Honors Biology Syllabus                           R. Melinek, Ph.D., Room 378

Purpose:  Biology is a laboratory course that focuses on the study of life by examining the concepts of ecology, evolution, classification, the human body, reproduction, genetics and biochemistry.  This course should prepare you for more advanced studies in biology and other sciences. These include IB biology, AP biology and AP environmental science. 

Textbook: Biology, Miller, K.R. and Levine, J.S.  (Pearson, 2012). The textbook is available through the student portal.

 Supplies needed: Students need a spiral-bound notebook or composition notebook, a folder with loose-leaf lined paper, pens, pencils and a calculator.

Grades are based on class-work, homework, lab reports and tests.  Each assignment is worth one grade; lab grades are doubled; test-grades will be tripled. A science current event will be due about every two weeks. 

Science Fees:  There is a $4.00 science lab fee for every student at Beach High enrolled in a science class. Students can pay the fee during school hours at the treasurer’s office. The science fees are an important part of our science curriculum. It ensures that every student be provided labs that will enhance their educations and it provides us with the money to order supplies and equipment to perform these labs.

Other information: Students are encouraged to use the district website www.science.dadeschools.net  for support materials for the class. A detailed pacing guide is available on that site.  

Course Outline:

Introduction: Science as a process, basic Lab Procedures, skills and proper lab report writing procedures

Ecology

Evolution

Classification

Plants

Photosynthesis

Respiration

The Human Body

Reproduction

Cells

Cell Growth and Division

Genetics

DNA

RNA

Biochemistry

Bacteria and Viruses

Protists

Fungi

Invertebrates

Vertebrates/Chordates