Mr. Katz
Room C108
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Course Overview: Honors biology is a one-semester course designed to increase students’ knowledge of the concepts, processes, and facts of biology. The course curriculum will also help students to develop a meaningful understanding of science in their lives. Throughout the course, students will be given the chance to explore the biological world and become scientists by engaging in a variety of tasks such as laboratory experiments, cooperative group activities, article readings, research papers and projects. Major topics studied in the course include biochemistry, cell physiology, cell energy, genetics, embryology, and microbiology.
Course Textbook:Biology by Miller and Levine
Course Outline:
UNIT 1: The Molecules of Life
Chapter 1 The Science of Biology
What is Science?
Science in Context
Studying Life
Chapter 2 The Chemistry of Life
The Nature of Matter
Properties of Water
Carbon Compounds
Chemical Reactions and Enzymes
UNIT 2: Cell Physiology
Chapter 7Cell Structure and Function
Life is Cellular
Cell Structure
Cell Transport
Homeostasis and Cells
Chapter 10 Cell Growth and Division
Cell Growth, Division, and Reproduction
The Process of Cell Division
Regulating the Cell Cycle
UNIT 3: Cell Energy
Chapter 8Photosynthesis
Energy and Life
Photosynthesis: An Overview
The Process of Photosynthesis
Chapter 9 Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
Cellular Respiration: An Overview
The Process of Cellular Respiration
Fermentation
UNIT 4: Genetics
Chapter 11 Introduction to Genetics
The Work of Gregor Mendel
Applying Mendel’s Principles
Other Patterns of Inheritance
Meiosis
Chapter 12 DNA
Identifying the Substance of Genes
The Structure of DNA
DNA Replication
Chapter 13RNA and Protein Synthesis
RNA
Ribosomes and Protein Synthesis
Mutations
Gene Regulation and Expression
UNIT 5: Embryology
Mostly out-of-book content
UNIT 6: Microbiology
Chapter 20 Viruses and Prokaryotes
Viruses
Prokaryotes
Diseases Caused by Bacteria & Viruses
Chapter 21 Protists and Fungi
Protist Structure and Function
The Ecology of Protists
Fungi
Grading Procedure: The student will be responsible for demonstrating an understanding of and meeting the instructor’s criteria for successful mastery of this course’s content through projects, lab work, tests and quizzes, and readings. Students’ grades will therefore be based solely on these summative assessments.Homework and classworkserve solely as a tool for the student to strengthen their understandingand will be assessed to gauge student understanding and learning, but will not have an impact on students’ grades. The course is designed around a hands-on approach and therefore participation and attendance are important.
At the end of each marking period, percentage grades are converted to letter grades in accordance with the District’s guidelines. At the end of the semester, there will be a cumulative final exam. The final grade for the course is computed as follows:
MP1 40%MP2 40%Final Exam 10%Core Assessments 10%
Attendance & Missed Work: Attendance is extremely crucial to achieve success in this course. Block scheduling represents 2-class periods/day. If you are absent for 2-consecutive days, you would essentially have missed 4-class periods in middle school!
You MUST make up all work missed by the 2ndday upon returning. It is your responsibility to show the instructor the make-up work or to arrange make-up datesprior to the start of class on the 2ndday. After that, the assessment will be given a 0 and cannot be rectified.
Classroom Rules:
Treat everyone with respect.
Arrive on time. Constant tardiness is disruptive to class and will not be accepted.
Always raise your hand before speaking, and listen to others. Participate in class discussions.
Always come prepared. Bring all the materials you will need.
Absolutely no use of cell phones during class time. The teacher maintains the right to take a student’s phone for the remainder of class.
Phone use for music with headphones will be allowed during independent work, but volume must be kept low enough so as not to disrupt others.
Supplies:For class, students will need either a binder or folder (binders are highly recommended), as well as two notebooks. One notebook will serve as a daily journal and can be a composite notebook. The other will serve as a lab book and should have pockets for storing loose-leaf papers.
Special Help: I am always available to help. If you have any questions or just need some reinforcement, please schedule a time before or after school. Be sure to set up a time 1-2 days in advance.