Download Biology Course Syllabus - Fort Lee Public Schools

Fort Lee High School
Biology Syllabus
Instructor – Ms. Amarillys Schwed
Phone –845-596-3618
e-mail – [email protected]
Classroom(s) – Primary: 229
Extra help – Mondays after school (official time)
Course Description_____________________________________________
The two central goals of the Fort Lee Biology Course are to help students develop a
conceptual framework for modern biology and gain an appreciation of science as a
process. Students will learn the art of the scientific process while investigating topics
that include atomic and organic chemistry, ecology, cell structure and function, genetics,
evolution, and classification.
Scope and Sequence____________________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Scientific Method
a. Microscope
Living Things
a. Enzymes
b. Food chain
Atoms, Isotopes
a. Atomic numbers
b. Subatomic particles
c. Isotopes
d. Ionic and covalent bonding
Mixtures and Solutions
Organic Compounds
a. Carbohydrates
b. Proteins
c. Lipids
d. Nucleic acids
Ecology and Ecosystems
a. Biotic and abiotic factors
b. Ecosystems and biomes
c. Predator/prey relationships
d. Populations
Photosynthesis
Cells, Cell Theory and Cell Respiration
a. Cell theory
b. Cell structure and function
Cell Division
a. Mechanics of cell division
b. Benefits of cell division
c. Stem cells
10. Heredity
a.
b.
c.
d.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Traits
Law of Dominance
Law of Segregation
Law of Independent
Assortment
Meiosis/Mitosis
RNA, DNA and Genes
a. Transcription
b. Translation
c. Mutations
d. Transgenic Organisms
e. Gene Map
Natural Selection
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
a. Natural Selection
b. Variation
c. Fitness
d. Genetic Drift
Classification of Living Things
a. Evolutionary groups
b. Classification
c. The kingdoms of life
Course Objective______________________________________________
Life science principles are powerful conceptual tools for making sense of the complexity,
diversity, and interconnectedness of life of Earth. Order in natural systems arises in
accordance with rules that govern the physical world, and the order of natural systems
can be modeled and predicted through the use of mathematics.
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
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Represent and explain the relationship
between the structure and function of
each class of complex molecules using
a variety of models.
Demonstrate the properties and
functions of enzymes.
Predict a cell’s response in a given set
of environmental conditions.
Distinguish between the processes of
cellular growth (cell division) and
development (differentiation).
Describe modern application of the
regulation of cell differentiation and
analyze the benefits and risks (e.g. stem
cells, sex determination).
Describe how a disease is the result of a
malfunctioning system, organ, and cell,
and relate this to possible treatment
interventions (e.g. diabetes, cystic
fibrosis, lactose intolerance).
Cite evidence that the transfer and
transformation of matter and energy
links organisms to one another and to
their physical setting.
Use mathematical formulas to justify
the concept of an efficient diet.
Predict what would happen to an
ecosystem if an energy source was
removed.
Explain how environment factors (such
as temperature, light intensity, and the
amount of water available) between
photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Explain how the process of cellular
respiration is similar to the burning of
fossil fuels.
Analyze the interrelationships and
interdependencies among different
organisms and explain how these
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relationships contribute to the stability
of the ecosystem.
Model how natural and human-made
changes in the environment will affect
individual organisms and the dynamics
of populations.
Explain the value and potential
applications of genome projects.
Predict the potential impact on an
organism (no impact, significant
impact) given a change in a specific
DNA code, and provide specific real
world examples of conditions caused by
mutations.
Demonstrate through modeling how the
sorting and recombination of genes
during sexual reproduction has an effect
on variation in offspring.
Account for the appearance of a novel
trait that arose in a given population.
Estimate how closely related species
are, based on scientific evidence
(anatomical similarities, similarities of
DNA base and/or amino acid
sequences).
Provide scientific explanation for the
history of life on Earth using scientific
evidence (e.g. fossil record, DNA,
protein structures, etc.).
Account for the evolution of a species
by citing specific evidence of biological
mechanisms.
Text_________________________________________________________
Prentice Hall Biology by Miller/Levine
Required Materials____________________________________________
Notebook or Three Ring Binder
Pencils
Pens
Chrome books
Grading_(Subject to Change_____________________________________
Quarterly Grading
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Summative
o Tests/projects
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Formative
o
o
Quizzes/lab reports & graded assignments
Homework (checked)/class work
60%
40%
30%
10%
Fort Lee High School Exam Policy
Quarterly Exams
Students will take examinations at end of each marking period.
Basic Classroom Rules__________________________________________
1.
You are to be in your seat with your ID on and ready to begin class when
the bell rings.
a. Ready to begin class requirements
i. Pen, pencil
ii. Notebook, 3 ring binder w/ paper
iii. Homework for the day written down
iv. Chrome book
2.
Respect the classroom and everyone in the
classroom.
3.
If absent, all work is due the next class you attend. Tests and quizzes will be
administered the next class you are in. (If you know of an absence in advance
come speak with me about assignments or tests before hand).
Late assignments
 1 day late – 10% off
4.
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2 days late – 25% off
3 days late – 50% for the assignment
Cheating, Plagiarism, and Falsification:
Fort Lee High School does not tolerate any instance of cheating, plagiarism, or falsification. As per Policy
5131.2 Academic Dishonesty, “Pupils are expected to by honest in all of the academic work. This means
that they will not engage in any of the following acts:
A. Cheating on examinations, including but not limited to, the non-authorized use of books
or notes, the use of crib sheets, copying from other pupils’ papers, exchanging
information with other pupils orally, in writing, or by signals, obtaining copies of the
examination illegally and other similar activities.
B. Plagiarism is not permitted in term papers, themes, essays, reports, images, take-home
examinations, and other academic work. Plagiarism is defined as stealing or use without
acknowledgement of the ideas, words, formulas, textual materials, on line services,
computer programs, etc. of another person, or in any way presenting the work of another
person as one’s own.
C. Falsification, including forging signatures, altering answers after they have been graded,
the insertion of answers after the fact, the erasures of a grader’s markings, and other acts
that allow for falsely taking credit.”
A pupil found guilty of academic dishonesty will be subject to reprimand and loss of credit for all the work
that is subject to cheating, plagiarism, and falsification.
Keys to Success________________________________________________
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Be an active learner in class
Be an active learner outside of class
Use your resources
Time-management
Make connections: relate what you learn to the world around you