08/19/08

Advanced Biology

The Advanced Biology class is designed to expand upon what was learned in Biology I/ILS II, Biology II, and Chemistry by exploring the living world around us and to prepare students for life-long learning.  This class serves as a prerequisite for Advanced Placement Biology.  Expectations for this class are similar to an introductory biology course at a major university.  Students are required to pass a safety exam before participating in any laboratory activities.

Science Department Objectives:

Students will be able to:

I.  Understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments, and solve problems.

          A.  Know and apply the concepts, principles, and processes of scientific

inquiry.  (11A)

II.  Understand the fundamental concepts, principles and interconnections of the life, physical and earth/space sciences.

          A.  Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt

and change.  (12A)

          B.  Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with

each other and with their environment.  (12B)

III.  Understand the relationships among science, technology and society in historical and contemporary contexts.

          A.  Know and apply the accepted practices of science.  (13A)

          B.  Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science,

technology and society.  (13B)

Course Content Outline:

Ch. 1 – Exploring Life – (approximately 5 days)

Unit Five – The Evolutionary History of Biological Diversity – (approximately 8 days)

          Ch. 26 – The Tree of Life:  An Introduction to Biological Diversity

Ch. 27 – Prokaryotes

          Ch. 28 – Protists

          Ch. 29 – Plant Diversity I:  How Plants Colonized Land

          Ch. 30 – Plant Diversity II:  The Evolution of Seed Plants

          Ch. 31 – Fungi

          Ch. 32 – An Introduction to Animal Diversity

          Ch. 33 – Invertebrates

          Ch. 34 – Vertebrates

Unit Six – Plant Form and Function – (approximately 35 days)

          Ch. 35 – Plant Structure, Growth, and Development

          Ch. 36 – Transport in Vascular Plants

          Ch. 37 – Plant Nutrition

          Ch. 38 – Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology

          Ch. 39 – Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Unit Seven – Animal Form and Function – (approximately 40 days)

          Ch. 40 – Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function

          Ch. 41 – Animal Nutrition

          Ch. 42 – Circulation and Gas Exchange

          Ch. 43 – The Immune System

          Ch. 44 – Osmoregulation and Excretion

          Ch. 45 – Hormones and the Endocrine System

          Ch. 46 – Animal Reproduction

          Ch. 47 – Animal Development

          Ch. 48 – Nervous Systems

          Ch. 49 – Sensory and Motor Mechanisms

We will spend a great deal of time dissecting a cat during the animal anatomy and physiology portion of the class.  In addition, we will study the application of the above topics by discussing:  Medical and Veterinary Terminology, Clinical Exams and Laboratory Techniques, Parasitology (Identification of parasites, Parasite life cycles, Prevention of parasites), Animal Nutrition (Basic nutrients, Food labels, Simple stomach nutrition, Ruminant nutrition, Pearson square), and Principles of Disease (Principles of infectious disease, Disease prevention, Classification of diseases, Zoonoses, Diagnosis of disease).

Highlights of the class include an in-depth research and experiment project in the plant unit and a comprehensive cat dissection in the animal unit.

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Biology I/ILS II – Recommended to have successful completion of Biology II (previously called Biology) and Chemistry

Grading System:

The grading scale is as follows:

                   94 – 100                 A

                   86 – 93                   B

                   77 – 85                   C

                   70 – 76                   D

                   Below 70                 F

Grades will be based on assignments, homework, lab reports, research projects, PowerPoint presentations, quizzes (including vocabulary quizzes), tests, and daily grade or participation points.

Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified date unless otherwise noted.  All assignments will receive a fifty percent reduction in the grade when it is late.  If the assignment is two or more days late, 75% of the possible points will be deducted.  Tests and quizzes must be made up within three days to receive credit (after three days, they become a zero).   Tests must be made up during non-classroom time. 

Make-up Work:  For each school day that is missed, a student will be allowed one additional day for each absence upon returning to make up missed work.  If students miss an experiment, they will be given an alternate assignment to complete.  Students are not allowed to make up any work for unexcused absences except in disciplinary circumstances, such as suspensions – assignments that are due the day that the student is unexcused absent will receive 0 points.

Students are required to have a 3-ring binder (1 ½” minimum) to put their notes, handouts, assignments, and tests in.  The notebook will be collected periodically (announced and unannounced) for 50 points.  The binder must be organized and labeled either chronologically according to units and chapters OR by sections such as notes, assignments, homework, tests and quizzes, and other.

Participation Grade:  Students receive 60 points each grading period for attending class on time; bringing homework, book, notebook, a pen or pencil; paying attention, staying on task; and for behaving in an acceptable manner.  Any violation of the rules and procedures will result in a zero for the day.

Extra credit will be available periodically and must be completed during the allotted time.  Extra credit can only be used to raise the student’s grade by one letter grade.  Extra credit will be posted on the website.

Advanced Biology Website:  Visit Mrs. Mohr’s website at http://www.staff.olympia.org/external/classes/embrymohr/index.htm for up-to-date course information.  This site is updated every day with assignments, due dates, practice test reviews, animations, links, and other valuable resources.

Contacting Mrs. Mohr:  Mrs. Mohr is available to students on most days from 8:00 – 8:20 am, 1:00 – 1:45 pm, and 3:15 – 4:15 pm.  She can also be reached at 309-379-5911 (x9334) or chrisembry.mohr@olympia.org.