Greenville Technical Charter High School
Biology Syllabus 2015 -2016
Text: Biology (DeSalle & Heithaus)
Instructor: Dr. Howard
Phone: 864-250-8978
Email: jhoward@staff.gtchs.org
Standards: South Carolina State Standards and Common Core Science Standards
Personal Mission:
To empower students with the skills and abilities they need to become scientifically-literate, knowledgeable,
and informed decision makers. My personal goal is to help students understand the basic tenets of science
and how the scientific method functions in our daily lives.
Course Description:
This course is designed for students desiring a formal background in biology. It includes laboratory work
and extensive study of biological principles. Course content encompasses interrelationships of living things,
levels of biological organization, human biology, social implications, biochemistry, and genetics.
Course Goals/Objectives:
South Carolina State Biology and Common Core Science Standards will be taught in order for students to
gain a better understanding of the biological world.
Materials Needed:
Students will need a 3-ring binder, a set of dividers (for class notes, lab activities, assigned readings, and
projects), pens or pencils, and loose leaf paper. You will need these supplies every day in class.
Tentative Biology Course Outline:
Date
Unit 1: Cells
Lecture Topics/Due Dates
Readings
Week 1 (Aug 10-14)
Introduction to Biology
Week 2 (Aug 17-21)
Cell Theory
Pg. 148-153
Week 3 (Aug 24-28)
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Pg. 154-156
Structure and Function of Major
Organelles in Eukaryotic Cells
Pg. 167-171
Hierarchical Organization of Life
Pg. 162-166
Homeostasis
Pg. 175-186
Week 4 (Aug 31-Sept
1)
Laboratories
Microscope Lab
Molecules of Life
Lab
Week 5 (Sept 8-11)
The Cell Cycle
Pg. 228-232
Week 6 (Sept 14-18)
Chemical Control System
Pg. 233-235
Week 7 (Sept 21-25)
Factors Affecting Rates of
Biochemical Reactions
Pg. 65-69
Unit 2: Cellular
Energy
Week 8 (Sept. 28 – Oct Photosynthesis
2)
Pg. 202-207
Week 9 (Oct 5 – 9)
Photosynthesis (continued)
Pg. 197-201
Week 10 (Oct 12-16)
Cellular Respiration
Pg. 208 213
Week 11 (Oct 21-23)
Cellular Respiration (continued)
Week 12 (Oct 26-30)
ATP-ADP Cycle
Week 13 (Nov 2-6)
ATP-ADP Cycle (continued)
Week 14 (Nov 9-13)
Structure & Function of Organic Pg. 59-63
Molecules
Week 15 (Nov 16-20)
Energy Flow through Ecosystems
Pg. 200-201
Pg. 86-93
Unit 3: Genetics –
Structure &
Function
Week 16 (Nov 23,24)
Nucleic Acids and the Molecular Pg. 63, 293Basis of Heredity
295
Week 17 (Nov 30-Dec DNA – The Code of Life
4)
Week 18 (Dec 7-11)
Protein Synthesis – Central
Dogma of Biology
Dec 14-18
***FINAL EXAM WEEK***
Pg. 296
Pg. 304-310
Unit 4: Heredity
Week 19 (Jan 5-8)
Meiosis
Pg. 250-259
Cellular
Respiration Lab
Week 20 (Jan 11-15)
Meiosis (continued)
Week 21 (Jan 19-22)
Genetics
Week 22 (Jan 25-29)
Genetics (continued)
Week 23 (Feb 1-5)
Chromosomal Theory of
Inheritance
Pg. 272-275
Week 24 (Feb 8-12)
Mutations – Alteration of DNA
Pg. 319-324
Week 25 (Feb 16-19)
Genetic Engineering
Pg. 350-363
Biological Evolution
Pg. 375-385
Pg. 267271; 276277
Punnett Square
Lab
Unit 5: Biological
Evolution
Week 26 (Feb 22-26)
Natural Selection
Week 27 (Feb 29-Mar
1)
Continuity of life forms –
reproductive success
Mechanisms for passing genes
Week 28 (Mar 7-11)
Week 29 (Mar 14-18)
Week 30 (Mar 21-25)
Organisms, Species, Populations
Pg. 386-392
Genetic Variation in Populations
Pg. 399-403
Hardy-Weinberg Principle
Pg. 405-409
Speciation
Pg. 411-414
Patterns of Macroevolution
Pg. 388-389
Scientific Evidence in Support of
Biological Evolution
Pg. 386-387
Week 31 (Mar 28- Phylogeny & Evolutionary
April 1)
History
Pg. 428-437
Phylogenetic Tree
Week 32 (April 4-8)
Binomial Nomenclature
Classification
Tree Lab
Pg. 424-427
Unit 6: Ecology
Week 33 (April 11-15) Ecosystems
Relationships within an
Ecosystem
Pg. 76-85
Pg.
Ecology Project
Week 34 (April 18-22) Populations and Limiting Factors
Ecological Succession
Pg. 81
Geochemical Cycles
Pg. 90-93
Week 35 (April 25-29) Maintaining Ecosystems
Human Impacts on Ecosystems
Pg. 126-138
***Week 36 will be used for EOC Review***
Assessments:
I.
Tests: Traditional tests will include a variety of questioning styles: true-false, multiple choice
and completion. Each test will include items such as: short answer questions, labeled
drawings, problem solving or graphing (depending on the content being studied).
II.
Quizzes: Quiz may be section wise or chapter wise or may be in the form of a POP Quiz to
ensure students daily performance; quizzes may also be designed to review what they students
have learned.
III.
Projects:
1. Labs/Activities: Labs & hands on activities will be completed in groups; lab reports will
be assessed individually or as a group or both depending on the nature of lab work.
2. Group work
IV.
Exams: A comprehensive exam will be given at the end of each semester. Additionally students
are require to take a state mandated End of Course Exam (EOC) that will count as 20% of
their final grade.
Late and Make-Up Work Policies:
Late Work:
Minor Assignments:
10 points off for each day the assignment is late. Students can complete assignments through the
end of the unit for a maximum of a 70.
Major Assignments:
10 points off for each day the assignment is late. Students can complete the assignment after the
third late day for a maximum of a 70 until a week prior to grades being due.
Make-Up Work: Students have five days to make up any missed work. After five days, a zero will be
entered into the grade book and the late work policy above will apply.
Grading: All work must have the following criteria met or it will be returned for a REDO.
 First and Last name must be on EVERY paper
 If the assignment is a lab report, the correct format must be followed.
 You must show all work (especially if you are working on problems).
 You must include unites when necessary and adhere to the rules of significant digits.
 All work must be legible.
Grades will be given in the following weights:
60% Major (tests, major projects, unit assessments, formal lab reports)
40% Minor (Homework, Class work, Quizzes, Lab reports)
Grading Scale:
93 – 100
85 – 92
77 – 84
70 – 76
69 and below
A
B
C
D
F
Classroom Rules: Students are expected to follow the rules and procedures as specified in the Greenville
Technical Charter High School handbook.
My Class Rules:
1. Act in a safe and healthy way.
2. Treat all property with respect.
3. Respect the rights and needs of others.
4. Take responsibility for your own learning.
Class Consequences: (depending on the severity of the violation, steps may be skipped)
 Non-verbal warning
 Verbal warning
 One-on-one discussion or lunch detention
 Email or call home
 Referral or parent conference
 ISS
 OSS
Laboratory Safety Contract
Safety will be stressed in both the classroom and laboratory. Each student is required to read and sign a
lab safety contract prior to admission to any laboratory exercise. A parent or guardian must also sign this
contract, and return it to the teacher. Some common guidelines are listed below. More detailed safety
procedures will be covered with all students prior to the first lab exercise and reinforced throughout the
year.
 Eating or drinking is strictly prohibited in the lab. Candy and chewing gum are also prohibited in
the lab. There are no exceptions.
 Hands should be kept from contacting the face, mouth, eyes and nose while in the lab. A small
amount of a chemical may find its way to the hands, and cause injury to these sensitive areas of the
body. Hands must be washed just prior to leaving the laboratory area. Soap and warm water are
to be used.
 Gloves, aprons, lab coats, goggles and other protective equipment will be used where appropriate,
and as designated by the teacher.
 Contact lenses are not recommended during laboratory exercises. If contacts must be worn special
goggles are required, and will be provided by the school as needed.
 Students will be briefed on all chemical hazards and appropriate safety precautions using Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). An MSDS for each chemical used in the lab will be readily available in
accordance with Federal regulations (OSHA).
 Any accident or injury, no matter how small, must be reported to the teacher immediately.
Student Name:_______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Name:_____________________________________
Parent/Guardian information:
Email: ______________________________________________________
Phone Number : ______________________________________________
Do you prefer to be contacted by email or phone? __________________
Please sign and date below showing that you have read the syllabus and understand the class policies for
Dr. Howard’s Biology class. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Parent/ Guardian Signature Date