Teacher: Mrs. Mylee Chow / Phone/voicemail: 707-693-6330 x 7205
Textbook: McDougal Littell’s California Biology
Online Textbook: / Email:
To view online grades: see our homelink website: / Conference time: Lunch or after school in room S-127 if scheduled with advance notice

Course Syllabus

2016-2017

This introductory course defines biology and its relationship to other sciences. We examine the overarching theories of life from biological research and also explore the fundamental concepts and principles of the study of living organisms and their interaction with the environment. We will examine how life is organized into hierarchical levels; how living organisms use and produce energy; how life grows, develops, and reproduces; how life responds to the environment to maintain internal stability; and how life evolves and adapts to the environment.

The course will be built upon the eight practices of science and engineering outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards:

1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)

2. Developing and using models

3. Planning and carrying out investigations

4. Analyzing and interpreting data

5. Using mathematics and computational thinking

6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)

7. Engaging in argument from evidence

8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Grading: Points are assigned to four categories; 25% final exam, tests and quizzes, 40% labs & projects, 35% work in class

Grading Scale (%):

A 100 – 93 / B+ 87-89 / C+ 77-79 / D+ 67-69
A- 90-92 / B 83-86 / C 73-76 / D 63-66
B- 80-82 / C- 70-72 / D- 60-62

Academic Honesty: Plagiarism or cheating of any kind is unacceptable and will be dealt with at the administrative level.

Materials: Please be responsible and bring your own supplies. These include a 3 ring binder (at least 1 inch), binder paper, pencils, and colored pencils.

Class Expectations:

  1. Safety first!
  2. No cell phones should be seen or heard during class time
  3. No food or open container drinks with the exception of water
  4. Come prepared

Attendance & Late Work Procedures:

•I do not accept late work for unexcused absences or negligence to do the work.

Parents should notify the attendance office each day the student is absent. Student not excused from school by parent/guardian will be considered truant. Work missed because of truancy may not be completed for credit.

•Homework and make up work: it is the student’s responsibility to check with the teacher(s) as to work missed during the absence and procedure to follow. Should the student choose not to contact the teacher(s) within five school days and make arrangements for work missed, the teacher is absolved of any responsibility for the student’s negligence in this matter and will record a grade of “F/0” for each of the assignments missed during the absence.

Restroom: Emergency-use only. Use the restroom during passing period.

Assignments: ALL assignments are due on time. If you wish to submit late work, you must come in during lunch to work on the assignment for credit. Late work will drop 10% for each day that it is late. Any work turned in beyond 5 days of the due date will not be accepted for credit.

Behavior: You are quickly approaching adulthood, and adult behaviors will be expected of you. I expect that you not talk while I am talking and I will refrain from talking when you are talking. Inappropriate language, notes to friends, drawing, throwing of objects, tampering with chemicals or other equipment, or other inexcusable actions will be dealt with and will depend on the offense.

Donations:

Every year we try to provide the best learning experience for our students through hands-on activities such as dissections. If you would like to donate any of the above supplies, please do so:

  • Nitrile/Latex gloves
  • Colored pencils
  • Markers
  • Colored or white paper
  • Hand soap
  • Scotch tape
  • Distilled water

If you have any questions, please contact me. Thank you for your support.

Please sign, cut and return this to your teacher:

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I ______(student name) have read and understand the above and will to the best of my ability carry out the duties asked of me as a student.

Parent Name: ______

Phone#/Cell#:______Email: ______

Parent Signature:______Date:______