Grading Policy
Teacher: Frank Shaw
Voice Mail Ext: 181
Email: fshaw@ticonderogak12.orgRegents Biology
Course Description and Expectations: Biology is the science about living organisms and the living and non-living environment we are a part of. Knowledge of biological concepts such as ecology, evolution, reproduction, genetics, and homeostasis help us to understand our place in the natural world. Understanding how humans have and are affecting the environment help us to make informed decisions about important issues that will face us as citizens of our country and the world. Regents biology has a mandated laboratory component that includes written laboratory reports. Students must complete a full complement of satisfactory lab reports in order to be eligible to participate in the final exam. The New York State Regents exam will be the final exam in the course. Students are expected to come to class ready to ask and answer questions about the natural world around us. Students are expected to come to class ready to ask and answer questions about the natural world around us.
Grading Policy: 60% Tests, 20% Labs, Homework 10% , Quizzes 10%
Final Exam Weighting: Final Exam counts as 1/6 of total course grade. If the final exam grade is higher than the mid-year exam grade, the final exam grade will displace the mid-year exam grade.
Late Work Policy: Work that comes in late will be penalized late points. Late homework will only be accepted until the graded homework assignment is returned to the class. Labs that are not submitted in the marking period in which they are due will be graded at 50%. Work that does not come in will be graded as 0%.Test makeup policy: If a student misses taking a test, the test may be completed outside of class during non-instructional time.
Extra Credit: No extra credit available.
Grades in PowerGrade: Grades will generally be posted within 1 week of when assignment is due.
Homework Policy: Students will be given assignments in support of the unit being studied. They will take the form of practice problems from textbook or workbooks, lab reports, test prep, and quiz prep.
Lab Policy: Students have to submit a set of complete labs in order to challenge the Regents exam. Each student must complete 1200 minutes of hands-on lab activity as part of the written component. Acceptable written reports for each lab must be completed. Students must complete labs they are absent for during non-instructional time.
A.P. Biology
Course Description and Expectations: A.P. Biology is a rigorous college level course which may provide students college science credit after successful completion of the A.P. Examination. The course centers on eight main themes: Theme 1 - Science as a Process, Theme 2 - Evolution, Theme 3 - Energy Transfer, Theme 4 - Continuity and Change, Theme 5 - Relationship of Structure to Function, Theme 6 - Regulation, Theme 7 - Interdependence in Nature, and Theme 8 - Science, Technology, and Society. These themes will be developed through teaching ten units: Unit One: Chemistry of Life, Unit Two: Cells, Unit Three: Cellular Energetics, Unit Four: Meiosis and Basic Inheritance Patterns, Unit Five: Molecular Genetics, Unit Six: Evolutionary Biology, Unit Seven: Diversity of Organisms, Unit Eight: Plant Structure and Function, Unit Nine: Animal Structure and Function, Unit Ten: Ecology.
Grading Policy: 60% Tests, 20% Labs, Homework 10%, Quizzes 10%
Final Exam Weighting: Final Exam counts as 1/6 of total course grade. If the final exam grade is higher than the mid-year exam grade, the final exam grade will displace the mid-year exam grade.
Late Work Policy: Work that comes in late will be penalized late points. Late homework will only be accepted until the graded homework assignment is returned to the class. Labs that are not submitted in the marking period in which they are due will be graded at 50%. Work that does not come in will be graded as 0%.Test makeup policy: If a student misses taking a test, the test may be completed outside of class during non-instructional time.
Extra Credit: No extra credit available.
Grades in PowerGrade: Grades will generally be posted within 1 week of when assignment is due.
Homework Policy: Reading all assigned chapters for comprehension will be the bulk of the assigned homework. Over the course of the year this will encompass over 900 pages of college level text. Completion of all assigned reading will be vital to the student’s success in class and on the A.P. Examination. Students will be given additional assignments in support of the unit being studied. They will take the form of practice problems from textbook or workbooks, lab reports, test prep, and quiz prep.
Lab Policy: Students have to submit a complete set of 12 required labs. Acceptable written reports for each lab must be completed. Students must complete labs they are absent for during non-instructional time.