Honors Biology Syllabus 2014 - 2015
Unit 1
Safety
Biology – The study of Life, Scientific Method
Ecology
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Unit 2
Cell Structure
Cell Transport
Cellular Respiration / Photosynthesis
Cellular Reproduction
Unit 3
Human Reproduction
DNA and Protein Synthesis
Genetics
Origin of the Earth
Unit 4
Theory of Evolution and Primate Evolution
Classification
Microorganisms: Viruses, Bacteria, Protozoans
Survey of Plants and Animals
Human Biology via Comparative Frog Dissection
Course: Honors Biology Sister Ruth
Welcome to Honors Biology. Knowing and following the information in this document will help empower you to have a positive and successful year in Biology class and become an empowered more independent learner. You will be asked not only to learn concepts of Biology but to analyze and apply those concepts so that you can improve your critical thinking skills.
Contact Information: 821.3044 ex 303. E-mail contact is preferred but phone calls are also welcomed.
I am located in room 134 during most of the school day and after school most days until 3:30. Students who want extra help may drop by after school or make an appointment for before or after school. Digital help and answers to questions by e-mail will be available most evenings (except Thursdays). I check MNDHS e-mail sometime before leaving school and also most evenings sometime before 9:00 P.M.
HB Course Requirements and Policies
1. Beginning of Class: Enter the room and go directly to your assigned seat. Get out your tablet and log in. A Blocking plan will be in place. If your tablet is not working properly, please use problems solving skills and consult with a nearby student expert before asking to go to the help desk.
2. Place your book bag on the shelf under your chair. Please pack you book bag for class so that it will fit on this shelf. The lab aisles need to be clear in order to provide safe walkways during class activities. Students who need repeated reminders regarding care of book bags may receive 1 demerit.
3. Assigned seating: Do not trade places or sit in an absent student’s place unless directed by the teacher to do so.
4. Cell phone / iPod All MND rules apply. Make sure your cell phone is turned off. If you need to use the restroom during class, place your cell phone in “cell phone parking” provided in the yellow bin on the teacher’s desk.
5. Class Notes: you must take notes on class presentations.
Indicate the chapter and the date. Class notes are a diary of
what was discussed in class.
6. Answers to the objectives must be in complete sentences which must also include a restatement of the objective. Both the textbook and class notes must be used as resources for answers. Test questions are based on this information as well as the terms from each chapter. Keep this work in the homework section of your digital Biology notebook. This work will be periodically and randomly surprise checked for a homework grade,
Example of how to answer the objectives:
Objective statement: Be able to list and define a branch of Biology.
Your Answer: A branch of Biology is the study of Genetics. Genetics is defined as the study of the inheritance patterns of organisms.
To compose your answers you should use the textbook and information from class notes to write an answer that includes all the components of the objective. Most answers will be longer than shown in the example above.
7. Terms: You will be using a web based tool to make flashcards for the terms for each chapter. The web site is http://www.studystack.com/ You must also save a copy of your study stack for each chapter in the table format to your digital Biology notebook. This way your work is available to you even if the internet or website is disabled. Also the terms will be periodically randomly checked unannounced, for a homework grade. The chapter and section should be indicated for each study stack file. The definitions for each term must match the definition that is in your textbook.
8. When absent: You do not have to make up missed quizzes. You must make up tests, labs and all homework assignments and projects. You are responsible for initiating contact with the teacher to schedule for makeup tests or labs on the day of your return. Check the class web page for information about missed homework and download and complete handouts. You may be excused from a test you are present for, only if you have been absent from class the previous two days. We do not cover new material the day before a test. You have advanced notice for all main tests and you are expected to begin preparation for the test in advance. You are expected to take quizzes you are present for unless the quiz was announced only the day before it is given and you were absent that day. (Example if the quiz is on terms that were assigned to be completed by Monday and a quiz is announced for Friday but you are absent Thursday and return on Friday, you will be expected to take the quiz.) Tests should be made up as soon as possible an no longer than 1 week after returning to school.
9. Biology web page: You are responsible for checking the web page daily to keep up to date on scheduled tests, quizzes, due dates, assignments. A short description of what occurred in class will also be posted for each day. Updates and changes based on class progress will be made by 3:30 It is suggested to have a Biology contact buddy so you can get additional information if needed. If after checking the web page and contacting your Biology buddy, you are unclear about some aspect of the class, do not hesitate to e-mail Sister Ruth.
10. Working together – you may work with a friend to discover location of answers from resources (textbook) or help each other understand answers to lab work and objectives, however each person should compose her own written answers for objectives, assignments and lab reports. Data and observations for lab reports may be obtained in cooperation with your lab partner. However conclusions, drawings and short answers to questions must be composed individually. Copying and pasting or sending objectives, answers to lab questions, lab data, lab conclusions, and worksheet answers from another student is a violation of MNDHS integrity policies. You may use existing study stacks terms and definitions located on the study stacks tool web site if they exactly match the definition that is in your test book. All rules regarding the school integrity policy apply as stated in the school handbook.
11. Digital Biology Notebook: The notebook must be kept in One Note in the order as was presented in class. The Sections should as follows:
1. Class notes: Chronological order for each chapter with date indicated on each page. (Section Group)
2. Assignments: Objectives, study stacks terms , worksheets, color plates,
and chapter review sheets organized by chapter. (Section
Group)
3. Lab Reports (Section Group)
4. Course Information: Syllabus, BEP directives, Lab Template, and other
hand outs regarding course requirement. (Section Grup)
Samples of your digital Biology notebook will be assessed as “homework checks”. Homework checks will not always be announced in advance. The homework grade is based on quality of answers, use of complete sentences (objectives), and neatness. The work in the Biology notebook is your study guide for each test. Chapter reviews are provided for each chapter and may
also be collected as a homework check.
Color Plates: Periodically you will be using a method of learning that involves a hand out that you will color. The letters of the words must be individually colored in rather than highlighted or scribbled across the letters.
12. Turning in Digital documents / late work: Digital copies should be either in Word or One Note files. They must be named as directed by the teacher. They should have your first and last name at the top of the document just as you would for a hard copy turn in. Documents that are turned in after the collection time will be considered late. Submitting the wrong document will be treated as late work. A late homework grade may be turned in within 24 hours by e-mail for ½ credit. A late lab report may be turned in by e-mail and will lose 2 points out of the possible 20 points.
Any assignments turned in after the collection date maybe e-mailed. The e-mail must have “Biology Frog” followed by the document name in the subject line. The document must be pasted into the body of the e-mail. Do not send it as an attachment.
13. Format: All home work and worksheet documents should be neat and organized.
Font colors: Black or Blue (dark; not pastels)
Font type: Comic Sans, New Times Roman Font size: 12 or 14.
File types: Word or One Note only.
14. Grading: Grades are weighted according to the following values:
Homework checks 10%
Tests / Projects 55%
Quizzes 15%
Lab Reports 15%
Lab Test 5%
15. Class Participation and Learning environment: Learning involves interacting with other. It is important that you as an individual learn to communicate
effectively and quietly (using a library voice) with your lab partner, and
group leader during labs and group work times. It is
expected that you will be respectful of others when
they speak or when they are working.
15. Lab Reports: Lab reports are handed in for grading. They should
include a conclusion paragraph that is in complete sentences. The
paragraph should include statements related to the success of
the activity and what you learned and any possible or actual sources of error.
(See lab rubric and template in course information for formal lab reports.)
Deductions will be made from the grade of lab reports of individuals or
classes when proper clean up of lab spaces is not accomplished.
16. Extra Credit: You may earn an additional point added to the quarter grade by completing 45 Biology Enrichment Points. A list of activities is provide on Edline.
17. Tablet Safety and Lab: During a lab that involves the risk of a spill hazard, the tablet should be placed on top of its case at your desk.
18. Workload: You should study new material each night. Terms for each chapter should also be studied a little each night from the time they are assigned till the test date. In general, students should complete written work as it is assigned rather than wait until the day or two just before a test, or just before a homework check. Preparation for a main test is a minimum of two hours of study time. It is suggested that this more focused preparation for tests begin two days before the test will be administered. It is based on the assumption that all written assignments for a chapter have been previously completed.
19. Materials needed for the course: scissors, colored pencils or markers with at least 8 colors, pen, pencil, a charged tablet (it is expected as explained in tablet training that you also always have notebook with loose leaf or spiral notebook as a back up to your tablet)
20. Students are responsible for checking your grades on Edline each week. If you have any questions, contact Sister Ruth as soon as possible before or after class or by e-mail. Do not wait until the end of a grading period to discuss an entry or missing grade.
21. Resource pages: They include optional supplemental learning opportunities that include, video, interactive games, apps and animations that may be helpful in learning concepts presented in class or expanding student knowledge or as a preparation for exams. The resource page is posted on the Biology web page and is available for most topics / chapters.
22. Integrity: MND values academic integrity as specified in the school handbook. All breaches of integrity will be dealt with according to the handbook and Table PC Acceptable Use Policy. Please keep integrity in check for this class at all times. Class notes is the only type of document you may share with another student in Biology class and only in the case of absence. Ask the teacher if you have questions.
There is an African proverb that is a favorite of mine “It takes an entire village to raise a child”. I believe it takes the support of an entire village to learn Biology.
Our “Biology village” includes the guidelines as presented in this document, best use of our brains (yours and mine), sharing the talents for learning with which each person is gifted and good communication among students, teacher and parents. I look forward to participating in our combined efforts to form this learning community for 2013-2014.
Sister Ruth