Biology

Biology Syllabus

** Biology ** ** Ms. Joann Chartrand ** **Joann.Chartrand@hcps.org**

This course investigates the characteristics of living things through a laboratory-oriented program that includes the nature of life, the continuity of life, and the diversity of life. Successful completion of this course earns one required science credit. Successfully completing this course and a passing score on the State High School Assessment for Biology is required for graduation.
 * 1) ** Course Description **

In this class, students will be assessed and evaluated by various formative and summative assignments including: class work, homework, laboratory investigations, quizzes and tests. Students are responsible for completing and turning in all assignments on the given due date. Failure to do so will cause a deduction in the grade received. Students are 100% responsible for making up any test and for obtaining all absent assignments including notes upon return to school. Students will have as many days absent from class to make up the work—**this includes non-class days**. Students should visit Ed-line for current grade updates and upcoming assignment due dates.
 * 1) **Course Outcomes (Derived from the Maryland State Core Learning Goals for Biology)**
 * 2) Skills and Processes: Students will—
 * 3) Use the language and instruments of science to collect, organize, interpret, calculate, and communicate information.
 * 4) Explain why curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism are highly regarded in science.
 * 5) Pose scientific questions and suggest investigative approaches to provide answers to questions.
 * 6) Carry out scientific investigations effectively and use the materials of science appropriately.
 * 7) Use appropriate mathematical processes and data analysis techniques.
 * 8) Show that connections exist within the fields of science and with other disciplines.
 * 9) Concepts of Biology: Students will—
 * 10) Use scientific skills and processes and major biological concepts to explain the uniqueness and interdependence of living organisms, their interactions with the environment, and the continuation of life on earth.
 * 11) Connect the structure and function of biologically important molecules to their relationship to cell processes.
 * 12) Understand that all organisms are composed of cells which can function independently or as part of multicellular organisms.
 * 13) Analyze how traits are inherited and passed on from one generation to another.
 * 14) Explain the mechanism of evolutionary change.
 * 15) Investigate the interdependence of living organisms and their interactions with the biosphere.
 * 16) ** Assessment **

The text book used for this course is //Biology// by Kenneth Miller and Joseph Levine, Prentice Hall 2006. Each student is provided with a regular text book and on line text book that can be used via computer at home.
 * 1) ** Grading **
 * 2) The final grade will be weighted based on:
 * 3) 25% participation, preparation, drills, daily class/home assignments, 25% laboratory explorations and maintaining a laboratory notebook, 50% quizzes, tests and independent/group projects for each quarter including a final exam.
 * 4) Any assignment turned in late will result in a grade of half credit or 50%.
 * 5) Long-term projects must be turned in the day they are due. Failure to do so will result in a decrease of a letter grade each day the assignment is not turned in this includes absences and days class does not meet.
 * 6) Student’s grades will be posted on Ed-line according to school master calendar guidelines. If you wish to dispute a grade, you must meet with Ms. Chartrand before or after school!
 * 7) You must pick up your graded work each week. Any graded work not picked up after each week will be recycled.
 * 8) Biology classes will meet every other day for the year. It is extremely important that students are present for class each day. **Attendance = Success!**
 * 9) If you are absent for Biology and then return the next day, you must see me to get your make-up work **__and__** to turn in any assignments that were due when you were absent. It is very important that you do not fall behind and are prepared for the next time class meets.
 * 10) Students who are absent from class should not use class time to find out what was missed. Students **__must__** see Ms. Chartrand in the morning or after school concerning missed assignments with their admit slip. Absent students will receive missed work. **Excused** absent students **will** receive credit for their work, **unexcused** absent students **will not** receive credit for their work.
 * 11) Students are given as many days to make up the work (including quizzes/tests)as days they were absent, this includes days we do not meet—this does not include long term projects, which are due on the assigned date--or weekends.
 * 12) Students who miss a quiz or test should be prepared to take the assessment within the make-up day window in the morning, Tuesdays or Thursdays afterschool--no exceptions!
 * 13) ** Textbook **

Students should bring his/her planner, textbook, notebook/binder/folder, loose-leaf paper, a blue/black ink pen or pencil, & any assignments due. A digital camera, calculator, colored pencils, scissors, and a glue stick are also good items to have on hand.
 * 1) ** Required Supplies **


 * 1) ** Additional Information **
 * 2) Items not allowed in class: food and beverages other than water, any electrical device including cell phones, I-pod/MP3 players, cameras, lap top computers, PDA’s, etc... unless permission is received from Ms. Chartrand and are being used for laboratory experiments.
 * 3) All rules, procedures, expectations, and regulations of C. Milton Wright High School and its property are in effect at all times.
 * 4) Supplemental handouts will be provided concerning: safety in the classroom and during laboratory investigations, templates for note-taking, writing laboratory reports, and portfolio assignments.
 * 5) Students found using a cell phone during class **will lose credit** for that day’s assignments as well as face the consequences set forth by the C. Milton Wright student handbook.