Biology Syllabus
Course Overview
This course includes a study of living organisms and vital processes. Themes that will be covered in this course include scientific skills, ecology, biochemistry, cellular processes, genetics, evolution, classification of organisms, as well as plant and human body systems. The course includes laboratory experiments designed to reinforce course content. It aligns with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science (TEKS).
Course Overview from RIT:
This course provides students with the fundamentals of biological concepts and processes via cellular biology and human biology. Topics include the scientific method, chemical components of cells, and cell structure and function. Additionally, human anatomy and physiology are presented, including nutritional and excretory requirements, reproductive methods, and homeostatic mechanisms, and regulation in organisms. Principles governing genetics, gene expression, and reproduction are introduced. Laboratory methods used to make observations and collect data are practiced. Recording observations and analysis of data are emphasized in formal written laboratory reports. Activities will be conducted to apply the knowledge obtained in the lecture. The concept of root words and their usage are introduced and morphological segmentation applied.
Teacher: Sean Moore
Location: Room 310
Email: [email protected]
Learning Objectives: (TEKS)
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Units We Will Cover
Unit 1: Introduction to Biology, Atoms, Molecules, and Cells
Unit 2: Cellular Inheritance
Unit 3: Homeostasis and the Human Body
Unit 4: Human Diseases
Unit 5: Genetics and Hereditary
Unit 6: Ecology
Unit 7: Evolution
Unit 8: Classification
Unit 9: Viruses, Bacteria, Protists, and Fungi
Unit 10: Plant Structure and Adaptation
Unit 11: Body Systems
Unit 12: Current Development in Biology: Research Project
Classroom Expectation
Maintain a SAFE and CLEAN environment.
Be PROACTIVE.
Engage your 4 P’s.
No HORSE PLAYING during lab activities.
Any kind of HATE SPEECH (hate speech is speech which attacks a person or group on the basis of attributes such as race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or gender) is unacceptable at any time.
Consequences
1st time: Warning
2nd time: A meeting with your teacher.
3rd time: C-Form
Grading System
Homework Assignments 20%
Quizzes 15%
Lab Reports & Activities 20%
Exams 20%
Final Exam 10%
Final Projects 10%
Attendance & Participation 5% (daily)
Calculating semester grades:
1st Quarter: 50%
2nd Quarter: 50%
1st Semester: 100%
Late classwork and homework:
* One day late: 10% of the total grade will be deducted
* Three days late: 25% of the total grade will be deducted
* Five days (or more) late: Grade will be zero (0).
* Those who did not hand in assignments on time will receive a grade of 1 point for the assignment. Students will have five school days to complete their missing work. Once they complete the assignment, they will receive a deduction of a specific percentage pending how late it was submitted.
* Tests and quizzes cannot be made-up unless the student has an excused absence(s).
* If a student is tardy (unexcused), s/he cannot make up the daily warm-up assignment as well as any portion of a quiz, test, or assignment given during the time the student was absent from class.
* Assignments will NOT be accepted three days after the due date.
* Note: Unique and special circumstances may allow students to make up a quiz, test, and/or assignments based on the consideration and discretion of the teacher and/or administrator.
Lab Reports:
Lab reports are due 1 week after the lab experiment. (See the agenda for due dates). Any incomplete lab reports (missing parts of the lab) will be graded as is. Any late lab reports will receive 25% off for each week that it is late. A lab report submitted the day after it is due is considered 1 week late. Labs submitted 4 weeks after the due date will be scored as a zero. Your instructor will provide feedback on your lab report and will return your graded lab to you. If a redo is required (applies to labs #1 - #5 ONLY), you will submit your redo to the dropbox.
Absence Policy
* Per student handbook, missed assignments and/or tests/quizzes can be made up if the student has an excused absence. (See Grading Policy for more information).
* Students cannot make up work and/or tests/quizzes for unexcused absences.
* The student is responsible for communicating with the teacher regarding missed work and lectures/activities.
* Refer to the student handbook regarding the time allowed to make up and submit missed work.
Supplies:
* Bring paper and pencil to class.
* Bring your iPad or Laptop & Charger (charge your iPad/laptop overnight).
Follow all Laboratory Safety Rules
* First offense = NO TOLERANCE, if you break a lab safety rule, you will sit out for the rest of the lab and receive a zero on your lab for an incomplete lab. If the violation is serious, you may be suspended from labs for a given amount of time to be determined by the teacher and principal (depending on the seriousness of the violation).
Lab Fee
* We encourage you to help contribute the cost of disposable lab materials and supplies used throughout the year. We gently ask for a $10.00 lab fee that will go directly toward science department funding.
Go to the restroom before or after class
* This is high school, and my students are now learning how to be adults. Class time is valuable, and I expect my students to go to the bathroom during the transitional time between classes, not during my class. I understand that sometimes going to the bathroom is an urgent matter, and I will grant permission at my own discretion.
Food and Drinks in the Classroom
* Students may eat and drink during class IF they agree to maintain their areas clean and dispose of trash appropriately. This is a privilege and may be revoked at any time by the teacher.
* Sunflower seeds are NOT permitted in class at any time.
* If a student spills something that stains or damages property (such as red Kool-Aid), the student will be responsible for paying for the cleaning costs and/or damages.
* Students are strongly encouraged to bring reusable water bottles to class.
Educational Trips
* The purpose of educational trips in this course are designed for two reasons: 1) to enhance the hands-on learning experiences and make real-world connections of content-based instruction from the classroom to the world and 2) as a motivation tool to reward students for positive reinforcement of learning.
*If a field trip is intended to enhance learning, students may not opt-out of participating. These educational trips are to be regarded to be the same as a regular class, thus the aforementioned absence policy & grade policy will apply. Note that the Academic Intervention Program (AIP) has specific rules regarding field trips for students who are placed in the program.
* For field trips designed to be reward activities (which are also linked to current learning), the teacher has the authority to make the determination of who can and cannot attend based on a clear set of individual and/or group goals that have been/have not been met. Students are allowed to opt-out of these trips, but they must write a report to the teacher that includes the reason(s) s/he does not want to participate. Students are responsible for paying for his/her own meals/drinks and any other costs such as admission fees.
* Students will be required to actively work on a given/ assigned task(s) during class time if s/he misses any trip activity for any reason. The teacher will determine the location for the student to attend class and task(s) to be completed during that time.
Copying/Cheating/Plagiarizing:
If two or more people turn in homework that has been COPIED from each of their grades will automatically be dropped to 0% for that assignment. You MAY work together in a group, but the answers must be IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
If I catch you CHEATING during a test, your grade will automatically be zero (0%) and a discipline report will be filled out. There will be no chance for make-up.
Plagiarizing is saying someone else’s work is yours. It is the same thing as lying or stealing. Students caught plagiarizing will be written up with the discipline to follow (usually ISS or a suspension). Plagiarizing includes cutting and pasting information directly from the internet. The grade for said “work” will be a zero (0%) with no chance of making it up. If you need help citing sources or are concerned about a specific assignment, please see me and I will help you!
Electronic Device:
* No phones in class/instruction; allowed before/after school, lunch, and between classes.
* Phones stored in backpacks, lockers, or designated areas when entering. lass; not visible in class.
1st offense: Warning
2nd offense: IR/Soft skills grade/teacher meeting
3rd offense: IR/soft skills grade/self-reflection/parent contact.
Recurring: Meeting with admin. & may include parents.
Do not start using laptops/iPads when not prompted to and stay on task when using laptops/iPads.
1st Offense: Verbal Warning.
2nd Offense: A meeting with me in the hallway.
3rd Offense: Class C Form plus 30 minutes after school.
Contract:
I have read and understood the syllabus for this Biology course. I understand how to contact the teacher if I have any questions or concerns.
(Note: Refusal to sign the syllabus does not mean you opt-out of following the requirements for this course )
CONTACT ME:
I am available most Mondays, Wednesday, and Thursday immediately after school. If you are in need of additional tutoring, I will be happy to set up something with you and/or your parents (if you are a day student). My email address is [email protected]. Please contact me if you have any problems or questions.
Thanks! I am looking forward to an EXCITING and FUN semester in Biology!