Biology Syllabus

2008-2009

(Text: Modern Biology)

Class Web Site: http://geocities.datacellar.net/jwaltontoo

Term Projects:

Each term you will complete a project. If you select a theme the first term and stay with that them, each completed project could be used as a reference for the next term’s project.

Grades:

Your grade for each term will be based on:

 1. Tests and quizzes: 40%

 2. Term Projects: 40%

 3. Class Activities and Homework: 20%

 4. Five percent of your grade for a written assignment will be for appropriate grammar, syntax, and spelling. For tests, where you do not have time to proofread, points will not be deducted for spelling.

Your semester grade will be the average of three term grades and the semester exam.

Your final grade will be the average of the two semester grades.

When you say “I can’t” you are telling me you quit. When you say “I don’t know how” you are telling me you are willing to learn.

Letters of Appeal

If you feel a question has been graded incorrectly or was too confusing you may appeal my grade by composing a letter of appeal using these guidelines.

1.         Appeals will only be accepted in the form of a neatly written/typed letter.

2.         Appeals will be written on a separate piece of paper and attached to your test. Do not write your appeal on the test.

3.         Appeals must be content based, not personal. You must include support for your position.

4.         Appeals must be specific to questions, not general.

5.         Insufficient time on a test or assignment is not a reason for appeal of your grade.

6.         You must communicate what action you would like me to take.

7.         Appeals are due the class period after you get the graded assignment back.

Sample:

Dear Mr. Walton

On my graphing quiz, #7, I would like to clear up any confusion that there may have been. My work read:

Line 1: (y-y₁) = m(x-x₁)

Line 2 (y-4) = m(x+2)

Line 3 (y-4) = -3/11 (x+2)

Line 4 (y-4) = -3/11x + 2

Line 5 y = -3/11x + 7/2

I just wanted to explain my work and possibly get an extra point. On line 3 and between line 4, I distributed (-3/11) but I failed to write it down, so my next line should obviously read (y-4) = -3x/11 + ½ , which is the proper distribution of -3/11.

Sincerely,

Brian

Teacher’s Response: This is still not correct. Please check your multiplication of fractions.

Class Web Site:

The class web site will be updated every Sunday. The site will have general information about science and specific information for each class. Lecture outlines, study guides, homework assignments, and deadline dates will be posted on the individual class pages. The science project page will have information about the current and future projects. You should check the site at least weekly.

Note taking:

You will need to take notes each day. My tests will be based on what is covered in class and what is in the textbook. My lecture outlines on the internet. These are the outlines I speak from in class and are not a finished product. If you use them, you will need to download them at the beginning of a unit/chapter and expand them in class.

Laptops and Calculators

You may use your laptop to take notes in class. Laptops are not to be used for games, listening to music, watching videos, or any other none class related use. Calculators may be used only for problem solving and graphing.

Homework:

You will be given homework assignments from the textbook for each chapter. Reading assignments will be followed by a pop quiz on the due date for the assignment. Written assignments will be collected on the due date. These assignments will be given in class and posted on the class website.

Assignment Due Dates:

Assignments turned in late will lose 10% if the points earned. Assignments not turned in within three days of the due date will result in a grade of zero. Unless you make prior arrangements with me, no work will be accepted after the last class day of a term. I realize that circumstances may occur that will interfere with completing an assignment. You need to speak to me when problems develop, not after an assignment is late. You will find me sympathetic to alternatives when you speak to me before an assignment is late but quite unsympathetic when you offer excuses for being late.

Chapter Test Dates:

Test dates will be promulgated at the beginning of a chapter. They will be posted on the internet and in the classroom. We will review class notes the day before a test. You will be expected to take the test on the assigned day even if you miss class the day we review notes.

Learning is not a spectator sport. You must take an active role.

Student Notebooks

You will have a 2 inch loose-leaf notebook. Write your name, and class on the cover of the notebook. You are to use dividers to separate your notebook into three sections: Handouts, Projects, and Chapters. Notebooks will be graded at least 3 times each term. You will need to retain everything in your note book until the end of the first semester. At that time I will tell you what you can dispose of.

The handouts section contain this syllabus and any other study guides, handouts, or notes I prepare for you. The syllabus will be the first item and will act as your table of contents. Notebook gradesheets are to be kept at the end of this section.

The projects section should contain the project instruction sheets and your graded projects.

The chapter section will be divided be chapter and contain notes you have taken, graded quizzes and homework, and graded tests. Your notes, taken in class, will be invaluable in preparing for tests and exams. You may take notes on your laptop but you will need to print them for your notebook. My lecture outlines, posted on the web site, are not a finished set of notes.

Biology Labs

1. Scientific Method: Exercise (Old Text)

2. Lab Techniques C1: Using a Microscope

3. Life in a water drop (Old text)

4. pH and Protein Lab (Old text)

5. Organic Compounds in Foods (pg 64)

6. Comparing Plant and Animal Cells (pg. 92)

7. Osmosis in Onion Cells (Old text)

8. Inquiry Skills B3: Diffusion and Cell Membranes

9. Observing Mitosis (pg. 160)

10. Inquiry Skills B5: Mitosis

11. DNA and Protein Transcription (old text)

12. Genetic Crosses Lab Sheet

13. Modeling Monohybrid Crosses (pg. 182)

14. Hereditary Traits (old text)

15. Inquiry Skills B8: Fossils

16. Predicting Allele Frequency (pg. 316)

17. Culturing Bacteria (pg. 484)

18. Observing Root, Stems, and Leaves (pg 622)

19. Comparing Seed Structure and Development (pg 644)

20. Inquiry Skill B23: Live Earthworms

21. Inquiry Skill B22: Earthworm Dissection

22. Inquiry Skill B25: Crayfish Dissection

23. Inquiry Skill B26: Perch Dissection

24. Inquiry Skill B28: Frog Dissection

25. Inquiry Skill B31: Exploring Vision