San Ramon Valley Unified School District
Biology Syllabus (draft 12/2011)
Grades 9-12
Course:
College Preparatory Biology
Text(s):
Prentice Hall Biology – Miller and Levine
Course Description:
(9-12)
Biology is a lab-based college prep course that focuses on the major
concepts of life science, methods of science, and inquiry-based
learning. Students will gain an understanding of many biological
concepts including: science process, genetics, biochemistry, cell
biology, human physiology, ecology, and evolution. Learning activities
include but are not limited to: analysis of scientific text,
technical writing, individual and collaborative research, computer
based applications, and discussions.
Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 1. Concurrent enrollment in Geometry.
CSU/UC: “d”
California Standards Covered in this Course:
Biology
follows the California State Science Content Standards for Biology/Life
Scence. Emphasis in this course is on the skills identified in the
Course outline below. A full description of the Standards can be
accessed at:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/sciencestnd.pdf
Course Outline (Skills Taught):
Investigation and Experimentation
● Develop meaningful questions and conduct careful investigations.
●
Select and use appropriate tools and technology to perform tests,
collect data, analyze relationships, and display data.
○ Microscopy, Tools in Biotechnology, Graphing through computer based spreadsheets
●
Analyze the experiment in order to identify potential sources of
error. Formulate ideas to minimize uncontrolled variables.
● Solve mathematically based problems.
●
Investigate a science-based societal issue by researching the
literature, analyzing data, and communicating the findings. Apply
scientific knowledge to societal issues in order to guide individual
decision making.
Scientific Process
● Formulate hypotheses, differentiate between types of variables, distinguish between hypothesis and theory
●
Scientific knowledge is distinct from other disciplines. It is
based on repeatability, testability, and observable evidence from the
physical and natural world. Science constantly
evolves as new information emerges.
Biochemistry
● Understand basics of chemistry as they apply to organic molecules and biological processes
Cell Biology
● Differentiate between different types of cells
● Identify and describe structure and function of cell organelles
Genetics
● Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis
○ Describe the structure and function of nucleic acids and proteins
○ Understand the flow of information from DNA to RNA to Protein to Trait
○ Articulate sources of genetic variation (mutations, meiosis, sexual reproduction)
● Mendelian Genetics
○ Predict the probable outcome of a genetic cross
Ecology
●
Recognize and explain the sequence of how energy flows and matter
cycles through the abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem
●
Analyze how stability of an ecosystem is impacted by
biodiversity, alteration of habitat, human activity, and changes in
population size
Evolution
● Apply genetic
principles to demonstrate that populations evolve by natural selection
in constantly changing environments
● List several sources of evidence for evolution from various branches of science
Physiology
● Understand that actions of all human body systems work together to promote homeostasis and combat disease
ELA/History/Other Science Tie-In:
●
Analyze situations and solve problems that require combining and
applying concepts from more than one area of science.
● Using equations and mathematical operations.
● Addressing societal issues as they connect to biological concepts.
●
Reading for technical content, central ideas, biases, following
multi-step procedures, and decoding words and symbols.
● Support or refute hypotheses based on data and evidence
● Writing structured technical reports
● Using accepted conventions of grammar
●
Use technology to gather relevant information from multiple
sources and use proper citation techniques to avoid plagiarism