Ms. Dina
Zoology
Classroom Guide /Syllabus
2015-2016
Course Description
Zoology is a high level science course that studies the various types of animal life. Students will learn the
names, classification, and internal anatomy of all the different animal species. Throughout the class,
students will perform several dissections and compare and contrast the anatomy of different animal phyla.
This course is rated as a College-preparatory course and is taught out of a college level textbook.
main concepts covered during the year
1. the scientific process of Zoology
2. the physiology of the nine most important phyla
in the Animal Kingdom
3. to study animal reproduction, behavior, and evolution
4. to increase awareness of the interdependence of
organisms in an ecosystem
5. to conceive and understand the continuity of design
and the origin and evolution of similar structures
throughout the diversities of animal life on earth
Course Outline
First Semester
Ch 1 – 10
Ch 11-12
Ch 13
Ch 14
Introduction to Class, Safety,
Introduction to Dissection/Latin Terms
Unicellular Eukaryotes, Sponges and Placozoans
Radiate Animals
Acoelomorpha, Playzoa and Mesozoa
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3 - 4
Week 5 - 6
Week 7 - 8
FALL BREAK October 15-16
Ch 15
Ch 16
Ch 17-18
Polyzoa and Kryptrochozoa
Mollusca
Annelids and Ecdysozoans
Week 9-10
Week 11-12
Week 12-13
THANKSGIVING BREAK Nov 23-27
Ch 19-21
Phylum Arthropoda
Week 14-15
winter Break December 21-Jan1
Second Semester
Ch 22-23
Ch 24
Ch 25
Ch 26
Echinoderms, Hemichodata, Chordata
Fishes
Early Tetrapods and Amphibians
Amniote origins and Nonavian Reptiles
Week 1 - 3
Week 4-6
Week 6 - 7
Week 8 - 9
SPRING BREAK
Project
Ch 27
Ch 28
Project
Start Children’s Book Project
Birds
Mammals
Continue Children’s Book Project and Present
Week 11
Week 12-13
Week 14-17
Week 18-19
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General Rules
1. Respect the teacher, fellow students, lab equipment, classroom materials and animals at all
times.
2. Be prepared to do work every day. Bring your book, paper, and a writing utensil every day,
plans may change without notice. You will need a pencil for most tests.
3. Be on time and wear your I.D. Do NOT be tardy. Be prompt and seated in your assigned
seat, ready to work with all materials when the bell rings. You must be inside the door before the
last chime of the bell or you are tardy.
4. Do NOT disturb or play with lab equipment or any equipment in the room until told to do
so and do so only under the instructor’s directions.
5. No food or drinks will be allowed in class with the exception of water. On days that
we are doing experiments or dissections, it is imperative you do not have any food or drinks out in
the laboratory. Any student with food or drink will have it taken away.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES: these apply to everyone!

Before handing in papers, please write your name, the date and the class period in ink in
the upper right hand corner.

When a quiz or test is completed, please turn your paper over and remain seated, I will
come around and pick them up.

After an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain notes, assignments, and reschedule tests, quizzes, dissections and lab practicals. One make-up day is allowed for
each day missed. Please contact me about this ASAP when you are absent or check out
the website for makeup times for dissections or practicals.
Tardy Policy
When the bell rings, the students are expected to be within the door. Failure to meet this requirement will
result in the student being given a “tardy.” Two tardies equals one absence as outlined in the student
handbook. If a student id more than five (5) minutes late, they will be counted absent.
Discipline Policy
As a consequence of inappropriate behavior, the teacher may assign detention, send a referral to the
office, and/or contact the parent(s). Detentions will be held in the mornings or afternoons only (based
upon individual circumstances). Failure to serve assigned detentions will result in added detentions &/or
referral to the office.
Semester Exams
A comprehensive semester examination will be included in the semester grade. The examination shall
count no more than 15% of the students’ final semester grade. The use of supplementary aids (open
notes, note cards, open book, etc.) for the examination will not be allowed.
Late Assignment Policy
Assignments that are handed in on time have the potential to receive full credit. Assignments that are
handed in late, without good reason, will be worth a maximum of 50% credit.
Remember that it is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to ask for make-up work when he/she is absent.
If a student is to be absent for a school activity, he/she should find out about any make-up work before
leaving for the school activity.
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Students that miss an announced test may be given a different test from the rest of the class. Make-up
tests may be in fill-in-the-blank or short answer form.
Grading Policy
The grading system in Zoology is based on a total point system. Assignments will be worth a varying
number of points based on difficulty level and importance. The categories of assignments are as follows:




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35%: Daily work (vocab, colorsheets, study guides, group work, worksheets, chapter questions)
25%: laboratory activities and reports
25%: Chapter tests, quizzes and lab practicals
15%: Nine weeks and Semester Test – no more than 15% of the overall grade
extra credit may be offered not to exceed 5% of grade
MATERIALS REQUIRED:
1. Zoology textbook (supplied by the school)
2. Writing instruments: #2 pencil for tests, ink pens for writing names on
papers, colored pencils (50 ct.)
3. Three ring binder ( 2 ”)
4. Notebook paper – college or wide ruled
5. Dividers with labels to separate assignments
6. Spiral notebook (needs to have 3 holes so it can be placed in the 3 ring
binder.)
Contact Information:
Deena Dina
deenadina@mooreschools.com
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Ms. Dina : Advanced placement Environmental Science, Earth Science and
Zoology
Signatures
EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT:
Students are expected to be in their seats and ready to learn when the bell rings. When a
dissection is in progress, each student is expected to take an active part. This is an elective
class and students are not allowed to sit back and refuse to dissect. Students will not be
allowed to interfere with the learning process of the class as a whole. The school discipline
policy as outlined in the student handbook will be implemented as needed. If reckless behavior
occurs during a dissection, the student will receive a zero and be barred from further dissections
for the remainder of the year.
__________________________________
Parent / Guardian
date
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Student
date
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Parent / Guardian
Print
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Student
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ADDITIONAL ITEMS NEEDED:
Though the district does its best to provide materials for our class, these
disposable items are often in short supply or not available when needed.
If you are able to provide any or all of the materials listed below for our class it
would be GREATLY appreciated. It isn’t much fun to wipe frog guts on your
pants or blow your nose on rough brown towels.
50-150 points extra credit to start: (If unable to afford the item below,
ask about an alternative assignment with me privately.)
Zoology/AP Environmental Science
 2 large rolls of paper towels = 40 points or 8 rolls = 160 points
 1 box of colored pencils (24 pack) = 40 points. Larger pack will
be more points.
 1 box small disposable gloves = 150 points
Earth Science
 Kleenex = 40 points per large box, 20 points per small box
 1 bottle hand soap = 20 points (small) more points for large
bottle
 1 bottle hand sanitizer =20 points (small) more points for large
bottle
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