To: Biology Honor Students and Parents
Subject: Required Honor Projects
Throughout the current semester you will be required to do three (3) projects and (4) article critiques. Enclosed are the criteria, due dates and grading rubrics for each assignment. Due dates are exactly that! Late work is discouraged. Projects are due at the beginning of your class period. If you are absent from school that day it may be turned in the day you return. If you are absent from biology but on campus the day it is due it should be turned in as soon as you arrive on campus or before you leave campus. Turning in projects at the end of the day, if you are on campus all day, will be considered late work. All late work will have twenty (20) points deducted from the final grade for that project for each day it is late. If there are any questions concerning the grade assigned to a project these should be addressed with your teacher no later than 48 hours after you have received the grade. Students who do not turn in two (2) or more projects will forfeit their honors credit for the course.
Each project will correspond to what we are learning in class. Projects will count as 20% of your nine weeks grade. All work will be done outside of class. Do not put it off to the last minute; give yourself the time you need to do an “Honor Student” job. When the project is handed in it will not be returned, it will be mine. If students have any questions concerning their grade for that project they should be addressed within 48 hours of receiving their grade for that project.
Thank you very much for your cooperation. Please feel free to contact via email if you have any questions.
Please sign the form below and return it to your teacher. This form has to be signed and returned before your first project may be turned in.
Sincerely,
Lumberton High School Biology-Honors Teachers
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As the parent/guardian of ______, my signature below signifies First Name (Print) Last Name (Print)
that my child and I have read, understand, and will comply with the guidelines set forth for Biology Honors credit.
______
Parent Signature Date
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Student Signature Date
Biology I (Honors)—Critiques
Biology critiques must be a minimum of one complete, double-spaced, typed page and no more than three complete pages. Font must be 12 and 1” margins. A copy of the article must also be attached with the critique. The critique must have a cover sheet with the following information:
1. Student name
2. Date
3. Class name and period
4. Works Cited
Topics for the critiques will be assigned. The content of the critique should discuss 1) the main object or problem discussed in the article, 2) the major finding within the article, and 3) the student’s reaction to the information. The student’s reaction should be either objective or persuasive.
Students may use any source they choose as long as it is reputable. Some suggested sources may include Scientific American, Science Digest, and Journal of the American Medical Association. Students may not use newspaper articles. The articles must be dated no earlier than 2008.
Critiques will not be accepted or graded if any of the following apply:
1. Not typed
2. Failure to use appropriate resources
3. Plagiarism
Critiques will be graded using the following rubric:
1. Complete Cover Sheet------10 points
2. Copy of the Article------10 points
3. Correct Topic Researched------5 points
4. Main Topic of Article------30 points
5. Major Finding of Article ------30 points
6. Student’s Reaction------10 points
7. Appropriate Length and Format------5 points
Biology I (Honors) Critique Assignments
During the course of the semester students will be required to complete a total of 4 critiques, two per nine weeks. All Critiques are due at the beginning of your class period. Any late work will be subjected to an automatic 20 point reduction in grade.
Critique #1 Topic: Cell Biology------Due Date is October 9, 2013
Students will choose an article related to the field of cellular biology. Topics may include but are not limited to the physiological properties of cells, the anatomy of cells (organelles and functions), cell activity (life cycle, division, reproduction), or even cell specialization.
Critique #2 Topic: Molecular Biology------Due Date is October 23, 2013
Students will choose an article related to the field of molecular biology. Possible topics may include biological molecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids), amino acids, enzymes (their role in biological reactions), processes of photosynthesis and/or cellular respiration (related to energy storage, release, and transfer in cells and organisms).
Critique #3 Topic: Genetics------Due Date is November 6, 2013
Students will choose an article related to the topic of genetics. Students may wish to examine the structure and function of DNA, mutations in DNA, patterns of inheritance, or DNA technology.
Critique #4 Topic: Evolution------Due Date is November 20, 2013
Students will choose an article related to the study of evolution. There is a wide variety of topics on evolution. Some possible areas would be evidence supporting the theory of evolution, natural selection, classification, and evolutionary relationships.
Biology-Honors: Ecology Project
Due Date: September 18, 2013
Students will use the graphic organizer focusing on human influences on the environment and prepare a power point presentation. There will be four (4) major topics to be covered in the presentation:
1) Environmental Problem 2) Human Impact 3) Solutions 4) Conclusion
The graphic organizer itself does not have to be reproduced and included in the presentation but all of the information must be included. Students may use any reputable sources they like (interviews, scientific journals, or websites) but they must cite their references.
Presentations must include a minimum of five (5) pictures and two (2) charts and/or graphs. A hard copy of the presentation must be turned in. This copy can be printed in black and white and may contain 4 - 6 slides per page. A copy of the power point should also be emailed to me at my school email address. Students should make sure they save their presentation as a Microsoft PowerPoint 97 – 2003 Presentation. If there is a problem emailing the presentation students may bring in a flash drive and I will copy the presentation to my laptop.
Presentations will be graded using the following rubric:
Topics: Environment Problem……………………………..20 points
Human Impact……………………………………….20 points
Solutions………………………………………………20 points
Conclusion…………………………………………….20 points
Pictures (5)……………………………………………………………10 points
Charts and/or Graphs………………………………………………5 points
Works Cited……………………………………………………………5 points
Total ______
Biology Honors Project: Adaptation Tri-fold
Due Date: December 4, 2013
Instructions:
1. Choose a biome from the list below:
Tropical Rainforest, Savannah, Desert, Tundra, Taiga, Deciduous Forest, Coniferous Forest, Intertidal zone, Marine, Freshwater, or Estuary
2. Research your chosen biome and include the following information on SECTION 2 (middle) of your tri-fold:
ü Climate
ü Average temperature
ü Average rainfall
ü Dominant predators/ threats
ü Primary flora (plant-life)
ü Primary fauna (animal-life)
ü Terrain
ü Geographical locations
3. For SECTION 1 (left side) choose a species of plant from your chosen biome:
ü Include a picture or illustration of the plant
ü Identify and label the adaptations that aid the survival of your chosen species (at least 4)
4. For SECTION 3 (right side) choose a species of animal from your chosen biome (you may choose a paramecium, fungus, or bacterial species for 10 extra points):
ü Include a picture or illustration of the animal
ü Identify and label the adaptations that aid the survival of your chosen species (at least 4)
Grading Criteria:
Must have… / PointsAll descriptive characteristics of your chosen biome in bulleted format (there are 8 of them) / 5 points per characteristic = 40 points
Clear illustration or picture of plant species chosen / 10 points
Clear illustration or picture of animal species chosen / 10 points
Accurate descriptions of plant adaptations (there are 4 needed) / 5 points per adaptation = 20 points
Accurate descriptions of animal adaptations (there are 4 needed) / 5 points per adaptation = 20 points
Please make your tri-fold neat, colorful, and informative! / Total points = 100
(+ 10 if you choose a paramecium, fungus, or bacteria)
Biology-Honors: Genetic Disorder Project
Due Date: December 18, 2013
Students will research various genetic disorders and choose one they find interesting. Once they have chosen their disorder and gathered facts they will prepare a poster on their disorder. Students will present their findings to the class. The following information must be included on their poster:
1. What is the name of the genetic disorder?
2. What system(s)/part(s) of the body does the disorder affect?
3. What gene(s)/chromosome(s) are mutated in this disorder?
4. What type of mutation causes this disorder?
5. Is this disorder dominant or recessive?
6. What are the symptoms of this disorder?
7. Is this disorder lethal?
8. What are the possible treatments for this disorder?
9. Does this disorder affect specific populations of people more so than other populations?
10. What is the percentage or ratio of the population suffering from this disorder?
Students’ posters must include at least two (2) pictures. All information must be typed. Students may include any additional information or facts they may find about their disorder on their posters. Posters should be neat and appealing. Students’ oral presentation should last from 3 – 5 minutes. Students should speak clearly and be well informed about their disorder. Projects will be graded using the following rubric.
Ten (10) Questions………………………………..30 points
Two (2) Pictures……………………………………20 points
Information Typed………………………………..10 points
Title……………………………………………………..5 points
Neatness…………………………………………….....5 points
Presentation………………………………………..30 points
Total……………………………………………….______