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Science Department

Biology

Lab Physical Science

 

Lab/Physical Science

Course Introduction Instructor - Mr. Mauch

room – K-4

 

  • This course is designed to give you a background in laboratory techniques you will use in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. You will also develop skills in critical thinking and problem solving. You will learn by doing. Topics in science will be the springboard for a series of lab activities designed to sharpen your skills and further your knowledge.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

  • NOTEBOOK: Although there is a textbook for the class, more than half of the material for the year will be in your notes only. You are expected to keep all class notes, worksheets and homework's in a three ring binder. This should be kept in order for the entire year. Your notebook will be your most important study tool. It will also be graded at least once per semester. It will have the same value to your overall grade as a test.
  • HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned for most days. It will reinforce your abilities and understanding of the material you are expected to learn.
  • 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 improves this part of your grade. Poor behavior,failure to contribute to activities, absences, and tardies reduce this score.
  • LABS: Lab reports will be expected for all labs. You will usually have until the next class day to turn in the report. Your grade will be based on your 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.
  • PROJECTS: You will complete an independent project, involving the collection and interpretation of data.
  • 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. Extra credit points will be minimal. Thiose who need to improve their grade should take advantage of extra help opportunities.

GRADING:

Assignments

10%

Labs

24%

Tests/Quizzes

24%

Project

9%

Notebook/participation

9%

Final

24%

100 - 90% ---- A
89 - 80% ----- B
79 - 70% ----- C
69 - 60% ----- D
BELOW 60% -- F

Be aware: If the average score on assignments, labs, or tests is below 50%, the overall grade will be no higher than a “D”.

 

 

Attendance Policies

  • 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.

 

 

  • 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