Course title
Intro Applied BioPre-requisite
N/ACourse description
Applied Biological Systems in the Natural renewable Resources Systems Track is designed to prepare students for employment in the Natural resource Management career cluster as defined by the USDE Office of Vocational and Adult Education. Students completing this program will possess the appropriate cluster technical knowledge and skills associated with the production; processing; marketing; distribution; financing; and development of agricultural commodities and resources including food; fiber; wood products; natural resources; horticulture; and other plant and animal products/resources. In addition to the required technical skills; students will also develop leadership; advanced employability; critical thinking; applied academic; and life management skills. The program utilizes a delivery system made up of three essential and required components: formal instruction; experiential education through Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE); leadership and personal development through the Career and Technical Student Organization; FFA.
Applied Biological Systems is a full year high school course with a strong emphasis on hands on; experiential learning. The course presents basic biological principals with a focus on Agricultural Management Practices and Conservation Biology. It includes an array of concepts and topics that are specifically designed to meet Arizona Department of Education Life Science Standards as well as agricultural practices specific to the Santa Rita High School infrastructural capabilities.
Quarter 1
Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Careers
Lab and Workplace Safety (CTE 1.0; 7.0)
(AZ Strand 1; Concepts 1-4;
Strand 2; Concept 2)
Nature of Science and Scientific Investigation
(CTE 7.0)
(AZ Strand 1; Concept 1-4)
Quarter 2
Cellular Biology
(CTE 2.0)
(AZ Strand 4; Concept 1)
Genetics & Heredity
(AZ Strand 4; Concept 2)
Evolution
(CTE 2.0)
(AZ Strand 4; Concept 4)
Scientific Classification
(CTE 4.0)
(AZ S4; C4; PO6)
Quarter 3
Identification of Plant and Animal Species
(CTE 4.0)
(AZ Strand 4; Concept 4)
Plant Systems
(CTE 3.0; 5.0)
(AZ Strand 4; Concept 5)
Animal Systems
(CTE 6.0)
Quarter 4
Ecology
(CTE 8.0;15.0)
(AZ Strand 4; Concept 3; 5)
Biodiversity
(CTE 8.0)
(AZ Strand 4; Concept 3)
Valuation of Biodiversity
(CTE 17.0)
(AZ Strand 3; Concept 2)
Threats to Biodiversity
(CTE 13.0; 16.0)
(AZ Strand3; Concepts 1-3)
Course Description: Career and Technical Education Agriculture – Applied Biological Systems. Students will investigate the biological principals associated with agriculture with an emphasis on natural renewable resource systems. Topics to be covered will include cellular biology; Genetics the basis for Heredity; Evolution; Plant systems and nutrition; Ecology; Classification and identification of plant and animal species; population dynamics and biodiversity.
Course Outline:
Quarter 1
Class Environment
Nature of Science
Agriculture and
Natural Resource
Management Careers
Quarter 2
Cellular Biology
Genetics
Evolution
Classification of plant and animal species
Quarter 3
Identification of plant and animal species
Plant Systems & Nutrition
Animal Systems & Nutrition
Quarter 4
Ecology
Population Dynamics
Biodiversity
Grading Policy: Grading is assigned according to the Santa Rita High School Handbook
A – 90-100 %; B – 80-89%; C – 70-79%; D – 60-69%; F – below 60%.
Grading System: Grades will be based on the following categories. Each category has a specific weight towards the over all grade for the course.
Assessments 35%
Labs and Projects 35%
Classwork 20%
Participation 10%
Assessments – Assessments may take the form of formal exams or projects that assess the students’ comprehension and retention of content and concepts. Make ups will be offered for one week after the scheduled date of the assessment. Unless alternate arrangements are made with the teacher; no make ups will be offered after one week from the scheduled assessment date. Assessments will be announced at least one week in advance.
Labs and Projects - These are group activities that take place during regularly scheduled class time. Due to the nature of lab experiments; materials; and space requirements; additional time to complete labs will not be offered. Students that miss lab work must arrange to make up the associated points with a project that they will complete outside of class.
Classwork/Homework – These assignments are to be completed and turned in according to the announced due date and using the methods outlined in the classroom procedures. They may include worksheets; written assignments; research topics; short hands-on activities; etc.
Participation – Participation is based on attendance; tardiness and citizenship during class. Additional participation points can be earned for active; constructive and appropriate participation in Remind and Twitter.
Procedures and Expectations: The classroom expectations are posted on each wall of the room and one the website. They are as follows:
Respect - yourself; each other; and property.
Be Willing To Learn
Participate
Use Speaker Courtesy
Use Quality Language
Be On Time and Prepared
Help Each Other
Show Kindness; Patience and Compassion
Mature behavior is expected at all times. It is assumed that students understand what mature behavior is. In an effort to make sure it is clear; the following is a description of a few of the behaviors we require of students
•Always walk when working on the campus or on off campus activities
•Use only Appropriate Language
•Treat Students; Teachers; Advisors; School Staff and Outside Experts/Partners with respect at all times.
•Use tools; equipment and classroom materials only with permission and only for their intended purpose.
•Come to class with a good attitude and participate daily.
Daily Procedures will be taught and reinforced on a consistent basis. Except where otherwise noted; the program has a “Three Strikes and You’re Out” policy for behavior and adherence to classroom policies. Once a student has three strikes; they will be eliminated from the CTE program for the remainder of the academic year.
Attendance – School policies for attendance will be adhered to for receiving science credit for the course. However; as this is a CTE program; it is assumed that students intend to find employment within the agricultural industry. Therefore; a higher level of participation and attendance is expected in order to receive CTE Certification for the program. Consistent absenses or tardies will be treated like they would be treated by an employer and may result in elimination from the CTE program for the academic year.
Entering the Class – Students will enter the classroom and proceed to their designated seats. Directions for the Bell Work will be posted on the board. The greenhouse door is not an entrance or exit from the class. Students attempting to use the greenhouse as an entrance or exit will be detained and asked to use the appropriate class room door.
Arriving Late – Students arriving late to class will sign in on the tardy sheet before proceeding silently to their seat. Students should not interrupt the classroom activities when arriving. Students who arrive late on days when the class is working outside or off campus must report to the front office and will not be given credit for the days work or activities.
Being Excused During Class Time – Students can not be excused during the first and last 10 minutes of class. No student will be excused during direct instruction for any reason. Students will receive written approval for all excused periods of class time. This includes all on and off campus locations.
Assignments – All assignments will be available on the counter to the right of the entrance. Work will be labeled by Class Period. Assignments will also be posted on the class website. The student is responsible for obtaining all the work assigned to the class.
Cheating – Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating will receive no credit for the work. Any student that allows or encourages another student to cheat will not receive credit. In addition; Cheating will result in immediate elimination from the CTE program for the academic year. Students will still receive science credit; but will no longer be enrolled in the Career and Technical Education program
Use of Classroom Materials – Class materials and resources are the property of the school and are available to assist all students in learning. Deliberate misuse or destruction of class materials and resources will result in the loss of credit for the given assignment and a call home. In some cases a written apology from the student and replacement of the item may be required.
Use of Technology – Students are encouraged to use technology to keep up with assigned work and classroom communications. Use of technology will be allowed on a limited basis during individual and group work. Students must receive Teacher permission to use technology during class time. Use of any technology during direct instruction; certain laboratory experiments; and exams is prohibited. The Teacher will confiscate any technology that is used without permission and it will be returned at the end of the class period. Repeat offenses will lead to a disciplinary strike and confiscation until a parent can retrieve the equipment.
Turning in Work – Students should submit work using designated methods including “turn – in baskets” in the classroom and e-mail.
Late Work – If a student is in class they are expected to complete the work assigned for that day. No late work will be accepted from students that were in attendance.
•If the student has an unexcused absence; they will not be able to turn in work from that day. The student will receive no credit for that work.
•If a student has an excused absence; they will have as many days as they missed to complete the work. (Absent for 2 days; 2 days to complete the assignment). However; no additional class time will be given. The work must be completed outside of class.
•Students who miss work due to suspension are responsible for obtaining the work from the office and turning it in on the day they are released to return to class. Students requiring help to complete the work must contact the teacher. No additional time to complete work while suspended will be given.
Safety – Students will be required to pass the OSHA 10 safety course. Passing the online course will earn the student a certificate that can be used as a credential for employment. In addition; it will ensure the student has the necessary knowledge to perform lab and outdoor activities safely.
Due to the nature of the work; materials and tools student will be exposed to; a zero tolerance policy will be in effect for failure to follow lab and outside activity procedures. Students who fail to follow safety protocols and procedures for lab activities or outside activities will lose the priviledge to participate in those activities and will be offered alternative learning opportunities. In addition; students will be immediately eliminated from the CTE program for the academic year.
Dismissal from Class – Class is dismissed once all students have cleaned their work area and returned to their seats. The Teacher will give permission to leave. Any student leaving the classroom without Teacher permission will not receive credit for the work that day.
Substitute Teachers – From time to time a substitute teacher may be present. Poor behavior for a substitute teacher will result in a loss of credit for the work assigned that day. In addition; students who are reported by a substitute will be required to write an apology letter to the teacher; the substitute; their parents and the class within 2 school days of the return of the teacher. They will be required to read the apology letter to the class within two school days of the return of the teacher. An instance of poor behavior for a substitute teacher is an automatic strike.
All Santa Rita High School and Tucson Unified School District policies and procedures will be followed at all times.
School Country
United StatesSchool state
ArizonaSchool city
TucsonSchool Address
1010 E 10th St.School zip code
85719Requested competency code
Lab ScienceDate submitted
Approved
YesApproved competency code
- LBIO
- Biology