Grade Level: 9th grade

GPS Standards/Objectives

Ø      SB1. Students will analyze the nature of the relationships between structures and functions of living cells.

Ø      SB2. Students will analyze how biological traits are passed to successive generations.

Ø      SB3. Students will derive the relationship between single-celled and multi-celled organisms.

Ø      SB4. Students will assess the dependence of all organisms on one another and the flow of energy and matter within their ecosystem.

Ø      SB5. Students will evaluate the role of natural selection in the development of the theory of evolution.

Textbook:
Modern Biology

Publisher's Web Site: http://go.hrw.com/gopages/sc.html

Required Materials:

·         3-ring binder with pockets

·         Standard size, loose leaf notebook paper

·         Pencils w/ erasers, blue or black ink pen

·         Colored pencils 

·         Composition book

·         USB drive

Grading Scale:
100- 90      A
89- 80        B
79 – 70      C
Below 69   F  

Grading Weights:
Classwork/Participation: 15% 
Tests: 25%
Quizzes: 15%
End-of-Course-Test: 15%
Performance Tasks/Labs/Projects: 15%
Homework: 15%

Every student must turn in every assignment. Refer to the BTWHS Early College policy on late and make-up work.

Assessments:
Assessments will cover material we cover in class, supplemental material you are asked to read, and material covered in handouts, labs, or other activities. They will be given every 4.5 weeks. Assessments will range from multiple-choice to essay questions. Assessments are weighted as 25% of your overall grade. Quizzes may be given at any time covering assigned reading, lectures, homework, or lab procedures. The Biology End-of-Course-Test will be administered on Dec. 1, 2010. Students should study daily to be prepared for exams & quizzes.

Labs:
Laboratory experimentation and exploration are a large part of this course.  It is vital that the students follow all laboratory procedures and safety rules/guidelines. Failure to comply with behavior expectations can result in removal from the lab activities.  A safety contract will be sent home and filled out by the student and the parent/guardian. These documents will be kept on file and are needed before a student can participate in any labs.

Lab Reports:
Lab reports are to be professional quality, typed or hand written, and in the format provided by the instructor. They are due the beginning of class usually within one week after the lab is completed. Labs missed due to excused absences need to be made up in/on an agreed-upon time with the teacher. You cannot borrow data. It is the student’s responsibility to be sure these labs are made up and will be at the teacher’s convenience.

Abstracts:
Students will be expected to read 5 science articles each nine weeks and to write an abstract of each article. Use science articles only & no more than 1 per month. Articles may not be older than one year of the date the abstract is written. The magazine, journal, newspaper, or a copy of the article along with the written or typed abstract will be turned in each nine weeks in an abstract folder. The abstract must follow the format given by the teacher. Abstracts will count as daily work.

This syllabus is a tentative course plan; changes may be made at the discretion of the teacher according to the students’ needs.