Brookwood High School
HIGH SCHOOL COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE TITLE……..Gifted Biology
TEACHERS ....... …. …Kim Hamman
TERM.................... Fall 2011
ROOM # ................. F8
Email Address
kim_hamman@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Teacher Web Page Located on Brookwood’s website at www.brookwoodhighschool.net
(770) 736-3148
9th Grade Office
Teacher Support
*Office hours – Some mornings 6:50-7:20 and by appointment after school
(varies by the week). Students are encouraged to make appointments with
the teacher for one-on-one help and to ensure availability.
*The Freshman Academy hosts extra help for Biology on Mondays and
Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30 pm.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Concepts for this two-semester course include the interdependence of organisms; the relationship of
matter, energy, and organization in living systems; the behavior of organisms; and biological evolution.
Students will investigate biological concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the
processes of inquiry. Honors and Gifted Biology also require an experimental science project.
COURSE CURRICULUM CONTENT
The entire list of Academic, Knowledge and Skills for each of the following curriculum strands in this
course can be accessed through the district web address at www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us
AKS STRANDS
A - Characteristics of Science
* design and conduct scientific investigations (GPS, HSGT, ACT)
(SCBI_A2005-1)
*apply standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field
investigations (GPS, HSGT) (SCBI_A2005-2)
* use technology to collect, observe, measure, and manipulate data and findings
(GPS, HSGT, ACT) (SCBI_A2005-3)
* use valid critical assumptions to draw conclusions (GPS, HSGT, ACT)
(SCBI_A2005-4)
* apply computation and skills necessary for analyzing data and developing
conclusions (GPS, HSGT) (SCBI_A2005-5)
* communicate scientific investigations clearly (GPS, HSGT) (SCBI_A2005-6)
* read scientific materials to establish context for subject matter, to develop
vocabulary, and to be aware of current research
(GPS, HSGT) (SCBI_A2005-7)
* discuss the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism in
science and exhibit these traits in efforts to understand
how the world works (GPS) (SCBI_A2006-1)
B - Academic Knowledge
* analyze the relationship between structures and functions in living cells (GPS,
HSGT) (SCBI_B2005-8)
* analyze how biological traits are passed on to successive generations (GPS,
HSGT) (SCBI_B2005-9)
* examine the relationship between unicellular and multicellular organisms and
the increasing complexity of systems (GPS, HSGT)
(SCBI_B2005-10)
* evaluate the dependence of all organisms on one another and the flow of
energy and matter within their ecosystems (GPS, HSGT,
CE) (SCBI_B2005-11)
* evaluate the role of natural selection in the development of the theory of
evolution (GPS, HSGT) (SCBI_B2005-12)
UNITS/TOPICS
Topic
Intro to Biology
Chapters
Chapter 1
Test
Skills Test
Ecology
Chapters
2-5
Chapter 6
Ecology Test
Midterm
Biochem Test
Chapters
7-9
Cells Test
Biochemistry
Science Fair Part
I (Research) and
Part II (Writing
Scientific Papers)
Cells (Structure,
Transport,
Energy,
Reproduction)
DNA & Protein
Synthesis
Review & Finals
Chapter 11
DNA &
Protein
Synthesis Test
Performance
(Lab) Exam,
County
Benchmark
Final, and
Local
Objective
Final
Fall Gifted Biology Course Syllabus – Page 1 of 4
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
Published Materials
Biology: Dynamics of Life
Cost to replace: $55.95
(This book can be accessed online.
Please see the teacher webpage for
more information.)
EVALUATION AND GRADING
Assignments









Classwork
Homework
Labs
Quizzes
Science Fair Project
Unit Projects
Unit Tests
Midterm Exam
Final Exam (Performance
Exam, County
Benchmark Final, and
Local Objective Final)







Instructional Supplies
1 in. 3- ring binder, to be used exclusively for Biology
1 of the following for Journal assignments: 3- prong folder
(pockets optional), composition book, OR thin spiral notebook
loose leaf notebook paper
pencils and blue or black pens
colored pencils for use at home
Strongly recommended: USB flash drive
The following classroom donations are greatly appreciated:
Clorox wipes, roll of paper towels
Grade Weights
Grading Scale
Class Assessments
35 %
(Classwork, Homework, Labs,
Minor Quizzes, and NonScience Fair Projects)
Interim Assessments
(Midterm Exam)
Final Exam
20 %
(Performance Exam -15% and
Objective Exam- 5%)
Classroom Expectations:
 Follow the directions the first time they are
given.
 Be polite and respectful toward your fellow
classmates, your teacher, and your school. Do
not talk while others are talking.
 Be a participant.
o All students are expected to participate
appropriately in all assigned activities.
o Sleeping is not allowed in class.
o You are expected to do your own worknot copy others. Cheating is not tolerated.
90 and above
80 – 89
74 – 79
70 – 73
69 or below
5%
Summative Assessments 40 %
(Major Quizzes, Unit Tests, and
Science Fair Project)
OTHER INFORMATION
Expectations for Academic Success
A:
B:
C:
D:
F:
Students will be given a final
academic grade in each semester
course. A final report of grades
will be completed at the end of
each eighteen weeks.
For information on accessing
student grades via the Gwinnett
Parent Portal, please contact the
Brookwood Counseling Office.
Additional Requirements/Resources
Notebooks: Organization is one key to staying on top
of required assignments and study materials. To this
end, students are required to maintain an organized
notebook that follows the same order as the table of
contents established by the teacher. Notebooks will
be graded with an unannounced check or quiz
Make-up work: It is the responsibility of the student
to schedule to make up work missed due to an
excused absence within 5 school days. Make-up
work that is not completed in the allotted time will be
assigned a zero. Make-up tests may not be the same
format as the original.
Fall Gifted Biology Course Syllabus – Page 2 of 4


Be prepared.
o Be on time to class. This means in your
seat and not needing to leave the room.
o Bring all materials to class each day.
o Complete homework and regularly review
the material in your notebook.
Follow policies in the Brookwood Students’
Handbook
Consequences:
1. Warning
2. 30 minute detention
3. 60 minute detention + parent contact
4. Referral to administrator
*In the event of a severe misbehavior, the student
will be referred to an administrator.
Cheating:
Any student found to be cheating on any
assignment will receive a zero and an
administrative referral.
Definition of Cheating
Brookwood High School aligns our policies on
academic honesty with similar policies found
at colleges. Cheating at Brookwood High
School includes any attempt to defraud,
deceive, or mislead a teacher in arriving at an
honest evaluation of student achievement.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to the
following:
1. Looking at a test, quiz, or exam of another
student while taking an evaluation
2. Attempting to communicate information in
any way during an in-class evaluation
3. Having cheat sheets, or information written
on the body or other personal objects
4. Using programmed calculators or other
electronic devices unless expressly permitted
by the teacher
5. Looking at quiz, test, or exam materials
prior to their administration
6. Failing to give credit for the ideas, words, or
works of others
7. Giving information regarding an evaluation
to another student who is scheduled to take the
same evaluation
8. Submitting work through the use of
technology that is not created by the student,
Journal: Students will keep a daily journal in which
they address questions at the beginning of the class
period. Students are expected to be working silently
on the journal when the bell rings. The journal will be
graded by an unannounced check or quiz.
Late Work: Students are expected to turn in work at
the announced time unless the student had an excused
absence. In this case, the work is due the day the
student returns from the excused absence.
EXCEPTION- Individual students’ portions of
cooperative group work MUST be turned in on the
assigned due date even if the student is absent from
school on that date. This is a necessity since all
members of the group are depending on the others for
completion of the work.
Laboratories: Labs will occur often in this class.
Students are expected to follow all lab safety
instructions. Any student who violates lab safety
rules may be removed from the lab, may receive a
zero, may receive detention, or may lose lab
privileges for the semester.
Projects: Gifted Biology will require the
development of a Science Fair-style project from start
to finish as well as other integrative projects. To help
students with this process, the Science Fair project
will be divided into five teacher-guided subunits that
will extend from October to April. During the Fall
Semester, students will be expected to research
scientific journals and develop a scientific paper.
During the Spring Semester, students will work in
small groups in order to design and conduct an
experiment, analyze data, and present findings.
All students are required to participate in the
group to which they are assigned and the
participation of all students will be considered in
the determination of a single group grade.
Students will complete one to three additional
projects each semester. These will combine research,
presentation, extension of material, and/or creativity.
Course Readings: Students will read primary and
secondary sources (articles and book excerpts) that
relate to each unit of study throughout the year.
These course readings will come from a variety of
authors and will be in a variety of formats and genres.
It is important that students keep up with the course
Fall Gifted Biology Course Syllabus – Page 3 of 4
including but not limited to file sharing
(submitting the same work with different
header), copying files to and from disks and
websites, or purchasing solutions or works
from others.
readings and come prepared for discussion and/or
activity on the day assigned.
Final Exams: A county benchmark assessment will
be given as the objective final during the Fall
Semester. The state-mandated End of Course Test
will assess students’ mastery of the biology content at
the end of the school year. This test, typically given
in early May, is comprehensive in nature and will
count as the Spring Semester Final Exam (20% of the
semester grade).
Science Safety Contract for Brookwood High School Students:
Please sign the Student Information Sheet indicating that you understand this safety contract and agree
that as a science student, you will adhere to the following safety rules:
1. Follow all general and specific instructions given by the teacher for a lab activity.
2. Read your lab carefully. If you are in doubt about any procedure, ask your lab partner(s) and/or
teacher for help.
3. Do not perform activities that are unauthorized.
4. Immediately report to the teacher any accident, injury, incorrect procedure, or damaged
equipment.
5. Safety glasses, gloves, and aprons must be worn for any activity indicated by the teacher.
6. Do not engage in horseplay or any other such actions during a lab activity.
7. Use the safety equipment provided for you. Know the location of the fire extinguisher, fire
blanket, first aid kit, and closest administrator’s office.
8. Any accident that might cause personal injury must be reported to the teacher. A copy of this
accident report will be sent home and an incident report will be filed with county security.
9. Place trash and used materials in their designated containers. Glassware and certain chemicals
must be disposed of properly.
10. Never taste any chemical substance in the laboratory and never inhale chemicals.
11. When your activity is complete, be sure to turn off the water and disconnect electrical connections.
Clean your work area thoroughly as indicated by your teacher. Return all materials to their proper
places.
12. Use common sense!
13. I also understand that failure to adhere to the proceeding safety rules or the regulations outlined in
the student handbook, or endangering myself or any other member of the class will result in a
disciplinary action and removal from the lab area.
Please sign the Student Information Sheet to acknowledge that you have read and
understand the syllabus.
The syllabus may be updated as needed throughout the semester.
Fall Gifted Biology Course Syllabus – Page 4 of 4