism and will result in a zero!
REQUIRED FEES AND SUPPLIES:
$10.00 Biology Lab Fee is due by September 12, 2016. Please note: If fee isn’t paid in full (or a payment plan arranged) by the due date, students will not be allowed to participate in laboratory exercises and will need to submit written research projects as a substitute.
Supply List:
Please bring to every class:
· college-ruled paper
· graphing paper
· pencils and/or pens with blue or black ink
At Home:
· Colored pens or pencils
· Glue or transparent tape
· Scissors and a ruler
· Calculator (scientific functions not required)
SAVE THIS SYLLABUS IN YOUR BINDER