Course Syllabus

Dear Parent/Guardian and Student,

 

As we begin this semester, I want to welcome and familiarize you with this year’s Biology objectives and requirements.  If you have any questions, conferences can be arranged with me.  Arrangements can be made by contacting your child’s guidance counselor or by emailing me at raji.suresh@ucps.k12.nc.us.  I believe it is important to maintain communication with parents/guardians for both positive feedback and feedback on areas of concern.

Textbook: We will use the online Stemscopes book as the main textbook.

Materials:

The following materials are required for Biology.  These should be purchased during the first few days of school.  If this is not possible, please let me know.

• 1½ inch 3-ring binder
• 10 tab dividers
• Loose leaf paper
• Colored pencils for lab drawings and projects
• Red pen

Optional Item:

• One Roll of Paper Towels, markers

Biology:

Biology is an introduction to the study of living things and their interdependence with the environment. Students will explore biological science as a process, cell structure and function, genetics and heredity, evolution and classification, diversity of living organisms and their ecological roles, and an introduction to animal structure and function. 

Course Content:

Biology is a state tested subject that requires an End of Course Test upon completion.  This course is also a graduation requirement. Students must pass the class and score a 3, 4, or 5 on the EOC to receive credit. All high school students will be tested on the NC Essential standards for Biology. To see a detailed description of the standards and objectives please access the following link.

NCDPI essential standards.pdf

Here is the approximate pacing. Minor adjustments will be made as needed.

 

Unit	Standard(s)	Days
Scientific Method/ Characteristics of Life/ Lab Procedures and Safety	Bio.2.1.2	6
Ecology	Bio.2.1.1/2.1.3/2.1.4/2.2.1/2.2.2	10
Biochemistry	Bio.4.1.1/4.1.2/4.1.3	8
Cells	Bio.1.1.1/1.1.2/1.1.3/1.2.1/4.2.1/4.2.2	10
DNA/ Protein Synthesis/Biotechnology	Bio.1.1.3/3.1.1/3.1.2/3.1.3/4.1.2/ 3.3.1/3.3.2/3.3.3	16
Cell Cycle	Bio.1.1.2/3.2.1	6
Genetics	Bio.3.2.2	8
Evolution	Bio.3.4.1/3.4.2/3.4.3	5
Classification/Animal Behavior	Bio.1.1.2/3.5.1/3.5.2/2.1.2/2.1.2/1.2.3/ 2.1.3/3.2.3/3.4.3/2.1.2	10
Human Diseases	Bio.3.2.3	1
Review	All	5

 

Honors:

Honors students will be required to complete extension and enrichment opportunities that are directly related to the NC Essential Standards.  All enrichment and extension opportunities have been chosen to prepare them for AP Biology or support our Medical Prep program.  Students who choose an honors level course receive an elevated number of quality points for their grade point averages.  Students should consider the challenges of an honors level course before making their choice.  Biology is a content rich course and honors is even more so. Tests may be more challenging.  Projects and presentations will often be more in depth.  Students will have to focus and study regularly to master the content. I am available for tutoring Tuesdays and Thursdays after school by appointment, as well as some days before school.  I am also available some Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, by appointment, for students who were absent and need to make up tests or work. Additional assistance is much more effective if students use it as soon as a concept or assignment is missed or misunderstood. 

Here is an example of a possible honors level objective and assignment. 

	Biology I	Honors enrichment or extension
Standard/Objective	Bio.4.1.3 Explain how enzymes act as catalysts for biological reactions.	Bio.4.1.3 Demonstrate how enzymes act as catalysts for biological reactions.
Example Assignment	Predict the effects of changing the enzyme and/or substrate concentrations on the rate of the reaction. Then perform the lab as instructed and evaluate your prediction.	Using the materials provided, design a lab or labs that will test the known properties of enzymes. Perform your approved lab and analyze your results.

 

Procedures:

 

All classroom expectations will be implemented according to the Central Academy Handbook.  This covers a wide range of expectations so you need to be familiar with EACH and EVERY aspect of this handbook.  

 

Expectations:

1. Be prepared with notebook, pencils, and required materials each day.
2. Food and drink are not allowed in class. Water is allowed if it is in a clear bottle.
3. Be in your seat and copying the question of the day when the bell rings.
4. Raise hand for everything. Choral responses are accepted upon teacher’s request.

Respect the teacher, fellow classmates and school property while following all aspects of the Central Academy Handbook.  This includes keeping your desk and lab area CLEAN!

Lessons:

When you arrive in the classroom, you need to be seated and do the following:

• take out all class materials
• READ the agenda on the board. Be sure to copy your homework into your planner
• begin working on your Task of the Day - you may use your textbook, notes and homework, however this is an individual task

 Homework:

Homework will be assigned EVERY NIGHT.  It is absolutely necessary that you complete and regularly review your homework. Review the student handbook for excused absences and turning in assignments for full credit.  LATE WORK MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED. Occasional exceptions must be arranged with the instructor and will never receive greater than 70%. Students will take a quiz each Friday, schedule permitting. Students who do not score an 80 or better on the quiz will have to complete a weekend homework assignment. 

Tutoring:

Students are expected and encouraged to attend tutoring as necessary to enable their maximum success in class. I welcome the opportunity to help students on an individual basis. I am available for tutoring Tuesdays and Thursdays after school by appointment, as well as some days before school. I am also available some Mondays, by appointment, for students who were absent and need to make up tests or work; just ask!

Final Grades:

Grades will be based on tests, quizzes, homework, class work and lab work.  LATE WORK MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED. Occasional exceptions must be arranged with the instructor and will never receive greater than 70%. (See the CATA policy for turning in assignments for full credit with an excused absence.) There is a state mandated End of Course Test in all biology classes.  You can prepare for this exam by accurately completing and reviewing assignments regularly. Passing the EOC with a proficiency level of 3, 4, or 5 is a graduation requirement.   

Notebook:  Your notebook will be a crucial aspect of your course work and grade.  You will be required to keep your papers ALL YEAR!  Your notebook will be graded once per grading period (or more) on the following criteria…

1. All handouts are in the proper notebook sections.
2. Student notes are complete and in the proper sections.

Note: The notebook will count as more than one grade. You will pass the notebook checks by following the above guidelines. 

Canvas: The majority of assignments not kept in the science notebook will be submitted on our new "learning platform," Canvas.  Assignments can be submitted a variety of ways including, uploading files, typing into text boxes, and sharing Google documents/presentations.  Students will be shown how to submit assignments on Canvas as well as create a shared Google folder for submitting Google documents and presentations on Canvas at the beginning of the semester.  Individual assignments will indicate which method of submission on Canvas is expected.  If students need a refresher or have questions, they can access the Canvas Student Guide for specific instructions.  It is the student's responsibility to ensure assignments are submitted on time and to contact the instructor if there is a problem. Please note that student activity is logged while in Canvas. This includes a log of student activities during on-line tests and quizzes.  Students are not allowed to leave the testing window during assessments.  Doing so is considered cheating and will be handled as set forth in the CATA handbook.

Graded Assignments:   Include many assignments such as lab work, classwork, and at home projects.

Tests and Quizzes:  Tests will generally cover two to three chapters.  Quizzes will be given as needed.

Your grades for each six-week period will be based on the following criteria:

            Tests                                       50%

            Quizzes                                  20%

            Homework                              20%

            Projects                                  10%

 

NOTICE: Although many assignments are submitted and graded in our new learning platform, Canvas, the "final" grades shown may not be properly weighted and do not contain assignments that were not graded in Canvas.  For the student's official grades, please continue to access the parent portal through PowerSchool. Login information is usually sent home with the students at the beginning of the year, and should be the same as last year. If you need assistance accessing the parent portal, please contact the school.

Resources:

The majority of our class resources will be available online through Canvas.  Students will have access to videos, class PowerPoints, interactive animations, and more.  Students will have access to a biology textbook in class. The textbook can be checked out to the student upon request.

Note: Students are responsible for lost or damaged books while in their care. Fines vary based on the book and/or the damage.

Parents may access the EmpowerED portal for additional information

 Absences and Snow Days: 

This course is extremely fast paced. Since we are on the block schedule, it is extremely important that you maintain good attendance.  If you are absent, please check the Canvas site, and see me in the morning when you get back to school, before classes begin. You may ask your classmates for any missed notes. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to get your make up work within the allowed limit. If you miss a test, be prepared to make-up the assignment on the day you get back, or arrange a time before or after school to come take it if you don’t want to miss instruction.

Assignments will be posted on the Canvas site to be completed in the event school is cancelled for inclement weather to prevent students from having to “double up” when they return to class.

PLEASE NOTE: All make up work must be completed in accordance with school policy.  Any work that is not completed in the established time frame is late and will not be accepted.  

Lab Privilege:

In order to retain lab privileges, students must:

• follow all instructions and rules on laboratory safety sheets in addition to all verbal instructions from the teacher
• dress appropriately based on pre-lab discussion (closed-toe shoes, long pants, etc.)
• wear protective eyewear - keeping these on at all times during the activity
• refrain from loud talking, running or moving too quickly, throwing items, horseplay and performing unauthorized lab procedures
• refrain from eating, drinking and gum-chewing
• come to lab prepared with all lab materials - including pre-lab work

Students who fail to follow these regulations will be removed from the lab setting and will receive a zero for the activity.  An alternate assignment on the same material will be required.

Biology will consist of many hands-on activities including projects, labs, presentations, discussions and cooperative learning.  We will be applying much of what we learn to “real world” issues.  I am very excited about this year and I believe with the help of parents and students, we can have a productive and enjoyable experience. 

 Sincerely,

Raji Suresh

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Please review this information carefully and sign below.  Retain the second copy of this plan in your notebook for reference throughout the year.

 

My signature indicates that I have read and am familiar with all classroom rules and procedures for Biology:

 

Student _______________________________  Date __________________

 

Parent ________________________________  Date __________________