ANALY HIGH SCHOOL

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
LAB BIOLOGY
Fall 2014
Ms. Garlocks
Course Syllabus

Contact Information
Room #: 212
Email Address: caitlyn.garlock@students.dominican.edu
Website: http://www.msgarlock.weebly.com

Course Description

Biology is a laboratory science course that investigates the
relationship between structure and function from molecules to
organisms and systems, the interdependence and interactions of
biotic and abiotic components of the environment, and
mechanisms that maintain continuity and lead to changes in
populations over time. Students explore biological concepts
through an inquiry approach. Embedded standards for inquiry,
technology & engineering, and Mathematics are taught in the
context of the content standards for Cells, Interdependence, Flow of
Matter and Energy, Heredity, and Biodiversity and Change.

California Science Standards (9-12)

1. Cell Biology: The fundamental life processes of plants
and animals depend on a variety of chemical reactions that
occur in specialized areas of the organisms cells.
2. Genetics:
a. Mutation and sexual reproduction lead to genetic
variation in a population.
2 Ms. Garlocks Syllabus

b. A multicellular organism develops from a single zygote and its
phenotype depends on its genotype, which is established at
fertilization.
c. Genes are a set of instructions encoded in the DNA sequence of each
organism that specify the sequence of amino acids in proteins
characteristic of that organism
d. The genetic composition of cells can be altered by incorporation of
exogenous DNA into the cells.
3. Ecology: stability in an ecosystem is a balance between competing effects
4. Evolution:
a. The frequency of an allele in a gene pool of a population depends on
many factors and may be stable or unstable over time.
b. A result of genetic changes that occur in constantly changing
environments.
5. Physiology:
a. As a result of coordinated structures and functions of organ systems,
the internal environment of the human body remains relatively stable
(homeostatic) despite changes in the outside environment.
b. Organisms have a variety of mechanisms to combat disease.

Required Texts and Supplies

BIOLOGY, Alton Briggs & et al., Mc Graw Hill Glencoe Science (2007)

You will need to bring the following to every class:
Hard 3-ring binder
Spiral bound notebook
Pen and/or Pencil
Calculator (TI-30 series is fine)

Exams

Exams are administered after every chapter and make up a substantial part of
your grade. All missed exams must be completed within 1 week or you will
receive a ZERO. Cell phones will be placed in front during the exam and
retrieved once everyone has finished.

Quizzes
Daily quizzes cover assigned homework or material covered in the previous
class. These may not be made up under any circumstances. Vocabulary
quizzes will be given throughout the unit and should be made up within 1
week of your return.

Labs
Labs are an integral part of the science curriculum, but can present a safety
hazard if students do not take care when performing experiments. Lab safety
guidelines must be followed at all times. Please use the allotted time wisely.

Homework
You will have homework almost every night and will always be due at the
BEGINNING of the class period. One-day late assignments will be accepted for
half-credit ONLY. After that, you will receive a ZERO. It is your responsibility to
check the website and make up work you have missed. I will not remind you!

Projects
You will perform 2 projects throughout the semester, which we will discuss at
the beginning of the unit of study. All students are expected to complete
these thoughtfully and to work in groups cooperatively with equal
participation.

Grading Policies
Your grade will be based on a curve (against classmates) with each
assignment worth the following:
4 Ms. Garlocks Syllabus

Exams and quizzes = 50%
Lab Assignments = 20%
Projects = 15%
Final = 10%
Homework = 5%

Grading Scale:
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89.9%
C = 69.5% - 79.9%
D = 60% - 69.4%
F = 59.9% and below

Class Policies
Absences it is your responsibility to check the website and make up
missing work. Missed work is due 1 class period after your return. Missed
labs or exams must be arranged within 1 week of your return. Failure to
follow these guidelines will result in a ZERO.

Punctuality Students will be considered TARDY if not in their seats when
the bell rings at the beginning of each class period.

Restroom Policy 1 student to the restroom at a time upon my approval.

Lab Classroom Participation Since this is an activity based class, you will
be expected to be an active participant. Plan on contributing your energy
and personality whenever possible. I would like these discussions and
activities to be fun, but they depend on YOUR participation.

Food/drink students may drink water or snack in their desks, but meals
and/or large items are not permitted. FOOD IS NEVER ALLOWED IN LAB
AREAS.

Cell phones I will occasionally ask you to take out your cell phones to
use as a tool during class. They are NEVER permitted at any other time
and will be taken away immediately. You may retrieve it after class.


Beginning/end of class routine Class will almost always begin with a daily
5-question quiz and end with an exit ticket summarizing the lesson. This
means you will not be allowed to stand by the door and wait for the bell
to ring. Your departure will be dependent on handing in your exit ticket to
me.

Returned Work Homework, assignments, and tests will be returned to
you the class period after they are due or taken. You should use these
graded assignments to guide your understanding of the material and to
help you prepare for the unit exam.

Extra Credit Dont ask! I will tell you if and when it is available.

Academic Honesty Dont cheat. Just dont. Its not worth it. I will walk up
and down the rows for every quiz and exam to make sure no one is
cheating. The school requires the following sequence of events for ALL
forms of cheating:

1. A ZERO on the assignment with a parent notification
2. Referral to administration and a parent conference
3. Referral to administration and request for transfer from class
4. Referral to continuation school

I look forward to working with all of you. Lets have a great semester
together!

We cant help everyone, but everyone can help someone
-Ronald Reagan