Office Hours - to Be Arranged in Room C-8

DATA CP Biology Fall 2014

Mr. Martin –

Website: http://newburyparkhighschool.net/martin

Office hours - to be arranged in room C-8

Dear Students,

Welcome to Biology! Genetic engineering...world hunger...endangered ecosystems...technology and power...AIDS...cancer...the list of biology-related issues facing society and mankind grows longer daily. A basic understanding of the methods, possibilities, and limitations of science is essential for everyone.

This class is designed to prepare you for your beginning college science class, as well as fulfill your high school life science lab course requirements for graduation. This course will cover areas in genetics, cell structure, molecular biology (which will include some biochemistry), and many, many other interesting and intriguing science related topics. The following are very important points that will assist you in your success in Biology:

Grade Scale is as follows:

A – 89.0 à 100 %

B – 79.0 à 88.9 %

C – 69.0 à 78.9 %

D - 60.0 à 68.9 %

F - Less than 60 %

· Labs will be done and turned in as separate work. You will have a divider in your binder designated for lab write ups. The first half of the class is more lab intensive than the second.

· You will keep a notebook with all your work. WHY? You will be able to use your notebook to study for the midterm and Final exams. It is very important to keep all your work in order if you would like to be successful on these tests. If you should receive an improper score on any of your work then you must have the original to show me so that I can correct any mistakes. The note book will be 10% of your grade, and it will be collected only at the end of each sub term.

· What you learn from your labs, readings and other work will be assessed through the use of the following scale:

Tests/Quiz 35%

Projects/class work/Labs 25%

Notebook 10%

Homework 10%

Final Exam 20%

· It is highly suggested that you purchase the following: 3 Ring binder, dividers, pen, pencil, lined paper, colored pencils.

· TESTS – They will be approximately 60 % multiple choice, 40 % free response.

· Any late work will be accepted for half credit only up until the day of the exam. Exceptions can be arranged prior to absence with the instructor. If you are ill then your absence must be excused by a parent or guardian. Some projects may differ, but you will know well in advance.

DATA Biology

Fall 2014

Summary

Units of Study

1. The Study of Life?

2. Chemistry of Life

3. Cells

4. Photosynthesis/Respiration

5. The Cell Cycle

6. DNA

7. Biotechnology (DATA only)

8. Genetics

9. Human Inheritance

10. Evolution

****Passes to leave class – 5 points of extra credit each, which are awarded at end of the subterm, if not used. (Extra credit applied to Homework Grade)

CLASS RULES AND PROCEDURES

· No cell phones or I-pods in class, EVER

· Keep up with your assignments. Be on time!

· If you need help don’t wait until it’s too late… come see me!

· Come to class with all appropriate materials

· Show at least minimum level of courtesy while others are talking (you are not!)

SAFETY

All labs and class activities (including outdoors) will have a specific set of safety rules that we will go over in class. Adherence to these rules is very important, and anybody not following them will be promptly removed from the lab and take a zero for the day.