Course Syllabus

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

• H.B.2: The Student will demonstrate the understanding that the essential functions of life take place within cells or systems.

• • H.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.
  • H.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.
  • H.B.5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of biological evolution and the diversity of life.
  • H.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 1 CP Course Syllabus

Seneca High School

2022-2023

Mrs. Shaw

jshaw@sdoc.org

Welcome to Biology 1 CP!  Biology is the study of life.  In this course everything from the tiniest part of the cell, to how the whole biosphere interacts will be covered – including how we live! This course is designed to provide students with a better understanding of the fundamental concepts and research in the science of Biology as it relates back to our everyday lives. Additionally, students will sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they learn to successfully perform scientific experiments.  While learning biology is the ultimate goal, shaping the students into respectful young adults as they gain the skills to be successful far beyond the classroom is also a priority.

 

Materials: 

• 3-ring binder with pockets and loose leaf notebook paper
• Composition Notebook
• District provided Chromebook for accessing online course materials 

 

Topics of Study:

• Intro Unit: Scientific Inquiry
• Unit 1: Biochemistry
• Unit 2: Cell Biology
• Unit 3: Cell Energy
• Unit 4: Cell Cycle
• Unit 5: Mendelian Genetics
• Unit 6: Molecular Genetics
• Unit 7: Evolution
• Unit 8: Ecology
  

 

Classroom Expectations:
All students are responsible for reading and adhering to school rules located in the Seneca High School Student Handbook.  My classroom expectations are very simple: Be on time, be prepared, and be respectful.

 

**Tardy Policy: Doors will be closed and locked at the tardy bell. All students not in class will

report to administration.**

 

Not adhering to classroom and school rules will be subject to the following consequences:

1st Offense: Verbal Warning

2nd Offense: Teacher Detention

3rd Offense: Teacher Detention

4th Offense: Office Referral

 

** 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. **

 

Seneca High School Science Department Grading Scale & Policy:

 

  100-90: A   89-80: B   79-70: C     69-60:D   >60: F

 

Final Course Grades are broken down as follows:

1st Nine Weeks 40%

2nd Nine Weeks 40%

Final Exam 20%

 

Major Assessments – 60% of Final Grade

• Tests and projects

Minor Assessments – 40% of Final Grade

• Formal Lab Reports (x2), Homework, Quizzes, Minor Labs, etc. 

**For Biology 1, the state mandated End of Course Test counts as 20% of the final grade.  Each Nine weeks will count 40% of the final grade.

 

• Students are expected to participate in classroom discussions and exhibit appropriate behavior that will enable all students to learn.
• Studying outside of class is encouraged (TIP: You are more likely to remember material if you study a little along the way, instead of cramming the night before.)

 

Late Work:

• Homework: Any homework assigned will be a continuation of class work that was not finished during the class period.  With less time in each class this year, students may have slightly more work to do at home than usual. 

• Late assignments: Any assignment, both major and minor, will receive a 10-point deduction for each day it is late.  After 5 days, the student will receive a 0 on the assignment.

• If the assignment has not been turned in, the teacher will assign the student an enrichment period during Power Hour.  The student must attend the next available enrichment period to complete the assignment if they do not finish before that time. Students who do not attend the assigned enrichment period will receive lunch detention.

• Take every assignment seriously. If you are associating your name with any work, be sure it is the best possible work you can do

 

Absences:

If you are absent from class, follow these steps to get caught up:

1. Check the date located in Modules on Canvas
2. See Mrs. Shaw upon return and check the “Absent” Bin located in the classroom.  (Email Mrs. Shaw if you are out for more than one day)
3. Complete assignments within 5 days.  If assignments are not completed within 5 days, the late work policy will go into effect.

 

** If you are absent on a review day before a Quiz or Test, you are expected to still take the quiz or test if no instruction was missed. **

 

Retesting Policy:

Students who wish to retake a test regardless of their score can complete one retest per nine weeks, after completing a remediation process within one week of the original test date. The student will receive the higher of the two grades. 

• Students may be required to retake tests for which they score below a 60%.  The student will go to the teacher for remediation and will then take a retake test during an enrichment session.  The retake format will be decided by the teacher.

*Students will be assigned a grade on the retake based on the School District of Oconee County Grading Policy.*

 

Extra Help Procedures:

Students are always welcome and encouraged to come for extra help during Power Hour enrichment period. I am available to help in any way I can. To avoid any conflicts, it is a good idea to let me know ahead of time if/when you plan to drop in. 

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
Ist LUNCH	Meeting	DUTY	Enrichment	Lunch	Lunch
2nd LUNCH	CAT	Enrichment	Lunch	DUTY	Enrichment