SPECIFIED COURSE OBJECTIVES
The biology course will provide students with a knowledge and understanding of:
1. Nature and methods of science.
2. The structure, function and reproduction of cells.
3. Basic chemistry of living organisms.
4. How energy transformations occur in cells to support life functions.
5. Homeostasis: interrelationships of systems for maintaining living organisms.
6. Cell division: growth & differentiation.
7. Chemical basis for inheritance and genetic expression.
8. Evolutionary concepts: evidence of adaptation and speciation.
9. Classification and diversity of living organisms.
10. Overview of the five kingdoms: monerans, protists, fungi, plants, animals.
11. Ecological principles: food webs, communities, biomes.
12. Basic Health Concepts regarding: drugs & alcohol, HIV infection and other
transmittable diseases.
SPECIFIED OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT
UNIT 1: Introduction to Biology
Unit Content
A] Biological Themes
B] Biological Processes
1] Methods and theories
2] Tools and techniques
C] Basic Chemistry of Living Organisms
1] Atoms, elements & compounds
2] Mixtures
3] Chemical Reactions
D] Basic Biochemistry of Living Organisms
1] Compounds Important to Life
a. Water
2] Organic Compounds
a. Carbohydrates
b. Lipids
c. Proteins
d. Nucleic Acids
UNIT 2: Cellular Biology
Unit Content
A] Structure & Function of the Cell
1. Cell Diversity
2. Parts of the Cell
3. Multicellular Organization
B] Homeostasis & Transport
1. Diffusion & Osmosis
2. Other Types of Transport
C] Photosynthesis & Respiration
1. ATP: Energy for Life
2. Photosynthesis
3. Cellular Respiration
D] Informational Molecules: Proteins & Nucleic Acids
E] Cell Division: Growth and differentiation
1. Chromosomes
2. Mitosis
3. Meiosis
UNIT 3: Genetics
Unit Content
A] Fundamentals of Genetics
1. Dominance and Recessiveness
2. Genotypes and Phenotypes
a. Probability
b. Punnett Square Predictions
B] Inheritance and Genetic Expression
1. Sex-linked traits
2. Pedigrees
3. Genetic disorders
UNIT 4: Evolution
Unit Content
A] Theory & Evidence
1. Theory
2. Fossil Evidence
3. Patterns of Evolution
B] Speciation
1. Genetic Equilibrium
a. Hardy-Weinberg Principle
2. Disruption of Genetic Equilibrium
a. Mutation
b. Migration
c. Natural Selection
3. Formation of Species
a. Isolation
b. Rates of Speciation
c. Extinction
C] Classification of Diversity
1. Taxonomy
2. Five Kingdoms
UNIT 5: Microorganisms
Unit Content
A] Viruses
1. Structure & Classification of Viruses
2. Reproduction & Evolution
B] Bacteria
1. Evolution & Classification of Monerans
2. Physiology of Monerans
3. Pathogenic Monerans & Antibiotics
C] Protozoa
1. Evolution & Classification of Protists
2. Diversity of Protozoa
D] Algae
1. Structure & Classification
E] Fungi
1. Evolution & Classification of Fungi
2. Diversity of Fungi
UNIT 6: Plants
Unit Content
A] Importance of Plants
B] Evolution & Classification of Plants
1. Overview of Plants
2. Nonvascular Plants
3. Vascular Plants
a. seedless plants
b. seed plants
C] Plant Structure & Function
1. Plant Tissues
2. Roots
3. Stems
4. Leaves
D] Plant Reproduction
1. Life Cycles
2. Flowering Plants
3. Fruits & Seeds
UNIT 7: ANIMALS - Invertebrates
Unit Content
A] Sponges & Cnidarians
1. Patterns of Invertebrate Symmetry & Organization
2. Porifera
3. Cnidaria
B] Flatworms & Roundworms
1. Platyhelminthes
2. Nematoda
C] Mollusks & Annelids
1. Mollusca
a. characteristics of Mollusks
b. dissection of mollusk
2. Annelida
a. characteristics of Annelids
b. dissection of annelid
D] Arthropods
1. Characteristics of Arthropods
2. Crustacea
a. Diversity
b. dissection of arthropod
3. Other Arthropods
a. Arachnida
E] Insects
1. Characteristics & Classification of Insects
2. External & Internal Structures of Insects
F] Echinoderms
1. Characteristics & Classification of Echinoderms
2. Dissection of echinoderm
UNIT 8: ANIMALS - Vertebrates
Unit Content
A] Chordates & Fishes
1. Characteristics & Classification of Chordates
2. Classification of Fishes
3. Anatomy of Bony Fish
a. external & internal structures
b. dissection of a bony fish
B] Amphibians
1. Characteristics & Classification of Amphibians
2. Anatomy of Frog
a. external & internal structures
b. dissection of a frog
C] Reptiles
1. Adaptations to Land
2. Characteristics of Modern Reptiles
D] Birds
1. Evolution and Classification of Birds
2. External & Internal structures
E] Mammals
1. Evolution and Characteristics of Mammals
2. Classification of Mammals
a. Monotremes and Marsupials
b. Placental Mammals
UNIT 9: Ecology
Unit Content
A] Biosphere & Biomes
1. Ecosystems
2. Terrestrial Biomes
3. Aquatic Biomes
B] Ecosystems: Structure
1. Structure
a. habitat
b. niche
c. trophic Levels
2. Energy Flow
a. food Chains
b. food webs
c. ecological pyramids
3. Biogeochemical Cycles
a. water
b. nitrogen
c. oxygen-carbon
C] Ecosystems: Relationships
1. Biotic
a. competition
b. predation
c. symbiosis
2. Rhythmic Patterns
a. circadian
b. annual
c. migratory
d. tidal
3. Succession
a. primary
b. secondary
c. succession in lakes
UNIT 10: Health Issues
Unit Content
A] Infectious Diseases and the Immune System
1. Pathogens and Disease Transmission
2. Immune System
a. nonspecific defenses
b. specific defenses
c. immune disorders
3. HIV & AIDS
a. cause & viral action
b. transmission
c. risk & prevention
B] Tobacco, Drugs & Alcohol
1. Tobacco
a. effects of tobacco
2. Alcohol
a. effects of alcohol
3. Narcotics & Psychoactive Drugs
a. effects
b. addiction
c. prescription drugs
PLAN FOR PERIODIC STUDENT ASSESSMENT
Assessment procedures must be appropriate to student's needs and developmental levels as well as course goals and objectives. Procedures will include but are not limited to the following:
A. In-class assignments and homework
1. Textbook work: Section Review, Vocab Skills, Crosswords, etc.
2. Supplemental or Enhancement work: Study Guides, Concept Mappings,
Enrichment Exercises, etc.
3. Video Viewing Questions
B. Quizzes
1. Vocabulary
2. Concepts
C. Independent/Team Research Project
1. Library and reference work
2. Additional resource work
3. Project Presentation (i.e. Science Fair)
D. Laboratory work
1. Safety Skills
2. Use of Equipment
a. General
b. Dissection
3. Data collection - accuracy & precision
4. Interpretation of data: analysis & graphic representation
5. Formal lab reports
6. Cooperation and shared responsibility
E. Testing
1. Teacher made chapter tests
2. Teacher made unit tests
3. Practical application tests
4. Semester Tests
5. Alternative assessments
SPECIFIED STANDARDS FOR PASSING
All written work, laboratory work, research projects and tests will be assigned point values based on the amount of work each requires. Students must achieve at least 60% of the total points possible in order to receive a passing grade.
98% - 100% = A+ 87% - 89% = B+ 77% - 79% = C+
94% - 97% = A 84% - 86% = B 74% - 76% = C
90% - 93% = A- 80% - 83% = B- 70% - 73% = C-
67% - 69% = D+
64% - 66% = D
60% - 63% = D-
COURSE PRESENTATION AND LEARNING APPROACH
Basis format for presentation is as follows
1. Introduction to the topic: Reading and Vocabulary
2. Concept development: Class discussion, Demonstrations, Videos, Guest speakers, Field trips
3. Reinforcement and Closure Activity: Exploratory labs, practical application labs, supplemental reinforcements
4. Identification of Student Learning: Class discussions, Written assessments
Emphasis is on student learning with the teacher acting as a facilitator who guides the learning process rather than teaching the information.