Course Syllabus
Instructor Name:
Course Name:
Room Number:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Ms. Watkins
Biology
C148
972-218-1800 x5255
[email protected]
Course Description: Biology is an introductory course in biology designed to cover structures and
functions of cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms, cells, tissues
and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; biological evolution; taxonomy;
metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms and living systems;
homeostasis; ecosystems and plants and the environment. Students will be
expected to develop scientific models that show an understanding of the natural
world and how systems work. There will also be an emphasis on process skills,
organizing, interpreting and communication of data. This course is part of the
recommended high school plan.
Instructional Resources: Textbook-Holt Biology
Tutoring Schedule: TBA
Required Resources:

1 COMPOSITION BOOK

1 Package of Post Its

1st Period: 1 package of markers, crayons, or colored pencils

2nd Period: 1 package of notebook paper

3rd Period: 1 box of Kleenex

4th Period: 1 package of pens or pencils
Grading Policy:
See page 12-14 of Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
Attendance Policy: See page 4-6 of the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
Student Dress Code: See page 23-25 of the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
Student Expectations- The TIGER Way
Attend class and be on time
Be prepared to learn and perform your best
Be respectful at all times
Address all teachers and peers appropriately
No use of profanity
NO Eating, Drinking, Cell phone use or Headphones
Please sign and return the attached laboratory safety contract stating that you have
received, read, and understand the laboratory safety as well as the classroom expectations.
I look forward to working with you to ensure your child’s success this year in my class.
The TIGER Way
The Tiger Way –Because Character Counts
The Tiger Way is model of behavior in Lancaster ISD that fosters character building, social
responsibility and personal development of our staff, students, and parents and is used to enhance
relationships within our community.
Its goal is to provide an effective educational program that brings a clear focus to the
development of leadership, personal and character attributes in students, staff and parents around
ten pillars of character. In Lancaster ISD, we want our Tigers to know how to roar but more
importantly how to successfully soar!
Our campus staff, counselors and mentors intentionally infuse the core character elements into
our school environments consistently identifying, educating and promoting good character traits,
aiding the development of appropriate coping skills that results in ethical, responsible and caring
students and staff.
The Tiger Way Pillars of Character:
• Responsibility
• Respect
• Citizenship
• Caring and Compassion
• Perseverance and Effort
• Fairness
• Trustworthiness and Honesty
• Courage
• Integrity
• School Pride
Tigers Design Process: Throughout the school year we will utilize the Tiger’s Design Process to
help students solve real problems.
TIGERS’ Design Process
Biology Syllabus
Biology A
Unit 1: Science Safety and Evidence Based Thinking
2 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 1.Scientific processes. The student, for at least 40% of instructional
time, conducts field and laboratory investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and
ethical practices.
Unit 2: Ecology
9 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 7 Scientific Concept: The student knows that interdependence and
interactions occur within an environmental system.
Unit 3: Biochemistry
7 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 9 Science concepts. Know the significance of various molecules
involved in metabolic processes and energy conversions that occur in living organisms.
Unit 4 Cells
9 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 4 Science Concepts. The student knows that cells are the basic
structures of all living things with specialized parts that perform specific functions and that
viruses are different from cells
Biochemistry PBL Dates: 9/11-18/13 (First Trimester)
Biochemistry PBL Dates: 12/11-12/18/13 (Second Trimester)
Common Formative Assessment #1: 9/19/13 (First Trimester)
Common Formative Assessment #3: 12/18/13 (Second Trimester)
Unit 5 Cellular Processes: Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
5 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 9 Science concepts.. The student knows the significance of various
molecules involved in metabolic processes and energy conversions that occur in living
organisms.
Unit 6 Cellular Processes: Cell Cycle
8 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 5 Science concepts. The student knows how an organism grows and the
importance of cell differentiation.
Unit 7 Cellular Process: Protein Synthesis
9 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 6 Science concepts. The student knows the mechanisms of genetics,
including the role of nucleic acids and the principles of Mendelian Genetics.
Cell Cycle PBL Dates: 10/9-16/13 (First Trimester)
Cell Cycle PBL Dates: 1/23-30/13 (Second Trimester)
Common Formative Assessment #2: 10/17/13 (First Trimester)
Common Formative Assessment #4: 10/17/13 (Second Trimester)
Benchmark: 11/14/13
Biology B
Unit 8 Genetics and Heredity
10 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 6 Science concepts. The student knows the mechanisms of genetics,
including the role of nucleic acids and the principles of Mendelian Genetics.
Unit 9 Evolution
10 days
TEKS Strand: Biology Science concepts. 7: The student knows evolutionary theory is a
scientific explanation for the unity and diversity of life.
Unit 10 Classification
5 days
TEKS Strand: Biology Science concepts.8: The student knows that taxonomy is a branching
classification based on the shared characteristics of organisms and can change as new discoveries
are made.
Common Formative Assessment #3: 12/18/13 (Second Trimester)
Unit 11 Viruses and Bacteria
5 days
TEKS Strand Biology Science concepts.4: The student knows that cells are the basic structures
of all living things with specialized parts that perform specific functions and that viruses are
different from cells.
Unit 12 Plant Structures and Adaptations
7 days
TEKS Strand Biology Science concepts. 10: The student knows that biological systems are
composed of multiple levels.
Unit 13: Body Systems
5 days
TEKS Strand Biology Science concepts. 11: The student knows that biological systems work to
achieve and maintain balance.
Unit 14: Experimental Design
7 days
TEKS Strand Biology Science concepts.3: The student uses critical thinking, scientific
reasoning, and problem solving to make informed decisions within and outside the classroom
Plants PBL Dates: 2/3-10/13 (Second Trimester)
Plants PBL Dates: 4/9-12/13 (Third Trimester)
Common Formative Assessment #4: 1/31/13 (Second Trimester)
Common Formative Assessment #5: 1/31/13 (Third Trimester)
Benchmark: 2/27/13
Final Exam Window: 6/2-5/13