Bio2012- Crosswhite 5

Biology Syllabus- 2012-13

COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles of Biology. Major areas of study include: scientific method, basic chemistry, molecular, organismal, and cellular biology, genetics, natural selection and systematics, biological classification, biodiversity, ecology, anatomy and physiology, human health, and environmental issues.

Laboratory work and demonstrations to implement the fundamental principles and concepts in learned theory.

PRATT HIGH SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT- Pratt High School is committed to providing educational opportunities in a safe environment empowering all students to become productive, responsible citizens and life-long learners.

INSTRUCTOR: Doyle L. Crosswhite (Instructor, Biology/Environmental Science); BS Biological Science/Chemistry, Northwestern Oklahoma State University; MS Zoology, Oklahoma State University.

Pratt High School e-mail: doyle.crosswhite@usd382.com

Pratt High School

400 S. Hamilton Street

Pratt, KS 67124

personal mobile: .580.541.4129

Pratt High School office: 620.672.4540

Fax Line: 620.672.4549

LinkedIn Portfolio - http://www.linkedin.com/in/dcrosswhite

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/doyle.crosswhite

ZooBlog - http://www.zoologyblog.blogspot.com/

ZooWiki - http://zoowiki.wikispaces.com/

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Describe the characteristics of life and organization of the biosphere

Understand the scientific method and its application

Describe the organization of various organic molecules and cell types

Discuss cell processes including: cellular respiration, photosynthesis, protein synthesis, mitosis, and meiosis

Understand basic genetics

Explain the theory of evolution and principles of natural selection

Appreciate the unity and diversity of life

Understand basic plant and animal structure and function

Describe basic principles of ecology and our role as humans in conservation of biological resources

REQUIRED TEXT:

Miller, Kenneth R. and Joseph Levine. 2008. Biology. Pearson Prentice Hall, Boston, MA.

ISBN 0-13-201351-7

http://www.millerandlevine.com/intro.html - An independent web site created by your authors Ken Miller and Joe Levine for users of our "Dragonfly" book. Just click on Full Table of Contents located on the left menu bar then you can navigate by chapter.

COURSE POLICIES

I. ATTENDENCE- A students attendance record is a very important part of his/her permanent record. Students with regular attendance will be more successful in their classes. The responsibility of school attendance is with the student and the parent. When a student is absent it is the responsibility of the parent to call the attendance office at 672-4540 on the day of the absence. The call should be made before 9:10 AM. The attendance office is open at 7:30 AM for calls. Any student who checks into school after 8:10 AM must first report to the office to be admitted to class. Whether the absence is excused or unexcused, daily work must be made up. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the make-up work immediately upon return to each class. The classroom teacher will determine the make-up work. The Principal has been designated to determine whether the absence is excused or unexcused. The Principal may exempt the following types of absences, which follow state definitions:

1.Illness (illness verified by notification from physician).

2.Appointment for medical treatment (The student may be asked to present an appointment card for verification.)

3.A family emergency. (e.g. Illness or death in the family)

4.School approved activities.

5.When weather conditions are so severe that it is impossible for the student to attend.

TARDIES - A student is tardy if he/she is not in the assigned room when the bell rings for the start of each class. Most tardiness is unexcused. The third unexcused tardy in each 9 weeks will result in a Discipline Referral. Additional tardiness will result in further disciplinary actions.

More on attendance I expect students to arrive on time and to stay for the entire scheduled class period. Attendance will be taken during each class/lab period and will be used to determine your final grade. Students are responsible for all material presented or assigned during scheduled class periods and are expected to obtain such information by scheduling an appointment with me outside of class.

Any missed exam(s) and/or quizzes may be rescheduled and taken within one week of the original date of the exam/quiz. Students will generally not be allowed to make up a missed exam/quiz after this time period. Whenever possible, absences should be discussed with the instructor in advance. If tardiness or absences become a problem please see me before I have to take some kind of action.

In the event of extreme weather, you should visit the, or local radio/TV stations for class cancelation information.

FIELD TRIPS - Students may participate in a field trip if the parental consent form for the trip is on file in the Main office.

II. COMMUNICATION- Students are expected to check their school e-mail daily (preferably several times a day). I will communicate important updates and scheduling information via the school webmail system.

III. GRADES- Exams and quizzes are composed of a variety of multiple-choice, matching, fill in the blank and short essay questions. Lab assignments may consist of worksheets, practice examinations, and lab reports. Laboratory reports are due one week from the date they are assigned and are to be turned in at the beginning of the next lab period. Any lab report(s) that are turned in after this time will be graded at a 5% deficit for each school day beyond the original due date of the report. Missed labs or lab exams cannot be made up unless you have an excused absence with documentation. Late work receives credit. There will be no make-up pop quizzes.

Exams (three @ 100 points each)

300

Research Project

130

Laboratory Quizzes and Exercises (12 @ 15 points each)

180

Laboratory Final (comprehensive)

100

Participation, Attendance, Review, & Discussion

100

Final Exam (comprehensive)

100

Total

Actual grades will be the sum of points that a student receives for correct responses expressed as a percentage of the total points possible. The final course grade will be based on the following scale:

A

90-100 %

B

80-89 %

C

70-79 %

D

60-69 %

F

< 59 %

IV. ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING- Assessments may be conducted at any time, however major exams and assignments will be scheduled well in advance. The following examples are measures that will provide evidence of student learning: written and oral assignments and projects, unit, chapter, mid-term, and comprehensive examinations, pre- and post-tests, quizzes, competency based projects, observation of student behavior, internally and externally juried reviews, portfolios, case studies, research papers, journals, essays, large and small group projects, and one-on-one communications between faculty and students.

V. WRITING COMPONENT- To help students improve their writing skills all my science classes contain a writing component as part of the evaluation of student progress. I expect students to produce written work that is focused, well developed, organized, and relatively free of grammatical, punctuation and spelling errors.

VI. CLASSROOM ETTIQUITE - Professionalism and respectful, courteous classroom behavior is expected of students in order to insure an atmosphere conducive to learning. Cross-talk, texting, and other disruptive/rude behavior during lecture will not be tolerated. A simple rule of thumb is to treat others as you would have them treat you.

BE PREPARED - Come to class/lab prepared to participate and learn. BE ON TIME and take your assigned seat when the bell rings. Bring the necessary materials to class with you:

a. laptop computer (Be sure the battery is charged.)

b. pencils, pen, eraser, etc.

c. science notebook

d. required handouts, worksheets, and complete assignments

WHEN CLASS IS OVER - I will dismiss class when the bell rings. Remain seated and DO NOT begin packing up to leave until you are dismissed. You must have a pass to leave the room during class.

CELLULAR PHONES - Cell phones can be valuable sources of communications when used appropriately. They can also be a distraction and determent to the learning process. Cell phones are not to be used during school hours under any circumstances. Emergency contact with students must take place through the office by phone or walk-in. Student cell phones are to be off at all times during school hours, except lunch period. There will be no exceptions made. First offense results in cell phone being confiscated until end of day. Second offense results in one hour detention and parent must come retrieve cell phone. Third offense results in one AHD and parent must come retrieve cell phone. Fourth offense and beyond results in OSS and parent must come retrieve cell phone.

HOMEWORK/MAKE-UP WORK - Students are expected to complete homework assignments on time. It is the students responsibility to obtain make-up assignments from teachers following an excused absence or an out of school suspension. The classroom teacher will allow two days for each day missed for all make-up assignments after the student returns to school. Beyond that, work will not be accepted for full credit unless prior arrangements have been made.

HARASSMENT - The Board of Education is committed to providing a positive and productive learning and working environment, free from discrimination of the basis of sex, including sexual harassment, race, color, religion or national origin. Harassment of employees or students is strictly prohibited. Harassment should be reported to your building principal or any staff member. Complete copies of Board policy regarding harassment may be obtained at your school office or the Board of Education Office and have been posted below.

BULLYING - Bullying on USD 382 property, in a USD 382 vehicle or at any district bus stop or at any USD 382-sponsored activity or event is prohibited. "District" includes district facilities, district premises, on district-provided transportation or at any district bus stop, if the student or employee is at any district sponsored, district approved or district sponsored activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events where students are under the control of the district or where the employee is engaged in district business.

VII. STATEMENT OF STUDENT SUPPORT- If you have a disability of any type, please let me know so I can work cooperatively with you and the counseling office to provide reasonable and fair opportunities for you to be a productive and successful learner in this course. It is your responsibility as a student to notify the Counseling Office of your disability.

VIII. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-

a. The instructor reserves the right to modify the course requirements, assignments, grading procedures and other related policies at any time during the progression of this course as deemed necessary and fair to the student.

b. Students should keep all graded exams and assignments in order to keep track of their grade and in case there is a discrepancy in the final grade.

IX. CLASS WEBSITE AND COURSE MATERIALS - You will be using a class wiki site called ZooWiki to retrieve PowerPoints and download homework, lab handouts, and other materials for this course. To get started, open your web browser and go to the following URL: http://zoowiki.wikispaces.com/ In the upper left corner of your screen you will click on the icon that says Join this Wiki. On the welcome screen, click on Make a new account. Enter a username, password, and email address to create a new account. After setting up your account, take some time to familiarize yourself with ZooWiki. You will find a link to this course under the contents section on the left hand side of your screen.

X. LABORATORY PROCEDURES

a. If you make a mess, clean it up. If you get out equipment and materials, put them away where they belong.

b. Report broken or damaged equipment to your instructor.

c. Ask permission before entering storerooms and prep areas.

d. No running or horseplay.

e. Report any accident or injury to your instructor immediately.

f. Carefully read the lab exercise BEFORE class.

g. Review laboratory safety guidelines.

h. The most important part of a laboratory meeting is the first 15-20 minutes during which time I will present an introduction and specific instructions for the exercise. Be on time!

i. Do not eat or drink in the laboratory.

j. Handle preserved specimens, microscopes, and equipment carefully.

k. Clean your station thoroughly and return equipment to its proper place after each lab exercise. I will check out your work station each day before you leave; this is part of your grade.

Tentative Course Outline

Lecture/Discussion Objectives

Reading- Chapter No. (Pages)

Introduction/Orientation - review course curriculum & syllabus

Syllabus

Orientation Continued -

handouts

Characteristics of Life & Scientific Method, Biodiversity

1 (pp. 2-29), 6-3 (pp. 150-56)

The Chemical Basis of Life

2 (34-55)

Biosphere and Energy

3 (62-80), 8-1 (200-203)

Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes; Cell Structure & Function

7 (168-195)

Photosynthesis

8-2, 3 (203-215)

Cellular Respiration, Glycolysis and Fermentation

9 (220-233)

DNA and RNA

12

Mitosis (cell reproduction)

Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction; Embryonic Development

11-4

Basic Genetics/Inheritance

11

Natural Selection and Evolution Theory

15 & 16

Fossil Record and Earth History

17

Classification of Living Organisms

18

Viruses and Bacteria

19

Protista

20

Fungi

21

Plantae

22

23

Introduction to Animals

26-1

* note- PowerPoints, laboratory/pre-labs, homework exercises and additional supplementary materials are downloaded from the class website at: http://zoowiki.wikispaces.com/

Laboratory Agenda:

Topic

Reading/Activity

Laboratory Orientation; Safety Guidelines

Handouts

Compound Light Microscope

Handouts

RESOURCES:

Borror, Donald J. 1988. Dictionary of word roots and combining forms. Mayfield Publishing Company. Mountain View, CA.

Council of Science Editors, Style Manual Committee. 2006. Scientific style and format: the CSE manual for authors, editors, and publishers. 7th ed. Reston, VA

Pechenik, Jan A. 2001. A short guide to writing about biology, 4th ed. Longman. New York, NY.

Academic Integrity

Be sure you have read and understand this policy, as penalties for violations of Academic Integrity can be very serious. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not tolerated.

Whether in the form of plagiarism or cheating, it is a serious matter that will result in disciplinary action. Representing someone elses ideas as ones own or using unauthorized notes, aids, or other means to improve scores on an assignment, a project, or an exam will result in a zero for the assignment and discipline in accordance with school guidelines. The following are specific examples of academic dishonesty:

a. You may not use any part of a lab report not produced by yourself or your own group.

b. Copying answers or allowing others to copy answers is considered cheating. This includes copying your own work from previous semesters or courses (multiple submissions).

c. Possessing materials (including lab handouts/manuals, reports, old exams, homework, etc.) from previous classes or other students is considered cheating.

d. Submitting in-class exercises with the names of members not present is considered cheating by all group members whose names appear on the exercise. Each member of a lab group must write his/her own name and date on materials submitted by the group.

e. Electronic Devises- The use of cell phones, iPods, PDAs, walkie-talkies, pagers, cameras, or other communication devices will not be permitted during class. Cell phones should be set to silent or vibrate and used only for emergencies. Students caught using an electronic device of any nature during an exam or quiz, will receive a zero on the assignment. The use of laptop computers is permissible provided they are used responsibly. Surfing the web, checking e-mail, or working on an assignment for another class is inappropriate.

f. Using as your own someone elses writing/wording, ideas, or any intellectual property including illustrations, figures, or tables is considered plagiarism. Quotation marks are required if you use text verbatim or if you use another authors key phrases or sentence structure. You may paraphrase; that is restate the meaning (passage or text) in your own words accompanied by proper citation.

g. Using information from ANY source without properly paraphrasing (writing in your own words) and citing.

Academic Integrity Contract

I, ________________________________, understand that I am part of group _________ and as such I am responsible for contributing to my groups success as are the rest of my groups members. This course has specific requirements for academic integrity to which I must adhere. These are listed in the course syllabi and website with an extensive explanation of plagiarism.

Neither intention nor ignorance is considered when identifying violations of academic integrity; it is the action and/or the result, not the person that will be judged.

I understand that

1. Lab reports and most in-class exercises will be a group effort (pre-labs and planning forms are not)

2. My peers will evaluate my contribution to the group (according to the procedure in the laboratory manual) and their evaluation of me will directly affect my total lab score

3. If I receive an over-all class average below 60%, I will fail the course

4. If I am dissatisfied with my partners, the instructor will not act unless I express this through the peer evaluation process.

I promise my group members that I will

come to class prepared.

participate and express my opinions, respectfully.

allow others to participate by offering them the opportunity to do so.

I am responsible for adhering to the course policy as written. I promise to maintain the level of academic integrity expected of me by my instructor and Pratt High School.

__________________________________________________

Signature Date