Marine Biology Teacher: Ms Sheu

2024 to 2025 Email: winnie.sheu@has.hc.edu.tw

Course Syllabus Classroom: Room 404
Textbook: Earth Science, Holt Science and
Technology

Course Description
This course is your gateway to the fascinating world of marine life! We will explore the vast and diverse
ecosystems of the ocean, from sun-dappled coral reefs to the crushing depths of the abyssal plain.

This year we will:

 Uncover the incredible diversity of marine organisms: Explore the unique adaptations of marine animals,
from microscopic plankton to majestic whales, and delve into the unseen world of marine microbes.
 Understand the ocean's physical and chemical properties: Discover how factors like salinity, temperature,
and ocean currents shape marine life and influence ecological processes.
 Dive into marine ecology: Learn about the intricate web of interactions between organisms, from predator-
prey relationships to symbiotic partnerships, and how these interactions shape the health and function of
marine ecosystems.
 Explore the human impact on the oceans: Discuss pressing issues like climate change, pollution, and
overfishing, and examine the importance of marine conservation for the health of our planet.

Learning Objectives
By the successful completion of this one-year Marine Biology course, students will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

 Explain the major physical and chemical properties of the ocean and their influence on marine life. (e.g.,
salinity, temperature, currents, dissolved oxygen)
 Identify the major marine habitats (e.g., intertidal zone, coral reefs, open ocean, deep sea) and their
characteristic organisms.
 Classify major marine organisms according to taxonomic groups (e.g., protists, invertebrates, vertebrates)
and describe their key adaptations for survival in their environment.
 Analyze the fundamental principles of marine ecology, including primary and secondary productivity,
food webs, predator-prey interactions, and nutrient cycles.
 Describe the major threats facing marine ecosystems, including human activities like pollution,
overfishing, and climate change.
 Explain the importance of marine conservation and sustainable practices for maintaining the health of the
oceans.

Scientific Skills & Inquiry:

 Apply the scientific method to design and conduct experiments relevant to marine biology.
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  Analyze and interpret data collected through laboratory exercises and field studies.
 Critically evaluate scientific information from various sources, including peer-reviewed journals and
credible online resources.
 Formulate research questions and hypotheses related to current issues in marine biology.
 Utilize appropriate scientific terminology and communication skills to present findings in written and
oral formats.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:

 Identify and analyze the complex interactions between human activities and the marine environment.
 Evaluate the potential solutions and strategies for mitigating threats to marine ecosystems.
 Apply scientific knowledge to critically analyze environmental issues and propose sustainable solutions.
 Develop well-reasoned arguments and defend positions based on scientific evidence.

Required Materials

All students are expected to bring the following materials to class each day:
● Textbook and/or other assigned reading materials depending on teacher’s instructions.
● Red, blue and black pens, pencils, highlighters, and erasers.
● Notebook and paper.
● Three ring binder to organize and store assignments, homework, and other handouts.
● Completed homework and other assignments.

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Course Schedule*

Unit Topics & Themes Chapter(s) Duration

Unit 1- Introduction to 1, 2 2.5

● Scientific methods and models
Earth Science weeks
● Tools, measurement, safety

● Mapping skills and topographic maps

Unit 2 – Earth’s 3-6 7 weeks

● Defining and identifying minerals
Resources
● Formation, mining and use of minerals

● The rock cycle

● Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock

● Natural resources, fossil fuels and alternative

resources
● Relative and absolute dating

● Looking at fossils

Unit 3 – The Restless 7-9 5 weeks

● Plate tectonics
Earth
● Earthquakes

● Volcanoes

Unit 5 – 13-14 5 weeks

● Oceans and the ocean floor
Oceanography
● Ocean life resources and pollution

● Currents, waves and tides

Science Fair Project _______

● Question, hypothesis, research plan, research
paper, materials, procedure, results, data analysis,
conclusion

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Unit 6 – Weather and 15-17 5 weeks
● The Atmosphere
Climate
● Understanding Weather

● Climate

Unit 7 – Astronomy 18-22 5 weeks

● Studying Space

● Stars, galaxies and the Universe

● Formation of the Solar System

● Exploring Space

*This course schedule is subject to change during the school year.

Grading Policy
Grades are calculated according to the category weights listed below:

Semester 1

Quarter 1: 40%
Quarter 2: 40%
Final Exam: 20%

During Semester 1, each quarter will be broken down as follows.

Homework, Labs and classwork: 50%

Participation: 20%
Quizzes/Chapter/Unit Tests: 30%

Semester 2

Quarter 3: 40%
Quarter 4: 40%
Final Exam: 20%

During Semester 2, each quarter will be broken down as follows.

*Science Fair Project: 10%

Homework, Labs and classwork 50%
Participation: 15%
Quizzes/Chapter/Unit Tests 25%

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*The Science fair projects must be completed to earn credit for the second semester.

Homework
There will be handouts, problem sets, readings, and other assignments for homework.These must be handwritten in
pencil or black pen. Corrections are done with blue pen. Red pen is reserved for peer checking of work. Any work that
is illegible will be counted as zero, the student would have to rewrite it.

Participation
Every week the students will receive a participation grade for being on time, being prepared for class, engaging in
discussion and group work.

Quizzes
There will be a quiz to help remember the vocab and concepts.

Labs and Classwork

Students will receive points for the completion of lab write ups, handouts, and other types of in class work.

Tests
Each quarter will have 2 to 3 tests.

Assignment Policy
Assignment instructions and deadlines are posted regularly on google classroom. Students are expected to check
google classroom each day for assignment postings, class announcements, and other updates from the teacher.
Students are also expected to complete and submit assignments according to assignment instructions as posted on
google classroom. Parents will be able to access all this information through the parent portal.

All assignments should be completed and submitted before the deadlines as posted on google classroom. Submitting
assignments late will immediately result in an automatic 10% penalty each subsequent day. Any assignment
submitted after the chapter test will receive zero.* Assignment deadlines are extended only in the event of an
excused absence.

Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, will not be tolerated. Assignments or exams that show
evidence of cheating or plagiarism will not be accepted and will receive no credit. Serious incidents of academic
dishonesty will be subject to immediate disciplinary measures.

All assignments submitted in this class must exhibit a student’s original ideas and language. Information that is
borrowed from other authors and sources must be properly cited in MLA format. Failure to attribute ownership to
rightful authors is considered plagiarism (as this is fraudulently claiming ownership of another’s work). If all or part
of a student’s work is found to be plagiarized, that student will

Exam Info and Policy

Students must take exams or tests on the day they are scheduled. No make-up exams or tests will be allowed
unless the student has an excused absence.

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Behavior Expectations
CLASSROOM CONDUCT
All students are expected to respect each other, the teacher, and the classroom learning environment. This includes:
● Arriving to class on time (seated at your assigned desk with all of your materials before the bell is
finished ringing at the start of class and at the end of break time). Students who arrive late to class without an
excused pass, will be marked tardy. Tardy students are subject to the punishments outlined in the student
handbook.

● Following classroom rules and procedures as outlined by instructor

Be safe.
Be respectful.
Be responsible.
Keep food or drink outside

● Following behavior policies outlined in the HAS Student Handbook.

Tardy Policy:
All students are expected to respect each other, the teacher, and the classroom learning environment. This includes
arriving to class on time (seated at your assigned desk with all of your materials before the bell is finished
ringing at the start of class and at the end of break time). Students who arrive late to class without an excused pass
will be marked tardy.
1st Tardy: Teacher-Student Conference
2nd Tardy: Teacher-Student Conference / Behaviour Contract and Intervention Report
3rd Tardy: Conference with an Administrator (possible parent contact)

DEADLINES
Aside from excused absences, NO excuses are accepted for late work. If assignments are submitted to google drive,
students should prepare backup copies elsewhere online or on a USB in the event that a submission does not upload
successfully.

Students absent from class are expected to meet with the teacher the next day they are present in school to establish
new deadlines for their makeup work. Students absent on days assignments are due must submit their assignments the
next class day.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES
With the exception of electronic dictionaries, no electronic devices can be used in the classroom without permission
from the teacher. At all times, students are expected to be attentive and prepared to participate and communicate with
their teacher and peers. In order to maintain an engaged and productive learning environment, students are not
allowed to wear earphones/headphones during class. In addition, earphones and headphones are not permitted in
the classroom and should be stored in students’ lockers.

Many assignments and class activities will require students to use computers and access the Internet. Though school
computers can be utilized for this purpose, it is highly recommended that students bring a personal laptop or other
portable computer to school. Smartphones are prohibited in the classroom so only the use of laptops will be permitted
when specified by the teacher. If the teacher spots the use of a cell phone or another prohibited device in class, it

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will be taken and given back when the period is over. If a student is caught a second time, the device will be
confiscated and given to administration.

CLASSROOM CLEANLINESS
No food or drink (except water) may be consumed or brought into the classroom at any time. Students may
bring water bottles to class. Any other food or drink found in the classroom will be confiscated.

DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
Failure to comply with class or school policies and expectations may result in one or more of the following, depending
on the frequency and severity of the infraction:
● Meeting with teacher outside of class to write an action plan.
● Detention after school.
● Meeting with parents and school administration.
● Suspension from school.
● Other measures as deemed appropriate by the school administration.

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