Biology

 
Instructor - Mr. Vold
 
 

     General Course Description:
          Biology is the "Study of Life".  It is a laboratory based
     science emphasizing the process of scientific investigation
     through the study of living things.  The study of the cell, the
     basic unit of life, is systematically developed beginning with a
     study of the nature of the cell through DNA and heredity.  Also,
     a detailed study of the six kingdoms of living organisms is made:
     Kingdom Archaebacteria, Kingdom Eubacteria, Kingdom Protista,
     Kingdom Fungi, Kingdom Plantae, and Kingdom Animalia.
            Completion of this course will provide students with one of the two
      required standards to meet the Minnesota's Graduation Rule in the
      Scientific Applications catagory.  The Biological Concepts Standard
      focuses on understanding biological concepts, theories and principles
      through the investigation and analysis of cells, organisms and ecosystems.
 
 

     Textbook:  Biology: Miller and Levine
               Third Edition - Prentice Hall, 1995

     Course Objectives:
          1.   To learn the important role of other living species in
               the lives of the human species.
          2.   To provide a laboratory program that gives students
               meaningful opportunities to study the natural world.
          3.   To provide a channel for the use of technology.
          4.   To develop a biological literacy through
               comprehensible, yet accessible lesson plans
          5.   Inspire students to expand their science education
               beyond required levels.
 

     Course Outline:
          First Semester:
 
                   Insects
               An examination of what is biology.
               The Nature of Cells
               Energy and the Cell
               Photosynthesis and Respiration
               DNA:  The Genetic Material
                   Principles of Genetics
               Evolution

          Second Semester:
                   Interdependence of Organisms
                   Material Cycles and Energy Flow
               Behavior of Organisms
               Classification of Living Things
               Viruses and Bacteria
               Protists
               Vertebrates
                    Plants
 

     Grading Procedure:
          The following grading procedure will be followed:
               90% - 100% = A
               80  - 89   = B
               70  - 79   = C
               60  - 69   = D

 
     Special Assignment:
          Each student will be assigned a major project to complete,
     worth 100 points on the grade, for each quarter of biology.
 

     Classroom Policy:
          The policies of the class mirror those found in the student
     handbook given to each student at the time of registration.