Biology Syllabus
Coach Hodde
E-mail: jhodde@burtonisd.net
CLASS OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this course is to introduce the concepts of Biology and life sciences and create a strong understanding of the interactions and organization of living systems.

TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provide instructional leadership.
2. Return tests, quizzes and assignments in a timely manner.
3. Provide tutorials to help ensure student success.
4. Provide a safe and welcoming classroom environment for the students.
5. HAVE FUN!



STUDENT RESPONSBILITIES
Your success this year in Biology and in High School requires active participation and a desire to achieve. Therefore, you will begin each six weeks with a 100 as your average. If you chose not to meet the expectations of the course your grade will suffer. Please remember that these are designed to ensure your success in this class.

• You simply cannot learn if you are not here. Unexcused absences (SKIPPING, TRUANCY, SLEEPING IN, ETC.) will cause you to loose important instruction and will be very expensive when the courts get involved.
• When you miss a day, it is your responsibility to make up your work BEFORE or AFTER school.
• Students who have an excused absence have the number of days they missed to make up their assignments. (BISD Policy)
• Students who are absent (excused or unexcused) on the day of a unit exam (multiple choice) must take a written make-up exam!
1. BE ON TIME! Tardy students are extremely disruptive to the learning environment. I understand things happen, but please do everything possible to be her before the bell.

2. DO EVERY ASSIGNMENT AND BRING ALL SUPPLIES! It is essential that you complete ALL assignments to the best of your ability and bring the necessary supplies every day.
3. RESPECT ALL TEACHERS, CLASSMATES, AND EQUIPMENT.
It is my responsibility to provide a safe environment for you to learn. Sometimes this requires letting you know when you are not being respectful of another person in the room. It is easy to get back on track with a simple “yes ma’am” or “Okay.” This also includes keeping all food and drink out of the lab and handling all equipment with care.
4. PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY!
• Ask questions when you don’t understand!
• Sleep at home!
• Groom yourself in the bathroom!
• Write notes at lunch!
• Text after school! (Visible phones will be collected!)


Grading

Grading Scale
A 93%-100%
A- 90%-92%
B+ 88%-89%
B 83%-87%
B- 80%-82%
C+ 78%-79%
C 73%-77%
C- 70%-72%
D+ 68%-69%
D 63%-67%
D- 60%-62%
F 59%-below

All grading is based on the adopted policy by Burton ISD School District and can be found in the Burton ISD Handbook.

Biology Syllabus Fall 2008

1st Six Weeks
Unit 1 – Nature of Science
Weeks 1-3: What is Biology?
Lab Safety
Scientific Method
8 Characteristics of Life
Kingdoms (overview)
Evolution (overview)

Unit 2 - Ecology
Weeks 4-6: Biomes
Ecosystems
Energy Flow
Biodiversity & Populations
Biotic & Abiotic Factors
Symbiosis
Ecological Succession

TEKS: 1A, 2A-D, 3A, C, F, 5B, 7A-B, 8B-C, 9D, 11A, B, 12E
2nd Six Weeks
Unit 3 – Chemistry of Life
Weeks 1-2: Atoms & Elements (review)
Biochemistry
Properties of Water
Carbon Compounds
Macromolecules
Enzymes

Unit 4 – Cellular Biology
Weeks 3-5: Eukaryotes & Prokaryotes
Cell Structure & Function
Cell Boundaries
Diffusion & Osmosis
Cell Specialization
Body Systems Review



TEKS: 1A-B, 2A-D, 3A, C, F, 4A-B, 5C, 9A-B
3rd Six Weeks
Unit 5 – Cellular Energy
Weeks 1-2: Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration
Unit 6 – Cell Growth & Division
Weeks 3-4: The Cell Cycle
Mitosis
Cancer
TEKS: 2C-D, 3F, 4B, 6A-B, 4B

Biology Syllabus Spring 2009

4th Six Weeks
Unit 7 – RNA & DNA

Weeks 1-3: DNA Structure & Function
DNA Replication
RNA Structure and Function
RNA Transcription
Protein Synthesis
Unit 8 – Genetics

Weeks 4-6: Basic Heredity
Punnett Squares
Meiosis
Chromosomal Mutations
Human Karyotyping
Pedigrees

5th Six Weeks

Unit 9 – Evolution and Classification
Weeks 1-3: Charles Darwin
Modern Evolution
Natural Selection
Classification
Taxonomy
Binomial Nomenclature
Unit 10 – Microorganisms
Weeks 4-6: Bacteria Structure
Bacterial Diseases
Virus Structure
Viral Diseases
Protist Structure
Disease Transmission
Immunity

6th Six Weeks
Unit 11 – Fungi and Plants
Weeks 1-3: Fungus Structure
Fungus Diversity
Fungus Reproduction
Plant Structure
Plant Diversity and Adaptations
Roots, Stems and Leaves
Plant Reproduction
Unit 12 - Animals
Weeks 4-6: Animal Diversity
Animal Adaptations & Animal Body Systems & Animal Behavior