Everglades High School
Science Department
MARINE SCIENCE
Teacher:
Phone:
Mr. Terry Pitman
754-323-0500
Email:
Room:
404
Planning Hour: 3rd
Terry.Pitman@browardschools.com
Course Description:
Web: http://www.evergladeshs.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=414979&type=u
Welcome to Marine Science Honors! Marine Science can be defined as the process of discovering the facts,
processes, and unifying principles that explain the nature of the oceans and their associated life forms.
The purpose of this course is to provide an advanced overview of the unique characteristics of the marine
environment by exploring the physical and biological characteristics of seawater. Topics will include the ocean’s
present and potential resources, marine biology interactions with technology and society, ocean exploration, chemical
processes, energy, properties of water, marine invertebrates, marine plants, and marine vertebrates and
interrelationships between man and the ocean environment. Laboratory activities, which include the use of the
scientific method, measurement, laboratory apparatus, and safety, are an integral part of this course.
Semester One: (Through December)
Resource: Text: Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science by Tom Garrison. Available online @ BEEP
First Quarter:
Ch. 1 Origins
Ch.2 History
Ch. 3 Earth Structure and Plate Tectonics
Ch. 4 Ocean Basins
Ch. 5 Sediments
Second Quarter:
Ch. 6 Water an Ocean Structure
Ch. 7 Ocean Chemistry
Ch. 8 Circulation of the Atmosphere
Ch. 9 Circulations of the Ocean
Semester Two: (Through June)
Resource: Text: Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science
Third Quarter:
Ch. 10 Waves
Ch. 11 Tides
Ch.12 Coasts
Ch. 13 Life in the Ocean
Ch. 14 Plankton, Algae, and Plants
Fourth Quarter:
Ch. 15 Marine Animals
Ch.16 Marine Communities
Ch. 17 Marine Resources
Ch. 18 The Ocean and the Environment
Suggested Materials:
*Composition Book: Words/Prefixes, Do Nows, Notes, Labs
*Pens (blue and black)
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*Pencils
*College Rule Paper
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*Jump Drive (can be shared with all classes)
Evaluation and Assessment:
Broward
County
Grading Scale:
90 – 100%
A
87 – 89%
B+
80 – 86%
B
77 – 79%
C+
70 – 76%
C
67 – 69%
D+
60 – 66%
D
Approximate Grading Breakdown:
(These Percentages are approximations)
Assignments
In class assignments, articles, Notebooks checks, Homework
10%
Projects
Research completed over a 2 week period, may also include
presentation of information
25%
Quizzes
A formal Assessment made of 1 – 25 questions
15%
Labs
A manipulation of data, experiment, investigation, scientific
inquiries done in a controlled setting.
15%
Tests
A formal Assessment made of 26 or more questions
35%
Total 100%
0 – 59%
F
NOTE:
 Midterm exam will cover all of the content from 1st semester and the final exam will be cumulative
(all content covered during course). All exams will consist of multiple choice and essay
questions. CAUTION: Material on assessments will induce higher order thinking!! 
 All school and county policies will be followed as per the Broward County Student Code of
Conduct.
 Material in this syllabus is subject to modification by instructor if deemed necessary.
Classroom Expectations Everyday:
1. RESPECT the teacher, your classmates, and yourself.
2. LISTEN to and follow all directions the first time they are given. Be attentive and engaged in the
topic of the day.
3. Come to class prepared with supplies and completed assignments. Assignments are due at
the beginning of class.
4. BE ON TIME, in your seat, with work out on your desk. This means by the time the bell rings!
Tardiness is a disruption to the entire class. Excessive tardiness will result in an administrative
referral.
5. Keep all personal belongings, including backpacks and purses, on the floor.
6. Refrain from using profanity, vulgar language, or gestures.
7. The attendance policy for the county will be followed.
HOWEVER:
o It is important that you are in class everyday. Much of your understanding of science will
come from things explained in class.
o Any assignment due on the day of your absence is due the day you return to school.
o Previously scheduled tests/quizzes given on the day of your absence will be taken in class
on the day of your return to school. SOME QUIZZES MAY BE UNANNOUNCED!! THAT
MEANS POP QUIZZES!!
o All students and parents will need to refer to the 2015-2016 BCPS Code of Student Conduct
Handbook for clarification.
8. If I am absent from class I expect the substitute to be treated with RESPECT. (Refer to rule #1)
All class work is to be completed and returned to the substitute at the end of the class period.
Misbehavior is not tolerated and will be documented.
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9. Students are also responsible for accessing and/or retrieving all school and county policies.
Familiarize yourself with the Student Code of Conduct Book and Everglade’s school rules and
policies.
Consequences:
1. Warning
2. Call to parent
3. Referral
Cheating: Cheating is obtaining information from any source other than those prescribed, or
approved by the teacher for a specific assignment.
Examples of cheating offenses that will not be tolerated are:
1.
Having a “cheat sheet” or “texting” questions/answers (receiving or transmitting).
2.
Copying, looking, sharing information, or talking with another student during any
assessment. (i.e. test, quiz, etc.)
3.
Plagiarism: copying words or ideas without giving credit to your source
4.
Creating data for science fair projects. (Also using another student’s project or
submitting a project from any previous year without conducting a new
experiment).
5.
Copying a research paper, even with modifications, from another student,
internet, or other sources.
Any student giving or receiving information is to be considered equally responsible for cheating.
Students caught cheating will have their parent notified of their actions. A member of the
administration will meet with the teacher and the parent if necessary. A grade of zero will be
given for the assignment and the student will not be allowed to make-up the work. Teachers will
also notify the sponsors of groups in which good character is a stipulation for entry of continued
membership (i.e. National Honors Society).
Penalties for cheating:
1.
Automatic zero on the assignment or test
2.
Parent notification
3.
Referral to Administration, creating an official record of the incident.
**All Electronics must be placed in the back or front of the classroom before starting any
form or assessment and cannot be used during any test. **
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Daily Expectations:
Be Responsible




Know & follow lab safety procedures
Be Prepared: Come to class with your supplies and ready to WORK- put in real EFFORT
Come in to get help from me or your classmates when you need it.
Do your own work on all assignments. If you copy neither of you will get credit.
Be Respectful



Practice Kindness: Speak kindly to one another ALWAYS
Everyone in this class is important and will be treated as such
No electronics-unless part of classroom activity
Be Reliable



Be punctual to class and with work (TARDIES = DETENTIONS)
Work from bell to bell (I dismiss you- not the bell!)
Work with your lab group and do work in class
Grading:
Students will be evaluated through performance on chapter exams, announced quizzes on the
readings, laboratory investigations and lab reports, homework, group projects, and writing
assignments. In addition, each student will conduct an environmental science research project.
Grades are calculated using the following:

Exams and quizzes - 60 %

Labs / Projects - 30%

Homework - 10%
Letter





grades will be determined by:
A = 100-90
B = 89-80
C = 79-70
D = 69-60
F < 60
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Student Information
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Please sign this paper below and return it to Mr. Pitman as soon as possible.
You will be given class credit for turning this in tomorrow. Start the semester off right, and turn this
in!
Student name (please print):______________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Home Phone: _________________e-mail: ___________________________
Parent/Guardian Contact Information:
Guardian #1 Name (please print):__________________________________
Phone (and best times to call):____________________________________
E-mail:_______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Contact Information:
Guardian #2 Name (please print):__________________________________
Phone (and best times to call):_____________________________________
E-mail:_______________________________________________________
Sign below and Return to the Instructor:
For parents: I have read and understand the class expectations for this course. I understand that my
student is responsible for monitoring grades and informing me of his or her progress in this class. I
also know that students will receive printed progress reports approximately once a month, and that
grades can be checked online at:
(http://evergladeshs.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=203558&type=d)
Parent Signature: _______________________
Date:__________________
For students: I have read and understand the class expectations for this course. I understand that my
grade is my responsibility, and that it is up to me to monitor and inform my parents/guardians of my
progress.
Student Signature: ______________________
Date:__________________
Is there anything you would like me to know about you/your student?
Please read and sign lab safety contract on reverse side.
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Lab Safety Contract
General Rules:
1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times.
2. You will not be admitted to the lab unless you have completed the required pre-lab. You will receive a mark of “0” for
any missed labs due to lack of preparation.
3. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand, ask.
4. Your instructor must be present at all times during the lab.
5. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor.
6. There is no horseplay, or any type of practical jokes or pranks allowed in the lab, they are dangerous, to you and to
everyone.
7. Safety glasses or chemical safety goggles and lab aprons are required, as indicated by your instructor, any time
chemicals, heat or glassware is used. There are no exceptions to this rule.
8. Contact lenses should not be worn in the lab.
9. Dress appropriately: No loose or bulky clothing, jackets, skirts, shorts, dresses, sandals, or open-toed shoes are
allowed. All long hair must be tied back, and long bangs clipped back. Dangling jewelry, rings, and watches should
not be worn.
10. Carry out experiments with care and caution. Be aware of your surroundings, observe good housekeeping practices,
and keep aisles clear.
11. Never leave experiments unattended. Do not wander the room, distract others, or interfere with the laboratory
experiments of others.
12. Be aware of emergency equipment locations, and operating procedures.
13. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals or preserved specimens. Wash your hands
with soap and water after performing all experiments.
14. Do not sit or lean on laboratory tables or counters, as corrosive residue or glass fragments may be present.
15. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a lab period; containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods
turned off, and any electrical equipment turned off.
16. No food or beverages are allowed in the lab, or at the lab stations.
17. Dispose of all chemical waste as instructed. Check waste container labels twice before adding your chemical waste to
the container.
18. NEVER return unused chemicals to their original container.
19. Acids and bases must be handled with extreme caution. You will be shown the proper method for diluting strong acids.
Always ADD ACID to water, swirl or stir the solution and be careful of the heat produced, especially with sulphuric
acid.
20. Handle all living organisms or preserved biological specimens in a humane manner, and with respect. Dispose of
specimens properly, as instructed.
21. When using knives or sharp instruments, always carry the tips and points pointing down and away. Always cut away
from your body. Grasp sharp instruments only by the handles, and never try to catch a falling sharp instrument.
22. If you notice any damaged or missing parts to school equipment, inform your instructor immediately otherwise you
may be held responsible. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately, do not use it.
23. ALL chemicals, equipment, supplies, and specimens must remain in the lab. Any removal of laboratory items from the
lab will result in disciplinary action.
24. REMAIN CALM and REPORT any accident IMMEDIATELY, no matter how minor.
AGREEMENT:
I, __________________________, (student’s name) have read and agree to follow all of the safety rules set forth in this contract.
I realize that I must obey these rules to ensure my own safety, and the safety of all others in the lab. I will come prepared, follow
instructions closely and carefully, and contribute to maintaining a safe environment for everyone to work in. I am aware that any
violation of this safety contract or misbehavior on my part may result in being removed from the laboratory setting. I understand
discussion about my behavior will take place after the lab has been completed. Any disciplinary consequences are dependent on
the severity and/or frequency of my misbehavior.
Student Signature:___________________________________
Date:___________
We feel that parents/guardians need to be informed regarding our effort to maintain a safe science classroom/laboratory
environment. Your signature indicates that you have read this contract, are aware of the measures taken to ensure the safety of
everyone in the lab, and have discussed the importance of lab safety with your son/daughter.
Parent/Guardian Signature:_____________________________
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Date:____________
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