AG30: Applied Biological Systems
Instructor:
Mr. Kevin Hicks, B.S.
Phone: 480-308-7488
E-mail: klhicks@mpsaz.org
Course web page:
Course Description:
Welcome Students!!! In this course students will develop knowledge and skills in
agricultural and biological science. It is through the discipline of Agriculture that the
world’s population is fed, sheltered, and clothed. This course is intended to explain the
biological principles behind the production of food and fiber. Much of what we know
about living organisms is the result of research in agriculture.
Major areas of study: cell function and structure, anatomy, nutrition, biological systems
in the environment, plant growth, food safety and processing, communications and
leadership skills. Leadership development is provided throughout the FFA. Fulfills
college entrance and district graduation requirements as a lab science and will
count toward the scholastic diploma.
Text:
Biggs, Kapicka, Lundrgren, 1998. Biology: The dynamics of life
Course Objectives:
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Understand the Scientific Inquiry Process
Learn the history and nature of Science, AgriScience and Technology
Understand agriculture and its role in the environment and to humans
Develop an understanding of biology as it relates to humans, animals,
plants, and agricultural careers
Explore careers in agriculture and life sciences
Develop and understanding of life from a molecular and cellular level
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken daily and absences may affect your grade.
Evaluation Procedures and Grading:
Unit tests may be given at the end of each unit. There will be a mid-term and final
exam. There will also be quizzes at the teacher’s digression. Points will come from a
variety of assignments, labs, and quizzes.
Students will be required to have a Supervised Agricultural Experience program (SAE)
(this will be done on a personal basis or with the class) and participate in FFA activities
as mandated by the state department of education. These activities will be figured in as
part of the final exam grade.
Each student will be given 100 responsibility points at the beginning of each semester.
These points will go toward their final. Students will lose 10 points for various offenses
outlined in the class rules. These include but are not limited to coming to class
unprepared, unauthorized talking, lack of note taking, cell phone or i-pod usage,
inappropriate language, tardiness, and horseplay.
The semester grading scale is based on the standard for the Mesa School District
and is as follows:
A = 90%-100%
B = 80%-89%
C = 70%-79%
D = 60%-69%
F=
59% or below
Late Assignments:
Late assignments will only be accepted if approved by the instructor. Make up work can
be made up at lunch, after school, or before school unless other arrangements are
made. Late work more than one week past its due date will lose 50% for each week
after that.
Homework:
Students are expected to study content from this course for at least 10 minutes each
day and complete homework assignments in a timely manner. Vocabulary tests will be
given and study materials will be provided, thus students need to study in order to
perform well on these tests. Students are also to conduct a Supervised Agricultural
Experience program, which students are expected to keep accurate records outside of
class time.
Materials Needed for this Course:
Students should have the following materials for this course:
- A three-ring binder or folder with paper and a means to store course documents
and take notes. It is also important for students to have a way to store papers
that are graded and returned in case of any error in the grade book.
- Writing utensils: Pen AND Pencil. It is recommended students bring their own
colored pencils and/or markers as well.
Agri-Science Program Semester Final Requirements
SEMESTER 1
I. Classroom (100 points)
 Class written final or portfolio during finals week (100 points)
II. FFA (100 pts)
 Attend/Complete one of the following FFA activities (75 points)
o District or State CDE event
o CDE State Test
o FFA sponsored activity (after school)
o Entertainment book sale (sell 2 books)
o National convention
o After school officer meeting
o Other activity as approved by the advisor
o NOTE: every additional activity will be 5 points E.C. up to 125%
o NOTE: activity (verification required) in other clubs on campus = 10 points E.C.
up to 125%
 Complete FFA Knowledge Portfolio assignment (25 points)
III. SAE (100 points)
 Complete online record book system (100 points)
IV. Responsibility Points (100 points)
 Behavior points given at beginning of semester
______________________________________________________________________
SEMESTER 2
I. Classroom (100 points)
 Class written final or portfolio during finals week (100 points)
II. FFA (100 points)
 Attend/Complete one of the following FFA activities (75 points)
o District or State CDE event
o FFA sponsored activity (after school)
o After school officer meeting
o Raise an animal and show it at county fair
o Other activity as approved by the advisor
o NOTE: every additional activity will be 5 points E.C. up to 125%
o NOTE: activity (verification required) in other clubs on campus = 10 points E.C.
up to 125%
 Complete FFA Knowledge Portfolio assignment (25 points)
III. SAE (100 points)
 Complete a proficiency award application (100 points)
IV. Responsibility Points (100 points)
 Behavior points given at beginning of semester
Tentative Course Outline:
AG30: ABS Schedule for 1st Semester
1st quarter
State SC
Standard
S1,C1
S1,C2
S1,C3
S1,C4
S2,C1
S2,C2
S4,C5
S4,C4
S4,C5
S4,C1
S2,C1
S2,C2
State AG UNIT TITLE
Standard
3.0-9.0
 Class rules and procedures, Intro to AgriScience
1.0
 Agriculture and Science Careers (including resume)
2.0
 Scientific Method Review
10.0
o Lab safety
16.0
o Observation, Questions, Hypothesis
o Scientific Testing
o Analysis and Conclusion
o Communication
 History of Science as a Human Endeavor, Nature of Science
16.0
o Theories
o Pure and applied science
o Science and Technology in society
o Characteristics of Life
 Taxonomy and Fossil Record
17.0
o Levels of organization (cells to ecosystem)
o Classification systems: Fossil records, geological
history, cladistics, degree of relatedness
o Cell classification, types, structure and function
2nd quarter

S4,C3
S3,C1
S3,C2
S3,C3
S3,C5
S2,C1
S1,C3
S4,C4
S4,C3
S2,C2
S2,C1
17.0
11.0
11.0
Ecology
o Changes in populations, Birth rate, death rate,
immigration, emigration, carrying capacity, and
competition
o Relationships of organisms within populations,
communities, ecosystems, and biomes, types of
symbiotic relationships, biotic and abiotic factors
o Energy flow, food webs and chains
 Biological Evolution
o natural selection and speciation, genotypic and
phenotypic variation, mutation, adaptations, biodiversity
o Comparative anatomy, DNA, Embryology, Fossil
Records
DISTRICT BIOLOGY TEST
FINALS
Tentative Course Outline:
AG30: ABS Schedule for 2nd Semester
rd
3 quarter
S4,C2
S4,C4
S2,C1
S4,C5
S4,C1
S4,C2
11.0
12.0
11.0
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
Molecular Biology and Central Dogma
o DNA Structure and Replication, GCAT labs, Genes,
Mutations, Protein Synthesis
o Organic and Inorganic chemicals, molecular chemistry,
food science
o Transport Mechanisms: Diffusion, Osmosis, Facilitated
Diffusion, active transport
Inheritance and Cell Reproduction
o Cell Reproduction, Mitosis, meiosis, cell cycle
Mendelion Genetics, Heredity, Test Cross
4th quarter (AIMS)
S4,C5
S4,C1
S1,C3
S3,C1
S3,C1-3
S4,C5
14.0
17.0
14.0
12.0
15.0
12.0
S2,C1
20.0
 Energy flows
o Photosynthesis and cellular respiration
o Hydrologic cycle, acid rain
o Carbon cycle, greenhouse gases and climate change
o Nitrogen cycle, eutrophication
 Humans and the Environment
o Human and natural hazards effect on environment
o Renewable and Non-Renewable resources: Soil and
land/ Air/ Water/ minerals
o Alternative energy, greenhouse gases, hazardous
waste
 Comprehensive Review for AIMS
 AIMS
 Plant growth and production
o Plant parts and function, classification, nutrition,
Reproduction
 Ag Knowledge
o Ag Products
o American Products
o “How it is Made”
 Bio-Ethics
FINAL EXAM