General Biology Syllabus 2023 24

SYLLABUS FOR SCI11, General Biology
TEACHER: Saket S. Waghmode, swaghmode@riversidemilitary.com

ROOM: Elkin Hall, Biology Lab 1
COURSE DESCRIPTION
General Biology is a course that allows one to explain the diversity of life forms in depth while revealing
their relationship and fundamental unity in form and function. This course capitalizes on topics such as
the Scientific Method, Biochemistry, Cells, Photosynthesis, Mitosis/Meiosis, DNA, Genetics, Evolution,
Classification, Invertebrate Animals, Vertebrate Animals/Humans, and Ecology. The text is to be used as
a resource and does not force the planning of units and themes. Note taking and class participation will be
encouraged daily.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
When a student has successfully completed this course, he will be able to
 Develop a working knowledge of the Scientific Method,
 Perform biological experiments following the scientific method,
 Develop a working knowledge of the biological community,
 Develop a working knowledge of the diversity of life using the structural and chemical
 components of organisms,
 Develop a working knowledge of the continuity of life,
 Develop a working knowledge of the diversity of life as it progresses from the most simplistic
forms of life to more complex life form,
 Develop an awareness of organisms and their environment, and
 Develop an awareness of the human body, and how it functions.
*These objectives follow the Standards and Guidelines set by
the Georgia Department of Education*
TEXTS AND MATERIALS

Primary texts include the following:
 Biology, Glencoe Science
 Online textbook: · http://glencoe.mheducation.com/sites/0078802849/student_view0/index.html ·
Open Stax Biology2e Textbook
Each student should have these materials for this course:

 Chromebooks, pencils, paper, three-ring binder with labeled dividers and agenda are issued.
 *Colored pencils and highlighters are helpful.
 Agendas will be used everyday at the beginning of class. Students will be
expected to bring the Agendas with them every single class day.
STANDARDS
This course generally follows the Georgia Standards of Excellence for the Georgia
Department of Education.
Riverside Military Academy produces leaders of character prepared for success in college and
beyond through the provision of a rigorous academic program leadership opportunities,
competitive athletics, extensive co-curricular activities and the structure and discipline inherent
in a preparatory school using the military model of leadership development.
COURSE SEQUENCE
The course will approximately follow the pacing guide below. The exact order and
content are subject to change based on circumstances and class needs.
Quarter 1
 The Scientific Method
 The Cell
Quarter 2
 Photosynthesis
 Mitosis
Quarter 3
 Meiosis
 Genetics
 DNA and RNA
Quarter 4
 Evolution
 Ecology
 Taxonomy (Classification)
GRADING PHILOSOPHY
C indicates satisfactory work, which shows a basic knowledge of the material but
not mastery. B is for commendable work, which shows near mastery. A is for
outstanding work, which shows mastery of the material as well as original insight. F
is for the unacceptable.
ASSESSMENT CALCULATION
This course grade is calculated by percentages and each category will be divided
approximately as follows:
Participation: 10%
HW: 20%
Labs: 20%
Quizzes: 25%
Tests: 25%
CLASS ROUTINES
 Make sure you get to class early enough to start your routine before the
bugle.
 Get your materials for the day out, turn in any homework and write down any
new homework in your agenda. You may be counted tardy if you are not
ready to begin class when class begins.
 When attention is called, stand by your desk until the command to be seated.
 Agendas will be used to copy down the topic of the day and will be dated.
CLASS RULES & EXPECTATIONS

 Food and drink other than water are not allowed in classrooms.
 Computers and earbuds should not be used without teacher approval.
 Coats and backpacks will be stowed in the rear of the lab.
 Agendas, writing utensils, and notebooks only will be on the desk in front of the cadet before the
tardy bugle. Chromebooks will be left in the bookbag until the teacher instructs that they should
be brought to the desks. Chromebooks will be left in the bookbag until the teacher instructs that
they should be brought to the desks.
 The designated class leader will call the class to attention and report the class noting any
absences.
 The instructor will be addressed as Mr. Waghmode (WAAGH-MO-DAY) or Mr. W.
 The last several minutes of the class, homework will be assigned and noted in the cadet’s agenda.
If not noted in class, cadets are responsible to check the RMA class page.
 No one will depart the class without dismissal from Mr. Waghmode.
 AT NO TIME WILL A CADET LIE DOWN ON THE DESK, TABLE OR FLOOR. IF YOU
ARE SLEEPY, RAISE YOUR HAND AND ASK PERMISSION TO STAND AND/OR RINSE
YOUR FACE.
 Cadets will not enter the instructor’s workspace area, classroom cabinets, filing cabinets or
Biology Prep Room without permission.
 No extra credit will be given.
 Written answers on test and homework will be written with a complete legible sentence. Work
submitted in incomplete sentences will lose half the credit per answer.
Notebooks will be checked and graded periodically for completeness and neatness.
 Only water will be allowed in the classroom.
 Plagiarism is a form of cheating and will be treated as such. You will be sent to The Honor
Council and a zero will be issued that cannot be resubmitted.
 Biology is a fast-paced course. No restroom passes will be given. Use the restroom before you
arrive in class or at the 2-minute bell at the end of class.
 As a General Biology student, students will be expected to study their guides before a Test.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
From the Blue Book (114th edition): “Cadets are expected to be in class every
day that school is in session at Riverside Military Academy. Cadets are also
expected to attend any assigned OT times.
Any absence from class is to the detriment of the cadet and the learning
environment as a whole. As such, we seek to limit all absences, excused and
unexcused. If a cadet accrues more than 5 total absences (excused or unexcused)
per semester in any single class, the cadet will receive a 0 and not be permitted to
make up any missed work for each class absence thereafter. Once a cadet reaches
10 absences in a single semester for any single class, no credit can be issued and
the highest grade a cadet can earn will be limited to a 69. Requests for exceptions
to this policy can be made in writing to the Academic Dean. The Dean will judge
each case on its own merit.
The cadet must take the initiative to meet with teachers and schedule
makeup work. All makeup work should be completed in a timely manner as
arranged with teachers. If a cadet misses final exams due to illness, a doctor’s
excuse is required, and exams should be made up within two weeks of the cadet’s
recovery.
Unexcused Absences - Any absence that does not qualify as an Excused
Absence as described above will be considered an Unexcused Absence. Exceptions
will be granted only for compelling reasons. Unexcused Academic Absences will
incur a penalty of 20% on missed graded work including class participation.”
LATE WORK
In order to be considered on time, all assigned work must be submitted at the
beginning of class.
If homework is late, it will be penalized no more than 20%, and the cadet will
be required to make it up during Opportunity Time. If there is a legitimate conflict
with Opportunity Time, he will be allowed 24 hours form the initial class time to
submit the work with the same penalty. If the work is not submitted within 24 hours,
an additional penalty may be assessed. A zero will be recorded for the missing
work, and the cadet will have one week to submit the work and remove the zero.
If a major assignment (essay or project) is late, it will be penalized 10% for
every calendar day it is late.
HONOR CODE
A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do.
From the Blue Book (114th edition):

Lying- making oral or written statements that a cadet knows to be false with
the intent to deceive (normally heard by the Commandant as adjudicated under the
disciplinary code unless lying is related to Academics or is an Honor Council
Hearing).
Cheating- giving or receiving unauthorized help on a test or graded
assignment, or submitting the work of another cadet as his own with the intent to
deceive.
Stealing- taking another person's property without permission and with
dishonest intent.
The Honor Code prohibits the discussion of a test by those who have
completed the test in the presence of anyone who is to take the same test.
The Honor Code prohibits unauthorized collaboration outside of class on
graded work. Cadets who are unsure about what outside help is authorized on an
assignment are responsible for requesting clarification from their teacher.
The Honor Code prohibits the possession of materials and/or devices which
could be of unauthorized assistance during testing.
The Honor Code prohibits plagiarism as a form of cheating, because the

plagiarist takes the words or thoughts of others and presents them as original.
Whenever a student quotes or paraphrases from a source, the student must

give credit to that source in order to avoid plagiarism.
Foreign Language Note: Any use of Internet or computer-based translation

programs or software is considered cheating and is strictly prohibited. Their use is a
violation of the Honor Code. These programs cannot be used on any assignment
(class work, homework, written, or spoken). The Foreign Language Department
recommends Oxford or Larousse bilingual dictionaries for students who desire to
purchase one. The use of any computer-based or Internet-based translator on an
assignment will result in a grade of zero on that assignment.
The Honor Code prohibits forging the signature of any person.

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SYLLABUS FOR SCI11, General Biology

TEACHER: Saket S. Waghmode, swaghmode@riversidemilitary.com

TEXTS AND MATERIALS

Each student should have these materials for this course:

CLASS RULES & EXPECTATIONS

From the Blue Book (114th edition):

The Honor Code prohibits plagiarism as a form of cheating, because the

Whenever a student quotes or paraphrases from a source, the student must

Foreign Language Note: Any use of Internet or computer-based translation

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