Pottsgrove High School
Course Syllabus
Course Information
IMMUNOLOGY, GENETICS AND MARINE BIOLOGY (SCI3530)
This course is divided into three units of study. Students will study disease transmission and how we fight
disease with our natural defenses and with medicine in Immunology. Followed by a brief review of Genetics and
an in-depth examination of gene expression, modern genetic technologies and relevant social issues in genetics.
The third unit, Marine Biology, will include a field trip to Wallops Island, VA. This course is highly
recommended for students considering careers or college level work in biology. Grades weighted 105% for
G.P.A. and class rank
Credit: 1.17
Prerequisites: At least an 85% final average in Honors Biology or a 93% final average in Academic Biology
Meetings: 48 minutes, every day, 7 periods/cycle
Open to: Juniors, Seniors
Other: Grades weighted 110% for G.P.A. and class rank
Teacher Contact Information
Mr. Christ - room 16
Phone 610-326-5105 ext. 7016
Email – Gchrist@pgsd.org
Available for extra help after school Mon, Tue, Thurs 2:20 – 3:00
Course Description – This is an upper level science course for juniors and seniors wishing to investigate and
know more about the areas of Immunology, Genetics and Marine Biology. These are exciting and important
areas of biology. The nature of the course allows an in-depth approach to each topic as opposed to an AP
course, which is much broader in scope.
Required Textbooks and Materials
For each unit, a notebook containing teacher made materials and selections from articles and texts will be
provided.
Suggested Course Materials
A large 3-ring binder is recommended for holding the lecture notes, laboratory handouts, and other supplementals
Assignments & Academic Calendar
Calendar of events for each unit (Immunology, Genetics and Marine Biology) is included with the notebook, and contains
dates for upcoming tests and projects. Lab reports are due on the following lab day.
The Advanced Biology trip to Wallops Island is part of the Marine Biology unit. This is scheduled to occur from
Wednesday April 15, 2015 to Saturday April 18, 2015. Details of the trip, including cost, itinerary and packing lists will be
provided at a later date.
Course Content:
IMMUNOLOGY OUTLINE
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
Overview
Disease From the Germ’s Perspective
Resistance
Evolution of an Immune System
Recognition, the Foundation of the Immune System
Antibiotics
Cells Involved in the Immune Response
Antibody
Career paper due 10/16/14
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
XV.
XVI.
Complement
Development of the Clonal Selection Theory
Events in the Immune Response
Immunization
Transplantation
Malfunctions of the Immune System
HIV
Cancer
GENETICS OUTLINE:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Overview of Genetics
Mitosis, Meiosis, Sexual Life Cycles and Chromososmes
Mendel and the Gene Idea
Molecular Basis of Heredity
Gene Expression
MARINE BIOLOGY OUTLINE:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
Oceans
The Living Sea
Barrier Island Evolution
Mid Atlantic Barrier Island Ecology
Barrier Island Rollover
Articles from the Bay Journal
Islands
Coral Reefs
Pelagic Zone
Polar Seas
The Abyss
The Future
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change
at the discretion of the teacher.
Classroom and School Policies
Grading Policy
Demonstrating Knowledge and Skills
80% - Assessment (tests, quizzes, projects )
20- Homework, Classwork, and lab reports
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Daily expectations:
-Please be ready to learn as the bell rings. Also please remain seated until the dismissal bell.
-Bring to class each day: a covered textbook, a three ring binder notebook, and a pen or pencil
-Focus on learning the material and completing activities as assigned.
Seek to genuinely grasp the concepts presented - not to simply memorize word for word what
you may not understand. The living world is too vast and varied to attempt to memorize it all.
Although some memorization is necessary, much of biology is conceptual.
-Please take the initiative to ask questions when necessary, this not only helps you to better
understand the material, it also livens the discussion.
Absences:
-If you are absent, first get the missed work from a friend then check with me to be sure you are
caught up. You will receive a unit plan with each unit, so keeping pace even if absent will not be
too difficult.
-Labs that are missed must be made up within the six-day cycle. See me for making
arrangements for made up labs, to ensure my availability.
Homework/Study Tips:
-Homework should be done to test your understanding of the material, to apply biological
principles, to analyze concepts and to evaluate ideas using reasoning. It is not a test of your
ability to look up and copy sections of the text. You will be given plenty of time to complete
assignments, and to read and understand the material prior to exams.
-Late work is not accepted. Each marking period you will choose either to gain an extra point
on your marking period grade, or hand in an assignment a day late, as a forgiveness sheet will be
distributed.
-Communicating the subject matter with friends and family certainly helps you to retain and
better understand what you have learned. If you can explain the material without reading it or
referring to notes, you have mastered it.
- Also prepare for tests and quizzes by testing or quizzing yourself. Do not simply read over the
notes. Athletes and musicians do not prepare for performances simply by passively watching
others perform, rather there is a simulation or practice performance, which helps secure mastery.
Academic Integrity:
A quality education is best achieved when approached with honesty and integrity. Grades,
points, and class rank are not more important than character.
Course Syllabus
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