Course

Regents Living Environment

Overview
Instructor: Shanley Richards Contact Info:
srichards@penfield.edu
Phone: 249-6700 ext. 8812

Course Description:
The Living Environment (Biology) is a course that has been designed to comply with the
New York State Learning Standards for Math, Science and Technology. Focus is placed
on understanding important relationships, processes, mechanisms and application of
biological concepts. Scientific inquiry is incorporated to develop explanations of natural
phenomena. Students are required to successfully complete a minimum of 1,200 minutes
of lab work with write-ups in order to take the New York States Regents in Biology.
Various lab activities will enable the student to demonstrate the achievement of required
laboratory skills. Students who have completed the course and lab requirements qualify
for and take the Regents examination.

Goals and Objectives:

Enjoy the course and develop an appreciation of nature
Develop logical, critical, and creative problem solving skills
Improvement in technical writing skills through lab reports
Interpretation, analysis, and organization of scientific data
Communicate clearly and competently in a variety of contexts
Broaden knowledge of science through new vocabulary terms and concepts
Prepare students to be successful on the NYS Regents examination

Required Materials:
3 three ring binder
Pencils and pens
Ruler
Calculator
Folder (for lab reports)
An open mind

Text(s):
The major texts for this course include, but are not limited to, the following:
Biology, Foundation Edition. Miller & Levine, 2010. Pearson.
Grading/Evaluations:
Tests and Quizzes . . . . . 35%
o Most tests will have the same format as the NYS regents exam.
o Re-takes will be allowed, but only after test corrections are satisfactorily
completed. The exam grade will be the average of the original and re-take
scores.
Lab Reports and Projects . . . . 30%
o Labs will be graded as an M for missing, T for turned in but needs
corrections or 100, if the student has turned in the lab but has
misunderstood the questions the lab will be handed back for corrections
to be made.
o After labs are graded they should enter the lab folder which does not
leave the classroom.
Homework and Classwork . . . . 25%
o Homework is not to be turned in late, because we will go over the
assignment the day it is due. Homework will be graded based on effort.
The student will receive a 100 for a complete assignment, 50 for a half
complete or sloppy assignment etc. If homework is not done it can be
turned in after weve gone over the assignment for half credit.
Participation . . . . . . 10%
o Students will receive a grade for willingly participating in all labs and
class activities. Students are expected to arrive to class on time with all of
the required materials and a good attitude. If students are disruptive, off
task in class, unsafe, do no clean up after themselves, or disrespectful to
anyone in the room I will give a 5 point deduction in this category for
each offence.

Laboratory Requirements:
New York State mandates all students must complete a minimum of 1,200 laboratory
minutes as identified by successful completion of laboratory reports. Of these 1,200
minutes students are also required to complete the four state labs:
Making Connections
Diffusion Through the Membrane
Relationships and Biodiversity
Beaks of Finches
Any students who do not complete the four mandated labs and meet the time
requirement will not be allowed to sit for the Regents Exam at the end of the year and
will therefore fail the course.

Course Topics:
Living Environment Curriculum
Living A Curriculum Reproduction
An Introduction to Biology Mitosis/ Meiosis
Asexual/Sexual Reproduction
Scientific Method
Fertilization
Science Skills & Language of Science
Development
Classification
Characteristics of Life
Plant structure and energy
Biochemistry and Chemical Photosynthesis
Cellular respiration
Reactions
Basic Chemistry Living B curriculum
Organic Compounds
Structure and Functional Groups Molecular Genetics
Basic Chemical Reactions DNA Structure & Replication
Enzymes Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
Protein Synthesis
Cell structure and Membrane
Modern Genetics
Transport Mendelian Genetics
Cell Structure
Human Genetics
Cell Processes
Karyotypes & Pedigrees
Biotechnology
Animal Form and Function
Digestive System Ecology
Respiratory System
Biomes & Ecosystems
Circulatory System
Populations & Communities
Excretory System
Biogeochemical Cycles
Male and Female Reproductive Sys.
Symbiotic Relationships
Fetal Pig Dissection
Limiting, Biotic, and Abiotic Factors
Succession
Regulation Biodiversity
Endocrine System Human Impact
Nervous system
Evolution
Microbiology and Immunity Natural Selection
Bacteria Lines of Evidence
Viruses Origins of Life
Immunology Mechanisms of Evolution
Public Health Human Evolution
Homeostasis
Regents Review
Plant Structure, Function & State Lab Relationships and
Biodiversity
Resources: State Lab Diffusion through a
Membrane
www.regentsprep.org
www.castlelearning.com
http://www.nysedregents.org/livingenvironment/
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/pub/livingen.pdf
http://newyorkscienceteacher.com/sci/files/user-
submitted/LE_Must_Know_Facts.pdf