OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE HIGH SCHOOL

THIRD FORM COURSE OUTLINE

August 2014 – June 2015

Teacher: Melva Guerra

Duration: 1 School Year
Course: Biology
Credits: 4
Time: 4 (40 mins sessions)

Description
Biology includes the study of humans at the molecular, cellular and organismal levels. If the
focus of investigation is the application of biological knowledge to human health, the study is often
termed biomedicine. Human populations are by convention not considered within the province of
biology; instead, they are the subject of anthropology and the various social sciences. The boundaries
and subdivisions of biology, however, are as fluid today as they have always been and further shifts may
be expected.
Biology explores the levels of organization of life, from the molecular level through cellular to
higher levels. It includes developing an understanding of the interactions within and between organisms
and between organisms and their environment. The study of Biology recognizes that humans have a
great influence on the environment, thus the study is designed to assist students to recognize their
responsibility to conserve, protect, maintain and improve the quality of the biological environment for
future generations. This course will assist students to develop positive values and attitudes towards the
living components of the environment and provide a foundation for those who wish to pursue further
studies in the sciences.

Course Objectives
1. Develop an understanding of the fundamental biological principles and concepts based upon
practical and theoretical knowledge of living organisms.
2. Make accurate observations of biological material and phenomena – in field and in the
laboratory.
3. Develop ability to record information accurately by means such as clear, labeled diagrams,
graphs and tables.
4. Formulate hypotheses and design and carry out experiments to test them.
5. Assess and interpret simple biological experiments and data
6. Appreciate that although generalizations have predictive values, there are often exceptions.
7. Develop and practice problem solving skills.
8. Develop an awareness that principles of Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and other disciplines
are necessary for a proper understanding of Biology.
9. Recognize the dynamic nature of the inter relationships between organisms and the
environment.
10. Develop a natural curiosity about living organisms and a respect for all living things and the
environment.
11. Apply biological knowledge to everyday life.
12. Recognize the social and economic implications of biology.
References
CXC Biology, Chinnery L. Glasgow, Jones, G., Jones, M.
Biology for CXC – Roberts M.B.V., Mitchelmore, J.,
Human & Social Biology for the Tropics – Gadd, P.

Course Requirements:
1. Be prepared for class by reading ahead and completing assignments.
2. Have text book at all times
3. If absent, be responsible for any work missed
4. If help is needed please ask instructor or any other person that may be able to help

Course Assessment:
Tests – 25%
Quiz – 10%
Lab Reports – 15%
Projects/Presentations – 10%
Assignments – 10%
Exam – 30%
Total= 100%
The semester grade will count as 70% of the final grade and the final exam will count for 30% for
semester total of 100%.

Policy on Notebooks
Students should read assigned chapter and record notes. At the end of every chapter notes a
series of questions that developed during reading should be recorded. As the chapter is discussed in
class the student is to reflect at night and answer questions but if the answers are still not clear then
students should ask during the next class.

Policy on Projects and Presentations

Projects and presentations are expected on due dates. The student must demonstrate
organization to show that is was not a last minute work. Rubrics for these will be provided during class
before due dates.

Policy on Late Assignments

For every day late 10% of the grade will be removed. After three days of due date no
assignment, project or presentation will be accepted and a zero will automatically be awarded. In case
of sickness or any other unforeseen event, students must inform instructor and arrangements may be
made.
Semester 1
Topic Subtopic Assessment Comments

Week 1 Intro to SBA CSEC guidelines, lab format Completion of lab activity
Aug. 25th –
29th
2 Living Organisms Characteristics of living things Assignment 1 – name of Completed
Sept. 1st – Naming of Organisms organism Students enjoyed
5th Classification of Organisms Poster 1 – organism the activity on
3 Taxonomic levels Classification salamanders and
Sept. 8th – Life-cycles Handout 1 – classification finding their names
12th systems For next year will
Group poster – life cycles change to a similar
Quiz 1 – activity on leaves
classification/taxonomy
Test 1 – Living things
4 Ecology Components of ecosystems Quiz 2 – types of Completed
Sept. 15th – Types of ecosystems ecosystems/components Students found the
19th Impact of abiotic factors on Presentation – impact of activities useful in
5 ecosystems abiotic factors assisting them to
Sept. 22nd – Collection/sampling of Lab activity 1 - No. of draw information on
26th populations Species their own. For
6 Lab activity 2 – population upcoming year need
Sept. 29th – size to implement more
Oct. 3rd Test 2 - Ecology interactive lessons
7 Feeding Adaptations of organisms Quiz 3 food chain/food for each topic
Oct. 6th – Relationships Food chains/webs web Also need to use this
11th Feeding relationships Poster 2 – Feeding time for a field trip
8 Predator-prey relationships to broaden
Oct. 13th – Presentation 2 – student’s
17th predator/prey understanding and
9 Lab activity3 – food webs exposure to the
Oct. 20th – Lab activity 4 – feeding concepts
24th relationships
Test 3 – Feeding
Relationships
10 The Environment Recycling of materials Quiz 4 – carbon cycle Completed.
Oct. 27th – The Carbon cycle Poster 3 – Carbon cycle Especially enjoyed
31st Waste management Group presentation 3 – students work on
11 Biodegradable/non - waste management plan waste management.
Nov. 3rd – biodegradable materials Test 4 – the Environment Most of them had a
7th clear idea of what
was expected but a
few did not
understand what
was being asked.
12 Natural Over population/over fishing Quiz 5 – natural resources Completed
Nov. 1oth – resources pollution Presentation 4 – pollution Was unable to
14th Loss of habitat Research paper – arrange for the
13 Ecosystem health Ecosystem health guest speaker at this
Nov. 17th – Climate change Guest speaker – Climate time however, later
21st Growth/survival of Change in the semester
populations Test 5 – Natural Resources most of the students
Natural disasters Model – population curve were able to attend
the meeting with
the climate change
group and also sign
up for participation
in the climate
change
environmental club
merger.
14 REVIEW WEEK
Nov. 24th –
28th
15 EXAM WEEK
Dec. 1st –
5th
16
Dec. 8th –
12th
Semester 2
Week Topic Subtopic Assessment Comment

17 Cytology Structure and components Quiz 6 – cell organelles Completed with 1 lab on
Jan. 5th – 9th of cells Assignment – venn- plant cells done and 1 on
18 Cell organelles and function diagram of plant/animal osmosis
Jan. 12th – 16th Differences between plant cells
19 and animal cells Lab 5: diffusion and
19th – 23rd Cell specialization osmosis
Levels of organization Lab 6: effect of
Diffusion and osmosis concentration on
diffusion rate
Test 6 – cytology
Model – edible cells
Project – cells lap book
20 Nutrition Feeding mechanisms Quiz 7 – nutrients Completed
Jan 26th – 30th Photosynthesis Quiz 8 – digestion Students had some difficulty
21 Leaf structure Assignment/Project – with photosynthesis and
Feb. 2nd – 6th Rate of photosynthesis
Balanced Diet recalling the equation
Minerals in plants
Food tests Research 1 – Students were enthused
Gastrointestinal Disorder with the lab activity to test
Lab 7 – Chemicals of Life the food samples
Test 5 - Nutrition
22 Digestive Role/impact of enzymes Lab 8 – Feeding & Completed
Feb. 9th – 13th System Enzyme activity Digestion Students were able to
23 Organs of digestion Lab 9 – Enzymes & identify the different organs
Feb. 16th – 20th Process of digestion
digestion but had some difficulty
24 Products of digestion
Feb. 23rd – 27th Diseases of digestive system Quiz 9 – digestive system answering application
Balanced diets Quiz 10 – digestion questions.
Role play: digestion path Disappointed with the diet
Presentation: balanced
plans created and looking to
meals
Research 2 – diseases of implement new activities on
digestive system diets for the upcoming year
Test 6 – Digestive System [more interactive plates]
25 Respiratio Process of aerobic Lab 10 – anaerobic Completed
March 2nd – 6th n respiration respiration Students were provided
26 Differences between Lab 11 – comparing with videos to demonstrate
March 9th – 13th aerobic and anaerobic inhaled/exhaled air the movement of the body
27 respiration Quiz 11 – respiratory during
March 16th – Gaseous exchange system inspiration/expiration. This
20th Effects of smoking Presentation/Guest proved to be a good
Diseases of respiratory speaker – effects of strategy since it allowed
system smoking students to visualize the
Model – functioning motion of the thoracic cavity
lungs and changes in pressure
Research 3 – diseases of Was unable to complete the
respiratory system models due to time
Test 7 – respiration constraints
March 30th – EASTER BREAK
April 10th
28 Transport Importance of transport Lab 12 – blood pressure Completed
March 23rd – System system Lab 13 – factors affecting Students were shown ppt
27th Materials needed to be transpiration and videos to examine the
************ transported Quiz 12 – components of heart and blood flow.
*** Structure and function of blood Time constraints did not
29 circulatory system Quiz 13 – circulatory allow for covering the
April 13th – 17th Components of system immune system [will be
30 blood/function of Project – functioning placed in 4th year]
April 20th – 24th components circulatory system
Immune support/immune Test 8 – Transport
system System
Diseases of transport system
Transpiration
Transport in plants
Xylem/phloem
Storage sites
Factors affecting
transpiration
31 Excretion Egestion vs. excretion Quiz 14 – labeling the Not Completed
April 27th – Importance of excretory skin/kidney Has been moved to 4th year
May 1st system Quiz – organs of course outline at the start of
32 Methods/process of excretion/products the year
May 4th – 8th excretion Poster – osmoregulation
Kidney & osmoregulation Test 9 – Excretion
33 Movemen Growth/movement in plants Quiz – Students were introduced
May 11th – 15th t & animals germination/locomotion to movement – examine the
34 Germination vs. locomotion Test 10 – movement movement of animals and
May 18th – 22nd Skeletal system Model: skeletal system their skeletal system
Movement involving Presentation – joints Time constraints did not
muscles, joints etc. Lap book – movement allow for covering joints and
muscles in details
[Students have agreed to
complete “online” classes
for these.
35 Review Week
May 25th – 29th
36 Final Exams
June 1st – 5th
37
June 8th – 12th