2014-2015 Biology Syllabus

New Plymouth High School

Jeff Church Instructor
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the basic principles of how living
systems work. This is the last pre college credit course prior to taking Advanced
Biology or Chemistry. This course will prepare you for higher level science
vocabulary needed to be successful in college level science courses.
Textbook: Modern Biology by Albert Towle
Course Calendar-Dates may be subject to change, however content covered will
remain in this sequence.
Week 1

Organisms, structure and function

Week 2 Basic Chemistry vocabulary

Week 3 Energy and Chemical Reactions
Week 4 pH and properties of Water
Week 5 Biological Macromolecules
Week 6 Lipids and Carbohydrates
Week 7 Nucleic Acids and Proteins
Week 8 Cell discovery, cell theory, microscopy
Week 9 and 10 Cell parts
Week 11 Cellular organization, tissues, organs
Week 12 Photosynthesis- light reactions
Week 13 and 14 Calvin Cycle
Week 15 Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
Week 16 Output from Respiration -Citric acid cycle, Sem 1 EOC
Week 17 and 18 Cell Reproduction- Mitosis
Week 19 Meiosis- production of sex cells
Week 20 Genetics

Week 21 and 22 Segregation of alleles, Punnett square probability

Week 23 Genetic Expression
Week 24 Transcription and RNA
Week 25 Translation- Protein Synthesis
Week 26 Inheritance and Human Genetics
Week 27 Anadromous Fish Ecology
Week 28 Following Fish Project and Lab
Week 29 and 30 Taxonomy and organization of organisms
Week 31 Invasive Species
Week 32 and 33 Invasive Species Research Project and Presentation
Week 34 Perch Dissection Lab
Week 35 Grass Frog Dissection Lab
Week 36 Sem 2 EOC
Assessment: Students will be graded on a combination of vocabulary and concept
quizzes and projects, lab activities and research paper /presentation.
Quizzes will be given online during class on www.quia.com. Each student will have
their own account on quia where they can see their quiz results. Quizzes may be
retaken at lunch time or before school if Mr Church is available. Retaking quizzes to
improve your grade is recommended. Studying and learning your material prior to
taking quizzes is preferred.

Students will adhere to the New Plymouth High School and CSI codes of academic
conduct with regards to academic integrity.