Teacher: Ms. Megan Berkle

Email:

Course: Biology

Term: Fall 2017

Room #: CS4

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will cover all aspects of the natural world including physical, chemical and biological processes. Focus upon cell structure, function, growth and genetics. Phylogenetic relationships, organism function, species diversity, symbiotic relationships and ecological interactions will also be examined.

COURSE TEXBOOK:

Miller, Kenneth R. and Levine, Joseph S. PrenticeHall-Biology. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

◻2, 3-ring binders
◻10 tab dividers
◻1 set of colored pencils
◻Highlighter
◻Pens/pencils
◻1 Glue stick
◻Looseleaf notebook paper

CLASS RULES & POLICIES:

Come to class on time with book and materials each day.

Listen and stay seated when someone is talking

Respect and be polite to all people.

Respect other people’s property.

 Do not eat, drink, chew gum or bring make-up into the classroom

 Assignments with ‘no name’ will initially receive a zero.

Illegible assignments will be redone or typed.

CONSEQUENCES:

 1st offense: verbal warning

 2nd offense: phone call home to parents

 3rd offense: written referral to office

**any further actions will result in parent/teacher conference to discuss ways to

improve behavior

HOMEWORK:

Homework will be assigned on a weekly basis. You are expected to complete homework the night it is given and have it ready to be checked the next dayin the beginning of the class. Each class day an assignment is late it will be deducted 10%. Assignments will be accepted up to two weeks.

CLASS TESTS:

There will be a class test given at the end of each unit. If you get a 69.4 or below on a test you will have the option to retake it one time. The test make-up time will be determined by the teacher.

LABS:

You will have a variety of lab experiences throughout the year. However, you will need to pass the lab safety test and lab equipment test in order to participate in lab activities. You and your parents must sign the lab safety contract which must be returned to the teacher on its due date. If the contract, is not returned you will not be able to partake in any lab exercises. If you miss a lab during the year, you will have two weeks to make it up. You will have to arrange a makeup time in advance with the teacher.

REPORT CARDS/INTERMS:

Students receive grades at the end of each quarter. Report cards are mailed home following the endof each quarter. Mid-way through each quarter, teachers will inform students oftheir current grade in the class. If a student has a 69.4 or below and is in danger of failing the parent will be notified by email. Only the final 20 week grade will go onto your final transcript.

CELL PHONES:

During class time, Cell phones are to be turned off or silent. Cellphone use during class is not allowed. Those who violate this rule will have their cell phoneconfiscated until it is deemed necessary to be returned.

GRADING SCALE :

A 89.5

B 79.5

C 69.5

D 59.5

F 0.0

GRADING POLICY:

I. Labs/Projects 35%

  1. Assessments 30%
  2. Homework/Classwork 25%
  3. Final exam 10%

*Class participation is scored based on engagement in class discussion and students providing

appropriate feedback during in-class discussion. It is part of your Homework/Classwork grade.

ESSENTIAL CONTENT STANDARDS:

Unit 1: Scientific methods

Unit 2: Cell structure, function and reproduction

Unit 3: Heredity and Codominant alleles SEMESTER 1

Unit 4: Genetics (DNA to protein synthesis)

Unit 5: Ecology (nutrient cycles, biomes, population growth, biodiversity)

Unit 6: Kingdoms & Taxonomic hierarchy

Unit 7: Evolution and fossil record

Unit 8: Human body systems SEMESTER 2

Unit 9: Vertebrates/Invertebrates

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN by TOMORROW.

I acknowledge that I have read and discussed the Biology syllabus with my parent/child.

______

Student’s name (please print) Student’s signature Date

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Parent/Guardian’s (please print) Parent’s signature Date