Course Syllabus

Conceptual Biological Chemistry (CBC)
Overview & Course Expectations

(Back to School Video for parents)

 

Course Title:  Conceptual Biological Chemistry (CBC)

Level: CP

Instructors:  Mr. Paul Giancioppo, Ms. Mindy Hoge, Ms. Arielle Bailey

 

Course Description: This two-year course is designed to give students an opportunity to develop prerequisite skills in order to build a working knowledge of biology. The course will focus on teaching students the key concepts in biology and chemistry that explain why living organisms function and exist. A highly supportive, differentiated teaching model will be used to ensure that each student has the opportunity to build their understanding. The curriculum will be primarily aligned to the Massachusetts Biology Framework but will also draw heavily on the Chemistry Framework so that students can develop a basic knowledge of chemistry to understand the basis of life. Students completing this two-year course will have met the graduation requirement from science.

 

Course Sequence for this Year: (this may change slightly)

Ecology (Ecosystems and Relationships)

Ecology (Carbon Cycle and Water Cycle)

Photosynthesis & Climate Change

Cellular Respiration

Cells (Structure of cells, Mitosis, Cancer)

DNA 

Evolution

Genetics (review)

 

Quick Info:

    • Office hours:
      • My extra help Office Hour is currently scheduled for Mondays at 2:30pm in room 247. This will likely change from week to week and updates to its timing will be provided in the "Daily Agenda" on the "Home" page of our Canvas course (this can be accessed by using the student login).
    • Best way to contact Mr. Giancioppo:
      • Email is the quickest, most reliable way of getting in contact with me: giancioppop@wellesleyps.org
    • Expectations when the student is absent:
      • Students should email or talk to Mr. Giancioppo, Ms. Hoge, Ms. Bailey, or their other support staff to ask what they missed when they were absent. Students could also look for this info in our "Daily Agenda".
    • Expectations when the teacher is absent:
      • Students should still report to class if Mr. Giancioppo is absent. Ms. Hoge, Ms. Bailey or a substitute will be present.
    • Expectations around extended time for assessments:
      • Assessments are designed to allow for extended time to be used during the class period of the assessment. It will be assumed that students will intend to make use of their extended time.

 

Expectations and Guidelines

Materials:

  • Fully charged laptop. Loaner laptops can be borrowed from the Tech Office in room 356 before class starts. 
  • Three ring binder and loose leaf paper is strongly recommended.
  • Pen or pencil.

Grading: Grades for each marking period will be based on a point system where points will be obtained from tests, quizzes, lab activities, formal lab reports, homework, class participation, projects and citizenship. Each quarter will be worth 22% of the final Year Grade (Y1), which adds up to 88%. E1 will be an additional grading period which will include the remaining 12% of the Year Grade. E1 will consist of end of year project(s).

Homework will be given nightly and will be checked frequently.  Some assignments will be collected and graded for accuracy while other assignments will simply be scanned for effort and completeness. 
~ Assignments submitted after the due date will be worth 80% credit.

Assessments will be announced at least one week in advance.  

Labs occur in the morning, at 8:00am, and you must be present.  If you have to miss a lab then it is your responsibility to bring this to my attention before the lab and we will coordinate a time to complete the lab.  

Projects are usually given every marking period and are a way for you to demonstrate your knowledge as well as your creativity.

Absences:
Please ask your teacher for make up work when you return to class. You have (absence) + 1 days to make up missed work. Please check the Daily Agenda at the top of the Canvas Home page to see what was missed.

If both teachers are absent, follow any instructions provided by the sub.

Reminder: copying work from another student or AI when not clearly instructed to do so is cheating.  If you are having a difficult time with an assignment, please ask a teacher for help.

 

"District accommodations (DCAP) are available to all students, and in the 26-27 school year, WHS is committed to moving this forward with fidelity.  While some accommodations can be offered at the moment, others require advanced notice. For example: Extended time on an in-class assessment is a collaborative decision made by the teacher, student, and family to meet individual student needs.  The WHS guideline is up to 25% extra time.  This accommodation relies on proactive student communication prior to the date of the assessment.  The student and teacher must establish how the accommodation will be provided." - WHS policy