Welcome to Biology 11 at Halifax West

Course Description The main purpose of the Biology 11 program is to explore the unity and diversity of living things. The underlying concepts provide connections between units of study, fostering an awareness of the tremendous impact of biology and technology upon society.

Biology 11 - Unit 1 Matter and Energy for Life Historical Development Cell Theory Introduction to the Microscope Interaction of Cell Structures Photosynthesis and Respiration

Biology 11 – Unit 2 Maintaining Dynamic Equilibrium I Homeostasis Circulatory System Respiratory System Digestive System

Biology 11 – Unit 3 Biodiversity Classifying Living Things Diversity among Living Things  

Biology 11 – Unit 4 Interactions among Living Things Canadian Ecology Population Dynamics Population Change Global Resources

BIOLOGY TEXT AND NOTEBOOK Each student will sign out a copy of the Biology textbook from the library. It is your responsibility to keep neat, up-to-date notes. If you miss class time it is your responsibility to catch up on missed work. Each student should also have pencil crayons and a ruler.

COURSE ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION: Term Mark: Introduction & Matter and Energy for Life 30% Maintaining Dynamic Equilibrium 35 % Biodiversity 25% Interactions Among Living Things 10% Final Grade: Term Mark 80% Exam Mark 20% 100%

Biology Lab Work Each student must have a hard cover lab book. Throughout the semester you will be participating in a variety of lab investigations. You will take notes and answer questions based on each investigation. At the end of each unit there will be a lab evaluation based on all labs completed. You will be permitted to use your lab book for the final lab assessment.

TESTS AND QUIZZES There will be numerous tests and quizzes throughout the semester. You will be notified well in advance of an upcoming test and extra help will be provided for those who are in need of help. If you miss a test or quiz due to an unexcused absence you will receive a grade of zero. If a test or quiz is missed due to a valid, excused absence you will write on the next day you return to class.

Some Final Thoughts…. Come each day prepared and ready to learn. Ask questions as often as you have them! Be respectful of others and they will be respectful of you. Attend extra help sessions right away if you are having difficulty (Monday at lunch in room C345 – come prepared with questions) Actively participate in class each day and have fun!

Saving Sam Sam has been spending his summer boating on the great lakes. However, he’s not too bright (after all, the brains of worms are pretty small). He’s never learned how to swim, and he never wears his life preserver. The worst has happened! His boat has capsized and he’s stuck! Fortunately, his life preserver is in the boat, but unfortunately he does not know how to reach it without falling off and drowning.

Saving Sam

Use the Scientific Method to.. Problem: How can you and your group save Sam using only 2 paper clips? You may not touch Sam, the boat, or the life preserver directly with your hands. Materials: Gummy Worm Gummy “Life Saver” preserver 1 Plastic or Paper Cup 2 Paper Clips

Use the Scientific Method to.. Procedures: Work with your group and "Save Sam". Follow the rules. Sam, the boat, and the life preserver can be touched only with the paper clips. NO HANDS. Develop a data section that includes Diagrams of how you saved Sam A detailed protocol describing the diagrams. Homework: Analyze and conclude the experiment. This means that you must discuss (tell me what you think) the difficulty of the task, what other strategies you and your group worked on before you succeeded, and what you think the critical steps were for solving this problem. Although this is working backwards, and not how scientists normally work, please develop a hypothesis for this lab. (Remember that a hypothesis is an ‘if-then’ statement: if I do this, then this will happen)