THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT
Instructor: Ms. McCarthy
Office Hours: Room W106A by appointment
E-mail:
Objectives
Students will actively engage in the learning process and will develop an understanding of the core concepts of the living environment. Students will apply their knowledge of these conceptsin the classroom and real world.
Classroom Rules
1. Respect for all members of the classroom must be upheld at all times.
2. Students must be on time to class and prepared with materials. If a student is late to class, the student will receive detention. Cutting class will result in a 20-point deduction from the quarter grade.
3. All class assignments, labs, and homework must be handed in neatly and on time.
4. If a student is absent, the student is responsible for all assignments and missed work. A student must present a pass to the teacher after an absence.
5. No food or drink is permitted in the class or lab.
6. The use of any electronic devise must be approved by Ms. McCarthy. The student is prohibited from recording and photographing the teacher at any time. The school’s iPad and electronic device policy is stated in the student agenda book. Violation of the policy will result in academic/disciplinary action.
7. All work must be completed by the individual student. Any violation of the Honor Code will receive severe academic consequences as outlined in the student agenda book.
8. Sophomore Retreat: You are responsible for submitting work that is due before you go on retreat. Lab sessions or quizzes MUST be rescheduled prior to your retreat day. It isyourresponsibility to inform me as to the date of your retreat.
Materials
- Textbook: Biology (Miller and Levine)
- High Marks: Regents Living Environment Made Easy (Bookstore)
- SFP Lab Manual (Bookstore)
- 2” three ring binder divided into three sections: notes/class work, homework, and tests/quizzes
- Marble composition notebook for lab
- Two pocket folder
- Pencils and pens (blue or black ink only)
Grading
Class Work/Homework– 25%
Quizzes – 15%
Lab Work – 30%
Tests – 30%
*Each quarter grade and the Regents Exam grade will count as 20% of the final grade.
Description of Grading Policy
Class Work/Homework
Class work consists of daily assignments completed in class that will be routinely collected and graded. These assignments include, but are not limited to, group work, projects, handouts, and homework. Homework will be accepted up to one day after the due date with a 20-point deduction. In addition to the assigned tasks, students are expected to read each chapter along with class notes to ensure comprehension. If absent, you must get the assignment from your lab partner or from Ms. McCarthy. You may also refer to the website to check for assignments.
Quizzes
Several quizzes will be given each quarter. These quizzes can be announced and unannounced to ensure that the students are up to date on the material.
Laboratory Reports
In order to take the Living Environment Regents exam, each student must complete 1200 minutes of hands-on all labs with a minimum of 15 satisfactory lab reports.Four of the 15 labs are mandatory by New York State (Diffusion through a Membrane, Relationships and Biodiversity, Beaks of Finches, and Making Connections). All lab reports must be typed and turned in to turnitin.com on time. A hard copy of the lab must also be handed in with a copy of the turnitin.com receipt stapled to it. The labs will be due 1 cycle after the lab is completed. Late lab reports will receive a 55 for a grade. All lab activities must be printed and read prior to the lab. Lab quizzes may be given before or after experimentation. A student can miss one lab session per quarter with a legitimate reason. More than one missing lab will result in a zero for the grade.
Tests
Several tests will be given per quarter. Make up exams are not given. If a student misses an exam and has documentation, the grade will be dropped. If a student misses more than one exam per quarter, the student will receive a zero for the exam.
Course Syllabus for the 2014 – 2015 School Year
Chapter 1-The Science of Biology
Chapter2- The Chemistry of Life
Chapter 7- Cell Structure and Function
Chapter 35- Nervous System
Chapter 36- Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems
Chapter 37- Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
Chapter 40- The Immune System and Disease
Chapter38-Digestive and Excretory Systems
Chapter 39- Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
Chapter 10- Cell Growth and Division
Chapter 11- Introduction to Genetics
Chapter 12- DNA and RNA
Chapter 13- Genetic Engineering
Chapter 14- The Human Genome
Chapter 8- Photosynthesis
Chapter 9- Cellular Respiration
Chapter 3- The Biosphere
Chapter 4- Ecosystems and Communities
Chapter 5- Populations
Chapter 6- Humans in the Biosphere
Chapter 15- Darwin's Theory of Evolution
Chapter 16- Evolution of Populations
Chapter 17- The History of Life
Chapter 18-Classification
Chapters 22-25- Plant Physiology
Please sign below but do not detach.
I have read and discussed the course requirements and expectations for the Living Environment course with Ms. McCarthy. I agree and understand that is my responsibility to abide by the set of rules and satisfy the requirements to complete the course successfully. These course requirements have been shared with my parent/guardian.
Student’s Printed Name ______
Student’s Signature ______
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