Honors Biology

Honors Biology Course Description

Honors biology is a full year course for highly motivated students with a strong interest in science.  The course is an in-depth study of the major concepts of the living world and students are expected to demonstrate understanding through a variety of higher order thinking processes.  The core principles of science are used to promote deep understanding and appreciation of the complexity, diversity, and interconnectedness of life on earth. The course focuses on: correlation between structure and function starting at molecular level and up to the level of organisms; principles of classical and molecular genetics and evolutionary theory; energy transformations within living systems; and interactions between organisms and their environment. 

Laboratory investigations and dissections are used extensively. Students will gain skills using laboratory apparatus and correct laboratory techniques and procedures. Dissections of chosen organisms and/or organs will be used to promote the understanding of organization and functions of living things.  Laboratory assignments and projects may require use of the laboratory facilities after regular school hours. 

It is expected that each student may complete a minimum of one major research paper or project during the course. 

Course Outline

As an Honors class the students will cover more content and be assessed at higher levels of rigor than students in a College Prep Biology Course.  Here is the general outline for biology.

Unit 1: Life & The Basic Processes of Life

• What is life and how do organisms maintain stability for life to exist?

Unit 2: The Cycling of Matter & Energy Among Organisms and In Ecosystems and Within the Environment

• Section 1: How does the cycling of matter and the flow of energy occur among organisms within ecosystems?

• Section 2: What evidence supports claims for the cycling of matter and the flow of energy among organisms within ecosystems and within the environment?

Unit 3: The Division of Cells and the Impact of Mutations During Mitosis

• Section 1: How and why do cells divide and what are the ramifications of cell division mistakes during mitosis?

• Section 2: How are the combined genes of parents expressed in offspring?

Unit 4: The DNA Code, Protein Synthesis and The Ramifications of Germ Cell Mutations

• How is DNA utilized by cells and how do DNA mutations within sperm and egg cells result in possible new traits among offspring?

Unit 5: Evolution Through Natural Selection

• How does the environment influence the survival of species and the creation of new species?

Unit 6: Culminating Anatomy & Physiology Unit

• This unit will incorporate various concepts as we analyze and compare several body systems between humans and frogs. This unit involves dissection.

Text Book: 

Inspire Biology, McGraw-Hill Education, 2020

Digital Platform/Textbook Login: https://my.mheducation.com/login

Digital Textbook Classroom Codes:

Honors White Block 4: EoNI5WKk  (second character, I believe, is a lower case "o" and not a zero) 

Honors Blue Block 1: CneGFCkr

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is an essential part this class.  The enrollment code for each section of Honors Bio is as follows:

Honors White Block 4: 

Honors Blue Block 1: 

Google Meets

If students are attending class remotely, the Google Meets link can be found on the homepage of the Google Classroom for each specific class. I am not placing the link here as it will change over the course of the year.

Gizmos

We will be using Gizmos to enhance understanding within all units:

Gizmos Login Link: https://apps.explorelearning.com/account/el/login/student

Class Enrollment Codes:

• White Block 4: 

• Blue Block 1: 

Re-take Policy

• • I do not offer re-takes on quizzes. However, I can give a student a one-time break on this policy if a situation warrants it. Come talk to me if there are special circumstance taking place at the time of a quiz.

  • Students have the ability to re-take a test or complete a corrective assignment given by me. 

    • • In order to be eligible for a re-take or corrective a student MUST submit COMPLETE unit notes at the time of a unit test. 

      • If a student does not submit acceptable and complete notes for a unit, that student is not eligible for a re-take or corrective.

      • ALL re-takes or correctives must be completed within one week of receiving the initial grade. For example if I let students review their test scores on a Tuesday, they have until the following Tuesday to re-take the test (as long as unit notes were submitted). 

      • A student is allowed ONLY ONE RETAKE A SEMESTER, this is a total of 2 for the year.