Course Description: Students will study living processes in the five main thematic areas of cells, genetics, evolution, classification, and ecology. Emphasis on laboratory investigations encourages the student to make observations in the field and classroom.

Textbooks:
This year we will use an online textbook CK12 Biology Concepts.
The textbook can be accessed online.  Go to http://www.ck12.org, and make a username and password.  Please write these down so you can use them later.  I will provide the course pass code so that you can join our online classroom as well as the textbook.

The Biology second semester  also must take a State exam called the End of Course Exam (EOC), which will count as 10% of the student’s final grade and determine whether or not the student has met the State and District Standards in Science for this particular course.

Course Scope and Sequence for Semester I

Unit No. 1 Scientific Methods and Measures

Unit No. 2 Cell Chemistry, Structure, and Function 

Unit No. 3 Cells and Their Environment 

Unit No. 4 History of Life on Earth: The First Simple Cells 

Unit No. 5 History of Life on Earth: Complex Cells 

Unit No. 6 Energy for Cells 

Course Scope and Sequence for Semester II

Unit No. 7 Variation and Heredity 

Unit No. 8 Molecular Genetics 

Unit No. 9 Theory of Evolution 

Unit No. 10 Classification and Diversity of Plants Systems 

Unit No. 11 Classification and Diversity of Animal Systems 

Unit No. 12 Populations, Communities, and Ecosystems 

Unit No. 13 Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology

SUPPLIES:     

 Scientific calculator- Bring a scientific calculator as there are a few units of study which require use of a calculator.

Please bring the following every day!

1. Writing utensils and paper- homework and calculations must be done in pencil, with erasures done neatly.Number 2 pencils will be needed for tests.
2. It is your responsibility to keep up with your notes and other handouts. A binder dedicated to the class is a good policy, so that you can organize materials to study or find assignments that are missing from the grade book (it happens). Make sure that you are keeping up with warm-ups, notes, and handouts so that you are prepared for the tests.
3. Closed-toe shoes on lab days- If you do not have closed-toe shoes on lab day you will not be allowed to participate.This is an important safety rule.

 CALCULATIONS: 

All work leading up to the final answer must be shown legibly in order to earn any credit!  This policy is for all work turned in for a grade, including quizzes, tests, labs, and homework.  NO WORK, NO CREDIT!

 ACADEMIC HONESTY:

Students may not give or receive unauthorized help (cheating) on tests, homework, or labs the student will receive a zero on that assignment.  This means that all work represented as being your work must be your work. 

LATE WORK:

            Assigned work must be turned in by the due date. Any late assignments may be turned in by 8:30 am the following school day, for a maximum grade of 70%. You may elect to drop any 1 assignment during the course of the Quarter as long as they are not 100 point Projects or Unit tests.

 TARDIES:

You must be seated and working on the warm-up when the bell rings or you will be marked tardy. 

 ATTENDANCE:

If the student is absent it is their responsibility to gather the assignments that they have missed upon the day of their return.  Check with classmates, the posted calendar and lesson plans, and write ABSENT by your name for your assignments.  If you missed an exam or lab, schedule a make-up.  Please keep in mind that the format of the make-up is at the teacher’s discretion.  The student must complete and turn in the make-up work in a timely manner, usually the number of days missed plus one. 

 CLASS RULES:

Cell phones are not to be seen or heard during class unless given specific instructions.  Put your phone away, in your backpack or bag, and be sure it is silent.  If you need to look something up, you may use your laptop.  Computers may be used as long as whatever you are doing is pertinent to the lesson.  Clean up after each lab.

 Summary

This course is devoted to the discussion of the ideas and concepts of Biology Although particular attention will be given to those concepts considered to be appropriate and transferable to the everyday living. 

The grading for the course will be as follows:

GRADING:  Tests and quizzes will be given regularly throughout the semester, with a comprehensive final exam the conclusion of the semester.

90-100=A              60-69=D

80-89=B                <60=F

70-79=C

 100 pts each for Midterm and Final Exams
We will also be using an online quiz, testing and practice platform on Quia.  

Go to https://www.quia.com/studentZone, 
Make your own account and create a username and password.  Please write these down so you can remember them later as I will not have access to information that will help you retrieve it.  I will provide the class pass code so that you can access practice games and quizzes or take tests as well as access the textbook.

Weekly 20 min quizzes given on Thursday at the beginning of class, covering the text questions for the chapters covered during that week.

The laboratories are to be completed and turned in at the end of the laboratory period. The lab grade is based on these experiments - there is no laboratory exam as such, although there may be laboratory-related questions on the in-class exams. There will be no make-up labs, you may use your option to drop an assignment if you need to.