HONORS BIOLOGY I



HONORS BIOLOGY I

2009-2010

Course Description, Grade Requirements, and other Important Information

“All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.” - Albert Einstein

Instructor:

Mr. Nicholas Tomasino

Email: MisterTomasino@

Phone (BPI): (410) 396-7026

Text: Modern Biology (Holt, Rinehart, & Winston)

Required Materials:

3-ring binder notebook, w/ loose-leaf paper, to be divided into several sections, and writing utensil

Working email address, checked regularly

Course Description:

Biology is the study of living things and their interactions with the environment around them. This course is designed to expose students to the wide range of fundamental concepts of biology on scales as small as individual molecules and as large as the global environment. In recent years, the technologies employed in biological research have led to an amazing revolution in our understanding of the living world that is nothing less than breathtaking. Two central themes students will learn are that all living organisms are very similar on a biochemical level, and that all organisms depend on interactions with other organisms and their environment to survive, Homo sapiens being no exception.

Students will learn and use many skills in the course of this class, many of which will serve them well in any future scientific education, and in fact in scientific vocations. Goal-based cooperative group activities, experimental design & the formation of testable hypotheses, writing successful lab reports, preparing presentations, and scientific observations are examples of such skills. Through use of these skills, students will be able to understand the principles of biology by rigorously exploring the concepts presented, and developing their own understanding of the living world, while developing an appreciation for science of all sorts.

About the HSA:

Beginning with the Maryland class of 2009, high school students in Maryland are required to pass several statewide standardized tests in a number of subjects as a requirement for graduation. The Biology HSA is one of those tests (and the only required science test.) Many of the questions students will encounter on tests in this class have been taken directly from previous versions of the HSA, and some class time will be devoted to preparing students to succeed on the test.

Poly students are typically very successful on the Biology HSA, with over 90% of students passing every year. The content and demands of this course will exceed those required by the HSA. Select students will be required to attend an HSA coach class beginning in the spring, based on their academic performance.

Major Topics of Study: This course is divided into 10 units of study

First Semester: 1. Introduction to Biology Second Semester: 6. Classical Genetics

2. Biochemistry 7. Molecular Genetics

3. Cells 8. Ecology

4. Transport & Homeostasis 9. Evolution

5. Bioenergetics 10. Organ Systems

Grading:

THE MINIMUM PASSING GRADE IN BALTIMORE CITY IS 60

|Letter |Percentage |

|Grade |Grade |

|A+ |98-100 |

|A |93-97 |

|A- |90-92 |

|B+ |87-89 |

|B |83-86 |

|B- |80-82 |

|C+ |76-79 |

|C |70-75 |

|C- |66-69 |

|D |60-65 |

|F |59 and less |

The final grade for this course will be the average of the first and second semester grade. Each semester grade is the average of two marking periods and an exam. For example, the first semester grade is the average of the 1st marking period grade, the 2nd marking period grade, and the midterm exam.

While letter grades are not officially recorded, the following conversion will be used in this course. Note that a letter grade of D is considered passing, which may be different from other grading systems.

Each marking period grade will be determined by a weighted average of 5 different grade categories, as shown here.

|Grading Category |Weight |

|Homework & Classwork |15% |

|Tests & Projects |30% |

|Lab Investigations |25% |

|Quizzes |20% |

|Participation |10% |

Homework & Classwork includes all graded classwork & homework assignments, including

homework quizzes. Obviously, this category will include a wide variety of graded material. Some grades in this category will count more that others. In general, students should expect to have roughly half an hour of assigned homework 3-5 nights a week, as well as additional time required for projects and the completion of assigned lab reports.

Tests & Projects includes 2-3 unit tests per quarter as well as 0-2 significant projects.

Each grade in this category will have the same value.

Lab Investigations will include approximately 3-5 graded lab assignments per marking period.

The format and length of these assignments will vary considerably. Some will be as short as answering a few questions about a simple experiment, while others may be full length lab report written by students. You will get more information about how to write lab reports in a few days.

Quizzes includes announced as well as unannounced quizzes. Quizzes will have many formats,

including vocabulary quizzes, open-notes quizzes, notebook quizzes, and other types. Students can expect approximately 3-5 of these grades per quarter. Generally, unannounced, “pop” quizzes will be open-notes.

Participation/Cooperative Learning is based on a student’s contribution to class discussions,

group working skills, and maintaining a behavior that promotes learning by all students in the class. Students who stay “on task” and occasionally add to our classroom discussions will certainly earn an A in this category.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GRADES:

Beyond the obvious significance of student grades to future college, scholarship, and employment opportunities, there are several specific consequences of grades in this class:

1. PLACEMENT: Generally, students with averages of 85% or higher will be recommended to the A-course program for their remaining 3 years at Poly, and in no case will students with an average below 80% be considered. Graduation from the Poly A-course is among the best accomplishments a young person in Baltimore can achieve, and is something worth striving for!

2. SUBJECT MASTERY: A grade level of 80% or higher indicates subject mastery. Students achieving at this level are far better prepared for their future at Poly than those that are not.

3. REQUIRED COACH CLASS: It is recommended that any student with an average below 70 attend coach class. COACH CLASS WILL BE MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS WITH AN AVERAGE BELOW 60.

Absences and Make-Up Work:

All students will have the opportunity to make-up any work that is missed due to a legal absence (death in the immediate family, religious holiday, doctor appointment, illness, illness of a child of a student, disciplinary removal, or a suspension). For an absence to be “legal,” you must submit a note to your homeroom teacher and have me sign the pink absence slip when you get it. All make-up work must be completed within 2 days of returning to class (unless otherwise noted by the instructor) to avoid being marked down as late. Students should be sure to see me the day they return to school to determine what assignments need to be completed, as it is the student‘s responsibility to get make-up work.

Regular attendance to class is the single most influential factor in educational success. Note that, work missed due to unexcused absence cannot be made up.

If a student has an excused absence such as for a serious illness or chronic condition that will prevent him/her from being present on a regular basis it is recommended that alternative instruction through the home and hospital schooling program or the CHIP program be pursued. Information is available in the main office of the school (410) 396-7026

A Note on Cheating:

This class will have a zero tolerance of cheating or academic dishonesty. Anyone involved in any way with any such incidence will receive a grade of zero on the assignment, test, or quiz in question. Please remember that academic dishonesty applies to cheating on exams, quizzes, homework assignments, classwork, group-work, or lab-work, as well as committing acts of plagiarism. There is a fine line between working together on an assignment and copying an assignment from a peer. Copying assignments is cheating. Consult your Poly Student Handbook for further consequences

Communication:

Let me begin by inviting you to contact me at the email address above if any concerns arise during the course of the school year. Furthermore, detailed progress reports about your child’s progress in biology will be sent home with them the same day general progress reports are issued by the school, generally the 6th week of each marking period. These reports will give you an assignment by assignment and category by category view of your young scientist’s progress and achievement. With your help and support, we can work together to make this a successful year, full of learning.

Students, parents and guardians are encouraged to contact me via email with any and all concerns now and in the future!

MisterTomasino@

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