•  

     

     

         

    Environmental Biology

    Mrs. Barna

    Class Syllabus

     

    Welcome to Environmental Biology. This is a combination regular and honors course. Please review the syllabus and fill out the final page. Submit in person

    Environmental science asks questions about ecosystems, natural resources, biodiversity, pollution, climate change, human population numbers, and so forth.

    We will touch on a variety of topics in each unit as we proceed throughout the course. *( see below for topics we will cover in the course )

     

    Grading Policy:

    Grades for report cards will be based on the following weights:

    Tests/ Quizzes = 34%

    Projects = 33%

    Assignments = 33%

    • 2 quizzes will be given per unit, 1 test per unit (on average)
    • All quizzes and tests will be announced ahead of time
    • NO EXAMS will be given
    • Students are expected to sit in assigned TESTING seats and access Schoology for assessments. NO opened files are allowed on the desktop or will result in a zero for the assessment- There is ZERO tolerance of cheating

    ABSENCES:

    • If an absence occurs, work must be made up within the same time frame; example, absent one day- > one day extra to submit work: absent two days- > two days extra to submit work
    • Once the work has been made up and submitted, inform me DURING CLASS TIME so you may be given credit for your make up work.
    • (I cannot be on a scavenger hunt looking for your work, so if you don’t tell me, I won’t know it’s there)
    • If your absence falls on a day of a quiz or test, you will be expected to take the assessment upon your return
    • You are responsible for your work when absent – check Teams

     

     

    TEAMS:

    • We will be utilizing Microsoft Teams for our work. An agenda will be posted each day on the general channel for you. You are expected to read this agenda daily to know what is going on in class (this is most helpful if you are absent as well)
    • Access to power points, handouts, and any other form of notes will be given in your Teams Class Notebook- this is the best resource for you to use before resorting to the world wide web

     

    Assignments/Projects:

    • Assignments and projects will be posted in Teams. It is important that you read your directions carefully, failure to follow directions may cost you points.
    •  Submit your work the appropriate way. Most work will be submitted through Teams, but other pieces will be submitted IN PERSON. Pay attention to directives as to how you need to get your work in to me
    • DUE DATES are real. Any work not turned in by the due date and time (on Teams or in person) will be considered late and penalty points will be lost (see late policy below)
    • NO COPY/PASTE of any kind. All work must be completed using your own words or will result in a zero for the assignment
    • No sharing work with other students- this will result in a zero for both students (giver and receiver)
    • All work is expected to be your best work. All we do is quality work. Work that is sub-par will be deducted points.
    • PARTNER assignments – be sure to choose wisely when working on partner or group assignments/projects. Your partner being absent or not doing their part will not be accepted as a reason for poor quality, missing pieces, or late work

     

    Late work policy:

    • Any work submitted after the due date and time will be penalized with a 20 point deduction
    • Work submitted a WEEK or more late will be given half credit
    • **IF any work is turned in on Teams AFTER the due date, you will need to inform of DURING class time of what you submitted, or I will never know it is there

     

     

     

     

    Technology:

    • Laptops are utilized almost daily in class, HOWEVER, students should NOT be on their laptops until instructed to do so
    • Laptops should be CLOSED during discussions, presentations, etc
    • CELL PHONES are to be turned in at the beginning of class daily
    • NO EAR BUDS may be brought into class

     

    Flexing out:

    • Flexing out is a privilege, not a right
    • Groups of students MAY be allowed to flex out if the meet criteria to do so
    • The back room is an area to work in IF you are responsible to be in there
    • Any problems or issues with flexing out or the back room will result in no longer being able to flex out or work in the back room

     

     

     

    The course: (tentative timetable)

    Unit 1

    Intro to ecology:

    • Using a dichotomous key
    • Levels of organization
    • Environmental laws
    • Biomes
    • Temperate forest

    Unit 2

    PA ecology:

    • Trees and plants
    • Insects
    • Snakes
    • Mimicry
    • Birds – with a focus on raptors

    Unit 3

    PA ecology/Environmental science:

    • Amphibians
    • Mammals
    • Careers in ecology

    END QUARTER 1

    • Energy flow
    • Biodiversity
    • Invasive species
    • Endangered species

     

    Unit 4

    Aquatic systems/ Pollution

    • Types of aquatic ecosystems
    • Watersheds
    • Water pollution
    • Acid rain
    • Land use
    • Land pollution
    • Mining and farming

     

    Unit 5

    Climate change/Alternative energies

    • Climate change overview
    • Causes
    • Current events
    • Alternative energies
    • Human population size

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    PLEASE SIGN AND DATE BELOW:

     

    I have read over the course syllabus and have had the opportunity to discuss and ask questions. I am aware of the course outline and what my expectations are. I understand the policies on classroom practices, absences, late work, and technology use.

     

     

    Class name and period _______________________________________________

     

    Printed Full Name ___________________________________________________

     

    Signature __________________________________________________________

     

    Date ______________________________________________________________