Syllabus

Mr. Colborn

I. Course Description:

Environmental Science is a semester long course, designed to cover all the topics students may encounter in college, in moderate depth. The core principles of science are used to promote deep understanding and appreciation of complexity, diversity, and interconnectedness of life on earth, as well as topics related to mitigating the alteration on the natural state of the Earth.

Environmental Science is supplemented with the required laboratory component corresponding to the material studied in the classroom. Students will gain skills using laboratory apparatus and correct laboratory techniques and procedures. They will learn uses of classical and contemporary equipment in Environmental Science laboratory. Students will design and carry out long and short-term

investigations using principles of scientific method and use proper formats for reporting their findings.

II. Grading System:

Students will be graded using the following weighted system and scale:

Category Weight Scale

Exams and Quizzes 60% 90% - 100% A

Labs and projects 30% 80% - 89% B

Homework 10% 70% - 79% C

60% - 69% D

0% - 59% F

III. Absent/Late work:

Late assignments are worth 75% of their total point value if they are turned in on the next block day. After that, all late assignments are worth 50% of their original point value until the end of the semester. Students will have three “Extension” opportunities. These extensions must be approved by the teacher and have a due date of no more than one week from the original due date. If extensions are unused, these may count as extra credit points at the end of the semester, however, every assignment must be completed in order to be eligible for any extra credit. Your 3rd missing assignment of the SEMESTER will result in an academic referral.

If you are absent, please take a moment to check out my website. I will keep assignments and daily updates about what was completed in class on this web page, however, much of the work we do in here MUST be completed in the lab so you may need to arrange to come make-up missing work during Seminar. After an excused absence you have two days to complete any make-up work. Work due the day of the absence is due the following class period. If you miss work due to an unexcused absence, you will receive late credit for those assignments. If you miss a lab it needs to be made up as soon as possible—labs will only be set up for one week or two Seminar periods.

IV. Rules

1. Be respectful of yourself and others.

2. Be cooperative with your teacher and peers.

3. Be responsible for your personal actions

4. Be safe in the classroom and the lab.

V. Policies:

1. Electronics: Cell phones are prohibited during assessments and lecture/class discussion. Students may have their cell phones confiscated and receive an automatic office referral if the cell phone policy is violated. Students will be notified of those times when cell phones are permitted.

2. Grading Policy: I will enter grades for each week by Friday, at the latest, so that all grades are up to date for our eligibility

dates. That means if you missed a class, you need to have the work turned into me before Friday at the end of school so that I

can enter your points. If you do not see me about your missing work, your grade for that assignment will be a zero. Once you have visited with me about the work you missed, I would be happy to change those missing assignments to blanks so that they will not count against you while you complete the assignment

3. Tardy Policy: I know that every once and a while we each have situations that may prevent us from coming to class on time. However, we all know that once you enter a career or profession, tardiness is, for the most part, unacceptable. In order to help motivate you to come to class on time, after three unexcused tardies, you will receive an office referral and campus clean-up duties. To ensure you are not marked tardy, please be in your seat and working on the bellwork when the bell rings. These assignments are worth in-class points, and will last roughly 5-10 minutes. If you are unexcused and tardy to class, you will have no opportunity to make up this work and a 0 will be entered in the gradebook.

VI. Academic Integrity/Plagiarism:

Conifer High School actively encourages students to incorporate the Lobo Honor Code in every aspect of their daily lives. The honor code, rooted in the virtues of Honesty, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility, is the core of Lobo pride. Occasionally, this trust is violated when academic misconduct occurs, either inadvertently or deliberately. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, and knowingly making possible any act of misconduct. Violations of academic integrity may result in actions outlined in the CHS Honor Code. Serious and/or habitual violations of the Honor Code will be subject to administrative review and may result in consequences as outlined in the Jefferson County Code of Conduct.

VII. Contact Information:

If you have any questions or concerns throughout the course of the year, please do not be afraid to come find me. You may also contact me using the following information:

Email: jcolborn@jeffco.k12.co.edu

Office Number: 303-982-5255

VIII. Supplies:

Environmental Science may require math and data calculations, so students will be expected to bring their own scientific calculator to class—sharing calculators or the use of cell phones as calculators will not be permitted. In addition, students will need to come prepared every day with the following materials:

3 ring binder or notebook

Notebook paper

Pencils/pens