Science Department
IONA CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
Course Code: SBI 3U1
Course Name: Biology, Grade 11 University Preparation
Instructor: Mr. B. Kells
Period: 2
Room Number: 217
Course Overview:
This course furthers students’ understanding of the processes that occur in biological
systems. Students will study theory and conduct investigations in the areas of
biodiversity;
evolution;
genetic processes;
the structure and
function of animals;include:
and the
Strands
of Study
and Overall
Expectations
anatomy, growth, and function of plants. The course focuses on the theoretical aspects of
the topics under study, and helps students refine skills related to scientific investigation.
Prerequisite: Science, Grade 10, Academic
Strands of Study and Overall Expectations include:
Ministry guidelines for specific course:
B1. analyse the effects of various human activities on the diversity of living things;
B2. investigate, through laboratory and/or field activities or through simulations, the principles of
scientific classification, using appropriate sampling and classification techniques;
B3. demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of living organisms in terms of the principles of
taxonomy and phylogeny.
C1. analyse the economic and environmental advantages and disadvantages of an artificial selection
technology, and evaluate the impact of environmental changes on natural selection and
endangered species;
C2. investigate evolutionary processes, and analyse scientific evidence that supports the theory of
evolution;
C3. demonstrate an understanding of the theory of evolution, the evidence that supports it, and some
of the mechanisms by which it occurs.
D1. evaluate the importance of some recent contributions to our knowledge of genetic processes, and
analyse social and ethical implications of genetic and genomic research;
D2. investigate genetic processes, including those that occur during meiosis, and analyse data to solve
basic genetics problems involving monohybrid and dihybrid crosses;
D3. demonstrate an understanding of concepts, processes, and technologies related to the transmission
of hereditary characteristics.
E1. analyse the relationships between changing societal needs, technological advances, and our
understanding of internal systems of humans;
E2. investigate, through laboratory inquiry or computer simulation, the functional responses
of the respiratory and circulatory systems of animals, and the relationships between their
respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems;
E3. demonstrate an understanding of animal anatomy and physiology, and describe disorders of the
respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems.
F1. evaluate the importance of sustainable use of plants to Canadian society and other cultures;
F2. investigate the structures and functions of plant tissues, and factors affecting plant growth;
F3. demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of vascular plants, including their structures, internal
transport systems, and their role in maintaining biodiversity.
Efforts will be made to meet the individual learning needs of students in order to
ensure these expectations are being met.
Course Breakdown
UNITS OF STUDY:
Unit B: Diversity of Living Things
Unit C: Evolution
Unit D: Genetic Processes
Unit E: Animals: Structure and Function
Unit F: Plants: Anatomy, Growth, and Function
TEXTS AND RESOURCES:
Biology 11 McGraw-Hill Ryerson
Resources:
The course will use a variety of resources including video, CDROM, Internet Applications and a variety of print sources. The
textbook will be distributed to students during the first week of
the course. The text and all other resources assigned to students
are the responsibility of the student. Any damage incurred will
result in payment for replacement. Replacement cost for the text
will be posted in the classroom.
Evaluation Structure::
Knowledge/Understanding
Thinking
Communication
Application
25%
35%
15%
25%
The above is reflected both in the term work (worth 70% of the
final mark) and the summative work (worth 30% of the final
mark). Summative work consists of the Final Exam (25%) and a
Culminating Activity (5%).
Evaluation Policy
Students will be assessed & evaluated according to the work produced & skills displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include assessing work in
process & evaluating completed assignments, tests, co-operative learning activities, simulations and presentations. Peer & self-evaluations will also be
utilized. Student marks will be determined by evaluating process & product according to 4 categories & 4 levels. Please see the chart below for specific
skills and key words used to determine student competency in the different categories.
Category
Knowledge/Understanding: Knowledge of
content and understanding of content.
Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:
Level 4:
50-59%
60-69%
70-79%
80-100%
Limited display of:
knowledge of content
Some success in:
knowledge of content
Considerable display of:
knowledge of content
Thorough understanding of:
knowledge of content
uses creative thinking
initiating, processing
and planning skills
and strategies with
limited effectiveness
uses creative thinking
initiating, processing
and planning skills and
strategies with some
effectiveness
uses creative thinking
initiating, processing and
planning skills and
strategies with considerable effectiveness
uses creative thinking
initiating, processing and
planning skills and
strategies with a high degree
of effectiveness
Communication: Expression and organization
of ideas and information and use of conventions
vocabulary, and terminology of the discipline in
oral, graphic, and written forms.
communicates, uses
conventions and
terminology,
organizes ideas and
information with
limited effectiveness
communicates, uses
conventions and
terminology, organizes
ideas and information
with some
effectiveness
communicates, uses
conventions and
terminology, organizes
ideas and information
with considerable
effectiveness
communicates, uses
conventions and
terminology, organizes ideas
and information with a high
degree of effectiveness
Application: Application and transfer of
knowledge and skills; Making connections
between science, technology, society, and
the environment.
transfers and applies
knowledge and skills
to unfamiliar contexts
and proposes courses
of practical action
with limited
effectiveness
transfers and applies
knowledge and skills
to unfamiliar contexts
and proposes courses
of practical action
with some
effectiveness
transfers and applies
knowledge and skills to
unfamiliar contexts and
proposes courses of
practical action with
considerable
effectiveness
Thinking: Use of planning skills, processing
skills and critical/creative thinking skill.
transfers and applies
knowledge and skills to
unfamiliar contexts and
proposes courses of
practical action with a high
degree of effectiveness
Feedback will also be provided for student learning skills. Skills like RESPONSIBILITY, ORGANIZATION, INDEPENDENT WORK,
COLLABORATION, INITIATIVE, and SELF-REGULATION are assessed independently from student achievement and will be conducted through the
use of a rubric indicating specific criteria to be achieved to receive each of the following letter grades:
E –Excellent
G – Good
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement
Other Evaluation Issues





LATE ASSIGNMENTS The due dates for major assignments will be clearly articulated by the teacher when the task is assigned. The
teacher will establish a deadline and each day late after this date an appropriate penalty will be established. The exact conditions and
penalties can be obtained from the school handbook.
INCOMPLETE ASSSIGNMENTS Assignments will be graded according to the extent with which they meet the criteria established in the
rubric or evaluation structure.
MISSED TESTS . Teachers will give the class ample notice for up-coming tests/evaluations. It is the responsibility of the student to make
arrangements for an alternative assessment date (which may not be during class time) with the teacher before the scheduled time for the
test/evaluation. If a test is missed due to a legitimate reason, verification (note only to be handed in on the day of the student’s return)
from a parent/guardian must be given to the subject teacher indicating that the parents are aware the student has missed a test. If a
test is missed as a result of truancy, a mark of zero will be assigned with no opportunity for a re-write.
PLAGIARISM in any form reflects academic dishonesty and will result in a mark that is determined by the administration in collaboration
with the classroom teacher. Further information can be obtained from the school handbook.
ATTENDANCE It is the responsibility of each student to be punctual and in attendance, with proper materials, at all classes and
scheduled activities. Students who miss classes may put their credit in jeopardy. It is the student’s responsibility to catch up on
missed work when absent.