Marine Biology Syllabus - St. John's College HS

Saint John's College High School Marine Biology Syllabus Course Code: 356 Grade: 12, Credit: 1

Teacher: Mr. Brown Email: sbrown@ Phone: (202) 363-2316 ext. 1955 Office Hours: M-F, 7-8am, Rm. 428

Course Description This is a general level course that will focus on marine organisms and the habitats in which they live.

Students will learn about the anatomy, feeding, reproduction, and the ecological importance of marine organisms. Students will be exposed to a variety of learning methods, such as lectures, laboratory investigation, dissections, reading, interactive online activities, reports, and projects.

Prerequisite: 3 credits in science & departmental approval

Materials iPad, Notebook, Pen and/or Pencil, e-Textbook

Required Text Download through Kindle Karleskint, G., Turner, R., & Small, J. (2012). Introduction to Marine Biology, 4th Edition. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.

Class Expectations What I expect from you & what you can expect from me: Honesty: academic dishonesty and cheating of any form will not be tolerated. Please share your own ideas with me. I as well will be honest in my interactions with you. Sharing answers to homework assignments is considered cheating, unless otherwise permitted by the teacher.

Respect: each other, each other's property, yourselves, the classroom, school property, and your teacher, and I will respect you in return.

Punctuality: class time is very limited; therefor both you and I need to be on time. Anyone arriving after the bell must have the proper pass to enter the class.

Preparation: bring all necessary materials, including but not limited to line paper, writing utensils, and completed homework. I will let you know ahead of time if there is anything else you should bring.

Cooperation: follow instructions without disrupting class. If you have a question or comment then raise your hand and wait to be called on. Time in the classroom is limited, so we as a class must stay on task.

Participation: students are expected to participate in a positive way in the class. Negative comments and/or disruptions will result in a lower grade as well as any necessary disciplinary action.

Companion Websites

3rd Edition wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=9780495561972&token=

Homework Homework will be assigned continuously throughout the year and according to teacher's discretion.

Homework will never be assigned as busy work. This means that homework should be turned in before the bell rings for class to start. Any homework turned in after the bell will be counted as late and will lose points accordingly. The only exception to this rule is if a student has an excused tardy or an excused absence. Students will lose 5pts for not writing their name on any assignment.

Tests & Quizzes Every chapter will conclude with a chapter test, which will consist of multiple choice and essay questions.

If a student is absent for a test then they will have the same number of days, as they are absent to make up the test. Tests will be placed in the testing center and the student is expected to take them on time without reminders from the teacher. Some test will require the student to stay after school. The time will be set according to the teacher's convenience. These rules apply to both test and quizzes.

Labs/Reports/Projects During the year students will be required to participate in labs. While in the lab the student is expect to act

in a mature and safe manner. If the student for any reason acts in a way that threatens their safety or that of their classmates will be removed immediately from the lab and be given a zero for the remainder of the lab. If the behavior continues then that student will not be allowed to participate and any further labs for the rest of the academic year. Depending on the severity of the incident the disciplinary violation may be referred to the Assistant Principal for Student Affairs for further disciplinary action.

Absent or Missed Work All absent or missed work must be made up within the same number of days that the student is absent.

Anything beyond that is considered late work and will lose points accordingly.

Accommodations Student accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basses. Please stay after class or stop by my

office to discuss any needs with me privately. Some accommodations can only be made with proper documentation, please refer to the student handbook for details.

Late Assignment Policy Late assignments will lose 50% of the possible points for every day that it is late. This includes projects,

homework, tests, quizzes, lab write-ups and any other assignments assigned by the teacher.

Computer Policy All students are required to set up a computer/print account at St. John's. They may do so by seeing Mr.

Colvin in the Technology Office.

iPad Policy IPads are only to be used for an etextbook, note taking, and turning in homework. Students are not

permitted at any time to play games, take pictures, instant message or charge their iPad during class. If the student is caught using an iPad in a manner deemed inappropriate by the teacher then they will be asked to put it away. If problems persist then the student my receive a loss of points or will need to take notes by hand.

Plagiarism At no time is a student allowed to plagiarize any work. Plagiarism is presenting another person work as

one's own. This applies to all assigned work such as but not limited to homework, research paper, and lab writeups. Please refer to the Saint John's College High School Student Handbook for clarification of disciplinary action that will follow an incident of plagiarism or cheating.

Grading Grades will be calculated as total points. This means that the student's grade can be calculated by dividing

the total points earned by the total available points, per quarter. Assignments will vary in point values. The categories will be as follows:

Homework (5-30 points per assignment) Labs/Practicals/Projects (50-120 points per assignment) Quizzes (5-40 points per quiz) Tests (50 -100 points per test) Participation (5 points per week)

Calculations for the year will count as follows: Quarter 1 = 20% Quarter 2 = 20% Midterm = 10%

Quarter 3 = 20% Quarter 4 = 20% Final Exam = 10%

* The Saint John's College High School Student Handbook will refer to any rules or guidelines that are not directly addressed in this syllabus. It is your duty as an informed student to read the handbook.

ST. JOHN'S

College High School

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LABORATORY SAFETY AGREEMENT

Marine Biology

In order to ensure that time spent in the Marine Biology Lab is a safe and positive learning experience, rules and regulations have been established that require each student's cooperation.

Read the information below; if you have questions, please ask.

It is absolutely vital that you understand each statement before participating in a laboratory experiment.

This agreement will be kept on file in the Science Department Office.

As a student of science at St. John's College High School, I will:

1. Perform only authorized experiments, following all instructions of the teacher. 2. Come to class properly prepared to do the experiment, by having read the procedures in advance and completing

any pre--lab work. 3. Wear appropriate protective equipment as requested by the teacher. 4. Learn the location and operation of emergency equipment; such as fire extinguishers, safety showers, and eye

wash fountains. 5. Not bring any form of food or drink into the lab. 6. Treat all chemicals, specimens, and equipment with the care it deserves. 7. Never remove chemicals or equipment from the lab without teacher's consent. 8. Clean up the lab station and wash hands at the completion of lab. 9. List below any allergies or medical conditions that may affect lab performance. 10. Report all accidents immediately to the teacher. 11. Act in a responsible manner at all times in lab by refraining from horseplay, pranks, and unruly behavior.

Because a science laboratory can be a potentially dangerous place if not treated properly, any student whose behavior is deemed inappropriate and/or in violation of the above rules, will be sent to the Office of Student Affairs immediately and will receive a zero for the remainder of the lab.

Extreme or frequent violations of the above rules can result in a loss of lab privileges and subsequent loss of credit for those activities.

Marine Biology

Acknowledgement

I

have read the Marine Biology Course Syllabus and Lab Safety Contract.

Student Name

I understand all expectations of me and agree to follow all of the rules set forth in this contract and syllabus by Mr. Brown as well as all rules described in the St. John's Student Handbook.

Student Signature

Date

I

have read the attached Couse Syllabus and Lab Safety Contract.

Parent/Guardian Name

I understand that my student must obey these rules to ensure the safety of all participants in the class.

Does the student have any allergies?

q Yes

q No

If Yes, please describe below

Parent/Guardian signature

Date

Parent/Guardian phone number

Parent/Guardian email address

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