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Syllabus
The first semester of the course will explore the following topics: science as inquiry, energy and
enzymes, cellular basis of life, respiration, photosynthesis, mitosis/meiosis, Mendelian genetics,
molecular genetics, and genetic engineering.
The second semester of the course will continue with the following topics: evolution,
classification, and ecology.
At the end of the course, students are expected to take the AP Biology exam and/or enroll in the IBHL-II
Biology course. Weighted credit will only be issued to those students that sit for the AP exam and/or
enroll in the IBHL-II Biology course.
Homework:
Homework represents 20% of the overall grade.
Homework consists primarily of vocabulary, science articles, and big questions.
Vocabulary is assigned at the beginning of a chapter and due usually on a Friday.
Lab work:
Lab work represents 25% of the overall grade.
It is imperative that students be present on lab days; it is not possible to make-up many of our labs due
to the nature of the materials involved. Labs are generally scheduled on block days.
In some cases, the AP lab packet is completed and submitted for credit.
In some cases, a formal lab report is submitted for credit.
In all cases, data should be presented clearly; graphs/diagrams/charts must be drawn precisely. Where
possible, graphing software should be used.
Quizzes/Exams:
Quizzes/exams represent 55% of the overall grade.
Vocabulary quizzes will be administered weekly, usually on Fridays.
Unit exams are administered about once every four to six weeks and are announced in advance.
Students are required to take the exam on the scheduled day even if they are absent the day before the
test.
Unit Exams will consist of a multiple choice section.
Free Response Exams will be more frequent (apporxamtly every chapter). The questions will be taken
from past AP and IB Exam.
Grading policy:
100-90% = A, 89-80% = B, 79-70% = C, 69-60% = D, 59-0% = F
Grades will be determined as follows:
Exams (quizzes/unit exams) 55%
Lab work 25%
Homework 20%
Extra credit is rarely offered, and it is never available as a way to improve a grade at the end of a
semester.
Progress reports will be issued according to the Tulsa Public School Calendar.
Cheating - If a student chooses to cheat on an assignment/test, he/she will receive a "0" and
parents/administrators will be notified. If a student allows another student to use his/her work, then
that student will also receive a 0 on the assignment/test.
Plagiarism:
It is expected that all work submitted reflects your own thinking or is properly referenced. It is unethical to
use someones ideas (whether a friends or a published authors) and pass them off as your own. Any cited
works should be included in a reference list.
Learning Resources:
Biology (7th Edition), by Neil Campbell, Benjamin/Cummings Publishers