Biology Mr. Brennan. tcbrennan@mpsaz.org, 480 472-4621 Dear parents and students, Welcome to Biology at Westwood High School. As a teacher, I believe that all students have the capability to grow and achieve success in the classroom. It is my goal to provide students with a safe, positive, well-structured, and productive learning environment in which they will have all of the resources necessary for growth and success. Aims and Objectives: During this course students will gain an awareness and appreciation of the science of biology and its application in the everyday world around us. Students will develop and refine their inquiry skills by designing and carrying out scientific investigations related to their studies. Students will learn to communicate in a scientific manner. Text: Biology by Miller and Levine. (A copy will be checked-out to each student) Assessments: Formative assessment takes place through homework, classwork, quizzes, and labs that are aligned with the topics being addressed in class. Summative tests are used at the end of each unit. A district final examination will be given at the end of each semester. Grading/Assignment Policy: Grading scale: 90 100% = A, 80 89% = B, etc. Homework and classwork assignments are worth 10% of the grade, labs are 15%, tests are 60%, and semester final examinations are 15%. IB MYP grade (1-7) conversions: 95-100% = 7 89-94% = 6 83-88% = 5 77-82% = 4 71-76% = 3 65-70% = 2 60-64% = 1 Late work: For each consecutive day of excused absence an additional day will be added to the deadline for turning in a missed assignment. Beyond the extended deadline or for unexcused absences late work will ONLY be accepted using courtesy points : Each student receives 6 courtesy points (CPs) per semester. Students may use 1 CP to make-up missing homework or classwork, 2 for a lab, 3 to make-up or re-take a test. Once a student s courtesy points are gone he/she can no longer turn in late work or re-take a test. Unused CPs will become extra credit. Tutoring: I am available for tutoring Monday through Thursday after school.
BIOLOGY TOPIC SEQUENCE: FALL SEMESTER: SAFETY Unit 1: THE STUDY OFLIFE 1.1 Nature of Science Goals of Science Scientific Theories 1.2 Scientific Method Scientific Method Pure and Applied Science 1.3 Tools and Measuring in Science Using Microscopes Metric system 1.4 What is Biology Unifying Principles of Biology Characteristics of Life Unit 2: BIOCHEMISTRY 2.1 Carbon Compounds 2.2 Carbohydrates Monosaccharides and Disaccharides Polysaccharides 2.3 Proteins General Structure of Amino Acids 2.4 Lipids Saturated Fatty Acids Unsaturated Fatty Acids 2.5 Nucleic Acids Structure of Nucleic Acids DNA Molecules 2.6 Water Structure and Properties of Water Water and Life UNIT 3: CELLS 3.1 Tiny Structure, Big Function Introduction to Cells Levels of Organization Specialized Cells Parts of a Cell Two Types of Cells Plant Cells UNIT 4/5: EVOLUTION/CLASSIFICATION 4.1 Evolution by Natural Selection How Do Species Form? Applying Darwin s Theory 4.2 Evidence for Evolution Introduction Fossil Evidence KQED: The Reverse Evolution Machine Evidence from Biogeography 5.1 Living Things Linnaean Classification Revisions in Linnaean Classification DNA and Biochemical Analysis A Changing System UNIT 6: ECOLOGY 6.1 Energy Flow Producers Consumers Decomposers 6.2 Food Chains and Food Webs Who eats whom? 6.3 Trophic Levels Trophic Levels and Energy Trophic Levels and Biomass 6.4 Predation Predation and Population Adaptations to Predation 6.5 Competition Interspecific Competition and Extinction Interspecific Competition and Specialization 6.6 Symbiosis Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism 6.7 Population Growth Population Growth Rate Dispersal Migration 6.8 Human Population How do humans adapt to their environment? Early Population Growth 6.9 Limiting Factors to Population Growth What happened during the Irish Potato Famine? Food Supply as Limiting Factor Other Limiting Factors DISTRICT SEMESTER FINAL EXAM
SPRING SEMESTER: UNIT 7: CELL CYCLE 7.1 Life of a Cell Cell Division The Cell Cycle 7.2 Mitosis and Cytokinesis Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase Cytokinesis 7.3 Cancer and the Cell Cycle UNIT 8: MEIOSIS/GENETICS 8.1 Meiosis Overview Of Meiosis Phases of Meiosis Genetic Variation UNIT 9: GENETICS 8.2 Introduction to Genetics Mendel s First Set of Experiments Mendel s Second Set of Experiments Probability, Inheritance and Punnett Squares UNIT 10: DNA, RNA, PROTEIN SYNTHESIS 9.1 DNA Structure and Replication Chargaff's Rules The Double Helix DNA Replication 9.2: RNA RNA 9.3 Mutations Types of Mutations 9.4 Effects of Mutation Effects of Mutations 10.1: Central Dogma Central Dogma of Molecular Biology 10.2 Transcription Transcription 10.3 Translation Translation 10.4 DNA RNA Protein The Genetic Code UNIT 11: CELLULAR TRANSPORT 11.1 Passive Transport Passive Transport 11.2 Osmosis 11.3 Facilitated Diffusion Facilitated Diffusion Ion Channels 11.4 Active Transport Active Transport Homeostasis and Cell Function UNIT 12/13: PHOTOSYNTHESIS & CELL RESPIRATION 12.1 What is Photosynthesis? How Photosynthesis Works The Light Reactions and The Calvin Cycle 12.2 Autotrophs vs. Heterotrophs Autotrophs vs. Heterotrophs 13.1 Cellular Respiration. Why Living Things Need Energy Making and Using Food UNIT 14: BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES 14.1 The Water Cycle The Water Cycle 14.2 The Carbon Cycle The Carbon Cycle 14.3 The Nitrogen Cycle The Nitrogen Cycle UNIT 15: NATURAL RESOURCES 15.1 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources 15.2 Soil and Water Resources Soil and Water Resources 15.3 Air Pollution The Atmosphere 15.4 Global Warming Global Climate Change Effects of Climate Change 15.5 What is biodiversity? 15.6 Why is biodiversity important? Why Is Biodiversity Important? Ecosystem Services of Biodiversity Biodiversity hot spots SEMESTER FINAL EXAM
I have read and understand the classroom expectations and procedures required to be successful in Mr. Brennan s class, particularly the policy on late work and test re-takes. If at any time I have questions regarding these expectations and/or procedures, I will ask. I understand the consequences that may arise if I do not follow these expectations and/or procedures. Student s Name (print) Student s Signature Today s Date I have read and understand the classroom expectations and procedures required to be successful in Mr. Brennan s class, particularly the policy on late work and test re-takes. If at any time I have questions regarding what is expected of my child, or my child s performance, I will contact Mr. Brennan at Westwood at 480 472-4621 or tcbrenna@mpsaz.org. Parent/Guardian s Name (print) Parent/Guardian s Signature Today s Date I believe that each student has the capability to succeed in my classes and I will strive to create safe, positive, well-structured, and productive learning environment in which all students can grow and achieve the highest levels of success in the classroom. Mr. Thomas Brennan Biology Teacher Westwood High School Updated 8/7/2017