Biology I Syllabus
2014-2015
Mrs. T. Hutcheson
[email protected]
804-725-3702
Teacher Availability:
1. Before school every morning at 7:45, or earlier if requested.
2. During my 3rd or 6th Block Study Hall class.
3. After school from 3:00-3:30 on Monday or Tuesdays.
4. Other times by appointment.
Course Description:
Biology is the branch of science that deals with the basic characteristics, functions and processes
of living organisms. Topics to be covered in this course include: characteristics of living things, the
cell theory, genes and heredity, evolution, ecology and classification systems.
Course Objectives:
Students will learn the basic concepts and principles of biology as well as enhance their critical
thinking skills through the integration of technology, current research trends and classroom
discussions. Students will develop an understanding of the importance of scientific research by
conducting routine experiments and analyzing and communicating data.
The SOL Objectives for Biology can be found on the Virginia Department of Education wepage at
the following address: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/science/index.shtml
The SOL Objectives are also listed on pages 22-28 or your textbook.
Methodology:
Teaching methods will include but are not limited to lecture, lab, group discussions, question and
answer sessions, internet activities, co-operative learning activities and participation in ongoing
discussions.
Textbook:
Biology by Miller and Levine, 2010
Companion website for our textbook can be found at:
http://www.millerandlevine.com/macaw/index.html
Course Requirements:
Three-ring binder (at least 2 inch) and paper
Blue or black pens
Red pens (for grading/corrections)
CALCULATOR
#2 pencils
Notecards / Notecard Holder
Colored pencils
Highlighter pen
Grading Determination:
Your grade will be determined by a TOTAL POINTS SYSTEM. Each task will be assigned
a certain number of points—tasks with larger numbers of points, such as tests and
projects, will count more than tasks with smaller point values. Approximately 10 percent
of your grade for each quarter will be based on daily class achievement, which includes
coming to class prepared and actively taking part in class discussions, review questions,
and class activities. The cumulative exams at the end of each quarter are also worth 10
percent of your final grade. Your grade will equal the number of points you have earned
divided by the total number of possible points.
Example: A test is worth 90 points. You earn 85 points. Your grade is 85/90
or a 94 A! 
Classroom Policies:
 The basic policies of this class are identical to those found in the Mathews High School
Student Handbook located in the front of your Agenda.
 Students are to be SEATED and ready to begin work when the tardy bell rings or they
will be counted tardy to class. Three tardies will count as one unexcused absence.
 NO unauthorized food or drink is allowed in class. Bottled water is allowed, as needed,
unless it becomes a distraction to you or those around you.
 Students are expected to bring their materials to class or their daily achievement grade
will suffer. This includes your textbook, notebook, loose-leaf paper, pens and pencils.
You will NOT be allowed to go back to your locker to retrieve your things once the tardy
bell has rung, so please be prepared!
 It is my job to be your teacher, and it is your job to be my student. Therefore, you do
not receive a perfect daily achievement grade for just sitting in your seat. You must be
an active participant in the daily class sessions. Class achievement is a cumulative
grade that is earned during each quarter. You can earn anywhere from 0 to 10 points
per week, depending on your performance. Sleeping in class or cell phone use during
class will result in an automatic 0 for that day’s achievement. Repeated sleeping in
class will result in a discipline referral.
 Classwork and Homework will NOT be accepted late unless you are absent when they
are due. Homework is due at the beginning of class in order to receive credit. Projects,
labs, and activities lose 10 points, or one grade level, for each class period they are
late. Only 2 grade reductions for any assignment is possible. No late work will be
accepted after a failing grade is received on a particular assignment.
 When you are absent, make-up work is YOUR responsibility. Homework that was due
on the day you were absent is to be turned in on the day you return to school. I will not
track you down to retrieve make-up work. If you do not turn it in, you will receive a zero.
Assignments will be posted in PowerSchool every week and will also be on the weekly
calendar in the classroom.
 All tests missed due to an absence must be made up within 2 class days from the date
of absence. Students are responsible for making arrangements with me to complete
their make-up work. Tests are to be made up outside of class time, preferably during
Activity Block or Study Hall. Failure to comply with this policy will result in a test grade
of zero. There will not be a grade reduction for late work on tests.
 References and citations for work cited on classroom papers must follow the MLA
format defined by the MHS English department. Please see Mrs. Hutcheson or your
English teacher if you have questions about this.
 Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will NOT be tolerated. This includes talking during
quizzes or tests, as well as copying anyone else’s work. Anyone found cheating will
receive a zero on their assignment, as well as a discipline referral. CELL PHONES,
IPADS or TABLETS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THIS CLASS AT ANY TIME UNLESS
IT IS PART OF A SPECIFIC LEARNING PLAN OR LESSON!!! YOU ARE
EXPECTED TO KEEP YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES, ALONG WITH YOUR OTHER
PERSONAL ITEMS, ON THE BACK COUNTER DURING CLASS TIME. THE ONLY
ITEMS YOU SHOULD HAVE ON YOUR DESK ARE THE ITEMS YOU WILL NEED
FOR CLASS! If your device is accessible during a class assessment, you will be
subject to disciplinary action.
 Students will abide by the Mathews High School Honor Code. ***ALL assignments are
considered to be Honor Code assignments unless you are told otherwise. Students
who turn in identical work will receive a zero and a warning for the first offense. After,
the first offense, they will also be subject to disciplinary action.
Tentative Course Outline (*Schedule may be amended as necessary)
Weeks
1-2
3-5
6-8
9
10
11
12-14
15-17
18
19
Weeks
20
21-22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
First Semester
Unit 1: The Nature of Life
Ch. 1 = The Science of Biology
Ch. 2 = The Chemistry of Life
Unit 3: Cells
Ch. 7 = Cell Structure and Function
Related SOL’s
BIO.1, 4, 6
BIO.1, 2, 5, 6
BIO.1, 2, 3, 4, 6
1st Quarter Exams
Unit 3: Cells, continued
Ch. 8 = Photosynthesis
Ch. 9 = Cellular Respiration
Ch. 10 = Cell Growth and Division
Unit 4: Genetics
Ch. 11 = Intro. to Genetics
Ch. 12 = DNA
BIO. 1, 2, 4, 8
BIO. 1, 2, 4, 8
BIO. 2, 3, 4, 5
BIO.1, 4, 5
BIO.1, 2, 3, 5
2nd Quarter Exams
Second Semester
Ch. 12 = DNA
Ch. 13 = RNA and Protein Synthesis
Ch. 14 = Human Heredity
Ch. 15 = Genetic Engineering
Unit 5: Evolution
Ch. 16 = Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
Ch. 17 = Evolution of Populations
Ch. 18 = Classification/History of Life
Unit 2: Ecology
Ch. 3 = The Biosphere
Ch. 4 = Ecosystems & Communities
Related SOL’s
BIO.1, 2, 3, 5
BIO.1, 2, 5
BIO. 1, 4, 5, 6
BIO. 1, 2, 5
BIO. 1, 5, 6, 7
BIO. 1, 5, 7, 8
BIO. 1, 4, 5, 6
BIO.1, 2, 8
BIO.1, 2, 8
3rd Quarter Exam
Ch. 5 = Populations
BIO.1, 7, 8
35
36
Unit 6: From Microorganisms to Plants
Ch. 20 = Viruses and Prokaryotes
Ch. 21 = Protists and Fungi
Ch. 22 = Introduction to Plants
Ch. 23 = Plant Structure and Function
Units 7: Animals
Ch. 25 = Introduction to Animals
Ch. 26 = Animal Evolution and Diversity
37
Final Exams/SOLs
31
32
33
34
BIO.1, 4, 6, 8
BIO.1, 4, 6, 8
BIO.1, 4, 6, 7, 8
BIO.1, 2, 4
BIO.1, 4, 6, 8
OPTIONAL EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT:
Students have the opportunity to receive a possible 60 bonus points each nine weeks by taking part in the
following reading assignment.
Below, you will find a list of books, both fiction and non-fiction, that have underlying themes of biology. You
may choose one book per nine weeks to read. In order to receive the quiz grade, you must turn in a 3 ½ 5 page paper on the book and how it pertains to our class. You MUST include a minimum of 3 quotes from
the book in order to illustrate how it ties in with our class, as well as a brief synopsis of the book’s content
IN YOUR OWN WORDS. The paper MUST be done following MLA format in order to receive credit. 60 is
the maximum number of points you can earn. If you do not follow all of the directions, you will NOT receive
all of the points!
You are welcome to find and read books that are not on this list, as well, but you need to have them
approved by me prior to starting the assignment. Good luck and happy reading!
TITLE
AUTHOR
The Andromeda Strain *
Prey *
Jurassic Park *
California Blue *
Cryptid Hunters *
Brave New World *
The Hot Zone *
Double Helix *
The Island of Dr. Moreau *
The Relic*
Next*
Visibility
The Third Twin
The Cobra Event*
The Relic*
Next*
The Omnivore’s Dilemma*
Frankenstein*
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle*
Inherit the Wind
State of Wonder
Sea Change
The Fault in Our Stars
Ender’s Game
Virals (any of the series)
Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton
David Klass
Roland Smith
Aldous Huxley
Richard Preston
Nancy Werlin
H.G. Wells
Douglas Preston
Michael Crichton
Boris Starling
Ken Follet
Richard Preston
Douglas Preston
Michael Crichton
Michael Pollan
Mary Shelley
Barbara Kingsolver
Jerome Lawrence
Ann Patchett
James Powlik
John Green
Orson Scott Card
Kathy Reichs
Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA
The Double Helix
Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale & the Nature of History
The Diversity of Life
The Man Who Planted Trees: A Story
Brenda Maddox
James Watson
Stephen Jay Gould
E.O. Wilson
Jean Giono
* denotes that this book is on the Accelerated Reader (AR) list in the library.