IB Biology SL/HL Syllabus
Ms. Julie Rita
Voice Mail: 763-506-6884
Email: julie.rita@anoka.k12.mn.us
Welcome to IB Biology!
Committing yourself to this course is one of the best decisions you have made. As part of
your daily life you will be hearing about a wide variety of biology related topics in the news.
Some recent stories involve national security (is bio-terrorism a reality?) emerging diseases,
environmental ills (global warming), genetic discoveries (will human cloning be a reality?) and
so on. IB biology is designed to give you the analytical tools and content knowledge which will
aid you as you grapple with these issues and others as you continue your scientific endeavors
and fulfill your roles as a citizen and future law maker.
In this IB biology course I hope you will:
Develop an understanding of basic biological concepts
Acquire scientific vocabulary to communicate and understand scientific concepts
Apply the scientific process to solve problems
Think critically, challenging assumptions, and ask questions.
IB biology is very challenging and demanding course. It requires a commitment of both
time and personal energy to be successful. IT is imperative that you prepare for class each
day by spending time reviewing the previous day’s lesson. Also, do no procrastinate on your
assignments and reviewing. The IB course is prepared with the goal of working at the
college level. Remember that the challenge is good for you. Ask questions and do NOT be
afraid to make mistakes.
Attendance: Regular attendance is very important if you plan on succeeding in IB biology .
The attendance policy corresponds with the school-wide policy. In our Science department,
if you are truant, you will not be able to make up that work, even if it’s a test! Most of the
labs, presentations, video’s and other assignments are difficult, if not impossible, to
completely make up.
Cell Phones: I do NOT allow the use of cells phones in my classroom!!! There may be a few
times in the lab area where you will be permitted to use them as a stopwatch, but only when
I tell you to do so! If you have them out in the classroom or I see you texting, I will turn
them into your house office per CPHS rules.
Late Work: All assignments must be turned in on the date due to receive full credit. If they are
turned in the next day, it will be for 50% of the points. All unit work is due the day of the
test for 25%. After the test, I will NOT accept any late work. If you are absent from class
and the absence is excused you will have two days for every one day absent to complete your work.
If you are truant from class you will not be allowed to make up the work you miss, including
exams!
If you are in class on the day of a test you will be expected to take the test unless you have had a
lengthy absence prior to the test. An absence the day before the test will not excuse you from
taking the test. Retests will not be given.
Laboratory Work
Students are reminded that doing lab work is a privilege not to be taken lightly. Students must
agree to follow all written laboratory rules as well as those stated by the teacher. Failure to do so
may result in the loss of lab privileges making it impossible to earn an IB grade. All labs will be
turned in on Turnitin.com!
Course Outline:
Grade 11:
IB Biology A
Topic 1:
Cells
Topic 2:
Molecular Biology
Topic 4:
Ecology
Resources:
Textbook:
Companion book:
IB Study Guide
Biology Concept and Connections 5 th Edition
Biology Course Companion by Allott and Mindorff
Biology by Andrew Allott
Grading Policy
Your Champlin Park grade will be based on the weighted percentage of points earned in four
areas. 60% of your grade is earned on unit test scores, 20% is earned on laboratory work,
10% on daily work and quizzes, and the last 10% is earned on a final exam.
Grading Scale:
100% - 93.0% = A
90.0%- 92.0% = A87.0% -89.9% = B+
83.0% -86.9% = B
80.0%- 82.9% = B79.9% –77.0% = C+
73.0% - 76.9% = C
70.0% - 72.9% = C67.0% - 69.9% = D+
60.0% - 66.9% = D
Below 59.9% = F
This is an honors course. You are graded on the merit of your required work. Very little extra
credit is allowed.
Your overall grade and scores for all assignments and exams will be posted on the AH Connect
website. Grades will be updated approximately every week, typically a day or two after each exam is
given.
Test Corrections
If you choose to come in and make test corrections, and earn some points back from your
exam, you must do the following:
1. You MUST come in and go over your original answers and the test key first
2. You then MUST come in again (different day) to make your test corrections
3. You will earn .5 points for each question you correctly answer the second time
through and I’ll take the average of the number of questions you answered
correctly
4. You have 2 weeks from when the test score are posted to complete your test
corrections.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty is any activity that involves a student attempting to receive a grade by any
means other than honest effort. You are reminded that cheating will not be tolerated.
Representation of anyone else’s work as your own will result in an F and your parent will be notified.
If you are a member of National Honor Society, the cheating will be reported to the NHS Faculty
Council, and this generally results in dismissal from that organization. The following are examples of
academic dishonesty:
1. A student knowingly procuring, providing, or accepting any materials that contain questions or
answers to any examination or assignment to be given at a subsequent time.
2. A student completing, in part or in total, any examination or assignment for another student.
3. A student allowing another student to complete, in part or in total, any examination or assignment.
4. A student plagiarizing from any source including the internet, or copying the work of another
person, and submitting the work for evaluation as his or her own.
5. A student using unauthorized aids in completing and submitting an assignment or exam, i.e. a cell
phone, pager, downloaded programs on a calculator, etc..
6. A student altering a graded exam or assignment without proper authorization to do so and then
submitting the assignment for re-grading.