Biology Course Expectations and Grading 2015/16
Introduction: Biology is a required laboratory class that is designed to be a broad survey course
covering ecology, cells, genetics, evolution, micro-organisms, fungi, plants and animals. Lab work
will focus on these topics as well as safety and basic skills. Assessment will be a combination of tests,
quizzes, projects and lab reports.
Tests: There will be approximately five (5) tests each semester.
Quizzes: There will be announced and unannounced quizzes.
Lab Reports: There will be both formal written lab reports (1 per semester) as well as lab exercises
from handouts that will be provided. Guidelines for writing a formal lab report will be provided on a
separate handout.
Homework: Anticipate approximately 45 minutes of homework each night. Every night you should
be reviewing and learning all of the class notes, including vocabulary. To check to see if you have
mastered the material from class one day, you will take DNQs the next day class meets. DNQs (Do
Now Questions) will vary in length and points depending on the material covered in class the previous
day. Sometimes they will be collected and others they will not. Points may vary from approximately
5-20 and will count toward your Projects/Homework/Classwork/Quizzes grade. If written work is
assigned (like questions in the lab manual) it is due at the beginning of class
Please send me an email or see me before class meets (before school or during period 1 study
hall) if you have any major questions regarding homework.
Grading: All work will receive a numerical grade. Work for the term will count as follows:
Tests
30%
Lab Reports
30%
Projects/Homework/
Classwork/Quizzes
40%
Extra credit will not be given.
Late Assignments: Assignments are due at the beginning of class. The school wide late policy
will apply for major assignments. (See the Student & Parent Handbook for details.)
Missed Classes: Frequently students unavoidably miss class due to appointments, games, etc. It
is expected that if you know that you will miss class, prior to the missed class(es), you are to
turn in work; make up tests/quizzes – or make arrangements to do so. Communication is key.
Please see me or email me with a plan for how you would like to handle work missed due to the
absence. For example, if you are going to be dismissed early on the day of a test, you should
plan to take the test during a study period that same day if possible, or the next day.
Over Please
Updated 9/2/15
Other: Please follow the guidelines below:
 Type formal lab reports.
 Check spelling and neatness as both count toward your grade.
 Put your name, date and class in the upper right corner of the first page of your work.
 Put your name or initials and page number on all other pages.
 Staple multiple page assignments.
Keep in Touch: bfarrell@nya.org E-mail me if you have questions or concerns at any time.
 Although I may not get your message if not during school hours, I will know that you
made the attempt to contact me.
 If you e-mail assignments make sure your name is on each page of the assignment so it
won’t get lost once it is printed.
For Class Each Day: Please make sure you have with you daily:
 Textbook
 Pen/pencil
 Three-ring binder. Your binder should have dividers for the following categories:
1. Handouts – this paper, term project information, etc.
2. Notes – notes that are taken in class or at home. Keep graded work (DNQs,
quizzes, tests, etc.) in with the notes for that topic.
3. Lab – all work regarding labs
4. Extra Paper
Updated 9/2/15