Course Overview
Welcome to Biology! In this course, we will learn about the living world around us and the interactions between living organisms and their environment. The tentative schedule is as follows:
- Ecology: Levels of Organization; Trophic Relationships; Energy Flow; Biogeochemical Cycles
- Cell Theory: Cell Structure and Function; Macromolecules; Transport of Molecules
- Energy for Life: Photosynthesis; Respiration
- Cell Reproduction: Mitosis; Meiosis
- Genetics: Mendel’s Laws; Protein Synthesis; Mutations; Genetic Engineering; Biotechnology
- Evolution: Origin of Life; Evidence for Evolution; Population Genetics; Classification
We will be covering a lot of material, requiring that you spend time outside of class reviewing and studying. It is highly recommended that you exchange phone numbers and form study groups with your classmates.
Organization is the key to success in school and in life. When you come to class organized and ready to learn, and you keep up with your reading and homework, you are closer to success. My job is to provide you with the opportunity to develop your science skills. Your job is to utilize your time in and out of class so that you can succeed in this class.
Supplies
Every day you will need to bring a 3-ring binder with sections labeled for:
- Warm-Ups;
- Notes (with binder paper);
- Worksheets;
- Returned Labs
It is also recommended, but not required, that you purchase colored pencils (or borrow them from your little brother – he won’t miss them), a ruler, and graph paper. If you are unable to get any of the above (or if your little brother tattles on you), please talk to me. I’ll borrow them from my kids – we’ll make it work.
Absences, Make-up Work, and Late Work
It is your responsibility to make up work. This includes notes (remember those study groups we talked about?), homework, labs, and tests and quizzes. The following arrangements are only for excused absences. Make-up work for unexcused absences will only be allowed at the teacher’s discretion. You are expected to turn in any work that was due during your absence the day you return. If you are absent the day work is assigned, you have as many days as you were gone to make up the work. If you are absent for 4 or more days, a due date must be negotiated with the teacher (I like Haribo® gummi bears...) Labs, quizzes and tests must be made up at a prearranged time by 3:00 pm on the Thursday following the absence.
Late work is not accepted. If you want any points for your work, turn it in on time! It is better to receive partial credit for an incomplete assignment than a zero. However, I will not spend my time grading sloppy work that is turned in to receive partial credit. Please keep track of assignment due dates and test days to assure your success in this class.
Tardies and Bathroom Passes
Please make every effort to get to class on time. If you are not in your assigned seat when the bell rings, you are tardy. (I don’t feel tardy… what song is that from?) Habitual tardiness will earn you a lower participation grade as well as my eternal wrath (or at least three days of it). Please try to use the bathroom before or after class. I have little enough time to present all the information as it is, so unless it’s an emergency, don’t ask. If you have personal concerns about any of this, please talk to me soon.
Work and Grading
Homework and vocabulary will be assigned each week, followed by a vocabulary quiz on Friday (usually). In addition, announced or spontaneous quizzes may be given on homework or assigned reading – it all depends on how well you as a class participate and keep up with the work. Each chapter will be followed by a test, with several days advance notice. Labs are integral to Science; a write-up for each lab will be due on the Tuesday following the day the lab is done.
Classroom Behavior and Expectations
- Respect yourself; do your best work, come prepared and ready to learn.
- Respect other people: their person, their property, and their opinions (even though you may disagree with them).
- Class activities begin immediately and end only when I dismiss you.
- Raise your hand if you want to contribute to the current topic, and speak considerately when called upon.
- Be responsible for the choices you make.
Helpful Hints for Harmony
- No electronics out during class (pacemakers excepted);
- Bottled water only – NO eating!
- Don’t talk while others are talking – it’s just pwain wude;
- Participate – I need to know you’re getting it;
- Behave like the young adults that you are and not in a way that makes me have to boss you around;
- Stay at your table until the bell rings.
Grades
The following percentages are approximate and are subject to change:
Homework/Labs 35%
Tests/Quizzes 35%
Participation 5%
Study Hall 5%
Final 20%
93+ A
90-93 A-
87-89 B+
83-87 B
80-83 B-
77-80 C+
73-77 C
70-73 C-
67 -70 D+
63-67 D
60-63 D-
59 â if at first you don’t succeed…
I am really looking forward to working with you throughout this year. Learning is not just for school – it’s for life, and I am eager to learn from my experiences with you. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to me about them. Come see me before or after school. If email is better for you, that works for me as well – apugel@bitneyprep.net
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