Challenge Biology Syllabus and Expectations



Challenge Biology Syllabus and Expectations

Mr. Scandrett

Email: ScandrettJ@tracy.k12.mn.us

Room: 151

Phone: 507-629-5500

Program through Southwest Minnesota State University

Supervising Instructor: Dr. Laren Barker

Text: Biology: A Guide to the Natural World, 1st Edition by David Krogh

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Course Description:

This course is an introductory, college level biology course designed to give students a familiarity with the major concepts, principles, and processes of biology. While many of the topics to be covered may be similar to the sophomore general biology class, the level of investigation and course work will be much more rigorous. This course is college level and will be treated as such. I will be following the Southwest Minnesota State University suggested syllabus for this class including lecture topics, labs, and point values. You will notice that exams in this class cover much more material and make up the majority of your grade. Topics that will be covered in this course include, but are not limited to, the scientific method, the cell, genetics, photosynthesis, fermentation and respiration, biological molecules, biotechnology, ecology, plant and animal biology, evolution, and classification. As per the SMSU syllabus, labs will be conducted to reinforce these concepts. In addition, there will be an individual research project component to the course where students are asked to think critically and make observations while performing an experiment. This will culminate in a final lab report and presentation.

Required Materials:

• three-ring binder (at least 2 1/2-inch)

• notebook dividers and labels

• loose leaf paper

• note cards

• colored pencils

• pencils and pens

• glue stick

• calculator (optional but strongly suggested)

• homemade or purchased book cover for textbook

Assignments:

There will be two types of assignments in this course. “Other assignment” refers to assignments that are generally to be done outside of class, where as the “In-class” assignments are to be done in class. There are seven of each type but only six will be counted toward your grade. In addition to these assignments, there will be supplemental assignments given throughout the course as needed.

Date Chapter(s) Topic Assignment

(Additions Likely)

Sept. 4-7 1 Introduction

Sept. 10-14 2 Parts of Life

Sept. 17-21 3 Biological Molecules Other Assignment

Sept. 24-28 4 The Cell

Oct. 1-5 5 Transport and the In Class #1

Plasma Membrane

Oct. 9 Exam I

Oct. 10-12 6 Energy/Thermodynamics

Oct. 15-17 6 Energy/Enzymes

Oct. 18-19 MEA Break

Oct. 22- 26 7 Glycolysis, Kreb’s Cycle, Energy, Other Assignment

And Electron Transport Chain In-Class #2

Oct. 29- Nov. 2 8 Photosynthesis In Class #3

Nov. 6 Exam II

Nov. 7-8 9/10 Mitosis/Meiosis Other Assignment

Nov. 12-16 11/12 Mitosis/Meiosis (cont.) Genes/Inheritance

Nov. 19-21 11/12 Genes/Inheritance (cont.)

Nov. 27 Exam III

Nov. 28- 30 13/14 DNA Structure/Function

Dec. 3-12 13/14 DNA Structure/Function (cont.) In Class #4

Dec. 13-20 15 Biotechnology Other Assignment

Christmas Break In Class #5

Jan. 3-11 16 Evolution Theory/Darwin Other Assignment

Jan 14-18 17/18 Micro- and Macro- Evolution In-Class #6

Jan 22 Exam IV

Jan 23-Feb. 1 19/20 History and Diversity of Life Other Assignment

Feb. 4-15 21 Plant Structures, Defenses,

And Responses

Feb 19-22 22 Plant Tissues, Growth, Transport,

And Reproduction

Feb 25-Mar. 3 28 Populations and Communities In Class #7

Mar. 4-18 29 Ecosystems and the Biosphere Other Assignment

Mar. 20 Final Exam

Grading:

As this is a college class, I will be using a representative SMSU professor’s point value for exams and assignments. Each lecture exam will have a value of 100 points. The total of all other lecture assignments will be 120 points. Students should realize that exams in this class are a much larger part of the total grade than they are in traditional high school classes. In lab the one given exam is worth 80 points while other worksheets and assignments (including your oral report) are worth a total of 145 points.

Lecture Lab

Exam I 100 Worksheets 110

Exam II 100 Seed Germination Final Lab Report 25

Exam III 100 Oral Report 10

Exam IV 100 Exam 80

Final 100 Total 225

In-Class Assn. 60

Other Assn. 60

Total 620

The Grading Scale is the same as our local grading scale with; A = 90-100%; B = 80-89%

C = 70-79%; D = 60-69%; F < 60% (+ and – will be used when appropriate)

Exams will be predominately multiple choice. Questions will come from material covered in class and from the reading assignments. Make-up exams will only be given to students who have made prior arrangements or have a legitimate excuse.

Additional Class Info:

The exams and assignments above for both lecture and lab will determine your SMSU Biology Grade. Your Tracy High School Biology grade will be determined by the above exams and assignments as well as additional assignments, quizzes, and labs that we will do during the course.

It is good advice to read each chapter before it is discussed in class. The amount of reading outside class required in a college course is much greater than it tends to be for many high school classes. College students are expected to read and understand what they have read. If they do not understand, they must ask the instructor for clarification.

We will be finished with the requirements of Biology 100 and its lab portion by the date given above for the Final Exam. This should allow ample time for submission of grades to Southwest Minnesota State University and the receipt of a grade transcript for seniors who wish to submit them to other colleges or universities.

The majority of the remainder of the school year will be spent doing other related lab activities and special topic investigations with in the field of biology. There may also be time for independent research and investigation.

Tardies:

• Students are considered tardy if they are not in their seats and ready to work when the bell rings.

• As per school policy- three tardies equals a detention.

Late Work:

• Will not be accepted and the student will be given a zero for the assignment. However, if you miss a day and an assignment was due the day you missed- it is due the day you come back. It is not considered late if you have an excused absence.

Make-up Work:

• It is essential for the student to be present if he/she is going to succeed in this course. If the student is absent for any reason he/she is responsible for making up their work.

• The student has the number of days absent plus one to make up the assignment.

• If the absence is unexcused a student may only receive up to a 70% on any given assignment.

• Students must also turn in any work that was due while they were gone the day they come back, otherwise the assignment will be considered late and given a zero.

• An admit slip is needed after or before an absence.

Classroom Rules and Consequences:

Rules:

• Please be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.

• Please be respectful of other people, their property, and our classroom. This includes listening while the teacher or a classmate is speaking.

• Please do not use vulgar or offensive language.

• Please follow directions the first time they are given.

• Please remain on task until I dismiss the class.

• Please see the School Handbook for other expectations/consequences

Consequences:

1st offense: Warning

2nd offense: Teacher- Student conference

3rd offense: Action Plan for improving behavior and call home.

4th offense: Detention

5th offense: Referral to the Office

* In the case of a severe outburst or incident a student may be immediately sent to the office or placed outside of the classroom.

* These consequences are designed to fit most general offenses; however, in certain circumstances the teacher may change the consequence to fit the offense. For instance if a student is caught putting gum on a desk then 30 minutes of gum scraping would be a reasonable consequence.

Additional Expectations:

• Please keep I-pods and cell phones off and out of sight or I will confiscate them and give them to the office. That is where you may pick them up.

• Please do not sleep during my class. If you do, participation points will be deducted.

• You will have four “out of class” passes per quarter. If you do not use them you may turn them in for extra credit.

• You are responsible for your textbook and will be charged for damage or loss.

• Food is not allowed in my biology classroom. Food and drink are never permitted anywhere there is a lab because of possible illness.

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