Waynesville High School
2013-2014
Course Syllabus: General Biology
I.
Course Title: General Biology
Designated Grade Level: 10
Prerequisite: Science 9
Instructor: Ms. Whitham
Email address: jwhitham@waynesville.k12.mo.us
CWC Instructor: Mr. Hussey
Email address: bhussey@waynesville.k12.mo.us
Department: Science
Duration: 2 semesters
Credit: 1 full unit
Conference hour: 7th
Conference hour: 2nd
II.
Required books and class material:
Textbook: Holt - Biology, 2006. There will be a classroom set of textbooks for
students to use during class. Students with internet access may request an online
textbook username and password to access the online text at http://my.hrw.com/.
If you don’t have internet access, a textbook may be checked out for the year.
III.
Student supply requirement:
Students will need paper, pencils or pens and a composition notebook.
IV.
Course Rationale:
Biology is a yearlong course designed to prepare students for advanced courses in
the biological areas at high school and college levels.
V.
Course Description:
Biology introduces students to the vocabulary, literature, and laboratory
procedures necessary to learn about living things.
V.
Course Objectives:
1. Demonstrate lab safety awareness by using proper lab techniques and proper use of
lab equipment.
2. Formulate hypotheses and design valid experiments.
3. Identify biological macromolecules structurally and chemically and describe their
function within cells and organisms.
4. Distinguish and identify between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
5. Describe the function of organelles and how that affects the overall functions of the
cell/organism.
6. Analyze and predict the movement of molecules across the concentration gradient and
how that affects the functioning of the cells/organism.
7. Identify that DNA codes for proteins and that are responsible for the blueprint of life.
8. Relate how growth and differentiation are a result of mitosis.
9. Describe how the process of meiosis affects genetic variations.
10. Predict how genes code for physical traits and how those traits are inherited.
11. Summarize how photosynthesis and cellular respiration are responsible to the energy
of the organism and environment.
12. Draw connections to how organisms are interdependent with one another and with
their environment.
VII. Evaluation
Evaluation will include both objective and essay tests. Teacher observation of
students as they work individually and in cooperative learning groups and
laboratories will also be a method of evaluation. In order to be successful in
biology students must maintain assignments in their composition notebook.
Letter grades will be determined using the standard grading scale according to the
student handbook.
Biology grades will be weighted according to the following scale:
90% = All course work and assessments
10% = Final/End of Course Exam
*Powerschool will be updated on a weekly basis.
VIII. Classroom Expectations:
1. The students should be prepared for each class meeting by completing outside
reading assignments.
2. This course will adhere to the building wide late work policy.
3. If the student misses any assignment, it is the student’s responsibility to make it
up in a timely manner.
*All science courses will follow the High School grading and late work policies,
with one notable exception. A missed Laboratory must be made up within 10
school days of a student’s absence, or before the end of the current grading
period.
4. Academic assistance will be offered, details will be discussed in class.
5. Students are expected to act in a mature manner at all times and to avoid any
behaviors that might interfere with the learning environment. (Any disturbances
will result in parental contact, followed by referral to the office on subsequent
occasions).
6. Cheating and plagiarism will result in a failing grade on the assignment in
questions according to the student handbook.
7. No electronic devices are allowed unless specifically instructed as the school is
not responsible for loss, damage or theft of electronic devices.
8. No food or drink is allowed in the classroom at any time.
9. All laboratory safety rules and guidelines will be followed at all times.
Biology Course Outline
Curriculum Topic & Text Reference
Summative Assessment
*not including, formative, alternative or
quizzes
Lab Safety Course
Ch 1 – Biology & You
Ch 2 – Chemistry of Life
Ch 3 – Cell Structure
Ch 4 – Cells & Their Environment
Ch 9 DNA: The Genetic Material
Ch 10 How Proteins are Made
Safety Contract & Test
Study Guide & Test
Study Guide & Test
Study Guide & Test
Study Guide & Test
Study Guide & Test
Study Guide & Test
First Semester Final Exam
Ch 6 Chromosomes & Cell Reproduction
Study Guide & Test
Ch 7 Meiosis & Reproduction
Study Guide & Test
Ch 8 Mendel & Heredity
Study Guide & Test
Individual Research Project
Ch 5 Photosynthesis & Respiration
Study Guide & Test
Ch 15 Populations
Study Guide & Test
Ch 16 Ecosystems & Ch 17 Communities
Study Guide & Test
End of Course Exam