Biology Syllabus - Mrs. Watson's Science Class



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Mrs. Ariel Watson Room 3204

awatson@ School phone (919) 562-3600

mrswatsonscience. Remind 101: Text @abiolog to

(919) 267-2591

[pic]COURSE OUTLINE

The following is a list of general topics that we will cover this semester in honors biology:

▪ Scientific Investigations

▪ Classification and Taxonomy

▪ Biodiversity

▪ Cells (structure and function)

▪ Cell Energy

▪ Cell Transport

▪ Biochemistry

▪ DNA & Protein Synthesis

▪ Cell Reproduction

▪ Genetics/Heredity

▪ DNA technology

▪ Evolution

▪ Ecology and the Environment

▪ Animal Behavior

EARNING CREDIT FOR THE COURSE

All biology students are required to take the North Carolina Biology End of Course (EOC) Exam. As per county policy, the Biology EOC exam will be given during final exams and will count as 25% of your final average. The exam will be cumulative, which it is why it is especially important that all notes and assignments are kept in your notebook until the end of the year. Nothing should be thrown away.

❖ As in the past, each student must earn a passing grade in Biology and pass the EOC to be able to graduate from High School in North Carolina.

GRADING SCALE (% CORRECT)

All assignments will be graded on a scale of 0 to 100. As set forth by the guidelines of Wakefield High School, the grading scale that will be used in class is as follows:

|A |100 - 93 |

|Homework & Classwork |30% |

|Quizzes, Quests & Tests |45% |

End of Year Grade Formula – In an EOC Course final grades will be calculated using the following percentages:

|First Quarter Grade + Midterm |37.5% |

|Second Quarter Grade |37.5% |

|Final Exam (State EOC) |25.0% |

RULES

Be prepared. – This includes bringing necessary materials to class, being seated and ready to work when the bell rings, and being intellectually prepared to be challenged!

Be respectful. – This includes listening when others are speaking, refraining from disruptive behavior, cleaning up after oneself, and using supplies and equipment safely and appropriately.

Obey the school rules.

WHS Honor Code: The students of WHS are committed to being honest and responsible in the completion of academic materials and interactions with the school administration and community. Cheating, stealing, plagiarism (passing off another's work, words, or ideas as one's own), and lying (including willful distortion or misrepresentation) are considered violations of the Honor Code. Through a joint fulfillment of this code, students and faculty will achieve their fullest potential in academic excellence and character.

CONSEQUENCES

▪ First offense – Friendly teacher reminder

▪ Second offense – Sit down with student to discuss how to alleviate the problem (Tardy for not being in seat at the bell)

▪ Third offense – Call home

▪ Repeated offenses – Administrative referral

* Severe disruption/violation of the honor code will result in immediate referral to an administrator, without warning

CHEATING

ANY form of cheating on ANY assignment will not be tolerated, and all students involved will receive a zero (0%) for that assignment.

ABSENCES

▪ Students are allowed 10 absences (excused or unexcused) per semester. If you exceed this number, you may fail the class.

▪ When a student is absent, they are responsible for completing/turning in any work missed due to their absence through one or more of the following:

1. While you are out, email me so that you don’t get too far behind.

2. Upon your return, check the makeup work notebook and folder. If nothing is in there, be sure to talk to me before class begins.

3. Turn in any work that was collected the day(s) of your absence.

4. Use SMART lunch to get notes or to makeup labs & take quizzes/tests that you may have missed.

• For each day you are absent, you will get one day to make up your work.

• If you are unable to complete your makeup work in that time, it is your responsibility to speak to me. This should be done outside of class time.

5. If you are at school for only part of the day, but miss class, you are responsible for the classwork and homework as if you were in class. If you know in advance that you will be missing class (i.e. if you are going on a fieldtrip), please see me to get the work ahead of time.

EXTRA HELP

▪ Students are strongly encouraged to come in during SMART lunch for additional help or to make up labs, quizzes and tests. My assigned days are Tuesday during B lunch and Friday during A lunch. Help is also available other days; a SMART lunch schedule is found on the board in the back of the class.

▪ For most units, I have created practice tests which can be found on Blackboard (log-in information can be obtained in the Media Center at the help desk). Students can access these test at any time and can take the tests an unlimited number of times.

UNEXCUSED TARDIES – PER QUARTER

▪ Students are expected to be on time for class every day and stay for the entire 90 minutes.

▪ If tardy, students will not be admitted without a pass (sweeper or common pass).

LOCKER/RESTROOM PASSES:

▪ Passes: Students will receive three hall passes per 9 weeks. The passes maybe used to go to the restroom or to your locker. If you use up your passes, you may not leave the room for any reason other than an emergency.

▪ When possible, trips to the restroom and lockers should be made during the six minute break between classes.

▪ 15-15: Per school policy, no passes will be provided the first 15 and the last 15 minutes of class.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

▪ Pencils with erasers (enough to last you all semester)

▪ A three ring binder

▪ Colored pencils (pack of 12 or more colors)

▪ Pens (any color, but blue or black is best)

▪ Notebook Paper

▪ 4x6 index cards (optional; good for vocabulary flashcards)

Please try to bring these by Monday, January 27th. They will be needed in class EVERYDAY!

TEXTBOOK

Each student may be issued a Biology textbook. You are responsible for keeping track and taking care of your books.

▪ Students will be charged for damage at the end of the course (with the exception of normal wear and tear).

▪ If the book is lost or unusable the replacement cost is $59.41.

▪ You are not required to bring the textbook to class everyday. In fact, I highly recommend that you leave your textbook at home to use as a resource when completing labs and homework assignments.

UPDATES

▪ If you include your email address on the student/parent information sheet, you can be sent class updates several times per month (i.e. test dates, study tools & information about review sessions).

▪ Feel free to email me (awatson@) if you have any questions.

▪ Sign up for text message reminders by texting @abiolog to 919-267-2591

▪ You may also contact me by calling the high school at 919-562-3600.

Open House will be Thursday, January 30th from 6:00pm-7:10pm. Hope to see you there!

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