Class Syllabus Biology I CP - Spring 2023

Mr. Welch: Room F209, email: daniel.welch@ucps.k12.nc.us

Phone: 704-296-6319 ext.1955

Course Description: Biology is the study of life! This is a semester-long course designed to build upon the student’s prior knowledge of science and biology. Students will complete projects, labs and other activities on a daily basis. Every effort will be made to relate materials covered to student life and our society.

Course Outline: Each unit and semester will culminate with an assessment to display the level of student mastery of the content. 

• The Biology End of Course Assessment will be administered at the end of the semester and is worth 25% of the final grade. 

Daily Class Expectations: 

• Show up to class on time with all necessary materials for class.
• Be in your seat when class begins.
• Begin the daily warm-up activity at the beginning of each class. 
• If you miss class, or are late, warm-up activities are up to the individual student to complete and are not exempted for absences. 
• To limit distractions, cell phones or other devices are to be stored in a backpack(not your pocket, or on the desk). 

• Students will have the option to use cell phones on some occasions, but only when expressly given consent for research, or other class related purposes. 

• Cell Phones will be stored away during instruction. 
• No food in class.

Required Materials: These items must be brought to class daily.

• 3-ring binder at least 1” wide with at least 50 sheets of college ruled, lined loose leaf paper to be kept in the notebook. A minimum of 8 dividers and tabs to separate each unit’s notes and activities. 
• Chromebook and charger (Google chrome is the required browser)
• Ensure your computer is functioning and charged. 
• Pencils with erasers

Grading Policy: A weighted system of grading is used in this class. The categories listed below are used to calculate 75% of your final grade for the class. The remaining 25% of your total grade is from the Biology EOC. 

• Tests: 40%
• Quizzes: 20%
• Lab:25%
• Classwork/ Homework:15 %

Plagiarism: Students using part of another’s work without proper citation are guilty of plagiarism, and will be dealt with according to the WHS student handbook. 

Absent and Late Work Policy: In the case of an absence, students have one day from the due date to turn in an assignment. 

- Late work will be given a 0 in the gradebook until it is turned in, and graded. The purpose of classwork/ homework is to build upon your understanding of the content area we are studying. Repeatedly completing assignments late will cause you to not receive timely feedback and to remain behind the class. 

- To receive any credit for late work it must be turned in prior to the end of any grading period and the week prior to the EOC. (3/10, 4/28, and 5/26)

-If you are absent the day an assignment is due, you will not receive extra time. It must be turned in the next day you attend class.  

- All tests, and quizzes will be taken in person this semester. If a test is missed due to an absence, it must be made up in-person. Missed assessments must be made up as soon as possible, and must be communicated by the student when the test will be made up.  

-Class projects and/ or presentations will not be taken late unless previous arrangements have been made prior to the due date. If a presentation is missed it will be made up immediately upon your return to class. 

Class Resources: 

We will be primarily using two online platforms (Canvas, and Powerschool) throughout the semester. Please ensure the student and parent can access both of these early in the semester.  

CONTACT INFORMATION:

I am available to respond to emails and phone calls Monday-Friday 7:30am-3:15pm. I will not expect students to respond to emails or any other communications outside of Monday-Friday between 8:10am-3:05pm. The best way for you or a parent to contact me is through email. If you leave an email and request a phone call back, I will make every attempt to contact you by the end of the work day. 

Mr. Dan Welch

E-mail: daniel.welch@ucps.k12.nc.us 

Office Phone Number: 704-296-6319 ext. 1955