Theodore Roosevelt High School
Course Syllabus – 2010 - 2011
Science Department
Course Name/Instructor:
Faculty Contact Information:
Course Length & Credit:
Prerequisite:
Environmental Science / Mrs. Noreen Nsereko
3.00pm to 3.30pm. Mon, Tue, Fri. in room # 249. Please
make arrangements in advance. Tel: (515) 242-7272
Email: noreen.nserekowantate@dmps.k12.ia.us
Full year course, 1 unit of credit
Biology
Course Description: Environmental Science is the study of the impact of humans on the environment.
Materials: 3 ring binder, composition notebook (to be used as a lab notebook) spiral notebook, writing implement
Texts: Karen Arms (2008). Environmental Science (Student ed.).Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Units Taught: Water, air and land, biosystems, populations, global changes, energy and resources, waste, agriculture,
economics and policy.
Classroom Procedures and Expectations
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Student Attendance: Student attendance on a daily basis is critical to student achievement and success in
school. Roosevelt has high expectations for students to be in attendance each day to be able to benefit from their
teachers daily instruction. Please refer to the DMPS District Policy on Attendance Requirements for students and
to the Roosevelt Student Handbook for Attendance Interventions and Practices.
Grading criteria: Approximately 60% of your grade will come from daily work, lab work, projects and homework.
20% will come from tests and quizzes, 20% will come from the semester final.
Grading Scale: 90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D, 59% or less F.
Academic Integrity: Plagiarism is the misrepresentation of another’s ideas, phrases, discourse, or works as
one’s own; it is not tolerated at Roosevelt High School. Any written assignment containing any plagiarism will be
given an F grade. Cheating on assignments, tests, and quizzes will result in a grade of F and disciplinary
sanctions. Please refer the Roosevelt Student Handbook for more details.
Late assignments: It is the student’s responsibility to complete work by the deadline. Students have one week
from the date of posting to make up late work for partial credit.
Makeup work and exams: It is the student’s responsibility to ask for and complete makeup work. Students will
be given two days for each day missed to make up work. Make up time may not exceed six school days following
the student’s return. The time allowed for makeup work may be extended at my discretion. Full credit will be given
for schoolwork made up because of excused absences. It may not always be possible to make up labs. Every
effort must be made to attend all lab classes.
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Study expectations: Comprehensive notes will be provided. These are designed to help students learn the
important material and prepare for quizzes and tests. A companion website supports this course. Students are
expected to visit the site for review and to access additional resources.
Website: http://nserekoenvironmentalscience.wikispaces.com/
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Participation expectations: The best way to understand science is by “doing” and I will provide opportunities for
students to participate in lab and field investigations. Students will be encouraged to ask questions, participate in
group work, projects, presentations and debates.
Homework: I assign homework for 3 reasons: to reinforce and extend concepts introduced in class, to give
students needed practice in essential new skills, or to prepare students for a lab. Homework is part of the course
requirement, and failure to complete assignments satisfactorily on time may result in grade reduction or loss of
credit.
Laboratory Conduct: Lab and field activities are a significant component of this course. They require students to
behave responsibly and with maturity. Any behavior I feel jeopardizes the safety of students will result in
immediate removal from the lab / field activity and loss of credit.
Student Expectations: Students are expected to be punctual, prepared, and ready to learn; be respectful to yourself,
others, and property; be flexible, open minded, and cooperative; be honest and trustworthy; and be accountable.
Course Outcomes:
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Pose appropriate questions, that can be investigated and supported or refuted using evidence, about natural and
man-made phenomena
Analyze and interpret data gathered in scientific investigations to look for patterns and inconsistencies
Design a scientific investigation to accurately test a scientific question or inconsistency in data using the scientific
method
Conduct a scientific investigation using appropriate tools and techniques to gather data and utilize the metric
system
Develop models and make predictions using evidence gathered in scientific investigations
Communicate scientific concepts in an organized and technologically appropriate way using appropriate scientific
vocabulary
Evaluate the accuracy and relevancy of sources of information
Explain how the history of science influences and relates to current as well as future scientific investigations
For additional information regarding this curricular area, please refer to DMPS Essential Learnings
(www.dmps.k12.ia.us )
---------------Cut here and return bottom to Mrs. Nsereko by Fri Sept. 3rd-----------------------Student name_____________________________Period______Signature_____________________________
Consent for use of photographs of your student on teacher website. Check Here ______
Parent/guardian signature_____________________________home phone______________work phone__________
Parent/guardian email address_____________________________________________________________
Thank you