Course Syllabus

Honors Biology
School Year 2026–2027

Syllabus, Course Overview, and Course Expectations

Dr. Robin

robinj@wellesleyps.org

Welcome to Honors Biology! Throughout the year, we will explore the major concepts of biology through problem solving, laboratory investigation, and applications to everyday life. Success in this course comes from being engaged in class, staying on top of the material, working productively with others, and asking questions when something is unclear.

Students are expected to take an active role in their own learning, both during class and outside of class. If you do not understand something, ask. If something comes up that may affect your ability to meet a deadline or complete coursework, please let me know as early as possible. Communication and self-advocacy are important, and I want you to feel comfortable reaching out when you need help. I am available for extra help by appointment; please see my schedule for available blocks.

Please review the class policies, procedures, and expectations on the following pages. Each student and a parent/guardian should sign and return the acknowledgment on the final page. Understanding these expectations from the beginning of the year will provide a strong foundation for success in Honors Biology.

Parents/Guardians: Please feel free to contact me by email with any questions, comments, or concerns. I typically respond within 24 hours and am happy to arrange a meeting or phone call when helpful. I will also occasionally send course updates using the parent/guardian email addresses recorded in PowerSchool.

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.

Teacher: Dr. Robin
Email: robinj@wellesleyps.org
Classroom: Room 338/438
Office: Room 358
Course Website: Canvas. The course syllabus is publicly available through Canvas and the Wellesley Public Schools website.

I. General Classroom Culture

The core values of Wellesley High School (Academic Excellence, Respect for Human Differences, Cooperative and Caring Relationships, Commitment to Community, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) will always be upheld in our classroom. Students are expected to treat one another and all members of the WHS community with respect, kindness, compassion, and openness. These expectations also include academic integrity, daily preparation, active participation, productive collaboration, and an emphasis on diversity and inclusion.

II. Course Materials

Students should have:

• 3-ring binder with loose-leaf paper OR notebook and folder
• Pens and pencils
• Charged laptop/charger
• Headphones (sometimes we view videos during classwork)

 

Class Textbook: Campbell Biology Concepts & Connections, 8^th Ed. ($120 replacement cost)  

III. Student Evaluation

Student work in Honors Biology falls into two categories: Assessments and Assignments.

Assessments account for 60% of the term grade and include tests, quizzes, some major projects, and formative assessments following selected classwork, homework, and laboratory assignments.

Assignments account for 40% of the term grade and include classwork, homework, labs, Canvas quizzes, knowledge checks, and other assignments.

• Assessments: 60%
• Assignments: 40%

Homework will be assigned, although it will not always be graded. Homework is not optional simply because it is ungraded; students are expected to complete all assigned work on time. Consistent completion of homework is an important part of learning the course material.

Late assignments will receive a 20% point deduction if submitted after the due date and time posted on Canvas. All assignments must be submitted by the scheduled date of the unit assessment. Any assignment not submitted by that date will receive a grade of zero and cannot be revised.

Assessments cannot be revised. Some assignments may be revised for up to 80% credit. Revisions must be submitted within one week of receiving a grade or by the end of the unit, whichever occurs first. Exclusions may apply at the teacher's discretion; for example, the Final IRP Lab Report may not be revised.

Students will also complete a Midyear Exam, a formal written Final IRP Lab Report for a long-term experimental project, and a Final Exam. Each is worth 4% of the year grade. Together, these three assessments comprise the E1 category, worth 12% of the Y1 grade. Q1–Q4 are each worth 22% of the Y1 grade.

DCAP

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.

IV. Attendance

Please make every effort to attend class and arrive on time, assuming you are symptom-free; do not come to school with new symptoms. On scheduled lab days (double-block periods), class begins promptly at 7:30 a.m. If you have a written excuse for being late, take it to the house office before coming to class. If you are late without a written excuse, come directly to class. All attendance policies outlined in the Student Handbook will be followed. If you know you will be absent or tardy from class, please email me (robinj@wellesleyps.org) as soon as possible. It is important to communicate with me about missed work so that you do not fall behind.

When you are absent from class, you are responsible for checking Canvas for course materials, assignments, and due dates and for completing any required work. Due dates for assignments, quizzes, tests, and other assessments are posted on Canvas. You may also reach out to me by email if you have questions about what you missed. Whether or not you email me, you are responsible for making up all required work from days you are absent.

If I am absent, I will post a Canvas announcement with instructions for the class. Depending on the circumstances, class may be canceled or may meet with a substitute teacher. Any work assigned during a class that I miss will be due at the beginning of the following class period.

V. Academic Honesty/Integrity

Cheating, copying homework, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. This includes sharing homework, classwork, and most other course documents unless collaboration has been specifically permitted. I will indicate when an assignment may be completed with others; if you are unsure, ask. If academic dishonesty occurs, all parties involved will receive a failing grade for the activity. The appropriate assistant principal and parents/guardians will also be contacted.

Please review the Student Handbook regarding current expectations for the use of AI in schoolwork.

VI. Canvas

Canvas is the central hub for this course. Course materials will be organized in modules, with links to assignments, presentations, labs, and other course materials. Due dates for assignments, quizzes, tests, and other assessments will be posted on Canvas and updated as needed. Canvas announcements will be used for important updates, particularly when there is a last-minute change. Students are responsible for checking Canvas regularly, especially following an absence. I strongly encourage students to download the Canvas app and enable push notifications.

VII. Technology Use (Phones and Laptops)

Cell phones must remain turned off or silenced and placed in the phone holder—not in pockets. Each student will be assigned an individual numbered slot in the phone holder for the year and is expected to place their phone in that slot at the beginning of class. Occasionally, phones may be used as instructional tools; for example, the camera can be useful for data collection. Otherwise, phones should remain in their assigned slots. Laptops will be used frequently. Appropriate use of technology is expected at all times, and the district Acceptable Use Policy and BYOL agreement will be followed. Common violations include texting or watching non-school-related videos during class.

VIII. Course Topics (in order)

0. Chemistry Review

• • • Review of Chemical Structures, IMFs, and Polarity
    • Water Chemistry

I. The Basics of Life

• • • Classification of All Living Things
    • Characteristics of Life
    • Ecology
    • Microscope Usage

II. Biochemistry

• • • Biomolecule Structure

III. Enzymes and Human Digestion

• • • Enzyme Structure & Function
    • Digestive System

IV. The Cell

• • • Cell Structure
    • Membranes and Transport Across the Membrane
    • Nervous System

V. Energy and the Cell

• • • Photosynthesis
    • Cellular Respiration

VI. Molecular Biology and Genetics

• • • Cell Cycle/Mitosis/Cancer
    • DNA/Transcription/Translation
    • Genetics/Meiosis
    • Biotechnology
    • Immune System                                    

VII. IRP (Independent Research Project)

• • • Microbiology
    • Poster Night – June (TBA)

VIII. Change Over Time

• • • Evolution

I look forward to working with each of you this year. Please know that I am available to help when questions arise, and I hope Honors Biology will be a challenging, engaging, and rewarding experience.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jeffrey Robin

 

Honors Biology

Syllabus Acknowledgment

By signing below, the student and parent/guardian acknowledge that they have read the Honors Biology course syllabus and understand the course expectations, grading procedures, assessment policies, and other information described in the syllabus. Questions about any course policy or expectation should be directed to Dr. Robin.

Please detach this page from the syllabus, complete the acknowledgment below, and return it to Dr. Robin.

Student Name (print): ______________________________________ Block: ____________

Student Signature: _________________________________________ Date: ____________

Parent/Guardian Name (print): _______________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________________ Date: ____________