Greenup County High School



[pic] Name_____________ Period____Date_______

Greenup County High School

Special Topics: Life Science Syllabus

Teacher: E. Davis

Room 137

Textbook: Glencoe Biology, 2007.

Contact Information:

Email – edward.davis@greenup.kyschools.us

Phone – 473-9812

Web -

Course Description

This course will function as an introduction to the wider discipline of Biology. Emphasis will be placed on biochemistry, ecology, and cellular structure, function, and energy processes (respiration and photosynthesis). Biology is the study of life. It includes an introduction to the scientific method, cytology, genetics, botany, zoology, ecology, taxonomy, evolution, chemistry, and microbiology. Course work, lab work, and examinations will prepare students for future science courses. You will NOT have to take the KY state end-of-course (EOC) exam following this class, but only after taking the formal Biology course. This course meets daily for 50 minutes. Students will receive 1 full credit toward graduation.

Course Requirements:

1. Biology textbook

2. Paper/notebook & writing utensil

3. A good attitude

Course Assignments

Students will be exposed to various methods of learning: lectures, discussions, cooperative learning, videos, PowerPoint presentations, lab experiments, microscope work, group projects, and many hands-on opportunities will be provided.

Most of the work assigned can be completed in class. If it is not completed then it will be homework. When an assignment is due, it is due. In-class assignments, homework and class participation will account for about 25% of the student’s grade. Tests will account for the other 75%. In the days before a chapter test, we will complete a study guide or some type of review together in class. The majority of test questions stem from that study guide and class notes. Class notes and study guides are due the day of the test.

10% of the semester grade will come from a comprehensive final given just before Christmas break (for 1st semester) and before the end of school (for 2nd semester).

Topics to be discussed 1st semester

Biological Principles: themes, scientific method, and microscope

Ecology: overview of all topics

Cells: homeostasis, respiration, photosynthesis

Topics to be discussed 2nd semester

Basic Chemistry

Biochemistry

Cells: structure/function, transport, energy (photosynthesis, respiration)

Simple Genetics

This syllabus is worth 25 points at the end of the year… don’t lose it!!!

Name _________ Period____Date_____

Classroom Rules and Procedures

Mr. Davis

Science Room 137

Greenup County High School

A. Tardies

You are considered tardy if you are not in your seat at the end of the tardy bell.

1st tardy: Warning

2nd tardy: Warning & Parent Contact

3rd tardy: Discipline Referral

B. Restroom Policy

Class time is valuable and I expect you to go to the restroom before or after class. There is plenty of time between classes to take care of your business. I understand that special circumstances do arise, and in these situations I will sometimes permit a student to use the restroom, provided the following:

1. It is a genuine emergency

2. You must wait until I am done giving notes or instructions. If you interrupt me talking to the class or another student, you will not go.

3. Be respectful of this privilege, it is not a right. If a student violates this restroom privilege, he/she will not be allowed to use the restroom for the remainder of the nine weeks. Violating this privilege includes going somewhere other than the restroom, being noisy in the hallway, habitually needing to go to the bathroom, etc.

4. Any student with special circumstances regarding restroom privileges needs to provide a doctor’s note that can be kept on file in the main office.

• You have 3 passes per nine weeks.

• You will have to sign out/in.

• You must have an OFFICIAL hall pass.

Pencil Sharpeners

C. Sharpen pencils before class starts. If you break a pencil during class, you should have another pencil, sharpened and ready to use. If, by chance, both your pencils break, please raise your pencil and I will bring you a pencil to use. The pencil sharpener is loud and distracting to both the class and me.

Student Movement

D. Stay in your seat. No student should be wandering around class at any time. Do not get up to sharpen your pencil, throw things away, hand a paper to someone, etc. If you have trash, hold it until the end of class or raise it up and I will throw it away for you. If for some reason you must get up, raise your hand and ask, please.

Class Dismissal

E. DO NOT line up at the door at the end of class waiting for the bell to ring.

F. Assignments

Class Assignments

Classwork is assigned for a reason. It will be very difficult if not impossible to keep up with this class if you do not complete the work on time. All late work will be worth a maximum of 50% credit. This goes for class work that was not done, left at home, left in your locker, left in the car, eaten by a pet shark, etc.

Laboratory activities will be pulled from a variety of sources. Students should keep all lab information organized and complete. Laboratory grades will range from an assessment of data collected to full-length, formal lab reports. There will be as many laboratory activities as possible, but some sections are not conducive to learning with hands-on activities, so some chapters will not include laboratory assessments.

Make-up work for tests and certain activities is to be done after school when possible.

Absences

Class time is very important. For every day you miss, you are behind 1 hour in my class. It is much easier to be in class. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up the work. Do not expect me to come to you to give it to you or get it from you.

–All work for each day will be posted, so be sure to check for Assignments & Activities first thing when you come back. Any needed worksheets/notes will be in the class folder on the table at the front of the room. Class notes will also be available on my website.

–If you are still unsure or want to talk to me about the work, you can see me at the end of the period or after school.

–The length of time you have to complete assignments is based on the policy in the handbook.

Grading Policy

G. Grading Policy

Your grade consists of a simple 25%/ 75% breakdown. The 25% is made up of homework, class work, labs, and quizzes that aren’t being used as assessments. The 75% is made up of summative and other common assessments that are being used to check for acquired knowledge. This page is worth 25 points at the end of the year… don’t lose it!!!

Scale: 100 – 90 A; 89 – 80 B; 79 – 70 C; 69 – 60 D; 59 and below F

• SCALE: 100 – 90 A; 89 – 80 B; 79 – 70 C; 69 – 60 D; 59 and below F

It is my responsibility to act as a facilitator of learning and to adhere to the curriculum so that my students will have the best chance to do well. Students need to be prepared to work when coming to class. My goal is to have every student learn and succeed in this course and develop a strong foundation for success in future science classes and this will happen if the student actively pursues this goal.

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