Huntsville High School Biology Syllabus

HUNTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY SYLLABUS

Chanda Davis Stephanie Davis Elizabeth Simmons Vincent Turner [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] chandadavis.net clickinscience.org turnerswebsite.yolasite.com

This entry-level course is a comprehensive study for the possibly college-bound student. Heavy emphasis is placed on the Alabama State Course of Study: Science and the Alabama High School Graduation Exam objectives. This course is structured to help students build appropriate vocabulary, critical thinking skills and laboratory techniques in preparation for high levels of science. No prerequisites are needed for this course.

COURSE OF STUDY 1. Select appropriate laboratory glassware, balances, time measuring equipment, and optical instruments to conduct an experiment.

2. Describe cell processes necessary for achieving homeostasis, including active and passive transport, osmosis, diffusion, exocytosis, and endocytosis.

3. Identify reactants and products associated with photosynthesis and cellular respiration and the purposes of these two processes.

4. Describe similarities and differences of cell organelles, using diagrams and tables.

5. Identify cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems as levels of organization in the biosphere.

6. Describe the roles of mitotic and meiotic divisions during reproduction, growth, and repair of cells.

7. Apply Mendel's law to determine phenotypic and genotypic probabilities of offspring. 8. Identify the structure and function of DNA, RNA, and protein. 9. Differentiate between the previous five-kingdom and current six-kingdom classification systems. 10. Distinguish between monocots and dicots, angiosperms and gymnosperms, and vascular and non-vascular plants. 11. Classify animals according to type of skeletal structure, method of fertilization and reproduction, body symmetry, body coverings and locomotion. 12. Describe protective adaptations of animals, including mimicry, camouflage, beak type, migration and hibernation. 13. Trace the flow of energy as it decreases through the trophic levels from producers to the quaternary level in food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids. 14. Trace biogeochemical cycles through the environment, including water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. 15. Identify biomes based on environmental factors and native organisms. 16. Identify density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors that affect populations in an ecosystem.

GRADING SCHEDULE Grades are calculated using the following schedule:

Homework/Class work=25% Projects = 5% Labs = 20% Tests = 50% Total = 100% Grades (letters & percentages) A: 100-90 B: 89-80 C: 79-70 D: 69-60 F: 59 and below

CALCULATING YEARLY AVERAGE 1st nine weeks 2nd nine 1st semester 3rd nine weeks 4th nine weeks End of year Final Grade weeks final exam final exam for Biology 20% 20% 10% 20% 20% 10% 100% 1 TEXTBOOK Postlehwait and Hopson.(2006). Modern Biology. Holt, Rinehart and Winston. You may access the textbook online at: my.hrw.com. You will need to retrieve your username and password from your teacher.

ASSIGNMENT POLICY Late assignments are not accepted. ‘Late’ means— after the assignment is collected or graded at the beginning of class. Students are given ample time to complete assignments in a timely manner. Partial credit is not an option. NO EXCEPTIONS! If you are absent on the day an assignment is to be turned in, you must turn your work in when you return to class.

MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS It is the student’s responsibility to obtain make-up assignments from their teacher. Only students with excused absences can make-up any assignments. Students have two weeks from day he or she returns to school to make-up tests. Students have two days to submit an excused note to their homeroom teacher for an excused attendance pass. Assignments must be obtained prior to going to In-school suspension (ISS).

SUPPLIES FOR CLASS Students are to come to class and lab prepared and ready to work. The following items are requested: loose leaf paper, notebook, pencils and Kleenex. Optional items that enhance studying: highlighters, student dictionary and index cards.

LAB FEES AND SUPPLIES Lab and goggle fees are $23.00. The lab fee includes safety goggles. We ask that all students bring 2-rolls of paper towels and a bottle of 407 or Lysol to disinfect the lab after each usage.

RULES & PROCEDURES Failure to comply with rules and procedures can result in a discipline referral.

1. Follow all rules in the student handbook.

2. Be on time for class and prepared to learn.

3. Be respectful to everyone and of everyone’s property

4. Keep our room clean.

5. Stay in your seat and be quiet until you are told to do otherwise.

CONTACT Please email your teacher if you have any questions. When emailing a teacher please include student’s full name and period in the subject line. Parents may call or email for a parent-teacher conference. Please limit telephone calls to afterschool. Huntsville High telephone number: 256.428.8050

INFORMATION NOW (INOW) Students and parents may monitor grades on the online grading system iNOW. Please contact your teacher and/or guidance counselor for iNow registration.

2 TO THE STUDENT AND PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S):

STUDENT AGREEMENT

I, ______, have read the syllabus and I agree to abide by the rules and consequences set by my teacher______and Huntsville High School. I acknowledge my responsibilities in this course. I am aware of the grading, make-up and late assignment policies for this course.

______

Student signature Date

______

Parent/Guardian signature Date

Parent/Guardian Contact Information

Name______

Parents Email Address ______

Will your child have reliable access to the Internet? ______Yes or ______No

Daytime telephone number with area code ______

Evening telephone number with area code ______

Reminders: Please return the following items by ______

 Lab & Goggle Fee: $23.00 (Address check to: Huntsville High School)

 Class & Lab Supply List

 Syllabus & Safety Contract 3 4