Biology is a two-semester course for students in grades 9–12. Credit for this course counts toward the Science credits required for high school graduation.
This course is designed to meet the philosophical and conceptual goals of the Science Framework for California Public Schools. The course emphasizes the continuity and comparability of living systems, their components, needs, and histories. Concepts of the integrative themes are stressed and evolution forms the basis for classification, adaptation and continuity. Students are expected to define their relationship to the biosphere and the consequences of their expectations and actions. Students explore the nature of living things and the interrelation of both the living and nonliving environment, as well as the impact of human society and technology on the biosphere. Inquiry and the nature of science are emphasized.

The material is clustered around 6 basic themes. They are:

  • Evolution: Patterns and Products of Change
  • Homeostasis: Maintaining Dynamic Equilibrium in Living Systems
  • Energy, Matter and Organization
  • Reproduction and Inheritance in Living Systems
  • Development: Growth and Differentiation in Living Systems
  • Ecology: Interaction and Interdependence in Living Systems

 

Activities will form the focal point for the classroom lessons. Activities generally include a hands-on component and group and class discusions. All student activities have clearly defined goals for both the content material covered and the thinking (process) skills involved. Presentations will also be used as well as computer simulation where appropriate.

.Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.

Student Text
BSCS Biology. A Human Approach. Second Edition. By Biological Science Curriculum Study.

text

Text: BSCS Biology. A Human Approach
Besides following all general school rules for conduct and academic expectations and honesty, you are required to:
 
1. Bring your textbook, a 3 ring binder for handouts and paper. You will occasionally need a scientific calculator and metric ruler.
2. Complete all assignments in a timely manner and provide a written explanation for any delays in submitting assignments past their due date.
3. Conduct yourself in a manner that does not disrupt instruction and provides an environmental that is optimal for you and your classmates.
4. Conduct yourself in a manner that does not endanger others or yourself or does not cause damage to equipment or endanger other organisms. Please, no eating or drinking in class.
5 Produce products and perform at a level that demonstrates your best work and thought.

Grading

As noted in the introduction, laboratory work, group projects and tests and quizzes will be used to determine your grade. Each assignment will have a point value. Your points are cumulative to the end of the semester. Your grade will be based on the following scale of the percentage of your total points:
  90% and over = A
80% to less than 90% = B
65% to less than 80% = C
0% to less than 65% = F

Approximately 25% of your grade points will come from tests and quizzes, 60% from lab discussions and the remainder from projects and other assignments.

Late Work and Makeup Work

I will accept late lab work if they are turned in within a reasonable amount time. It is to your advantage to turn an lab assignment in late if it is well done than on time and poorly done. You are responsible for making arrangements to work on missed labs after school within a week of your return. Unfortunately, there are some activities which require extensive preparation or live specimens. In these cases, there will be no make up work and the student will have to take an "F" on the assignment. By the end of the semester, we will have completed enough activities and you should have enough extra-credit participation points that missing a single assignment will not adversely affect your grade. Quizzes and test must be made up on the class day which the student returns to school. Makeup quizzes will have certain restrictions such as "no notes" attached to the make up process. All makeup quizzes and test must bew done after school.

All discussions need to be turned in with the stamped data sheet indicating that you participated in the planning and execution of the lab. Although you are encouraged to discuss your results with your lab partners, each person must submit a discussion reflecting their own interpretations and thoughts. If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, you must turn it in when you return to class.

If you miss class because of a serious illness or death or emergency in the family, you may be allowed to makeup work by completing a contract. You MUST make time available after school to complete the make-up assignments. You will not be allowed to make up missed assignments due to vacations and college visitations.

Your Participation is Expected

You will be expected to participate in class discussions regularly. You will receive participation points throughout the year, which you can use for passes and clear tardies. If you don't use your participation points for passes or tardies or are charged for class disruption, you can apply these points as extra credit towards your grade. Please complete any non-class obligations before coming to class. You can get a pass from me to any place on campus but it will be charged against your participation points.


Online Support

Scripps Ranch High School (http://sandi.net/srhs/) has an Internet site to provide students and parents with information regarding school activities. You can access your grades and check on assignments at this site. The school will be provided with access your grades online via Zangle. I will be available to help you with your studies after school each day in Room 552. (If you find the room empty, I may be in the prep area in the front of the room or in chemistry (652).) If the door is open, I will be back.


Citizenship and Academic Honesty Policy

Your citizenship will be based on your general demeanor in class and the frequency of tardies and absences. Please, no eating or drinking in class.You cell phones should be kept out of sight and turned off during class. If they are out, they will be confiscated. All school procedures apply, including no gum chewing or the wearing of hats or head gear (except during special “hat days” or for students following religious practices.
You are expected to participate in class discussions regularly, to be on time and on task (computers off, no ipods or walkmans,etc), and to utilize the class time to work on lessons for this class. Please complete any non-class obligations before coming to class. The issuing of passes from class and tardies may result in the lowering of your citizenship grade. I also will enforce the SRHS Academic Honesty Policy.