Biology Syllabus

Mrs. Lawson

Objectives/Goals:

·  Teach students practical scientific skills, which they can use to investigate, study and explain the world around them.

·  Give students a deeper understanding of the how biology impacts their daily lives.

·  For each student to achieve the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Standards for High School Biology.

·  To encourage the spirit of scientific investigation and with it the attitudes of accuracy in thought and work.

Supplies:

·  1 Composition Notebook

·  4 glue sticks

·  iPad

·  Pen or pencil

Classroom Expectations/Rules

1.  Treat others and yourself with respect.

2.  Clean up after yourself. Leave the room cleaner than when you came in.

3.  Come to class on time and with your materials every day. You will be tardy if you are not in the room when the bell rings.

4.  No eating or drinking in class, unless given permission by the teacher.

5.  Have Manners. Raise your hand BEFORE you speak, you may speak once acknowledged.

Class Policies:

·  Late Work – Work must be turned in the day it is due to receive full credit, all other work will be considered late if not turned in when called for. Late grades will be given 1 day following the due date.

·  Makeup Work - If you are absent it is your responsibility to obtain any assignments you missed while you were gone. All Labs must be made up if you are absent. Labs are hard to make up so plan to be present every day. If you are absent during a lab you must make special arrangements to come in after school to make up the lab.

·  Tests- Tests are always planned in advance, so an absence on review day will still require you to take the test as scheduled.

·  Cheating/ Plagiarism - Cheating on a test or any assignment will result in a grade of zero for all involved (see ACADEMIC HONESTY CONTRACT). All electronic devices must be turned into the basket during tests!

·  Cell Phones/iPads - There should be no cell phones or headphones out in class unless authorized by the teacher. iPads will be used for the text book and some class assignments will use the iPad. Bring your iPad to class every day!

·  Leaving the Room - You may only leave the classroom with the permission of the teacher. You have 2 passes each six weeks. If you need to go to the nurse, restroom, office, library, etc. you may use your pass when given permission by the teacher to leave the room. Once your 2 passes have been used for the six weeks you may not leave unless it is a true emergency.

Grading:

·  Major Grades (60%)- quizzes, tests, CBA’s/Benchmarks, projects

·  Daily Work (40%)- labs, homework, etc.

·  Laboratory Work – All lab work is a mandatory part of this class.

·  Projects may be assigned throughout the year. Each project will include a handout of details, expectations, and grading rubric. To receive full credit for a project it must be turned in on the due date. Projects will only be accepted ONE day late and the highest grade possible will be a 70.

·  No extra credit work will be assigned. Do your best each day and you will not need any.

1st Six Weeks
Safety and Evidence Based Thinking
Ecology
Biochemistry / 4th Six Weeks
Genetics and Heredity
Evolution
2nd Six Weeks
Biochemistry (continued)
Cells
Photosynthesis and Respiration / 5th Six Weeks
Evolution (continued)
Classification
Viruses and Bacteria
Plant Structures and Adaptations
3rd Six Weeks
Cell Cycle
Protein Synthesis / 6th Six Weeks
Body Systems
Experimental Design