Saint John’s College High School Marine Biology Syllabus Course Code: 356 Grade: 12, Credit: 1

Teacher: Mr. Brown Email: sbrown@stjohnschs.org Phone: (202) 363-2316 ext. 1955 Office Hours: M-F, 7-8am, Rm. 428

Course Description

This is a general level course that will focus on marine organisms and the habitats in which they live. Students will learn about the anatomy, feeding, reproduction, and the ecological importance of marine organisms. Students will be exposed to a variety of learning methods, such as lectures, laboratory investigation, dissections, reading, interactive online activities, reports, and projects. Prerequisite: 3 credits in science & departmental approval Materials iPad, Notebook, Pen and/or Pencil, e-Textbook Required Text Download through Kindle Karleskint, G., Turner, R., & Small, J. (2012). Introduction to Marine Biology, 4th Edition. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning. Class Expectations What I expect from you & what you can expect from me: Honesty: academic dishonesty and cheating of any form will not be tolerated. Please share your own ideas with me. I as well will be honest in my interactions with you. Sharing answers to homework assignments is considered cheating, unless otherwise permitted by the teacher. Respect: each other, each other’s property, yourselves, the classroom, school property, and your teacher, and I will respect you in return. Punctuality: class time is very limited; therefor both you and I need to be on time. Anyone arriving after the bell must have the proper pass to enter the class. Preparation: bring all necessary materials, including but not limited to line paper, writing utensils, and completed homework. I will let you know ahead of time if there is anything else you should bring. Cooperation: follow instructions without disrupting class. If you have a question or comment then raise your hand and wait to be called on. Time in the classroom is limited, so we as a class must stay on task. Participation: students are expected to participate in a positive way in the class. Negative comments and/or disruptions will result in a lower grade as well as any necessary disciplinary action. Companion Websites 3rd  Edition  http://www.cengagebrain.com/cgi-­‐wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=9780495561972&token=    

Homework

Homework will be assigned continuously throughout the year and according to teacher’s discretion. Homework will never be assigned as busy work. This means that homework should be turned in before the bell rings for class to start. Any homework turned in after the bell will be counted as late and will lose points accordingly. The only exception to this rule is if a student has an excused tardy or an excused absence. Students will lose 5pts for not writing their name on any assignment. Tests & Quizzes

Every chapter will conclude with a chapter test, which will consist of multiple choice and essay questions. If a student is absent for a test then they will have the same number of days, as they are absent to make up the test. Tests will be placed in the testing center and the student is expected to take them on time without reminders from the teacher. Some test will require the student to stay after school. The time will be set according to the teacher’s convenience. These rules apply to both test and quizzes. Labs/Reports/Projects

During the year students will be required to participate in labs. While in the lab the student is expect to act in a mature and safe manner. If the student for any reason acts in a way that threatens their safety or that of their classmates will be removed immediately from the lab and be given a zero for the remainder of the lab. If the behavior continues then that student will not be allowed to participate and any further labs for the rest of the academic year. Depending on the severity of the incident the disciplinary violation may be referred to the Assistant Principal for Student Affairs for further disciplinary action. Absent or Missed Work

All absent or missed work must be made up within the same number of days that the student is absent. Anything beyond that is considered late work and will lose points accordingly. Accommodations

Student accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basses. Please stay after class or stop by my office to discuss any needs with me privately. Some accommodations can only be made with proper documentation, please refer to the student handbook for details. Late Assignment Policy

Late assignments will lose 50% of the possible points for every day that it is late. This includes projects, homework, tests, quizzes, lab write-ups and any other assignments assigned by the teacher. Computer Policy

All students are required to set up a computer/print account at St. John’s. They may do so by seeing Mr. Colvin in the Technology Office. iPad Policy IPads are only to be used for an etextbook, note taking, and turning in homework. Students are not permitted at any time to play games, take pictures, instant message or charge their iPad during class. If the student is caught using an iPad in a manner deemed inappropriate by the teacher then they will be asked to put it away. If problems persist then the student my receive a loss of points or will need to take notes by hand. Plagiarism

At no time is a student allowed to plagiarize any work. Plagiarism is presenting another person work as one’s own. This applies to all assigned work such as but not limited to homework, research paper, and lab write-ups. Please refer to the Saint John’s College High School Student Handbook for clarification of disciplinary action that will follow an incident of plagiarism or cheating.

Grading Grades will be calculated as total points. This means that the student’s grade can be calculated by dividing

the total points earned by the total available points, per quarter. Assignments will vary in point values. The categories will be as follows: Homework (5-30 points per assignment) Labs/Practicals/Projects (50-120 points per assignment) Quizzes (5-40 points per quiz) Tests (50 -100 points per test) Participation (5 points per week) Calculations for the year will count as follows: Quarter 1 = 20% Quarter 2 = 20% Midterm = 10%

Quarter 3 = 20% Quarter 4 = 20% Final Exam = 10%

* The Saint John’s College High School Student Handbook will refer to any rules or guidelines that are not directly addressed in this syllabus. It is your duty as an informed student to read the handbook.

ST.  JOHN’S  

College High School _____________________________________________________________________________

LABORATORY SAFETY AGREEMENT

Marine Biology  

In  order  to  ensure  that  time  spent  in  the  Marine  Biology  Lab  is  a  safe  and  positive  learning  experience,  rules  and  regulations  have  been  established  that  require  each  student’s  cooperation.    Read  the  information  below;  if  you  have  questions,  please  ask.    It  is  absolutely  vital  that  you  understand  each  statement  before  participating  in  a  laboratory  experiment.    This  agreement  will  be  kept  on  file  in  the  Science  Department  Office.  

 

As  a  student  of  science  at  St.  John’s  College  High  School,  I  will:  

1. Perform  only  authorized  experiments,  following  all  instructions  of  the  teacher.  2. Come  to  class  properly  prepared  to  do  the  experiment,  by  having  read  the  procedures  in  advance  and  completing  

any  pre-­‐lab  work.  3. Wear  appropriate  protective  equipment  as  requested  by  the  teacher.  4. Learn  the  location  and  operation  of  emergency  equipment;  such  as  fire  extinguishers,  safety  showers,  and  eye  

wash  fountains.  5. Not  bring  any  form  of  food  or  drink  into  the  lab.  6. Treat  all  chemicals,  specimens,  and  equipment  with  the  care  it  deserves.  7. Never  remove  chemicals  or  equipment  from  the  lab  without  teacher’s  consent.  8. Clean  up  the  lab  station  and  wash  hands  at  the  completion  of  lab.  9. List  below  any  allergies  or  medical  conditions  that  may  affect  lab  performance.  10. Report  all  accidents  immediately  to  the  teacher.  11. Act  in  a  responsible  manner  at  all  times  in  lab  by  refraining  from  horseplay,  pranks,  and  unruly  behavior.  

 

Because  a  science  laboratory  can  be  a  potentially  dangerous  place  if  not  treated  properly,  any  student  whose  behavior  is  deemed  inappropriate  and/or  in  violation  of  the  above  rules,  will  be  sent  to  the  Office  of  Student  Affairs  immediately  and  will  receive  a  zero  for  the  remainder  of  the  lab.    Extreme  or  frequent  violations  of  the  above  rules  can  result  in  a  loss  of  lab  privileges  and  subsequent  loss  of  credit  for  those  activities.    

Marine  Biology  

Acknowledgement  

 

I              have  read  the  Marine  Biology  Course  Syllabus  and  Lab  Safety  Contract.      

    Student  Name  

I  understand  all  expectations  of  me  and  agree  to  follow  all  of  the  rules  set  forth  in  this  contract  and  syllabus  by  Mr.  Brown  as  well  as  all  rules  described  in  the  St.  John’s  Student  Handbook.  

 

                         

Student  Signature               Date  

                                                                                             

 

 

I              have  read  the  attached  Couse  Syllabus  and  Lab  Safety  Contract.  

  Parent/Guardian  Name  

I  understand  that  my  student  must  obey  these  rules  to  ensure  the  safety  of  all  participants  in  the  class.  

 

Does  the  student  have  any  allergies?  

 

q  Yes     q  No     If  Yes,  please  describe  below  

                             

                             

                               

 

                         

Parent/Guardian  signature             Date  

 

                           

Parent/Guardian  phone  number       Parent/Guardian  email  address