Other Information
Earth Science 412
Course Description:
In this course, we will learn how to think about, gather and use information to solve problems through the study of Earth Science. We accomplish this by discussing several main topics: Astronomy, Geology and Plate Tectonics, through lecture, notes, activities in class, projects, experiments, graphical analysis, homework, quizzes, tests, etc.
Requirements:
- 3 ring binder with paper.
- This will be used to organize all handouts, notes, quizzes and tests. I will check your notebooks throughout the semester at different, random times to ensure you have the required materials.
- Pencils and pens.
- Paper
** Please be prepared for class with these.**
Expectations:
- Please understand that reading, writing, speaking and listening to science is just as important as designing, experimenting and inquiring about science.
- If students are absent from class on the day that work is to be handed in, students may turn in work late THE NEXT DAY THEY ARE IN CLASS WITH NO LATE PENALTY.
- Penalties for turning in work late will be specified at the beginning of each assignment.
- Students will be responsible for making up all work missed during class, and for obtaining any and all homework assignments.
- If you miss a quiz or test, it will be your responsibility to make up the quiz or test. A score of zero will be entered if not made up within 2 weeks, but students will be able to make up work at any time.
- Students will be on time and attend class (please refer to BFA’s attendance policy in the student/parent handbook handed out during orientation.)
- Students will be prepared for class.
- Students will respect themselves, the room, the teacher and other classmates.
- Students will pay attention during class time and not disrupt the teacher or other students.
Assessment:
- Formative: Each day, students will be assessed on their class participation, behavior in class, discussions and/or group work, and general class attendance.
- Summative: We will have quizzes and tests from each unit of study, and several experiments that will require a lab report. I will hand out rubrics that will describe the expectations for projects, experiments and activities when applicable for your reference.
- Data: We will focus on the following in this class.
- Representing Data, Analyzing Data, Interpreting Data
Grading:
- Projects/Experiments: 30%
- Activities: 15%
- Final Exam/Final Project: 20%
- Tests/Quizzes: 15%
- Accountability: 20%
Make-Up Work and Late Work
Please be advised that excused absences from class do not excuse one in any way from schoolwork. One should always communicate with other students and/or the teacher to get the latest assignments. An incomplete grade will be issued until the assignment is completed and extra problems will be added to your assignment. An "Incomplete" for the course will be automatically recorded for work left unfinished as the requirements for the course have not been met . The student is responsible for monitoring his or her own work.
Test Day
As per BFA handbook, two days extensions will be granted for missed material due to excused absences. However, a conversation must take place on the day of return to make any necessary accomodations (test day change, assignment due dates). If no conversation takes place, it is assumed that the student is prepared for any assessment.
Resubmissions
Resubmissions for assignments are granted as a learning opportunity. If a resubmission is to occur, the assignment is deemed incomplete, and an "Incomplete" is issued as a grade for the course (since the requirements for the course have not yet been completed). When a resubmission occurs, the student will have opportunity to fix the error, but they must write a concluding statement explaining the error and the remedy. Full points can be earned if the conclusion comprehensively explains what the error was, how is was corrected and an explanation what was learned from the process. Half points lost can be earned back if no conclusion is completed but the problem is re-solved.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is strictly prohibited in this course. On homework sets, you are permitted to work with other students on figuring out difficult problems or concepts. Under no circumstances may you copy or submit somebody else’s work as your own. Ideas and solutions may contain similarities, but it MUST your authentic work.
You will also be working together on lab reports, and you will be sharing data. The only item that will be identical to your partner's report is the data. EVERYTHING else will be your own authentic work. Be sure that you have read and understood this section. Plagiarism is a serious offense, and it will not be tolerated.
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