Biology I Course Syllabus

MARINE BIOLOGY COURSE SYLLABUS ______MRS. AMBER HORN B.S. ZOOLOGY, Oregon State University M.A.T., George Fox University Room A-10, ST HELENS HIGH SCHOOL e-mail: [email protected] phone: 503-366-7460 Hours: 8:00 am-noon, Monday-Friday Website: http://www.sthelens.k12.or.us/174120825211458913/site/default.asp ______

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is derived from two distinct scientific disciplines: oceanography and marine biology. Oceanography is the study of the physical properties that make up the ocean, including plate tectonics, the formation of the ocean floor, tides and lunar phase, interpretation of the tide table, tsunamis, and the processes that generate currents and waves. The second part, marine biology, is the relationship between biological organisms and their environment. GOAL: Describe and identify basic principles of physical oceanography, marine biology, and human impact. CCSS (Common Core State Standards) covered: 11-12.RST.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question. 11-12.RST.9 Synthesize information from a range of sources (e.g., texts, experiments, simulations) into a coherent understanding of a process, phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information when possible. 11-12.WHST.2 Write informative/explanatory texts, including scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes. a. Introduce a topic and organize complex ideas, concepts, and information so that each new element builds on that which precedes it to create a unified whole; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. Ocean Literacy Standards: 1e -Most of Earth’s water (97%) is in the ocean. Seawater has unique properties. It is salty, its freezing point is slightly lower than fresh water, its density is slightly higher, its electrical conductivity is much higher, and it is slightly basic. Balance of pH is vital for the health of marine ecosystems, and important in controlling the rate at which the ocean will absorb and buffer changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide. 6e - Changes in ocean temperature and pH due to human activities can affect the survival of some organisms and impact biological diversity (coral bleaching due to increased temperature and inhibition of shell formation due to ocean acidification). EXPECTATIONS:  I expect great things from every student!  This class is all about participation. It is an elective, and should therefore be enjoyable for you as a class, and me as a teacher, I expect cooperation and participation from all of my students.  I expect you to MAKE MISTAKES and most importantly LEARN from them!!! Admit it when you make a mistake and I will be happy to move on! RULES: 1. The Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. 2. You are responsible for you and your work. Do it! Come to class prepared for bell-to-bell instruction and to participate. 3. Keep all electronic devices off and out of sight during class. 4. For school rules and expectations refer to the school handbook. MATERIALS:  3-ring binder or folder with paper for notes and for keeping class materials.  Writing utensil **Optional and Helpful supplies:  Portable jump drive. CLASS PROCEDURES: 1. You will often be working together in cooperative groups. I expect every member to participate and contribute! 2. As you come in to the room, have a seat at your desk and respond to the quote of the day while I take roll. 3. Bathroom/locker etc. – not in the first 10 minutes or last 5 minutes of class and not while I am giving direct instruction. COURSE GRADING Standard Assessments: 80% of Course Grade Students will be assessed on identified standards to gauge their proficiency. Proficiency is demonstrated on multiple assessments. These assessments can vary and may take the form of projects, labs, quizzes, tests, or other assignments. Students will be given scoring guides for each assessment at the beginning of the unit of study. Students will have multiple opportunities to demonstrate their level of attainment for each standard (these may take the form of retakes or alternates depending on the assignment) if they have completed the practice work given for the standard being assessed. Practice: 20% of Course Grade In order to master most any skill in life, practice is necessary. Practice will be assigned in the course; these activities are designed to help build student understanding and provide practice of the concepts and skills necessary to be successful in Natural Resources. Completion and/or quality of completion will be marked in the online grade book. Grading Scale Proficiency on the standards will be assigned a point value using the following scale (1-4): (Point totals may vary according to the assignment) Does Not Meet (DNM)= 1 (40%) Developing (D)= 2 (60%) Proficient (P)= 3 (80%) Advanced (A)= 4 (100%) Make-Up Work The school’s make-up work policy will be followed in this course. For more information refer to the Student Handbook. Late Work While it is important that students complete their practice work on time so that they can build their skills, there will not be an academic penalty for turning this work in late. All late work, however, must be completed prior to scheduling a retake on a given standard and before the end of the current 9-week grading period. No late practice work will be accepted during the last week of the semester. Students are expected to take the course assessments on the day in which they are given. Grade Updates Parents can expect updated grades to be available online approximately every two weeks. Plagiarism Policy: Students will often be using reference materials (books, magazines, Internet) in class and they must ALWAYS put any information they gather into their own words and cite sources if they quote them directly. Any plagiarized material, whether from a reference source or a classmate, will be given a zero.

Section 1: Oceanography Fishes Properties of water  Major groups and characteristics Challenges / History of Ocean Research  Adaptations & Behavior Technology and Advances Physical characteristics Reptiles & Birds  Tides / waves  General overview  El Niño / La Niña Mammals  Coriolis Effect / Currents,  Major groups and characteristics  Dead Zones / Oxygen Section 3: Current Topics affecting the Oceans  Rock Cycle / Plate Tectonics  Pollution, Oil, Climate Change, Plastics  Ocean zones/photic zones  What can we do to help?!  Composition of sea water  Ocean zones/temperature RELATED PROJECTS/LABS  The “bends”/ pressure Technology Presentations Section 2: Marine Biology Physical Characteristic presentations Microbes Temperature/Salinity Lab  Dinoflagellates, Bacteria Invertebrate Packet & Test Algae Fisheries Presentation  Major groups and characteristics Fishery Activity Marine Mammal Travel Project Invertebrates Acid Ocean Virtual Lab  Major groups and characteristics Please sign acknowledging that you understand the course requirements, policies, and expectations.

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