BIOLOGY
COURSE SYLLABUS - ODYSSEY CHARTER SCHOOL
Instructor: Mr. John Giacobbe,
MA, BS, RPA
Contacts: voice: 321.345.4117 webpage:
http://www.nakedscience.org/mrg
school email: giacobbej@odysseycharterschool.com home email: jgiacobbe@nakedscience.org
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Success in Class is
Based on the Following: |
Grading Scale: |
|
Ř
Science Journals/Bell-Work/Notebook (5%) |
o
A = 90 – 100% |
|
Ř
Lab Work (30%) |
o
B = 80 – 89% |
|
Ř
Daily & Homework Assignments (25%) |
o
C = 70 – 79% |
|
Ř
Unit Tests & Semester Exams (25%) |
o
D = 60 – 69% (Failing
– No Credit) |
|
Ř
Term Research Proposal (5%) |
o
F = 59% and below (Failing
– No Credit) |
|
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Scientific Inquiry Skills (10%) |
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Course Goals and
Objectives: By the end of the course each student will explore these six major themes:
Note Taking: To pass this course you will
need to learn how to take notes. This should include a 3-ring binder to record
your science journals, Latin vocabulary, lab illustrations, handouts, lab
notes, daily lecture notes, and anything else you think might be important. I
suggest that you KEEP EVERYTHING! All assessments are based on notes taken
during class.
Assessments may come at any time,
so you must always come to class prepared.
Late
Work:
Unacceptable at this stage. One day means a “B”, two
days a “C,” three days an “F”
Progress
Reports: Progress reports are given out every week. Every second week they must be returned signed. If you do not
receive a progress report, you can always email or ask me for a copy, or print
them from PowerSchool.
Labs: We will complete many 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 huge part of your grade.
***Labs cannot be redone or made-up, and the only make-up
option is to write a four page essay, on a topic I assign,
WHICH YOU WILL HATE.
End
of Course Exam (EOC): All Florida Biology I students are
required to take a state-created, computer based End of Course (EOC) exam in May. You will be tested on your
knowledge and comprehension of the Biology Sunshine State Standards on this
exam. This class will cover these standards in depth to prepare you for success
on this assessment. Under law, the state test will account for 30% of your final
course grade. For more about the EOC exam: http://fcat.fldoe.org/eoc/pdf/BiologyFL11Sp.pdf
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Procedures,
Rules, and How to Stay a Shiny, Happy Student with a Shiny, Happy Teacher!
Professional
Attitude: To start off, you must approach this class like a professional student.
That means taking personal responsibility for your work and your grade. For
example, come to me for missed work; do not expect me to come running after
you!
Use
Your Resources:
Your syllabus is a detailed guide to your
coursework. Keep it and refer to it regularly. The web page will
have copies of all our notes, and most of our assignments, readings, etc. In
addition, extra credit, links to additional materials (like those you will have
to use in your Project or Paper), and various images and video will be on the
web.
Classroom Procedures: You know this stuff.
Honesty: Don’t cheat and don’t
plagiarize. Truly dreadful things will happen to you if you do.
Cell Phones, IPods, etc.: Not unless you are
given permission. NEVER let me see one during my lectures and note taking.
Seriously, don’t.
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 – Stop Doing That!
2nd Offense – Loss of
Participation Points for the Day and a Phone Call Home –I’m sorry to inform you that your lovely child isn’t so lovely
3rd Offense – Visit
with the Dean, Loss of Privileges, Suspension, and/or Dismemberment
Science Prefix Vocabulary List – You
Should Totally Memorize These Now:
A- not or without Hetero- different
Ante- in front; before Homo- alike; same
Anti- against; opposed to Hydro- water
Aqua- water Hyper- more than; above
Auto- self Hypo-
under; less than
Bi- two Inter- between; together
Bio- life; living Iso- equal
Di- two Macro- large
Co- together;
with Micro-
small
Cyto- relating
to a cell Mono-
one
Eco- relating to the environment Multi- many
Ecto- outer;
external Photo-
light
Endo- inside;
inner Poly-
many
Ex- outside;
away from Pseudo-
false
Exo- outside;
Out of Un- opposite
of; contrary to
Lab
Report Template -Keep For Your Reference:
Title and Cover Page:
* a brief, concise, yet descriptive Title, Your Name(s), Instructor, Date, Institution
Statement of the Problem:
*
What question(s) are you trying to answer?
* Include any preliminary
observations or background information about the subject
Hypothesis:
*
Write a possible solution for the problem.
* Make sure this possible
solution is a complete sentence.
* Make sure the statement is
testable.
Materials:
* Make a list of ALL items used in the lab.
Procedure:
*
Write a paragraph (complete sentences) which explains what you did in the lab.
* Your procedure should be
written so that anyone else could repeat the experiment.
Results (Data):
*
This section should include any data tables, observations, or additional notes
you make during the lab.
* You may attach a separate
sheet(s) if necessary.
* All tables, graphs and
charts should be labeled appropriately
Conclusions:
*
Accept or reject your hypothesis.
* EXPLAIN why you accepted or
rejected your hypothesis using data from the lab.
* Include a summary of the
data - averages, highest, lowest.. etc.
to help the reader understand your results
* List one thing you learned
and describe how it applies to a real-life situation.
*Discuss possible errors that
could have occurred in the collection of the data (experimental errors)
Biology
Course Outline
UNIT
1: The Study of Life, the Universe, and
Everything!
UNIT
2: Ecology
Biology
& Ethics I: A River Reborn - The
Restoration of Fossil Creek
UNIT
3: Cells and Microbiology
Biology
& Ethics II: Cloning and Reproductive Technologies - Jurassic Park
UNIT
4: Genetics and Heredity
Biology
& Ethics III: Genetic Testing and Engineering - GATTACA
UNIT
5: Evolution and Natural Selection
Biology
& Ethics IV: Can Animals & Machine Be Considered “People?”
UNIT
6: Microorganisms and Fungi
Biology
and Ethics V: Medicine Man
UNIT
7: Plants
UNIT
8: Invertebrate Zoology
UNIT
9: Vertebrate Zoology
UNIT
10: The Human Body
UNIT
11: Field Biology Techniques
Mr. G’s Science Department Web World
Web
Page: http://www.nakedscience.org/mrg/index.html
Science Blog: http://nakedscience.blogspot.com/
Email: School Email: giacobbej@odysseycharterschool.com
Home
Email: jgiacobbe@nakedscience.org
We have a significant web presence that you should take advantage
of. This includes: a web page with class notes, assignments, and old exams; a
Science Blog, with extra credit assignments and interesting links posted every
week; and an email newsletter, outlining what we are doing in each class each
week and detailing upcoming labs, activities, and field trips.
Please
send me an email address so I can add you to the list!
Thanks,
John
Giacobbe
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Biology –
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): __________________________
Science Safety
Agreement
Scientists know they must work safely
when doing experiments. As a student scientist, you need to be careful when
doing science activities, too. Please review the following safety rules with
your parents/guardians and have both sign the safety agreement. Return the form
by the end of the first week of class so that you can start experiencing the
exciting hands-on activities we have planned this year.
v Safety apparel
(goggles and aprons) will be worn for as long as you are in the lab when
specified by the instructor.
v When alcohol or other
burners are being used by anyone in the lab, long hair will be tied back. Long
hanging necklaces, heavy jewelry, and bulky jackets and sweaters should be
removed. Keep burners toward the middle of the lab tables. Use tongs and/or
protective gloves to handle hot objects. Never reach across an open flame or
burner. Hot glass looks just like cold glass!
v There will be no gum,
no eating or drinking of any kind in the lab. Yucky stuff goes on in there!
v Never taste
chemicals/specimens or smell them directly. Avoid touching chemicals as much as
possible.
v Activities will be
done only as instructed with the specified amounts of materials.
v Proper procedures for
handling all equipment and any additional safety precautions, which are
discussed for specific labs, will be followed.
v Never leave an
activity unattended unless instructed to do so.
v Horseplay or other
inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. One incident and you’re out!
v Report all accidents
to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor.
v Do not remove any
materials or equipment from the lab without the teacher’s permission.
v After completing an
activity, all equipment should be put away and materials should be disposed of
as directed. Remember, the sinks are not trashcans. Before leaving the room,
each work area will be cleaned.
I
agree to follow the Science safety rules.
________________________________________
Student
Signature
I have read and discussed this safety
agreement with my child. I am aware that failure to follow these guidelines may
result in a failing grade for the activity and/or disciplinary action.
________________________________________
Acknowledgment
by Parents/Guardians of Safety Rules
My child has the following needs that
should be considered during some Science activities:
My child wears glasses: □Yes □No
My child is colorblind: □Yes □No
My child has allergies: □Yes □No
My child is allergic to:
_______________________________________________________________________________
My child has (other):
_______________________________________________________________________________