Course Description: Biology topics will be investigated through an applied conceptual approach that integrates biological and chemistry concepts. Topics include animal processes, evolution, microorganisms, plant growth and reproduction, and ecology. This course will integrate laboratory investigation with conceptual development. This course meets the requirements for a technical seal.

Units to be studied 1st Semester:

Unit	Topic	AKS	Chapter
Unit 1	Introduction to Biology	1, 2, 3, 4, 6	1
Unit 2	Biochemistry	9	2
Unit 3	Cells	10, 11	2
Unit 4	Cell Energy	12	2
Unit 5	Cell Transport	10, 11	2
Unit 6	Cell Division	13	22
Unit 7	DNA	14	28
Unit 8	Genetics	13, 14, 15	26, 27
Unit 9	Ecology	7, 8	30-32

Units to be studied 2nd Semester:

Unit	Topic	AKS	Chapter
Unit 1	Change over Time	16	29
Unit 2	Taxonomy	17	3
Unit 3	Microorganisms	17	4, 5
Unit 4	The Plant Body	17	6, 19-21, 23
Unit 5	Animal Adaptations	17	7, 8
Unit 6	Nutrition, Digestion, & Excretion	18	9, 10, 13
Unit 7	Transport	18	11, 12
Unit 8	Gas Exchange & Immunity	18	13
Unit 9	Chemical & Nervous Control & Movement	18	14, 15, 16
Unit 10	Reproduction & Development	18	24, 25

Required Materials:

What do you need to bring to class?

1. Textbook: Biology, An Everyday Experience (Glencoe). Replacement cost: $54.99

2. 3-prong folder for the current unit of study with loose-leaf paper

3. Composition book

4. Sharpened pencils or pens (black or dark blue ink for assignments, colored pencils)

5. Your agenda

You should spend a minimum of 20 minutes a day working on Tech Biology outside of class. You will not always have written assignments outside of class. However, this does not mean you do not need to study Tech Biology every day. Tests will come predominantly from lecture notes, so it is a wise idea to review them daily.

Evaluations will be given every Friday. Occasionally, but rarely, exceptions to this rule will be made. The first Friday of each unit, a quiz will be given. The second Friday of each unit, a unit test will be given. All tests will be cumulative. Questions will cover predominantly the material discussed during the current unit of study, but several questions from information discussed previously will be included on the test.

Grading:

30% - Major grades (tests and projects)

25% - Daily grades (class work, homework, and quizzes)

25% - Laboratory assignments (written and participation)

20% - Final Exam

Grading Scale:

A 90-100

B 80-89

C 74-79

D 70-73

F 0-69

Late Work will not be accepted!

Make up Work:

1. It is the responsibility of the student to inquire about make-up work on the day of return to class.

2. For an occasional absence the make-up work is due within five days following the student's return to school. For extended absences, the student's parent should request assignments through the attendance office.

3. For all prior assignments, the due date is the day of return from an excused absence.

4. Makeup work must be done outside of class. I am available after school from 2:15-2:45 for make-up work.

Help! I am available Tuesday through Friday after school until 2:45 for extra assistance.

Classroom Rules / Policies and Procedures:

All students are responsible for all school rules found in your student agenda.

Because you are here to learn, any behavior that interferes with that purpose will be considered inappropriate.

1. Be prepared for class everyday. Students are expected to be on time to class and to be in class for the entire period. Passes will not be issued to leave class; take care of personal matters between classes.

Tardies: You are expected to be in class in your seat when the bell rings. Tardies to class will be handled according to the policy in the PHS student handbook.

The PHS attendance policy states that 3 tardies to class results in an unexcused absence for that class. Eleven unexcused absences from class results in no credit for the course unless appealed.

2. Absolutely no food, drink, candy, or gum are permitted!!

3. Follow all lab safety rules at all times.

4. Clean up lab area after all labs.

5. Wait quietly to be dismissed by the teacher.

Violations of the rules above will result in a warning, detention, parent conference, or possible referral to an administrator if a problem continues. The consequence will be based on the severity of the infraction and decided on by the teacher.

Academic, Knowledge and Skills (AKS) addressed:

The student will be able to:

1. Design and conduct scientific investigations.

2. Formulate questions and concepts which build and underlie scientific investigations.

3. Use technology to collect, manipulate, and communicate data and findings.

4. Use valid critical assumptions.

5. Regularly integrate new and prior knowledge using a variety of formats with an emphasis on writing.

6. Explain that biology is the science of life and has many different components.

7. Identify and illustrate the conservation of matter and energy as it exists in the living world.

8. Describe the influence of environmental factors on populations and communities within an ecosystem.

9. Recognizes that life has a chemical basis.

10. Analyze the needs of a cell for survival, reproduction, and growth.

11. Compare various methods by which materials move into and out of cells.

12. Analyze and describe the process of photosynthesis that stores light energy as chemical energy and cellular respiration that releases that same energy for use by living organisms.

13. Compare and contrast how cells grow and divide by mitosis and meiosis.

14. Explain how DNA controls heredity.

15. Analyze the process of gene recombination in production and variation in organisms.

16. Identify natural selection as a process that provides a scientific explanation for change over time.

17. Review the five kingdom classification system.

18. Compare and contrast the life processes in all kingdoms with a strong emphasis on humans.

Teacher reserves the right to adjust the syllabus, policies, and/ or grading as necessary.

ABOUT THE GATEWAY EXAM: All students must demonstrate knowledge of the Gwinnett County Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) Curriculum. Students will be provided a booklet listing each of these AKS by course at the beginning of the school year. Ninth graders enrolling in 1998-1999 and beyond will need to pass the Gwinnett County Gateway Exam over the AKS before graduation. The Gateway Exam will measure students' ability to write effectively about the science and social studies AKS covered in ninth and tenth grades. The exam will be administered in the spring of the tenth grade year. Students will have several opportunities to retake the exam if they are not successful the first time.