First Year Biology Course

Instructors

Teacher Nameemail addressPhone number

Teacher Nameemail addressPhone number

Course Description

This is the first course in a two-year biology sequence. The aim of this course is to help students build an understanding of modern biology on the foundation of their prior learning in physics and chemistry. All the course topics are either taken directly from AP Biology, or are designed to prepare students to understand AP Biology topics. The second course in the sequence, AP Biology, expands on some of those topics, and adds others, so that students are prepared to take the AP Biology examination at the end of that second year course. This course also serves as a strong foundation for Anatomy and Physiology and Forensic Science

A key goal of the course is to give students an integrated insight into the modern scientific view of the world. The separation of the sciences into the discrete disciplines of physics, chemistry and biology is becoming less useful; our world is simply not divided up in that way. By the conclusion of this course students should have a perspective on the world, and how it works, which will empower them to follow their interests in any direction after high school, either on to college/university or their career.

Course Outline

Molecular Biology

  • Origin of Life
  • Large Biological Molecules
  • Membranes& Enzymes
  • Genes
  • Energy Processing

Cellular Biology

  • ProkaryotesViruses
  • Eukaryotes & Gene Expression
  • Mitosis and Meiosis

Organismic Biology

  • Mendelian GeneticsInheritance Patterns
  • Evolution & Population Genetics
  • Classification
  • Ecology
  • Anatomy & Physiology

Requirements and Expectations

Students are expected to arrive in class promptly with their binder, pencils and other required materials. Students will log into SMART Response and be seated, ready to begin, prior to the bell indicating the start of class.

During class students are expected to participate and show proper respect to their teacher and classmates. Of course, students will be expected follow all rules of behavior listed in the school handbook.

It is suggested that students use a three ring binder, as there will be numerous documents, which will need to be kept in an organized manner. These will include handouts, lab reports, homework assignments, and graded tests and quizzes. This will be important throughout the year but will be especially important in preparing for the midterm and final exams.

Students will be given homework on most nights.These assignments need to be completed by the designated time in order that the student is prepared for class. Homework answers are posted online; students should consider a HW assignment complete when they understand any differences between their answers and those posted. This is critical since, while HW is not graded, frequent quizzes will assess student understanding of each HW assignment.

All course materials are posted at Students can download and print any lost SMART Notebooks, HW assignments or labs from that site. In addition, if students are absent, they should review the Notebook and HW from that day so as not to fall behind.

Course Work and Assessment

Students will be assessed based on their results on quizzes, quests and tests.

Tests will occur at the end of each unit and are based on about 100 points. Quests are based on 40-60 points and may be given in the middle of a topic or in lieu of a test. Quizzes will have a point value of up to 25 points, and may be given at any time, with or without prior notice. Students will always be given advanced notice of tests and quests.

Students can improve their grade by retaking a new version of a quest or test; the highest score will count. There will not be any “extra-credit” projects to improve a student’s grade; they must show that their current understanding of a topic has improved in order for their grade to be improved.

Students will be conducting a full-scale biology lab approximately every other week for a total of about four labs per quarter. Students will be required to keep record of their lab results in a notebook. Lab quizzes will be given at the completion of each lab. These quizzes will have a value of up to 25 points.

The grade for the course will be determined by computing the mathematical average of the points earned by the student divided by the number of possible points. Participation and other factors will only affect the student’s grade if he or she is on the border between two possible outcomes.

Midterms and Finals

In addition to their four quarterly grades, students will also receive a separate grade on their transcript for their midterm and final exams. Each quarterly grade carries a weight of 20% of the full year grade while these two exams each have a weight of 10%. Together they have the same impact as a single quarter’s result.

The midterm exam will be on the work covered through the first two quarters. The final exam will be on the work for the entire year. It tests the cumulative knowledge retained by the student at the end of the course.

Teacher Availability

At least one biology teacher should be available after school to assist any students. All biology classes are using the same course materials, so students can get assistance from any teacher. Similarly, students are encouraged to work together to build better understanding; they can do this with students from any biology course, since they will all be studying the same material.

Teachers are available to assist students at many times during the school day. However, the exact times vary from day to day. In any case, the student should work out the best time by asking their teacher in advance to make sure that he/she is available and has no conflicting meetings.

Teachers are also available to both students and parents via school email address, which are indicated above.