Course: Biology CP1

Teacher: Mr. Alexander Thompson Mr. Tim Erdmann Mr. Dan Shannon

E-mail: AThompson@Moeller.org erdmannt@Moeller.org DShannon@Moeller.org

Phone: (513) 791-1680

Office Hours:

“We don’t educate for the school, nor merely for the years one is in school, but for life. This idea is of capital

importance in education.” F. Armentia, SM, Nuestros chicos…y nosotros (Madrid: Ediciones, SM, 1965), p. 247.

Course Description: This course investigates the composition, diversity, complexity and interconnectedness of life

on Earth. Fundamental concepts of heredity and evolution provide a framework through inquiry-based instruction to

explore the living world, the physical environment and the interactions within and between them. Students engage

in investigations to understand and explain the behavior of living things in a variety of scenarios that incorporate

scientific reasoning, analysis, communication skills and real-world applications.

The curriculum for this class is derived from the Ohio Science Education Standards. The class will also prepare the

students for the Ohio Graduation Test. Students will be required to take and pass the OGT in the Spring of their

Sophomore year.

All students must use the following scientific processes, with appropriate laboratory safety techniques, to construct

their knowledge and understanding of the biological sciences:

Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations;

Design and conduct scientific investigations;

Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications;

Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence (critical thinking);

Recognize and analyze explanations and models; and

Communicate and support a scientific argument.

Course Content: This course explores five units:

1. Biochemistry

2. Cellular Biology

3. Genetics

4. Ecology

5. Evolution

Materials Needed:

Tablet with digitizer

Pencil (must be used for tests)

Description of Technology used in Biology:

Microsoft OneNote will be used as the main program for students to organize all their work in Anatomy and

Physiology. OneNote allows students to neatly organize notes, homeworks, and labs. I suggest creating a

OneNote notebook for all classes, not just Biology.

DyKnow will be used primarily for taking notes and ACT Science Test Prep questions and A&P Review

questions at the beginning of class. Students will have a set of questions they must complete and then submit

to me.

Edmodo is an educational social-networking site that allows students to collaborate on assignments and

activities.

Quizlet www.quizlet.com is a website that is helpful when studying vocabulary. Students can create sets of

flashcards (which they can print off if they choose) and play games with the vocabulary words they have

added in that set.

Vernier is a technology company that makes instruments which link to computers and collect data

Technology Expectations: The following are technology expectations for all students:

Competently use the standard Microsoft Office software, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Take notes using OneNote in place of pen and paper (for those students with Tablets)

Accurately cite sources from online and other electronic resources

Email and submit their work through electronic mediums

Do not plagiarize and copy, which is very accessible in a digital learning environment

Regularly communicate with their teachers and peers through electronic media sources

Be familiar with the principles of digital citizenship and 21st Century Skills

Link to Moeller Handbook – Academic Coursework: http://www.moeller.org/page.aspx?pid=1178

Classroom Expectations: The following are expectations for all students to promote a positive, engaging learning

environment:

All students should be in their seats when the bell rings. If the student does not follow this rule, it will result

in a tardy.

Students are to remain in their seats unless given permission by Mr. Thompson.

At the beginning of class, all tablets should be open and students should be working on their test prep/review

questions.

Students should not touch what is not theirs unless instructed. Including property belonging to the teacher,

the school, or other students.

The teacher dismisses the class, not the bell.

When working in a group, students should stay focused, or they will be asked to sit down and receive a grade

of zero.

Tablets may only be used for academic purposes related to the assignment. Any other uses will result in a

detention and a zero for the assignment.

No food, drink, candies, etc. are allowed in the lab for safety and sanitary reasons.

No use of cell phones is permitted during class. Failure to follow this rule will result in a detention and

confiscation of the phone until the end of the day (2:45pm).

If a detention is missed, the student will receive a school-wide detention.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, treat others with respect. This classroom is a positive environment where

everyone will feel safe and learn to their highest potential.

o Name calling or use of derogatory terms is not acceptable, and will result in a Report of

Misconduct.

Detentions are to be served the following morning at 7:15am in Room 206.

Academic Violations: Any form of plagiarism is an academic violation. Violations will be turned into the Dean of

Academics, and a meeting will follow. Plagiarism is broadly defined as all of the following:

Turning in someone else's work as your own;

Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit;

Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks;

Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation;

Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit; or

Copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether he gives

credit or not (see our section on "fair use" rules).

Link to Moeller Handbook – Academic Violations & Plagiarism:

http://www.moeller.org/page.aspx?pid=1183

Grading: The total number of points on homework, labs, quizzes, tests, and special assignments will determine

your quarter grade. The total number of earned points will be divided by the number of possible points, then

multiplied by 100. The grading scale is as follows: A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 75-79, D = 70-74, F = 0-69

Link to Moeller Handbook – Grades & Grading Policies: http://www.moeller.org/page.aspx?pid=1179

Assignments:

Assignments due on a particular day must be complete, neat, and organized before you get to class.

Assignments due in the DropBox must be submitted before the time the DropBox closes. Late assignments

will be accepted the following day (school day, not class day) for half credit.

Each student group is required to post to Edmodo on the assigned day of the week, and each individual

student is required to reply to another group’s post at least once a week.

Make-up Work Policy: Students who are absent are required to find out what they have missed. Check

NetMoeller and ask students in the class. All missed work must be made up by making arrangements with the

teacher. IT IS YOUR JOB TO ARRANGE FOR MAKE-UP WORK. You will be given the same amount of time to

make up your work as the number of days you were absent. Any work missing after that time will be given a grade

of zero. Students absent the day before a test/quiz who are not absent on the test day must take the test. Tests and

quizzes are announced in enough in advance to be prepared.

Link to Moeller Handbook – Classroom Policies & Expectations:

http://www.moeller.org/page.aspx?pid=1180

Lab Safety: Each student is responsible for her/his safety, as well as the safety of their fellow classmates. Any

student who jeopardizes that safety for any reason will be removed from the lab and given a zero. Improper use of

equipment, sitting on lab tables or desktops, wandering to other lab tables and not following instructions are all

serious offenses. All lab equipment is potentially dangerous. When in doubt-STOP and ASK!

Each student and a parent/guardian must sign the safety contract stating that they reviewed the information and

understand the importance of lab safety. I ask that the parent/guardian please enter the information below where

they sign so that I may be able to communicate with you about the class.

I ________________________ (student name) have reviewed Mr. Thompson’s syllabus for Biology CPI, and I

understand all that it contains.

__________________________ (student signature) ____________ (date)

I have reviewed Mr. Thompson’s syllabus for Biology CPI, and I understand all that it contains.

__________________________ (parent signature) ____________ (date)

E-mail:

Phone Number: