Dr. E's

Biology

Syllabus

Course Description

     This is a laboratory course that covers topics in the Biology portion of the State Standards.  The essential topics will include cell biology, genetics, evolution, physiology, ecology and lab skills.  Topics after the STAR testing will include taxonomy and Health Issues.

 Behavior / Citizenship Expectations

To earn an O in citizenship, I expect you to:

·   Respect other students’ desire to learn and listen attentively.

·   Be cooperative and maintain a positive attitude.

·   Have no truancies and no more than one unexcused tardy per quarter.

·   Be quiet and ready to start working (have materials ready) by the second bell.

·   Act appropriately and safely during lab work.

·   Clean up thoroughly when you leave the classroom.

·   Tell me ahead of time if you will miss a test and bring an excuse note from your parents.

·   Ask your parents to email me if you have fallen sick on the day of a test.

·   The only thing that should enter your mouth during class is air and water from a bottle.

·   Turn in labs and homework on the day due.

·   No gum, food, drink (except water) or cell phone use (text, camera, games, etc.)in class. 

·   Follow the dress code.

To earn an S, I expect you to:

·   To follow the above rules with only minor infractions.

·   To have no truancies and no more than two unexcused tardies per quarter.

·   Have 2 or more unexcused tardies per quarter.

To earn an N, I expect you will have:

·   Violate the above on many occasions.  I will call your parents to report this type of behavior.

·   Have 3 or more unexcused tardies per quarter.

To earn a U, I expect you will have:

·   Been disrespectful to me or to one of the other students.

·   Been truant more than once.

·   Have 4 or more unexcused tardies per quarter.

·   Cheated on a test

Letter Grade Policy

A separate total will be kept for Formative material (Homework/Quizzes/Lab Reports – 30%), and Summative material (Chapter tests and review tests – 70%).  Grades will not be rounded up.  Students receiving a semester grade below C- will be advised to drop the class. There will not be any dropped tests. 

A+

96.0%

+

 
A

93.0 to

95.9%

 
A-

90.0

92.9%

B+

87.0 to

89.9%  

 

B

83.0 to

86.9%  

 

B-

80.0 to

82.9%

C+

77.0 to

79.9%  

 

C

73.0 to

76.9%  

 

C-

70.0 to

72.9%

D+

67.0 to

69.9%  

 

D

63.0 to

66.9%  

 

D-

60.0 to

62.9%

Grades will be posted in Pinnacle and updated at least every two weeks.

 

Tests

Tests will examine your ability to recall information and apply the knowledge. If you miss a test due to an excused absence, you must see me on the day you return.  Make-up tests involve only multiple-choice questions. Test may not be taken home, but students will have an opportunity to do test corrections.

 

Multiple Choice:

Genetics is the study of _____.

A. life                     B. time                    C. heredity             D. ecosystems       E. the body

True/False:

The basic unit of matter is the molecule.

Short Answer Problem:

Which structure in the figure is responsible for the voluntary, or conscious, activities of the body?

 

 

Homework/Quizzes/Labs

Homework will be turned in on the day of the test.  No homework will be accepted late except for excused absences and then within the same number of days you were absent plus one. 

Lab Reports are based on a 20-point scale and are due the day after the lab is completed. No lab reports will be accepted late. If you are absent on the day of a lab, you may be asked to write a report on the concept if the lab has been taken down and/or one week has elapsed. Failure to observe any of the safety procedures will result in the loss of lab credit and removal from the room. 

Assignments

Assignments are given 1) on the Internet at http://www.lcusd.net/lchs/mewoldsen or 2) verbally communicated in the class.  

Study Tips

 It is essential that you do all the work and reading, you take notes from the textbook and the lectures.  Make sure that you develop a thorough understanding of the proper uses of the Internet. If you need additional help use the links and review pages from the textbook linked to the website. 

Extra Help

 I will be available to help students after school by appointment and will only be available to those whose behavior in class is satisfactory.  Review sessions will be available before each exam.

 

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LAB SAFETY POLICY

La Canada High School

    While working in the laboratory, you will have important responsibilities that do not apply to other classrooms.  You will be working with materials and apparatus that, if handled carelessly or improperly, have the potential to cause pain serious injury or death.   A science laboratory can be a save place to work, if you are alert, cautious, and follow directions with care.  The following practices should be studied

 

·   Laboratory Preparation: Read the procedure and complete the pre-lab assignment before coming to class.  Follow the directions precisely (but paraphrase them) and make note of any changes in procedure given.

·   Eye Protection: Wear safety goggles at all times when doing an experiment involving chemicals.  If a chemical splashes into your eye, use the wash fountain by irrigating your eye continuously for 15 minutes.  Notify me immediately.  Never direct water from the faucet into the eye as the high pressure may cause more damage.

·   Conditions of Work Area: You should maintain a work area that is free of books, coats, book bags, chemical spills, excess chemicals, and trash.  No objects should be on the floor as this may cause someone to trip and fall. Cleanup spills immediately.

·   Disposal of Waste Material: Waste paper, towels, and other trash must be discarded in the wastebaskets; waste chemicals in the labeled waste containers.  Do not throw matches into wastebaskets except after running water over them.

·   Chemical Spills on Your Body: A safety shower is located in the laboratory and should only be used to wash chemicals from your body if the sink is not sufficient.  Contaminated clothing should be removed as soon as possible.

·   Fire on You or Your Lab Partner: STOP, DROP AND ROLL. Someone should immediately retrieve a fire blanket to roll in.  Never wrap a fire blanket around someone who is standing up, as this will cause the fire to rise to the head and chest area. If you are near the safety shower, get under it instead.

·   Fire in the Laboratory: Notify the teacher immediately if any smoke or fire is seen and then follow their instructions.

·   Accident Reports: Report any accident to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor.  This includes any burn, scratch, cut or contact with corrosive liquid (acid or base).  Also report any defective or broken equipment and other potential dangers at once.  But most important remember to stay calm.

·   Safety Stations: Know the location of the emergency shower, eye wash fountain, fire extinguisher, safety goggle storage, and exits.

·   Hair: Confine long hair with a band, hairpins or a hairnet.

·   Eating and Drinking: Since there is a possibility of food substances becoming contaminated, no eating or drinking is allowed in the laboratory.

·   Laboratory Conduct: Be courteous and exercise common sense.  There will be no practical-joking, running, pushing or horse-play.

·   Unauthorized Experiments: Under no circumstances should you conduct any experiment other than those that have been assigned, unless you have discussed it with me and have my permission.

·   Hands: Wash your hands in the sink before you leave the lab.  Avoid touching your eyes and face.  Under no circumstances are you to apply make-up in class.

·   Electrical Appliances: Always remove an electrical plug by the plug and not the cord.
This Safety Policy may be updated from time to time.

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