Pre-AP Biology Course Syllabus

Deer Creek High School - Ms. Jennifer Bush Room FA131

Course Description: This course presents the concepts necessary to
understand all forms of life, including cell structure of plants and
animals, functions within these cells, genetics, the scientific methods
and ecology. Additional projects, computer applications, outside
readings and activities may be required. Upon completion of this
course, the student is required to take and pass the state-mandated
End-Of-Instruction (EOI) test.
Teacher Schedule: 1st Hour Planning
2nd Hour Pre-AP Biology
3rd Hour Pre-AP Biology
4th Hour Pre-AP Biology
B Lunch
5th Hour Pre-AP Biology
6th Hour Pre-AP Biology
7th Hour Anatomy/Physiology

Contact Information: Monday-Friday Call 405-348-6100 ext. 2303 or email any time (preferred): jenniferbush@dcsok.org

Teacher Website: My teacher website will contain a testing calendar,

class notes, assignments and other internet resources. Please make
sure to check it frequently. My teacher website can be found by going
to the HS website and clicking on my name found under the faculty
tab. Also, please sign up to receive my Remind101. Remind101 is a
text messaging/email notification system that will be used to send out
important messages throughout the school year. Please see my
teacher website under class paperwork for details.
Book Information: Biology, Author: Stephen Nowicki, Ph.D., Publisher:
Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt 2012, Cost: $93.55
Since this is an inquiry based class, do not be alarmed if your child never
brings a book home. This book will be available digitally and will not be
checked out as a hard copy unless a student does not have access to a digital
book. It is HIGHLY encouraged that students print the notes from my
teacher website. They can print 10 pages per day for free in the HS
media center.

Grading Procedures: There are 4 categories in our class. The computer

calculates your grade based on the following weight:
1. Assignments 25%
2. Labs 30%

3. Regular Exams 35%

4. Semester Exam 10%
Assignments: (25%) will be taken on a regular basis. This includes in-class
work as well as homework. Assignments will usually be problems or
questions pertaining to the material we are covering. Assignments are due
at the beginning of class unless otherwise stated. No homework will be
assigned during Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break or Spring
Break (Board policy IKB).
Labs: (30%) will include formal and informal lab reports. Formal and
informal lab reports will be prepared at the conclusion of most lab
experiences. You will be assigned to a lab group to collect data together.
Cooperation and participation are critical to a lab groups success. After data
collection, each member of the group will turn in his/her own work. Your
answers to lab questions should NEVER duplicate those of other group
members (use your own words). Remember that you alone are ultimately
responsible for your grade in lab. Safety procedures will be strictly enforced.
Some of the equipment we will be using is quite valuable and must be
treated accordingly. Irresponsible behavior will result in a zero on lab.
Regular Exams: (35%) will include scheduled content exams and quizzes.
You will be given at least four days notice for these regular exams. I also
reserve the right to administer a pop quiz at any time to determine the
current mastery level of the class.
Semester Exam: (10%) will be comprehensive. A student may be exempt
from his/her semester exam if he/she meets certain criteria as outlined in
the Student Handbook (p. 20). Per district policy, the final semester grade is
calculated using the cumulative semester grade as 90% of the semester
grade and the grade earned on the comprehensive semester examination as
the remaining 10%.
Students: Your parents will be able to check your grades online this
semester at any time. My grading will be kept up to date. Make sure your
assignments are kept up.
Deer Creek High School Grading Scale:
A = 100-89.5

B=89.4-79.5

C=79.4-69.5

D=69.4-59.5

F=59.4 and below

Class Materials: 2 size 3 ring binder with pockets

Section Dividers
Loose leaf paper
Scientific calculator
Writing utensils (pencils preferred)
You MUST bring your binder to class each day. Your binder should have tab
dividers to hold handouts, your syllabus, labs, exams and graded work. This
binder must be dedicated solely to Pre-AP Biology.
Assignment Policy and Procedures: All assignments are to be turned
in on the day they are due. If we grade the assignment in class and you do
not have the assignment completed, it will be counted at a late grade.

Illegible assignments may not be graded. I will not accept messy work. All
assignments will need to be identified by your name (first and last), hour and
date. Students have five school days to claim NO NAME paper, which will be
recorded as a zero. At the end of the five days, the assignment will be
thrown in the trash.

Late Work Policy: Students are expected to turn in their work on time.
Late work will be deducted 30% of the maximum value and then graded.
Late work will be accepted for all assignments but not labs or exams.
Please read your student handbook concerning make up work, school
absences, medical absences and family emergencies. Projects that are
assigned at least one week in advance will not be accepted late. Projects
must be turned in by the due date to receive credit.

Make-up Work: LAB SCIENCE IS HARD TO MAKE UP!!!!!!!

If you know you are going to be gone you will need to get your work before
your absence. This includes school events. If you know you have a deadline
for an assignment the day you will be gone for a school activity, the
assignment is still due that day. For absences in which you did not expect to
be gone, you will need to request all make up work on the day you return.
Work due to excused absences must be made up within two (2) school days
for the first day of absence and one (1) day for each subsequent day. Missed
labs or tests will require you to come in after/before school or at lunch. As
stated above, exams are announced several days in advance. If you miss
class the day before an exam and return on the exam day, YOU WILL TAKE
THE EXAM ON THAT DAY UNLESS OTHER ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE.
If you have an exam on the day of a school activity you will need to schedule
a time to take the exam before you leave on the activity. Students who do
not turn in assignments due on days of school activities (like band, sports,
STUCO etc) will be receive zeros.

Extra Credit: Will be given at the teachers discretion and will not be given
individually to any one student. Varied opportunities for extra credit will be
given throughout the year for different amounts of points. Do not wait until
the last minute/end of semester and expect to receive extra credit.

Academic Dishonesty Policy: Students are expected to do their own

work. Students who cheat on any work in class will be referred to the office
(see student handbook for disciplinary actions), given a zero on the
assignment and parents will be notified. When turning in labs, students can
work together to perform the experiment and collect data in class, but are
expected to put the entire laboratory report, calculations or analysis
questions in their own words.

Student Expectations:
1. Be respectful of everyone and everything. Have a positive attitude.

2. Be prepared to listen, learn, and participate constructively every

day. Being prepared means you should bring your notebook, pen/pencils,
paper, printed notes and assignments.
3. Come to class on time! Tardies will be enforced.
4. No food is allowed. You may have a drink as long as there is a lid. No lid
means you have to dump it in the sink and throw the cup away.
5. Feel free to bring your own electronic devices to class. However, the use of
electronic devices should be for educational purposed only and will be
confiscated if used for texting, gaming etc

Estimated Course Outline

1st Semester
1st Nine Weeks:
Student Resources R1-R7
Biology in the 21st Century Ch 1 and R11-R17 and pg 798-802, 865
Principles of Ecology Ch 13
Interactions in Ecosystems Ch 14
Human Impact on Ecosystems Ch 16
The History of Life Ch 12.1 & 12.2
Principles of Evolution Ch 10
The Evolution of Populations - Ch 11
2nd Nine Weeks:
Chemistry of Life Ch 2, pg. 916
Cell Structure and Function Ch 3 and pg 821-22, 841, 856-57, 92529
Cells and Energy Ch 4.1, 4.4 & 4.6 and pg 853
Cell Growth and Division Ch 5
Meiosis and Mendel Ch 6.1 & 6.2 and pg 961 & 964-65
2nd Semester
3rd Nine Weeks:
Meiosis and Mendel Ch 6.3-6.6
Extending Mendelian Genetics Ch 7 and pg 869-870
From DNA to Proteins Ch 8
Frontiers of Biotechnology Ch 9
4th Nine Weeks:
The Tree of Life Ch 17 and R27-R33
Viruses and Prokaryotes Ch 18 and pg 880-884, 895
Protists and Fungi Ch 19
Plant Diversity Ch 20.1-20.2 and R34-R37
Plant Structure and Function Ch 21
Photosynthesis Ch 4.2
Plant Growth, Reproduction and Response Ch 22
Invertebrate Diversity Ch 23.1 & 23.2
Animal Behavior - Ch 27.1, 27.2 & 27.3

Return to Ms. Bush

I, (please print)_______________________ have read this
syllabus carefully and understand what is expected
of me by Ms. Bush. It is my intention to do my best
to follow these rules and policies in order that Ms.
Bushs class run efficiently and learning may occur.

X ___________________________

I, (please print)_______________________ the

parent/guardian of the above student, have read and
understand the policies of this syllabus and will do
my part in aiding Ms. Bush in the education of my
child.

X____________________________
Parent/Guardian E-mail: ______________________
Parent/Guardian Phone: ______________________
Comments (anything special I might need to know
about your child?):