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Honors Biology Syllabus

Course Description: Honors Biology is a molecular based introductory course designed to prepare college bound students with a strong foundation in the principles of biology. This course covers a broad range of complex topics at an accelerated pace, with an emphasis on biochemistry, DNA science, behavior of organisms, organization in living systems, and evolution. Honors Biology is organized around eight major themes, two of which are covered each quarter. It is important that students understand the relationships between these different themes and recognize concepts that unite the various topics.

As a part of BASE (Biology, Arts, Science, and Engineering) initiative, students will learn fundamental research skills, integrate scientific knowledge with technology, and learn how to communicate their experimental findings to the larger scientific community. Students will develop and conduct an original, yearlong investigation that cultivates these skills.

Textbook: Students are expected to acquire all reading materials independently.

• Biology: Concepts and Connections (Reece, Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan)

• Why Evolution is True (J. Coyne)

Materials: Students are expected to acquire all supplies independently.

• Index cards

• Notebook (for lab)

• Two 2.5” 3-ring Binder (one for BASE project, one for class notes)

• Two sets of dividers for binder (one for BASE project, one for class notes)

• Blue or black pens and pencils

Content and Schedule:

First Quarter (Sept. 7 – Nov. 6)

• Biochemistry:

o Unit 1: Scientific Investigation (Ch.1)

▪ The basic steps of the scientific process

▪ The role of randomization, replication, and control groups in experiments

▪ How to design and implement an original controlled experiment, analyze the results, and communicate the findings

o Unit 2: Chemistry of Life (Ch. 2, 3)

• Atomic Structure

• Definition of living things

• The structure of the atom

• The nature of chemical bonds (ionic, covalent, and hydrogen)

• The unique properties of water

• The structure and function of the four main biomolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids)

• Cell structure and function:

o Unit 3: Cell structure and function (Ch. 4, 5)

▪ The cell theory

▪ The difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

▪ The importance and evolution of organelles

▪ The function of major organelles

▪ The structure of the cell membrane and the various means by which substances are transported across the membrane (active and passive transport; cytosis)

▪ How cells transform energy as they perform work

▪ The importance and role of cell junctions

o Unit 4: Enzymes (Ch. 5)

• The role of enzymes in biological systems

• The function of an active site and how enzymes catalyze a reaction

▪ The definition and utility of competitive and non-competitive inhibition

Second Quarter (Nov. 9 – Jan. 22)

• Energy Transfer:

o Unit 5: Cellular Respiration (Ch. 6)

• Oxidation-reduction reactions and their role in cellular respiration

• The major steps of cellular respiration and where they occur in the cell

• The meaning of endergonic and exergonic reactions

• The ATP cycle and the process by which ATP is made via chemiosmosis

▪ Anaerobic respiration vs aerobic respiration

o Unit 6: Photosynthesis (Ch. 7)

• How light can be a source of energy

• The steps of photosynthesis and where they occur in the cell

• The relationship between cellular respiration and photosynthesis

• Modifications of C3 photosynthesis (i.e. C4 and CAM) and their evolutionary significance

• Cell Division:

o Unit 9: Mitosis/Meiosis (Ch. 8)

• The phases of the cell cycle

• The difference between mitosis and meiosis

• The structure of a chromosome and the meaning of the terms sister chromatid and homologous

• The difference between haploid and diploid cells

▪ The importance of checkpoints and the role of Cdk’s in regulating the cell cycle

Third Quarter (Jan. 25 – Apr. 8)

• Genetics:

o Unit 10: Genetics (Ch. 9)

▪ Key genetic terms (monohybrid, dihybrid, etc.)

▪ The principles of basic Mendelian genetics

▪ How to perform monohybrid and dihybrid crosses

▪ The role of crossing over and independent assortment in the creation of genetic diversity

▪ Most common forms of non-Mendelian genetics (e.g. incomplete dominance, co-dominance, polygenic, epistasis, and pleiotropy

▪ The meaning of recombination and its role in chromosomal mapping

• DNA Replication and Protein Synthesis:

o Unit 7: DNA replication (Ch. 10.1-10.5, 11, 12)

▪ The structure of DNA and its relationship to its function

▪ The important experiments that led to the discover of DNA as the molecule of heredity

▪ Role of base-pairing rules in DNA replication

▪ Key enzymes in DNA replication and where in the cell they function

▪ Differences in DNA replication between prokaryotes and eukaryotes

▪ Mechanisms and role of mutation

o Unit 8: Protein Synthesis (Ch. 10.6-10.16)

• The central dogma (DNA makes RNA, which makes protein)

• What a gene is and how DNA codes for proteins (codons)

• Role of the ribosome in protein synthesis

• Role of tRNA an mRNA

• Process of transcription and translation

• Difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

▪ Different types of protein regulation

Fourth Quarter (Apr. 11 – Jun. 10)

• Evolution:

o Unit 11: Evolution (Why Evolution is True)

▪ The definition of evolution

▪ The role of natural selection and mutation

▪ The major categories of evidence for evolution

▪ The meaning of the term “adaptation” and the role of natural selection in creating adaptations

▪ A general outline of human evolution

• Ecology:

o Unit 12: Ecology (Ch. 34, 35)

▪ The effect of biomes on behavioral adaptations

▪ The survival and reproductive successes of k- and r- selected species

▪ The environmental factors that impact biomes

▪ Environmental influences on population structure and dynamics

▪ Effects of the ecosystem on community structure and dynamics

▪ The causes of deteriorating biodiversity

Laboratory: Labs will be heavily emphasized, as laboratory exercises are a critical, hands-on way for students to explore biological concepts for themselves. A lab notebook is to be maintained. Lab reports will be typed and submitted in hard copy (not emailed!). Please note that labs must be turned in at the beginning of the class period on the day they are due; labs turned in later that day are counted one day late. Labs are docked a full half grade each day they are late (unless there is a legitimate excuse).

If students miss a lab for an excused reason, they will not be penalized for the missed lab. In most cases, the student will have to make up the missed lab or, in some cases, may be asked to get data from another student and write up a lab report. Students who are unable to carry out some aspects of laboratory work remain responsible for the material covered and the concepts explored in the lab.

Methods of evaluation: The composition of your final grade is as follows.

Tests/Quizzes 55%

Labs: 20%

Critter Project 15%

Homework/Participation 10%

Tests involve multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and essay/short answer. Short, multiple-choice reading quizzes may be administered throughout the week to ensure that students are reading the text. Students are permitted one handwritten index card to write notes for the reading quizzes. Homework is not graded but is always covered in class. As such, students are encouraged to collaborate with peers on challenging homework assignments.

Although homework is not officially graded for accuracy, it is imperative that students stay on track with the homework in order to keep up with the pace of the course. Homework quizzes will be administered frequently and counted under the Homework/Participation category.

Please note that I do not give extra credit.

Class Preparation: Students are expected to read the relevant textbook chapters/reading material before it is covered in class. Classroom lecture and discussion are meant to clarify and extend concepts introduced in the reading, not replace the textbook. Note that the teacher will also discuss material that is not in the textbook, which is important content and may appear on tests. Please take careful notes during class.

Expectations:

• Students are expected to think critically and work diligently to keep up with this course. Again, this means keeping up with homework and readings!

• Students are expected to come to class prepared with the necessary materials for the day (lab notebook, class binder, writing utensil, etc)

• Students are strongly encouraged to actively participate and ask questions!

• No laptop or cell phone usage is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the teacher. If used, the teacher has the right to confiscate the technology.

• Students are to be respectful to each other and to the teacher.

Absences: If a student is absent, he/she is responsible for obtaining notes from another student and determining what was missed; information may be provided in class that is not in the textbook. Students are encouraged to schedule a meeting time with the teacher to discuss the material. If a student misses a test, quiz, or assignment for an unexcused reason, there will be a letter grade reduction for each day that it is late. In short, do not miss a test or quiz for an unexcused reason. If a student misses a test or assignment for an excused reason, that student is expected to sit for the test or submit the assignment the day he/she returns to school. Note that make-up tests should be scheduled with the teacher and will be taken outside of class to avoid missing new material.

And now that all the formal details are out of the way, welcome to Honors Biology. I am very excited to have an incredible year together!!

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