BIOLOGY II –
COURSE SYLLABUS
SOUTH POINTE HIGH SCHOOL
Contact Information
• Instructor: Mr. John Giacobbe, MA, RPA
• voice: 602.243.0600
• webpage:
http://www.nakedscience.org/mrg/index.html
• school email:
john.giacobbe@leonagroup.com
• home email:
jgiacobbe_southpointe@cox.net
http://nakedscience.blogspot.com/
Success in Class is Based on:
• Notebook & Note Taking Skills (5%)
• Lab Work (30%)
• Daily & Homework Assignments (25%)
• Unit Tests & Block Exams (25%)
• Participation & Behavior (15%)
Grading Scale
•
•
•
•
•
A = 90 – 100%
B = 80 – 89%
C = 70 – 79%
D = 60 – 69%
(Failing – No Credit)
F = 59% & below (Failing – No Credit)
Course Goals and Objectives
By the end of the course each student will:
•
Understand the organization of living things
and the ecological nature of the environment
•
Understand species diversity, and become
familiar with invertebrate, vertebrate, & human
biology
•
Understand the Process and Method of
Scientific Research
Participation
• Participation is everything! If I see that you
are paying attention, trying your best, and
getting involved in what we are doing, I will
do everything I can to see that you
succeed.
• Get involved every day and I can
guarantee you will do well in my class.
You will also earn participation points, so
stay focused and follow instructions.
Notebook
• To pass this course you will need to keep a
notebook. This should include any handouts you
get in class, lab notes, and daily lecture notes.
KEEP EVERYTHING! All assessments are
based on notes taken during class, and you can
use your notes on most tests.
• As you progress in your education and careers,
the importance of taking good notes cannot be
underestimated. Assessment may come at any
time, so you must always come to class
prepared.
Labs
• We will complete several labs over the
course of this class.
• Labs are a vital part of learning science
and developing thinking skills.
• Participation in labs is required by all
students, and is a significant part of your
grade
Late Work
• For each day the assignment is
late, you will receive one grade
lower than you would have received
if the assignment had been on time.
• After two days, you will receive a
zero for that assignment. Seriously,
unless you’re bleeding from the
ears, no late work.
Progress Reports
• Progress reports are given out every
week, and must be returned signed by the
following week. If you do not receive a
progress report, you can always email or
ask me for a copy.
Absences
• You know the rules. If you miss five days
of classes, you get no credit. Don’t miss
class, period!!! I have no power to
reverse this rule, and students (including
those who earned an “A”) fail each block
because of absences!
Classroom Procedures
• Each day, please enter the classroom, take your
seat, and begin working on the bellwork
assignment, if any.
• If you need assistance for any reason, raise your
hand and wait to be called on.
• If you need to leave the classroom for any
reason, you must get my permission and use
the hall pass.
• At the end of class, please put your chairs back,
throw your trash away, replace your text book
and any equipment used, and wait for me to
dismiss you.
Miscellaneous Stuff
• Honesty: Cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable. Truly dreadful
things will happen to you if I find you cheating or plagiarizing.
• Cell Phones: Not. If you use one in class, I may take the phone and
give it to one of my dogs, they always eat theirs.
• Respect: Everything else comes under the heading of respect, so
show it to both your teacher and fellow students.
• Classroom Consequences:
• 1st Offense – Verbal Warning
• 2nd Offense – Loss of Participation Points for the Day and a Phone
Call Home
• 3rd Offense – Visit with the Dean of Students, Loss of Privileges,
Suspension, or Dismemberment
A Few More Reminders…
• I should never see an electronic device
(cell phone, iPod, whatever). If I do, I’ll
take it from you for the class, maybe
for the whole day if I’m in a pissy
mood.
• No frakin’ sleeping. If I have to stay
awake and listen to your sh*t, you
have to stay awake and listen to mine.
Tardiness & Other Pain in the
Ass Behaviors…
• If you’re tardy more than three times, I
will assign you Saturday Detention.
Just show up on time and stop playing
with yourselves outside.
• You’ll quickly learn what else pisses
me off. Learn fast, and don’t do it, or I’ll
give you Saturday Detentions. Oh Joy!
Biology II - Course Outline
Unit 0 - Biology I Review
• 0.1 Review of Scientific Method
• 0.2 Review of Cell Theory
• 0.3 Review of Evolution & Natural
Selection
Biology II - Course Outline
Unit 1 - Ecology II
1.1 Advanced Ecology
1.2 Advanced Abiotic Environments
1.3 Biogeography & Environmental
Science
Biology II - Course Outline
Unit 2 - Diversity of Species
2.1 Classification of Life Review
2.2 Taxonomy & Cladistics Review
Biology II - Course Outline
Unit 3 - Mathematics & Science
3.1 Math as the Language of
Science
3.2 Statistics & Probability
Biology II - Course Outline
Unit 4 - Microscopic Life
4.1 Viruses & Bacteria
4.2 Protists
4.3 Fungi
Biology II - Course Outline
Unit 5 - Invertebrate Zoology
5.1 Defining Animal Life
5.2 Sponges, Cnidarians, & Worms
5.3 Mollusks & Segmented Worms
5.4 Arthropods
5.5 Echinoderms & Invertebrate
Chordates
Biology II - Course Outline
Unit 6 - Plant Biology
6.1 Defining Plant Life
6.2 Ferns & Gymnosperms
6.3 Flowering Plants
Biology II - Course Outline
Unit 7 - Vertebrate Zoology
7.1 Fish & Amphibians
7.2 Reptiles & Birds
7.3 Mammals
7.4 Animal Behavior
Biology II - Course Outline
Unit 8 - Human Biology
8.1 Protection, Support & Locomotion
8.2 Digestion & Nutrition
8.3 Respiration, Circulation & Excretion
8.4 Nervous System
8.5 Reproduction & Development
8.6 Immunity, Disease & Pathology
Biology II – Review &
Understanding of the Syllabus
Must Be Signed by Parent/Guardian and Student
• Student Signature: ____________ Date: _____________
• Student Name (print): _________________________
• Student email (optional): _______________________
• Parent/Guardian Signature: ________ Date: _____________
• Parent/Guardian Name (print): _________________________
• Parent/Guardian email (optional): __________________________