Mr. Nance's Syllabus

Course Syllabus

Title: Biology

Instructor: Mr. James Nance

Office Hours: M-F 7:30-7:55 a.m. Room 107 (The instructor will announce changes in office hours during class.)

Course Text: BIOLOGY PRENTICE HALL 2004. PLEASE PLACE NAMES INALL BOOKS!!!

Course Purpose: This course is designed to prepare students for college level courses and help them understand critical issues applicable to all students, such as hunger, pollution, health and medicine.

Course Description: Biology is the study of living things and their diversity. As in most discipline, there is an information explosion, which makes it important to recognize unifying themes that pervade all of biology. These themes include but are not limited to evolution, diversity, and unity, genetics, organisms and their environment, regulation, structure and function, science, technology, and society.

Materials: Notebook, agenda and text are required for all classes. Paper, pen and pencils are also expected. Occasionally, other laboratory items will be required.

General Rules:

1.Come to class prepared to learn. You are expected to be IN YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT when the bell rings. This means to bring to class all the necessary materials. There should be no need to leave the classroom once the bell has rung. If you need to use the restroom you will need to go between classes during 5 minute passing period

2. Rules of conduct for the class room. When teacher is talking, you will be listening! Water bottles and book bags will NOT be allowed in the class room!! No throwing gum, pencils, erasers ect. This is a demeritable offense! The use of cell phones and ipods are strictly prohibited. If I see it, I take it!! (pg 13 in agenda book)

3.It is your responsibility to find out what the make-up assignment is. Follow your assignment sheet and check with your instructor.

4.Tests will be made-up upon student’s return to school. If absent only the day before a test, student is required to take the test the day of his\her return to class. (A review is generally all that is missed-no new material). If student is absent the

Day of the test, he\she will be required to take the test the day the student returns to class. If student misses additional days before or after the test date, before or after the test date, arrangements will have to be made with the instructor. The student is responsible for making up all work missed during class if making up a test at that time.

5.Late papers: WILL NOT be accepted for credit.

6.Absences: Work missed because of class absence will be made up on the following basis:

1. Work assigned prior to an excused absence is due on the date of students return or on the due date. Check your unit sheet carefully.

2. All quizzes and tests missed must be made up upon students return to school. If special arrangements are made at the instructor’s discretion, then failure to show up at your appointed time will result in a zero.

3. Assignments or tests missed because of suspension, either in-school or out-of-school, may or may not be made-up (student’s choice), If they are made up then only 1% will be given for every 10% earned.

4. Assignments missed because of unexcused or non-excused absences will not be made up and no credit will be given.

5. Assignments missed because of school activities must be made up prior to the absence unless arrangements are made with your teacher beforehand. This applies to all excused activities.

7. Cheating will not be accepted. The instructor and assignments will make determination of the act of cheating or tests involved will receive a zero with no opportunity to make item up. The administration may be notified.

8. Please become familiar with the rules for conduct at Bishop Carroll High School found in your student handbook. These rules will apply in this classroom and will be enforced.

Assignments:

Lecturing: Note taking is required during the lectures and notes may be turned in for credit.

Quizzes: Several quizzes will be given over each unit through the year.

Laboratory: One or more laboratory investigations will be performed per unit and is often done in groups of two to four. Individual laboratory reports will be written on most Investigations and handed in for credit. Oral and written directions are to be thoroughly followed. Standard safety procedures are to be followed as well. All students will be instructed in laboratory safety and must earn a minimum of 90% on a safety test before they are allowed to perform laboratory procedures. Students will clean up laboratory setting before they are dismissed at the end of class. Tardiness to their next class will not be excused. Students must report all accidents and are responsible for paying for broken equipment.

Worksheets and Assignments: There will be various assignments, which will complement the unit. Cooperative learning groups may be used with some assignments as well.

Films and Videos: These will be viewed periodically on pertinent subjects. It is advised to take notes as quizzes usually follow the completion of the video.

Tests: Objective and/or essay tests will be given following the completion of each unit.

Notebook: All notes, assignments, and laboratory reports should be kept in a designated notebook and in chronological order.

Semester Test: The semester examination will be comprehensive in nature; that is, it will cover all the information examined during the course of the semester.

Special Assignments: Several outside readings will be assigned during the course of the year. Your instructor will go over these readings with you in detail later.

50% of your grade will consist of the daily/homework includes lab. Reports, assignments, quizzes, and other projects.

The other 50% of your grade is based on your test scores. Letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

Grade check sheets will be completed upon request. Please leave sheet with instructor at the beginning of class and pick up after class is dismissed. Parents will be notified if a student is receiving a C- or below at the mid nine week interval. If you have any questions about your grade, please do not wait until the last minute. ASK!!! The semester grade will be calculated approximately by the scale below.

Office Hours: M-F 7:30-7:55 a.m. Room 107 (The instructor will announce changes in office hours during class.)

Course Text: Structure and Function of the Human Body. Thibodeau and Patton 2005 PLEASE PLACE NAMES IN ALL BOOKS!!!

Course Purpose: This course is designed to prepare students for college level courses and help them understand critical issues applicable to all students, such as Physiology, Health, medicine and Anatomy.

Course Description: This course emphasizes the important relationship between Anatomy (structure) and Function (physiology) and the bodies attempt to maintain Homeostasis.

Materials: Notebook, agenda and text are required for all classes. Paper, pen and pencils are also expected. Occasionally, other laboratory items will be required.

2.It is your responsibility to find out what the make-up assignment is. Follow your assignment sheet and check with your instructor.

3.Tests will be made-up upon student’s return to school. If absent only the day before a test, student is required to take the test the day of his\her return to class. (A review is generally all that is missed-no new material). If student is absent the

day of the test, he\she will be required to take the test the day the student returns to class. If student misses additional days before or after the test date, before or after the test date, arrangements will have to be made with the instructor. The student is responsible for making up all work missed during class if making up a test at that time.

5.Absences: Work missed because of class absence will be made up on the following basis:

1. Work assigned prior to an excused absence is due on the date of students return or on the due date. Check your unit sheet carefully.

3. Assignments or tests missed because of suspension, either in-school or out-of-school, may or may not be made-up(student’s choice), If they are made up then only 1% will be given for every 10% earned.

4. Assignments missed because of unexcused or non-excused absences will not be made up and no credit will be given.

5. Assignments missed because of school activities must be made up prior to the absence unless arrangements are made with your teacher beforehand. This applies to all excused activities.

6. Cheating will not be accepted. Determination of the act of cheating will be made by the instructor and assignments or tests involved will receive a zero with no opportunity to make item up. The administration may be notified.

7. Rules of conduct for the class room. When teacher is talking, you will be listening! No water battles or book bags will be allowed in class, no throwing gum, pencils, erasers, ect. This will be a demeritable offense . The use of cell phones and ipods are strictly prohibited. If I see it, I take it!! Please become familiar with all the rules for conduct at Bishop Carroll High School found in your agenda book. These rule will apply to the classroom and will be enforced.

Lecturing: Notetaking is required during the lectures and notes may be turned in for credit.