Instructor: Dr. Sarah Trotman Lacy

Instructor Information:

Hi and welcome to the UM High School at Ole Miss and Biology I. I am Dr. Sarah Trotman Lacy, and I will be your online instructor. Just to let you know a little about myself, I taught Biology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Math, and Advanced Placement Biology for the Oxford School District for 39 years and retired in May 2011.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Mississippi University for Women, a Master of Science in Biology and Ph. D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Mississippi. I have two sons, Brooks and Stuart, and three cats: McKittrick "Kitt," Missy, Coco, and Isabell. I hope that you will enjoy this course, and if you ever have any questions or concerns, just e-mail me using the Blackboard email system.

When you have a chance, send me an e-mail and tell me about yourself.

Contact Information:

If you have questions concerning the content of the course, you may contact the instructor directly using the email link in the "Communications & Tools" tab. NOTE: Whenever sending an email, please be sure to indicate your Course title and number in the subject line (ie, AP Art History).

Course Description:

Biology I is an introductory, laboratory-based course designed to study living organisms and their physical environment. Students should apply scientific methods of inquiry and research in examination of the following topics:

• Chemical basis of life
• Cell structure, function, and reproduction
• Energy
• Molecular basis of genetics
• Natural selection and diversity
• Ecology

Required Textbook:

Biology by Kenneth Miller and Joseph Levine (2014) Pearson
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-323574-6
ISBN-10: 0-13-323574-2

It is the student's responsibility to order his or her textbook. Online textbook retailers such as Amazon.com, ABEbooks.com, or Half.com usually provide used textbooks at economical prices.

You must make sure you are ordering the exact book required in this syllabus.

Course Objectives include (but are not limited to):

• Apply inquiry-based and problem-solving processes and skills to scientific investigations. (INQUIRY)
• Describe the biochemical basis of life and explain how energy flows within and between the living systems. (PHYSICAL SCIENCE)
• Investigate and evaluate the interaction between living organisms and their environment. (LIFE SCIENCE)
• Analyze and explain the structures and function of the levels of biological organization. (LIFE SCIENCE)
• Demonstrate an understanding of the molecular basis of heredity. (LIFE SCIENCE)
• Demonstrate an understanding of principles that explain the diversity of life and biological evolution. (LIFE SCIENCE)

Course Outline:

This course consists of 8 chapters within 5 units.

START HERE

Lesson 1 - The Science of Life

Lesson 2 - The Chemistry of Life

Lesson 3 - The Chemistry of Life

Lesson 4 - The Biosphere

Lesson 8 - Cell Structure and Function

Grading Scale:

93 - 100% = A
85 - 92% = B
75 - 84% = C
70 - 74% = D
Below 69% = F

The grading format is as follows:

Written Assignments = 10%
Inquiry Exercises (Analyzing Data, Lab Activity, Quick Labs, Genetics Problems, etc.) = 20%
Lesson Quizzes = 20%
Unit Tests = 30%
Midterm and Final Exam = 20%