Marine Biology
(SC132) 2014-2015
Course Description This course will address the
history and physical characteristics of the ocean. Topics
will include bathymetry, sea floor spreading, life cycle of
an island, winds and the Coriolis effect, water chemistry
and salinity. Other areas of focus will include the ecology
of ocean zones and communities. Organisms will be
explored through microscopy, dissection, and modeling.
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Contact Information
Tyler Sawyer
Room 225 (480) 545-3100x6782
tyler.sawyer@gilbertschools.net
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Grading Standards
Students will be graded on a typical scale, consisting of the following:
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A 100-90%
B 89-80%
C 79-70%
D 69-60%
F 59% and Below
Grades will be weighted, as follows:
 Assignments 30%
 Tests and Quizzes 40%
 Quarter Projects 10%
Note: Semester Exams will be weighted at 20% of the Final grade.
Late/Missing Work
At most, late daily work will be accepted one day late, for ½ credit. Major assignments will be
accepted one day late for a 10% deduction, two days late for a 20% deduction, and three days
late for a 30% deduction. At four days late and beyond, late work will not be accepted.
Assignments that are due on the day of an absence are due immediately on the day that
students return to school
Approximate point values of student work
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Tests 500 points
Quizzes 100 points
Major assignments (including labs) 100-200 points
Minor assignments (small tasks that require little time) 10-50 points
Quarter Projects 500 points per project
Extra Credit
Extra credit will not be issued to students.
Student Notebooks
Students are required to acquire and keep a notebook only for Science. The notebook will be
a composition-type, college ruled is preferred due to space constraints. The collection of work
in the notebook will be counted as a grade.
Notebooks will be used for daily vocabulary and warmups, any note taking, laboratory
activities, and selected quizzes.
Assignments will be collected on a regular basis, but notebooks will be graded over a longer
time scale, approximately once per month. Students are responsible for maintaining this
notebook as each semester progresses.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
As members of the Coyote family, we pride ourselves on our dedication to Community, Values,
Honor and Scholarship. Students are expected to meet specific positive behavioral standards
both in and out of the classroom. These behaviors, such as being respectful and practicing
academic honesty, are what make Campo Verde such an amazing place to learn. During this
school year, students will participate in a school-wide initiative focused on the promotion and
reinforcement of the expected standards of behavior.
Behavior Expectations
 Students will treat each other with respect.
 Classroom behavior will remain modest and under control, in order to foster an
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appropriate environment for learning.
Student cell phones or other electronic devices will remain in backpacks, pockets, or
purses.
Students will participate actively and appropriately in classroom discussions and
activities.
Students will respond when requested, and in an appropriate manner.
Students will be dressed appropriately to maintain an effective learning environment.
Students that stray from the approved dress code will be directed to the front office.
Students will direct specific issues not related to instruction to times outside of class.
Students will refrain from eating or drinking, due to inherent risks in the laboratory
setting.
Behavior Consequences/Plan
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Verbal Warning to student, followed by:
Assignment to 30 minute detention, either before school, at lunch, or after school
Call to Parent
Student-Parent-Teacher conference
Referral
In some instances, students may be immediately removed from the class for the remainder of
the period in addition to a detention and Student-Parent-Teacher conference.
Safety
Student safety is paramount in the science classroom. During laboratory activities, students
may come into contact with certain necessary hazards while working.
Injury in the laboratory can be reduced by:
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Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing
Tie long hair back securely
Be aware when moving about the lab- of yourself and others
Wear safety goggles when appropriate
Report broken glass and solution spills to the instructor immediately
Refraining from horseplay in the lab
Refraining from eating or drinking
Note: Students who breach reasonable laboratory safety practices will be removed from the
classroom for the remainder of the activity, with no warning. Due to the potential hazardous
nature of science, this is an issue that is handled with zero tolerance.
Leaving During Class Time
Every semester, each student will be given two “emergency” passes to the restroom or to the
drinking fountain. My classroom is located nearby both locations, so all drinks or needs should
(and can) be taken care of during passing periods. Time spent outside of class is very hard to
make up for- students will miss much more than they realize. As success depends partly upon
being in class, these two passes should only be used if there is no possible way the student can
wait. Physical passes will not be handed out but rather kept accounted for, for each individual
student.
Tardies
Students are expected to promptly arrive in class, on time. Students who are excessively tardy
will receive the following consequences:
3 Tardies: Call home
5 Tardies: Administrator Referral
Scope and Sequence of the Course
Semester 1
History of Exploration, Winds, Currents, Seawater Chemistry, and Seafloor Geology
Semester 2
Marine Ecology, Marine Organismal Diversity
Dual Enrollment
Through a partnership with Chandler Gilbert Community College, Marine Biology will be
offered through Dual Enrollment. The course number is Bio 145, Marine Biology. If possible,
every student and their family should strongly consider enrolling for college credit. Dual
Enrollment for this course is beneficial two fold- first, the course satisfies the “SG” graduation
credit requirement at many universities. Second, it is much more cost effective to receive DE
credits from CGCC than to take first year classes at a major university. Depending on how
many DE courses you enroll in, Marine Biology tuition is $336 for four credits. Those same
four credits at ASU (plus a book), will run $1,730.
Extra Help
Students can seek extra help before school, at lunch, or after school by coming in to Room
225. Students may wish to make arrangements beforehand of when they plan to come in.
Please print only this page, and return it to class
Syllabus Acknowledgement
CVHS Marine Biology 2014-2015
Student
I have read through this syllabus. I have reviewed the course policies regarding grading,
missing/late work, and behavior.
I understand all policies, and will be able to act accordingly to ensure my success in Marine
Biology.
____________________________
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sign
date
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print
hour
Parent
I have read through my child’s syllabus. I have reviewed the course policies regarding grading,
missing/late work, and behavior.
I understand all policies, and will be able to actively work with the instructor and my child to
ensure their success in Marine Biology.
____________________________
_________
sign
date
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print