THE NARWHAL –

“UNICORN” OF THE SEA

Honors Marine Biology-B211

THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REGULAR MARINE BIOLOGY AND HONORS MARINE BIOLOGY IS THAT HONORS CLASSES NEVER GET A SCALE ON ANY EXAMS OR ASSIGNMENTS, AND HONORS STUDENTS MAY BE ASKED TO DO ADDITIONAL PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

 

Text:

Marine Science, Second Edition 2004 Thomas F. Greene, pub. AMSCO.

 

 

Required Materials:

Binder (to save all materials and notes).

Notebook with writing utensil.  24 color set of pencils.

 

Course Outline:

 Broad Topic:  Interdependence in the Sea (Marine Ecology)

Text location: chapter 21

Broad Topic: Tides, Waves, Currents

Text location: Ch 20

Broad Topic: Marine environments

Text Location: Ch 15

Broad Topic: Bacteria and Phytoplankton 

Text location: Chapters: 4

Broad Topic: Marine Algae and Plants

Text location: Chapter 5

 Broad Topic: Poriferans and other simple animals

Text location: Ch. 6

Broad topic: Cnidarians and Ctenophorans

Text Location: Ch 7

Broad Topic: Marine Worms

Text location: Ch 8

Broad topic: Mollusks

Text Location: Ch. 9

Broad Topic: Crusteceans and Cheliceratans

Text location: Ch. 10

Broad Topic: Echinoderms

Text location: Ch. 11

Broad Topic: Fishes

Text Location: Ch 12

Broad Topic: Marine Reptiles and Birds

Text location: Ch 13

Broad Topic:Marine Mammals

Text location: Ch. 14

 

 

 

Student Expectations:

-All students will be required to keep accurate notes of materials covered in class and all homework assignments.  All handouts, study guides, homework, tests, and quizzes should be saved in an organized binder or folder(s).  These materials may be checked at the end of each quarter for an additional grade, which may help your overall average.  It will also give you a good idea of how you are doing along the way, by seeing what your averages are for all of the above.  I will also give you a ballpark idea of what your grade is at any given moment during the quarter by judging the grades in my book.  It’s your grade, so no secrets.

-Students are expected to bring their textbook, binder, notebook, and writing utensils daily.

-Students coming to class late or without their required items may be required to return at 2:30 pm.  Repeated occurrence of this may ultimately lower their grade due to being improperly prepared for the day’s class work.  That means a zero in my book, towards your HW/Classwork or Lab grades.

-Homework is checked weekly, and assigned full, half or no credit.  Work missed through excused absences can be made up for full credit.  Credit for homework and labwork maybe reduced if class participation/disruption is an issue on any given day, this also goes for our field studies as well.

-If a student is absent it is his/her responsibility to make up all assignments and any quizzes or tests given.  Failure to do so in a timely fashion will result in a Zero.  No more than one week; unless a long-term excused absence is the cause, in this case a more flexible timetable can be worked out between student and teacher.

Description of Course Assessments:

 

-Vocabulary quizzes will be given for each chapter.  Unannounced quizzes may be given at any time during the course of the school year.

-Tests will be given at the end of each chapter.  Some Chapters that are extensive may require additional tests.

Tests may include any material from the textbook, classroom lectures and discussions, lab activities, field studies and homework assignments.

There will be both a Mid-year (written) and Final Examination (in the field at Nahant).

Grading:

Homework/Class Participation           20%

Lab Reports/Field work                  20%

Quizzes                                  20%

Tests/Exams                             40%

-Extra Credit will be given at the discretion of your teacher, but is not definite.

-I will not waste time and space about class rules of behavior,  you know the school rules, they apply in my room, just do the right thing, and no worries…our room is a lab, so no food…I am not sure if that’s in your handbook.