biology ii – course syllabus

BIOLOGY II – COURSE SYLLABUS

SOUTH POINTE HIGH SCHOOL

Contact Information• Instructor: Mr. John Giacobbe, MA, RPA

• voice: 602.243.0600• webpage:

http://www.nakedscience.org/mrg/index.html

• school email: [email protected]

• home email: [email protected]

http://nakedscience.blogspot.com/

Success in Class is Based on:

• Notebook & Note Taking Skills (5%)

• Lab Work (30%)

• Daily & Homework Assignments (25%)

• Unit Tests & Block Exams (25%)

• Participation & Behavior (15%)

Grading Scale

• A = 90 – 100%

• B = 80 – 89%

• C = 70 – 79%

• D = 60 – 69% (Failing – No Credit)

• F = 59% & below (Failing – No Credit)

Course Goals and ObjectivesBy the end of the course each student will:

• Understand the organization of living things and the ecological nature of the environment

• Understand species diversity, and become familiar with invertebrate, vertebrate, & human biology

• Understand the Process and Method of Scientific Research

Participation

• Participation is everything! If I see that you are paying attention, trying your best, and getting involved in what we are doing, I will do everything I can to see that you succeed.

• Get involved every day and I can guarantee you will do well in my class. You will also earn participation points, so stay focused and follow instructions.

Notebook• To pass this course you will need to keep a

notebook. This should include any handouts you get in class, lab notes, and daily lecture notes. KEEP EVERYTHING! All assessments are based on notes taken during class, and you can use your notes on most tests.

• As you progress in your education and careers, the importance of taking good notes cannot be underestimated. Assessment may come at any time, so you must always come to class prepared.

Labs• We will complete several labs over the

course of this class.

• Labs are a vital part of learning science and developing thinking skills.

• Participation in labs is required by all students, and is a significant part of your grade

Late Work• For each day the assignment is

late, you will receive one grade lower than you would have received if the assignment had been on time.

• After two days, you will receive a zero for that assignment. Seriously, unless you’re bleeding from the ears, no late work.

Progress Reports

• Progress reports are given out every week, and must be returned signed by the following week. If you do not receive a progress report, you can always email or ask me for a copy.

Absences

• You know the rules. If you miss five days of classes, you get no credit. Don’t miss class, period!!! I have no power to reverse this rule, and students (including those who earned an “A”) fail each block because of absences!

Classroom Procedures

• Each day, please enter the classroom, take your seat, and begin working on the bellwork assignment, if any.

• If you need assistance for any reason, raise your hand and wait to be called on.

• If you need to leave the classroom for any reason, you must get my permission and use the hall pass.

• At the end of class, please put your chairs back, throw your trash away, replace your text book and any equipment used, and wait for me to dismiss you.

Miscellaneous Stuff• Honesty: Cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable. Truly dreadful

things will happen to you if I find you cheating or plagiarizing.

• Cell Phones: Not. If you use one in class, I may take the phone and give it to one of my dogs, they always eat theirs.

• Respect: Everything else comes under the heading of respect, so show it to both your teacher and fellow students.

• Classroom Consequences:• 1st Offense – Verbal Warning• 2nd Offense – Loss of Participation Points for the Day and a Phone

Call Home• 3rd Offense – Visit with the Dean of Students, Loss of Privileges,

Suspension, or Dismemberment

A Few More Reminders…• I should never see an electronic device

(cell phone, iPod, whatever). If I do, I’ll take it from you for the class, maybe for the whole day if I’m in a pissy mood.

• No frakin’ sleeping. If I have to stay awake and listen to your sh*t, you have to stay awake and listen to mine.

Tardiness & Other Pain in the Ass Behaviors…

• If you’re tardy more than three times, I will assign you Saturday Detention. Just show up on time and stop playing with yourselves outside.

• You’ll quickly learn what else pisses me off. Learn fast, and don’t do it, or I’ll give you Saturday Detentions. Oh Joy!

Biology II - Course Outline

Unit 0 - Biology I Review

• 0.1 Review of Scientific Method

• 0.2 Review of Cell Theory

• 0.3 Review of Evolution & Natural Selection

Unit 1 - Ecology II

1.1 Advanced Ecology1.2 Advanced Abiotic Environments1.3 Biogeography & Environmental

Science


Unit 2 - Diversity of Species

2.1 Classification of Life Review2.2 Taxonomy & Cladistics Review


Unit 3 - Mathematics & Science

3.1 Math as the Language of Science

3.2 Statistics & Probability


Unit 4 - Microscopic Life

4.1 Viruses & Bacteria4.2 Protists4.3 Fungi


Unit 5 - Invertebrate Zoology

5.1 Defining Animal Life5.2 Sponges, Cnidarians, & Worms5.3 Mollusks & Segmented Worms5.4 Arthropods5.5 Echinoderms & Invertebrate

Chordates


Unit 6 - Plant Biology

6.1 Defining Plant Life6.2 Ferns & Gymnosperms6.3 Flowering Plants


Unit 7 - Vertebrate Zoology

7.1 Fish & Amphibians 7.2 Reptiles & Birds7.3 Mammals7.4 Animal Behavior


Unit 8 - Human Biology

8.1 Protection, Support & Locomotion8.2 Digestion & Nutrition8.3 Respiration, Circulation & Excretion8.4 Nervous System8.5 Reproduction & Development8.6 Immunity, Disease & Pathology


Biology II – Review & Understanding of the Syllabus

Must Be Signed by Parent/Guardian and Student

• Student Signature: ____________ Date: _____________• Student Name (print): _________________________• Student email (optional): _______________________

• Parent/Guardian Signature: ________ Date: _____________• Parent/Guardian Name (print): _________________________• Parent/Guardian email (optional): __________________________

biology ii – course syllabus

Documents

end of class

lab notes

good notes

bellwork assignment

daily lecture notes

classroom procedureseach

lab work

participation behavior