College Prep biology
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GOALS and
PHILOSOPHY: First
year biology is therefore designed to introduce students to the fundamental
concepts upon which modern biology is based. Because students already have an elementary
background in life science from their primary years, we will look beyond the
obvious macrofauna at the world of modern biology. This will include an
introduction to the diversity of microscopic organisms and their role in the
environment as well as molecular biology and the impact that it has in our
modern world. To get the most out of this course, I expect students to
follow a variety of paths to increased understanding of Biology. This
is done through limited traditional lecture, class discussion and written
assignments as well as traditional and open-ended laboratory experiences and
computer simulations, videos, and anything else I can find that helps
students understand the "whys and ways" of the biological
world. Student experiences and observations will be used to connect the
concepts to the world that they know.
1. Each quarter,
students will be required to submit a one to two-page summary of an educational nature program that they watched on TV or video. This will be due on the Friday before the
last class day of each quarter, but may be submitted early any time during
the quarter. This video summary should be of
an hour biological science program such as Nature, National
Geographic or Nova that can be accessed on a TV.
Taking notes during the video will make it easier to finish the
summary. The selection is not limited to those, but needs to be of an
educational nature on a biological topic and in the hour-long
format.
After watching the video, Not
so hard-if planned ahead, and that will make it interesting and easy! 2. Students will also be
assigned to make models at appropriate times during the year as quarter 1
and 2 projects. Students will be given
a description and instructions for the requirements of the model, and the
parameters are on my website under “calendars”. Parents are invited to give advice and
support, and review requirements, but remember, it
is the student's project! In quarter 3, a major project is
the scope and sequence project required in all classes each year.
Students will be expected to write an in depth research paper from
information from reading and the internet on a current controversial
biological topic. This will be a
formal research paper with internal citations, works cited and in typed MLA
format, with intermediate deadlines. Submit a quarter project by the date due, or no credit will be
granted.
Quarter 1: Cell Model Quarter 2: DNA Model Quarter 3:
Bioethics Research Paper (Scope and
Sequence requirement) Quarter 4: to
be determined TEXTBOOKS: Students have
been requested to keep their Biology books at home so that they are at hand for
nightly homework assignments. Loaner
books are available in the library so that students can do homework in study
hall during the day. The text book is
used as a reference to familiarize students with the topics we will be
addressing during class. Questions
from the text are used to help students check their understanding of the
concepts we are discussing and let me know the confusions or
misunderstandings they have of those concept. HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES: Laboratory
experiences are essential to develop in depth understanding of the material,
and confidence in laboratory skills.
Labs will include microscopic observations, biological methods and
assays, biotechnology, microbiology, live animal observations, and
dissections. Dissections are valuable
in aiding understanding of body systems, diversity of organisms, and
comparison of adaptations. We do not
use live specimens for dissection, nor do we do frivolous dissections. Any student with an ethical or religious
objection to dissection will be excused from dissection ahead of time with a
note from a parent, and will be given an academically equivalent written
assignment. Safety in the
lab and classroom are paramount considerations in this class. Goggles and aprons or lab coats have been
supplied for use in the lab, and safety procedures have been emphasized. Each student has passed a safety test and
has signed a safety contract. A
student violating safety rules will be removed from the lab, given a grade of
zero for the lab, and I will contact a parent to discuss and remedy the
problem if it continues. Horseplay or immature behavior (the
two main violations) cannot be tolerated, and, as with unproductive work
habits, will definitely affect a student's grade. Be
sure to look over your classroom Rights and
Responsibilities as a biology student. This, of course, leads to
unwritten rules that we all know and understand from years of practice and
experience! I will hold you to supporting the rights and
responsibilities of others in the classroom, so be familiar with them!!
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: Keep a neat,
organized binder
Students are required to write in black
or blue ink ONLY. Pencils are
for drawings, tests, and graphs. Colored ink
is difficult to read. If I can't read a paper because of ink color or
handwriting, it is wrong! I
have found that students do not need much notebook paper, since many
activities will be copied as hand-outs.
A highlighter and notebook dividers are also needed. Colored pencils are optional (students
may share the class sets), and the calculator used for math will be
needed.
Points will be assigned for class and lab work. Labs and
class work have varying point values, depending on complexity. If a student is absent, the student has as
many days as (s)he was absent to make up labs and
class work. It is the student's responsibility to schedule alternate lab
work and make it up, or no credit will be granted. Tests are usually 80-100 points
each. "Quests" are small
tests of approximately 50 points. These usually ask for application of
concepts, not regurgitation of facts, and most students find them difficult. Some students only
memorize. I want you to understand.
Quizzes may or may not be announced, and
pop quizzes may not be made up.
Some homework assignments will be
submitted on-line. These assignments will be time dated, and will be
due before the class period begins. Computer access to these
assignments may be from home, the public or school library, or my classroom
during the student's study hall, before school, or after school. Class participation will be monitored and will be part of the grade.
The standard Mariemont grade scale is
used. Grades will be based on total points, but will generally reflect
these guidelines:
No extra credit work will be given to
replace assigned work, or homework and pop quizzes. Extra credit is rare and is in the form
of contributions for the good of the classroom community, or something that I
think will be of value to your education. Don't expect extra credit to rescue you at the end of a
quarter. Everyday effort is what will give you the higher grades. CONTACT: Parents: Please
feel free to contact me about any concerns you have about your student's
progress, but keep in mind that students need to take responsibility for
their own learning. I am available on
voice-mail (272-7600) or by email Organization is the key to success. |
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© Mariemont City Schools 2002, Halsall (07/15/08 ) |
Crocodile
Hunter or ANY Irwin production is not acceptable in any way,
shape, or form. Neither are two half-hour programs, volcano or other
natural disaster videos, cartoons, or commercial movies or exploitive
videos. Nor are EyeWitness videos (they are only 1/2
hour). 
You
would be surprised at how many students watch a video about floods,
hurricanes, or tornados that do not emphasize the environmental damage, but
only the disaster part. 
a
summary of about 1.5 pages typed, double spaced (about 500 words, submit to
turnitin.com) will
be submitted by the due date (about one week before the end of the
quarter). Since this is assigned at the start of every quarter, and
students have all quarter to work on this and submit the assignment, late
papers will not be accepted.
(an
organized binder reflects an organized mind....) of 
They
are over specific assigned material from the previous day and the homework
from the week. They are worth from 5 to 20 points.
