Course: Pre-AP Biology Syllabus
Teacher Name: Lucas McDonaldHillcrest High School
Conference Information: I am available to talk with parents or students during my planning period or after school. Parents need to make arrangements through the main office at 342-2800. Email me at-
Course Description: This course is intended for students who are interested in an accelerated science program. Pre-AP Biology will prepare students who may consider taking AP Biology or are interested in a science based career after high school. Due to the rigorous nature and fast pace of this course, a student must have demonstrated academic excellence in previous science and math courses. Students will be introduced to the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills needed to adapt to the rapidly changing science of biology. Laboratory technical skill, analysis of information, and problem solving abilities will be an integral part of the course. Pre-AP Biology students will complete additional projects as well as independent study and research not expected in advanced biology. Topics include molecules and cells, evolution and genetics, and organisms and populations. This course meets the requirements for the Alabama High School Diploma with Advanced Academic Endorsement with honors or High Honors. Students receive 0.5 extra quality points for successfully completing this class.
*Students must take the comprehensive course final exam. Students who do not take the comprehensive course final exam will receive a zero for the exam and will not receive the 0.5 extra quality points.
Course Objectives or Goals: Standards from the Alabama High Course of Study, which are appropriate for the course.
1. Select appropriate glassware, balances, time measuring equipment, and optical instruments to conduct an experiment.
2. Describe cell processes necessary for achieving homeostasis, including active and passive transport, osmosis, diffusion, exocytosis, and endocytosis.
3. Identify reactants and products associated with photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and the purposes of these two processes.
4. Describe the similarities and differences of cell organelles, using diagrams and tables.
5. Identify cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems as levels of organization in the biosphere.
6. Describe the roles of mitotic and meiotic divisions during reproduction, growth, and repair of cells.
7. Apply Mendel’s laws to determine phenotypic and genotypic probabilities of offspring,
8. Identify the structure and function of DNA, RNA, and protein.
9. Differentiate between the previous five-kingdom and current six-kingdom classification systems.
10. Distinguish between monocots and dicots, angiosperms and gymnosperms, and vascular and nonvascular plants.
11. Classify animals according to type of skeletal structure, method of fertilization and reproduction, body symmetry, body coverings, and locomotion.
12. Describe protective adaptations of animals, including mimicry, camouflage, beak type, migration, and hibernation.
13. Trace the flow of energy as it decreases through the trophic levels from producers to the quarternary level in food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids.
14. Trace biogeochemical cycles through the environment, including water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.
15. Identify biomes based on environmental factors and native organisms.
16. Identify density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors that affect populations in an ecosystem.
Material and Textbook: Prentice Hall Biology, Prentice Hall Guided Reading Workbook, 3-ring notebook, pens and pencils, subject dividers, highlighters, and colored pencils. Students will be required to get their notes and some assignments online at my homework page on the hillcrest website. Students will be allowed to use technological devices in some cases during class. hillcresthigh.tcss.net
Course Requirements:Respect yourself, your classmates, your teacher and your school administrators.
Be on time every day. This means in your desk with supplies when the bell rings.
Bring all materials to class each day and be ready to learn.
Follow all laboratory safety rules and never eat, drink, or chew gum during class. Remember this is a science laboratory.
Don’t leave the room without my permission. Go to the restroom before you get to class.Follow all school rules.
Technological devices that are out and not authorized by the teacher will be taken up and sent to the office. The student will receive a discipline referral.
Attendance: Attendance is critical to your success in school. Students who miss school due to illness may make arrangements to make up missed work within two days of their return from an excused absence. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule make up work at a time convenient to both the student and the teacher. Students who miss class due to school functions such as ball games, club activities, field trips, class meetings, etc. are responsible for getting their assignments in before their absence. Students who have unexcused absences will not be allowed to make up work.
Grading Policy: Grades will be based on a point system. Students will receive points for homework, class work, laboratory reports, portfolios, projects, quizzed, research papers, and tests. The percentage grade will be determined by dividing total points by the points possible. All students will be given a grade sheet and are expected to know their grade at all times. At the end of eachnine-weeks a comprehensive test will be given. It will count 20% of the nine-weeks grade. A comprehensive exam comprising 20% of the yearly average will be given at the end of the year. Students are required to take the final exam. Progress reports will be sent home in the middle of every nine-weeks grading period. This must be returned with a parent’s signature within two days.
Statements of Essential Functions: The student will be able to: 1. Follow and apply basic safety requirements. 2. Collect and analyze data. 3. Manipulate apparatus. 4. Perform laboratory work (including field experiences). 5. Prepare and read graphs. 6. Perform mathematical calculations. 7. Prepare written reports. 8. Communicate effectively in writing and orally. 9. Solve problems. 10. Read from textbooks. 11. Prepare collections and projects. 12. Complete written and project-based assignments. 13. Work effectively in groups and teams. 14. Take accurate and useful class notes. 15. Follow written and oral directions.
Survey and Scope:
1st Nine WeeksThe Science of Biology – Chapter 1
The Chemistry of Life - Chapter 2
The Cell – Chapter 7
Cell division – Chapter 10
Photosynthesis – Chapter 8
Cellular Respiration – Chapter 9
Genetics – Chapters 12-14
Genetics- 11
2nd Nine WeeksEcology – Chapters 3-6
Natural Selection & Evolution – Chapter 15-16
The History of Life – Chapter 17
Classification – Chapter 18
*Plants – Chapters 22-25
*Microbes, Protists, Fungi – Chapters 19-21
*Invertebrates – Chapters 26-29
*Vertebrates – Chapters 30-34
*These units will consist of surveys and will not cover the entire content of the chapters.
Have the bottom portion signed and returned. You should keep this document for your records.
This outline is general in nature and may be changed according to student needs, and interest.
I have read the syllabus and understand the course requirements, rules, grading policy, and expectations. L.Mc Syllabus s-2013
Student Signature ______Date:______
Parent Signature ______Date: ______