Course Syllabus CP Biology 412
Teacher: Dr. MacDonald Office: Room 315
E-mail: [email protected] Voicemail: (908)273-1494 x5634 Extra Help Hours: T-F 7:30 and by appointment during lunch, study hall, and after school
Lab Schedule by Section
Period 3 (Lab per. 4 on C days) Room 317 Period 5 (Lab per. 4 on A days) Room 317 Period 7 (Lab per. 8 on B days) Room 317
Class Web sitehttps://sites.google.com/a/summit.k12.nj.us/macdonaldsummit/
Powerpoints, announcements, homework & class assignments, rubrics & useful resources will be posted here.
Materials Needed Each Day in Class
2”-3” binder (dedicated to biology only) Writing Utensils including No. 2 pencils
Calculator Reinforced Paper
Laptop Computer or tablet (optional) USB Objectives
To learn why living systems are unique but also subject to the same laws governing all matter and energy in the universe by exploring major themes in biology including evolution & diversity, interconnectedness, capture & transfer of energy, communication & regulation, and the
molecular basis of life.
To engage in the creative process of science using higher-level inquiry and reasoning.
To critically evaluate ideas about living systems in the context of their scientific validity as well as their application to real-world problems facing people and the planet.
Classroom Expectations
1. Work together to make this class a positive environment for everyone. This means bringing enthusiasm for learning new things, listening during lectures and class discussions, helping other members of the class when needed, contributing to group projects, respecting class supplies and equipment, maintaining a clean work area, and accepting one another as individuals who deserve complete respect.
2. Set high standards for our individual achievement in this class and work hard to meet these standards.
This includes being attentive in class, participating in class discussions, questioning what you have learned, staying focused on a task, completing assignments with pride and rigor, being responsible for ourselves and studying outside class time.
3. Remove obstacles to learning by keeping phones, IPODS and other unauthorized electronic devices in your bag or backpack and refraining from distracting other students.
4. Arrive to class BEFORE the last bell, take out your notebook and pen, hand in work that is due, copy the objective and begin the DO NOW on you own.
5. Food and drink, aside from water, should stay out of sight during class.
6. Communicate with me if you have any problems understanding a particular topic or if you are having problems with other aspects of this challenging class or life in general. I am here to help you.
*This is a supplement to the standard expectations, rules and policies of the school outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Consequences for failure to adhere to the expectations described above will result in action on the part of the teacher including confiscation of electronic devices, a call home to your parents, parent-teacher conference, referral for detention, and possibly other disciplinary procedures as described in the Summit High School Student Handbook.
Academic Honesty
High integrity and academic honesty is expected at all times. Students should not do anything that would bring their integrity into question. This will always result in a “0” on that assessment or
assignment, a phone call home and possibly further disciplinary measures as per school/district policies.
All assignments (homework, labs, quizzes, exams, projects, etc…) are expected to be completed only by the student. Collaboration and teamwork will be allowed on some assignments. However, individual work must always be distinctly original from the lab partners’ work. Always properly cite and credit sources that are not your own (text, data, pictures, etc). Students copying and students allowing others to copy their work are both academically dishonest. Do not put your classmates in an uncomfortable position by asking to copy. Make the right choices!
During a test or quiz, the following are not allowed:
Books, notes, or book bags on the desk.
Electronic devices in view.
Conversation of any sort with classmates.
Dishonest means of obtaining an answer.
Entering/Leaving the room
Arrival: Be in class before the last bell to avoid being marked as tardy. When you arrive, immediately take out your notebook and pen, hand in work that is due, copy the objective and begin the DO NOW on you own.
Tardy: If you arrive after the last bell, you must sign your name and arrival time in the Tardy Log, present a pass, and quietly take your seat. Do not disrupt the class.
Passes: Once you are in class, plan to stay. One student at a time may use the restroom when
lecture/class discussion is not taking place. Sign out, bring the pass with you, and sign back in when you return. Plan to use the bathroom during my class a maximum of 5 times for the school year.
Dismissal: The laboratory is expected to be neat and clean at the end of the period and is part of your weekly class participation grade. I dismiss the class (not the bell) when I am completed with instruction or satisfied with lab/activity clean up.
Grading
Your grade will be weighted based on a number of assignments, tests, and projects throughout the quarter.
The percentage of your grade is estimated as follows:
50% Tests and Quizzes
40% Labs, Classwork, and Projects 10% Homework
Student Portfolios and Cooperative Project Folders
Students will create a portfolio folder with their name on it in the class in which they will keep all tests and quizzes as well exemplary projects/assignments with graded rubrics they are comfortable sharing with others on display in the class or bulletin board. In addition, there will be folders for sharing material among group members for coop research projects. When completing cooperative projects, students should insure other group members have access to shared computer files by storing them in Google Docs or emailing updated files to ALL group members each day.
Notebook
Your biology notebook must be with you in class every day and will be part of your grade. The ability to take notes, stay organized and study are essential skills you will need for success in college. All work including notes should be placed in the binder with the appropriate unit being studied and in chronological order (NOT individual sections for Class Notes, Homework, Quizzes, etc). This will facilitate the use of your notebook as a study guide for tests. See the notebook assessment rubric on the class website for specific notebook requirements that will be checked at each unit test.
Notebook Assessments will take several forms including:
1.Open Notebook Quiz (Content)
You will be allowed to use your notebook for unannounced, open-note quizzes. If you do not have your notebook with you, you will take the quiz without a notebook. Note that not all quizzes will be open notebook.
2. Daily Class Notes (Participation)
Notetaking during classes is part of your weekly class participation grade.
3. Notebook Check-Up at Unit Test (25% of test grade)
Your notebook will be checked, unannounced, during tests to ensure it contains all class material in the proper sequence. Notes must be highlighted as evidence that it was used to study. Notebooks must be brought with you to every test! (see notebook assessment rubric)
Classwork
All work is expected to be neat, in complete sentences, utilizing correct grammar and spelling. Work must be handwritten unless otherwise instructed.
Unless you are told that an assignment is group work, assume it is to be done individually. You may share data with others in your lab group. You may discuss activities with your group or classmates, but you must form your own answer in YOUR OWN WORDS! If you share an answer, you share one grade.
Cooperative learning is an important part of this course. All group members are expected to contribute constructively to assigned cooperative learning group and tasks. Constructive participation for
cooperative learning groups will be reflected in individual grades assigned by the teacher as well as your peers. Students must understand all aspects of a cooperative lab/project.
Homework
Weekly homework assignments will typically be due on Tuesdays unless otherwise noted. Homework must be handwritten unless permission is given to type it. Unannounced homework checks will take place from 2 to 4 times during a marking period. Not all homework will be checked. Sometimes particular assignments will only be checked for completion at the unit test when your notebook is graded. Weekly assignments will be announced in advance in class and on the class website.
Assignments will consist of:
Chapter outlines. Reading the assigned chapter(s) for that unit and creating a handwritten outline of the chapter, in which major concepts are described using text, graphs, and diagrams and bold-faced terminology is defined (See instructions on website).
Test Corrections and Reflection. Upon receiving graded unit tests, students will bring the test home to have it signed by a parent and complete the test corrections/reflection assignment attached to the class webpage. This will count as a homework grade as well as extra points on the test. ALL TESTS MUST BE RETURNED TO YOUR STUDENT FOLDER.
Choose a Science Times article or original, published research paper, Timeline or Biography of a scientist related to an assigned topic and print out the reference material. During designated class time you will bring your previously-printed material and complete that assignment or you will complete it at home (more details and rubrics on e-board).
At times, additional homework will be assigned to prepare for or reinforce classwork and labs, complete independent study, complete a class project, or address areas of weakness.
Unannounced homework checks will take place from 2 to 4 times during a marking period. Not all homework will be checked. Sometimes particular assignments will only be checked for completion at the unit test.
Late Assignments
Assignments, including homework, classwork, and independent or group projects must be completed by the beginning of class on the date due. Assignments turned in after collection time, or the following day will be marked late and will only receive half credit. Anything not turned in on the second day will receive a grade of 0.
Absentee Guidelines
You are responsible for finding out the work that you missed and arranging makeups. NO EXCUSES Absent the day the homework/classwork is assigned = due the day after you return
Absent the day due = due the day you return
Absent the day of the test you will make it up the day after you return unless other arrangements are made. Get in contact with the teacher the day you return to arrange a makeup. If you do not take the test during your scheduled makeup time, you will receive a zero grade.
Laboratory Guidelines
1. You will designate a section of your notebook for Inquiry Labs and Independent Research.
2. Many labs will require a lab report using the lab report/research paper format and rubric documents on the class website. Lab reports must be typed.
3. Data analysis and graphs must be completed using Excel or other software approved by the teacher.
4. Follow safety guidelines agreed upon by contract. These guidelines and rules are there to prevent you and your classmates from harm. If you are found disobeying these rules, you will face consequences.
5. Absolutely NO FOOD OR DRINK is allowed in the classroom during labs.
Sub Assignments are Worth a Quiz Grade
When I am absent, all students are expected to complete the assignment left with the substitute teacher.
Be sure to consult the class website for additional instructions or alternative assignments. All work will be collected at the end of the period and will carry the point value of a quiz. If you are present in school, be sure to turn in the sub assignment at the end of class. Late sub assignments will not be accepted.
Graduation Requirements
A passing grade in biology is now a requirement for high school graduation.
New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT)
The End of Course Biology Competency Test takes place in May. The test is designed to assess your mastery of biological concepts. All students taking Honors Biology must sit for the exam.
Biology Unit Outline
Unit 1: Foundations of Biology The Scientific Method
Unit 2: Ecology
Characteristics of Life Organization of Life Energy Transfer Biogeochemical Cycles
Human Impact on the Environment
Unit 3: Cells
Chemistry/Biochemistry Cell Structure and Function Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis
Unit 4: Inheritance Mitosis/Meiosis Patterns of Inheritance DNA/Protein Synthesis Biotechnology
Unit 5: Evolution and Diversity Process of Evolution Classification History of Life
Unit 6: Microorganisms Bacteria and Viruses Protists
Fungi
Unit 7: Plant Diversity Nonvascular Plants Vascular Plants
Plant Nutrition and Transport Plant Hormones
Unit 8: Animal Diversity Invertebrates Vertebrates
