General Biology Syllabus 2015-2016

Instructor:

Mr. Enriquez

Class:

Room 231

Tutoring:

Tuesday-Thursday 8:00am-830am
Or by appointment

E-mail: aenriquez@piusmatthias.org

Course Description:
General Biology is a science course devoted to the study of living things and their
processes. Throughout the year, this course provides an opportunity for students to
develop scientific process skills, laboratory techniques, and an understanding of the
fundamental principles of living organisms. Throughout this course, students will
explore: chemistry and cells, energy transformation, genetics, human anatomy &
physiology, evolution, and ecology.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Develop a vocabulary of appropriate terminology to effectively
communicate information related to biology;
Develop a deeper understanding of how biology impacts our daily lives;
Demonstrate laboratory procedures used to examine biological concepts;
Demonstrate information literacy skills to access, evaluate, and utilize resources to stay current in the field of biology;
Approach and examine issues related to biology from an evidence-based perspective;
Communicate clearly and in a way that reflects knowledge and understanding of biological concepts and demonstrates
the ability to adapt information to different mediums (posters, manuscripts, PowerPoint, iMovie, etc.).
Required Textbook:
Access code for Mastering Biology with eText of Krogh, Biology: A Guide to the Natural World (5th edition)from
Pearson Education.
o Mastering Biology Website:
http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/northamerica/masteringbiology/
o Course ID: enriquez25487
Course documents (assignments, assessments, etc.) will be located on the Mastering Biology platform. To gain access to this
platform, visit the Mastering Biology website above to purchase an access code from Pearson education. Important: access
codes must be purchased from Pearson education or they will not work for the course.
Students are responsible for ensuring that they have daily access to a technological device and Wi-Fi to access the Mastering
Biology platform.
Additional Required Materials:
$25.00 lab fee
o Paid to business office no later than Friday 08/21/15]
o Receipts must be shown to instructor.

Pens (black or blue), pencils, & highlighters

Colored pencils
1 Binder2 Heavy Duty 3-Ring Binder with college ruled paper and 5 dividers
1 Composition Notebook, Graph Ruled
Ruler [1 foot in length with inches and centimeters]
Calculator
Ream of Paper for the Classroom

Grading Procedure:
A

90-100%

80-89%

70-79%

60-69%

*Anything below a 60 will constitute a no pass/fail.

Percent of Total Grade:

Unit Exams
Unit Quizzes
Final Exams
Labs & Lab Write Ups
Projects & Papers
Binder, Homework, & Classwork

20%
10%
20%
20%
15%
15%

Powerschool:
All grades are accessible on Powerschool for both parents and students. If you or your parents are concerned about your grades
or want to double check your grades, please check Powerschool. Parent and student login information will be provided by
administration.
Student and Parent Sign In: https://piusmatthias.powerschool.com/public/

Grade Determination
Exams, Quizzes, & Final Exam:
I.
II.

Exams will be given for each unit covered (each worth 100 points). Exams will be composed of several parts, each
testing different levels of understanding and comprehension.
Quizzes will be given throughout each unit (each worth 10-30 points). Quizzes will be utilized to test the students level
of understanding and preparation before the test.

III.

The final exam for each semester will be cumulative and worth 200 points.

IV.

Make-up exams and quizzes will be allowed pending instructor approval.

Laboratory Participation & Write-Ups:

I.

Laboratory participation points will be earned for each lab (worth 25 points). Reasons for losing participation points
include (but are not limited to):

a. Being overly disruptive or off-task;

b. Committing a grave safety violation or multiple misdemeanor violations;
c. Being disrespectful to classmates or instructor;
d. Missing data.
II.

When a lab is conducted full documentation is expected within the laboratory (composition) notebook. Laboratory
notebook structure will be further explained in class. Laboratory notebook composition will be evaluated at regular
intervals and will be worth 50 points. Although labs will typically be conducted in groups, each student must complete
their own notebook entry.
Page

III.

In addition to maintaining a comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date notebook, students will be expected to produce
typed lab reports periodically. All lab reports will be submitted to www.turnitin.com. Typed lab reports are graded on a
rubric scale and worth 100 points.

Projects and Papers:

I.

II.

During certain units, projects will be assigned that require students to effectively illustrate and/or communicate
newfound scientific knowledge using a pre-determined medium (poster, PowerPoint, iMovie, etc.). Projects are graded
on a rubric scale and will be worth 20-100 points.
During certain units, research papers will be assigned that require students to engage in honing their research and
writing abilities by writing an evidence based research paper. All research papers will be submitted to
www.turnitin.com. Prior to submitting a final paper, students will be required to submit an outline and drafts to
www.turnitin.com.

Homework & Classwork:

I.

Throughout each unit, homework will be assigned on Mastering Biology. Homework assignments are worth 10-30
points. Students are expected to complete homework assignments on Mastering Biology before the due date and time.

II.

Throughout each unit, classwork will be assigned to promote comprehension of unit content. Classwork assignments
are worth 10-30 points. Students are expected to work diligently during the time allotted for classwork. Incomplete
classwork will be worth no more than 50%.

Binders (periodically checked throughout each semester):

I.

A 2-inch three-ring binder will be required for this course. Binders will be composed of the following sections, with
appropriate dividers:
a.

Reference SheetsThis section should include all pertinent reference sheets for this course (syllabus, grade
calculation sheet, laboratory safety rules & guidelines, etc.).

b. NotesThis section should include daily notes. Notes should be kept in chronological order.
c.

AssignmentsThis section should include written classwork and homework assignments completed and
returned throughout the semester. Assignments should be kept in chronological order.

d. Lab Handouts and Lab ReportsThis section of your binder is for your lab sheets and typed lab reports that
have been corrected and returned by your teacher. Keep all returned lab sheets and reports in chronological
order.
e.

Tests/QuizzesKeep all returned tests and quizzes in chronological order.

Make Up Work and Late Work

Exams, Quizzes, and Final Exam
I.

II.

Exams missed due to an excused absence are allowed to be made-up. It is the students responsibility to email the
teacher when absent on an exam date(via email) prior to returning to class to schedule a make-up date and time. Exams
missed due to unexcused absences will not be allowed to be made-up. Quizzes missed due to an excused absence will
follow the same procedures as listed for tests.
If a student misses a semester final exam, the student will be required to make-up the final exam on the school
determined final exam make-up date.

Laboratory Participation & Write-Ups

I.

Students must have an excused absence to make-up laboratory activities. Laboratory activities missed due to unexcused
absences will not be permitted to be made-up. It is the students responsibility to email the teacher when absent to
inquire about missed laboratory activities and to make-up the lab within two days of return to school. Students should
note that it might not be possible to make-up labs missed due to excused or unexcused absence due to resource
limitations.

Papers & Projects

Page 3

I.

Students are expected to submit all projects and papers before or on the due date. Students will be penalized for late
submission of papers & projects due to excused or unexcused absences. Late papers and projects are penalized 25% per
day beyond the determined due date.

Homework & Classwork

I.
II.
I.

Students will not be permitted to submit Mastering Biology homework after the listed due date and time on Mastering
Biology. All homework assignments on Mastering Biology must be completed prior to the due date and time to receive
credit on the Mastering Platform.
A student must have an excused absence to make-up and submit written homework for full credit. Written homework
not submitted due to an unexcused absence will not be permitted to be made-up or submitted for credit.
Students must have an excused absence to make-up classwork activities and assignments. Classwork activities and
assignments missed due to unexcused absences will not be allowed to be made-up. It is the students responsibility to
email the teacher when absent to inquire about missed classwork activities and assignments and to make-up the activity
or assignment within two days of return to school.

Late work
I.

Homework will follow the school wide late-policy:

i. Freshman
1st quarter: 70% maximum if late; if submitted by following class meeting
2nd quarter: 50% maximum if late; if submitted by following class meeting
3rd, 4th quarter: 0% if late
ii. Sophomores, Junior, & Seniors
0% if late

Late homework will not be accepted from sophomore, junior or senior students.
During the first quarter of the school year, freshmen students will be allowed to submit-late homework assignments to a teacher, by the
following class meeting, for 70% of the total assignment credit. If a student does not submit the assignment by this time (no
exceptions) they will receive a zero for this assignment. During the second quarter of the school year, freshmen may submit late
homework for 50% credit; if submitted by the following class meeting. If a student does not submit the assignment by this time (no
exceptions) they will receive a zero for this assignment. During the third and fourth quarters of the school year, freshmen students
will not be awarded credit for late homework. Please note that while credit may not be awarded for assignments submitted later than
the following class meeting, teachers are happy to provide students with valuable corrections and feedback on any submitted
homework.

Classroom Policies
Tardy Policy
I.

You will be considered tardy if you are not in your proper seat when the bell rings, and you are unprepared for class
(i.e. missing notebooks, books, pencils, etc.). Tardy students will receive detention. Habitually tardy students are
subject to further disciplinary action (conduct referral, Saturday detention, probation, conference with Dean, and
suspension or expulsion).

Behavior Policy
I.

You are expected to follow all student behavior and lab safety guidelines at all times. Student lab safety contracts will
be discussed and distributed at the beginning of the semester.

Bathroom Policy
I.

You will receive four hall passes for the semester. These hall passes may be used for bathroom breaks. You only get
four per semester, if they are all used up, then you are not allowed to leave the room. In order to leave the room with
permission, you must obtain the hall pass, and sign the hall pass log near the door. Upon returning you must sign in and
obtain my signature.
Page 4

Food and Drink Policy

I.

Food is not permitted in the classroom because it distracts from learning. Lunch and snacks must be put away or
finished before entering the classroom. Water will be the only beverage allowed in the classroom. Students may bring
water in a bottle that does not leak. Food and drinks (water included) are prohibited in and during science labs to ensure
safety by preventing the ingestion of contaminated substances.

Dismissal Policy (End of Class)

I.

Students are to remain in their seats until I dismiss the class. Class will be dismissed verbally after the bell has sounded
and the classroom is cleaned up with desks organized in their rows. Upon dismissal, students are expected to walk as
they exit the classroom.

Disciplinary Policies
Discipline Policy
I.

II.

The following guidelines will be followed in the event of a minor discipline problem.
a. 1st incident: Conference with student (warning)
b. 2nd incident: Instructor detention
c. 3rd incident: School Detention, Parent-teacher conference
The following guidelines will be followed in the event of a major discipline problem.
a. Conduct referral and administration determined disciplinary action (e.g. suspension, expulsion, etc.).

Academic Honesty Policy

I.

II.
III.

As a community, St. Pius X- St. Matthias Academy (PMA) students, parents, administration, and faculty strive to foster
a sense of trust by endorsing an academic integrity policy. This policy requires that students produce honest work and
hold their peers and classmates accountable for their actions. It is PMAs goal to create a community of students that
value academic integrity and hold each other responsible for their actions.
Academic dishonesty committed either directly or indirectly by an individual or group is subject to disciplinary action.
Prohibited activities include but are not limited to the following practices:
a. Cheating, including but not limited to unauthorized assistance from material, people, or devices when taking a
test, quiz, or examination; writing papers or reports; solving problems; or completing academic assignments;
b. Plagiarism, including but not limited to paraphrasing, summarizing, or directly quoting published or
unpublished work of another person, including online or computerized services, without proper documentation
of the original source;
c. Purchasing or otherwise obtaining prewritten essays, research papers, or materials prepared by another person
or agency that sells term papers or other academic materials to be presented as ones own work;
d. Taking an exam for another student;
e. Providing others with information and/or answers regarding exams, quizzes, homework or other classroom
assignments unless explicitly authorized by the instructor;
f. Any of the above occurring within the Web or distance-learning environment.

Communication
Parent-Teacher Communication
I.

Parents are the primary educators of their children, and my job as a teacher is to support parents in that role. I expect to be in
communication with parents not only if there are disciplinary issues, but also when their children have successes in the class.
Students are encouraged to attend and participate in conferences with parents and teachers.

Page 5

Return this portion no later than: Wednesday, August 19th (Period 4)

Keep the syllabus for reference throughout the semester.
Student Signature
I have read the syllabus for General Biology and agree to fulfill the requirements and expectations of the course.
________________________________
Student Name Printed

___________________________________
Student signature
Parent Signature

I have read the syllabus for General Biology and understand that my student will be held accountable for its contents. I
recognize that there is a lab fee of $25.00 that must be paid to the business office no later than Friday August 21 st
and that I will be billed for this fee if it is not received on time.
________________________________
Parent 1/Guardian 1 Name Printed

___________________________________
Parent 1/Guardian 1 Signature

If the instructor needs to contact a parent 1/guardian 1, please indicate the best way(s) to do so:
Phone _________________________________________________________ (circle: home, cell, or work)
Email __________________________________________________________
Page 6

Please circle preferred language for parent communication: English / Spanish/ Other: _______________

________________________________
Parent 2 /Guardian 2 Name Printed

___________________________________
Parent 2/ Guardian 2 Signature

If the instructor needs to contact a parent 2/guardian 2, please indicate the best way(s) to do so:
Phone _________________________________________________________ (circle: home, cell, or work)
Email __________________________________________________________
Please circle preferred language for parent communication: English / Spanish/ Other: _____________

Page 7