Biology

Class Syllabus

Contact Information

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Instructor: Mr. John Giacobbe, BS, MA, RPA

Contacts:

– voice: 321-345-4117 webpage: http://www.nakedscience.org/mrg school email: [email protected]

home email: [email protected]

Success in Class is Based on the Following

• • • • • •

Science Journals/Bell-Work/Notebook (5%) Lab Work (30%) Daily & Homework Assignments (25%) Unit Tests & Semester Exams (25%) Term Research Paper (5%) Participation & Behavior (10%)

Grading Scale

• • • • • A = 90 – 100% B = 80 – 89% C = 70 – 79% D = 60 – 69% (Failing – No Credit) F = 59% and below (Failing – No Credit)

Course Goals and Objectives

• • • • • • By the end of the course each student will: The Nature of Science Cells and Microbiology Genetics, Heredity, and Biotechnology Evolution and Natural Selection Human Anatomy and Physiology Ecology

Miscellaneous Stuff

• • • • Participation: Participation is everything! If I see that you are paying attention, trying your best, and getting involved in what we are doing, I will do everything I can to see that you succeed. Get involved every day and I can guarantee you will do well in my class. You will also earn participation points, so stay focused and follow instructions.

Note Taking: To pass this course you will need to learn how to take notes. This should include a 3-ring binder to record your science journals, Latin quotes, lab illustrations, handouts, lab notes, daily lecture notes, and anything else you think might be important. I suggest that you KEEP EVERYTHING! All assessments are based on notes taken during class. Assessments may come at any time, so you must always come to class prepared. Late Work: Unacceptable at this stage in your education. One day means a “B”, two days a “C,” three days an “F” Progress Reports: Progress reports are given out every week. Every second week they must be returned signed. If you do not receive a progress report, you can always email or ask me for a copy, or print them from PowerSchool.

Labs

• • We will complete many labs over the course of this class. Labs are a vital part of learning science and developing thinking skills. Participation in labs is required by all students, and is a huge part of your grade.

***Labs cannot be redone, and the only make-up option is to write a four page essay, on a topic I assign, WHICH YOU WILL HATE

Procedures, Rules, and How to Stay a Shiny, Happy Student with a Shiny, Happy Teacher!

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Professional Attitude:

To start off, you must approach this class like a professional student. That means taking personal responsibility for your work and your grade. For example, come to me for missed work; do not expect me to come running after you!

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Use Your Resources:

Your syllabus is a detailed guide to your coursework. Keep it and refer to it regularly. The web page will have copies of all our PowerPoints, and most of our assignments, readings, and references. In addition, extra credit, links to additional materials, and various images and video will be presented on the web.

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Procedures, Rules, and How to Stay a Shiny, Happy Student with a Shiny, Happy Teacher!

Classroom Procedures: You know this stuff.

Honesty: Don’t cheat and don’t plagiarize. Truly dreadful things will happen to you if you do. Cell Phones, IPods, etc.: Not unless you are given permission. NEVER let me see one during my lectures and note taking. Respect: Everything else comes under the heading of respect, so show it to both your teacher and fellow students. • • • •

Classroom Consequences:

1 st Offense – Verbal Warning –

Stop Doing That!

2 nd Offense – Loss of Participation Points for the Day and a Phone Call Home – –

I’m sorry to inform you that your lovely child isn’t so lovely

3 rd Offense – Visit with the Dean, Loss of Privileges, Suspension, and/or Dismemberment

End of Course Exam (EOC)

• All Florida Biology I students are required to take a state-created, computer based End of Course (EOC) exam in May. You will be tested on your knowledge and comprehension of the Biology Sunshine State Standards on this exam. This class will cover these standards in depth to prepare you for success on this assessment. Under law, the state test will account for 30% of your final course grade. For more about the EOC exam: http://fcat.fldoe.org/eoc/pdf/BiologyFL11Sp.pdf

Mr. G’s Science Department Web World

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Web Page:

http://www.nakedscience.org/mrg/index.html

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Science Blog: http://nakedscience.blogspot.com/

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Email:

– School Email: [email protected]

– Home Email: [email protected]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • A Ante Anti Aqua Auto Bi Bio Di Co Cyto Eco-

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Endo Ex Exo-

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Science Prefix Vocabulary List – You Should Totally Memorize These Now

not or without in front; before against; opposed to water self two life; living two together; with relating to a cell relating to the environment outer; external inside; inner outside; away from outside; Out of

Hetero Homo Hydro Hyper Hypo Inter Iso Macro Micro Mono Multi Photo Poly Pseudo Un-

different alike; same water more than; above under; less than between; together equal large small one many light many false opposite of; contrary

Lab Report Template -Keep For Your Reference

• • • • • • • Title and Cover Page: * a brief, concise, yet descriptive Title, Your Name(s), Instructor, Date, Institution Statement of the Problem:

* What question(s) are you trying to answer? * Include any preliminary observations or background information about the subject

Hypothesis:

* Write a possible solution for the problem.

* Make sure this possible solution is a complete sentence.

* Make sure the statement is testable.

Materials:

* Make a list of ALL items used in the lab.

Procedure:

* Write a paragraph (complete sentences) which explains what you did in the lab. * Your procedure should be written so that anyone else could repeat the experiment.

Results (Data):

* This section should include any data tables, observations, or additional notes you make during the lab. * You may attach a separate sheet(s) if necessary.

* All tables, graphs and charts should be labeled appropriately

Conclusions:

* Accept or reject your hypothesis.

* EXPLAIN why you accepted or rejected your hypothesis using data from the lab.

* Include a summary of the data - averages, highest, lowest.. etc. to help the reader understand your results * List one thing you learned and describe how it applies to a real-life situation. *Discuss possible errors that could have occurred in the collection of the data (experimental errors)

Biology II – Review & Understanding of the Syllabus

(must be signed by parent/guardian and student)

Student Signature: __________________________ Student Name (print): __________________________ Date: ________________________ Student email (optional): __________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________Date: _______________________ Parent/Guardian Name (print): __________________________ Parent/Guardian email (optional): __________________________

Biology - Course Outline

UNIT 1: The Study of Life, the Universe, and Everything!

• • • • • Scientific Method & Hypothesis Testing Review Statistics and Probability Review Data Representation and Analysis Review Science of Biology Biochemistry Introduction UNIT 2: Ecology • • • • • • • • • Populations and Population Dynamics Ecosystems & Energy Flow Ecosystems and Communities Major Earth Biomes The Biosphere Biogeography Humans in the Biosphere Environmental Science Careers Environmentalism (Science in Science Fiction – The Day After Tomorrow) Biology & Ethics I: A River Reborn - The Restoration of Fossil Creek

Biology - Course Outline

UNIT 3: Cells and Microbiology • • • • • Cell Structure and Function Photosynthesis Cellular Respiration Cell Growth & Division: Mitosis Sexual Reproduction: Meiosis Biology & Ethics II: Cloning and Reproductive Technologies - Jurassic Park UNIT 4: Genetics and Heredity • • • • Introduction to Genetics DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis Human Heredity Genetic Engineering Biology & Ethics III: Genetic Testing and Engineering - GATTACA

Biology - Course Outline

Biology & Ethics IV: Can Animals & Machine Be Considered “People?” UNIT 6: Microorganisms and Fungi • • • • • Viruses and Prokaryotes Prions and Viroids Bacteria and Viruses Protists Fungi

Biology - Course Outline

• • • • • • UNIT 7: Plants Introduction to Plants Plant Structures, Functions, and Reproduction Plant Classification: Mosses, Ferns, Gymnosperms, & Flowering Plants Plant Responses and Adaptations Biotechnology: Medicinal and Toxic Plants Plants of the American Southeast • • • • UNIT 8: Invertebrate Zoology Defining Animal Life Sponges and Cnidarians Mollusks and Segmented Worms Arthropods and Echinoderms

Biology - Course Outline

• • • • • • • • UNIT 9: Vertebrate Zoology Nonvertebrate Chordates Fishes Amphibians Reptiles Birds Mammals Primates Ethology: The Study of Animal Behavior • • • • • • • UNIT 10: The Human Body Nervous System Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems Circulatory and Respiratory Systems Digestive and Excretory Systems Endocrine and Reproductive Systems The Immune System and Disease

Biology - Course Outline

UNIT 11: Field Biology Techniques • • • • • • • Reading & Making Maps Topographic Map Interpretation Lab Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) GIS Lab – ArcView & Google Earth Soils Biology and Soil Testing Lab Aquatic Biology Exploration Lab

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AT THE START OF CLASS

 Come in the class and take your seat  Complete Science Journal Question  Write down Latin Phrase of the Day (Mandatory)  On Monday - Get your weekly article for review assignment  Be quiet so you can hear me call out attendance  Sharpen pencils - 1 st 5 minutes ONLY (bring a darn pen) Pick up copy of daily notes packet

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU TICK ME OFF

(by not doing the above)  1st - I call your parents before the end of the day  2nd - I write you up, and you have a chat with Mr Davis or Mr. Chace, and probably get detention  3rd - I kick you out, and do all of the above  4th - Oh, and you get a zero for whatever we're doing that day, even if you've finished it already