Students: Welcome to Honors Biology! I hope to make this an exciting year for you and I'm happy to have the opportunity to share my enthusiasm and knowledge of biology with you. We will be investigating the field of biology and learn how to utilize scientific methods to everyday life. You will also have the opportunity to complete a year-long scientific research project. Listed below is some important information you’ll need this year.
Online Textbook: Prentice Hall Biology, Written by Miller & Levine
Online version of textbook available at the following site:
Online textbook
Required Course Materials:
1. 1 inch 3-ring binder with loose leaf paper or spiral notebook
2. 1 flash drive (recommended, but not required)
3. 3 ring binder for student research project
4. Reliable internet access
5. Microsoft Office
Assignments for the year will be divided into the following categories:
1. Discussion Activities—at 10 points each x 36 = 360 points.
2. Quizzes—at 50 points each x 12 = 600 points.
3. Exams (Mid-term and Final)— at 125 each x 2 = 250 points
4. Scientific Research Project – 50 points at x 10 = 500 points
5. Wimba Sessions – 10 points at x 29 = 290 points
Total Point Value = 2000 points
Grading:
A = 90% or above
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
F = 59% or below
Student Expectations:
1. Students will be responsible for participating in weekly online discussions.
2. Assignments must be completed by the listed due date. There will be a 20% penalty for everyday an assignment is late.
3. Since this is an online course, students must have the motivation and perseverance to complete the assigned material. It requires about 15 hours a week in order to be successful. Since it is not in the classroom setting students are more in control of their learning and responsible for voicing any concerns to the instructor.
4. It is critical for students to practice good time management in order to complete all assigned work in a timely manner.
Attendance:
Since this is an online course students are expected to participate regularly with the discussion board. Discussions will be posted on Monday of each week. Students are to have it complete by the Wednesday of that week in order to participate in the weekly discussion. Wimba sessions will be held every Thursday from 10:00am – 11:30am eastern time. Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of each Wimba session. Failure to comply by this will result in removal from the course. If there is a pre-arranged absence, students are responsible for contacting me to receive the assignment. The assignment(s) are due upon the day of arrival.
The Year at a Glance
1st Quarter
Introduction to Biology
Scientific Method (Nature of Science)
Characteristics of Life
Lab Experimentation and Safety
SI System
Classification and Kingdoms
Biochemistry
Cells
2nd Quarter
Photosynthesis and Respiration
DNA/RNA/Protein Synthesis
3rd Quarter
Heredity
Evolution
DNA Technologies
4th Quarter
Homeostasis Mechanism
Ecology
SOL Review
Online Textbook: Prentice Hall Biology, Written by Miller & Levine
Online version of textbook available at the following site:
Online textbook
Required Course Materials:
1. 1 inch 3-ring binder with loose leaf paper or spiral notebook
2. 1 flash drive (recommended, but not required)
3. 3 ring binder for student research project
4. Reliable internet access
5. Microsoft Office
Assignments for the year will be divided into the following categories:
1. Discussion Activities—at 10 points each x 36 = 360 points.
2. Quizzes—at 50 points each x 12 = 600 points.
3. Exams (Mid-term and Final)— at 125 each x 2 = 250 points
4. Scientific Research Project – 50 points at x 10 = 500 points
5. Wimba Sessions – 10 points at x 29 = 290 points
Total Point Value = 2000 points
Grading:
A = 90% or above
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
F = 59% or below
Student Expectations:
1. Students will be responsible for participating in weekly online discussions.
2. Assignments must be completed by the listed due date. There will be a 20% penalty for everyday an assignment is late.
3. Since this is an online course, students must have the motivation and perseverance to complete the assigned material. It requires about 15 hours a week in order to be successful. Since it is not in the classroom setting students are more in control of their learning and responsible for voicing any concerns to the instructor.
4. It is critical for students to practice good time management in order to complete all assigned work in a timely manner.
Attendance:
Since this is an online course students are expected to participate regularly with the discussion board. Discussions will be posted on Monday of each week. Students are to have it complete by the Wednesday of that week in order to participate in the weekly discussion. Wimba sessions will be held every Thursday from 10:00am – 11:30am eastern time. Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of each Wimba session. Failure to comply by this will result in removal from the course. If there is a pre-arranged absence, students are responsible for contacting me to receive the assignment. The assignment(s) are due upon the day of arrival.
The Year at a Glance
1st Quarter
Introduction to Biology
Scientific Method (Nature of Science)
Characteristics of Life
Lab Experimentation and Safety
SI System
Classification and Kingdoms
Biochemistry
Cells
2nd Quarter
Photosynthesis and Respiration
DNA/RNA/Protein Synthesis
3rd Quarter
Heredity
Evolution
DNA Technologies
4th Quarter
Homeostasis Mechanism
Ecology
SOL Review