Advanced Studies in Biology Summer Assignment
Welcome to Advanced Studies in Biology! This summer assignment will help you explore the theory of evolution and
enable you to go outside and learn biology at the same time. It will give you a hands-on experience with many new
vocabulary terms we will use throughout the year. This assignment will count as your first exam ill the class.
Academic Integrity: Students are expected to conduct themselves with the highest level of academic integrity. Any failure
to uphold this expectation will result in an immediate zero on the summer assignment as well as a referral to the
Administration for further discipline. Examples of breaches in academic integrity include, but are not limited to,
giving/sharing or copying answers from other students or the internet, copying photographs and/or explanations and
representing them as your own, etc. Please refer to the TZHS Student Handbook for more information if needed.
Due Date: September 7, 2016. Any assignments handed in after this date will be graded based on half of the rubric points.
(i.e. 35/70)
Assignment #1- Stephen J. Gould Essay- The Gift of New Questions
Read the article by Stephen J. Gould entitled, "The Gift of New Questions". Answer the following questions
thoroughly, with detailed explanations using the article as well as any other resources necessary.
1. On page 6, 1st column, Dr. Gould writes, "All animals of a related group can be represented as graded variations of
a single archetype ... ". Describe how this statement shows Darwinian gradualism and compare it to the idea of
punctuated equilibrium.
2. On page 6 2nd column Dr. Gould writes, " ... form comes first and must then seek its function." Describe how this
statement supports Darwin's idea of natural selection. Be sure to include Darwin's observations and inferences.
3. Create a Darwinian explanation for how the splint bones in horses evolved from a 5 toed ancestor or how
mammal's inner ears evolved from the jawbones of reptiles.
When writing answers to these questions be sure to review the rubric. Full credit will be earned when answering the
expert column which means answering all parts of the rubric (i.e. to get expert in question 3 you need to complete
novice, apprentice, practitioner and then expert).
Assignment #2 - Photo Journal
Biology is a science that deals with numerous themes. Below are the themes you will study throughout
the course.
Emergent Properties
Cells Structures and Functions
Heritable Information of DNA
Correlation of Structure and Function
Organisms Interacting with their Environment (Ecology)
Regulatory Mechanisms used to ensure a homeostasis
Evolution
Unity in the Diversity of Life
Science, technology, and society
Scientific Inquiry (process of science)
You are to create a photo journal utilizing these themes. For each page of the journal you need to explain in detail
how the specimen you "shot" follows the themes in biology. Some of the themes you will have to make inferences
about and some you will be able to tell directly from your photos. (For example, a picture of a squirrel foraging
along the forest floor for food would be an example of an organism interacting with its environment or you could
use the picture of a squirrel holding an acorn in its paws to show structure and function.)
Each page in your photo journal should cover at least one theme. Along with a picture of the organism(s) you
will write a description of the theme and explain how it pertains to the specimen. For the last theme, science as
a process, list any problems that you had in taking the photos as well as describe how and why you decided on
your specimen. This means, for each photo you need to have two themes one being "science as a process". So a
complete journal will have at least 9 pages making sure that you include all 10 themes.
Journals can be completed in paper form or as a power point presentation. The material involved in the journals
will be reviewed within the first two days of classes.
Rubric - Stephen J. Gould Article and Photo-Journal Essay
Novice (1-3)
Question 1
0 Defines either
Apprentice (4-6)
0 Defines both
gradualism or
gradualism and
punctuated
punctuated
equilibrium
equilibrium
Practitioner (7-10)
Expert (11-12)
0 All of apprentice plus
0 all of Practitioner plus
0 Description of
0 Create a cladograrn
statement showing
showing a group of
gradualism compared
related organisms using
to punctuated
gradualism using at
equilibrium
least 6 organisms
0 Explain each diversion
from the group and
what adaptation caused
the diversion
Question 2
0 Define natural
0 Novice plus
0 All of apprentice plus
0 all of Practitioner plus
0 List Darwin's
0 Description of the
0
selection
observations and
statement in the
Give three examples
of natural selection in
inferences for
article and how it
action today
natural selection
supports Darwin's idea
of natural selection
Question 3
0
Diagram
0 Novice plus
o Apprentice plus
0 all of Practitioner plus
0 Diagram showing
0 Proper explanation for
0
showing horses
legs going from 5
Cladogram of either
toes to today's
how mammal's
how horses may have
horses or mammals
toe
inner ears evolved
from jawbones
evolved or how
mammal's inner ears
evolved
evolution
0 Explain each diversion
from the group and
what adaptation caused
the diversion
Grammar
0 Sentences sound
awkward, are
distractingly
0 Novice plus
0 Apprentice plus
0 all of Practitioner plus
0 Most sentences
0 Most sentences are
0 All sentences are well
repetitive, or are
are well
well constructed and
constructed and have
difficult to
constructed, but
have varied structure
varied structure and
understand. The
they have a
and length. The author
length. The author
author makes
similar structure
makes a few errors in
makes no errors in
numerous errors
and/or length. The
grammar, mechanics,
grammar, mechanics,
in grammar,
author makes
and/or spelling, but
and/or spelling.
mechanics,
several errors in
they do not interfere
and/or spelling
grammar,
with understanding.
that interfere
mechanics, and/or
with
spelling that
understanding.
interfere with
understanding.
Photo Journal
0 Has only 1-5
pages
0 Has all 9 pages
0 All of Apprentice plus
0 All of Practitioner plus
0 Appropriate pictures
0 Makes connections
with pictures
for the 9 themes with
from one theme to
explanations
other.
0 Includes Scientific
Inquiry (process)
explanation for each
page
Assignment #3
Register for online access to the Mastering Biology website. This will give you access to the
e-text, videos and simulations, MP3 tutoring sessions, many activities per chapter, and online quizzes. (10 pts)
The textbook you should select is 3rd edition Essential Biology with Physiology (by Simon, Reece, Dickey).
Go to www.pearsonschool.com/access. and follow the simple steps for registering with either of the following
student access codes:
SSNAST-STONK-BORIC-LOUGH-OASIS-POSES
SSNAST-FZZZZ-BORIC-LOUGH-CHOIR-LEGES
Please select the appropriate Course ID: FarishPeriod2, NewburgerPeriod4, or FarishPeriod9.