The Biology student can expect a moderate amount of homework each week in the form of textbook assignments, independent research projects, creative writing essays and Current Event articles.  Student progress or mastery of the material is determined in the form of periodic assessments, a Mid Term and Final Exam and a variety of thematic research based essays.  Homework preparation, organization and study skills along with the aforementioned material make up the majority of a student’s final grade.  Classroom participation is extremely important whereby students are challenged each week to stay on top of current developments and discoveries in the world around us.  Actively participating in classroom discussions is strongly encouraged.

     The following is a breakdown of how a student’s grade is determined:

Homework....                                    40%

    Thematic research projects

            Invasive species

            Evolution vs Creationism

            The Biofuel Dilemma

            The Greatest Threat

            The Stem Cell Debate

           

    Textbook assignments

    Creative writing

    Hands-on projects

Assessments....                                40%

Lab Activities.....                               20%

                               Total:               100%

     Extra credit is generally not offered but every effort is made to provide a student with the opportunity to improve on an assessment etc that did not meet his/her expectations.  We strongly support the belief that assessments should be designed to reflect what the student knows, and not what they don’t know.  Periodically slipping Mr. Tripp a box of brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts really helps to improve a student’s overall grade point average.