Course Description

Biology I Course Syllabus Instructor: Toni Farmer

Course Description: Biology is the science of life and of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution. It includes botany (the study of plants) and zoology (the study of animals) and all of their subdivisions. These are the standards for this class. By the end of this school year, every student should have a working knowledge of the following:

B-1 : The student will demonstrate an understanding of how scientific inquiry and technological design, including mathematical analysis, can be used appropriately to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions. B-2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the structure and function of cells and their organelles. B-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the flow of energy within and between living systems. B-4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the molecular basis of heredity. B-5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of biological evolution and the diversity of life. B-6: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships among organisms and the biotic and abiotic components of their environments.

Materials Needed for Class:  3-ring binder with paper  Bound Composition Book  dividers  pens/pencils  colored pencils

Tenative Timeline: Units of Instruction: (with correlating chapters) -Introduction to Biology -Biochemistry -Cellular Organelles & Transport -Cellular Energy (Photosynthesis) -Cellular Reproduction -Intro. to Genetics -Human Heredity -DNA MIDTERM EXAMS -Biotechnology -Evolution -Classification and Binomial Nomenclature -Introduction to Ecology -Populations -Human Impact on the Environment ENDOF COURSE EXAM

Class Policies: 1. All assignments are due by 3:20 pm on the due date. A late project will result in a 10% deduction of the project grade per day. 2. You will not be allowed to leave the classroom without a pass card. No IOU’s. 3. All failing test papers will be sent home for parent signature. 4. Work missed due to a lawful absence must be made up within 5 school days, including tests. You must schedule a time before or after school or at lunch to make up work. Labs cannot be made up; therefore you will be given an alternative assignment (2 page report on the topic). Any work not completed after 5 days will be given a zero grade. 5. An absence the day before a test does not excuse you from taking the test. 6. Anyone caught cheating or allowing another student to cheat will be given a grade of zero for that assignment and a parent contact will be made. 7. You are responsible for following class rules (posted in room) and school rules (posted in the student handbook).

Grade Policy: You will receive numerous opportunities to earn grades during the semester. Grades will be given on class work, homework, tests, lab reports, quizzes, etc. Grades are earned and will be calculated using the weights listed below.

Major Grades – 80% Tests, Projects, Formal Labs, Current Event Articles Minor Grades – 20% Class work, Homework, Quizzes, Mini-Labs

Science Notebook Setup: Label and organize your 5 dividers with the following categories. -Important Papers (Syllabus, Lab Contract, Standards, Project Assignments) -EOC -Notes -Homework, Class work, Quizzes (HW/CW/QZ) -Tests

How Do I Keep My Class Participation Points? (2 pts. for each day the class meets)  Be in the classroom when the bell rings  One out Loud Policy  Be prepared for class (pen/pencil, paper, tool binder)  Have a pencil and eraser on test days  Return textbooks/push chair in before leaving Class (6th period on desks)  Clean up work station  Do not have food or drink in class  Do not disrupt the class  Do not have a cell phone/music device out or on in class  Follow all code and conduct book and class rules Note: If the common areas are left a mess then the entire class loses their points for the day.

Assignment Rubrics: How To Do Lab Write-Ups

During the course of this class, there will be certain labs which will require a formal lab write-up. (As opposed to handout labs.) Below are the directions for a basic write-up.

Lab Title

Purpose: One to several statements describing what should be gained from doing this lab. i.e. To locate and identify structures of a plant cell To determine….

Problem: One to several questions which are to be answered during the lab. i.e. What structures differ between a plant and animal cell?

Hypothesis: An educated guess as to what will result from the lab. Answer to your problem.

Materials: List of materials you will use during the lab

Procedure: A brief, yet complete, description of the steps which will be taken during the lab. Write in paragraph format. Do not list.

Data: This section will include any information, observations and calculations from the lab. Drawings (labeled) and charts/graphs are to be on plain, white paper.

Conclusion: An explanation for what observations were made during the lab. The conclusion should be in complete sentences and paragraph format.

CURRENT EVENTS IN SCIENCE

This year you will submit one (1) science article summary each grading period. The articles MUST BE RELATED TO SCIENCE…if you are not sure, show me the article before completing the summary. The schedule of the due dates will be posted in the classroom. Articles may be taken from a current newspaper or magazine published within the last calendar year. Online publications may be used. An online publication must be an article published on an on line site. No encyclopedia or other non-article information will be acceptable. The articles you select to read must be at least (5) paragraphs long. Either the cut out article or a copy of the article must be attached to the summary. Any article taken from online publications must include a printed or downloaded copy. All summaries are to be neatly written in blue or black ink. Typed summaries must use 12-pt. to 14 pt. normal type font, double spaced with one inch margins. The article must be stapled to the back of the summary. Your current event must adhere to the following format:

Title of Article Title of Periodical (name of newspaper, etc.) Date of Publication The first sentence of the paragraph should state to which specific area of science the article is related: (biology, medicine, earth science, astronomy, etc). For example…”This article is related to the area of environmental science.” A summary of the information expressed in your own words should follow and be written in complete sentences. The length of the summary will be as many sentences or paragraphs as needed to COMPLETELY AND THOROUGHLY summarize the facts. Your summary must end with a solid paragraph stating how you believe the information currently affects or will impact society in the future.. Grades will be based on the following guidelines and the thoroughness of the summary. Each summary is worth the equivalent of one test grade. Headings done per correct format 10 points Specific area of science (1st sentence) 10 points Summary done in own words, thorough 30 points Effect on society 20 points Done in blue or black ink or typed 10 points Neatness 10 points Article attached to summary 10 points TOTAL ASSIGNED VALUE 100 POINTS Due Dates 1st Quarter – October 2013 2nd Quarter – December 2013 3rd Quarter – February 2013 4th Quarter – April 2013

*Late articles will lose 10 points per day unless student is absent on due date. In case of an absence, the report will be due the first day back in class. Reports may be turned in early, up to two weeks prior to due date. Dear Parent / Guardian and Students,

Please accept my largest welcome into this class. Together I know we will accomplish great things! Biology is a fascinating subject we will explore and expand upon as well as prepare for goals and careers beyond the classroom. At the end of this syllabus you will find a contract that must be signed by both of you and returned to class as the first homework assignment and information about our second assignment. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me as soon as possible at [email protected] or 864-429-1750. I am open to any concerns you may have and we will work diligently towards the solutions. Again, I am looking forward to being your teacher as well as a very productive year at Union County High School! Welcome to our class! ~ Mrs. Farmer

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**** First Assignment:

Initial and Sign below. Please print, initial, sign and return this page to Mrs. Farmer within 5 days of the start of the course.

______I have read the syllabus for the course and understand the course description and requirements. _____I have read the lab safety contract and class rules for this course and understand the expectations of me. _____ I have received a copy of the Bio Stems and Assignment Rubrics handouts.

Student Name: ______(Please Print) (Signature) Parent Name:______(Please Print) (Parent Signature)

**** Second Assignment:

Your student will receive a contact form to fill out in class for emergency numbers, clubs, athletics, and other information about how best to help them succeed. Please prepare them for any necessary information they will need to fill out this form for all of us to have a great year! Thank you I look forward to meeting you at our first parent night as well as keep you up-to-date on how wonderful your child is! **This is a challenging course designed to prepare you for success in College Biology. Consistent attendance, participation, and time management skills will increase the rate of success in this course.**