Pre-AP Biology Syllabus 

2020-2021 

Ms. Katina Pearson, Instructor 

Class website: mspearsonscienceiscool.weebly.com 

Email: ​kpearson@rich227.org 

Office Hours 

Wednesday: 11:00-11:30 

Thursday: 12:30-1:00 

Course Objectives:  
• To understand the fundamental principles of the evolution, taxonomy, morphology, 
physiology, behavior, and natural history of the major groups of living organisms.  
• To gain an appreciation of the incredible diversity in nature and the importance 
of the preservation of all life on earth.  
• To prepare students for future Honors and AP science courses offered at Rich 
Township High School. 
 
 
Grading 
Semester Grades will be determined in accordance with district policy, which is 
broken down as follows:  
1 st Quarter 40%  
2 nd Quarter 40%  
Final Exam 20%  
Total 100%  
 
Exams 
Material will be primarily from the lecture notes, labs, EdPuzzles, NearPods, 
Gizmos and Flip Grids but will also include assigned readings. Exam format will be a 
combination of diagrams, essay, short answer, and objective (multiple choice, 
matching, true/false, etc.).  
 
Semester Exam 
Will be comprehensive. It will count as approximately 20% of the semester grade.  
 
 
 
Quizzes 
There will be a quiz at least 3 times a month. This means that you MUST review 
class material.  
 
Make-up Exams 
All make-up exams must take place during the week following the missed exam.  
 
My Expectations of All Students​:  
• Attend all classes and labs prepared to work.  
• Students must silence all phones and put them away unless otherwise directed to 
do so.   
• Students will not bring or consume food, candy, or drinks in the classroom. LAB 
SAFETY!  
• Students must turn in all late work before taking an assessment (quiz or test). 
Late work will not be accepted after the student takes the assessment.  
• Students may complete test/quiz corrections before or after school or in SSP 
with the instructor, if offered.  
• Follow all school policies.  
• If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain your work from Schoology 
and complete it in accordance with the District’s make up policy. 
• Participate in class presentations, discussions and labs.  
 
Other Class rules 
1. Students will respect themselves, others, and school property.  
2. Students will be in their assigned seats and prepared for class (with their 
Chromebook, writing utensils and materials, textbook, and assignment book) when 
class begins.  
3. Students will be dismissed from class by the teacher and only when work areas 
are clean.  
4. Students will work to the best of their abilities and seek help when it is needed.  
 
Consequences for Unacceptable behavior 
1. First Violation - Warning.  
2. Second Violation-Parental Notification  
3. Third Violation- Referral turned in to dean.  
4. Fourth Violation – See student handbook.  
5. Fifth Violation – See student handbook.  
 
Cheating Policy 
Cheating and plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment or failure of the 
course. It is expected that all work turned in by you is completely your own. A 
repeat of this discretion will be referred to the Dean (1st offense means a zero 
and a letter home, 2nd offense means a zero, a referral and letter placed in file).  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I look forward to an exciting semester of Biology! 
 
 
 
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Parent Signature Date 
 
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Student Signature Date