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Science Department

Biology

Lab Physical Science

BIOLOGY

course introduction

instructor - Mr. Mauch: room – K-4

• Biology is a college preparatory science course with emphasis on lab work. This course is designed to equip the student with skills and knowledge to help him/her to succeed in college science courses.Major areas of study include adaptations, ecosystems, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and gene chemistry, evolution, classification, vertebrate and invertebrate structure, and natural history. This course will take an inquiry approach. You will learn by investigation.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS 

• NOTEBOOK: You are expected to keep and organize a three ring binder in which you will put your text booklet, class notes, handouts, homeworks and labs for the entire year. This notebook will become a very important document. It will be collected at the end of each unit for a grade. Keeping an organized notebook will be necessary in order to pass this class.
• PARTICIPATION: The minimum expectation is that you are here on time with the needed materials. Beyond that, being an active and positive participant in class activities is important. Poor behavior, unexcused absences, or exessive tardies dramatically reduce this score.
• HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned for most days. Usually, homework will be kept in your notebook. It is expected that answers to homework questiuons are written in complete sentences which are understandable without referring to the book. 
• LABS: Lab reports will be collected after each lab. Your grade will be based on your written report and your performance during the lab.
• TESTS: Tests will be based on material from lecture, lab, and homework. Questions will be designed to test your ability to apply concepts discussed to particular problems.
• SEMESTER FINAL: The final exam will include material from the entire semester. A major portion of this exam will test your knowledge of the state science standards covered during the semester.
• EXTRA CREDIT: Any extra credit is at my discretion. Opportunities will be occasionally offered. If you do not take advantage of those opportunities, there will be no others.The total of all extra credit will make a minimal difference in your overall grade. If you want to improve your grade, see me for extra help.

GRADING

category----weight

your overall grade:

• A score of less than 50% in any one of the above categories will result in an overall grade no greater than a "D".

ATTENDANCE

• TARDIES: You are expected to be in your seat with your materials when the bell rings. Unexcused tardies are not acceptable. I do understand that sometimes there are emergencies. For this reason, you are allowed 7 tardies to be used for unavoidable emergencies. Referrals and parent contact will be made after the 3 rd, 6 th and 8 th tardies (excused or unexcused). Participation grade drops to ‘0” after eighth tardy.

• ABSENCES: It is very important that you attend this class every day. In order to be successful, it is your responsibility to keep absences to a minimum. Plan appointments, family outings and other "vacations" out of class time. This class can not be taken "independant study" or “home schooling” due to the lab nature of the course. Some labs can be made up after school. Others, due to the nature of the lab, can not be made up. Part of your grade will be a measure of your active participation in the class. Repeated tardies and absences will lower that portion of your total grade.

  • The school policy is that all absences are cleared by a parent by contacting the attendance office the day of the absence. Absences unexcusedwithin a day will be considered cuts. Cuts to this class will result in referrals, parent contacts, and loss of participation grade.
  • If you are absent on a day it is your responsibility to get any notes, handouts, or assignments missed during that absence. You will be given appropriate time to make up missed work. You will be given scheduled days to make up missed tests and labs. Make up times will be either at lunch or after school on scheduled days only. Since it is impossible to make up all activities, excessive absences will affect your grade. Makeup assignments and tests will only be accepted if the absence is excused in the office as mentioned above.
  • Athletes or others who will be excused early for a competition must meet with me out of class time before the competition to arrange make up time. Athletes must turn in assignments before departing for their event.
  • In February and March, there will be a three week long genetics lab. This is a time sensitive activity. Missing one day can affect a students ability to fully participate in the rest of the lab. Nearly 1/3 of their grade for the lab will be their attendance and participation each day. There is no way to do makeups since the chemicals and equipment are here for only three weeks and each days activity depends upon the previous day.

 

• NEED HELP? Here are four things to consider:

1. See me for extra help. Monday, Tuesday, or Friday at lunch, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday after school (2:45 -4:00), or seminar periods.
2. Visit my website: http://www.csun.edu/~jcm68622/ You will find helpful resources for study and practice, homework lists. Links to other sites.
3. Evening help : Wednesdays: 4:30-6:30 This is meant to be a way for those involved in extra curricular activities to get help and make things up. There will be minimal extra credit given to those who regularly participate in this in a constructive way.
4. Contact me: You can usually find me in room K-4. My extension is 1868. email: jmauch@ojai.k12.ca.us