Welcome to what I hope is an exciting and educational year of honors biology. One of the functions of this course is to prepare students for possibly continuing their interests in science at the collegiate level, and possibly leading to a career in a science related field. Listed below are a few rules that will help ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to learn.
1) Obey all of the school rules (outlined in the handbook).
2) Please be in your seat when the bell rings.
3) RESPECT others and their property. (Listen when others are speaking)
** Please raise your hand when you want to
speak**
4) Due to the nature of the lab work done in the classroom; food, drink, and candy are NOT permitted. Gum is ok as long as it is NOT seen or heard.
5) Respect yourself and show pride in your work!! Cheating shows
little respect or pride and will result in a zero for the assignment or
test.
Course objectives: Students will be able to:
A. Identify the processes that control living organisms.
B. Describe the characteristics, development, and organization of
living organisms.
C. Demonstrate the ability to use the scientific method in problem
solving.
D. Discuss and demonstrate how science directly influences their
lives.
E. Explain the parts and functions of the human body.
F. Explain the correlation of organisms and their significance in an
ecosystem.
Homework:
Assignments are meant to reinforce the material, and prepare students for
the tests. Homework will be assigned in the class on a fairly regular schedule.
Most assignments are graded in class so they can not be handed in late.
Lab work:
Approximately one third of the time in this class consists of making and
recording observations. Lab reports need to be done in pencil because
corrections frequently need to be made. Labs are done in groups of
2, and students are encouraged to work together as a team when working in lab.
However, each person is responsible for completing lab reports written in their
own words. If you and your lab partners labs are identical (word for word) both
will receive zeros. (no questions asked)
Please bring daily:
1) notebook
2) pen or pencil
3) textbook
Absences:
If you miss class it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed
and to make up the work ASAP. In general, the number of days you miss equals the
number of days you have to make up the work. People who miss the day of a test
are expected to take the test the day they return. If you miss a lab you must
make it up before or after school, within one week of the lab.
Grading:
Grading in the class is done on a straight point basis, so students will
be able to keep track of their progress in the class. Approximately 70% of your
grade in the class will come from test and quiz scores. The remainder of the
points are achieved through the labs, and homework.
Year long research project
The year long research project is an opportunity for students to
experience the process of obtaining scientific knowledge. Each student is
required to complete a project. To ensure that it does not become overwhelming a
timetable with due dates has been set to break the project into pieces.
Grading scale:
90 - 100% A
80 - 89% B
70 - 79% C
60 - 69% D
Detentions:
Detentions will be served at 6:55 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. from August through
November, and from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. the rest of the year.
Detentions MUST be served within three days, so if you donít have the time,
donít do the crime!!