Academics at Champion

Biology is the study of living things, so we study every living thing from the beginning of time to the present and the possibilities of the future. Subjects presented are cells, evolution/creation, plants, animals, invertebrates and vertebrates, human anatomy and physiology, ecology and the environment, genetics, classification and microorganisms.
Group activities and class discussions are intertwined with course lecture. Laboratories are used to demonstrate skill in microscopy, use of laboratory equipment, skill in dissection, and respect for the environment.

Biology Syllabus

Course Objectives:
Students will analyze, utilize, interpret, and hypothesize scientific information.
Students will show the relationship between organisms, the environment, and themselves through experimental design, knowledge, and research.

Supplies:
Text/Laboratory Manual
Laboratory Notebook (sewn binding, quad ruled)
Notebook Paper (no perforated, college ruled preferred)
Colored Pencils
Pencils and Pens
Binder with Pockets and Dividers
Project and Research Supplies (information provided later)
Calculator (any scientific calculator)
Blank Computer Disk or Flash Drive
Grading (per quarter):
Assignments 30%
Assessment 30%
Experimentation 20%
Projects/Research Papers 20%

Final Exam 20% of semester grade

All assignments, assessments, lectures, activities and laboratories will be used to meet the California State and National Standards (a copy will be provided).
Assignments:
These will be used to build on unit concepts and will include group assignments, worksheets, class discussions, games and activities.
Assessment:
There will be exams, quizzes, question & answer sessions, and informal assessments every chapter. These will be in the form or oral, written, or demonstration of understanding.
Quick Writes:
A topic, question, video clip, activity or some other format based on the unit will be given at the beginning of class for the students to take 5-10 minutes to write about. There are no make-ups. These will be evaluated for content following a grading rubric.
Experimentation & Investigation:
Twenty percent of class time will be spent doing laboratories or demonstrations to meet the “a - g” University of California requirements.  “These hands-on activities should account for at least 20% of class time…” There will be lab write-ups, graphing, diagramming, quizzes and questions to answer.
Project/Presentation:
There will be one major project/presentation a semester done outside of class time. Requirement descriptions and rubrics will be provided later. Ample time will be given to complete the projects (usually two months). Several smaller projects including group, poster presentations, and other presentations will be given throughout the semester to broaden students’ learning and interests.
Research Papers:
These will be backed by scientific evidence and publications. This is not a report defining a subject or giving a historical account. Students will choose from a variety of topics and type a well written paper with supporting evidence, pictures and diagrams. Descriptions, lists and rubrics will be provided at least one month before the due date. All papers will require a citation and checked for plagiarism (whether intentional or unintentional).
Final Exams:
Each final is a comprehensive exam on the semester’s activities, readings, lectures, and concepts. The exams will consist of problem-solving techniques, critical analysis, hypothesize and predict, and application of information that will demonstrate mastery of subject matter skills and knowledge.
Late or Missing Assignments:
Students have until the end of the day (4:00 p.m.) to turn in assignments the day it is due, whether it is complete or not. Anything after that is considered late and will receive a zero in the grade book. No more than 50% can be earned on assignments turned in by the end of the week. Absent work is to be made up in a time frame deemed acceptable by the teacher.
Make up Exams & Laboratories:
Missed exams & laboratories will be made up on the student’s own time, so as to not interfere with further learning. If the student does not complete the make up exam or laboratory within the time allotted by the teacher, he or she will receive a zero. Note: Some labs require special preparation and cannot be made up. In this case, an alternate assignment (i.e. research paper, handout or activity) will be given instead.
***Syllabus is subject to change at the teacher’s discretion***

Biology Reading 2007-2008
Unit and Topic Chapter(s) Page numbers Due Dates
FIRST QUARTER
UNIT: THE SCIENCE OF LIFE
Organization of Life 1 13-37 8/14 & 16
Biochemistry 2 38-54 8/21 &23
Macromolecules 2 55-68 8/28,30,31
Bioenergetics 4 95-97 9/4 & 6
Photosynthesis 4 98-106 4-Sep
Glycolysis 4 106-107 6-Sep
Cell Respiration 4 105-121 6-Sep
UNIT: CELL BIOLOGY
Eukaryotes 3,4,&10 75,118,254 9/11,13,14
Prokaryotes 3&10 75,254 9/11,13,14
Viruses 1 & 10 31,268-279 9/11,13,14
Cells 3 69-121 9/18 & 20
Transport 3 87-94 18-Sep
Growth 5 126-129 20-Sep
Division 5 126-134 20-Sep
Mitosis 5 126-129 9/25 & 27
Meiosis 5 130-134 10/2 & 4
UNIT: GENETICS
Heredity-DNA 5 122-125 5-Oct
Mendelian Genetics 5 135-152 7-Oct

SECOND QUARTER
Molecular Genetics 4 111-118 16-Oct
Punnett Square 5 137-152 10/18 & 23
Genetic Variation 6 153-169,170-179 10/30&11/1
Geno & Phenotype 5 137-169 10/25 & 26
DNA Technology 7 180-196 6-Nov
Genetic Engineering 7 185-186,194-195 8-Nov
Human Genome 9-Nov
UNIT: EVOLUTION
Natural Selection 8 223,226 11/13 & 15
Population Genetics 6 170,173 11/27,29,30
Speciation 4 & 9 122,247-250 12/4 & 6
Populations 19 577,582,595,600-01 12/11 & 13

THIRD QUARTER
UNIT: ECOLOGY
Biodiversity 19 586,598 1/8 & 10
UNIT: CLASSIFICATION
Classification 1 & 9 13,237,244,250-51 1/15 & 17
Dichotomous Keys 18-Jan
Phylogeny 8 222 22-Jan
Cladistics 15 445 22-Jan
Fossils 8 208-213,228-29 24-Jan
UNIT: OPTIONAL MATERIAL
Botany 13 & 14 332-391 1/29 & 31
Algae 11 305-317
Fungi 12 318-330
Protists 11 296-304
Invertebrates 15 &16 443-499 2/5 & 7
Vertebrates 17&18 446,500-574 2/12,14,15
UNIT: ECOLOGY
Biospheres 19 582,592 19-Feb
Ecosystems 19 575-619 2/21 & 26
Communities 28-Feb
Population Size 19 577,582,595,600-1 2/29&3/4
Energy Flow 19 579-90 3/6 &11
Environmental Science 3/13 &14

FOURTH QUARTER
UNIT: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
Homeostasis 20 622-31 1-Apr
Integumentary 20 632-636 4/3 & 8
Skeletal System 20 637-644 4/10 & 11
Muscular System 20 645-654 4/15 & 17
Nervous System 23 711-731 4/22 & 24
Respiratory System 21 655-664 29-Apr
Digestive System 21 665-677 1-May
Circulatory System 22 678-696 6-May
Immune/Lymphatic 22 697-706 8-May
Endocrine System 24 732-745 13-May
Excretory System 22 707-710 15-May
Reproductive System 25 761-783 16-May
Diseases & Disorders 10 280-295 5/20 & 22