Course: Biology I

Instructor: Michael Jones

Website: http://biology.mrjones.com
Email: Michael.jones@school.net
Phone: 555-555-5555 ext. 55
Office Hours:
MWH 3pm-4pm
UF Periods 5 & 7

Course Description

Biology I is an entry level Biology course which is required for a standard high school
diploma. The course emphasizes a multi-representational approach to biology, with
concepts, results, and problems being expressed graphically, analytically, and verbally.
The course uses four themes to organize important concepts throughout the course:
science, technology, and society; evolution; the relationship between structure and
function; and science as a process. This Biology course involves the scientific study of
living organisms. The course considers the interactions among the vast number of
organisms that inhabit planet Earth. It presents the basic form and function of these
organisms, from cells to organ systems, from simple viruses to complex humans. It
delves into interactions between organisms, and between an organism and its
environment. It also looks into how biotechnology is used to improve our health and
daily lives. The following topics are covered in this Biology course: basic chemistry; the
structure, organization, and energetics of the cell; genetics; evolution; taxonomy;
microorganisms; fungi; plant biology; animal biology; environmental biology.

Required Materials

• Textbook: Biology: Concepts & Applications (Starr ©2008)

• 1 ½ or 2” three ring binder with dividers
• Pencils & Black or Blue Pens
• Highlighters
• Composition Notebook for Lab Projects
• Scientific Calculator

Note: Students who write papers or assignments in special colors such as pink or any glittery
colors will be asked to re-write the assignment again. Students will not be given extra time
to re-write their assignment.

Laptops
With the addition of the laptop program for all county students, this class will use
technology on a daily basis. A laptop is not required to use during class, but a computer
is required for submitting work. There will be no paper handouts of any kind for this
class, except the syllabus, quizzes, tests, and the final exam. If you do not bring your
laptop to class, you may choose to take notes during class on paper, but all assignments
and projects will be submitted via email and/or blog posts so having computer access at
home is crucial for those who do not have them for class.

Student Evaluation

Grading

Grades are performance based and include the quantity and quality of your work. Grading is
based on a point system, with letter grades based on the following percentages of total points
possible.

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

Grades will be calculated according to the following plan.

Homework 35%
Tests/Quizzes 25%
Lab/Projects 15%
Participation 10%
Final Exam 15%
Total 100%

Grades will be frequently updated and posted approximately every two weeks. Students
need to make sure they check their grades frequently so any discrepancies can be
resolved as soon as possible.

Participation & Effort

Respect

We Respect Ourselves. We Respect Each Other. We Respect The Environment. This is

our class motto. The faculty and staff’s goal is to create a positive and productive
learning environment for every student with these tenets. Learning is a privilege. If a
faculty member feels a student is not being respectful, he or she should give the student a
choice to improve or present an appropriate consequence for the student. There should
be a clear outcome for any decision a student makes that is not respectful nor meets a
school expectation. If a student feels a faculty member is not working through a conflict
respectfully, he or she should address this concern with the teacher, or with the teacher
and another adult. Remember that high expectations can also be respectful.
Communication

All teachers have a page on the School Website. The website content should always be
current. Teachers should respond to email, voicemail, or written correspondence given to
the office to put in a mailbox within 48 hours. Please plan to meet with a teacher in
advance. If you have a question or concern, please talk to your teacher first, advisor
second, and administrator third.

Laptop Use

Students are welcome to use laptops within the parameters of the technology and network
policy. Students are required to have laptops as a part of their curriculum. In the
classroom, laptops will be used at the discretion of the teacher.

Homework

Homework should reinforce classroom learning. It should also help the student study
independently and with self-discipline. We encourage students to create a setting at
home that is conducive to study, minimizing distractions such as television, computer
games, and loud music.

Late assignments

Students are responsible for notifying teachers about planned absences, turning in missed
assignments, and getting notes from any missed class including class missed because of
participation in co-curricular activities. For daily assignments, the student will receive at
least the number of missed school days to turn in any excused missed assignment. The
maximum amount of time students have to submit missed work is two weeks. After that,
they will not receive credit for late work. Unexcused assignments may not be made up
for credit with the exception of essays or long term projects, which will lose 10% per day
turned in late (for example, an A paper one day late would receive a B). Students
missing a quiz or test due to an excused absence will need to make it up on their own
time, not in class.

Absences

The school deems punctuality and attendance as a reflection of one’s seriousness of

purpose. Attendance is fundamental to effective learning. We expect all students to be
prompt and attentive. Students should miss school only in cases of illness and personal
or family emergencies. A student’s absence will be excused if a parent notifies the
school office in writing before the missed school day or by 8:30 a.m. the day of an
absence. Failure to notify the office of an absence by 8:30 a.m. without a valid reason
will result in an unexcused absence. The attendance office will be notified if a student
has an unexcused absence, which could lead to disciplinary action. This policy applies to
every school day, including alternative school events and field trips. Events and trips that
take place in lieu of class are integral to education, therefore, attendance is required.

Tardiness Policy

Tardiness disrupts class and is disrespectful to the classroom community. Being on time
is the student’s responsibility. A student is tardy if not seated at the time class is
scheduled to begin. If a student has three unexcused tardies for one class in a semester,
the teacher will notify the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s). If a student has five unexcused
tardies, administration will be notified and the student’s grade may be subject to being
dropped 5% (for example, from a B+ to a B). Students may not arrive late for final
exams—an unexcused tardy will result in a 0. There will be no rescheduling of exams
due to tardiness.

As shown in the grading plan above, you will have the opportunity to earn twenty
participation points every day. These points are based on participating in class, being on
time, and coming to class prepared. Each day you will have the opportunity to earn these
points. If you participate in class, are on time, and come to class prepared then you will
automatically earn these points.
• If you are tardy you will earn 0 participation points for the day.
• If you come to class without being prepared then you will only earn 10 of
these points.
• If you fail to participate in classroom discussions and classroom activities,
or fail to work until the end of the period then you will only be able to
earn up to 10 participation points for that day.
• Students using laptops for other activities and/or classes during class
without authorization will earn 0 participation points for the day.
These points add up and can be the determining factor between an A grade and a B grade.

Plagiarism and Cheating

Stealing ideas to use in one’s own written work is called plagiarism; stealing or sharing
ideas or answers in homework or tests is called cheating. Using translation software or
devices in completing assignments and representing the work as your own is considered a
form of academic dishonesty. There will be disciplinary action against any student who
plagiarizes, cheats, or is dishonest. Students plagiarizing or cheating on school work
receive no credit for the assignment in question and are not allowed to make up the
assignment. Students who are dishonest or cheat in connection with tests or activities
conducted outside the school’s program are also in violation of school standards. In all
cases of cheating, parents are notified of the incident. The disciplinary response to
cheating is seriously considered and may include dismissal from school.
Overview of Course Organization & Tentative Timetable

First Semester -

Week 1: Studying Biology

Week 2: Chemistry of Living Things
Week 3: Cell Theory & Organization
Week 4: Cell Theory & Organization
Week 5: Cell Division
Week 6: Cell Energetics
Week 7: Cell Energetics
Week 8: Cell Energetics
Week 9: Catabolic Pathways
Week 10: Catabolic Pathways
Week 11: DNA
Week 12: DNA
Week 13: Genomes & Sexual Reproduction
Week 14: Genomes & Sexual Reproduction
Week 15: Inheritance, Genes & Chromosomes
Week 16: Inheritance, Genes & Chromosomes
Week 17: Inheritance, Genes & Chromosomes
Week 18: Biotechnology

Second Semester -

Week 19: Darwin & Evolution

Week 20: Darwin & Evolution
Week 21: Origins of the Species
Week 22: Taxonomy and Classification
Week 23: Microorganisms
Week 24: Microorganisms
Week 25: Fungi & Plant Evolution
Week 26: Plant Structure & Nutrition
Week 27: Plant Reproduction, Development & Control
Week 28: Introduction to animals
Week 29: Animal Systems I
Week 30: Animal Systems I
Week 31: Animal Systems II
Week 32: Animal Systems II
Week 33: Animal Systems III
Week 34: Animal Systems III
Week 35: Ecology & Conservation
Week 36: Ecology & Conservation
Signed agreement

As parents/guardians of ______________________________________, we understand

and agree to the information outlined in this syllabus. We agree to support our student’s
efforts in this classroom. We will use the information in this syllabus—coupled with the
information in the School Handbook—to collaborate with our student’s teachers to
support his or her success.

______________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian

______________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian

I, ______________________________________, understand and agree to the

information outlined in this syllabus. I agree to uphold my teacher's expectations, to
communicate openly and honestly with my teacher, and to try my hardest in this class. I
will use the information in this syllabus—coupled with the information in the School
Handbook—to work with my teacher and my parents/guardians to be as successful as I
can in this class.

______________________________________
Signature of Student

I will keep grades online and they will be updated every two to three weeks. If you need
more frequent updates than that please don’t hesitate to email me for a progress update.
Grades will be located at http://biology.mrjones.com/grades.

I have included your password to be able to check your child’s progress throughout the
year. If for some reason your password does not work, please email me and let me know.

Your password is: _______________________________