Syllabus
2006-2007
Instructor: Emil Davis School Phone: 220-4050
Fax#: 220-4090 E-Mail: davis_bhs@hotmail.com
Fees: none
·
Plan,
conduct, and analyze scientific investigations.
·
Measure
using scientific equipment with a high degree of accuracy.
·
Describe
the history of various biological concepts and discoveries.
·
Identify,
describe, and analyze essential concepts in the areas of biochemistry, cell
biology, biological diversity, genetics, ecology and evolution.
I First Quarter: Scientific Method; Experimental
Design; Biochemistry; Ecology; Evolution
II Second Quarter: Diversity; Cells; Genetics
III Third Quarter: Diversity; Evolution
IV Fourth Quarter: Diversity; Review; Enrichment
6.
Course Requirements:
Bring the following materials to
class daily:
A.
3-ring
binder w/4 dividers
B.
pencil
and a blue or black pen
C.
agenda
(no one leaves class without one)
D.
loose
leaf lined paper AND graph paper
7.
Attendance Policy: To comply with
Virginia Law, students are expected to attend school every day and to be on
time unless there is illness or death in the immediate family. (see student
handbooks for specifics)
8.
Evaluation:
Grades
will be based on the
This
is an SOL course and instruction is geared towards preparation for this exam.
However, SOL grades count only for verified credits for graduation. They WILL NOT play a role on your grade for
this course - a passing grade on the SOL does not guarantee credit for the
course.
I
DO NOT accept late work. With only 10
graded items there is little room for error. You’ll have a chance to make up
for lost points with the quarter tests and various extra-credit opportunities
during the quarter but I can guarantee that your grade will suffer
(significantly) should you not hand all work in (on time!). Make-up work for
absences is due no later than one class day after your return.
9.
Class Expectations/Procedures:
A
safe environment, which is appropriate for learning, cannot be maintained
without rules. Please read and sign the
conduct code in your handbooks. These
rules will be enforced in my classroom.
In addition, I have found that the following are also conducive to a
positive learning environment:
1.
Bring only appropriate materials to class. Your notebook,
student planner, and a pencil and pen. Your textbooks will stay at home. DON’T bring them to class.
2.
No backpacks. There is plenty of room
in your locker for your backpack and all the other materials that you don’t
need in my class. Backpacks found in the hallway outside my door will find
their way to the office’s lost and found. Figure out a way to store your
backpack somewhere – I will not accept having to stash backpacks as an excuse
for tardiness.
3.
No heavy winter jackets. Drop these off in your lockers as
well.
4.
No sitting on tables or counters.
5.
Follow all laboratory safety rules and guidelines.
6.
No food or drink in class (this includes gum and candy).
7.
Sit in assigned seat.
8.
Independent work: All
assignments are to be done independently unless otherwise instructed. You’ll be pledging all evaluations – all
other work is assumed to be pledged. Unless more than one name is on the paper
the work shown must be authored by the student, alone.
9.
Unexcused Absences/Excessive Tardiness: Skipping class,
excessive tardiness (more than three), or misuse of hall pass privileges will
result in loss of hall privileges for the rest of the year. Any work collected
on a truant day (or work assigned that day that isn’t completed on the due date)
will not be allowed to be made up.
10.
Hall passes: Only five hall passes will be given per quarter –
use them wisely. No hall passes will be
written without your agenda.
11.
Dismissal: No one is to leave the class or seats until
instructed to do so. That means no gathering at the door prior to the bell. Gathering
at the door will result in the entire class staying after the bell rings.
12.
Respect: Be respectful of others. This includes being quiet
when others are speaking, participating fully in all classroom activities, and
not touching or taking others personal belongings.
13.
Be punctual to class. This means being in your seat when the
bell rings.
Help and Communication: Students are required to
keep track of their grade in a grade record. Parents, please take the time to
review and discuss this with them periodically. Additionally, students are
responsible for keeping a journal in which they record all work done and the
time they spend on homework. Please review these homework journals periodically
as well. Students that are successful in my class generally average between 10
and 20 hours per quarter on homework. This converts to approximately 30-60
minutes for each block class and 15-30 minutes for each 7th PD
class. Grade records and journals are both subject to collection during the
quarter (at any time).
I
am available to answer student’s questions after school every day until
Students
(as well as parents) are encouraged to email me at the above address as soon as
possible. I send out a review of the days’ material, homework assignments, and
answers to FAQ’s most evenings (FAQ’s are made anonymous).
Parents,
if you want to contact me the best way is to email me at davis_bhs@hotmail.com.
I check my email every evening so you should get a response within 24 hours.
You can also call me at home in the evenings (566-0978) if you don’t want to
wait for a written response. I look forward to working with you this year.
Respectfully,
Emil
V. Davis
Biology
Instructor
BHS