Syllabus
Honors Integrated Science 2014-2015
Welcome Back! This course holds many exciting adventures in science. During this academic year I hope to teach you to apply scientific processes to analyze and solve problems by interpreting scientific data and drawing logical conclusions. By the end of the year you will be more equipped to investigate natural phenomena on your own. I consider it my goal to teach you some techniques to use in the future to make successful investigations. In addition, I expect you to form opinions about topics and issues in science, and recognize connections among scientific disciplines. Good luck.
TEXTBOOK:
E.O.Wilson Life On Earth. Electronic Textbook. http://vimeo.com/35234777
http://eowilsonfoundation.org/e-o-wilson-s-life-on-earth/
You can download the series of books on ibooks for free.
Course Outline
Unit One: Genetics
Unit Two: Biotechnology
Unit Three: Population
Unit Four: Resources (Chemistry, Earth Science, & Physics)
Unit Five: Islands
Unit Six: Comparative Zoology
Attendance
• You are responsible for material presented in class. Exams, quizzes, and homework often include questions on material presented only in class.
• If you miss a class with an excused absence, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and how to make it up. Check the website to find out what you missed.
Evaluation
• Unit Exams (20%): Exams will occur approximately every nine weeks. Exam dates will be announced in class at least one week before the exam. Make every effort to take the exams on schedule. All exams are curved. Make up exams will not be the same, nor will a curve be applied.
• Quizzes (15%): Quizzes will occur approximately every week (on Mondays). You may make-up quizzes ONLY if you have an excused absence and you must make up the quiz during tutorial. Make-up quizzes will not be the same. Your lowest quiz grade per quarter will be dropped.
• Homework Checks (20%): Keeping up with homework is crucial to success in this class. You should do it the night it is assigned.
• Daily Questions (5%): Each day you will have a brief assignment to complete while I am taking roll. You may use your textbooks and notebooks to complete these.
• Labs/Projects/Reports/Other (40%): This category covers assignments that will span quarters/semesters, as well as in class assignments. These assignments will be lowered a letter grade each day after the due date. If you feel there may be a chance you won’t be able to get the project/report in on the due date, turn it in early.
Supplies
You will be expected to bring basic supplies to every class meeting. These include:
1. # 2 pencils and blue/black ink pens 2. Science binder 3. Textbook
Binder
You will keep a separate science binder for this class. In it you will have 2 dividers in the following order:
1. Daily Questions
2. General Contents (In numerical order)
Extra Help
Science is challenging. If you feel overwhelmed or want extra help at any time, come see me! Parents, please feel free to contact me via phone or email at any time.
When Where
Lunch (By arrangement) Room 311
Tutorial (Wed/Fri) Room 311
Any Time [email protected]
By Appointment Room 311
Honors Integrated Science 2014-2015
Welcome Back! This course holds many exciting adventures in science. During this academic year I hope to teach you to apply scientific processes to analyze and solve problems by interpreting scientific data and drawing logical conclusions. By the end of the year you will be more equipped to investigate natural phenomena on your own. I consider it my goal to teach you some techniques to use in the future to make successful investigations. In addition, I expect you to form opinions about topics and issues in science, and recognize connections among scientific disciplines. Good luck.
TEXTBOOK:
E.O.Wilson Life On Earth. Electronic Textbook. http://vimeo.com/35234777
http://eowilsonfoundation.org/e-o-wilson-s-life-on-earth/
You can download the series of books on ibooks for free.
Course Outline
Unit One: Genetics
Unit Two: Biotechnology
Unit Three: Population
Unit Four: Resources (Chemistry, Earth Science, & Physics)
Unit Five: Islands
Unit Six: Comparative Zoology
Attendance
• You are responsible for material presented in class. Exams, quizzes, and homework often include questions on material presented only in class.
• If you miss a class with an excused absence, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and how to make it up. Check the website to find out what you missed.
Evaluation
• Unit Exams (20%): Exams will occur approximately every nine weeks. Exam dates will be announced in class at least one week before the exam. Make every effort to take the exams on schedule. All exams are curved. Make up exams will not be the same, nor will a curve be applied.
• Quizzes (15%): Quizzes will occur approximately every week (on Mondays). You may make-up quizzes ONLY if you have an excused absence and you must make up the quiz during tutorial. Make-up quizzes will not be the same. Your lowest quiz grade per quarter will be dropped.
• Homework Checks (20%): Keeping up with homework is crucial to success in this class. You should do it the night it is assigned.
• Daily Questions (5%): Each day you will have a brief assignment to complete while I am taking roll. You may use your textbooks and notebooks to complete these.
• Labs/Projects/Reports/Other (40%): This category covers assignments that will span quarters/semesters, as well as in class assignments. These assignments will be lowered a letter grade each day after the due date. If you feel there may be a chance you won’t be able to get the project/report in on the due date, turn it in early.
Supplies
You will be expected to bring basic supplies to every class meeting. These include:
1. # 2 pencils and blue/black ink pens 2. Science binder 3. Textbook
Binder
You will keep a separate science binder for this class. In it you will have 2 dividers in the following order:
1. Daily Questions
2. General Contents (In numerical order)
Extra Help
Science is challenging. If you feel overwhelmed or want extra help at any time, come see me! Parents, please feel free to contact me via phone or email at any time.
When Where
Lunch (By arrangement) Room 311
Tutorial (Wed/Fri) Room 311
Any Time [email protected]
By Appointment Room 311