Biology A Syllabus

Instructor Catherine Christensen Phone 415-759-2730

Office Room 234 Email christensenc@sfusd.edu

Office
Hours By appointment

Text: Biology, Prentice-Hall

Description:
The Biology course incorporates the Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Curriculum. There are four life science disciplinary core ideas in high school:
1) From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes, 2) Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics, 3) Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, 4) Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity.
During the first semester students will cover – Science Safety, Ecology-Interdependent Relationships, Ecology-Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration, and Introduction to Evolution. The course will consist of laboratory activities, and current science readings/discussions to support content material.

Goals: The goals of the Science Program at Lowell High School are: • To produce students with personal appreciation and respect for life leading to a positive involvement with the environment. • To encourage students to practice rational, critical thinking based on objective observations and open-mindedness, which are the essential ingredients of the scientific method of inquiry • To develop skills in manipulating materials and equipment for gathering, organizing and communicating scientific information based on observations and interpretations. • To ensure that the scientifically literate person has a substantial base of facts, concepts, processes and skills which enable that individual to continue to learn and think logically. • To have students appreciate the value of science and technology in society and to understand its limitations.

Methods:
Throughout the semester students will be exposed to a variety of teaching strategies. Students will work in cooperative groups to explore biological principles, create graphical summaries of investigations, collaborative posters, and create various group projects. The class is structured around cooperative learning and accountability as students work in groups at tables.

Requirements:
Students are expected to attend class daily, be on time, and to complete all assignments on time. Late work will not be accepted. Quizzes may be given unannounced. It is expected that students are to spend approximately 30 minutes each day outside of class time in preparation for Biology 1.
Cutting will result in a zero for all assignments on the day the student cuts. Students legally absent (with excused readmit slip) must make up missing assignments upon returning to class. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with the teacher to get missing assignments and to determine an acceptable time frame to complete assignments missed while absent. Assignments that are not completed and turned in as a result of student absence will be recorded as a zero.

Cheating in any form (e.g. plagiarizing, copying homework or lab assignments, and cheating on tests) will not be tolerated. The student(s) involved in cheating will receive a zero on the assignment or test. Students caught cheating will be referred to the Dean for disciplinary action.

Materials:
Students will need a composition book, binder, pencils, blue or black ink pens, loose-leaf binder paper, and colored pencils.

Evaluation:
Students are graded on an accumulation of points throughout each grading period and semester. Six-week grades are a reflection of semester progress. Points are given for each assignment. Approximation of grade category percentages are: Tests and quizzes 50%, lab activities 20%, class work 20%, homework 10%.
A+/A = 100-90%
B+/B- = 89-80%
C+/C- = 79-70%
D+/D- = 69-60%
F = percentage 59% and below. Teacher/counselor will contact parent of any student failing the course.

Citizenship grade: (given each grading period)
Excellent – students with outstanding attendance and class participation
Satisfactory – students with good class attendance and class participation
Warning – students who have two tardies or who disrupt class, lack preparation for class, unexcused absences.
Unsatisfactory – students who have three or more tardies, cuts, disrupt class, lack of preparation, cheating, unexcused absences.

Name_____________________________________ Block_______________________

I ___________________________________the parent/guardian of ________________________

on (date) _________________________have reviewed the course syllabus for Biology A.