IB BIOLOGY – 11TH GRADE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR
THE JUNIOR YEAR
Welcome! 
• Welcome to IB Biology! I hope you
are as excited as I am to begin this
rigorous yet rewarding two year
journey.
• Be prepared to work diligently,
cooperatively, and creatively inside
and outside the classroom.
• In addition to the IB Biology
Course Syllabus, I have established
some Course Guidelines which are
essential to ensure your success in
the upcoming school year.
Who is your teacher…
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Ms. Pavicic 
4th year at Aurora High School
I teach IB Biology 11 and 12, and Honors Biology
Bachelor of Science in Biology from John Carroll University
Master of Arts in Life Science Education from Ursuline College
IB Biology trained and certified from FLIBS.
Other things I do…
– National Honor Society Advisor
– 3rd of 6 kids…
– Run marathons…
– ?
TOPICS THAT WE COVER
• In general…
– Statistical Analysis
– Biochemistry
– Cells
– Cell respiration and photosynthesis
– DNA, RNA, and Proteins
– Genetics
– Evolution and Classification
***For the most part, this will be the order we
will learn these various topics***
Classroom Expections
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Be respectful to your fellow classmates,
teacher, and yourself at all times.
Be in your seat and prepared for class to
begin before the bell rings.
Bring your textbook, binder, and writing
utensils to class EVERY DAY. These three
items are a MUST.
Be an active participant in class, and
ALWAYS raise your hand when asking
questions or responding.
Use appropriate classroom language.
Profanity and improper language will not be
tolerated.
Lab rules and procedures must be followed
and will be strictly enforced.
Absolutely no cell phones are permitted.
Procedure as listed in the student handbook
will be enforced upon their presence.
All rules as stated in the student handbook
will be enforced.
Have a positive attitude!
**As IB students, it is my expectation that
you ALL will follow these rules.
Consequences will be put in order in the
event that they are disobeyed.
Grading
• Grades are assigned to the following categories
each semester:
– 55% Tests
– 30% Laboratory Work/Internal assessment, Quizzes
– 15% Class work and homework
Late work due to an excused absence will be accepted
without penalty if it is turned in on the day you return
to school. All other late work will be a zero. This will
be strictly enforced
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT LABS
• Internal Assessment labs are required by the IB
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Program.
Often, minimal direction is given for these
assignments; the design of the procedure is left
largely up to the student.
Internal Assessment labs are graded on an IB
rubric and count as both part of the class grade
as well as a percentage of the IB score reported
to universities.
– They require that students utilize a variety
of skills, from using the scientific method to
applying classroom knowledge to outside
situations. Students are required to
complete 60 hours of lab work.
There are very strict guidelines governing lab
work in the program.
– If all labs are not complete, students run the
risk of receiving a very low IB grade (or no
grade at all) at the end of the semester,
since the lab grade contributes 30% to their
final grade.
You must follow the lab safety guidelines for all
labs completed for IB Biology.
Attendance
• To ensure success in IB Biology, it is essential
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that you attend class on a regular basis. If you
are absent,
You are responsible for making up all
work/assignments missed during an EXCUSED
absence.
Using the restroom, going to the office, visiting a
counselor, etc. should only be done if urgent.
Not being in class for the entire 50 minute
period will disrupt your ability to be successful,
and may be disruptive to your classmates.
EXTRA HELP
• I LOVE helping my students! I am very
flexible and available on most days. Please
contact me verbally or via email if you
would like to meet with me so we can
arrange a time. 
Academic Dishonesty
• Cheating will be detrimental to your success in IB Biology and will not be
tolerated. The following acts of cheating will result in disciplinary actions as
outlined in the student handbook:
– Passing calculators during a test, quiz, or other assessment.
– Copying someone else’s test, quiz, homework, assignment, or report.
– Allowing someone to copy from your test, quiz, homework, assignment, or
report.
– Looking at notes during a test, quiz, or other assessment.
– Sharing questions from a test with students who have yet to take the test.
– Listing someone else’s data with out giving credit, or worse, making up data to
fit the expected answer. It is acceptable to present your own data, to state the
reasons that you feel the results should be disregarded, and then to present
another student’s data (making sure the source is acknowledged).
– Using opinions, facts, ideas, charts, data and direct quotes from research papers,
newspapers, magazines, textbooks, websites, or another person without citing
the source.
Assessments
• Tests are given once per unit
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(about twice per quarter) and will
reflect the standards of the IB Endof-Course Examinations. They will
be detailed and comprehensive,
including multiple-choice, calculation
problems, and extensive
essay/discussion questions.
Quizzes are based on the syllabus
statements required in class.
In addition to quizzes, frequent
formative assessments will be
given to allow for proper
intervention to help ensure your
success on the Unit Summative
Exams.
Syllabus statements
• Syllabus statements must be hand written and
completed on the day the unit test is
given. These statements will be part of your
portfolio grade. When completing syllabus
statements, be careful not to plagiarize the
wording of others. The best strategy is to
attempt to address the statement on your own,
and then edit or fill in the details from your
notes, books, and internet sources.
• IB Biology provides a rewarding curriculum
that will enable you to become successful,
well rounded young adults prepared for the
challenges in the real world. I am very
excited to experience this journey with you,
and am looking forward to an excellent
school year! 