MARINE BIOLOGY
FALL 2015
Ms. Ariel Simonton
asimonton@maclay.org
A and E Blocks
Course Description: This course will study the marine environment, organisms that live in the sea or are
associated with the sea, marine ecology, and human impacts on the world’s oceans.
Text: Castro and Huber, Marine Biology, 9th edition
Additional readings from periodicals or other books may be assigned to emphasize particular subjects.
Grading:
TESTS
LABS
ASSIGNMENTS
QUIZZES
UNIT PACKETS
45%
25%
15%
10%
5%
NO EXTRA CREDIT WORK WILL BE ASSIGNED.
Do not ask for any extra work to improve your grade.
Tests: Tests will be given approximately every three weeks. The test calendar will be strictly followed.
Students will know of tests in advance, therefore, each student is responsible for being prepared on
the day of a test. In the event of an absence in the days before a test, and if NO new material was
covered during your absence, you will take the test the day you return. If new material was covered,
you will take the test the day after you return. Significantly different tests or quizzes may be given to late
takers. Make-ups will be given upon return to school in a study hall or after school, but NOT during class
time.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given periodically and may be announced or unannounced. Quizzes will test for
completion and understanding of assigned readings, laboratories, homework, and critical thinking. Handwritten
notes and homework may sometimes be allowed on certain sections of quizzes.
Laboratories: Laboratories will be scheduled throughout the year to provide hands-on learning of concepts.
See attached safety agreement for further details.
Assignments: In class assignments and homework will be given weekly as a way to incorporate more indepth learning of various topics which we may not specifically cover in class. Take home assignments are due
at the beginning of class on the assigned due date. Late work will RECEIVE A PENALTY (1 letter grade per
day, ‘F’ after 4 days, ‘Z’ if not turned in after 1 weeks from Due Date).
Aquariums: Our Marine Biology class will be responsible for maintaining the class aquariums which we will
set-up during the semester in the science hall. Your group will be graded weekly on the upkeep of your
aquarium. You will receive a test grade per quarter for your aquarium participation and maintenance. More
details about aquariums will follow once we begin aquarium set-up.
Projects: At least one project may be assigned per semester. Projects will involve research in and out of class.
MLA-format bibliographies for sources from which information is obtained must be submitted with each project.
The graded weight of project will vary and will be made clear when project is assigned.
Unit Packets: Unit packets will be due at the beginning of class on the day of the corresponding test and will
include bellwork and a completed grade table.
Field Trips: Trips are scheduled as time permits. Some may be scheduled for school days and/or some
overnights. Everyone has scheduling difficulties, but hopefully every student will have an opportunity to
participate in at least one field trip. Two, one-day trips are planned for the FSU Coastal Marine Laboratory with
a visit to the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab. One two-day trip to Sea World, Orlando and the Florida Aquarium in
Tampa is planned. More information on dates and cost will follow soon. Students are financially responsible for
the cost of the trip.
My Webpage: Most assignments will be posted on my faculty page, however DO NOT depend solely on this
for communication. Due dates, quiz/test content, and assignments may be altered or assigned during class
and may not always directly coincide with information on faculty page. Listen in class and read the board! I will
also be posting most lectures, notes and due dates. Call a friend if you are unsure.
#___________________________________
Questions/Help: If you would like to meet for a quick question or help, I will be available in F-3 or the science
office most mornings from 7:30-7:50 AM, most afternoons from 3:10-3:30 PM and during Break. See below
regarding communication via email.
Communication: For important communications (ie: need to reschedule a test, delay of an assignment due
date, missing a class) see me in advance in person at the times listed above. Do not assume I have received
and read your email unless you get a response. Do not assume I will get your email before that day’s class.
The only way to be sure is to talk to me personally.
I can only respond to student emails sent from their Maclay email accounts. All other emails are
ignored.
Rules set forth in the Maclay School Handbook, the Lab Safety agreement, and by the teacher will be followed.
General Guidelines and Classroom Rules:
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BE IN CLASS: It’s simple. Show up, take notes, and participate.
BE ON TIME: Be in your seat when the bell rings with assignments completed and out. Tardies
will negatively affect your grade. Bring me your excused green passes as I am the only person
who can excuse you from an absence or tardy in my class. If I don’t see the pass within 3
weeks, then you will remain unexcused and suffer the grade point deduction at the end of the
grading period.
BE PREPARED: Bring your own textbook, binder and note paper, a writing utensil, and any
prepared work. Without these materials, it will be difficult to follow class lectures and
discussions or to complete classroom assignments. Not being prepared will also result in a
grade deduction from your performance grade.
NO ELECTRONIC devices allowed, iPods, cell phones, etc. (unless permission granted by
me for each incidence) Place devices in phone basket or keep in locker. If seen, devices will be
taken and given to Mr. Beamer.
BE RESPONSIBLE and take responsibility for doing your own work. All answers to questions
in all Biology work should be in the student’s own words, not their partner’s words and not from
another source. Copying answers is considered plagiarism and is a violation of the Maclay
School Honor Code. Students may only share data collected with their partners during a lab.
RESPECT, HONESTY, and SAFETY are of the utmost importance in this class. Please and
Thank you’s are expected. Absolutely NO TALKING while teacher or other students are talking.
Exam Exemption Policy:
 Exam exemptions are for science fair only. (A science fair project may be done in leiu of the first
semester exam.) All components of the project must follow the guidelines and deadlines prescribed in
the science fair information packet, and the final project must be upper school and regional quality.
Projects must be presented at the local and regional fair in order to be exempt from the exam.
 Exemptions require conduct to be consistently above average (1). Students who have a 2 or higher in
may not exempt.
 Students with 10 or more absences (excused or unexcused) may not exempt either exam.
ABSENCES
 Long-range assignments are due on the day assigned even if the student is absent. It is expected that
the student who has had several weeks to work on a project will send that assignment in by a friend or
sibling if the student should be absent.
 Assigned tests that are missed due to excused absence must be made up on the day on which the
student returns to school. If the student has been absent for an extended number of days, he or she
must work out a make-up schedule individually with each teacher.
 Absence for a portion of the school day: If a student misses an announced test or quiz because of
absence for a portion of the school day, but is well enough to be in school for the remainder of that day
or to attend co-curricular activities, the student must make up the missed test or quiz on that same day.
If no study hall time is available for make-up, the student must take the missed test or quiz after school.
This supersedes practices or club meetings. Failure to make up the missed test or quiz on the
assigned day will result in a late grade penalty (lowered one letter grade), or a Z if the absence is
unexcused.
*Please read these policies as well as the attached laboratory safety agreement and photography permission*
Return this initialed and the signed Lab Safety Agreement form by Wednesday, August 19th, 2015 as the first
assignment grade of the school year.
Initial here if read_________
Parents initial here if read _______
PLEASE KEEP THIS FOR YOUR RECORDS