Biology HP Course Syllabus

La Quinta High School

2017-2018
Ms. Alcantar
Room 611
Email: paula.alcantar@desertsands.us
Class Website: http://alcantarscience.weebly.com/
Phone: (760) 772-4150 ext 25611

Biology is the study of all things pertaining to life. Students taking Biology will be introduced to the basic topics
of Biology including, but not limited to: Ecology, Cellular Biology, Genetics, and Evolution. The school year will conclude
with the California High School Standards. The content of this course will be covered through lecture, in-class practice,
projects, and hands-on activities (labs). The aim of this course is to give students a better understanding and
appreciation for the life sciences as well as help each student develop inquiry skills that allow them to think scientifically.
The driving force of this class will be the Interactive Science Notebook (ISN) which will act as your main tool for
success. You are REQUIRED to have this notebook with you every day you enter this class. It will contain notes,
assignments, and resources to help you develop your skills as scientists.
Another major component of this class will be labs. You will develop the skills necessary to make logical
predictions, design experiments, analyze data, and write conclusions about your findings.

Course Goals

1. To engage students in inquiry-based learning by means of activities, lab experiments, and peer collaboration.
2. To develop students' critical thinking skills and scientific reasoning through exploration of natural phenomena.
3. To prepare students for the 21st century society by encouraging technology integration and creative thinking.

Throughout this class, keep in the mind the La Quinta High School Graduation Goals, which include the following:

Independent Learners:
Demonstrate the use of a variety of tools for self-evaluation and goal-setting
Critical Thinkers:
Demonstrate higher level thinking skills, such as interpretation, analysis and synthesis, and transfer these skills
to new situations
Academic Achievers:
Meet or exceed state, district, and professional standards in all instructional areas
Responsible Citizens:
Demonstrate self-discipline, as reflected by positive behavior
Effective Communicators:
Read, write, listen, and speak proficiently
Manage information and ideas through a variety of modes of communication

Rules
All students will be expected to follow LQHS school rules, including dress code, as outlined in the Student Handbook.
Disruptive behavior or defiance will not be tolerated in this class and will result in the disciplinary policy as set in the
Student Handbook.
Furthermore, there are some key classroom rules you must follow on a daily basis
1. Respect
2. Responsibility
3. Presence
4. Honesty

Grading Policy
Grades will be updated regularly and it will be the students responsibility to keep track of assignment due dates and
test dates as well as to keep track of make-up work when absent. Numerical grades will be given on all assignments,
labs, quizzes, and tests.

Grades will be weighted based on the following categories:

Labs: 30%
Tests and Quizzes: 30%
Class Work and Projects: 15%
Homework: 15%
Final Exam: 10%

The following grading scale will be used:

A= 90 100%
B= 80 89.9%
C= 70 79.9%
D= 60 69.9%
F= 59.9 and below

Makeup/Absent Work: You have the same number of days that you were absent to make up the assignment missed (ex:
missed 1 day = 1 day to make up)

Late Work: If an assignment is not turned in on the designated due date, points will be deducted as follows
1 day late = 25% loss in points
2 days late = 50% loss in points
3 days late = 75% loss in points
4+ days late = no credit

Extra Credit: Extra Credit will be available only at the discretion of the teacher. Students will not be able to obtain extra
credit assignments to replace missed or failed assignments.

Class Procedures
Refer to the Procedures Page

Safety
In this classroom, there will be several instances where students are completing hands-on activities, in some of which
they will use laboratory equipment. To ensure that each student is aware of the safety hazards and protective
equipment, they will be required to pass a safety quiz and sign a safety contract that will be kept on file. Until both of
these items have been completed, the student WILL NOT be allowed to perform lab activities.

Supplies
Composition Notebook (2 to be safe) Ruler
Colored Pencils Scissors
Pens Gluesticks
Pencils Optional: Index tabs for Interactive Science
Highlighters (at least 3 colors) Notebook (Post-It index tabs work perfectly)
Textbook
Biology: Concepts and Connections, 5th edition Campbell, Reece, Taylor and Simon

A final note to all

Success is a choice. If you put in the effort YOU WILL DO WELL in this class. My goal is to help all of you become better
scientists, achieve academic success, and gain self-confidence. Take a look around, you will get to know each and every
student in this class before the end of the school year. You will be working together, helping each other, and
encouraging one another to do well in this class. Through good communication and collaboration with your peers will
you be able to understand the importance of team work, especially in science. I am excited to see how much all of you
grow throughout the school year!

Your first homework assignment is to review this with your parents/guardians. It must be signed by you and them by
Tuesday, August 29th, 2017.

I have read the syllabus for Ms. Alcantars Biology class and agree to follow the rules and procedures. I also
understand the expectations of an honors class and will do my best to meet the challenges presented in the class.

____________________________________ _______________________________________
Student Name (print) Student Signature

____________________________________ _______________________________________
Parent /Guardian Name (print) Parent/Guardian Signature

Best way to reach parent? (Please circle one) Phone Email

Please provide phone number or email: ________________________________________________