BIOLOGY

SYLLABUS
2015-2016

Instructor:
E-Mail:
Tutoring:
Website:

Ms. Auble
bauble@mustangsla.org
W/F: Flex; M-F after school or by appointment
www.aublescience.weebly.com

School Phone:
Class Location:

(323) 261-7124
Room 208

Course Description
The purpose of this course is to provide exploratory experiences, laboratory and real-life applications in the biological
sciences. The content includes the nature of science (matter, energy, and chemical processes of life); cells (biology,
reproduction, and communication); genetics (principles, molecular basis, diversity, and biotechnologies); structure,
function, and reproduction of plants, animals, and microorganisms; behavior of organisms (interdependence of
organisms, humans, and the environment); biological selection, adaptations, and changes through time.
Laboratory investigations are an additional, and integral, part of this course and include the use of scientific research,
measurement, laboratory technologies, and safety procedures.

Course Objectives

Through inquiry, students in this course will learn to discover, describe, and apply the following principles of biology:
a) The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.
b) Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, reproduce and maintain dynamic homeostasis.
c) Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.
d) Biological systems interact and their interactions possess complex properties.

Required Texts and Materials

CK-12 Online Flexbook Textbook (access with group code js4z6)
Physical Materials
Classroom notebook
1.5 inch binder
Pens/pencils
Red pen
Agenda
Kleenex box
$20 lab voucher
Dry erase marker

Digital Materials
Mustangs account
Google classroom app
Remind account
CK-12 account
Weebly portfolio
Scanning app
*Internet access

*If Internet access is not available at home, it is the expectation that the student will utilize available Internet
opportunities at a local library or at school (before or after school, or during breaks)
Materials must be obtained and brought to class each day by the end of the second week of school. Materials checks can be
administered at any time during the year. Lack of preparation for class because of missing materials will affect the students
participation/preparedness grade.

Grading Policy ***

Grading Category
Homework/Classwork
Tests
Quizzes
Labs/Science Practice
Participation/Preparedness

% of Final Grade
15%
35%
15%
30%
5%
100%

*** Grades will be kept up to date on AERIES

Homework/Classwork
You will be required to complete various assignments both in class and as homework. These assignments are
designed to prepare you for upcoming activities and/or provide you with practice using skills or concepts that have
been introduced in class. Remember, all of your assignments will lead to a major lab reports, project and/or
assessment. Be sure to save all work, keep organized and avoid falling behind. Assignments will be graded
according to the provided rubrics and instructions.

Tests
Throughout the course, you will take comprehensive Unit Exams consisting of multiple choice, matching,
completion, short answer, and essay questions. Unit exams are typically worth between 40 and 60 points. You will
be given at least one-week prior notice before a Unit Exam. Study guides for Unit Exams will always be provided.

Quizzes
Within each unit, you will take multiple quizzes to practice the topics covered before you take a Unit Exam. Bellwork
Quizzes will review the previous lesson and Lab Content Quizzes will review content addressed in laboratory
experiments. Quizzes are typically worth between 1 and 20 points. Expect to have at least one quiz per week.

Labs/Science Practice
All scientific knowledge is discovered through the process of inquiry - the process of systematically asking questions
and collecting evidence to create explanations about the world around us. Biology will help develop students
necessary inquiry skills, and as such, includes a laboratory and fieldwork component - students will perform at least
one hands-on laboratory or fieldwork investigation per unit in order to collect and analyze experimental data
pertaining to the living world. Experimental data will often serve as the foundation for statistical and
mathematical analysis and calculation. These inquiry skills facilitate the development of the College Boards Seven
Science Practices:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

The student can use representations and models to communicate scientific phenomena and solve scientific problems.
The student can use mathematics appropriately.
The student can engage in scientific questioning to extend thinking or to guide investigations.
The student can plan and implement data collection strategies appropriate to a particular scientific question.
The student can perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence.
The student can work with scientific explanations and theories.
The student is able to connect and relate knowledge across various scales, concepts and representations in and across domains.

Prior to entering the lab, a student must pass the Lab Safety Test with 100% proficiency and sign a Lab Safety
Agreement. Additionally, projects and activities will occasionally be assigned to better and more creatively assess
student learning. All projects and activities will be accompanied with rubrics.

Participation/Preparedness
In order to succeed in this course, it becomes vital to actively engage with the subject matter. Therefore, students
will be held accountable for in-class participation and preparedness. Students will receive 10 points for
participation/preparedness every two week period; however, points will be deducted following any infraction, such
as but not limited to sleeping, unexcused tardies or absences, material preparedness, bellwork/exit-slips, distracting
self or others etc. Participation/preparedness grades will be updated every two weeks in Aeries. Parents will be
contacted if a student receives a 6 out of 10 or less during any two-week period.

Additional Grading Policies

Late Work Policy: Late work will be accepted for reduced credit unless there is an excused absence. Late
work will be graded according to the following table:
Days Late
Maximum Grade Allowed
One day late
10% deduction of total points
Less than one week late
25% deduction of total points
More than one week late
50% deduction of total points

For any excused absence, the following will apply:

If the student is absent on the due date, BUT was present when it was assigned, the assignment is due
when the student returns to class.
If absent on the due date AND when it was assigned, the student will have one week from their return to
submit the work.
If absent on the date it was assigned, but present the date it is due, no extension will be offered unless
arrangements are made in advance.
Also note, being out the day before a test does not mean you get an extra day to study.
It is the responsibility of the student to get notes and assignments missed when absent. Tests and labs
can be made up by appointment only. Any extenuating circumstances need to be discussed with the
teacher. It is most important that you are here EVERY day that it is possible.

Extra Credit Policy: Any student seeking extra credit must schedule an appointment with teacher. No student
with any missing work may acquire extra credit. Extra credit opportunities are also sporadically provided in class.

General Policies & Expectations

-
-
-

Every student is expected to do his own and his best work at all times.
Every student is expected to participate freely and often in class, complete and turn in all HW assignments on time,
and be prepared for assignments, tests, and quizzes.
Every student is expected to follow the rules of the classroom:
o Be in your seat before the bell rings, HW turned in, working on bellwork, and with all class materials.
o Follow directions the first time they are given.
o Always be polite and respectful of your teachers, your fellow students, your school, and yourself.
o Remain in your seat unless you have permission to do otherwise.
o Participate in classroom discussions and learning activities.

Bellwork: At the beginning of class students will enter the room, pick up any papers found on the front shelf, find their seat,
and remove the materials they need for the day. Students will be working on the bellwork when the bell rings.
Turning in Missing Work: If a student needs to turn in missing work, he must complete this before or after the bell rings;
no work may be turned in during class time.
Restroom Policy: Students should use break and lunch time during the school day to use the restroom. In the case of an
emergency, a student using the restroom during class time must return for 15 minutes after school the same day.
Absences: Students who are absent from class will have one extra day to complete their assignment per day of class missed.
Students will notify the teacher of any pre-planned absences. Missed work can be obtained from the class folders at the
student resource center. Students who miss class are responsible for picking up these materials.

Qtr

Unit

Units of Study

Major Assessments/Projects

Nature of Science and Life

Chemistry of Life

Cells and Membrane Transport

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Ecology

Cell Cycle and DNA Replication

Protein Synthesis

Mendellian Genetics

Evolution, Darwin, and Natural Selection

Evidence of Evolution and Speciation

10

Plant Classification, Anatomy and

Physiology

Unit 1 Exam (Chapters 1 and 2)

Lab Safety Test
Introductory Lab
Water chemistry Quiz
Macromolecules Quiz
Chemistry of Life Unit Exam
Lab(s): Properties of Water Lab
Properties of Enzymes Lab
Macromolecule Stations Activity
Food lab Re: Macromolecules
Unit Exam
Lab(s): Diffusion and Osmosis Lab
Cell Analogy Project
Unit Test on Photosynthesis
Unit Test on Cellular Respiration
Lab(s):
Photosynthesis Exploration Lab
Factors that Affect Photosynthesis Lab
Cellular Respiration Exploration Lab
Unit 2 Exam (Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6)
Labs(s): Comprehensive Ecology WebQuest
Project and Presentation
Population Ecology Lab
Nutrient Cycling Lab
Biome Project
Cell Cycle Unit Test
DNA Structure Candy Activity
DNA Replication Quiz
Mitosis Quiz
Protein Synthesis Unit Test
DNA vs. RNA Structure Quiz
Transcription Quiz
Translation Quiz
Lab(s): Transcription modeling activity
Translation Modeling Activity
Mutation Modeling Activity
Unit Exam
Monster Genetics Lab
Pedigree Project
Evolution, Part 1 Unit exam
Labs(s): Natural Selection Peppered Moth
Simulation Lab
Bird Beak Adaptation Lab
Evolution, Part 2 Unit Exam
Comparative Embryology Activity
Comparative Anatomy Activity
Biochemical Evidence Activity
Fossil Evidence Activity
Plant Classification Quiz
Plant Anatomy Quiz
Transpiration Lab
Plant Project

Ms. Auble reserves the right to amend the syllabus at any time during the school year as needed to enhance academic instruction.

Return page to Ms. Auble for 10 points

STUDENT: I have read, understand, and agree to abide by this course syllabus for this
class 2015-2016.

Name (Printed): ___________________________________ Period: ____________

Student email address: _________________________________________________

Signed: ____________________________________ Date:____________________



PARENT/GUARDIAN: I have read, understand, and agree to the course syllabus.

Name (Printed): __________________________________________________________

Relationship to Student: ____________________________________________________

Signed: ____________________________________ Date: ________________________


1st Parent/Guardian email: _________________________________________________

1st Parent/Guardian phone #: _______________________________________________

Languages Comfortable Speaking: ____________________________________________


2nd Parent/Guardian email: _________________________________________________

2nd Parent/Guardian phone #: _______________________________________________

Languages Comfortable Speaking: ____________________________________________

Note to the teacher from Parent/Guardian:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________