Course Syllabus

Honors Biology

Course Overview and Expectations

 Ms. Fuchs

fuchsd@wellesleyps.org



Dear Students and Parents,

 

Welcome to Honors Biology!  I hope this year will be exciting, fun, and challenging.  In this course, we will explore the major concepts in biology, emphasizing problem solving, laboratory explorations and application of biology to everyday life. The keys to success in this course are to be a good active listener and a diligent note taker. These critical skills must be developed as they will not only help you succeed in understanding challenging concepts presented in Biology, but will serve you well in college and beyond. 

Other important skills that will help you succeed are self motivation and communication.  It is important that you ask questions about material that you don’t understand at the time the material is being discussed and well before an exam or quiz.  Is something unclear?  Did something come up at home that impedes your ability to meet deadlines?  Let me know! I am available for extra help by appointment.  Please arrange a mutually agreeable time during class or send me an email.  My office is in Room 358 and shared classroom is in room 337.

Please review the class policies, procedures and expectations found on the reverse and then sign below.  Understanding and following these expectations will serve as a solid foundation for your success in Honors Biology.  

I look forward to working with you this year.  Please know that I am here to help you learn and succeed in biology.  I hope this will be a rewarding year for all of us.  

Parents/Guardians: Please feel free to contact me via email (fuchsd@wellesleyps.org).  Email is the best way to get in touch with me. I look forward to meeting you at back to school night on Thursday, October 3rd.

Sincerely,

Danielle Fuchs

 

Student & Parent/Guardian - please sign below by  Tuesday, September 3rd

 “I have read the expectations and classroom policies (found on the reverse of this sheet), clarified my concerns, and understand that these expectations will be kept in my child’s notebook for future reference.”

_____________________________________ ___________________________________

     Student Signature                 Parent/Guardian Signature

Honors Biology: Policies and Procedures
Please remember that the policies, rules and expectations outlined in the WHS Student Handbook apply to students at all times.

 

  1. Materials you will will find useful:
    Space in a three ring binder with loose-leaf paper, pens (2 colors) and pencils (mechanical is best).  You may also wish to purchase a SATII Biology Review Book to aid in review.

 

    Textbook: Campbell Biology Concepts & Connections, 8th Ed. ($140 replacement cost)

    ***These MUST be returned at the end of the year***

 

  1. Student Evaluation:
    Grades are determined by averaging and weighting all work assigned during the school year.  The categories and approximate weightings are: (these weightings may change during IRP /Final Experience time)

 

    • Tests and Quizzes: 50%
    • Labs: 35%
    • Homework*/Class work: 15%
      *Note: Homework is due on the assigned date unless arrangements have been made ahead of time (not the day the assignment is due) for an adjusted due date. 

    • Late work will not receive full credit if received after the assessment for the content in which it was assigned. 

     

     

    III. Attendance:
    Students are responsible for any material or assignments missed during an excused absence from school.  If it is known ahead of time that you will be absent, please inform me so that we can make arrangements for any missed HW, classwork and/or labs. Also, please check postings on our class calendar on Google Classroom. An unexcused absence will result in a 0 for any quizzes, tests, or labs.  Remember: Communication is a key for success!

     

    1. Tardiness: If you are more than 10 minutes late you will receive a cut.  Lab for this class starts at 7:30 AM. At this time traffic can be heavy; this is not a valid excuse for tardiness.  We will sometimes take a short break during double block; students will be marked tardy if they do not return to class by the designated time.  If you have a written excuse for being late, take it to the office before coming to class. If you are late without a written excuse, come directly to class.

     

    1. Academic Honesty/Integrity

    Please be clear that cheating, copying HW, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will NOT BE TOLERATED.  If they should occur, a failing grade for that particular activity will be assessed. The appropriate housemaster will be contacted as well as parents/guardians.

     

    We will follow MCAS testing conditions for all tests and quizzes. All electronic devices (including phones, laptops, smart watches, etc) will be put away in your backpacks and placed at the front of the classroom.  If you are observed with an electronic device during a test or quiz, it will be an automatic zero for the assignment.  

    Course Summary:

    Date Details Due