Botany-Zoology+Syllabus

Ms. Joann Chartrand Joann.Chartrand@hcps.org
 * Botany & Zoology **

This two semester elective course investigates the characteristics of plants and animals through a laboratory-oriented program. In botany, we examine the origin, diversity, structure, and internal processes of plants as well as their relationships with other organisms and with the non-living physical environment. In zoology, we examine the laws of form and function, the basic biochemical, physiological, and developmental mechanisms that underlie all animal life. Successful completion of this course earns two half science credits.
 * 1) ** Course Description **


 * 1) ** Course Outcomes (Derived from Harford County Botany and Zoology Curriculum Guides) **
 * 2) Botany
 * 3) The student will identify and compare the reproductive and non-reproductive anatomy and physiology of vascular plants and differentiate between monocots and dicots.
 * 4) The student will explain the events that determine plant growth and development.
 * 5) The student will explain the differences between asexual and sexual reproduction of seedless and seed-bearing plants.
 * 6) The student will explain evolutionary adaptations resulting in classification of non-vascular and vascular plants.
 * 7) The student will describe the interdependence of plants and people.
 * 8) Zoology
 * 9) The student will sequence the development of a typical animal while explaining basic animal characteristics and animal behavior.
 * 10) The student will compare and contrast the taxonomy, characteristics and ecology of the lower invertebrates.
 * 11) The student will compare and contrast the taxonomy, characteristics and ecology of the higher invertebrates.
 * 12) The student will compare and contrast the taxonomy, characteristics and ecology of vertebrates.

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) ** Assessment **


 * 1) ** Grading **
 * 2) The final grade will be weighted based on:
 * 3) 25% participation, preparation, drills, daily class/home assignments (portfolio), 25% laboratory explorations, 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%. No credit will be given to work due during the first five weeks of the quarter turned in after mid-quarter.
 * 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.
 * 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 returned to you left at your seat will become a zero and will be recycled. Any graded work not picked up after each week will be recycled.
 * 8) Botany/Zoology 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 Botany/Zoology 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 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 the day they return to class.

The textbook used for this course will be Biology by Kenneth Miller and Joseph Levine, Prentice Hall 2006 AND/OR __Modern Biology__ by Holt, Rinehart and Winston 2004. Supplemental reading will be provided from __The Botany Coloring Book__ by Paul Young and __The Zoology Coloring Book__ by Lawrence Elson. Students may choose to purchase these coloring books through Amazon.com.
 * 1) ** Textbook **

Students should bring his/her planner, textbook, notebook/binder/folder, loose-leaf paper, a blue/black ink pen or pencil, vocabulary & 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...
 * 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.