Biology 428
Course Description
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to thoroughly examine the major themes in biology *This course contains a high degree of detail and will move rapidly throughout the year*
Topics Covered
Thinking Like a Biologist-scientific inquiry, characteristics of life
Ecology-energy flow through living systems, matter cycles through ecosystems, nutrients and their availability, biotic/abiotic factors, community interactions, succession, land biomes, aquatic ecosystems
Biochemistry-water and it's chemical and physical properties, structures and uses of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids in living organisms
Cells-microscopes, living vs. non-living, Cell Theory, parts of the cell and their functions, functions of major types of cells, cellular reproduction, work of early scientists (Hooke, Leeuwenhoek, Schleiden, Schwann and Virchow), properties of the cell membrane, diffusion, osmosis, active and passive transport, endo- and exocytosis
Energy in the Cell-ATP, chemical reactions (write equations), identify chemicals in various foods, cellular respiration, photosynthesis
Genetics-DNA, inheritance of traits, RNA and protein synthesis, human heredity and genetic engineering
Evolution-Darwin's theory, evolution of populations, classification
Human Body Systems- structure and function of different organs and systems, how systems work together to maintain homeostasis, what happens when homeostasis is disrupted
Final Project-Comparative Anatomy Dissection
Grading Policy
Biology 428
Materials Needed: 3-ring binder, dividers, paper, pen or pencil
Behavior Expectations: RESPECT for yourself and others
Grades:
Unit Assignments (20%)-Each unit will end with a test or a culminating project (100pts.) to assess what you have learned throughout the unit.
Quizzes (15%)-Each week (usually Friday) you will have a short quiz (100pts.) on the material
covered that week.
Labs and Class Work (25%)-At
least once a week a lab or piece of class work will be formally graded. Each of these assignments will assess specific standard or standards. You will know ahead of time which assignments will be graded. Assignments will be weighted based of difficulty, time needed to complete, and the number of standards addressed.
Homework and Practice Work (20%)-Each of these assignments will be worth a total of 2 pts. and will be gone over on class. You can earn a 0, 1, or 2 based on how much of the assignment you complete and the effort you put into it. Caution: 0s and 1s can dramatically affect your grade!
Final Exam (10%)-Cumulative final exam
Accountability(10%)-Each graded assignment will also be given an accountability grade. If the assignment is on time, the assignment will receive a point in the accountability category. Late assignments will be accepted and graded, but will receive no accountability points.
Extra Credit-Extra credit is available only to students who have no outstanding work. Students can propose a research topic and a product to me. If it is approved we will agree on a time frame and point value depending on the depth of the project. I will also suggest extra credit assignments
from time to time throughout the semester.
Help-If you need extra help or simply the time and space to complete assignments, I am available
before or after school by appointment. If you do not speak to me ahead of time, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to stay. I am also available during enrichment in W208.
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