Course Syllabus

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Spring 2021

Biology I

Marc Pooler

Email: Marc.Pooler@ucps.k12.nc.us                 

Phone:  704-708-5530

Canvas Class Website:  https://ucps.instructure.com/courses/203689

 

I am very excited to have you in Biology!  If you have any questions, the best way to contact me is through email.  Be sure to check CANVAS regularly as that will be the way information is mostly easily accessed and will be updated regularly.    

 

Class Rules:

 

You are expected to follow all Union County Public Schools and Weddington High School rules.  If you are unfamiliar with these rules, please refer to the pre-school packet that you received either in the mail or at orientation or that can be found on the school website.

 

Class Expectations: P.R.I.D.E.

 

  • Punctuality: Be on time!  See “Tardy” section below
  • Respect: Show respect to all students and teachers. No sleeping.  Pick up after yourself.
  • Integrity: Academic Integrity (More to follow)
  • Dependability: Show up, Have your work done, study. 
  • Excellence: Do your best.  Give 100%

 

Consequences:

 

  • 1st offense: verbal or written warning
  • 2nd offense: conference with student and parent contact
  • 3rd offense: after school detention (you will have 5 days to schedule detention).
  • 4th offense: other consequences will be used depending on the offense

 

What you will need: (Under current conditions, I don’t really know)

 

  • A binder of some sort. I will try to make all materials available via CANVAS, however, there will be some materials that you will have the ability to print at your convenience.  It might be useful to have a place to keep these stored for whatever end of course thing will be planned.  Do I know how this test will: look /be graded/be administered?  No, however, based on the fact that 2020 has felt like you ate too many $1.00 burritos at midnight and are now currently suffering from dysentery, I am sure you will be expected to complete an exam in a foreign language while riding upside down on a unicorn that you must capture from the Nether. 
  • Dividers for your binder: I don’t know how many you need, as I know nothing right now.
  • A writing utensil of some sort would probably be good. May I suggest a quill and ink jar?

 

 

 

What you will study: 

 

The semester will be broken down into the following 9 units:

  • Unit 1: Introduction – Scientific Method, Characteristics of Life, BioChemistry
  • Unit 2: Organelles & Cellular Transport
  • Unit 3: Cellular Energy, Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration
  • Unit 4: Cell Cycle – Mitosis & Meiosis
  • Unit 5: DNA
  • Unit 6: Genetics
  • Unit 7: Evolution
  • Unit 8: Classification & Kingdoms
  • Unit 9: Ecology

 

Homework:

 

  • Homework will be assigned on a daily basis.
  • PowerPoints will be pre-recorded so you can access them from your home.
    • Example: If you’re scheduled to come to class on Wednesday, then make sure you have logged into Canvas and completed all work that was assigned for Monday and Tuesday. There will be something for you to do EVERYDAY.
  • All homework will be graded. Homework will be graded for either completion or accuracy.  
  • You are responsible for keeping track of your homework assignments!
  • Late Homework Policy: If you do not have your homework assignment completed by the due date posted on CANVAS then it is considered late. You will have one extra day to turn in the assignment at a 50% deduction.  Trust me, that is better than a zero!

 

Grading:

 

Grades will be done using a weighted system.  Weights for assignments are listed below:

           

Test/Projects:  40%                                                 

 

Labs/Classwork/Homework: 40 %

           

Quizzes: 20%                                               

Tutoring:

 

I wish that I would be able to invite you into my room at time during the school day to seek extra help.  However, due to restrictions from Covid-19 this will not be possible.  If you find yourself in a situation where you need extra help or have questions regarding material, please email me.  From there, we can try to establish some type of virtual tutoring protocol.  If we find that this is not possible, then we seek permission for an after school tutoring session on an as needed basis.  Friday I will be hosting office hours and you can reach me during regular school hours. 

 

Labs:

 

I love doing hands-on lab activities but have not yet determined how to conduct them under current restrictions.  As we move forward with the year, I am hoping that with some ingenuity and creativity that we can find a way to participate in labs.    

 

Tardy:

 

I don’t know how this will work this year.

 

Absences:

 

At this point, we have been told that attendance will be conducted based on whether a student has signed into CANVAS each day and completed assignments.  If this changes, I will notify you about it. 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due