Download Course Outline and Objectives:

BIOLOGY EXPECTATIONS
Mrs. Sutton
Co-Teacher: Mr. Hartshorn
School Phone: 364-7778 ext.7365
School Phone: _____________
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: __________________
Class Webpage: http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/suttonbio
Philosophy: Biology is a hands-on standards based course designed to give students
knowledge of the living world and provide a strong understanding of living systems.
This course builds on the idea that science knowledge is acquired through inquiry and
process. Students are taught the importance of process skills and how scientists use
them. Through the observation, measurement, organization of data, classification,
predicting, experimenting, analysis of data, and communication of information, the
students will gain an understanding of the importance of the living world around them.
Coupled with real-world applications for the concepts, Biology sets the stage for
lifelong learning.
Text: Biggs, A., Hagins, W.C., Kapicka, C., Lundgren, L., Rillero, P., Tallman,
K.G., Zike, D & The National Geographic Society. (2004). Biology:
The Dynamics of Life. Glencoe Science.
Supplies: Students will be expected to bring with them to each class:
 A pen or pencil.
 An agenda book is highly recommended.
Students will be provided with the following:
 1 single subject class notebook to use for notes and journals.
 1 class folder to store all pertinent work and handouts.
 A safe place in the classroom for storage of these items. It is the
responsibility of the student to make sure that all items are stored safely
away before leaving class.
Students will not be assigned individual textbooks for this class. A class set will be
kept in the room for students to use when needed. Students may be able to sign out
a book to use at home with teacher permission. If a book is lost when signed out by a
student it will be the student’s responsibility to pay the school the cost of replacing
that book.
Absences: If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to see me the next day you
are in school to get any assignments/notes you may have missed or to schedule makeup time after school. This means that even though we meet every other day, you may
have to see me on a day when class does not meet. When you are out, it is expected
any assignments missed are made up within the allotted time period. (Refer to
student handbook for the school policy).
* All class assignments, applicable notes and important dates will be posted on a
daily basis to the class webpage at http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/suttonbio.
Class Rules: The school provides students with a handbook that serves to explain the
conduct and attendance expectations of Chariho Students. The handbook can also be
used to organize their assignments. It is the intention of this class to follow the
school’s mission statement and student expectations in words, deeds, actions and
thoughts. Two essential and central concepts to the success of a productive learning
environment are quality work and respect for others. The safety contract must be
signed and returned before participation in any lab activity.
Course Outline and Objectives:
The Science of Life
Objectives: Students will learn and understand the processes scientists use to study
the natural world. Students will discover the characteristics of life.
 Characteristics of Life (Chapter 1)
 Scientific Method (Chapter 1)
Ecology
Objectives: Students will describe and analyze the components of the Water,
Carbon, and Nitrogen cycles. Students will describe the flow of energy through an
ecosystem. Students will identify and describe the effects of destruction of
habitats, pollution, urbanization, and natural disasters have on populations.
 Earth cycles (Chapter 2)
 Equilibrium in an Ecosystem (Chapter 3)
 Food Pyramids and Biomass (Chapter 2)
 Energy Transfer (Chapter 2)
 Human impact on Ecosystems (Chapters 4 and 5)
Quarter 1 Major Course Assessment
Cells
Objectives: Students will describe the properties of elements and their role in living
systems. They will describe the role of water processes of osmosis, diffusion, Turgor
Pressure, and universal solvents within cells. Students will describe the structure of
the cell membrane and understand its role in transport. They will identify the role of
each organelle in maintaining homeostasis in the cell. They will describe complex
interactions among different types of molecules that cause distinct cycles of
activities such as growth and division. Students will compare energy transfer within
cells. Students will compare and contrast body system organization within and among
major animal and plant phylums.
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Homeostasis (Chapter 6)
Membrane Structure (Chapter 7)
Enzymes (Chapters 6 and 9)
Membrane Transport (Chapter 8)
Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes (Chapter 7)
Organelles (Chapter 7)
Cell specialization (Chapter 7)
Tissues
Organs and Organ systems
Cell Division (Chapter 8)
Quarter 2 Major Course Assessment
DNA and Genetics
Objectives: Students will demonstrate understanding the structure and function of
DNA and its role in heredity. Students will learn about the process of gene
combination and the outcomes that come with changes to those combinations.
Students will gain insight into human genetics including physical expression of traits,
effects of mutations and identify many common disorders.
 Genes (Chapter 11)
 Alleles (Chapters 10)
 Phenotypes (Chapter 10)
 Punnett squares (Chapter 12)
 Genetic engineering (Chapter 13)
 Structure of DNA (Chapter 11)
 Ribosomes and Protein synthesis (Chapter 11)
 Mutations (Chapter 11)
Quarter 3 Major Course Assessment
Evolution and Classification
Objectives: Students will compare and contrast various theories of evolution, defining
such processes as adaptations, natural selection, and speciation. Students will
familiarize themselves with classification techniques and will apply this information to
describe evolutionary trends in major body systems.
 Theory of Evolution (Chapter 15)
 Natural selection (Chapter 15)
 Effects of environmental pressures (Chapter 15)
 Adaptations (Chapter 15)
 Evidence of evolution (Chapter 15)
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Microevolution vs. macroevolution
Relationships between organisms for classification (Chapter 17)
Use of classification schemes as basis for evolution trends (Chapter 17)
Quarter 4 Major Course Assessment
Graduation Portfolio: As part of the requirements for graduation and your portfolio,
you must complete 4 formal lab reports, two of which will come from this class. You
will have 2 opportunities, one per semester, to meet proficiency on these tasks. It is
important to take these labs seriously and keep in mind that they have serious
impacts towards your future beyond the end of this course.
Help Night: Help night is held Mondays after school or other days by request.
This course has been aligned with the new Chariho High School Science Curriculum.
This document is available online through the school’s website: www.chariho.k12.ri.us.
Please sign and return with your student for the next class meeting:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name of Student:______________________________
Name of Parent/ Guardian:________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature:____________________________
Parent/Guardian Email: _______________________________
Parent/Guardian Phone #: _____________________________
This verifies that at least one parent/guardian has read the Biology Expectations
document and has viewed the grading policy.