Online High School Biology Course

Tamara Anderson
tamara.anderson@wjccschools.org
https://wjcc.desire2learn.com/
Course Outline
This course is designed to provide you with an in depth knowledge about living
organisms. We will explore the relationships among living things, investigate survival
patterns of various organisms, and learn how to conduct an experiment. Instruction is
designed to meet the Virginia Standards of Learning for Biology. All students will be
required to take the end of course SOL test to assess the extent to which they have
achieved these standards.
Units of study include: Characteristics of Life, Biochemistry, Cells, Energy, Cell
Reproduction, Genetics, DNA & Protein Synthesis, Evolution and Classification, and
Ecology.
Suggested Materials
I strongly urge that you keep a notebook with dividers just for you biology work. I
would divide it into notes, activities/labs, and projects. It will be a great reference tool
to help you prepare and study before quizzes, tests, and the end of year exam.
Grading:
Your assignments will be graded using in accordance with the Williamsburg
James City County School Division policies found in your student handbook. It is
extremely important for students to turn in their work on time.
Marking Period 1 40%
Marking Period 2 40%
Final Exam
- 20%

A = 100 90%
B = 89 80%
C = 79-70%

D = 69-60%
F= 59 0%

Projects & Tests:

You will be assessed after each unit of study. The assessments will be projects
or tests. They will be designed to assess your understanding of the material, as well as
its application. Quizzes will be given throughout the learning process as needed. The
content is vast and detailed. Without regular practice and review, it will be difficult to be
successful in this course.
Final Exam
The final exam will be cumulative, covering material from the whole semester.
Please remember to stay organized now so that you have all of your materials to study
with. Students who pass their SOL exam and are receiving an average of more than
60% in the class at the time of the final exam are exempt from the final exam. In the
event that SOL scores for a class are not received by the school within two full school
days prior to the beginning of the first day of final exams, students in SOL courses will
be required to take the course final exam, but may be exempted according to the same
criteria that apply to seniors. See School Board Policy IKAA for details.

ParentVue/StudentVue:
ParentVue/StudentVue is the main communication conduit between student,
parent, and teacher for your grades in this course. Please check your grade report on
the website regularly and notify the teacher immediately of any discrepancies. Your
main source of information will be on Desire 2 Learn. You will find all your assignments
and assessments on D2L (https://wjcc.desire2learn.com/)
Honorable Efforts and Responsibilities
Students are expected to do work which reflects honest effort and personal,
independent thinking. Incidents of cheating and/or plagiarism will result in the
consequences of JHS Honor Code.