Biology II Level 2
Human Biology
Mrs. Jennifer Clarke
Classroom: 610-627-6290
School email: jclarke@rtmsd.org
Course Description
Level 2 Biology II will elaborate basic concepts of the Biology I course work using Human
Anatomy and Physiology as the unifying theme. The course sequence will include a study of the
human body, from the molecular level to the organismal level.
Emphasis will be placed upon human anatomy and functions of the systems of the body. This
second year Biology class will use a college level textbook. It is recommended that students
have a B or better in Level 2 Biology 1 for the successful completion of this course. Student
grading will include assigned readings with outlines,
section quizzes, multiple dissections with laboratory reports, and heavily weighted tests.
Students should expect a minimum of three to four hours per week outside of class to complete
assigned work.
Topics Covered in Biology II*
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Foundations
Introduction: Characteristics of Life, The Scientific Method
The Chemistry of Life
Cells
Body Systems and Functions
Tissues, Organ Systems, and Homeostasis
Musculoskeletal System
Digestion and Nutrition
Cardiovascular System
Nervous System and Special Senses
Reproductive System and STDs
Endocrine System
Development
*Topics are not necessarily covered in the order listed above.
Expectations for Conduct
Classes will be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect between teacher and students. It is
understood that all rules imposed by the school will be followed and enforced according to
guidelines set forth in the student handbook.
 BE RESPECTFUL.
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Students are expected to act respectfully towards everyone in the building. It is expected
that students will take a serious and responsible approach to their studies. Students
should respect school property as well as the property of other students.
No student should interfere with another student’s right to learn. Disruptions to the
classroom learning environment will not be permitted. This includes profanity, plagiarism,
and the use of electronic devices when explicit permission has not been granted.
 BE SAFE.
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Listen for and follow directions. These are important! science classes can be
complicated and dangerous, and you need to listen for important information that will
make life easier and safer for everyone, yourself included.
Proper safety attire will be worn for laboratory experiments, and is defined at the
discretion of your teacher. This generally includes goggles, aprons, closed-toe shoes,
and laboratory aprons. Your goggles will be worn for all laboratory investigations
that involve heat, glassware, or chemicals. There will be NO exceptions to this rule.
Students may not participate in laboratory investigations involving heat, glassware, or
chemicals unless they are wearing closed-toe shoes that cover the foot. Students may
not be sent to gym lockers during class to retrieve appropriate footwear as per school
rules.
Follow all lab rules. Failure to follow any lab rule may cause you to be ineligible to
participate in future labs, and may result in a zero for a lab grade.
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 BE PREPARED.
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Students should be prepared for class everyday with:
o Charged iPad
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o 2 pens or pencils
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o notebook or binder with looseo
leaf paper
a folder to keep work in
current notes packet
current homework packet
 BE PRODUCTIVE.
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Your active participation is needed in this class. Many activities are designed with a
strong interactive component. Your role in the class is to be a contributing member, and
a member of the groups that you work in. You cannot be a passive sponge in this
class and expect to do well. In addition, listen for and follow directions.
Grading
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Marking period grades will be calculated as an average of all assignments per marking
period. Grades will come from roughly the following percentages:
 Formative assessments (supporting work)
 50% homework, classwork, and laboratory experiments
 Summative assessments
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50% quizzes, tests, and projects
 Approximate Point Values
Homework............................................................................3-20 points
Labs......................................................................................15-50 points
Quizzes.................................................................................5-50 points
Projects.................................................................................20-150 points
Tests......................................................................................65-150 points
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Extra credit assignments are rarely, if ever, offered. There are numerous official and optional
assignments per marking period to earn the grade you wish to receive. Student missing any
required assignment are not eligible for extra credit. However, extra credit questions may
appear randomly on tests, quizzes, and assignments so that grades over 100% are
possible.
Late Work and Absence Policy
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Homework is considered “on time” if it has been handed in before the due date or when
asked for it in class. Any work completed in class after the assignment has been collected is
considered late, and will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to hand in homework in a
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timely fashion, and to pay attention in class to directions. If you arrive late to class with a
pass, the work must be submitted upon arrival.
Late work will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to submit work in a timely fashion. If
you believe your circumstances are extenuating, you may speak to your teacher to make up
the credit.
Students absent from class for school business (athletics, student government,
performances, etc) must inform his/her teacher prior to missing class for these activities.
You are responsible for all work missed for school business as if you were in class
that day. If an assignment is due, you are expected to submit the assignment to the
teacher. Students on school trips for several days must see the teacher in advance of the
absence to discuss a work schedule. This will help to catch you up when you return.
You have 2 school days for every day absent to make up any missed work from that day.
Students absent the day before an announced test, quiz, or project are responsible for
completing the assignment on the scheduled date. If you are absent from class the day work
is due, it is due immediately upon your return. If you are absent for more than 3 days, see
your teacher to make a schedule to complete all missed work.
It is your responsibility to collect and make up any missed work. Failure to make up missed
work will impact your grade. Your teacher will not pursue you to make up work, lab, or tests.
After the “make up” time has passed, the grade is a zero. There are many ways to find out
what you missed- from the low-tech method of asking a friend, to emailing your teacher, or
checking the website. Homework assignments are posted on your teacher’s web page; you
are expected to check for work when you are absent or to consult your “study buddy”.
Missed labs must be made up within one week of the absence, or the grade will be a zero.
If you are absent, make arrangements to come after school or during a study hall for lab.
This policy exists because labs are extensive to set up and clean up after, and they cannot
remain set up for weeks.
Make-up work for an unexcused absence or lateness is not permitted, as per school policy.
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Miscellaneous
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When in doubt, write it down! Anything written on the board or discuss is fair game for
quizzes and tests, so be sure you have it. Not all quizzes will be announced, and all work
covered in previous topics may appear on a quiz or test.
Use of electronic devices (phone, iPad, tablet, laptop, etc.) is at the discretion of the teacher.
When use is permitted, it will be clearly stated. If you are unsure, but feel you need to use a
device for a class task, ASK. Use of devices when not approved will result in disciplinary
action.
Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated, and will receive a grade of zero for any
infraction. Plagiarism is defined by the Penncrest Academic Integrity Policy. Please see this
policy for details (posted on my main webpage).
If at any time you are uncomfortable with class material, make sure that you get help
immediately. Chemistry by nature is cumulative; information you miss impacts long after the
test date. If you fail a test – to either my academic standards or your own standards - you
are responsible for making sure that you go back over the material to gain a working
knowledge that you can draw upon in the future. Help is available and strongly encouraged.
Please make arrangements to stay after school with me, another student, NHS tutoring, or
with another Biology II teacher to get help.