Syllabus for Pre-AP Biology (4310-2) Mrs. Lawrence

Room 2214 E-mail: Phone Number: 853-2255 x 7214

Website can be accessed through the Patrick Henry High School website.

Office Hours: Monday afternoons or by appointment.

  1. Text: Biology (Prentice Hall, 2004) Online version of the book is available through my website
  2. Standards of Learning:
  • plan and conduct investigations.
  • investigate and understand the history of biological concepts.
  • investigate and understand biochemical principles essential for life.
  • investigate and understand relationships between cell structure and function.
  • investigate and understand life functions of all kingdoms.
  • investigate and understand common mechanisms of inheritance and protein synthesis.
  • investigate and understand bases for modern classification systems.
  • investigate and understand how populations change through time.
  • investigate and understand dynamic equilibria within populations,communities, and ecosystems.

The SOLs are a minimum standard, but our goal will be to far exceed them.

  1. Course Description:

In Biology, students will build a thorough knowledge of organisms on all levels and an understanding of interrelationships between all living things. Every student will make measurable progress and grow in their general scientific literacy and critical thinking. Special emphasis will be placed on skills that prepare students for AP science courses. Passing this SOL course is required step toward graduation.

  1. Timeline / Calendar

1st 9 Weeks2nd 9 Weeks

Scientific InvestigationEnergy in Living Systems

BiochemistryCell Division

CellsDNA

3rd 9 Weeks4th 9 Weeks

GeneticsEcology

EvolutionPlants

ClassificationAnimals

Cell Signaling in Human Systems

  1. Student Learning Outcomes:
  • Students will demonstrate mastery of the basic elements of biology by passing the SOL test and being successful on classroom assessments.
  • Students will specifically improve in and master skills related to experimental design, data analysis, critical thinking and lab reporting.
  • Students will establish the skills needed to be prepared for success in AP level sciences, illustrated by success in AP style tests and classroom activities
  1. Course Requirements:
  • Students to bring a binder (or allocate a section in a binder) every day as well as paper and something to write with.
  • There will be 3-4 tests per nine-week grading period, consisting of high rigor multiple choice and essay questions.
  • It is important that students are present, prepared, and willing to participate each day.
  • Biology is an SOL course.

Vll. Grade Determination:

A computer printout of grades and averages will be printed approximately once a week. Parents will have access to updated grades through our website. We work on a 10 point grading scale per RCPS policy. I use a ‘total points’ grading system to facilitate standards-based grading.

Tests200 points eachQuizzes100 points each

Labs and Projects100 points eachHomeworkBased on effort required

  1. Policies:

Attendance: Daily attendance is essential to keep up with our quick pace. Students are responsible for all notes, homework, labs and assessments during an absence. Any missed work must be made-up within five school days. If you are absent, email me for more information on getting caught up.

Homework: There will be homework assigned almost every night. No late homework will be accepted.

Statement for Students with Disabilities: Any student with a documented disability will receive the accommodations in his/her IEP or 504 plan. If those accommodations are not sufficient for academic progress, the teacher, student, or parent may contact the case manager to arrange for a meeting to discuss additional options.

Statement on Academic Integrity: Patrick Henry seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment. General principles of academic honesty include respect for the intellectual property of others, the expectation that individual work will be submitted unless otherwise allowed by an instructor, and the obligations both to protect one’s own academic work from misuse by others as well as toavoid using another’s work as one’s own. All students are expected to understand and abide by these principles. Students representing the work of another as their own will receive a grade of “F” on that assignment. No opportunities to replace that grade will be offered.

Weighted Credit: By RCPS policy, advanced science classes receive weighted credit (an extra GPA point). As a result, this class will have very high standards and challenging grading criteria. Pre-AP Biology isnot the class for someone who is not willing to work hard and give their full effort.

Science Fair: Students will develop a science project, solo or with a partner, to competition quality.

SOL Resources:

Science Fair Project Guidelines

Purpose/Goal: For you to develop your own idea for an experiment, design and carry out the experiment and present your data like a professional scientist.

General Information: The project can be completed individually or in pairs. The work will be done at home unless other arrangements are made. You will be provided with equipment as possible, but special materials will need to be purchased by you. If you need help, arrange to meet with the teacher outside of class.

Possible Topics: You cannot experiment in ANY way on animals with a backbone. No illegal chemicals or acts can be a part of the experiment. Human studies will only be allowed after a meeting with your teacher. The topic must be advanced enough for a high school project; one of your grading criteria is level of difficulty. Try to pick a topic that interests you and studies something useful and interesting. If you have difficulty finding a topic, you can talk to me. Try to consider working with something you like, it will make the work more fun.

Requirements: All due dates need to be. Make sure all research and data you take during your experiment is kept in a composition book.

  • 3 Topic Ideas Due: August24/25: Come to class with three ideas for science fair topics with a full, properly written paragraph for each topic. If you have a partner and want to work on this together, you may.
  • Science Fair Information Sheet Due: Sept 1/2: You and your partner (if you have one) should decide which topic you will pick, and then complete the Information Sheet. The sheet should get you thinking about your project and how you will complete it. Give this step deep thought and it may save you trouble later. Get the Information Sheet form from my website, type and save to your computer, then send to me by email.
  • Background Due: Sept14/15: Write a topic background covering all information you will need to know about your topic, plus anything else that your audience might need to know. Think about what information might help you improve the skeleton for your project from the Information Sheet. Follow the Background Rubric (on the web). Turn it in by email.
  • Form 1b and Research Plan Due: Sept14/15: These forms will be on my website. Use your revised Information Sheet and the Research Plan guidelines for help. Note that the Research Plan isn’t a form, but is instead a document you have to type. Bring Form 1b, signed, to class on this day.
  • Data Due: Nov 19/20: Wait for confirmation from me that your project is approved before experimenting. You must bring me print-outs of your data tables and graphs in class (or email them). If your project won’t be finished by this time you should have already asked for approval on the Information Sheet.
  • Completed Paper Due: Dec 8/9: The entirepaper should be completed by this date, turned in by email or printed. Follow the instructions in the Science Fair paper guidelines and the rubric (on the website).
  • Display Board Due: Jan 20/21: The display board needs to be in my room at this time. If you want to bring it in early that’s fine. Follow the instructions set forth in the guidelines and the rubric.
  • Science Fair Jan 28 after school