Academic Biology 1



Accelerated Biology

“Excellence is in the details. You are ALL excellent.”

Mrs. DeNicola

Room: 128

Email: ldenicola@

Website:

Welcome to Accelerated Biology!! This course is designed to build on what you have learned in your previous Life Science classes. We will be studying life by exploring topics such as Ecology, Evolution, Biochemistry, Genetics, Cells, Systems, and the impact humans have had and presently have on the environment. We will look at the role of structures and the ways organisms interact with their surroundings and other organisms.

By the end of the course it is expected that you will walk away not only with a broader knowledge of biological science, but greater critical thinking skills; an understanding of how to design and carry out experiments; the ability to apply concepts and share ideas with your peers and the larger community; the capability of organizing new and different information and applying it to novel situations; and tools to function in the world in which we are preparing you to enter.

Above all, I am hoping we are going to have a wonderful, fun, and positive learning experience this year!

Classroom Expectations

➢ Be on time and prepared every day

➢ Be respectful of your classmates, your teacher, and yourself

➢ Participate, participate, participate: there are NO stupid questions, we are here to share and learn together

➢ Be RESPONSIBLE!

➢ Your work is your own, cheating and plagiarism will NOT be tolerated

➢ The use of ANY electronics (i.e. cell phones, mp3 players, etc) is NOT allowed, if I see it, it’s mine and it will be turned into the office until a parent picks it up

➢ Absolutely NO food or drink in the Science lab

➢ You are responsible for ALL work, present or absent. Get what you missed and hand in work collected in your absence.

Notebook Policy

For this class you will be expected to keep a notebook solely for Biology. The type of notebook you choose is completely up to you. It may be spiral, marble, 3-ring binder, etc. The only requirement for the organization of your notebook is a copy of the lab safety contract either taped, glued, or hole-punched into the front, along with a copy of our classroom expectations. There will be no formal notebook checks. However, if I find that there is a problem with unpreparedness or handing in of assignments, I may do a spot notebook check at random for a quiz grade.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this class will consist of several different components. These include:

➢ Participation (TBD) – During in-class assignments, participation points will often be given. If you work efficiently and well with your partners, you will receive full credit. If you choose to spend your class time not doing what you are supposed to, you will not receive credit for that day’s work.

➢ Homework/Labs (5 – 50 pts per assignment)

➢ Quizzes (20 – 50 pts per quiz)

➢ Tests/Formal Labs (50 - 100 pts each)

➢ Projects – Many of the work we will do will be project-based. In some cases these will be individual, while others you will work in groups. Sometimes they will be centered in class, and other times they will be done at home.

You will be responsible for making up ALL missed work. You will have the equivalent amount of time absent to make up work. It is your job to determine a time with me to come make up tests/quizzes or presentations. If you do not do so, your grade will result in a ZERO. Please note that a field trip is an ELECTED absence. All work due on the date of a field trip MUST be turned in the day it is due, otherwise it will be considered late.

Late work will be accepted until an assignment has been graded and handed back. Each day an assignment is late will lead to a 10% point deduction.

Biology I – Course Proficiencies

Level: Accelerated 311

Course Description:

Building on the knowledge acquired in 7th Grade Life Science, Biology I provides a strong foundation in biological concepts with a focus on life processes and structure/function relationships. Teachers use multiple techniques in dealing with selected topics, which include cell studies, genetics, chemistry of life, diversity, ecology, and evolution. Each student will continue the development of an analytical approach to biology using both concrete and abstract thinking skills. Students will use a variety of research skills involving traditional laboratory and library sources, as well as emerging technology. Students in all levels will study the same topics; the depth of study increases with each level.

Course Proficiencies:

The following is a list of skills and concepts that students will be proficient in upon successful completion

of this course. These proficiencies form the basis of assessment of each student's achievement.

Students will be able to:

1. Apply and evaluate scientific methods throughout the course. (5.1/12 A-C; 5.3/12 A-D)

2. Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to safely use laboratory equipment and materials. (5.1/12 C)

3. Delineate how the cell operates as the basic unit of organisms with regard to growth and energy

requirements. (5.5/12 A1; 5.6/12 A6)

4. Explain the formation and importance of the four basic organic molecules necessary for life.

(5.5/12 A1-3; 5.6/12 A6 & B)

5. Apply probability rules and Mendel's laws to solve genetic problems. (5.2/12 A&B; 5.3/12 A,B,D)

6. Demonstrate how proteins form and explain the consequences of incorrect formation.

(5.5/12 A&C; 5.6/12 A6)

7. Explain evolution and Darwin's theory of Natural Selection.

(5.2/12 A&B; 5.5/12 B; 5.8/12 C3&D; 5.10/12 A)

8. Describe the interdependence of all living things and their physical environment, including man's

impact on earth's ecological balance. (5.2/12 A&B; 5.8/12 C2-3; 5.10/12 A&B)

9. Evaluate the impact of biotechnologies on the science of biology and on society at large.

(5.2/12 A&B; 5.4/12 A&B)

10. Effectively use technological tools/applications to assist in the collecting, analyzing/interpreting, and

conveying of data and information. (8.1A-B , 8.2)

Assessment:

A variety of evaluation tools will be used to determine student achievement in this course. Any or all of the following tools will be used:

a. Tests and quizzes.

b. Laboratory performance, reports, and journals.

c. Class participation and teacher observation.

d. Well-developed homework.

e. Technology-based activities.

f. Projects, including oral presentations.

g. Self or peer assessment.

Board Adopted Textbook:

Academic level

Title: Miller & Levine Biology

Authors: Miller, Levine

Publisher: Pearson

Copyright: 2010

A note on: Lab, Group-work, & Research Policy

For any assignment in which you have been asked to complete with members of a group or use outside sources, use the following guidelines to determine what you are allowed to do as a group and what you must do individually.

If an activity is performed as a group (2 or more people), but each student is expected to hand in his/her own paper, you CAN:

o Share data

o Discuss the answers to questions as a group

But THEN:

o You must answer questions individually and in your own words!!!

o Answers should be in complete sentences, not one or two words, unless otherwise instructed by your teacher

**Answers that are the same, verbatim, as other group members will be challenged – word for word writing is considered CHEATING!

If it is determined that one or members have copied off each other, then it will be written up as an infraction of the school’s Honor code (see below). Please note that students who allow others to copy their work are just as much at fault as the student who copied, and BOTH students will have equal consequences as outlined by the Honor Code.

If an activity is performed as a group and each group hands in only one paper it is assumed that all members contributed to the completion of the work. Thus, all group members names must appear at the top of the paper and all members will receive the same grade. It is acceptable to have a recorder that does all the writing, but ALL STUDENTS must be involved in reaching a consensus when answering questions, interpreting data, and making conclusions for the group. If one or more students are consistently not contributing their share of the work, I may address that issue on an individual basis and that student may receive a reduced grade OR zero based on participation level.

If any outside sources are required to complete an assignment, labs, projects, or otherwise, a list of proper citations MUST be included. Your work MUST BE YOUR OWN. This means that copying or paraphrasing needs to be referenced, otherwise it is considered cheating. If it is suspected that work has been plagiarized, work will be checked and the necessary actions as outlined in the Honor Code will be taken.

HOMEWORK:

A person providing homework and the person copying that homework will receive a zero for the assignment.

A second offense will result in a zero for the assignment for the person sharing the assignment and the person copying the assignment. Both students will receive an office detention and the parents/guardians will be notified.

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism is defined as using the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own. This definition applies to essays, research papers, lab reports, and various types of course projects.

In the case of a first offense for plagiarism, the student will receive a zero for the assignment with the opportunity to make up the assignment with the maximum possible grade being a 60%. Parents will be required to attend a conference.

A second offense for plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment. Parents will be required to attend a conference. After the conference, the student may then elect to submit the work in question to the Review and Verification Committee. The decision of the Review and Verification Committee will stand.

A third offense will result in a failing grade for the course. In this case, the student work will be examined automatically by the Review and Verification Committee.

Accelerated Biology Grading/Plagiarism Policy

Grading Policy

Your grade in this class will consist of several different components. These include:

➢ Participation (TBD) – During in-class assignments, participation points will often be given. If you work efficiently and well with your partners, you will receive full credit. If you choose to spend your class time not doing what you are supposed to, you will not receive credit for that day’s work.

➢ Homework/Labs (5 – 50 pts per assignment)

➢ Quizzes (20 – 50 pts per quiz)

➢ Tests/Formal Labs (50 - 100 pts each)

You will be responsible for making up ALL missed work. You will have the equivalent amount of time absent to make up work. It is your job to determine a time with me to come make up tests/quizzes or presentations. If you do not do so, your grade will result in a ZERO. Please note that a field trip is an ELECTED absence. All work due on the date of a field trip MUST be turned in the day it is due, otherwise it will be considered late.

Late work will be accepted until an assignment has been graded and handed back. Each day an assignment is late will lead to a 10% point deduction.

I have read and reviewed the objectives and policies of this course, in addition to the school honor code, with my parent/guardian. I understand what will be expected of me throughout the year, and that my success in this course will be determined based on the components included in the grading policy and creating original work in my own words.

_____________________________________________ _________________

(Student Signature) (Date)

_____________________________________________ _________________

(Parent/Guardian Signature) (Date)

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