Standard Level IB Biology 2015-2016

August 24, 2015

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back to school! Before this course really begins I want to share some information to help you understand what you are getting into and what you can expect to get out of the class.

This is an advanced science course for Standard Level (SL) International Baccalaureate (IB) students. Students and their families should not be surprised by course requirements that are in excess of what you expect from other advanced courses. Some students accustomed to earning A’s may score lower on class exams and start to doubt themselves, their teacher and the course because they forget they are taking an advanced course with standards that are higher than usual. This is true not just for high school students but for college students as well; science demands much of us as individuals, including a broad perspective and a sense of humor.

A little about me: this is my seventh year teaching at Leander High School. Before coming to Leander I graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.S. in Geoscience, received a Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from the University of New Mexico, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas at Austin in the Jackson School of Geosciences. During my graduate and postgraduate research I had the opportunity to teach at the college level, where I fell in love with teaching. I have spent many years in the field and in the lab exploring the world around us, and I absolutely love that my job now allows me to educate the next generation of scientists.

For more about me and about this course check out my website: rasmussen-science.org (also linked through the LHS website). The best way to contact me is through email, but please do not hesitate to call me with any questions or concerns; I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jessica Rasmussen rasmussen-science.org jessica.rasmussen@leanderisd.org 512.570.1000

Standard Level IB Biology 2015-2016

Instructor: Dr. Jessica Rasmussen Phone: (512) 570-1000 Email: jessica.rasmussen@leanderisd.org Websites: rasmussen-science.org facebook.com/dr.j.rasmussen twitter.com/DrJRasmussen Welcome! SL Biology is an advanced course that covers the origins of life on Earth, biochemistry, cell processes, genetics and evolution, human health and physiology, plant science, ecology and conservation. Our main goals are to understand these major concepts of biology and to pass the SL biology exams in May. This will be a demanding task and will require dedication and commitment on your part.

Commitment • This class will make unusually heavy demands on your time and energy. The general

rule for IB science courses is 1-2 hours of study time for every 1 hour spent in class; that translates to roughly 3-9 hours a week, depending on where we are in the schedule.

• SL Biology labs do not conform to a ringing school bell. Please understand that since we only meet every other day, you may have to come in on the off days or before/after school to complete steps in a procedure or to record data.

• This is an advanced class--responsible conduct is a must. We cannot get through all the material and labs if there are problems.

• Class discussions are essential to success in any science class; please do not hesitate to participate in these discussions. Your involvement in the learning process is essential.

Required Materials College-ruled notebook (composition book is recommended) There are 3 categories of assignments, weighted as follows:

1. Labs (30%) – Students will complete formal lab reports and several experimental designs for each unit. Students will need their notebook to record lab data, but will submit final drafts of their lab reports online using turnitin.com.

2. Exams, Quizzes and Projects (50%) – Each unit will include 1-2 quizzes and an exam or project. Students will also complete three design labs throughout the year that will each count as a major grade. Quizzes are worth half a test grade.

3. Homework (20%) – The SL exam will include more information than we can cover in one year. It is expected that reading assignments will be completed on time, before class, as time for lecture and notes will be limited given the number of labs in our curriculum.

Late work policy No late work will be accepted. If a student has an excused absence they will fill out a form explaining the reason for absence, the teacher/sponsor in charge of the activity (if academic), and the extended deadline for the assignment (ex; if you miss one class period you will have one extra class period to turn in the assignment).

Standard Level IB Biology 2015-2016

Retake policy Students may retake a failed exam for a maximum grade of 70% only if all notes, lab and homework assignments are up to date on the day of the exam. If you miss an exam due to an excused absence (such as extra-curricular activities or a doctor’s appointment) then arrangements for the makeup exam should be made in advance. Exams missed for unexcused absences may be subject to a grade penalty. Quizzes may not be retaken; however, reading outlines may be used during class quizzes. The SL Exam IB students will receive a separate grade for this class that will count towards the IB Diploma. When discussing grades in IB, two terms are constantly mentioned; external and internal assessment. External assessment refers to the IB exam scores while internal assessment refers to the lab grade. The SL Biology exam (3 papers administered over 2 days) counts for 76% of your IB grade; your design lab (IA) makes up the other 24%. The AP Exam This course is not intended to prepare you for the AP Biology exam. If you are interested in taking the AP exam for college credit then you will need to switch sections to AP Biology, where you will receive the appropriate instruction and lab activities to prepare for that test. For further information regarding the College Board AP Program at your high school, see a school counselor or Ms. Porter, Dean of Instruction. Ethical Practice Behaving and learning in an ethical way means students will observe the following practices while enrolled in this course, as outlined in the IB Diploma Programme Ethical Practice. Failure to meet the expectations outlined below will result in disciplinary action.

Ø Students will exercise academic honesty in all aspects of their work. They will acknowledge the work of others, including material taken from other sources. They will not claim as their own the work of others. They will not give their work to others to pass off as their own. They will observe the integrity of the examination room.

Ø Laboratory or field experiments and investigations will be undertaken in an ethical way. No experiments involving other people will be undertaken without their written consent and their understanding of the nature of the experiment. No experiment will be undertaken that inflicts pain on humans or live animals. No experiment or fieldwork will be undertaken that damages the environment.

Final thoughts Students are strongly encouraged to keep all notes, handouts and work in a binder to prepare for the SL exams. Copies of all lab reports need to be kept for course audit purposes (IB student labs may be requested by the IB program to verify the internal assessment grades in biology). Please develop good study skills early, as they will be essential to your success in the class. Email is the best way to reach me, as I am not always available to answer the phone. Parents and guardians are also welcome to call/email me with any questions.

Standard Level IB Biology 2015-2016

Safety Rules and Procedures

Students: the following standard operating procedures apply to all high school science laboratories. Students must adhere to these rules and practice acceptable behaviors to make these areas safe for everyone in the classroom.

Parents and Guardians: your student will be working in the laboratory during this course. In order to assure his/her personal safety and the safety of others, it is important the above rules are followed. Failure to do so may result in the removal of your student from the laboratory.

1. Students may not work in the laboratory without a certified science instructor present. No unauthorized experimentation is allowed. Do not change written laboratory procedures without the permission of the instructor.

2. Only students registered for the class are allowed in the laboratory.

3. No backpacks or purses are allowed near the lab tables during lab activities.

4. Do not handle equipment and supplies set up in the laboratory until given instruction to do so from the instructor.

5. Clothing and attire should provide protection from hazardous substances. Eye protection, gloves and aprons must be worn when required by the lab instructor.

6. Never place anything in the mouth while in the laboratory except as directed by the instructor. No eating or drinking is permitted in any science classroom unless a consumable is part of a laboratory procedure and the instructor gives permission to eat the consumable.

7. Wash hands thoroughly after handling any live organisms in class, including class pets.

8. Smell chemicals only by wafting a small amount of vapor toward the nose with the hand.

9. Follow laboratory procedures carefully and accurately. Do not proceed with any experiment if you do not understand the procedure.

10. All chemical names and identities should be carefully double-checked prior to use.

11. Clean up spills promptly. If you have questions on spill clean up, ask the instructor. Do not attempt to clean up spilled mercury. Notify the instructor immediately. Clean up broken glass using a broom and dustpan and dispose of in the proper container, NOT in the wastebasket.

12. Proper disposal of laboratory waste is essential. Do not dispose of any chemical in the sink without approval from the instructor. Use appropriate waste containers when provided.

13. Students should clean the work area and wash hands thoroughly before leaving the room.

14. Report all injuries or accidents, no matter how minor, to the instructor. The instructor will give guidance on the treatment needed or direct the student to the school nurse.

15. Students should know the location of and how to operate all available safety equipment. This includes: eye wash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid supplies, and master shutoff for gas.

Standard Level IB Biology 2015-2016

Student Information

Student Name: __________________________________________________________________

Name you wish to be called: _______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name(s): ________________________________________________________

Please list at least one mode of contact that is checked regularly or answered during school hours:

Parent/Guardian E-mail: __________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Phone: ______________________ Alternate #: __________________________

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I have read and understand the SL Biology Course Syllabus and agree to follow the Ethical Practice, Safety Rules and Procedures included in this document.

Signature (student) __________________________________________

I have read and understand the SL Biology Course Syllabus and agree with the Ethical Practice, Safety Rules and Procedures included in this document.

Signature (parent or guardian) _________________________________