Teachers: Mr. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Meihls, Mrs. Perkins

Teachers: Mr. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Meihls, Mrs. Perkins

BIOLOGY I SYLLABUS CFC

2014-2015

Teachers: Mr. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Meihls, Mrs. Perkins

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Lessons and common assessments for this course have been developed collaboratively using best practice as a guide and Indiana State Standards as a framework. Students will be expected to complete a formative evaluation midway through each semester and a final summative exam at the end of each semester. The formative tests are designed primarily to guide instruction, giving the teacher a measuring stick of the student’s understanding of the essential outcomes of the course content. The final exams are summative in nature and will be worth 20% of the student’s overall grade.

Biology I is a course based on regular laboratory and field investigations that include a study of thestructures and functions of living organisms and their interactions with the environment. At a minimum, students enrolled in Biology I explore the functions and processes of cells, tissues, organs, and systems within various species of living organisms and the roles and interdependencies of organisms within populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere. Students work with the concepts, principles, and theories of the living environment. In addition, students enrolled in this course are expected to: 1) gain an understanding of the history and development of biological knowledge, 2) explore the uses of biology in various careers, and 3) investigate biological questions and problems related to personal needs and societal issues. Topics of study include inorganic and organic chemistry, cell biology, genetics, evolution, reproduction, embryology, taxonomy, microbiology, invertebrate and vertebrate biology.

Grade Level: 9

Prerequisites: None

Recommendation: Teacher/Counselor Recommendation

A two credit/two semester course

A core 40 and AHD course based on Indiana Academic Standards

Life Lab Science

ESSENTIAL OUTCOMES:

  • Students will gain an understanding of the make-up of cells including the function of organelles and molecules that regulate cell activities.
  • Understand cellular processes such as cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis, and diffusion.
  • Students will differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and list characteristics of each.
  • Students will understand how communication and interaction between cells as well as reaction to environmental conditions are necessary to maintenance of homeostasis.
  • Understand and explain processes involving DNA such as replication, transcription, and translation with respect to protein synthesis.
  • Explain how mutations change DNA, which can cause cancer. Furthermore, understand how mutations can be inherited and lead to changes in cells over time.
  • Students will understand the basic principles, mechanisms, and supporting evidence of Darwin’s evolutionary theory including natural selection, fitness, and adaptation.
  • Explain that degree of kinship between organisms can be estimated by DNA sequences/amino acid similarities, which often closely matches their classification based on anatomical similarities.
  • Students will understand that all ecosystems are composed of biotic and abiotic factors and that these factors limit how many organisms an ecosystem can maintain.
  • Students will understand how matter, nutrients, and energy flows within an ecosystem and how these cycles effect organisms.

COURSE CONTENT: Sequencing of topics is outlined in the course curriculum map

Chapter 1 – Science of Biology

Chapter 2 – Chemistry of Life

Chapter 12: DNA & RNA

Chapter 7 – Cell Structure and Function

Chapters 8, 9 – Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Chapter 10 – Cell Growth and Division

Chapters 11, 14 – Genetics & Human Heredity

Chapter 34 – Embryology

Chapter 35 – Immune System

Chapters 16, 17 – Evolution

Chapter 19 – Early Earth & Endosymbiotic Theory

Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6 - Ecology

PROJECTS:

Including, but not limited to Designing an Experiment, Invasive Species Research/Poster, and Genetic Disease Poster

STUDENT EVALUATION:

18-WeekGrade is weighted as follows:

Classroom tests/quizzes/projects 60%

Daily work/labs/homework30%

Moodle online activities10%

Formative assessments 0%

Semester gradeis weighted as follows:

18-Week Grade80%

Final Exam 20%

LATE WORK POLICY:

No late work will be accepted with the exception of project work. Late project work will result in a 10%/day point reduction, plus any points deducted as a result of the grading process. After the 5th day late, the grade will be a zero.

CLASS EXPECTATIONS:

Students will track their own progress online.

See additional handout from teacher on class expectations.

LAB SAFETY:

See attached laboratory safety contract

REQUIRED SUPPLIES:

3-Ring Binder, 12-pack of colored pencils, box of tissues

Note:All course content is subject to change. Subject matter may be either added or omitted depending on time, resources, or unforeseen events that lead to variation from this syllabus.

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