Course Syllabus

South Carolina Standards:  (List the standards students are expected to master in this course)

• • B.2: The Student will demonstrate the understanding that the essential functions of life take place within cells or systems.
  • B.3: The student will demonstrate the understanding that all essential processes within organisms require energy which in most ecosystems is ultimately derived from the sun and transferred into chemical energy by the photosynthetic organisms of that ecosystem.
  • B.4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the specific mechanisms by which characteristics or traits are transferred from one generation to the next via genes.
  • B.5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of biological evolution and the diversity of life.
  • B.6: The student will demonstrate an understanding that ecosystems are complex, interactive systems that include biological communities and physical components of the environment

Biology I Honors Course Syllabus

A.W. Hosler- Seneca High School

2018 - 2019

 

Welcome to Biology IH- the study of life! This course is designed to guide the student toward a better understanding of the fundamental concepts and research in the science of Biology, the study of life. This is an advanced science class and as such, topics will be covered in more depth requiring students to use higher order problem solving skills. A major goal of this class is for students to learn and understand the facts, formulas, and principles that compose general Biology. Additionally, students will sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they learn to successfully perform scientific experiments.  This course gives students the solid grounding in the basic principles of Biology that they will need to be successful in a college science class. Students will also develop an appreciation of how Biology relates to their everyday lives.

 

 

Materials needed:

Textbook- Biology: Concepts and Connections by Campbell and Reese 8^th edition

Notebook- no spiral bound; 3-ring with loose leaf paper

Pencil & Pens- blue and black

Colored pencils

4 function calculator if possible

Composition notebook (for lab)

Safety goggles (I have a class set if you prefer)

 

 

 

Schedule for topics this year:

 

Science Engineering and Practices

Unit 1: Chemistry of Life (Biochemistry)

Unit 2: Cellular Biology (Form & Function)

Unit 3: Cell Energy

Unit 4: Cell Division & Cell Reproduction (Mitosis & Meiosis)

Unit 5: Patterns of Inheritance                                  

Unit 6: Molecular Genetics (Gene Expression)                                                                     

Unit 7: Evolution

Unit 8: Ecology

                                   

Expectations for a successful learning environment:

         All rules in the Seneca High handbook should be complied with.

         Show respect

         Being polite to other classmates and teachers (not talking while others are talking, staying on task, not getting up out of seat during class unless told to do so, etc.)

         Taking care of equipment and property of others (any misbehaviors, horse-play, etc in lab will result in a written referral, immediate removal from area, along with an alternative assignment to make up for the missed lab); clean-up in lab must be done after each lab and checked by teacher before leaving class

         Be accountable

         Being on time to class (in your seat with materials ready by the tardy bell)

         Being prepared for class with all materials everyday

         Getting your makeup work completed and turned in within 3 days of return date

         If you know you will be absent, get your assignments ahead of time

         Be resourceful

         Take care of bathroom breaks, guidance, etc before or after class (if you have a medical excuse, bring a note from your doctor)

         Studying and completing assignments is up to you- you are responsible for getting and completing all assignments on time

 

Rules and Consequences:

 

Rules:

1. Students must show respect towards the teacher, themselves, and other students.
2. Students should remain in their seats during class time unless otherwise instructed to do so.
3. Students should arrive to class on time with required materials for that day (homework, textbook, and notebook).
4. Students should not use phones during class unless otherwise instructed to do so.

 

Anyone who chooses not to follow Mr. Hosler’s rules will be subject to the following consequence:

1^st Offense:  Verbal Warning

2^nd Offense:  Lunch Detention

3^rd Offense:  After School Detention

4^th Offense:  student will be referred to the grade level principal

***Severity Clause:  if at any point the student’s behavior is deemed to be extreme or excessive, the student will be immediately sent to the office or removed from the class

 

Grading scale:

 

90-100 = A          80-89 = B         70-79 = C            60-69 = D           59 or below = F

 

 

Grading policies:

 

Major Assessments – 60% of Final Grade

            Test – 40%

            Formal Lab reports & Projects – 20%

 

Minor Assessments – 40% of Final Grade

            Quizzes & Informal Lab Reports – 25%

            Homework & Class work – 15%

         Daily Assignments will be given throughout each chapter (will include vocabulary    

       words, objective sheets, problems, study guides, etc)

         Tests will be given at the end of each unit or units may be split/combined depending on   

       the material

         Students are expected to participate in classroom discussions and exhibit appropriate   

       behavior that will enable all students to learn. Participation counts!

         Reading outside of class is encouraged!

 

Professionalism- You are a professional student - TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK! A good rule of thumb is to compare your behavior in this class to that at work.  What is not acceptable in a workplace is not acceptable here.  The following guidelines will be used to grade written assignments:

1. Complete sentences will be used in assignments unless otherwise directed.  A one word or short phrase answer will not earn full credit on assignments needing complete sentences.
2. Support for answers should be included in your response.  Referring to the text is an example of how to support an answer.
3. Also, follow the assignment professionalism guidelines explained by your teacher.

Seneca High School strives to provide students with the knowledge, skills, judgment, and wisdom they need to function in society as educated adults.  Students are expected to take responsibility for their learning and experience the pride that accompanies academic achievement.  To falsity or fabricate the results of one’s research; to present the words, ideas, data, or work of another as one’s own; or to cheat on an examination corrupts the education the educational process, impedes a student’s academic progress, and compromises the trust between teacher and student that is fundamental to the learning process.

 Guidelines for Academic Integrity

Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the coursework they submit.  The following are guidelines to assist students in observing academic integrity:

        Students must do their own work and submit only their own work on assignments (including homework), examinations, reports, and projects, unless otherwise permitted by the instructor.

        Students may benefit from working in groups.  They may collaborate or cooperate with other students on graded assignments or examinations as directed by the instructor.

        Students must follow all written and/or verbal instructions given by instructors prior to taking examinations, tests, quizzes, and performance evaluations.

        Students are responsible for adhering to course requirements as specified by the instructor in the course syllabus.

 

 Cheating

• If any student is caught cheating, I will follow the discipline action outlined in the “Academic Integrity Policy” section of the student handbook.

 

Power of I Policy: 2018-19

Goals:

1. To hold individual students accountable for their own learning.
2. To eliminate zeroes from student grades.
3. To increase remediation opportunities for students.

 

Policy:

1. Missing Assignments- Major and Minor
   1. Students are expected to turn in all assignments throughout the nine weeks.  Failure to turn in assignments will result in the following process:
      1. Once the assignment is recorded in the gradebook, the student will be assigned 5^th block to complete the assignment.  The student must either turn in the assignment before the 5^th block date, or attend the 5^th block session to complete the work.
      2. Students who fail to attend the 5^th block session or turn in the required work will be referred to administration for skipping a teacher assigned detention.
   2. Homework
      1. Homework assignments must be completed on time or a zero will be recorded in the gradebook.  The maximum percentage of the nine weeks grade for homework is 15%.
   3. For major assignments, students will receive an “I” for any incomplete assignments or assignments scoring below 60%*.
      1. For projects or lab reports which score below 60%, the student will be required to re-submit the assignment. 
      2. All students have the option to retest for a major test.  Scoring for the retest will follow SDOC guidelines.  This excludes benchmark tests and midterm or final exams.
      3. Students who choose to retest will be required to complete a remediation session before retesting within the time frame announced by the teacher.
      4. Students are required to retake tests for which they score below a 50%.