Course Syllabus - Olympian High School

Olympian High School

Course Syllabus

Biology 1, 2

Instructor

Phone 619-656-2400

Room Text

Biology, Miller & Levine, Prentice-Hall 2007

E-mail

Web Page

To access grades:

Course Rationale:

The California State University and University of California systems' A - G admissions requirements state two years of laboratory science are required and three years are recommended, with four years of science helpful for students to remain competitive. The Sweetwater Union High School District requires one year of a biological science and one year of a physical science for graduation. Biology is a standards-based laboratory science that fulfills both of these requirements.

SUHSD Course Description for Biology:

Biology is traditionally the first college preparatory science course students take in high school. Through the years, biology has changed from an observational to an experimental science. This change reflects the job market, where there is a need for science, technology, and engineering professionals to keep the U.S. competitive in the international arena. In addition, citizens in the new millennium will face an increasing number of science related issues such as stem cell research, global warming, cloning, and gene manipulation. It is imperative that a science literate citizenry makes such decisions.

The vocabulary in biology is intensive in difficulty and extensive in breadth, with over 1000 new words typically being introduced. For this reason, particular attention will be paid to vocabulary acquisition strategies. Since much of the information presented now in biology concerns processes which cannot be seen, activities which permit students to conceptualize and visualize these processes will be employed. Whenever possible, diagrams, illustrations, and animations will be used to reinforce concepts. Scientific investigation is a vital component in the science experience and will comprise approximately 40% of instructional time. Acquisition of quantifiable data, manipulation of the data through graphs, and formulation of conclusions based on results will be emphasized.

OHS Policy for College Preparation:

"Habits of Mind" In conjunction with the biology content of this course, an emphasis will be placed on developing college readiness. This will be accomplished by promoting the following "Habits of Mind" for success in college-level course work: 1) building intellectual perseverance, 2) developing metacognition and 3) creating intellectual curiosity by fostering a desire to know.

"College Readiness Literacy Skills" In order to be successful in college and post-secondary work, students must attain certain literacy skills. The "College Readiness Literacy Skills" that will be emphasized during this course will be: 1) describing, 2) summarizing, 3) relating/applying, 4) analyzing, 5) synthesizing, and 6) evaluating.

Additional information on the Biology Course Description can be obtained at the SUHSD Curriculum Website:

OHS Science Biology Syllabus 2014-2015

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Olympian High School

Course Syllabus

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Recommended Student Materials:

Three-Ring Binder or Spiral Notebook (Teacher designated) Classroom Supplies: paper, pencils, pens (blue & red), colored pencils, highlighters, calculator, glue stick

& ruler Occasional Project Supplies

Academic/Behavior Expectations

The classroom will be run on a basis of mutual respect of three parties: teacher, students, and parents.

Student Expectations* 1. Attend all classes & be on time 2. Bea positive, respectful, responsible, & considerate member

of class 3. Be an active participant in learning 4. Complete all assignments, both in class and outside of class 5. Always practice all laboratory safety rules 6. Ask for help when needed.

Teacher Expectations 1. Provide a standards based curriculum. 2. Provide a safe, positive & healthy learning environment. 3. Communicate with parents about student progress. 4. Correct and return work in a timely manner.

Parent Expectations 1. Check to see if homework is being

completed; check on quiz scores, and on current class grade. 2. Ensure students are at school and on time to school.

*Student behavior helps maintain the best possible learning environment and does not infringe on the rights or needs of others. In the interest of providing the best possible educational environment, I will depend on your responsible behavior. Failure to follow the rules may result in a verbal warning, parent contract, or administrative referral if a problem arises.

What is Plagiarism: Plagiarism as defined by is, "the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work." The gauge we will use is ? six or more words from a source without proper notation will be considered plagiarism.

Disciplinary action for plagiarism: A mandatory zero will be given for the assignment/project/exam with no redo/retake possibilities. Parents will be contacted. Additional actions such as AP referrals, Saturday school, detention, etc. will be at the discretion of the teacher based on the nature of the offense.

Homework Policy:

Biology is a college preparatory course that requires students to do homework on a regular basis. Students should spend a minimum of 20 minutes each day on homework. This time may be used to

preview and/or review class materials, perform text reading activities, complete class assignments and projects, or other activities that assist the student's understanding of the concepts being studied. (Note: Parents should ask to see student's daily work and homework.)

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Course Syllabus

Grading Policy:

Student Work (20%) ?provides time, practice, and opportunities for learning, along with feedback or checkpoints regarding your progress in the learning process.

Examples will include the introduction to a unit, class notes, warm ups, quizzes, initial attempts or drafts, formative assessments, cooperative learning experiences, and homework.

Assessments (80%) ? are to determine your personal achievements/what you have learned at the end of a period of instruction, and these are used to establish grades.

Examples will include summative assessments (i.e. unit tests, district benchmarks), projects, presentations, laboratory reports (70%) and an End of Course Exam (10%).

The End of Course Exams (both in semester 1 and semester 2) are mandatory. If a student misses school the day of the exam, they need to contact an administrator to set-up a time to take the exam. A "missing" score will be recorded until the exam is taken and a grade on the exam has been determined by the teacher.

Grades in a Standards-Based Society

Student grades will be a reflection of their level of achievement toward district and state standards.

A

(90 ? 100%)

B

(80 ? 89%),

C

(70 ? 79%),

D

(60 ? 69%).

F

(59% and below)

The OHS Mastery Model encourages that all students maintain assessment scores of 70% or higher. By policy, students have one to two weeks (based upon the assignment) from the date of grade

notification to improve their grade. Exams: Student must attend tutoring and/or complete a review packet prior to the retake.

Course Outline

Topics

Semester One Biodiversity & Population Dynamics

Semester Two Inheritance of Traits

Human Impact on the Environment

Variation in Traits

Cycling of Energy

Natural Selection and Evolution

Cycling of Matter

DNA Structure & Function

Hierarchy & Interacting Systems

Integration of Scientific and Engineering Practices 1. Asking questions and defining problems. 2. Developing and using models 3. Planning and carrying out investigations 4. Analyzing and interpreting data 5. Using mathematics and computational thinking 6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions 7. Engaging in arguments from evidence 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

OHS Science Biology Syllabus 2014-2015

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Olympian High School

Course Syllabus

Teacher: ___________________________

Class Period: _______________________

Syllabus Acknowledgement

Good communication between teachers, students and parents is essential to maximize the success of students in high school. With this in mind, please take a moment to complete this syllabus acknowledgement and parent contact form and return it to me by way of your student. It will be counted as a homework assignment.

Please provide as much of the requested information as you can.

Student's Name:

Cell Phone:

Home Phone: __________________

Mother/Guardian Name:

Cell Phone:

E-mail:

Work Phone:

Father/Guardian Name:

Cell Phone:

E-mail:

Work Phone:

I will attempt to communicate with you about your student's progress in this class on a regular basis via the internet-based grading system: , Progress Reports and at other times as needed. I hope you will feel free to contact me by phone or email at any time to discuss your student's progress. We are striving to have all students college-ready by the time they graduate from Olympian High. This can only happen if everyone works together toward this end.

Please sign and date the section below to indicate that you have reviewed the course syllabus and agree to assist with the communication necessary to reach our goals.

Student: Mother/Guardian: Father/Guardian:

Date: Date: Date:

OHS Science Biology Syllabus 2014-2015

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