Course: Biology                                                     Instructor: Ms. Stacey Rader

School Year: 2006-2007                                         Room: 62

School: Prospect High School

 

 

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

 

Instructor: Ms. Stacey Rader

 

Email: stacey_rader@yahoo.com (preferred method of contact)

Phone: (408) 253-1662 X8262 (voicemail)

Tutorial Hours: M-F 7:50 am to 8:20 am or by appointment. I am available after school on Mondays and Wednesdays after school in the Homework Center. My prep periods during 3rd and 7th, if you need help come on by!

Website: www.msrader.com

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: BIOLOGY

 

This is a college preparatory biology course. This course satisfies the life science requirement for high school graduation as well as the CSU and UC requirement for a laboratory life science. The course includes the study of plants, animals, evolution, human biology, processes of energy and the scientific method. It is designed to give students an understanding and appreciation of science. This course and all of its components are aligned to the California State Standards for the Life Sciences and the ESLRs of Prospect High School.

 

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Explain the structure and function of cellular organelles and sub-cellular components.
  2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of DNA structure, replication, and protein synthesis.

3.      Recognize and describe photosynthetic pathways.

  1. Discuss Mendel's laws of heredity in terms of mathematical probability.
  2. Recognize and categorize the different groups of organisms.
  3. Recognize and appreciate the patterns of evolution.
  4. Discuss the structure and function of tissues, organs, and systems.
  5. Contrast mechanisms of hormonal regulation in plants and animals.
  6. Explain the role of energy flow and species interactions in ecosystem and community dynamics.

Prospect High School has adopted five Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs) which will serve as performance standards for this course. The ESLRs will be evaluated, by means of quizzes, exams, and laboratories, as an integral part of the content standards. Students will demonstrate their mastery of the content standards through these ESLRs. Prospect High School ESLRs are as follows:

Students will be …

 

  • Effective Communicators

            Able to read and comprehend a variety of materials; convey information and ideas in written, visual, verbal and/or non-verbal forms; and actively listen to enhance understanding.

 

  • Critical Thinkers

            Able to use creative and critical thinking skills; solve problems; and apply problem-        solving and decision making skills to real-life.

 

  • Self-Directed Learners

            Able to set priorities, plan and take action to accomplish goals; manage time and            resources efficiently and independently;

            and apply knowledge and skills in multiple settings.

 

  • Contributing Citizens

            Able to demonstrate an understanding of the rules and processes that govern society;     accept diversity and acknowledge   

            rights; apply practices that preserve the safety and health of one’s self, others and the     environment.

 

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS

1. Textbook: Modern Biology, 2006. Postlewait and Hopson, Holt, Rhinehart, and Winston. (Provided by PHS)

2. Lecture/Laboratory notebook: This MUST be a spiral bound notebook. Your notebook assignments will make up a large portion of your grade. A neat and organized journal will greatly improve your grade.

 

3. Miscellaneous Supplies: Writing instruments, color pencils, and calculator.

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE

 

1. The Science if Life                                  (Exam 1: Chapter 1)

             

2. Cell Structure and Function                     (Exam 2: Chapter 4)

             

3. Homeostasis and Cell Transport (Exam 3: Chapter 5)

                         

            4. Chemistry of Life/Biochemistry    (Exam 4: Chapters 2 and 3)

                

5. Photosynthesis                                        (Exam 5: Chapter 6)

                

6. Cellular Respiration                                 (Exam 6: Chapter 7)

                

7. Cell Reproduction                                   (Exam 7: Chapter 8)  

                         

8. DNA, RNA, Protein Synthesis    (Exam 8: Chapter 10)

 

9. Fundamentals of Genetics/                      (Exam 9: Chapters 9 and 12)

Inheritance Patterns and Human

Genetics

       

10. Bacteria/Viruses/Protists/Fungi  (Exam 10: Chapter 23-26)

 

FINAL EXAM: SEMSTER 1                 (Chapters 1-26)

 

11. Plant Structure and Function                 (Exam 11: Chapter 29)

                                   

12. Plant Reproduction/                              (Exam 12: Chapters 30 and 31)

                        Plant Responses

             

            13. Invertebrates                                        (Exam 13: Chapters 32-38)

             

            14. Vertebrates                                         (Exam 14: Chapters 39-43)

             

            15. Evolution                                              (Exam 15: Chapters 14 and 15)

             

            16. Ecology                                                (Exam 16: Chapters 18-20)

             

            17. Skeletal, Muscular, and                         (Exam 17: Chapter 45 )

                  Integumentary Systems

 

 18. Circulatory and Respiratory                 (Exam 18: Chapter 46)

         Systems

 

19. The Body’s Defense Systems                (Exam 19: Chapter 47)

 

20. Digestive and Excretory                        (Exam 20: Chapter 48)

      Systems

 

21. Nervous System and Sense                   (Exam 21: Chapter 49)

      Organs

 

22. Endocrine System/                                (Exam 22: Chapters 50 and 51)

      Reproductive System

 

FINAL EXAM: SEMESTER 2              (Chapters 32-51)

 

 

LABORATORY

Laboratory activities are an integral component of any college preparatory level Biology course.  These activities allow students to process data, formulate hypotheses, and apply what they have learned from a lecture or reading assignment.  We will do activities that are both hands-on and high-level, to provide students with an opportunity to gain experiences to prepare them for the college level.

EXAMINATIONS

 

This course is geared towards the acquisition of a large amount of knowledge. You will be routinely tested on what you know in this course. Therefore, the bulk of your grade will be determined by your exam scores. Exams will be given approximately every 1-2 weeks and will cover 1-4 chapters of the text and any associated laboratories. Your test scores will make up approximately 50% of your grade in Biology. The majority of classroom examinations will be on Scantron form. Therefore, you must bring a no. 2 pencil to class.

 

COURSE POLICIES

 

1. Come to class prepared to work and discuss the lecture material. It will be assumed that you have read the chapters and done any required homework/ pre-laboratory work assigned.

 

2. Be on time!! We have a lot of material to cover in a very short amount of time. We do not have time to wait for tardy people! Tardiness will negatively affect your grade in this course. 

 

3. Be respectful of each other. Everyone brings their own special talents to the course. You never know who holds the key to your success in biology!

 

4. No cell phones, CD players, MP3 players, etc in class. They are a distraction and a nuisance. Also, how do I know you aren’t text messaging the test questions or answers to another classmate? If, I so much a see a cell phone/CD player/MP3 player I will take it away and send it to the dean. 

 

5. No late assignments! You better be holding your detached arm, with a bandage on your bloody stump if you miss an exam or laboratory! Any missed work must be made up and turned in to me, within the same amount of total days you were absent. Missed exams must be made up the day you return to school. Any work/exam not turned in or taken within that time frame will be awarded an irreversible grade of 0.

 

6. If you need help, COME SEE ME! Don’t complain to your friends and parents that “Biology is too hard”, if you haven’t come to see me to get help.

 

 

 

 

 

I have read, understand, and agree to the Biology course outline and policies:

 

 

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