9/10 CEC Biology
For [God] brought things into being in order that His goodness might be communicated to
creatures, and be represented by them; and because His goodness could not be adequately
represented by one creature alone, He produced many and diverse creatures, that what was
wanting to one in the representation of the divine goodness might be supplied by another.
(Aquinas, Summa Theologicae, I.47.1)
Room 209
Tuesday and Thursday: 9:48-11:03 am
Instructor: Ms. Jessica Kozack
Email: jkozack@sacredheartgr.org
I. Course Description: Biology is a part of the CEC high school science sequence. This course
will survey the major topics in biology from the macro-level of organisms and ecosystems to the
micro-level of cells and genetics. Conducting laboratory experiments and observing nature will
be important components of this course. In this course, students will not only learn about major
topics in biology, but they will also gain an understanding of the coherence of faith and reason.
Students should expect to devote approximately one hour to coursework each day that we do not
meet for class.
II. Materials
A. Texts
1. Barron’s E-Z Biology, Gabriell I. Edwards and Cynthia Pfirrmann (ISBN: 9780764141348)
2. Life is Miracle, Wendell Berry (ISBN: 978-1582431413)
3. King Solomon’s Ring, Konrad Lorenz (ISBN: 978-0415267472)
B. Other Materials
1. College-ruled spiral notebooks
 for nature observation
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Three-ring binder dedicated to this course
Dividers for three ring binder
Loose-leaf, college-ruled paper
Pens, both blue/black and red
Pencils
III. Course Binders: All items should be dated and organized in chronological order within the
proper section. Please ask me after class if you do not know the section in which an item should
be placed. Binders are collected and graded during each quarter. Therefore, it is in your best
interest to keep your binder organized.
Each of the following capital letters represents a labeled divider. The numbers below
each capital letter indicate the order in which the content in the section should be organized.
Materials should appear in chronological order within their designated section.
Organizing your Binder
A. Basic Information
1. Syllabus
2. Keys to Success
3. Class procedures
4. Prayers
5. Sample Nature Observation Notebook handout
B. Assigned Readings
C. Classwork (grouped by unit)
1. Warm-ups
2. Handouts
3. Notes
D. Homework
E. Quizzes and tests
F. Lab work (grouped by lab)
1. Handout introducing lab
2. Pre-lab Notes
3. Lab observation handout
4. Additional notes taken during the lab
5. Post-lab analysis
IV. Course Requirements
A. Class attendance and participation: All students are expected to attend class unless
they are legitimately excused. If a student must miss class, he or she has two school days
to complete all work assigned on the day he or she missed in addition to all other course
work. Both attendance and daily participation are critical for success in this course. All
students are expected to contribute daily to our class discussion. There is no formal
participation grade in this course; however, students who do not contribute or are
repeatedly ill-prepared will be required to discuss the material with Ms. Kozack outside
of class. Lecture notes are an inadequate substitute for active participation in class.
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All students are expected to be in their assigned seats when class begins. Students
will begin copying down their daily objectives, assignment, and the warm-up before class
begins. Ms. Kozack will begin the classroom procedures at the appropriate time. There
is no bell.
B. Nature Observation Notebook: Throughout the course, students will observe various
aspects of nature both during and outside of class. They will be expected to keep an
observation notebook. Each entry in the observation notebook should be labeled and
dated. Students will receive a handout with an example of a properly constructed
observation entry. These notebooks will be collected and graded at least once each
quarter.
C. Lab Work and Reports: Throughout the course, students will conduct laboratory
experiments in which they will employ the scientific method. Students will be expected
to fill out a laboratory observation handout. Upon the completion of some experiments,
they will write a 1-2 page analysis of the procedure and the results.
D. Binder Checks: There will be four binder checks in this course, two each semester.
These checks count as a test grade, although their point value is only a fraction of a test.
E. Tests and Quizzes: Regular assessments will occur in this class. Frequently, there will
be short quizzes over material recently discussed in class or reading assigned for
homework. A test will occur at the end of each unit. Being able to complete an
assessment within the allotted time is a valuable skill. Although individual
accommodations may be made, students should understand that the time allotted for an
assessment is as much a part of the assessment as are the questions themselves.
V. Grading Procedures: Grades will be calculated according to the following weights. At the
high school level, semester grades are composed of two quarters (40% each) and the semester
exam (20%). Credits for successful completion are assigned by semester.
A. Homework (15%): Homework will be assigned daily and checked at the beginning of
each class. Students should have their assignments face up on their desk and ready to be
checked at the beginning of class. Students will not receive credit for incomplete or
poorly executed homework. Homework is graded as “full credit” or “no credit.” A “full
credit” assignment will receive 5 points. A “no credit” assignment will receive 0 points.
B. Quizzes (20%): There will be frequent quizzes over recently studied class material and
the reading assigned for homework. The purpose of quizzes over recently studied
material is to insure that the students are reviewing the new concepts and terms that have
been introduced. The purpose of quizzes over the reading assigned for homework is to
insure that the students have read the material and retained its central points. Students
will be quizzed over objective knowledge that does not require in-depth analysis.
C. Tests and Binders (40%): Tests will occur at the end of each unit. They will assess
both the students’ comprehension of the material covered in class and their ability to
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apply it to new situations. Students are expected to keep their binders organized in
accordance with the guidelines given in this syllabus. Binders will be checked each
quarter. Binders will be collected without notice, although the students will receive
advanced notice that the collection is approaching.
D. Observation Notebooks and Lab Work (25%): Learning the observational and
experimental processes used by biologists is an essential component of this course.
Students will make entries in their observation notebooks throughout the course. The
entries should use the format of the example entry given at the beginning of this course.
Observations will occur both inside and outside of class. These notebooks will be
collected and checked at least once each quarter. When conducting laboratory
experiments, students will be expected to observe the procedures discussed before each
lab. Students will not be graded on obtaining the “right” answer; rather, they will be
graded on whether they followed the provided experimental procedures, the care with
which they made observations, and the level of detail they provided.
VI. Expectation of Virtue: The curriculum at Sacred Heart Academy – especially at the high
school level – is exciting, engaging, and ambitious. It is intended to prepare students for the
rigor of post-secondary education. In this course, students will gain biological knowledge and
learn how to use the investigative processes of biology. This classroom with be an environment
that will give students who desire to succeed the resources and instruction to do so.
Students are encouraged to study together and to discuss the material covered in this
course. They are expected to give and receive help, advice, and consultation from each other.
However, this cooperation should never involve one student copying all or part of the work of
another person in any form. During quizzes and tests, students are expected to conduct
themselves honorably. Talking, discussion, or any form of collaboration is not permitted during
any assessment. Any violation of these expectations will result in both academic and
disciplinary consequences.
VII. Tentative Course Outline (Subject to Change): The following provides a brief outline of
the major topics that will be covered in this course. Students will be provided with a more
detailed schedule as the course progresses. If there is a snow day, students will be expected to
proceed with the assigned work.
Semester One
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Faith and Reason
Principles of Life
Cells
Ecology and Ecosystems
Plants
Fungi
Semester Two
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Animals
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Bacteria and Viruses
Protists
Catholicism and Evolution
Cell Reproduction
Heredity and Genetics
Body Systems (if time permits)