Office: Room 234, Meridian High School

Instructor: Jeremy L. Scheffel

Email:

Phone: 208-350-4160 ext.1234

Office: Room 234, Meridian High School

Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 7:15 AM – 7:40 AM

Department of Life Sciences

Biology 1

Biology 201 – 4 credits

2017-2018

Course Schedule

“B” Days, 9:15 AM – 10:52 AM

Semester 1 & 2 High School Term, August 23, 2017 – June 1, 2018

Room 234, Meridian High School, 1900 W. Pine Ave., Meridian, Idaho

CWI Academic Year, August 21, 2017 – May 11, 2018

Course Description

This is an introductory biology course for science majors. It will emphasize biological principles important in understanding living organisms to include evolution, general biochemistry, cytology, Mendelian and molecular genetics, and ecology. Students who believe they may be eligible for advanced-placement status in courses listing BIOL 201 as a prerequisite should see the Biology department chair. Additional fee required for lab. COREQ: BIOL 201L.

To receive credit for this course, you must be officially registered for BOTH a lecture section and a lab section. If you have not registered for both lecture and lab by the 2nd week of class, then your instructor is within his/her rights to perform an administrative drop. After 5PM, Friday of the 3rd week of class, there will be no changes to enrollment status; if you have not complied with all enrollment requirements by this deadline, you will face one of three consequences: 1) administrative drop, 2) student withdrawal, 3) F on transcript. Please see the current academic calendar for the last date to drop with a 100% refund.

General Education Core Objectives:

This course is an approved General Education core class, and meets the following core objectives:

X / Critical Thinking / the ability to think using analysis, synthesis, evaluation, problem solving, judgment, and the creative process
X / Communication / the ability to develop, support, and appropriately communicate ideas through speech, writing, performance, or visual media
X / Quantitative Reasoning / the ability to calculate, measure, analyze data
X / Information Literacy / the ability to locate, understand, assess, and synthesize information in a technological driven society
X / Personal Responsibility / the ability to understand and manage self, to function effectively in social and professional environments and to make reasoned judgments based on an understanding of the diversity of the world community

Course Focus

This course is designed as an introduction to Biology for potential science majors. As such, we will be using the material discussed in this course to develop your independent learning skills. This includes critical thinking and application of scientific knowledge skills. We will work through a significant amount of material each week. Be prepared to spend more time on your own in preparation for this class than you have in many other courses you have taken. Your participation in class discussions and group activities is expected to reflect your prior knowledge from personal investment in preparing for class ahead of time.

Course Objectives

1. Provide students with an introduction to the study of biology and major themes that unify this diverse science. Topics will include evolution, energy and matter, biological organization, and feedback mechanisms.
2. Provide students with the fundamental knowledge necessary to comprehend and utilize the chemical context of life. Topics will include the connection of chemistry to biology, the properties of water, organic chemistry, and large biological molecules.
3. Provide students with the fundamental knowledge necessary to comprehend and recognize the cell as the fundamental unit of life. Topics will include types of cells, cell structure and function, metabolism, communication and control.
4. Provide students with the fundamental knowledge necessary to comprehend and apply the unity of life based on heritable information in DNA.
5. Provide students the opportunity to develop their scientific inquiry and professionalism through application of the scientific method, data collection and analysis, information dissemination, adherence to laboratory protocols, and teamwork.

Outcomes Assessment:

1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the major themes in biology via successful completion of written examinations, quizzes, and/or writing assignments and/or laboratory work.
2. Students’ comprehension and use of concepts in chemistry as they relate to biology will be assessed via written examinations, quizzes, and/or writing assignments and/or laboratory work.
3. Students’ comprehension and recognition of cell biology will be assessed via written examinations, quizzes, and/or writing assignments and/or laboratory work.
4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the unity of life via successful completion of written examinations, quizzes, and/or writing assignments and/or laboratory work.
5. Students will be assessed via successful completion/demonstration of laboratory activities, lab reports and/or research papers, safe laboratory practices and a professional attitude toward teamwork.

Grading Policy

Point values earned in this course will be weighted toward your overall grade according to assignments.

• Classwork/Homework Assignments10%
• Chapter Quizzes (Individual and Team Scores)15%
• Unit Notebook Tests15%
• Unit Objective Tests & Final Exam30%
• Labs and Lab Assignments20%
• Participation & Productivity10%

*Assignments and exact percentages subject to change.

Grading Scale:

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

Textbooks and Required Materials

Campbell, N.A., & Reece, J.B. (2008). Biology (Eighth Ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson Education, Inc.

ISBN: 978-0-13—135691-7

Class Supplies:

Notebook – 3 ring binder recommended to organize all class handouts and notebook paper.

Pen or Pencil: You will need a #2 pencil or comparable pencil for scantrons.

Calculator

Expectations of Dual Credit Students

• This is a college-credit course intended for students who are ready for the rigor and expectations of college. Dual Credit students will be expected to spend time outside of class time each week preparing and studying for this course in order to be successful.
• Every day, be on time and prepared for class. Act responsibly, and take responsibility for your actions.
• Cooperate with others and put forth the effort it takes for you to be successful every day.
• Avoid any behavior that inhibits the learning environment for yourself and/or other students.
• Parental involvement in the educational process is encouraged. Feel free to contact me for any reason or to schedule an appointment if necessary.

Course Calendar

• Note: Time frame is an estimate. Actual time and dates are subject to revision.

FIRST SEMESTER

Introduction to the 8 Major Themes of AP Biology

Critical Review of Scientific Research Articles

UNIT ONE & TWO: Chapters 50-55 (6-7 weeks)

An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Behavioral Biology

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Ecosystems

Conservation Biology

AP Lab#11: Animal Behavior

UNIT TESTS #1 & 2 – Notebook Test with free response essay & Exam

UNIT THREE: Chapters 2- 6 (4 weeks)

The Chemical Context of Life

Water and the Fitness of the Environment

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

The Structure and Function of Macromolecules

An Introduction to Metabolism

AP Lab #2 Enzyme Catalysis

UNIT TEST #3 – Notebook Test with free response essay & Exam

UNIT FOUR: Chapters 7 -12 (5 weeks)

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Structure and Function

AP Lab #1: Diffusion and Osmosis

Cellular Respiration: Harvesting Chemical Energy

Photosynthesis

AP Lab #4: Plant Pigments & Photosynthesis & AP Lab #5: Cell Respiration

Cell Communication

The Reproduction of Cells

UNIT TEST #4 – Notebook Test with free response essay & Exam

FIRST SEMESTER Final Exam

SECOND SEMESTER

UNIT FIVE & SIX: Chapters 13-20(8 weeks)

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Mendel and the Gene Idea

The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

AP Lab#3: Mitosis and Meiosis

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance

From Gene to Protein

DNA Technology

The Genetic Basis of Development

AP Lab #6: Molecular Biology

UNIT TESTS #5 & 6 – Notebook Test with free response essay & Exam

UNIT SEVEN: Chapters 22-25 (4-5 weeks)

Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life

Evidence for Evolution

A. Common Descent Adaptations

B. Fossils Evidence

C. Biogeographical Evidence

D. Anatomical Evidence

E. Biochemical Evidence

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

Phylogeny and Systematics

AP Lab #8: Population Genetics and Evolution

AP Lab #7: Genetics of Organisms

UNIT TEST #7 – Notebook Test with free response essay & Exam

Critical Review of Scientific Research Articles

AP Exam Review (1 week)

AP EXAM (May, 2018)

Epigenetics & future research…

Concurrent Credit

You have the opportunity to take this course for college credit through the College of Western Idaho (CWI). If you elect to do so, you will register in the spring semester for BIOL 201 – 4 credits at $65 per credit. You will be able to use your Fast Forward funds from the state department of education to cover all $260 for these college credits. You must be enrolled in AP Biology for the entire school year, although you will only be registering for the spring semester course at CWI. These credits are guaranteed to transfer to any Idaho higher education institution (BSU, U of I, ISU, etc.) and should transfer to most any state university although some private schools have restrictions which you will need to look into should you be interested in attending a private university. The final grade from averaging both high school semesters is what will appear on your CWI transcript should you choose to take advantage of this opportunity. More information will be discussed in class leading up to the deadlines for this concurrent credit option. Feel free to contact me regarding any questions.

In order for you to be successful, you must commit to doing what it takes for you to learn sufficiently. As your instructor, I will do everything possible to assist in your learning. I also need your commitment to responsible conduct in class at all times. Respect is a must for yourself, your classmates, your instructor, and the property/equipment utilized at school. You will need to treat this like a college course. Understand that this course content is far more than can be “covered” in class time. Therefore, you will be required to commit however much time is necessary on your own to ensure learning of the material – even more so if your goals include passing the AP Biology exam in May.

It is my focus throughout the year to facilitate the development of your independent learning skills and abilities, helping you to prepare for the success you are capable of as an educated, independent learner beyond the scope of high school. Please do not hesitate to ask for any help or guidance throughout your studies in this course. – Mr. Scheffel

Behavioral Expectations

Every student has the right to a respectful learning environment. In order to provide this right to all students, students must take individual responsibility to conduct themselves in a mature and appropriate manner and will be held accountable for their behavior. Students who disrupt the class or behave inappropriately or disrespectfully, as determined by the instructor, may be asked to leave the classroom. Instructors or Student Services has the right to create a written behavioral contract with students; if a student violates a behavioral contract, they may be released from the course.

Academic Dishonesty

All work submitted by a student must represent his/her own ideas, concepts, and current understanding. All material found during research must be correctly documented to avoid plagiarism. Cheating or plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and violations may result in disciplinary action ranging from failure of the assignment to failure of the course. Repeated acts of academic dishonesty may have more severe institutional ramifications.

Laboratory Safety

The CWI Safety Document is posted on the Blackboard site. You are required to read it and adhere to it.

End of Course Electronic Evaluations

To help instructors continually improve courses, students will complete anonymous online evaluations for each course. Students will be able to access evaluations during their final weeks of the semester following the online link provided to you by your high school teacher and/or by CWI’s Dual Credit office.

CWI E-mail and Blackboard Accounts

All registered CWI students receive a college email and Bb account. Every course at CWI has a Bb component. It is the student’s responsibility to access both accounts regularly to avoid missing important messages and deadlines. Bb can be accessed through the icon on CWI’s home page: Email can be accessed through the login page at Your default password for both Bb and email accounts will be the first letter of your firstname in CAPS + first letter of your last name in CAPS + “logon” in lower-case letters + last 4 digits of your SSN; if you don’t have a SSN, then use the last 4 digits of your student ID number (Ex: Jonathan Smith’s password would be JSlogon1234).

Drop Policy

It is the student’s responsibility to drop the course. Students are responsible for adding and dropping courses. At the end of the first week of class, faculty may drop students for non-attendance up to census date. Beyond census date, it is the student’s responsibility to drop any course he/she does not intend to finish. Students who stop attending a course without filing a drop request may receive a grade of F.

Special Accommodations

Students with disabilities who believe that they may qualify for accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the One Stop Student Services Center and discuss the possible accommodations with an Enrollment Specialist. If you have a diagnosed Learning Disability, please initiate this contact as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Please contact the One Stop Student Services at 562-3000 or Micron Center for Professional Technical Education on Franklin Blvd.

Library and Information Resources

All CWI Dual Credit students have full access to CWI’s Library, its online resources and the US Mail book checkout system, free of charge. The CWI Library is located in room 105 of the Nampa Campus Multipurpose Building (no longer located at the Main Campus). Online library and information resources, including electronic databases, are accessible through the library web page at Student login instructions are available on the library home page.

Affidavit of Syllabus as Contract

I have read and understand the expectations of an AP/Concurrent Credit course and agree to follow them as well as the school policies per the student handbook.

Student Name (print) ______Signature ______

I have read and understand the expectations of my son/daughter for this course and will do my best to support my student in his/her efforts to succeed.

Parent/Guardian Signature ______