kbrelsford@muncysd.org

BIOLOGY COURSE OUTLINE This course is outlined based on the eligible content and assessment anchors for the Biology Keystone Exam. Students must reach a level of proficiency in Biology prior to graduation.

I. Organismal Biology (Big Idea – common theme throughout the entire semester)

Eligible Content:

Explain how organisms maintain homeostasis (thermoregulation, water regulation, oxygen regulation)

Describe and interpret relationships between structure and function at various levels of biological organization (organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and multicellular organisms)

Keystone Vocabulary: homeostasis, homeostatic mechanism,

II. Foundations of Biology Eligible Content:

Distinguish between the scientific terms: hypothesis, inference, law, theory, principle, fact, and observation Keystone Vocabulary: adhesion, atom, biological macromolecules, biology, carbohydrate, catalyst, cell, cohesion, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), enzyme, homeostasis, hypothesis, law (scientific), lipids, macromolecule, mechanism (scientific), molecule, monomer, multicellular, nucleic acid, organ, organ system, organelle, organic molecule, pH, principle (scientific), protein, science, system, theory (scientific), tissue

III. Cell Growth and Reproduction Eligible Content:

Describe how the structure of the plasma membrane allows it to function as a regulatory structure and/or protective barrier for the cell

Compare the mechanisms that transport materials across the plasma membrane – diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion, and active-transport pumps, endocytosis, exocytosis

Describe the events that occur during the cell cycle: interphase, nuclear division (mitosis or meiosis), cytokinesis

Compare the processes and outcomes of mitotic and meiotic division Keystone Vocabulary: active transport, biotechnology, carrier (transport) proteins, cell cycle, cellular respiration, chloroplast, concentration, concentration gradient, diffusion, endocytosis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), endosymbiosis, eukaryote, exocytosis, extracellular, facilitated diffusion, gamete, golgi apparatus, intracellular, mitochondrion, nucleus, osmosis, passive transport, photosynthesis, plasma membrane, plastids, prokaryote, protein pumps, ribosome

IV. Genetics Eligible Content:

Describe how the process of DNA replication results in the transmission and/or conservation of genetic information

Describe how the processes of transcription and translation are similar in all organisms

Describe the role of ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, and the nucleus in the production of specific types of proteins

Explain the relationships between DNA, genes, alleles, and chromosomes and their roles to inheritance

Describe and/or predict observed patterns of inheritance (ie., dominant, recessive, co-dominance, incomplete dominance, sex-linked, polygenic, and multiple alleles

Describe processes that can alter composition or number of chromosomes (ie., crossing over, nondisjunction, duplication, translocation, deletion, insertion, and inversion)

Describe how genetic mutations alter the DNA sequence may or may not affect phenotype (eg., silent, nonsense, frame-shift)

Explain how genetic engineering has impacted the fields of medicine, forensics, and agriculture (selective breeding, gene splicing, cloning, genetically modified organisms, gene therapy)

Keystone Vocabulary: allele, allele frequency, chromosomal mutation, cloning, co-dominance, crossing over, cytokinesis, DNA replication, dominant inheritance, forensics, frameshift mutation, gene, gene expression, gene recombination, gene splicing, gene therapy, genetic engineering, genetically modified organism (GMO), genetics, genotype, incomplete dominance, inheritance, meiosis, mitosis, multiple alleles, mutation, nondisjunction, phenotype, point mutation, polygenic trait, protein synthesis, recessive inheritance, selective breeding, semiconservative replication, sex-linked trait, transcription, translation, translocation

V. Theory of Evolution Eligible Content:

Explain how natural selection can impact allele frequencies in a population

Describe factors that can contribute to the development of new species (e.g., isolating mechanisms, genetic drift, founder effect, migration)

Explain how genetic mutations may result in genotypic and phenotypic variations within a population Keystone Vocabulary: evolution, founder effect, genetic drift, isolating mechanisms, migration, natural selection, speciation

VI. Classification and Taxonomy Eligible Content:

Interpret evidence supporting the theory of evolution (ie., fossil, anatomical, physiological, embryological, biochemical, and universal genetic code)

Keystone Vocabulary: analogous structure, embryology, fossils, homologous structure, species, vestigial structure

TEACHER EXPECTATIONS AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES 1. You will need a three-ring binder or folder daily (1.5” is fine) to organize notes, handouts, and labs that will

occur throughout the school year. 2. Topics, homework assignments, and assessment dates are posted weekly on the teacher’s web page. 3. All HW assignments are due at the start of class. 4. Check grade in PowerSchool weekly. Missing work is the responsibility of the student to schedule time for it to

be made up. I am available before and after school as posted in the pathfinder. 5. Make up any outstanding work in a timely fashion keeping in mind that make-up work may not be done during

class.

Assume responsibility for work missed during an absence. Papers that you missed will be placed on the assignment board to be picked up at the start of class.

6. Participate in class discussions on a daily basis. Bell Ringers and Exit Slips will be used and at times they will be assessed as a classwork grade. If you participate and actively complete notes during powerpoint discussions – you will do well on these types of activities.

7. Arrive to class on time every day, take your assigned seat, place HW on your desk, pick up the bell ringer, and prepare for class by completing the bell ringer.

If you are late, you must have a pass to be excused.

3 unexcused tardies will result in a detention. 8. Follow all safety guidelines during laboratory exercises at all times. Failure to do so will result in

removal from the lab and a grade of zero.

AVAILABILITY Room 206; T, W, and Th 7:15-7:30 am and 2:30 – 3:00 pm or by an alternate scheduled time.

GRADING Grades are based on a total point system. Grades will be posted on at least a weekly basis. It is the student’s responsibility to check for outstanding work and to have all work made up in the appropriate time frame. The marking period grade will be based on the following items:

1. Homework 2. Classwork (including notes, bell ringers, jigsaw activities, exit slips etc.) 3. Lab Activities and Analysis 4. Assessments

MAKE-UP WORK/LATE WORK It will be the student’s responsibility to get assignments and make sure they are completed on the assigned due date. 1. HW Assignments:

HW assignments need to be completed on time to remain on track and check for understanding of material before moving on to new material. Late HW is NOT accepted.

2. Tests and Quizzes: All tests will be announced at least two days in advance. If you are absent the day of a test, be prepared to make it up within three days. If you were absent when the test date was announced, you will be required to take the test within the time frame of the number of days absent.

3. Labs: If you missed a scheduled lab, you have three days to make up the lab after returning. Labs may be made up before school or after school. You are responsible for scheduling the make-up time. Failure to make up lab work within the specified time frame will result in a grade of zero.

Homework that is assigned is to help YOU to be introduced to the material, for YOU to practice the material, and for YOU to review for assessments. Do your own work!

Evaluation of Homework Assignments and Formative Assessments Homework will be evaluated in the following:

Homework checks: All homework assignments will be checked for completeness

YES, I ACTUALLY LOOK AT YOUR WORK your HW You can receive either a full credit, half credit or a zero. Full credit = HW is done and placed on your desk at the start of class. Half credit = < 75% completed A 0 is obtained if the homework is not turned in on the due date.

A point value will be assigned to the homework checks and posted in PowerSchool.

Formative Daily/Weekly Assessments: Will be used to check for understanding at the end of a lesson, notes, or activity. Resources may be utilized – homework, notes, etc. If are fulfilling your role as a student in Biology class – these

should be “free, easy points” to boost your grade. Answers will be graded for accuracy The quizzes will be worth 5-10 points and will be counted towards the homework/participation portion of the

overall grade. These types of assessments will NOT be made up.

“Re-Assessment” Policy: This policy is in place so that you are able to master the material prior to taking the ultimate summative assessments – the final exam and the Biology Keystone. Mastering the material in small chunks is key to understanding and applying all concepts as they are tied together throughout the semester. The following guidelines will be utilized for this policy:

Advanced Proficient ≥ 92% - you have demonstrated mastery – no retake necessary!

If you scored <92%, you may retake the assessment ~ o You must review your old assessment prior to the retake o The highest grade you can earn on the retake is a 92% (demonstration of mastery) o The new assessment will be of the same point value with different questions of equal difficulty **If you are missing any other assessments, you may not retake until you are caught up on missing assessments.

Bonus Knowledge Points: Extra credit will NOT be given in this course. You are expected to do what is assigned. But to encourage YOU to make sure you are as prepared as you can possibly be – consider this opportunity. If you organize your notes, key terms, etc. for each assessment and turn it in the day of the assessment you will receive +3 points on the assessment for organizing your study information in a usable format for you. Some possibilities may include:

Outlining/rewriting notes and key terms

Making flash cards containing key information and terms

Creating concept maps to link topics

Another method of your choosing – must be pre-approved