OPEN DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

AP BIOLOGY

Mr. M. Dickson

 

Text:        Biology 6th edition

Campbell, Reece,

Benjamin/Cummings, 2002

 

Lab fee:  $35.00.  This fee will cover the laboratory manual and a lab fee charged by Dixie College to use their facilities

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

The AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year.  The two main goals of AP Biology are to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to help students gain a appreciation of science as a process.  General areas are:  molecules and cells, 25 percent; heredity and evolution, 25 percent; organisms and populations, 50 percent.  College credit is available upon completion of the course through a variety of avenues.

 

OBJECTIVES

 

·          To take and pass the AP Biology exam.

·          To develop critical thinking and science process skills.

·          To understand the function of atoms and molecules in the chemistry of cells.

·          To understand heredity and evolution and their role in the continuity of life

·          To understand the diversity of life, the structures, functions and relationships.

·          To assist students in organizing concepts and topics into major themes that unify biology, chemistry and other sciences.

·          To develop cooperative working abilities

 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

 

·          Come to class on time and ready and willing to work

·          Bring textbook, science binder, and writing utensil daily.

·          Follow Dixie High standards of conduct as outlined in student handbook

·          Do not bring food, drinks, gum, makeup, pagers, cell phones, CD or cassette players, radios, game players (including calculators on which games can be played). If observed, these items will be confiscated.

·          Do not carve or write on tables

·          Do not use any vulgar or profane language

 

ATTENDANCE

 

Good attendance does not guarantee good grades, but good grades are next to impossible without good attendance. This is especially true on the block schedule.  Missing one day is the equivalent to missing two.  If you know you will be absent, notify me in advance or contact another student in the class to find out what was missed.

 

Refer to the Student Handbook for attendance policy.  Absences not excused within 2 days will become unexcused and any missed tests, assignments, quizzes, etc. cannot be made up.  Class begins when the bell rings and  I expect students to get immediately to work.  

 

Tardy Policy          It is important that you be to class on time.    A tardy is defined as not being in the door and on your way to you desk when the bell rings or needing a pass to get a book, go to the bathroom, etc.  There will be daily activities/quizzes that you will not be given points for if you are tardy.  These participation activities will make up 20% of your grade.

 

ASSIGNMENTS

 

There will be a variety of worksheets, quizzes labs and essays that will makeup approximately 40% of your grade.  Tests will make up 40% of the grade.  Participation activities will make up the remaining 20% of your grade. Students will on occasion correct each other’s work.  Students are encouraged to form study groups and work together on assignments.  However, you are expected to do all of your own work.  Copying answers from others,  plagerism and cheating on tests will result in zero points for a grade for any involved.  A second offense will result in an “F” for the Term.

 

LATE WORK

 

No late work will be accepted for any reason.  If you must miss class because of a school activity or family vacation, you must contact me the class day prior to leaving to work out alternative work that will be due before you leave.    If you miss class because of illness or other excused absence, contact me or a classmate to see what work is due.  Much is possible if you are responsible and contact me in advance; little or nothing is possible after the fact.. .  Two or more assignments will be dropped to compensate for days missed due to illness.  Tests missed due to absence may be made up within one week before or after school M-Th.  Pop quizzes will be given frequently so you are encouraged to review readings, notes and assignments daily in preparation for each class.  Keep all returned work as proof of completion at grading time.

 

EXTRA CREDIT

 

Extra credit assignments or points may occasionally be offered throughout a term to those students that have completed and turned in all assignments.  However, it cannot change a student’s grade more than one increment.  For example a B may be raised to a B+,  but not an A-.

 

LAB WORK

 

Students will attending labs approximately every 2 weeks at Dixie State College.  Labs are in Room 208 of the science building.  The exact schedule will be forthcoming.  Come prepared with a prelab write-up and do not be late.  Missed labs cannot be made up.  Labs will be approx. 25% of your grade.

 

COMPUTERS

 

We are fortunate to have our own computer lab that we will use often.  Before using the computer you must sign an Internet Acceptable Use Policy form.  The text comes with a study guide CD-ROM that you will use in class and also at home.  Computers may only be used for access to approved and science related activities and web sites.  Violation of this rule will result in loss of computer privileges and probable failure in the class.

 

GRADING

 

Grading will be based on percentage of the total points possible.  Test, assignment, quiz, lab and participation scores will be included in the grade.  In addition, students must show competency in assigned lab skills and finish a quarterly project.  Grades will be recorded on Powerschool every week. Midterm grades and failing notices will be sent home Sept. 11, Nov. 14, Feb. 1, and Apr. 23.  Letter grades will be based on the following percent scale. A 94+, A- 90-93, B+ 86-89, B 82-85, B- 78-81,

C+ 74-77, C 70-73, C- 66-69, D+ 61-65, D 57-60, D- 50-56  I reserve the right to scale grades based on natural breaks in scores.  Once grades are posted at the end of a term they will not be changed. 

 

A FINAL WORD

 

This is a rigorous course!  Keep up and participate in class activities, discussions and groups.  If you need help, please seek me out to set an appointment before or after school.  I really want to do everything I can to help you succeed.  I am here for you.  If you need help or would like to talk to me I am best reached M-F between 7:00 and 8:00 am or you my use my school voice mail.

 

I have read, understood and agree to the terms described above.

 

 

_________________________________                              __________________________­­______

                             Parent                                                                 Student