College Prep Biology

Metter High School

Course Syllabus

K. Chassereau

  

Course Description:

 

Biology is designed to provide students with an awareness of the structure and function of organisms and how these organisms are affected by the environment and human actions.  Major themes for this course include taxonomy and systematics, cellular structure and function, transfer of matter and energy through ecosystems, genetics and heredity, evolution and ecology.  The fundamental use of laboratory equipment and basic laboratory safety are essential to success in this class.  For more on the biology curriculum, reference the Georgia Performance Standards.

 

Textbook and Materials:

 

Biology:  The Dynamics of Life

Pencil and Black or Blue Ink Pen

1” binder

Notebook paper

5-section notebook dividers

Storage device for computer work (disk, cd-rom, or jumpdrive)

Thread bound composition notebook to be used as field journal

 

Science Department Website:

 

The Metter High School Science Department website provides links to textbook sites, class notes (when available), and other related study aids.  Online class notes are not intended as a substitute for in class participation.  Students are required to write notes in class.  If students have a printed copy of online notes, the notes must be on their desk during lecture/ discussion to be excused from writing notes during lecture.  Students are encouraged to use online notes as a framework for class discussions.  Often topics discussed in class, for which student will be held accountable, are not included in the online notes.

 

You may access the Metter High School Science Department Website at www.geocities.com/metterhs03/science.html. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grading Policy:

 

Regular Tests                    60%

Daily and Labs                  40%

 

  • Formal lab reports will count for three regular lab grades.
  • Late work:

Time Interval

Deduction

One day

10%

Two days

20%

Three days

30%

Beyond three days

The grade will be averaged with a zero resulting in no higher than a 50.

    • If an assignment is not turned in when the teacher asks for it, it is considered late.
    • Assignments are often self-graded orally during class time.  If work is graded in class, it will not be accepted late!
  • Students will compose a research paper and accompanying visual such as a PowerPoint presentation, tri-fold presentation board, video, etc.

 

Technology Guidelines:

 

Failure to complete work on the basis of technological difficulty will not be considered a valid excuse.  Although the option is available for certain assignments, it is not required that work be typed or turned in electronically. 

 

If work is submitted electronically, confirm one day prior to the due date to ensure that it has been received.  Use the following address:  [email protected]

 

It is best practice to ensure that printers and computers are fully functional beforehand.  DO NOT wait until the day of or day before an assignment is due to attempt printing. Ensure that (1) your document is saved on two disks in addition to your hard drive and (2) you have an alternate source for printing.  If the MHS library is to be your alternate printing source, ensure that the computer programs are compatible with your own.  Most home computers have Microsoft Works, but the school computers have Microsoft Word.  These two programs are not compatible.      

 

NEITHER A FLOPPY DISK NOR A CD-ROM WILL BE ACCEPTED AS AN END PRODUCT!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Academic Dishonesty:

 

Academic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating and plagiarism, will not be tolerated.  Cheating is the actual or attempted practice of fraudulent or deceptive acts for the purpose of improving one’s grade.  To plagiarize is to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s own. (Webster)  Proper citation (APA format) must be used when utilizing published works.  In addition, assignments must be your own work and not that of a current or former student, or that of a parent, sibling or other. 

 

There will be occasion for group work, but assignments turned in must be independently done. You may discuss homework in a general manner with other students, but you may not consult any one else's written work. Any similarity in form or notation between submissions with different authors will be regarded as evidence of academic dishonesty.

 

Unless otherwise specified, all work must be completed in your own handwriting.

 

Failure to comply with rules pertaining to academic dishonesty will result in a zero for the assignment and a referral to the office.

 

 

** The teacher reserves the right to make adjustments in course content and/or grading procedures as needed.

 

Remove the bottom portion.  Sign and return it to the teacher.

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College Prep Biology—Syllabus

Teacher—K. Chassereau

 

Student Name:  ___________________________________

 

 

Please sign below indicating that you have read and understand the policies and regulations herein. 

 

 

____________________________                   _______________________

Parent Signature                                             Date

 

 

 

____________________________                   _______________________

Student Signature                                           Date

 

** The teacher reserves the right to make adjustments in course content and/or grading procedures as needed.

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