Biology
Instructor: Sheri Mahoney
2010-2012
smaho@bosqueschool.org
Office Hours: I am free A, F and E blocks
Course Overview:
This year we will start small and get big. We begin by studying the building
blocks of living organisms and gradually building a cell. We will then
follow cells through the creation of nucleic acids and proteins. Next, we
will learn how the inheritance of nucleic acids helps determine who and what
we are. After this, we will explore how this inheritance has impacted the
evolution of the world around us. We will then study evolution and its
relationship with ecology. Finally, we end the year with an in-depth study
of human anatomy and physiology.
Course Objectives: By the end of the class, the students should
understand: what it means to be a living organism; the main structures and
functions of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells; the fundamentals of genetics
and how they work in living systems; how populations evolve; and the
composition, structure and function of the major systems of the human body.
Course Content:
The following major topics will be covered in the first semester:
• What is Biology and why do we need to study it?
• Molecules of life: What are proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and
nucleic acids? How are they made and what do they do?
• Cells: What are they? What are the different major types of cells?
What are membrane-bound organelles and what do they do? What are the major
differences between plant and animal cells? What are chromosomes and what is
their role in cell replication?
• Genetics: Who was Mendel and what were his discoveries? How are
genes related to chromosomes? How do mitosis and meiosis affect a new cell?
• Genetics: What roles do nucleic acids have in gene expression? What
are the benefits and problems with new genetic technology?
The following major topics will be covered the second semester:
• Ecology: What is adaptation and how has it helped to shape the world
around us? What is a population and what significance do the have in ecology?
• Theories and Evidence of Evolution: Who were the pioneers of the
theories of evolution and what did they do? How and why does evolution occur?
• Body systems: What are the different systems of the human body and
how do they function?
Materials Needed:
The text (Biology: The Dynamics of Life, authors: Biggs, Crispen
Hagins, Kapica, Lundgren, Rillero, Tallman, Zike and National Geographic
Society), a notebook or space in a notebook devoted entirely to biology, a
writing utensil (Only pencils are allowed on tests. All other writing
utensils will result in a deduction of 5 points), paper and a set of colored
pens.
Grading:
The course has assessment in 6 categories.
1. Homework: Homework will be assigned on a regular basis and will be
graded for accuracy. Homework assignments are due at the beginning of
class. Homework will range from 5-50 points. See late work description
below.
2. Quizzes: Quizzes may or may not be announced and may be open or
closed to your notes. Quizzes will range from 5-50 points.
3. Tests: Tests will cover major sections of material and will be
comprehensive. They will be a combination of problems, multiple choice,
matching, short answers and essays. Tests will range from 75-150 points.
4. Projects and Papers: These will vary in size and content and will be
assigned throughout the year. There will be at least one major project for
each unit that we cover. Projects and papers will range from 100-200 points.
5. Labs: Labs will be done to introduce and/or reinforce material.
Labs will be hands-on and will frequently require a lab report to be turned
in after the completion of the lab. Labs will range from 20-100 points.
6. Student Skills: This category will be worth ten percent of your total
grade each semester and you will receive a specific percentage of this grade
based on how frequently you are tardy (unexcused) to class as well as how
frequently you turn your homework in on time (see below).
Grades:
Below is the grading scale:
A: 90-100%
B: 80-89%
C: 70-79%
D: 60-69%
F: <60%
I expect that you will keep up with your own grade. Every two weeks I will
give you a comprehensive grade sheet. I will require that you bring it back
to me the next class period with a parent’s or legal guardian’s signature.
Homework Submission:
Homework is due at the beginning of class each day. Work turned in after I
start teaching will be counted as late. Excluding major projects, you have
up until the beginning of the next class period to turn in any assigned take-
home work for full credit. I will not accept work after the beginning of the
next class. I will record whether or not you turn your work in on time and
at the end of the semester will use this information to calculate your
student skills grade.
School Sponsored Absences:
If you miss my class due to a school event (athletics, choir, all-state,
field trips, etc) you are still responsible for the work that is due for the
class period(s) you are missing. You must turn this work in to me BEFORE you
miss class or it will be considered late. If you are missing a test or a
quiz, you must complete these BEFORE you leave for the event.
My Web Page:
I have set up a web page for this class. This page will have all of your
homework assignments listed as well as study guides and upcoming quiz and
test dates. It will also have outlines and due dates for projects and
papers. You should visit this site every time you miss a class to make sure
you are up to date with what is due. You may reach the website through the
Bosque home page or by going to the following URL:
http://teacherweb.com/NM/BosqueSchool/SheriMahoney/
How to do well in Biology:
There are several things that one needs to do in order to do well in any
class: come to meetings on time, take notes in lecture and discussion,
complete all assignments on time, and participate in discussion. However,
due to the cumulative nature of this course, it is very important that you
keep up with the content of the course. If you get behind, even for a day,
it will make it very difficult to understand the new material being
presented. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to see me and the
website for missed work. Please get help if you fall behind!! If you do
miss class, you must turn in the work that was due for that class the next
day you are at school, not the next time we have class.
Extra Credit:
Extra credit is not offered in this class. Please do not ask for it. If you
spend ample time on your studies, extra credit will not be needed.
Classroom Responsibilities:
For everyone to have a pleasant year, we should all be prepared for class
with homework and all other assignments ready. We should be kind and
courteous to all people in class. We should respect our learning environment
and all material that it contains. We should take special care when working
in labs, making sure we are safe and not abusing lab equipment. If we all
follow these guidelines we can be sure to have an informative and fun year.
I will expect that you have all read and understand the Honor Code for Bosque
School. Failure to adhere to this code in my classroom will result in
referral to the Assistant Head of Upper School for Students.
Cell Phones:
Please refer to your student handbook for the school cell phone policy. If
you have a cell phone out during a test or quiz, you will automatically
receive a zero for that assignment and I will take your phone away.
Academic Integrity:
The following section was taken word for word from the Bosque School Student
Handbook (2010-2011).
Bosque School is a learning community dedicated to fostering intellectual
growth and development and a sense of responsibility in each child. For
students, academic integrity means that they are absolutely honest in their
intellectual efforts. Violations of academic integrity, in any form, are,
therefore, contrary to the values of Bosque School and detrimental to the
students’ own development as young scholars and responsible members of this
community.
Upper School Consequence: If a student is not honest in his or her academic
efforts, he or she will receive both a disciplinary and an academic response
to his or her actions. Depending on the circumstances of the incident, other
consequences may be
imposed. Any subsequent example of academic dishonesty will result in a more
severe penalty and may result in an appearance before the Judicial Committee
which would determine if dismissal from school is warranted.
One specific requirement of the honor code, which is set forth in some detail
here because of its significance, is academic integrity, which requires each
student to use only his or her work unless proper citations are made or the
teacher is fully aware of a collaborative effort. The following are examples,
not an exhaustive list, of violations of this requirement:
- Plagiarism, which is the unacknowledged use of another's words or ideas,
whether spoken or written, including material cut and pasted from electronic
sources.
-If another's words are used, they must be enclosed in quotation marks or set
apart in a block quotation, and the source of those words must be
given. It is not enough to change the words of a source; credit must be given
for
the ideas obtained from any source.
-Sources that must be credited are not simply published works but any
other person or any other person's works.
- Using unauthorized notes or other aids in a test, or copying from or being
influenced by another student's work during a test. Unless otherwise stated
in a
teacher’s syllabus or specific course assignment, this prohibition includes a
student using course materials, such as exams, notes or essays, completed by
another student who took the course in a previous year, even if that use was
only intended as a study aid.
-Giving unauthorized aid to another student, such as allowing another student
to
copy or use one's test, paper, or homework. As stated above, sharing course
materials with a student enrolled in a course that he or she previously took
is also not allowed. Students should check with individual teachers for
clarity about their course policies.
- Use of help on homework or a take-home test that is beyond the limits
specified by the teacher.
-Submitting the same work for credit to more than one teacher unless both
teachers give their permission.
