Biology Syllabus
Mr. Justin Lovrien, Room 256
Email: Justin.Lovrien@k12.sd.us
Phone: 988-0265 (Please don’t call after 10 PM)
Web page: http://jl041.k12.sd.us (that is two letters "jl"
followed by three numbers "041", with no "www.")
This course is designed to:
Provide students with an appreciation for the amazing complexity of life.
Allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the scientific method through experimentation.
Educate students on life science topics relevant to their lives.
Enable students to understand basic biological concepts, including the cell theory, transmission of genetic traits, natural selection and evolution, human health and basic ecology.
Teach through study and experimentation the basics of biochemistry.
Demonstrate that science is useful and applicable to all students!
Semester I
Unit 1: Introduction to Biology via Environmental Studies
a. ecosystems, land biomes, aquatic biomes,
energy flow/nutrient cycles, population and community dynamics
(LSS 1,3,16,18-25; PSS 33; NOS 3-15; STS 1,4-9,14; ESS 2-4,6) .
b. scientific method, metric conversions, lab safety,
atomic and molecular structure (NOS 5,9,10,11,12,15; PSS 1; LSS
3,4; STS 1-4, 9)
Unit 2: Cellular Biology
c. chemical basis of life (LSS 3; PSS 4,6,9,10,11,13,14)
d. cell theory, cell anatomy, cell physiology ( LSS 3,4,6,7; PSS 11,14)
c. photosynthesis , cell respiration(LSS 3,4,5,6; NOS 3-15)
3. Unit 3: Genetics
a. DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, chromosome theory of heredity, mutations, gene expression, genetic engineering (LSS 6,9,10)
b. cell growth, cell cycle chromosome theory of heredity (
mitosis & cytokinesis) (LSS 6,9,10)
c. Mendelian genetics, meiosis (LSS 8,10,11,12,13)
Semester II
Unit 4: Evolution
a. evolutionary trends, fossil record (LSS 8, 14,15,16,17 ; PSS 3,4, NOS 1-15; STS 2,3; ESS 5)
b. Darwinism, natural selection, genetics & evolution (LSS 8, 14,15,16,17 ; PSS 3,4, NOS 1-15; STS 2,3; ESS 5)
2. Unit 5: Diversity of Life
a. Chapter 14- classification and taxonomy ( LSS 1,8)
b. Chapter 20- viruses , bacteria ,disease (LSS 1,2)
c. invertebrate animals (LSS 1,2)
d. vertebrate animals (LSS 1,2)
e. plants (LSS 6,8)
3. Unit 6: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology
a. Body organization (LSS 1,2,4,6,7)
b. Circulatory System (LSS 1,2,4,6,7)
c Immune System (LSS 1,2,4,6,7)
d. Nervous System (LSS 1,2,4,6,7)
GRADING POLICIES:
The Brandon Valley School District grading scale is as follows:
A 95-100%
A- 92-94.5%
B+ 89-91.5%
B 86-88.5%
B- 83-85.5%
C+ 80-82.5%
C 77-79.5%
C- 74-76.5%
D+ 71-73.5%
D 68-70.5%
D- 65-67.5%
F 0-64.5%
Quarter Grade Determination:
20% of quarter grade = Participation, Homework , Daily Work
30% of quarter grade= Labs
50% of quarter grade = Projects and Tests
Semester Grade Determination:
Quarter 1 ( or Quarter 3) = 40 %
Quarter 2 ( or Quarter 4) = 40%
Semester Test (1 or 2) = 20%
_________
Total 100%
Semester Testing:
In accordance with district policy, a semester test shall be given at the end of each of the two semesters of biology . This test shall be graded and carry the weight of 20% of the semester grade.
LATE WORK POLICIES:
No late work shall be accepted. Written assignments and projects will be collected on the given due date at the beginning of the class period. Assignments not turned in at this time will receive a zero. Students will be able to make up two assignments per quarter through extra credit options.
Students who miss class for extracurricular activities or other planned absences are responsible for obtaining their assignments and setting up quiz/test make-ups BEFORE attending the event. Failure to do so will result in the student receiving a zero for all missed work.
Excused absences (other than extracurricular activities)—shall be given as many school days as they were absent plus one additional day to make up all work for full credit. Students are responsible for contacting the instructor to obtain their missed assignments and to meet deadlines.
Unexcused absences may not make up the assignments for credit.
Students not taking a test on the assigned test date will take an alternative test. This is necessary to allow tests to be returned to students as soon as possible.
TEXTBOOK:
Biology, Johnson & Raven, 2004 (Holt) as reference.
Biology Dept flexbook
EXTRA CREDIT:
Mr. Lovrien will offer specific extra credit opportunities (about 2 per quarter). No extra credit will be offered in the last two weeks of a grading period.
CHEATING:
Acts of cheating shall not be tolerated. Should cheating occur, the student will be immediately referred to the high school office and shall receive a zero.
Cheating is defined as :
1. Using or providing an answer (other than one coming from the student’s own thought processes) to answer a quiz, test, homework, laboratory or term paper assignment. The answer may be as short as one word or as long as a major page term paper.
2. Plagurism, including ‘clip and paste,’ is cheating
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:
The following behaviors need to be exhibited in order to provide an environment that is conducive for learning:
Be prepared for class---- assignments complete & all materials present.
Maintain appropriate sound and activity levels.
Maintain a positive attitude.
Be cooperative and honest.
Be in assigned seat when the late bell rings, or receive "a tardy".
Respect all life around you.
No food or drinks in classroom ( water is acceptable).
Follow the rules and procedures as stated in the Student Handbook.
WEBSITE:
I maintain a useful website which includes class notes, study guides, class presentations, a photo album and other information. If a student doesn’t have access to a home computer, there are plenty available at BVHS. The library and computer labs have plenty of networked computers available for student use before or after school.