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Department: SCIENCE Course: BIOLOGY Grade Level (s): 9 Teacher Name: Ms. Yushan Bai Email: ybai@gprep.org Office Hour: Thursdays, 2:50pm-4pm, M301 Course Summary: This course employs an inquiry-based approach to molecular, cellular, organismal, and population biology. Where applicable, primary-source literature will be incorporated to illustrate classic and contemporary issues facing professional biologists. Prerequisites: none Goals of Biology:

1. Students should be prepared to take Biology SAT II- Ecology 2. Students should possess the skills necessary to succeed in Chemistry

a. Analytical thinking b. Basic Lab Skills (i.e. Safety, setup and breakdown, understanding the use of essential

lab equipment, teamwork, etc.) c. Science writing skills, with an emphasis on clear expression of complex ideas in the

form of analysis of science database materials 3. Students gain a strong understanding of the underlying big ideas of AP Biology

Required Materials:

• Textbook: Biology, Miller and Levine. Prentice Hall/ Pearson Publishing Company • A 1-inch three-ring binder with tab/dividers and paper for note-taking, homework and storage

of handouts (please leave your laptop and cell phone out of sight unless otherwise directed) • Pens (black and/or blue, plus red), a highlighter, #2 pencils • Text @baibio to the number 81010 to receive reminders and last-minute alerts

Grading: Tests 40% Quizzes 20% Labs 15% Homework/ Assignments 15% Participation/ Classwork 10% Total 100%

Fall semester A-days (potential test/quiz day): 09/07, 09/18, 09/27, 10/06, 10/19, 10/30, 11/09, 11/20, 12/04, Midterm (12/14-12/18)

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First Semester Topics:1st Quarter (34 days)

Unit 1: Intro to Biology

a. Characteristics of life b. Lab equipment and safety c. Measuring volume, length, and

mass d. Observing and prediction

(inferences vs. observation) e. Scientific methodology and

experimental design f. Collecting & Utilizing data

Unit 2: Ecology

a. Abiotic vs. biotic factors b. Levels of ecological

organization c. Nutrient cycles d. Relationships between biotic

diversity and abiotic factors in the environments; relationships between organisms

e. Animal behavior f. Stable ecosystems g. Food webs h. Succession i. Impact of natural and man-made

changes

Unit 3: Cellular and Molecular Biology

Biochemistry a. Atoms, ions, elements and

molecules b. Properties of water c. pH d. Functions and structures of

macromolecules

e. Rates of the reactions, enzymes and limiting factors

f. Vitamins and minerals Cells

g. Introduction to cells h. Classification and comparison of

cells i. Cellular energy j. Transport into and out of the cell

2nd Quarter (36 days)

Unit 4: Classical Genetics

a. Mendelian genetics b. Punnett squares c. Incomplete dominance,

codominance, multiple alleles, polygenic inheritance

d. Sex-linked traits e. The cell cycles f. Cell growth and reproduction g. Meiosis h. Epigenetics

Unit 5: Molecular Genetics

a. Search for inheritable material b. DNA c. Protein synthesis d. Gene regulation e. Genetic mutations f. Chromosomes and karyotyping g. Genetic disorder and

chromosomal disorder h. Genetic engineering i. Laboratory technology

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Second Semester Topics:3rd Quarter (41 days)

Unit 6: Evolution

a. Theories of evolution b. Evidence for evolution c. Evolution and drug resistance d. Natural selection e. Theories about evolution f. How life began

Unit 7: Biodiversity

a. The three-domain classification system

b. The four kingdoms of eukarya c. Evolutionary trends in animals d. Characteristics of animals e. Characteristics of mammals f. Characteristics of primates g. Cladograms and phylogenetic

trees

4th Quarter (45 days)

Unit 8: Living Systems (Plants and Animals)

Plants

a. Classification of plants b. Cladogram for plants c. Evolutionary development

enabling plants to move to land d. How plants grow e. Roots-structure, function, and

types f. Stems-structure and function g. Leaf-structure and function h. Stomates i. Types of plant tissue

j. Transport in plants k. Plant reproduction l. Structure of the seed m. Alternation of generations n. Plant responses to stimuli-

hormones and tropisms Animals

o. Movement and Locomotion p. Body Temperature Regulation

(ectotherm, endotherm/homeotherm)

q. Excretion (ammonia, urea, uric acid)

r. Hydra-Phylum Cnidaria (nutrition, body plan and symmetry, nervous system, reproduction)

s. Earthworm- Phylum Annelida (nutrition, nervous and transport system, excretion, reproduction)

t. Grasshopper- Phylum Arthropods (nutrition, nervous and transport systems, exchange of respiratory gases)

Unit 9: Human Physiology

a. Levels of structural organization b. Circulatory and respiratory

system c. Digestive system and excretory

systems d. Nervous system e. Endocrine system f. Muscle, skeletal, and

integumentary systems g. Reproductive system h. The human immune system

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Tests: Tests will count for 40% of the grade. A test will usually be given at the end of a unit or a learning period which includes different chapters. Students will be given multiple days’ notice before a test. Tests will always take place on “A” days. Quizzes: (including daily Catalyst and exit tickets, if given) Quizzes will always be announced and will count for 20% of a student’s grade. There will be multiple quizzes per unit. Short quizzes (10 minutes or less) on a small amount content could take place any day of the week. Labs and Lab Reports: Labs will count for 15% of a student’s grade. Labs will be conducted in class as directed by the teacher. When labs are performed in groups, all students are expected be responsible for the material and collecting data. Students are expected to record and store important information and data, as instructed by the teacher. Following in-class labs, students will either have post-lab questions to answer or a lab report to write, as modeled by the teacher. These questions and reports will be part of the total Lab grade for each student. Homework/Assignments: Homework and assignments will count for 15% of a student’s grade. Homework need to be turned in as soon as a student walks into the classroom. Homework and assignments will be posted daily on FinalSite after being announced in class. Please check FinalSite every day as many essential class materials will be posted on our class site and calendar. Participation/ Classwork: (including binder checks) Class participation will count for 10% of a student’s grade. The grade will be assessed based on the effort applied to classroom standards such as timely arrival, preparation of required materials for each class, attention to procedures set forth by the teacher, in-class assignments, and active involvement in class discussions. One participation grade will be assigned each week. Late Work:Any assignment not submitted at the beginning of the period it is due, or other assigned due date and time, is considered late. Assignments will not be accepted for credit more than one week after the due date. Summative Reports or Projects Same Class Day (Before 3:00pm) -5% 1 Day -10% 2 Days -20% 3-7 Days -30%

Extra Credit: A very simple extra credit policy is offered for this class. I will distribute a science-based article on a weekly or biweekly basis under “Discussions” of our class page, and all you are required to do is submit a 1 paragraph response along with a question, and answer one of your classmate’s question.

Classwork and Homework Lateness Scale Same Class Day (Before 3:00pm) Max Grade 95% 1 Day Max Grade 75% 2-7 Days Max Grade 50%

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Your comments should be meaningful and show me that you have truly read the article that you are commenting on. Your answer should be posted the Monday after the article is posted, and prior to the beginning of our class. You will receive one (1) point on your lowest quiz or test grade of the month for a reasonable comment to an article. If you take full advantage of this you could potentially receive up to 4 points a month on your lowest quizzes or tests. THIS WILL BE THE ONLY EXTRA CREDIT I WILL EXTEND TO YOU …… PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME FOR EXTRA CREDIT A WEEK BEFORE REPORT CARDS. Attendance: Attendance and punctuality are required of all students. When possible, students should notify the teacher in advance of any absence, at the earliest opportunity. Students are responsible for all material covered in class during any absence and must check with the teacher about all missed work upon his return to school. Students should refer to the Student Handbook for the rules and details regarding the school’s policy on absences. Makeup Work: Excused absence

• Miss a test or quizà Reschedule the test or quiz upon return to school • Miss a lab à Make up the same lab or have an alternate assignment depending on the type of

lab and the availability of lab material • Miss homework/ assignment/ classwork à It is the student’s responsibility to contact the

teacher or another student AND check on our course page to see what assignment is missed the day of absence.

o Miss 1 or 2 days of classes and an assignment is assigned prior to the day of absence à Assignment is due the first day of return.

o Miss 1 or 2 day of classes; an assignment is assigned the day of absence and its original due date is the day upon return à Assignment is due the day after the first day of return. Please check with your teacher to find the best way to catch up on class content

o Miss 3 or more days of classes à Make arrangement for any missed assignment with your teacher directly.

Unexcused absence à No makeup test, quiz, or assignment allowed Due dates of major projects, research papers, tests, etc. will be posted way in advance, so the due date won’t be changed for those who have an unexcused absence. The teacher has the discretion to grant a longer period of time to make up work if there are extenuating circumstances. Academic Integrity: Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated in this class or at this school. Cheating will result in a zero (0) for the assignment and will be recorded in the office of the Academic Dean. Students should refer to the Student Handbook for the schools detailed policy on cheating.

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Additional Help: Students are always welcome to come to me for extra help. My office is located in M305 on the 3rd floor of MacKavanagh. Besides the office hours listed on the first page of the syllabus, you also find me at my office or our classroom (M301) afterschool (2:50pm - 4:00pm), in the morning (7:30am-8:15am) and during break (9:44am-10:09am). Additional exam reviews might be held during study hall (7:30pm-9:30pm) prior to an exam. If you plan on stopping by other than the regular office hour or announced additional office hour, please send me an email prior to stopping by. Please do not hesitate to seek help and catch up on contents and confusions as soon as possible, as topics are cumulative and it is best to ask for help early and often. You are always encouraged and welcomed to talk to me about biology, other subjects and personal concerns. Prayer for Generosity Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous; teach me to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to seek reward, except that of knowing that I do your will. St Ignatius Pray for Us.

St. Ignatius Loyola

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Please sign and return this page only. I have read the above policies and discuss them with my parents. Student (Print)___________________________________________________________ Student (Signature)_______________________________________________________ Date ___________________________________________________________________ I have read the above policies and discuss them with my son. I have also received and read the letter to parents distributed on Friday, Aug 25th. Parent (Print)____________________________________________________________ Parent (Signature)________________________________________________________ Date ___________________________________________________________________