OPEN DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Mr. M. Dickson

Texts: DNA Science

Micklos, Freyer

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1990

Lab fee: $25.00. This fee will cover laboratory equipment and materials used in a series of labs that will be compiled into a portfolio that will make up a substantial part of the term grade.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will prepare students for careers in health occupations and animal and plant sciences. Students will participate in experiments and explorations that use state of the art techniques and equipment that are used in today’s health, veterinary and agricultural laboratories and businesses. Biotechnology techniques include: aseptic technique, plant and animal tissue culture, bacterial culture, genetic engineering, DNA fingerprinting, enzyme analysis, food production and disease and pest control. The focus will be on preparing students as lab technicians in industry, college and university settings in the fastest growing job market in the applied sciences. This course can be used for vocational and science elective credit.

OBJECTIVES

· To develop proper study and organizational skills.

· To develop critical thinking and science process skills.

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

· To understand the structure and function of proteins.

· To understand the structure and function of DNA.

· To investigate the applications of DNA and protein technologies in human genetics.

· To investigate the applications of biotechnology in agriculture and the environment.

· To demonstrate knowledge of basic lab equipment and safety in all laboratory experience

· To demonstrate proper lab protocol for biotechnology methods.

· To demonstrate proper use of biotechnology tools.

· 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 lab book, 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. Because this is a vocational/science course, the class will be treated like a work place. You will be given credit for on time attendance and docked credit for absence and late arrival. See grading system for more details.

ASSIGNMENTS

There is no textbook for this class and therefore most book work will be done in class. Many assignments will be done on the computers as tutorials and some will be done on the internet. Some time in class will be provided to complete these assignments, but you may have to do some at home on your own computer or after school in the computer lab. 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 if 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.

LAB WORK

Students will often be assigned to work in groups on a variety of projects and labs. It is the responsibility of each member to contribute toward the success of the group by participating and encouraging others in the group to participate and do their part. As part of the lab grade, students will be required to come in day each term for 1 hour before or after school to prepare chemicals or clean the lab. Lab coats must be worn at all times in the labs and no “horse play”, loud talking or other off task behavior will be tolerated. Violation of this rule will result in removal from the course and a failing grade. Research without good record keeping is worthless, therefore a lab book write-up will be required on all labs. Exact format will be explained in class.

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. 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. Participation scores include 10 points for each day in class and 15 additional points for lab participation. Late students will be docked 5 points. In addition, students must show competency in assigned lab skills and take a state core test that will be 50% of the 4^th term grade. Grades will be recorded on Power School every week, midterm grades and failing notices will be sent home. Letter grades will be based on the following scale. I reserve the right to scale grades based on natural breaks in scores. 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-. 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.

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Parent Student