Biology - Dual Credit Syllabus

Biology: Dual Credit

Teacher: Sean Moore           Location: Room 306      Email: [email protected]

 

Course Overview

This course includes a study of living organisms and vital processes. The themes that will be covered in this course include scientific skills, ecology, biochemistry, cellular processes, genetics, evolution, classification of organisms, as well as plant and human body systems. The course includes laboratory experiments designed to reinforce course content. It aligns with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science (TEKS). 

 

This course provides students with the fundamentals of biological concepts and processes via cellular biology and human biology. Topics include the scientific method, chemical components of cells, and cell structure and function. Additionally, human anatomy and physiology are presented, including the nutritional and excretory systems. Written laboratory reports and activities will be conducted to apply the knowledge obtained in the lecture.

 

Course Overview from RIT: morphological segmentation applied: requirements, reproductive methods, homeostatic mechanisms, and regulation in organisms. Principles governing genetics, gene expression, and reproduction are introduced. Laboratory methods used to make observations and collect data are practiced. Recording observations and analysis of data are emphasized in formal settings. 

 

Units We Will Cover

 

Unit 1: Introduction to Biology, Atoms, Molecules, and Cells

Unit 2: Cellular Inheritance

Unit 3: Homeostasis and the Human Body

Unit 4: Human Diseases

Unit 5: Genetics and Hereditary

Unit 6: Ecology

Unit 7: Evolution

Unit 8: Classification

Unit 9: Viruses, Bacteria, Protists, and Fungi

Unit 10: Plant Structure and Adaptation

Unit 11: Body Systems

Unit 12: Current Development in Biology: Research Project

  

 

Learning Objectives: (TEKS)

 

B.Gen.1 - Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course. Prerequisites: none. This course is recommended for students in Grade 9, 10, or 11.

B.Intro.1 - Biology. Students in Biology focus on patterns, processes, and relationships of living organisms through four main concepts: biological structures, functions, and processes; mechanisms of genetics; biological evolution; and interdependence within environmental systems. By the end of Grade 12, students are expected to gain sufficient knowledge of the scientific and engineering practices across the disciplines of science to make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving.

B.Intro.2 - Nature of science. Science, as defined by the National Academy of Sciences, is the "use of evidence to construct testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this process." This vast body of changing and increasing knowledge is described by physical, mathematical, and conceptual models. Students should know that some questions are outside the realm of science because they deal with phenomena that are not currently scientifically testable.

B.Intro.3 - Scientific hypotheses and theories. Students are expected to know that: (A) hypotheses are tentative and testable statements that must be capable of being supported or not supported by observational evidence. Hypotheses of durable explanatory power that have been tested over a wide variety of conditions are incorporated into theories; and (B) scientific theories are based on natural and physical phenomena and are capable of being tested by multiple independent researchers. Unlike hypotheses, scientific theories are well established and highly reliable explanations, but they may be subject to change as new areas of science and new technologies are developed.

B.Intro.4 - Scientific inquiry. Scientific inquiry is the planned and deliberate investigation of the natural world using scientific and engineering practices. Scientific methods of investigation are descriptive, comparative, or experimental. The method chosen should be appropriate to the question being asked. Student learning for different types of investigations include descriptive investigations, which involve collecting data and recording observations without making comparisons; comparative investigations, which involve collecting data with variables that are manipulated to compare results; and experimental investigations, which involve processes similar to comparative investigations but in which a control is identified.

B.Intro.5 - Science and social ethics. Scientific decision making is a way of answering questions about the natural world involving its own set of ethical standards about how the process of science should be carried out. Students should be able to distinguish between scientific decision-making methods (scientific methods) and ethical and social decisions that involve science (the application of scientific information).

B.Intro.6 - Science consists of recurring themes and making connections between overarching concepts. Recurring themes include systems, models, and patterns. All systems have basic properties that can be described in space, time, energy, and matter. Change and constancy occur in systems as patterns and can be observed, measured, and modeled. These patterns help to make predictions that can be scientifically tested, while models allow for boundary specification and provide a tool for understanding the ideas presented. Students should analyze a system in terms of its components and how these components relate to each other, to the whole, and to the external environment.

B.Intro.7 - Statements containing the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.

 

Classroom Expectations

 

Maintain a SAFE and CLEAN environment.

Be PROACTIVE.

Engage your SOFT SKILLS

No HORSE PLAYING during lab activities.

Any HATE SPEECH (hate speech is speech which attacks a person or group based on attributes such as race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or gender) is unacceptable at any time. 

 

Consequences

1st time: Warning

2nd time: A meeting with your teacher.

3rd time: Incident Report

 

Grading System

 

Homework Assignments 25%

Quizzes 10% 

Pre-Labs 5%

Lab Reports & Activities 25% 

Exams 20% 

Final Exam 10% 

Attendance & Participation 5% (daily - graded as “soft skills”)

 

 

Calculating semester grades: 

1st Quarter: 50%

2nd Quarter: 50% 

 

1st Semester: 100% 

 

Late classwork and homework:

* One day late: 10% of the total grade will be deducted

 

* Three days late: 50% of the total grade will be deducted

 

* Five days (or more) late: Grade will be zero (0).

 

* Those who did not hand in assignments on time will receive a grade of 0 points for the assignment, but it will be labeled as missing. Students will have five school days to complete their missing work. Once they complete the assignment, they will incur a deduction equal to a specific percentage based on the submission time.

 

* Tests and quizzes cannot be made up unless the student has an excused absence(s).

 

* If a student is tardy (unexcused), s/he cannot make up the daily warm-up assignment as well as any portion of a quiz, test, or assignment given during the time the student was absent from class.

 

* Assignments will NOT be accepted five days after the due date.

 

* Note: Unique and special circumstances may allow students to make up a quiz, test, and/or assignments based on the consideration and discretion of the teacher and/or administrator.

 

Lab Reports:  

Lab reports are due 1 week after the lab experiment. (See the agenda for due dates.)  Any incomplete lab reports (with missing parts) will be graded as is.  Any late lab reports will incur a 25% deduction for each week they are late. A lab report submitted the day after it is due is considered 1 week late. Labs submitted 4 weeks after the due date will be scored as a zero. Your instructor will provide feedback on your lab report and will return your graded lab to you. If a redo is required (applies to labs #1-#5 ONLY), you will submit your redo to Schoology.

Absence Policy

 

* Per the student handbook, missed assignments and/or tests/quizzes can be made up if the student has an excused absence. (See Grading Policy for more information).

 

* Students cannot make up work and/or tests/quizzes for unexcused absences.

 

* The student is responsible for communicating with the teacher regarding missed work and lectures/activities.

 

* Refer to the student handbook regarding the time allowed to make up and submit missed work.

 

* I will not offer opportunities for students to do extra credit assignments. 

 

 Supplies: 

* Bring paper and a pencil/pen to class.

* Bring your iPad and charger (charge your iPad overnight).

 

Follow all Laboratory Safety Rules

* First offense = NO TOLERANCE; if you break a lab safety rule, you will sit out for the rest of the lab and receive a zero on your lab for an incomplete lab. If the violation is severe, you may be suspended from labs for a given amount of time to be determined by the teacher and principal (depending on the seriousness of the violation).

 

Lab Fee   

* We encourage you to help contribute to the cost of disposable lab materials and supplies used throughout the year.  We kindly request a $10.00 lab fee that will go directly toward science department funding.

 

 

Go to the restroom before or after class

* This is high school, and my students are now learning how to be adults. Class time is valuable, and I expect my students to use the bathroom during the transition between classes, not during my class. I understand that sometimes going to the bathroom is urgent, and I will grant permission at my discretion.

 

 

 

Food and Drinks in the Classroom

* Students may eat and drink during class IF they agree to maintain their areas clean and dispose of trash appropriately. This is a privilege and may be revoked at any time by the teacher.

 

* Sunflower seeds are NOT permitted in class at any time.

 

* If a student spills something that stains or damages property (such as red Kool-Aid), the student will be responsible for paying for the cleaning costs and/or damages.

 

* Students are strongly encouraged to bring reusable water bottles to class.

 

Educational Trips

 

* The purpose of educational trips in this course is designed for two reasons: 1) to enhance the hands-on learning experiences and make real-world connections of content-based instruction from the classroom to the world, and 2) as a motivation tool to reward students for positive reinforcement of learning.

 

*If a field trip is intended to enhance learning, students may not opt out of participating. These educational trips are considered equivalent to a regular class; thus, the absence policy & and grade policy will apply. Note that the Academic Intervention Program (AIP) has specific rules regarding field trips for students who are placed in the program.

 

* For field trips designed to be reward activities (which are also linked to current learning), the teacher has the authority to determine who can and cannot attend based on a clear set of individual and/or group goals that have been/have admission fees.

 

* Students will be required to actively work on a given/ assigned task(s) during class time if s/he misses any trip activity for any reason. The teacher will determine the location for the student to attend class and the task(s) to be completed during that time. Students are allowed to opt out of these trips, but they must write a report to the teacher explaining the reason(s) they do not want to participate. Students are responsible for paying for their meals/drinks and any other costs.

 

 

 

Copying/Cheating/Plagiarizing:

If two or more people turn in homework that has been COPIED from each other, their grades will automatically be dropped to 0% for that assignment. You MAY work together in a group, but the answers must be IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

 

If I catch you CHEATING during a test, your grade will automatically be zero (0%), and a discipline report will be filed. There will be no chance for make-up. 

 

Plagiarizing is passing off someone else’s work as your own. It is the same thing as lying or stealing. Students caught plagiarizing will be written up with the discipline to follow (usually ISS or a suspension). Plagiarizing includes cutting and pasting information directly from the internet. The grade for said “work” will be a zero (0%) with no chance of making it up. If you need help citing sources or are concerned about a specific assignment, please see me, and I will help you! 

Artificial Intelligence:

Students may not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for any form of assignments unless explicitly permitted by the instructor. Unauthorized use will be treated as academic dishonesty and subject to appropriate consequences. Thus, all assignments must reflect the student’s own original thinking and effort. The use of Artificial Intelligence tools such as ChatGPT or similar programs to generate or complete assignments is not permitted. Submitting work that is fully or mostly produced by AI will result in a grade of zero for that assignment. This policy is in place to support academic honesty and ensure that students are actively engaged in the learning process. This is a no-tolerance policy.

 

Electronic Device (phones or smart watches): 

 

There is no tolerance for phone usage in my class. Please adhere to the High School department’s policy and consequences regarding phone use during instruction time. 

 

Do not start using laptops/iPads unless prompted, and stay on task when using laptops/iPads.

1st Offense: Verbal Warning. 

2nd Offense: A meeting with me in the hallway. 

3rd Offense:  Incident Report plus 30 minutes after school.

 

Contract:

 

I have read and understood the syllabus for this Biology course. I understand how to contact the teacher if I have any questions or concerns. The contract will be available for students and parents to sign through Schoology. 

(Note: Refusal to sign the syllabus does not mean you opt out of following the requirements for this course.)

 

 

CONTACT ME: 

 

I am available most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays immediately after school. If you need additional tutoring, I will be happy to set up something with you and/or your parents (if you are a day student). My email address is [email protected]. Please contact me if you have any problems or questions.

 

Thanks! I am looking forward to an EXCITING and FUN year of Biology!