Course Syllabus

College Prep Biology

Mrs. Leigh Wach

Email:  leigh_wach@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

Class Website:  http://www.parkview.net/mainmenu/teachers/lwach/index.html

Course Description:  This is an introductory laboratory course emphasizing process skills relating to the nature of biology, ecology, biochemistry, and cell biology during first semester.  During second semester, topics such as genetics, evolution, classification, a survey of kingdoms, and life processes within the various kingdoms will be studied.

 Textbook:        Biology by Miller & Levine, Prentice Hall, 2002.
                    Replacement Cost = $55.97

 Materials:        Notebook (3 rings with minimum of 1” rings)                 
                    Notebook Paper
                    #2 Pencils  
                    Blue or Black Ink Pens
                    Set of Colored Pencils                                         
 

Units to be studied:

Tardies:  You are expected to be in class in your seat when the bell rings.  The classroom door will be shut and locked when the bell rings.  If you are late to class, you will need to report to the nearest STAMP table/machine to obtain a pass to enter class.

The PHS attendance policy states that 3 tardies to class results in an unexcused absence for that class.  Eleven absences from class results in no credit for the course unless appealed.

Absences:  The student is responsible for any work missed.  It is the student’s responsibility to check the designated box when he/she returns to obtain the work missed or one should ask the teacher for instructions.  Work must me made up after school within the allotted time for makeup work.  See me to make an appointment for makeup work.  If an assignment was given before the absence, you are expected to be prepared for that assignment on the day that you return.  For example, if you were told on Monday that there will be a test on Friday and you are absent on Thursday, you are expected to take the test on Friday when you return.

Late Work Policy:  Late work will NOT be accepted.  You are now in high school which means more responsibility.  If you have personal issues please come talk to me and we will work together to help you be successful in my class.  I would not be doing you a favor by accepting late work.  I hope that this class will not only broaden your knowledge of science but also help you to become responsible and successful students.  A zero will be given for assignments not turned in on time.

Help:  I am available before (as early as 6:45) and after (as late as 3:00) school for help.  Don’t wait until the day before the test to come for help, come in as soon as you realize that you don’t understand.  Also let me know that you plan on coming so I will expect you and be prepared for you.

About the State End of Course Test in Biology:  The state EOCT for biology will be given during second semester and will count 15% of the second semester average.

About the Gateway Exam:  All students must demonstrate knowledge of the Gwinnett County Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) Curriculum. Students will be provided a booklet listing each of these AKS by course at the beginning of the school year. Ninth graders enrolling in 1998-1999 and beyond will need to pass the Gwinnett County Gateway Exam over the AKS before graduation. The Gateway Exam will measure students’ ability to write effectively about the science and social studies AKS covered in ninth and tenth grades. The exam will be administered in the spring of the tenth grade year. Students will have several opportunities to retake the exam if they are not successful the first time.

Grading: 
    Tests/Projects         30%
    Labs                   30%
    Daily Work            20%
    Exam                   20%    (Performance = 5% and MC Exam/EOCT = 15%)

**A notebook is required to be kept for this course. Your notebook will be checked throughout the semester.

SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT:  All science students will have the opportunity to earn up to 5 points on their final average by entering a project in the PHS Science Fair. If interested, you will need to attend a mandatory meeting on Aug. 27^th or 28^th. The PHS Science Fair will be held on Dec. 6, 2007.

Your letter grade will be determined by the grading scale for Gwinnett County Public Schools, which is as follows:

A = 90-100   B= 80-89      C = 74-79     D = 70-73     F = 0-69

Rules for Classroom and Lab:
--Be prepared for class everyday by bringing your book, notebook, and pen or pencil.
--No food or drink in the classroom or during lab.
--Rude behavior is unacceptable. You are expected to be respectful of your teacher (or anyone else) when they are speaking by being silent.
--Read and follow all directions, written and/or oral.
--No horseplay in lab or No unauthorized experiments. Don’t touch lab equipment until told to do so.
--Report all accidents to the teacher immediately.
--Leave you lab station clean & return equipment as told by the teacher.
--Do not throw anything in the sinks, sinks are not garbage cans.
--Hall passes are for emergencies only!! Take care of personal business before class!!
--Cheating of any kind evokes an automatic zero & a phone call home.  Students will be expected to follow the PHS Honor Code on all assignments and examinations.

Violation of the rules above will result in one of the following:  a warning, a detention, parent conference, or possible referral to an administrator if a problem continues. The consequence will be based on the severity of the infraction and decided on by the teacher.

Teacher reserves the right to adjust the syllabus, policies, and/or grading as necessary.