REGENTS BIOLOGY SYLLABUS

2009-2010 - Mr. Via

The content of this course will be taught in 7 units according to the Regents Syllabus. Those units are:

1. The Nature of Biology
2. Cells
3. Plant Maintenance
4. Animal Maintenance
5. Evolution

6. Genetics
7. Ecology

Onteora High School Biology Student Requirements

**STUDENTS MUST BRING A PEN OR A PENCIL EVERY DAY! NO EXCUSES!

NOTEBOOK: (required)

1. Class notes will be taken each day and dated. This will enable you to locate and copy any notes you've missed following an absence.

2. You will be required to maintain a notebook, a three-ring binder, so that notes and handouts may be kept in order.Each unit must be separated and a table of contents must be included. Also, a separate folder, which will be left in the classroom, will be maintained for completed labs in preparation to be sent to the state.

LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS:

1. New York State's Department of Education mandates students to "engage in laboratory activities for at least 1200 minutes."Failure to comply with this will result in,"you" not being able to take the Regents Exam at the end of the year."

2. Labs missed due to illness should be "made up" as soon as possible during a mutual free period, study hall or by making arrangements with me to stay after school.

3. When pre-lab assignments are given they are due at the beginning of the lab period. Labs missed due to being unprepared or skipping cannot be made up. They will result in a 0% for a grade.

4. Labs not made up during the quarter in which they were performed will result in a 0%, unless of course, your dog ate the lab.

5. Participation is a must. During lab Mr. Via will circulate throughout the room and ask students to perform tasks such as focusing a microscope. The student must be able to perform this task successfully or his/her grade will be affected. Also, behavior is incorporated into your lab grades.A responsible & respectful manner is required, for there is very expensive equipment in this classroom. This is not "Romperroom." The corners of your mouth will determine your attitude.

6. Your lab average will carry a 35% weight of your quarter grade.

LABORATORY REPORTS:

1. Lab reports are due when stated by Mr. Via. Alllaboratory reports must be handed in to meet the Regent’s laboratory requirements.

2. Labs must be handed in on the due date or the student will lose 5 points for each school day the lab is late. (This adds up fast so don't fall behind.)

QUIZZES and HOMEWORK:

1. Quizzes and all graded homework will carry a 20% weight of your quarter grade. See below for information on non-graded homework.

2. Quizzes will be both announced and unannounced and will be given periodically throughout a unit. Any missed quiz because of illness must be made up the day the student returns.

4. Homework will consist of readings followed by questions and dittos related to the topic of study. The homework that is collected will result in a grade. The homework that is not collected and is just checked will result in a Check, if it is not completed, the result will be a minus.

The students have the opportunity to gain an extra point on their quarterly average by: "after you complete each homework on time, you the student will be awarded two additional points to your final quarterly grade. If you miss once, there is no penalty." Every homework assignment you miss after one will result in a one-point deduction from your final quarterly average for each incomplete assignment.

TESTS:

1.Tests will carry a 45% weight of your quarter grade.

2. There will be a full period test given at the completion of each unit, with quizzes given in between. Tests will consist of Regents-style multiple choice questions as well as objective style short answer questions.

TESTS and ABSENCES:

1. If you are absent the day of the exam and have been in class all days except the exam day, you will take the test on the day you return to school. This policy can be changed only when you and I have conferred on an alternate time.

2. If you're absent the days prior to the exam day, you will have one week from your return date to take the test. It is your responsibility to remember this as well as to get the adequate notes, as well as help you will need regarding the material missed. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

3. Missed tests will be made at the next possible opportunity. That is either during a study hall (should we both be free then) or after school.

END OF THE YEAR REVIEW BOOKS:

THIS IS YOUR MISSION, IF YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT. DON'T WORRY THIS MESSAGE WILL NOT SELF-DESTRUCT.

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