Advanced Studies Biology Syllabus

Advanced Studies Biology Syllabus

Teacher: Mrs. Bertelsen Office Hours: Before or after school by appointment

E-mail:

Class Website:

Classroom: Rm 49

Description of the course:

This course is designed to teach students how to implement the scientific process for solving questions about biology-related phenomena. We will look at cellular structure and processes, biotechnology, protein synthesis, genetics, evolution, and ecology.

Objectives for this course:

Advanced Biology is designed to introduce students to a rigorous level of high school science. Advanced Studies Biology focuses on giving students the opportunity to learn, apply skills, and adapt as science students. This course prepares students for the SAT and the ACT exam they will take in later years of their high school career. This course is also structured to prepare students for AP Biology which they may enroll in during Junior or Senior year.

Classroom Expectations:

These are my expectations of you as a biology student and as a student at Geneseo High School:

Respect: All students, teachers, and staff will treat one another with kindness and respect. All books, belongings, and equipment of others and of the classroom will be treated with respect and care.
Responsibility: All students are responsible for themselves, for their work, and for their belongings. Be on time to class everyday, have all assignments turned in on time, and be prepared by having all materials with you for the class, and by completing "bell work" tasks as soon as you arrive in the room. It is your responsibility to be in your seat or on your way to your seat when the bell rings in order to not receive a tardy.
Safety: All students will follow the safety rules discussed by the teacher.

Materials Needed for the Course:

small binder – either 1″ or 1.5″ 3 ring binder OR a folder – you need a way to organize your materials – it is up to you to determine which works best for you.
paper for notes to be placed in binder or a small notebook which fits in your binder or folder
pens – black or blue ink NO RED!!
calculator – There is not a lot of math in Biology, but we will use it during our genetics unit.
Textbook -Biology: Concepts & Connections 5th Edition

Grading Scale, as approved by the Geneseo School District School Board:

A = 93-100% B = 85-92% C = 77-84%D = 69-76%F = 0-68%

Skyward grading program automatically rounds

Assessment Percentages:

Homework and Class work: 10% of overall grade

Laboratories: 25% of overall grade

Quizzes/Formative Assessment: 15% of overall grade

Tests/Summative Assessments: 50% of overall grade

Late Work:

Late work is to be avoided, as is incomplete work. These are both detrimental to students' term grades and students' understanding and application of course content. I will accept late work up to one day late for 50% credit. I will expect work to be handed in at the beginning of the period. If it is not handed in when I collect it, then it is considered late.

Make-up Work and Assessment Remediation:

Make up work: (See handbook policy for make-up periods for all absence reasons)Students are expected to see the teacher before a planned absence for work if possible, or immediately upon their return from an unplanned absence. Students may also contact the teacher by email during an absence. Time periods for make-up work will follow the GHS handbook for all absence codes, and students should clarify with the teacher deadlines for all make-up work, especially if extenuating circumstances are present.

Remediation: After major summative assessments (tests), students will be given the opportunity to remediate/re-take the assessment. However, remediation is not to be abused, it is a system of relearning material that was not fully understood the first time. Students will be given 1 remediation opportunity per semester. This includes unit assessments only, not mid-term or final exam semester assessments. In order to remediate an assessment, a sheet must be filled out including why the student feels he or she did poorly on the assessment, what steps the student will take to re-prepare for this assessment, attendance at a teacher-scheduled relearning session, and a parent signature is required.

Summative Assessments:

The objective of this course is to develop these problem-solving skills in the students and to teach them how to properly document and communicate their findings. For this purpose, summative assessments may come in forms that are not simple multiple-choice tests. These assessment methods will include projects, research papers, and other content application opportunities for students to demonstrate the extent of their learning.

Help:

Please do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it. If you are confused, then there are probably others that are confused as well. Please ask! Either in person or email me. I want you to be successful and enjoy this class.

Tentative Course Schedule:

Quarter 1: August to October

-Unit 1: Intro to Biology and Review of the Scientific Process

-Unit 2: The Molecules of Life

-Unit 3: Cell Biology

Quarter 2: October to December

-Unit 4: Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis

-Unit 5: DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis

Quarter 3: January to March

-Unit 6: Genetics Fundamentals

-Unit 7: Human Genetics and Genomics

-Unit 8: Evolution and Populations

Quarter 4: March to May/June

-Unit 9: Classification and Speciation

-Unit 10: Ecology

-Unit 11: Populations and Communities