Biology Syllabus 2014-14
Mrs. Charisa Moore, Room 311, 855-0470
cmoore@bisd303.org
Welcome to an exciting year-long study of Biology. This rigorous course provides special attention
to molecular biology and biochemistry. As a student in this course, you will have many
opportunities to formulate hypotheses, perform experiments with sophisticated laboratory
equipment, analyze data, and refine scientific models. I believe you will find this course to be both
exciting and intellectually engaging. Parents, you are welcome to stop by my classroom, Room 311,
anytime you get a chance.
Textbooks: Miller Levine Biology
Course Overview:
Unit 1: The Nature of Life
Scientific Method
Levels of Organization
Ecology & Energy Flow
Sustainability
Pond Water Lab
pH Lab
Duckweed Lab
First Green Lab
Unit 2: Chemistry
The Nature of Matter
Properties of Water
Carbon Compounds
Chemical Reactions & Enzymes
Enzyme Project
Diffusion Lab
Buffer Lab
pH Lab/Jell-O Lab
Unit 3: Cells
Organelles
Cell Transport
The Cell Cycle and Cancer
Photosynthesis
Cell Respiration & Fermentation
Cell Growth & Division
Cell Size Lab
Lipid Lab
Spectrophotometer Lab
Pigment Lab
Whale Project
Dive Response Lab
Unit 4: Genetics
Replication of DNA
Meiosis
Mutations
Mendelian Genetics
RNA and Protein Synthesis
Meiosis/Mitosis Lab
Gel Electrophoresis
pGLO Lab
Cancer Gene Detection
Halobacteria PCR
Unit 5: Evolution
Darwin
Natural Selection
Grading Scale:
A
93-100%
A90-92%
B+
87-89%
B
83-86%
Die or Death Lab
BC+
C
C-
80-82%
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
D+
D
F
67-69%
60-66%
Below 60%
Grades Online: Skyward (update your contact information)
In addition to the midterm grade update, you may view your grade using student access to Skyward
via the district website at any time. Please email me if you find any errors and be sure to update your
contact information. You don’t want to miss out on important notifications.
Assignments (30%): This category includes in-class activities, homework, projects and notebook checks.
You will be responsible for keeping a biology journal and a small section in one of your binders to place
worksheets. Bring your notebook and journal to class daily. I will check your journal randomly. Your grade is
based on organization, completeness, and quality of work. Keep all work that is graded to help you study for
mid-term and final exams.
Lab Work (30%): This category includes lab participation, analysis questions, and lab reports.
Tests & Quizzes (30%): Tests will include multiple-choice, short answer, and essay assessments
depending on the concepts learned in each unit. Most quizzes are electronic and based on the homework
assigned the class period prior. The cumulative final exam for each semester will be worth ≈150 points. I will
provide a study rubric prior to each exam. Students who are earning 95% or better have the option of not
taking the final exam.
Participation & Behavior (10%): Participation & behavior are essential to the dynamics and nature of the
classroom. Completing homework is extremely important prior to class discussions. Students will receive a
daily grade according to their participation in the class as determined by the instructor. Student strengths
and weaknesses will be considered when assessing participation. Students with excused absences will not
be required to make up these points and will receive a no-count grade for the day. Students with unexcused
absences will not be able to make up these points.
Late Work: Homework will be collected at the beginning of class on the date due. Work turned in after that
point is considered late. Homework will be accepted on the day returning from an Excused Absence.
Homework is not accepted for Unexcused Absences. Parents must notify the attendance office by phone to
excuse an absence. Late work is accepted at 50% credit if received before I pass papers back. After that,
the assignment is no longer accepted for credit.
Biology Lab Fee: A $15 per year lab fee is due by October 3, 2015. This lab fee will help offset the cost of
the expensive biotechnology labs that are a part of our curriculum. Please make checks out to “BHS” and
give to Ms. Spray. Please bring your receipt for proof of payment. If funding is difficult, see Mr. Ward to
apply for a fee waiver.
Missed Class: All notes, homework, and copies of handouts will be available next to the printer in file
folders for students who have been absent. I will update my class website on a daily basis with the lesson
plans and homework assigned that day. It is your responsibility to obtain the necessary work by printing the
assignment or notes from my web page or have someone stop by and collect the work you are missing. You
will have the equivalent number of days you missed to make-up homework, perform labs, take tests, etc.
Please check my web page daily.
Attendance and Tardies: Attending class and arriving on time are important. Unexcused tardies will not be
tolerated. Detention will be assigned for each tardy. I will follow the school attendance policy and
recommend that students who are absent more than 11 days be dropped and retake the course.
Gadgets: In our modernized world, technology is becoming more and more prominent. We will be utilizing a
website called www.socrative.com to take daily quizzes and take exit tickets reflecting on our daily learning.
Students are encouraged to bring a device capable of browsing the Internet. This may include cell phones,
iPad, iTouch or their own personal laptop/tablet. Note taking on the computer is also encouraged if students
are comfortable with that method and can exercise self-control. If students do not have access to one of the
aforementioned devices, we have access to laptops in class. The use of this technology is a privilege and
not a right. If the privilege is abused (e.g. time spent on email or Facebook instead of participation) this
privilege will be revoked. Students with revoked privileges will be required to carry out assessments on
paper.
Help: Please see me if you are struggling. I’ll be at school every day from 7:45-5:00. I also suggest you
consider contacting The Think Tank Tutoring Program as soon as you think you may be struggling in any
class. They are located in room 104. You can also obtain a private tutor by clicking the Student Tab on the
main BHS website and click on Tutoring. Send the tutor a Facebook message asking for tutoring availability.
Field Trips: Throughout the semester, we will be taking a few field trips to various field study locations
within 2 miles of BHS to do research and collect data. In signing the safety contract below, you are also
agreeing to allow your child to participate in our local field trips (Sportsman Club Pond, Weaver Watershed,
Wing Point Golf Club, and a variety of on campus field locations).
Student Safety Contract:












I will conduct myself in an appropriate manner in the lab at all times. Engaging in goofy behavior or
practical jokes will result in a zero for the day.
I will follow all written and verbal instructions. If I do not understand the instructions, I will ask Mrs.
Moore immediately before proceeding.
I will not eat food, chew gum, or drink beverages during lab activities. Food is allowed whenever we
are not in a lab situation.
When I first enter the science room or lab, I will not touch any chemicals, equipment, or materials until
instructed to do so.
I will know the locations and operation of safety features in the science room and lab. This includes
the emergency exits, fire extinguisher, eye wash, first aid kit, and goggles.
I will not work in the laboratory alone, leave my lab station unattended, or disturb other lab groups.
I will put on lab goggles and gloves upon starting labs that require this safety equipment and wear
them the entire time I am working on the lab (including clean-up) or until the instructor indicates.
I will wash my hands with soap and water before and after working in the lab.
I will report any accident or injury to the instructor immediately.
I will not remove any chemicals, materials or equipment from the laboratory.
I will clean up my lab station to its original condition, and dispose of any waste according to Mrs.
Moore. The sink will be free from all debris to reduce the spread of germs.
I understand that I will be charged for any broken equipment or damage resulting from my negligence.
...............................................................................................................................................................
Directions: Read with your parents and return this page for full-credit before September 9th.
I, ________________________________________________________ (print-student full name) have read and agree
to the class syllabus, safety rules and field trip outings listed.
I _________________________________(parent) agree to allow my child to walk to Sportsman Club Pond, Weaver
Watershed, Wing Point Golf Club and other research locations around the BHS campus. I can also volunteer in the
following capacity if needed:
Driver,
Snacks
Classroom Helper
Parent/Guardian Contact Information:
Parent Name/Signature: ____________________________________/_______________________________
Cell: ___________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail: _________________________________________________________________________________
I, (student’s name) ___________________________, have read and agree to adhere to the expectations detailed in
the Biology Course Syllabus. Furthermore, I understand that I need to check Mrs. Moore’s web page daily, complete
nightly homework when given to be prepared for class discussions the next day to be successful.
Student Name/Signature______________________________________/ ____________________________