Biology Fall Semester Course Description
Mrs. B Schroeder & Mr. B Henry-Teacher

Course Objectives:
• To understand the basic principles of safety, scientific method, ecology, molecules and cells, heredity, molecular genetics, evolution and classification.
• To understand the incredible diversity in nature and the importance of the preservation of all life on Earth.
• To gain an appreciation and understanding of contributions made by scientists in biological studies.
• Explore career opportunities in the biological sciences.

Materials Required
All students are expected to show up to class every day with a pen/pencil, paper, 3 ring binder (per freshman requirements) and a spiral notebook.

Grading
Tests & Quizzes: 30%
Daily Work: 25%
Labs: 25%
Class Participation: 10%
Benchmark: 10%

CLASSROOM RULES
1. Respect yourself.
2. Respect others
3. Respect the property
4. Follow The C.H.A.M.P.S Framework

Consequences
1. Verbal Warning
2. Removal from class.
3. Phone call to parent.
4. Write-up.
5. Sent to office

Laboratory Rules/Procedures
1. Stay at your assigned lab table during the entire lab.
2. Do not talk to anyone at another lab table.
3. Wear goggles, aprons and gloves during all labs unless otherwise stated.
4. No Horseplay at any time.
5. Clean up your lab area before you return to your seat.
6. Wash hands thoroughly after all labs.


First Semester Material
• Safety and scientific method
• Biomolecules
• Cell structure and function
• Cellular Processes
• DNA/RNA
• Genetics

Procedures

Proper Assignment Appearance
All assignments should have a heading that appears at the top left-hand corner of your paper. The heading should include your name, date and class period. It should look like this:

Name
Date
Class Period

All assignments that are turned in should be written in blue or black ink or pencil.


Turning in Assignments/Homework
Turn your assignment into the designated box for your class period. Homework is to be turned in as soon as you walk in the door, before the bell rings. I will collect homework from the box as soon as the bell rings.

Late Work
Any work turned in late will be given the automatic deduction of 10 points per day.

Makeup Work
It is your responsibility to ask me for your makeup work. I will not remind you about it.

Extra Credit Work
There is no extra credit work in my class. I do offer many opportunities throughout the year to earn bonus points.

Sharpening Pencils
We will follow the C.H.A.M.P.S framework.

Food/Drinks
No, eating and drinking is not permitted in the classroom. This room is not only a classroom; it is a laboratory that stores many hazardous objects and materials. Eating and drinking are never safe activities around hazardous objects or materials.


Restroom
You will be allowed 3 passes for every 9 weeks grading period. If you need to use the restroom, wait until a good breaking point in the activities and quietly raise your hand. I will keep track of the pass use for the 9 weeks. If you run out of passes before the end of the 9 weeks grading period, you will need to plan your restroom breaks around this class. If at the end of the 9 weeks you have 1 or more restroom passes, each pass can represent 3 points added to a test grade of your choice (excluding Benchmarks). So, if you have 2 passes left at the end of the 9 weeks and you made a 75 on your first test of the 9 weeks, you now have an 81 for that test.

Tardies
The door will be locked when the tardy bell rings. If you are outside the classroom at that time you will report to Mr. Rodriguez’s office and will be counted tardy. The policy is as listed below:
1-3: warning
4-5: detention
6 or more: referral to your AP

Tutorials
Tutorials will be available every morning starting at 7:00 unless I have previously said otherwise. Also, Tuesdays and Thursdays, we will be available from 2:30 to 3:15.

Dress Code
Dress code will be strictly enforced. No exceptions will be made.

Profanity
I will not use foul language in front of you. I expect the same respect from you. When you go out in the real world, it will not be acceptable to blurt out obscenities whenever you feel like it. There is a time and a place for everything and this classroom is not the time or the place.

Cheating
Under no circumstances is cheating allowed in my classroom. If I catch you cheating in any way, your grade will be an automatic zero. No exceptions will be made. I consider cheating to include: copying someone’s homework, looking on someone else’s test, bringing any kind of testing aid to a test such as cheat sheets, notes written on hands, legs, arms or anywhere else, showing someone else your test, doing someone’s work for them, turning in someone else’s work with your name on it, and any form of plagiarism. This will NOT be tolerated. You will receive a zero for any assignment that you have cheated on and your parents will receive a phone call about the situation. Further information on this matter is addressed in your student handbook.








Please detach the following and return by Monday 8/29/11
………………………………………………………………………………………………


I have read the attached material and understand the rules and procedures required to be successful in Mrs. Schroeder and Mr. Henry’s class.


_____________________
Student Signature


____________________________
Parent Signature

Parent email address: ___________________________

Parent phone number: ___________________________

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
For parent records:

You may contact Mr. Henry at any time during the day by leaving a voicemail at (281)229-6538 or by email at bhenry@dickinsonisd.org

You may contact Mrs. Schoeder at any time during the day by leaving a voicemail at (281)229-6405 or by email at bschroeder@dickinsonisd.org


Thank you!
Brittany Schroeder
Blake Henry