College Biology Course Syllabus

Transcription

1 College Biology Course Syllabus Mrs. Boghos-Frangie Room Textbook: Campbell Biology 7 th Edition boghosp@nd-bg.org Welcome to College Biology! This is a hard but fun class, and you should be proud that you chose to take on the challenge. Strap on your seatbelts, we are in for a great ride. Course Description and Goals This course is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their 1 st year. After showing themselves to be qualified on the AP exam, some students, in their 1 st year of college are permitted to take upper-level courses in biology or register for courses for which biology is a prerequisite. Other students may have fulfilled a fundamental requirement for a laboratory science course and will be able to undertake other courses to pursue their majors. The two primary goals of the course are to help develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to prepare students for the AP Biology exam in May. The primary emphasis will be on developing a deep understanding of concepts rather than memorizing terms and technical details. Essential to this conceptual understanding is a grasp of science as a process rather than as an accumulation of facts. The skills that you develop this year will be of benefit to your continued matriculation. The assessments in class are representative of what is expected for the AP Biology exam in that the questions are higher level, and the free response questions will constitute 50% of the exam score. Themes, Topics, and Concepts AP Biology Exam 4 Big Ideas: Big Idea 1. The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life. Big Idea 2. Biological systems utilize energy and molecular building blocks to grow, reproduce, and maintain homeostasis. Big Idea 3. Living systems retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes. Big Idea 4. Biological systems interact, and these interactions possess complex properties. Grading Categories & Scale Quarter Breakdown Test/Quiz: 65% Weekly (formative): 10% Lab work & Reports: 15% Assignments: 10% Semester Breakdown Quarter 1 or 3: 40% Quarter 2 or 4: 40% Final Semester Exam: 20%

2 Grading Scheme: Grade Scale Grade Conversion Grade Scale Grade Conversion A C A C B D B D B D C+ Grade < 60 E This course is A F graded and there are no s/u (pass/fail) options. Materials Needed - Campbell Biology 7 th Edition provided - Three ring binder for lab and class work - Pen and Pencil, and Highlighter Lab Work All of the labs we complete support the major themes of the course and are based on the recommended labs set forth by the College Board. You will be asked to complete a formal lab report for the recommended labs we perform during the year. Due to the rigorous schedule of the course you may be required to come in before or after school to finish your lab. Also, some labs may also be held after school only. In those instances, you will be given a week to come in and do the lab. The labs that we will be doing, tentatively, are as follows: Enzyme Catalyst, Osmosis and Diffusion, Mitosis and Meiosis, Cell Respiration, Photosynthesis, Transformation of E. coli, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Population Genetics, Transpiration, and Animal Behavior. You will also be designing several labs through inquiry lessons. Inquiry labs are a crucial aspect of this course, and you will be expected to develop and conduct many of your tests related to the topics that we cover in class. These will act as both an educational and assessment tool of your understanding of biological processes. There is a considerable amount of time spent in the lab for this course. The total number of lab days during class and after school labs are about 50 days. This accounts for approximately 30% of the course instructional time. Tests: Take-home quizzes, within class free response questions, will be administered on a regular basis, and most will follow reading that has been assigned as homework as well as pre-lab quizzes. If a student misses a day due to an absence, it is their responsibility to refer to the online calendar to access the assigned reading or lab information. All students are required to take the quizzes with their classmates regardless of an absence. There will be an extended in class exam administered each quarter. These tests are designed to prepare the student for the AP Exam. The multiple-choice questions are chosen from a bank of previous years AP Biology tests. During the year, specific essay questions from previous AP Biology exams will be given to the students to provide them with an opportunity to prepare an excellent, well-researched essay. Quarter exams, as well as the final exams, will be graded in the AP format representative of the curve of the AP Exam. The substantial curve is provided as a means to lessen the effect of factors such as ambiguous questions or errors in grading has on overall student achievement. All assessments, even the AP

3 Exam are generated by humans and all free response questions are graded by humans. There is always a margin of error. Since I am implementing this curve, I will not negotiate over points earned on these curved assessments. I will, however, clarify any errors made by me or the students. AP Practice Exams will be given during April to prepare the students for the real exam in early May. I will be offering one test on two different days after school. Students are expected to attend one of these sessions. All students should plan on taking the AP exam in May. Weekly (formative): Each Quarter students will complete 5 to 7 Weekly questions that will based on previous course content. These weekly questions will be similar to the Free Response Questions. Classwork/Homework: The class work and homework required for this class ranges from many different assignments. I use differentiated teaching techniques to involve as many learning styles as possible. The assignments will range from reinforcement handouts, diagrams of processes, to reading assignments from the text in which students complete a reading guide. All work is to be completed and submitted on the due date. Late work is not accepted. Students should keep all their work because some colleges may ask to show them to bypass certain classes. Make-up Work: It is your responsibility to find out what assignments were missed in your absence and to be prepared when returning to class. Make-up work procedure: 1. Write objectives and class activities in your planner as found on the class calendar or the calendar on Mrs. Boghos s website: 2. Handouts and assignment sheets will be in a numbered folder in the crate by the front door. The numbers corresponded to the dates when assignments were given. Obtain those that you are missing. 3. Be prepared to make up tests the day you return to class if the class lesson permits. See me to schedule a time before or after school to make up any tests if class time is not available upon return. Tests/quizzes must be made up before or after school within three days of absence if the student is not given the time in class. See a friend or use the PowerPoints online to obtain the notes missed. 4. Be proactive. If you miss a day prior to a test or quiz you are expected, take the test or quiz with your classmates. Always refer to the online calendar to be prepared. Make-up work must be labeled as such and placed in the wire basket by the door. You will have three days from the time you return to complete tests, labs, and assignments. Help Session Hours: Please come and see me if you need any help with this course! I am available at 7:20 am and stay until 3:00 pm most days. Attendance Policy A maximum of 10 absences will be allowed for a full year course. 2 points will be deducted from your final grade for every absence above 10 (for the year). Tardy Policy: All students must adhere to the school-wide tardy policy.

4 Student Code of Behavior: If you act sensibly, responsibly, respectively, and maturely, you will do fine. The following are guidelines to ensure a safe and productive year. Failure to adhere to the code of behavior will result in disciplinary action. *Enter the room quietly and follow directions indicated on the Elmo. 1. Have all required materials ready at the beginning of class. (notebooks, requested materials, homework turned in) 2. Treat everyone in the class in a respectful manner. -practice patience and compassion. -use no offensive language. -allow others the opportunity to speak. -think before you speak. 3. Respect the property of others. -school and personal Respect for people and property is crucial and will be stressed in this class! 4. Remain seated in your designated seat until dismissed by me. 5. Listen and follow directions for all activities. 6. The mandatory compliance of all school rules. **Every day in class is a valuable day. When you walk over the threshold of the classroom, you are choosing to participate in the classroom tasks in an optimal manner. The guidelines for this class will be used for the entire year. The expectations established in this outline are designed to make this a productive, enjoyable, and safe year. As a student, you agree to meet, to the best of your abilities, all of the expectations established in this outline. As a parent or guardian, you agree to support the expectations in this outline, with the understanding that they are meant to enhance the learning environment of the classroom. By signing the signature page, you agree to support everything stated in this course outline, and you now know what to expect from this course. I am looking forward to a great year!

5 College Biology Course Content Outline Ch 53, 54, 55 Ecology -Population Ecology Problem Set -Brine Shrimp Lab, Informal Ch 3 Properties of Water Ch 4 & 5 Carbon & Biomolecules -Biochemistry Content Extension -Protein Content Extension Ch 3, 4, & 5 Take Home Quiz/In Class FRQ Ch 6 Cells Ch 7 Plasma Membrane -Membrane Structure Content Extension -Membrane Function Content Extension -Water Potential Problem Set -Diffusion/Osmosis Lab, Formal Lab Write-Up Ch 6 & 7 Take Home Quiz/In Class FRQ Ch 8 Metabolism -ATP Content Extension -Enzyme Content Extension -Gibbs Free Energy Information and Problem Set -Toothpick case Lab, Informal -Enzyme Lab, Formal Lab Write-Up Ch 8 Take Home Quiz/In Class FRQ Ch 9 Cellular Respiration -Cellular Respiration Overview Content Extension -Glycolysis & Kreb s Cycle Content Extension -Oxidative Phosphorylation Content Extension Ch 10 Photosynthesis -Photosynthesis Content Extension -Cellular Respiration/Photosynthesis Review Problem Set -Cellular Respiration/Photosynthesis Labs, Formal Lab Write-Up Ch 9 & 10 Take Home Quiz/In Class FRQ Ch 12 & 13 Cell Cycle & Meiosis -Cell Cycle Regulation Content Extension -Mitosis/Meiosis Lab, Informal Ch 14 Mendel and the Gene Idea -Genetics Problem Sets 1, 2, & 3.

6 -Chi Square Research and Information -Chi Square of M&Ms -Chi Square of Corn Genetics & Problems Ch 15 Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance -Genetics Problem Set 4 -Grid In Problem Set Ch 16 Molecular Basis of Inheritance (DNA Synthesis) -Synthesis of DNA Informal Activity Ch 12, 13, 14 & 15 Take Home Quiz/In Class FRQ Ch 17 From Genes to Proteins -Transcription Content Extension -Translation Content Extension -HHMI Rock Pocket Mice Ch 18 Gene Expression Regulation -Gene Regulation Content Extension -HHMI Got Lactase Video and Questions -Online RNA Interference Questions -HHMI Stickleback Gene Regulation Video and Questions Ch 17 & 18 Take Home Quiz/In Class FRQ Ch 19 Virus Reproduction Ch 20 Biotechnology -PCR Activity, Informal -Bacterial Transformation Lab, Formal Lab Write-Up -Gel Electrophoresis Lab, Informal -Online Bacterial Identification Lab, Informal -Restriction Mapping Problem Set Ch 19 & 20 Take Home Quiz/In Class FRQ Ch 21 **Read through Ch 21.2 and 21.5 Independently Ch 22 Descent with Modification -Peppered Moth Research -Camouflage Butterfly Ch 23 Evolution of Populations -Hardy-Weinberg Problems -Hardy-Weinberg Lab Activity, Informal Ch 24, 25, 26 Origin of Species, History of Earth, Phylogeny (independent over winter break) -Selection and Speciation Content Extension -Phylogeny Content Extension

7 -Mass Extinction Content Extension -Phylogenetic Tree Problem Set Ch 11 Cell Communication -Cellular Communication Content Extension -Signal Transduction Pathways Content Extension -Cellular Communication Research Ch 38 & 39 Plant Reproduction and Responses -Plant Hormone Content Extension -Transpiration Lab, Informal Ch 40 Animal Form and Function -Animal Behavior Lab, Formal Lab Write-Up Ch 43 Immunity -Immunity Content Extension Ch 45 Endocrine System (Hormones) -Control of Blood Sugar Levels Content Extension Ch 48 Nervous System -Neuron Structure Content Extension -Neuron Function Content Extension