Course Syllabus

Course Overview

In this course you will cover many topics dealing with Biology, the study of living things. Class instruction will be guided by Georgia Performance Standards for Biology. The topics covered in the course will also prepare you for the mandatory End-of-Course Test (EOCT) which will be administered at the end of the course.

The topics we will study include:

Scientific Disciplines

Acquisition of Knowledge (the Scientific Method)

Metrics and Measurements

Accuracy vs Precision

Writing a Lab Report

Presenting Data

Chemistry for Life

Basic chemistry

Water

Macromolecules and enzymes

Photosynthesis and Respiration

Cell Structure and Function

Cell Division

Asexual vs Sexual Reproduction

Structure of DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis
Genes and Heredity

Mutations and Genetic Disorders

Biotechnology

Evolution and Natural Selection

Taxonomy (an evolutionary basis, evolution of plants and animals)

Environment

Populations

Food Chains and Energy Flow

Biomes

Relationships among Organisms

Ecological Succession

Man in the Biosphere

Instruction will be a combination of computer lessons (NovaNet, and internet), instructional videos, mini-lectures, worksheets and class discussions. Instruction will be accompanied by appropriate tests and quizzes. In addition you will complete several projects and be required to keep a journal. A pacing guide of daily and weekly assignments will be provided through a Blog format. By using this format, you will always be able to access and read your assignments from any computer with an internet connection, in school or out. You will also be able to post (turn in) completed assignments on the blog for your instructor to comment on or grade. This is the first term we are using the blog format in Biology, so it might take a little time to get use to it. I’m sure we will find some glitches in the process, but, in the end, it should allow you to complete your work faster.

Grading

Lesson based tests and quizzes 50%

Projects 20%

Journal 15%

EOCT 15%

Test and Quizzes – this portion of your grade will be the average of all test and quiz grades earned throughout the course. Remember, that in order to get credit for a NovaNet test, you must earn a score of 80 or above. If you earn less than an 80, you must review the subject material and retake the test. You will not be able to retake paper tests and quizzes.

Projects: the project grade will be the average grade for all the projects listed in your weekly pacing guide.

Scientific Journal: A written journal will be kept in a composition notebook. Each day you will make entries into the journal. Details of what goes into the journal will be discussed in class. Your journal will be checked periodically throughout the course and graded every 3 weeks. You grade will be the average of the resulting four grades.

EOCT: This is a computer-based state exam. It will be given near the end of the course and will also be averaged into your final grade.

Essential classroom materials:

pencils
pens
notebooks(2) – three ring binder with pockets for notes and note cards and a composition book as a journal.