ClassroomTutorialsProgram
Course Syllabus
Biology
Semester 1 of 2 – Fall 2015
Course Information
Instructor: Jenna Bird
 Telephone: 268-4233, Ext. 406
 Email: jbird@frontiertutoring.com
Required Textbooks:
 Biology: The Dynamics of Life (McGraw Hill, 2004)
Required Materials:
 Standard school supplies, including lined paper, pens/pencils, notebooks, binders, etc.
 Frontier Tutoring encourages every student to use a school planner/calendar to keep up to date
with various class assignments.
Meeting Time: Monday & Wednesday, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM (Classroom 117)
Meeting Dates:
August
September
October
November
December
31
2, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28
2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 30
2, 7, 9
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Classroom Tutorials Program
Biology –Fall 2015
Course Summary
Course Description
This biology course is intended to provide comprehensive introductory coverage of biology. It will
involve a study of life from the molecular and cellular levels to organisms and ecosystems. Topics in the
course include ecology, basic cellular chemistry, genetics, the history of life, the theory of evolution, and
biological classification. This course is geared for preparing students for upper level high school and
college biology electives by increasing scientific knowledge as well as placing emphasis on scientific
writing and research methods.
Class meetings are supplemental to home-study activities. Therefore, out-of-class assignments make up
the larger component of this course. It is important that students complete all assignments on time.
Student Expectations

Students are expected to be prepared, attend all classes, and actively participate in class
discussions. In addition, students are expected to complete all assigned work on time and to the
best of their ability.

Students are expected to be respectful of the instructor and fellow students.

If students find themselves facing challenges that are likely to adversely affect their
performance in this course, please see the course instructor before or after class at the earliest
opportunity. The instructor will be available by phone, email or in person to address homework
questions or to discuss the course material in more detail and is more than willing to help in any
way to improve the students’ learning experience.

Supplemental academic tutoring for this course may be arranged through Frontier Tutoring;
parents should call 907-268-4233 to arrange for tutoring.
Assignments
READING ASSIGNMENTS: Students will be expected to read the assigned chapter(s) before attending
class.
NOTES: Students MUST take notes during lecture and assigned readings. This is essential for retention of
the material and studying for exams.
ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments will be handed out in class and students will be given adequate time to
complete assignments. All pre-lab assignments will be due at the beginning of class prior to beginning
the lab. All due dates for assignments are listed in the syllabus.
PROJECTS: Class projects are designed to further instill the material from lecture and reading
assignments. Students will be given at least a week’s notice before a project is due.
IN-CLASS PARTICIPATION: Throughout the semester students will be required to participate in various
classroom activities, discussions, and labs (materials and time permitting). For each classroom activity,
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Classroom Tutorials Program
Biology –Fall 2015
students will be graded on their effort and their contribution to the overall learning experience. Most of
these assignments will be group exercises.
Quizzes
Short quizzes will be given every Wednesday at the beginning of class except for the first week and the
class period after midterms. These quizzes will be on material covered the previous week. These quizzes
will be helpful to students in determining how well they are grasping the material and helpful when
preparing for exams. Students may retake quizzes for full points. This allows students the opportunity to
make sure they are fully grasping important concepts.
If a student misses a quiz they may schedule a time with the instructor to make up the quiz.
Exams
IN-CLASS EXAMS: There will be two exams throughout the semester, one final exam and one midterm
exam. None of the exams will be comprehensive per se; however, as biology concepts build
continuously upon one another, students must remain comfortable with knowledge from previous
chapters. All exams will contain a mix of multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, short-answer, and
diagram-labeling questions. Exam content will be taken from the book and from information presented
during lectures, and homework.
If, for some reason, a student is unable to attend class on exam day he or she must contact the course
instructor beforehand to set up another day or time for a makeup exam at the instructor’s convenience.
Assessment
Quizzes 20%
Homework 25%
Participation 15%
Midterm 20%
Final 20%
Final course letter grades will be determined using the following scale:
100%-90% = A; 89%-80% = B; 79%-70% = C; 69%-60% = D; 59%-0% = F
All grades reported by Frontier Tutoring are preliminary and must be transcribed by a Family Partnership
Charter School sponsor teacher for purposes of the student’s FPCS transcript.
Late Policy
HOMEWORK: Late assignments will be accepted at the next class period with no penalty, IF the student
has given prior notice by e-mail before midnight the night before it is due. Assignments a week late will
only be able to receive a maximum score of 80%. Each class day it is late after that the maximum score
will drop by 5%.
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Classroom Tutorials Program
Biology –Fall 2015
Lecture & Assignment Schedule
Day
Date
Lecture Topic
MON
AUG 31
Introduction to Biology
WED
SEP 2
The Study of Life & Ecology
MON
SEP 7
Labor Day – No Classes
WED
SEP 9
MON
SEP 14
WED
SEP 16
MON
SEP 21
WED
SEP 23
MON
SEP 28
Principles of Ecology, Communities
and Biomes
QUIZ #1
Owl Pellet Lab
Biomes and Population Ecology
Assignment 1 Due
Diversity and Conservation
QUIZ #2
The Chemistry of Life
A View of the Cell
QUIZ #3
Cellular Transport
Cell Project Due
Cell Cycle
QUIZ #4
Assignment 2 Due
Textbook
Chapter
1
1&2
2&3
3&4
5
6
7
8
Read and take notes on
chapter 1 &2/Assignment 1
Read and take notes on
chapter 3/Assignment 1
Read and take notes on
chapter 4/Assignment 1
Read and take notes on
chapter 5/Assignment 2
Read and take notes on
chapter 6/Assignment 2
Read and take notes on
chapter 7 /Assignment 2
Cell Project
Read and take notes on
chapter 8
Work on assignment 2
Read and take notes on
chapter 9/ Assignment 3
WED
SEP 30
MON
OCT 5
Cellular Energy
9
WED
OCT 7
Cellular Energy Cont.
QUIZ #5
Assignment 3 Due
9
MON
OCT 12
Review for Midterm 1-5
Study for Midterm
WED
OCT 14
Review for Midterm 6-9
Study for Midterm
MON
OCT 19
Midterm Exam: Ch. 1-9
Read and take notes on
chapter 10
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Homework Assignment
Study for Midterm / Work
on Extra Credit/
Assignment 3
Study for Midterm / Work
on Extra Credit
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Classroom Tutorials Program
Biology –Fall 2015
Day
Date
WED
OCT 21
MON
OCT 26
WED
OCT 28
MON
NOV 2
WED
NOV 4
MON
NOV 9
WED
NOV 11
MON
NOV 16
WED
NOV 18
Lecture Topic
Mendel and Meiosis
DNA and Genes
Cheek Cell Lab
DNA and Genes
QUIZ #5
Patterns of Heredity
Patterns of Heredity
Heredity Exercise
QUIZ #6
Genetic Technology
Assignment 4 Due
The History of Life
QUIZ #7
Theory of Evolution
Assignment 5 Due
Evolution and Organization of Life
QUIZ #8
Textbook
Chapter
10
11
11
12
12
13
14
15&16
16&17
Homework Assignment
Read and take notes on
chapter 11/ Assignment 4
Read and take notes on
chapter 12/ Assignment 4
Work on assignment 4
Read and take notes on
chapter 13/ Assignment 4
Read and take notes on
chapter 13/ Assignment 4
Read and take notes on
chapter 14/ Assignment 5
Read and take notes on
chapter 15/ Assignment 5
Read and take notes on
chapter 16
Read and take notes on
chapter 20/ Assignment 5
Thanksgiving Break
Review for Final: Ch. 10-14
Study for Final / Work on
Extra Credit/ Assignment 5
Study for Final
DEC 7
Review for Final: Ch. 15-17
Study for Final
DEC 9
Final Exam: Ch. 10- 17
MON
NOV 30
WED
DEC 2
MON
WED
Evolution and Organization of Life
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