Textbook: Biology, Exploring Life by Campbell, Williamson and Heyden, 2004

Website link for Biology, Exploring Life:   www.pearsonsuccessnet.com

Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall

Lab Manual: There is no lab manual for this class, but you will be purchasing a Learning Log for Online Activities.

 Note taking is mandatory.

Reading of chapter material is required. Please ask questions if you are not sure about something we are covering.

Much of the material for this class, including this syllabus, will be available on my website.  Items such as homework, lecture notes, review sheets and extra credit will be available to you whenever you need it.  This work must be downloaded on your own and be in your possession when it is needed or due.  Please don’t rely on downloading at Mercy 5 minutes before class.   This has not worked very well in the past and has caused nightmares for the Media Center staff and the Technology Department.   Failure to have lecture notes on the first day of lecture, for instance, will make more work for you.  My website can be reached through Mercy’s website.  Mercy’s site is “mercyhsmi.org.”  To get to my site from here, click on “Curriculum” in the left column then choose “Faculty Pages”.  Click on my name.  You may also gain access at school through the intranet by clicking on "Teacher Sites" in the upper right.

With reference to the text:

There will be a test after each chapter. Tests will be composed of multiple choice, matching, short answer and essays.  Tests will always be worth 100 points except for Final Exams which will be worth 200 points

Laboratory work will be done on lab handouts or on loose leaf and handed in to be graded. Lab reports can be handed in for full credit at the beginning of class on the day they are due. Assignments turned in later than this will be marked down accordingly or not accepted. Work on labs is to be your own. Copied work will receive a severely lowered grade or no credit. Questions from laboratories will also be on the chapter tests. This makes it very important that laboratory work be your own. Labs will be worth a variety of points, usually 25-40.

Homework will only be accepted at the beginning of class on the day it is due. If it is not turned in at this time. you get a zero. You cannot make this up!  Homework will be worth a variety of points, usually 5-15.  There may be surprise quizzes on the homework assignment.

Lecture/Discussion will make up most of this class' time. You are expected to come to class ready to take notes. This means with a notebook and a pen or a pencil. Coming unprepared will mean a loss of points. Coming in on a test day without a pencil will result in loss of points on that test.

Since lecture will make up most of this class, your test average will make up about 65% of your grade. Laboratory work, homework, quizzes and worksheets will make up the remaining 35%.

My grading is done on the computer so you should always know what your average is in my class. I strongly suggest that you keep tabs on your own grade as this will be of interest to you as the quarter progresses.

*** As you know, Mercy teachers are posting student grades on PowerSchool allowing access for you and your parents.  Teachers will be updating grades constantly.  This will allow you, and your parents, an opportunity to monitor your progress and will surface concerns timely enough to allow for corrective measures.  To access your grades, simply go to powerschool.mhsmi.org and log in.  Information about your "username" and "password" have come to you through Mercy mailings.

Attendance: You are responsible for any work missed due to absence from class. If you miss a test, you will make up that test on the day you return to school. Any other work missed is your responsibility. Your first obligation when you return is to ask, "What did we do while I was Absent?". You come to me! I won't chase you. This is what off cycle days are for.

If you skip a class, you take a zero for any work done that day. (Including tests!)

Tardiness to class is defined as arriving to class after official starting time (on my watch). Three tardies equals one skip and you get two jugs. Please don't drop your books off and leave.  When I take attendance, you must be here.  Check handbook under "TRUANCY".

My office is located in the back of room N-10. Please come to see me if you need help, just want to talk or just want to say hello. If I'm not in my office just leave me a note and I'll get back to you. My schedule is hanging in the front of room N-10 if you need to set up a time to see me.

I hope you enjoy this class and learn from it.  Have a good year.