MRS. P. THOMPSONAQUATIC SCIENCE SYLLABUS2016/2017

Room B222 email: Phone: 940-369-1123

Course Description: Aquatic Science is an upper level science course. Students will be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.

Course Objectives: In Aquatic Science, students study the interactions of biotic and abiotic components in aquatic environments, including impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Students who successfully complete this course will obtain knowledge about a variety of aquatic ecosystems, work collaboratively with peers and develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.(

COURSE CONTENT: FALL AND SPRING

1,2,3 / Scientific Processes and Safety / Texas Coastal Morphology
5 / Water is Life / 9B / Properties of Marine & Freshwater life zones
5B / Unique Properties of Water / 5C / Interrelationships among Organisms
5B / Water Quality / 5D / Interdependence among Organisms
5B / Properties of Sea Water / 11A / Flow of Energy and Matter in Aquatic Systems
6A / The Water Cycle/Nutrient Cycles / 10 / Adaptations of Aquatic Organisms
7A / Watersheds / 10A / Dichotomous Keys
4C / Weather and Data collection, GPS / 12 / Human Impact on Aquatic Systems
8A / Fluid Dynamics/ Density, Buoyancy / 12C / Invasive Species/Fish Farming
8B / Currents, Climates, Geologic Features / 12D / Fishing, Transportation, Dams
6B / El Nino, Currents, Hurricanes, Tsunamis / 12E / Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act
8C / Upwelling/ Lake Turnover / Marine Biology
9A / Types and Components of Aquatic Systems
Freshwater, Brackish Water, Salt Water / Life in the Sea
9A / Gulf of Mexico / Aquatic Biology
Water Pollution / Aquatic Birds and Animals
Science in the News / Future Careers

Textbooks: Texas Aquatic Science, R. Rosen. We will also be using additional resources including, but not limited to USGS and the NOAA websites.

The Ecocolumn: you will be creating an ecocolumn to mimic an ecosystem with a group of three. Details will follow later.

Field Trips: We will have several local field trips to a usable water source close to our campus. There will be two major field trips, one will be to the Dallas Aquarium in the Fall and the other will be in the spring to the Meadows Center. You will have to pay out of pocket for these trips but the experience will be unparalleled.

Science in the News: This is a course requirement. You will research a current scientific article in the news (preferably about aquatic organisms). You will give a brief summary of the article, describe how it relates to what you’ve learned in class and your opinion of the article. This will be done every three weeks.

Individual Projects: You will complete several individual projects once every nine weeks. This will be one of your summative grades. Occasionally you may be allowed to work with a partner or a group of three. Please produce your best work as your effort will impact others.

Dissections:There will be about 6 animal dissections in the spring including: jellyfish, starfish, crayfish, squid, dogfish shark

School Supplies List:

  1. 3 ring binder for handouts and notes
  2. Pens and or pencils

Electronic Devices: For instructional and safety purposes, the district permits students to possess personal mobile telephones; however, these devices must remain turned off during the instructional day unless I allow you to use it for research. Otherwise if a student violates this policy, the device will be confiscated. (SCOC, 34-35).

Grading Policy

Parents are encouraged to access to their student’s grades and attendance 24/7 via the Home Access Center available at Students will be graded on a numerical scale with 100 being the highest grade. A grade of less than 70 is considered failing. (SCOC 39-40). The grading policy is as follows.

Major Summatives: 60% This includes: tests, projects, research and lab reports

Minor Summatives: 40% This includes: quizzes, daily activities, quick labs

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Students are expected to be honest and ethical in their academic work. Academic misconduct is defined as any type of cheating that occurs in relation to a formal academic exercise.

Class Expectations

1.Be on time to class and in your assigned seat when the tardy bell rings.

2.Be courteous, respectful of others, and appropriate at all times.

3.Follow the district student code of conduct and student dress code.

I have read, understood, and agreed to the course guidelines for Mrs. Thompson’s Aquatic Science class.

______

Student’s name (printed) Student’s signature Date

______Parent’s/Guardian’s name (printed) Parent’s/Guardian’s signature Date

TUTORING TIMES: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 – 8:40. Afternoon tutoring on an as needed basis