Biology I Honors

Department of Science
Maritime & Science Technology
2022-2023

Instructor: Mr. Arkhangelskii

Course: Biology 9thgrade Honors Gifted
Classroom: #29
Office Hours: By appointment
E-mail: [email protected]

Course Description and Objectives

This course will encompass the essential concepts of biological science. Students will
analyze and explain the nature of science in the search for understanding the natural world,
as well as practice the application of technology, scientific tools and critical thinking skills in
solving problems.

Students will focus on the biological structures and their functions at multiple levels of
organization in living things, as well as explore the patterns, processes and systems within
biology.

As scientific learners, students will collect and analyze data, interpret results, draw
conclusions and communicate their findings. Throughout the course, students will work both
independently and collaboratively, in a laboratory based classroom with an active learner
approach. The goal for the course is for students to gain a more meaningful understanding
of the living world around them as well as a deeper appreciation of their place in it.

Topics to be discussed:

- The nature of science

- Cells: biology, reproduction, and communication
- Genetics: principles, molecular basis, diversity, and biotechnologies
- Levels of organization, classification, and taxonomy
- Structure, function, and reproduction of plants, animals, and microorganisms
- Interdependence of organisms, humans, and the environment
- Biological selection, adaptations, and changes through time
- Agricultural, food, and medical technologies and careers

Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting

careful investigations.

About the EOC:

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  The Biology EOC will take place in May 2023
 It will consist of 67 multiple choice questions
 The exam is three hours long
 Computer based test (students with prior accommodations will be able to take a
paper based version)
 Passing scores are 3, 4, and 5
 For more information about the EOC including practice questions and learning
objectives, please visit: http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5662/urlt/0077547-
biologyfl11sp.pdf

Readings & Online

Miller & Levine Biology ©2019 Pearson Publishing Company

ISBN-13: 978-0328925124 ISBN-10: 0-328925128

Textbook is available electronically via Schoology SAVVAS.

Recommended but not required textbook:

Ready, Set, Go Florida Biology EOC study guide: https://www.amazon.com/Florida-Biology-

Course-Assessment-Online/dp/0738611115

Course Requirements and Grading

Materials:
 1 inch binder with 3 dividers labeled as: Warm-Ups, Notes, Labs.
o The syllabus and lab safety contract should be the first items in the binder
before the dividers.
o Cover page with student name and course name
 Pencils, colored pencils
 Reliable internet access – primary and secondary
 Printer access
 Fully charged school issued tablet or personal device
 $15 lab fee paid on OSP only

Laboratory Safety:

Students will be given a lab safety presentation in class. Students are expected to read the
Flinn Scientific Laboratory safety contract in its entirety and sign with a parent. A lab safety
contract will be distributed to each student in class. It can also be viewed here:
https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/80efae9513b548d6999c31d38ac36abe

Tests: 40% Quizzes: 20% Home Learning: 10%

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Classwork / Projects / Labs: 30%

A B C D F “0”
Failed to submit
100-90% 89-80% 79-70% 69-60% 59-50% assignment or
incomplete

All work is expected to be turned in on time before instruction begins. Work turned in
late will not be allowed to be resubmitted. All work must be done with honesty and pride. All
work must be original and legible. The honor code (attached at the end of the syllabus)
ensures that all students have an equal chance to learn the material. Copying will result
in zeros for all parties involved and parent contact. Plagiarism and cheating are taken
very seriously in my classroom. All assignments must be turned in with a name. Failure to
put a name on an assignment will result in a zero.
For non-examination work, students with 504’s or IEP’s must notify the teacher of a
need for the extended time before the assignment is due and agree on an alternate date.

Attendance

Attendance is crucial; it is an integral part of the teaching and learning process. There will
be certain material presented in class (e.g., discussion topics, videos) that may not be
covered in the readings or online lectures. Please note that excessive absences can result in
credit being denied.

Absences and Makeup Work

It is your responsibility to get all missing work. Talk to the teacher before or
after class to get missing worksheets, and/or other students to get missing notes.

Teachers are to provide within three days requested student/parent make-up

assignments for all excused absences/tardiness. It should be noted that all course work, due
to the nature of instruction,(such as labs) is not readily subject to make-up work.

Excused absence:
If the absences are excused, all educational requirements for the course shall be met
before a passing grade and/or credit is assigned. The student shall have a reasonable
amount of time, up to three school days, to complete make-up work for excused absences.
Make up work and tests that were due the day the student was absent must be turned in or
taken on the day the student comes back to class.

Day and time of the make-up test should be determined after conversation with the student
and consideration given to the student’s overall needs. Class time cannot be used to make
up a test. Students absent for a test are expected to make up the test before or after
regular school hours.

Unexcused absence:
Unexcused absences do not require that the teacher provide make-up work for the
student. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher, other students, or remind,
to check what they missed.

Class Rules

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1) Arrive to class on time, you should be in your seat by the time the bell rings, ready to
learn. A student is late and will receive a tardy if they are not in their seat at the time the
bell has rung.

2) Do not have your cellular phone in the classroom. If cell phone is seen, it will be taken
and given at the end of class or at the end of the day. Cell phones will be collected
before assessments and some labs and will be returned upon completion.

3) Any cheating will result in a referral and will be dealt with by administration. In an
instance of cheating, both parties will be at fault and the work in question will receive a
grade of zero.

4) Ask questions at the appropriate times when you do not understand something or see
me after class.

5) Help keep the classroom clean by returning any materials used and by cleaning
up after yourself before leaving class.

6) Bathroom/hall pass will not be handed out the first and last 15 minutes of class.

7) Student must be in appropriate dress code at all times.

8) Practice lab safety.

iPad / Tablet Rules

9) Any student who misuses the i-Pad or tablet, such as attending sites that do not pertain
to class material, will have tablet taken for the day.

 You may not record video or voice in class without permission from the teacher.
 You may not take photos without permission from the teacher.

10) All students must abide by the Honor Code.

Failure to consistently follow the aforementioned policies may result in a lower academic,
conduct, or effort grade.

The syllabus is subject to change at the teacher’s discretion.

I look forward to working together and teaching you the beauty of science
surrounding us. - Ms. Kolonias

Please read and sign the next page. This page needs to be returned to Ms.
Kolonias on Tuesday 8/26/22 at the beginning of class.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND HONOR CODE

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The core values underlying and reflected in the Honor Code are:
 Academic honesty demonstrated by students when the ideas and the
writing of others are properly cited, students submit their own work
for tests and assignments without unauthorized assistance, students
do not provide unauthorized assistance to others, and students report
their research or accomplishments accurately;
 Respect for others and the learning process to demonstrate academic
honesty;
 Responsibility recognized by all to demonstrate their best effort to
prepare and complete academic tasks on time; and
 Integrity of all members of the school community as demonstrated by
a commitment to academic honesty and support of our quest for
authentic learning.

I acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Arkhangelskii syllabus and

understand the guidelines of this class. I have read and discussed it with my
child.

____________________________ ____________________________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature Parent/Guardian’s Name
Printed

____________________________ ____________________________
Parent/Guardian’s email address Parent/Guardian’s phone
number

____________________________ ____________________________
Date Parent/Guardian’s preferred
language