Course Syllabus
Honors Biology Syllabus (2026-27)
(subject to change)
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life
Topics (in order)
I. Chemistry Review
- Review of chemical structures, IMFs, polarity
- Water chemistry
II. The Basics of Life
- Classification of All Living Things
- Characteristics of Life
- Ecology
- Microscope Usage
- Experimental Design
III. Biochemistry
- Biomolecule Structure
IV. Enzymes and Human Digestion
- Enzyme structure & function
- Digestive System
V. The Cell
- Cell Structure
- Membranes and Transport Across the Membrane
- Cardiovascular/Nervous System
VI. Energy and the Cell
- Photosynthesis
- Cellular Respiration
VII. Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Cell cycle/Mitosis/Cancer
- DNA/Transcription/Translation
- Genetics/Meiosis
- Biotechnology
- Immune system
VIII. IRP (Independent Research Project)
- Microbiology
- Poster Night- June (TBA)
IX. Change Over Time
- Evolution
Honors Biology
School Year 2026-2027
Course Overview and Expectations
Mr. Bateman
batemank@wellesleyps.org
Dear Students and Parents,
Welcome to Honors Biology! I am so eager to begin exploring the key concepts that will help us illuminate this broad and meaningful field, and getting to know you in the process! In this course, we will explore the major concepts in biology, emphasizing problem solving, laboratory explorations and application of biology to everyday life. The keys to success in this course are to be an active listener, a cooperative and collaborative learner, and a diligent note taker. These critical skills must be developed as they will not only help you succeed in understanding challenging concepts presented in Biology, but will serve you well in college and beyond.
In this course, and beyond, students must take responsibility for their own learning and develop a sense of agency in order to be successful. Students will need to not only be active in their learning when in class, but take the time outside of class to become familiar with the materials. Two important skills that will help with the development of self-advocacy are: self motivation and communication. It is important that you ask questions about material that you don’t understand at the time the material is being discussed and well before a test or quiz. Is something unclear? Did something come up at home that impedes your ability to meet deadlines? Let me know! Please email to connect and I am available for extra help by appointment. Please see my schedule to see free blocks and availability.
Please review the class policies, procedures and expectations found on the next page. Please attest the Google form in the link on the last page by indicating that you have reviewed and understand these expectations. Please also have a parent or guardian review the expectations and do the same. Understanding and following these expectations will serve as a solid foundation for your success in Honors Biology.
Parents/Guardians: Please feel free to contact me via email with any questions, comments, or concerns. I typically respond within 24 hours. I’m happy to set up a meeting or phone call to chat or discuss anything relating to your child in my classroom. I will also use parent email addresses recorded in PowerSchool, as I occasionally email home with class updates.
Honors Biology: Policies and Procedures
Please remember that the policies, rules and expectations outlined in the WHS Student Handbook apply to students at all times.
Teacher: Mr. Bateman
Email: batemank@wellesleyps.org
Classroom: Room 337/341
Office: Room 358
Website: Canvas
- General Classroom Culture
The core values of Wellesley High School (Academic Excellence, Respect for Human Differences, Cooperative and Caring Relationships, Commitment to Community, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) will always be upheld as a standard in our learning community and in our classroom. I always encourage and expect members of our class to treat each other and members of our WHS community with respect, kindness, compassion, and openness. This also includes academic integrity, daily preparation for active participation with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
- Materials you will need/are suggested:
- 3 ring binder with loose-leaf paper OR notebook and folder
- Pens and pencils
- Charged laptop/charger
- Headphones (sometimes we view videos during classwork)
Class Textbook: Campbell Biology Concepts & Connections, 8th Ed. ($120 replacement cost)
- Student Evaluation:
Student work in Biology will fall into either the category of Assessments or Assignments. Assessments will be worth 60% of your grade each term, and will include tests, quizzes, some major projects, and formative assessments after some classwork, homework and lab assignments.
Assignments will be worth 40% of your grade each term, and will include classwork, homework, labs, Canvas quizzes, knowledge checks, and other assignments.
- Assessments (Tests and Quizzes): 60%
- Assignments (Labs/projects): 40%
Homework will be assigned, though not always graded. This does not mean that homework is optional, or not an important part of your learning experience. All homework must be completed on time, whether or not it is graded. This is an important part of your learning the course material.
Late assignments will receive a 20% point deduction if they are submitted after the due date and time posted on Canvas. All assignments must be submitted by the scheduled date of the unit assessment. Any assignment not submitted by that date will receive 0 points and cannot be revised.
Assessments cannot be revised. Some assignments can be revised for up to 80% credit. Revisions must be submitted within a week of receiving a grade, or by the end of the unit, whichever date is earlier. Exclusions can apply at teacher discretion (for example, you may not revise the Final IRP Lab Report).
This course will also assess students using a Midyear Exam, a formal written Final IRP Lab Report for a long-term experimental project, and a Final Exam. Each assessment will be worth 4% of your year grade, and will be averaged together in the E1 category of your grade, which is worth 12% of your Y1 grade.
District accommodations (DCAP) are available to all students, and in the 26-27 school year, WHS is committed to moving this forward with fidelity. While some accommodations can be offered at the moment, others require advanced notice. For example: Extended time on an in-class assessment is a collaborative decision made by the teacher, student, and family to meet individual student needs. The WHS guideline is up to 25% extra time. This accommodation relies on proactive student communication prior to the date of the assessment. The student and teacher must establish how the accommodation will be provided.
- Attendance:
Please make every effort to attend class and be on time - assuming you are symptom free - do not come to school with new symptoms. Labs BEGIN at 7:30 am. If you have a written excuse for being late, take it to the house office before coming to class. If you are late without a written excuse, come directly to class. All attendance policies outlined in the student handbook will be followed. If you know you will be absent or tardy from class, please email me (batemank@wellesleyps.org) ASAP. It is important for you to contact me about missed work or you will fall behind. Communication is key!!
When you are absent from class, you should check the class Canvas page to see the Agenda for your section. This will let you know what you are responsible for making up. My expectation is that you will always check this page when you are absent and make up the assignments. You may also reach out to me via email. Whether or not you email me, you are responsible for making up ALL work on days you are absent.
When I am absent from class, you will receive a Canvas announcement that will communicate the required assignments for the class. The class meeting may be canceled, or you may be asked to attend class with a substitute teacher. Work assigned during a class that I miss will be due at the beginning of the following class period.
- Academic Honesty/Integrity
Please be clear that cheating, copying HW, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will NOT BE TOLERATED. This includes the sharing of HW, classwork and most documents. I will indicate if an assignment should be done in groups. If you need clarity, ask! If they should occur, a failing grade for that particular activity will be assessed for all parties involved. The appropriate assistant principal will be contacted as well as parents/guardians.
Please review the student handbook regarding changes about the use of AI in schoolwork.
- Canvas
A majority of course materials will be on Canvas. Units will be outlined in module format and links to all documents, homework assignments, powerpoints, labs, etc. will be found in these modules. The Canvas Calendar will be updated regularly with due dates, assessment dates, etc. The announcement feature will be regularly used for any and all updates, especially if there is a last minute change (like a canceled class- this is rare, but it happens occasionally). Please check Canvas regularly for course information, updates and meeting links. If you are absent, this is the first place you should check. I strongly encourage you to download the Canvas app to your cell phones and allow push notifications so you have the most up to date information possible.
- Technology Use (Phones and Laptops)
Cell phones will remain turned off/silenced and in the phone holder (NOT in pockets!). Occasionally, phones will be used as tools (for instance the camera is valuable for data collection) but usually they are in the phone holder. The use of laptops will be frequent. The appropriate use of technology is expected and the district acceptable use policy for technology & BYOL agreement will be adhered to at all times (frequent infractions include prohibited behaviors such as texting or watching non-school related videos during class time).
I look forward to working with each of you this year. Please know that I am here to help you learn and succeed in biology. I hope this will be a rewarding year for all of us.
Sincerely,
Ken Bateman
Parent/Guardian- please click here and acknowledge by Wednesday, September 8th
Students- please click here and acknowledge by Wednesday, September 8th
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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