St. Georges Technical High School
Instructor: Mrs. Danya Espadas MLT,ASCP
Course: Biotechnology - Level 3 (12th grade)
Phone: 302-449-3673
Room: 128
E-mail: danya.espadas@nccvt.k12.de.us
Planning Period:1
COURSE OVERVIEW
Course Description:
Level 3
This is the final course in the Biology Technician/Biotechnology Laboratory Technician pathway. Students will study industry safety
procedures and standards, laboratory operations, the composition, role and function of macromolecules, cell structure and
function, genetics, current areas of DNA research, chemical applications, and will successfully apply knowledge and skills through
completion of the senior research project, in accordance with Bioscience and Agricultural Biotechnology Skills Standards set by the
Education Development Center, Inc. HOSA and FFA Foundation, Inc.
Course Goal(s):
Level 3
After completing this course students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of industry safety procedures and standards, ability to
perform laboratory operations safely and precisely, explain the composition, role and function of macromolecules, discuss cell
structure and function, develop understanding of genetics, identify and discuss current areas of DNA research, demonstrate
knowledge of chemical applications, and successfully apply knowledge and skills through completion of the senior research
project through both classroom and practical hands on experiences.
Course Objective(s):
Level 3
Students will be able to, in accordance with Bioscience and Agricultural Biotechnology Skills Standards set by the
Education Development Center, Inc., HOSA and FFA Foundation, Inc.:

Demonstrate knowledge of industry safety procedures and standards

Perform laboratory operations safely and precisely

Explain the composition, role and function of macromolecules

Discuss cell structure and function

Develop understanding of genetics

Identify and discuss current areas of DNA research

Demonstrate knowledge of chemical applications

Successfully apply knowledge and skills through completion of the senior research project

Demonstrate readiness to fulfill the expectations of biotechnology employers by applying the technical skills and
knowledge acquired in Biotechnology I & II through internship and/or cooperative employment and /or Dual Enrollment.
Dual Enrollment- Students have an option of taking a class at Del-Tech or Wilmington University in lieu of a co-op
employment. The grade earned at the college will be substituted for the summative and formative grade. The student will
be held responsible for some Biotechnology work as seen fit by the instructor. Classwork is dependent upon students
presence in the lab. Students taking courses at the college level both semesters will not be required to do Biotechnology
classwork.
HOSA – Health Occupational Skills Association is an organization that students will compete in using Biotechnology skills. It is
required for all students in Biotechnology to compete at the district level. The competition will be held at St.Georges.
CO-OP- Students have all been briefed about obtaining employment their senior year. We allow internships at approved
businesses for students unable to obtain paid employment at a Biotech business.
REQUIRED SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING:
Students will need to purchase a few items to work in the career area:

Three ring binder for your Handouts & Notes (classroom notebook)

Scientific notebook (i.e. composition book)

Blue/black pen

Scientific calculator (the same one you have for math)

Colored pencil set (at least 5 colors)

Safety glasses (1st pair is free – replacement will be $3.00)

Lab coat embroidered approx. $35 – more info to follow- unless purchased the previous year
GRADING POLICY:
There will be grades on 4 major areas: Employability Work Habits, Vocational Competencies, Summative Assessments and
Formative assessments consisting of (Notebooks, Journals, Test, Quizzes, Class Work, Projects, Presentations, Homework, Labs and
Reports).
Each area of the student’s work will be assigned based upon level of co-op employment, dual enrollment and classroom/lab time.
St. Georges Technical High School
The instructor follows district policy on grading students based upon senior year career area activities, co-op employment and/or
dual enrollment.
Mid Term Exam (10%)
Final Exam (10%)
* Note-- as a district requirement, full year courses will count for 80% (20% each marking period) for the student’s course grade. The
mid term 10% and final exam 10% will count as 20% of the total course grade.
ATTENDANCE and LATENESS:
Regular attendance and punctuality are critical. A student will be considered late if they are not seated when the bell rings. All
housekeeping should be completed before the bell rings. If a student is late or absent from school, he or she must call the
attendance monitor and the career instructor to notify each person of the absence to receive partial employability points towards
the employability grade.
CONSEQUENCES: Early in the school year I will establish classroom and career area procedures related to how I will conduct my
classroom. After the expectations have been established, I will use the following method to correct my student’s misbehavior.
Although I will make multiple attempts to resolve issues in my classroom, at some point I will use the following procedure.
1st offense = Verbal warning (if the violation is serious or deemed by the instructor to be a safety violation, a referral to the
student advisor will occur).
2nd Offense = Verbal warning and a phone call to parent/guardian (if the violation is serious or deemed by the instructor to
be a safety violation, a referral to the student advisor will occur).
3rd offense = Written referral to the student advisor and a phone call to the parent/guardian. Consequence(s) will be
decided at the discretion of the student advisor.
CO-OPERATIVE EMPLOYMENT, EXTERNSHIPS, INTERNSHIPS AND PRACTICUM REQUIREMENT:
As an integral part of the vocational and technical training experience, cooperative employment or related externships are a
critical part of the senior student training experience. This experience broadens the students training in addition to providing them
with valuable “real world” work opportunities required to complete this career training program. It is required that all students
participate in these experiences during their senior year. Typically, at the end of the junior school year, the students are ready for
the co-op experience.
MAKE-UP & LATE WORK POLICY:
An excused absence is an absence for which parents note or documentation is provided. Following such an absence, the student
will be allowed to make up all work missed, to take tests which were missed, and to submit any assignments which became due
during the absence. The time allowance for taking tests or turning in assignments shall be equal to the number of school days or
number of class meetings missed due to the excused absence. A teacher may extend the time allowance for making up work
missed if the specific circumstances of the situation merit such action. The time allowances should not exceed more than double
the days the student was absent. THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR INITIATING MAKE-UP WORK AND TURNING IN ASSIGNMENTS RESTS WITH THE
STUDENT.
EXTRA HELP SESSIONS:
If a student’s grades are below an 80% in any class, it is highly recommended that the student stay after school for Extra Help with
that instructor. The student needing extra help must arrange in advance the date and time they will be staying for extra help with
the teacher.
St. Georges Technical High School
ACCEPTANCE OF STANDARDS:
This course syllabus is to be signed by each student and their parents/guardians to ensure that everyone understands the
expectations for the course. If there are any questions or concerns, please call or email me at the contact information above. The
continued cooperation of the student, parents, and the instructor is vital to the success of each student.
I, __________________________, have read through the course requirements, course outline, and classroom procedures. I agree to
Student Name (Print)
follow all class rules and procedures. I agree to bring my required materials and covered textbook to class everyday. I agree to try
my best and to come to class each day ready to learn.
________________________________
Student Signature
_________
Date
I, __________________________ have read through the course requirements, course outline, and classroom procedures. I agree to
Student Name (Print)
help my son/daughter obtain the required materials needed for the class. I agree to help my son/daughter to do their very best in
this class and to encourage them to succeed.
________________________________
Parent Signature
_________
Date
Note: I find it much quicker, time wise, to respond to email than by phone but I will respond either way. Your child’s success is very
important to me and communication is the primary key to success. I am looking forward to a great school year!