Download Dear Parents, Students, and Guardians

Dear Parents, Students, and Guardians,
Welcome to second semester Biology! Biology is about us and the world around us. This
is a fun class and we will explore topics that are real-world. This semester, we will get into DNA,
biodiversity, plus a lot of SBA preparatory work. I love biology and I hope you come to love it too.
I also hope that each and every one of you finds success in this class. My goal for you all is for
you to have a better understanding of yourself and the world around you so that you can make
informed decisions and understand articles in the paper and things you hear on the news better. I
also want to prepare you for your future standardized tests so you can do well on them.
Below, please find the syllabus for the class that contains a lot of basic information and
our timeline of topics. If you have questions about any of this, please ask. The best way to contact
me, other than in class, is by email. I check multiple times a day and can usually reply promptly.
Sincerely,
Brandon Darlington
COURSE TITLE:
GENERAL BIOLOGY B
LOCATION
HUM
ROOM:
COURSE INSTRUCTOR:
PHONE:
EMAIL: [email protected]
PREREQUISITE:
One lab credit
ACADEMY:
113
TEXTBOOKS: Holt Biology (polar bear book) – this one you can check out, take home, and leave at home until the end of
the year. It’s the “old” textbook, but most of the material is still current. The new book is Glencoe Biology (with zebras on
front) and we’ll use these in class and there aren’t enough to check out. When we take notes, I will reference where to find
the information in both texts.
SUPPLIES: a pocket folder with brads, notebook paper, 10 sheets of graph paper, a writing utensil, and if you would like
to donate to the classroom supply of tissues, that would be helpful
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The content of this class will center on concepts, theory, lab techniques, scientific inquiry, and
report presentations as related to living organisms. Class work will include some research, laboratory experiments,
readings, and projects.
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION: Course grade is comprised of 40% quarter 3, 40% quarter 4, and 20% final exam.
GRADING SCALE: See the student handbook for descriptions of performance levels.
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = Performance below 60
State Standards:
NM State Content Strand II (Life Science): Understand the properties, structures, and processes of living things and
the interdependence of living things and their environments.
Understand and explain the hierarchical classification scheme (i.e., domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus,
species), including:
● classification of an organism into a category
● similarity inferred from molecular structure (DNA) closely matching classification based on anatomical similarities
● similarities of organisms reflecting evolutionary relationships.
Know how DNA carries all genetic information in the units of heredity called genes, including:
● the structure of DNA (e.g., subunits A, G, C, T)
● information-preserving replication of DNA
● alteration of genes by inserting, deleting, or substituting parts of DNA.
● know that DNA directs protein building
Explain the concepts of segregation, independent assortment, and dominant/recessive alleles.
Know how genetic variability results from the recombination and mutation of genes, including:
● sorting and recombination of genes in sexual reproduction result in a change in DNA that is passed on to offspring
radiation or chemical substances can cause mutations in cells, resulting in a permanent change in DNA.
Understand the data, observations, and logic supporting the conclusion that species today evolved from earlier, distinctly
different species, originating from the ancestral one-celled organisms.
Analyze how evolution by natural selection and other mechanisms explains many phenomena including the fossil record
of ancient life forms and similarities among different species.
COURSE OUTLINE:
WEEK(S) THEME
Genetics
1-2
Zebra book – chs 11
Polar bear book ch 8
Molecular Genetics
3-5
Zebra book – chs 12-13
Polar bear book - chs 9-11
Evolution
6-8
Zebra book – chs 14-15
Polar bear book - chs 12-13
SBA Prep & Test
9-11
Evolution cont.
12-13
14-15
16-17
18
Genetic Disorder Project
Conservation Project
Final Exam
ACTIVITIES
Face lab, Reebops, Egg lab, corn lab
DNA picture and models, DNA replication
activity (pop beads), Codon Bingo, protein
synthesis scavenger hunt
Bean Lab, Darwin’s story, Tortoise lab,
Panda lab, Natural selection pictures
Earth, physical, & chemistry review