Biotechnology I      “Employee Contract”

Welcome to Biotechnology I for the spring semester of the 2008 school year.

This course is designed to get you ready for the workforce in Biotechnology and for higher education science classes.   The goals and expectations are different than in most high school courses.

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BIOTECHNOLOGY GOALS:

* Improve scientific literacy through implementation of the standard laboratory operating procedures.

* A general knowledge of the goals and functions of the Biotechnology Industry -->"The Big Picture."

* Experience with the processes used in the Biotechnology Industry including; experimental design, use of scientific

equipment, data analysis and interpretation, critical thinking, and communication.

* The development of good business practices, organizational skills, and self-reliance.

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COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

* Biotechnology students are expected to be present and prompt to class everv dav.

* Biotechnology students are required to maintain a legal, scientific notebook.

* Biotechnology students are required to develop lab and industry skills with at least 80% competency.

*Students are required to have a lab coat or protective outer clothing (oversized shirt) to protect clothes from materials used in lab.

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CLASS PROCEDURES:

1. You are expected to be in class (at work), seated, with materials ready to work when the bell rings.

2. Everyday, you are expected to have:  

        A. your legal, scientific notebook   
        B. a black pen   
        C. a scientific calculator
        D.  textbook and lab manual 

3. Everyone is expected to follow the directions of the instructor the first time.

4. Everyone is expected to use all equipment correctly, safely, and as directed.

5. Everyone is expected to respect the rights of others to learn and work.

6. Everyone is expected to participate in all labs and discussions, plus take notes during lectures.

7. You are expected to clean your work area. The teacher (supervisor), not the bell, dismisses you.

8. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to makeup the work/time in the required time period.

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EVALUATION: Since Introduction to Biotechnology is designed to get you ready for the workforce, you will be evaluated in a fashion more similar to the evaluation techniques used in industry. Your evaluation (grade) and continued participation is based on:

Attendance/Promptness = 20%         If you miss a class (workday),it must be "made up" promptly. (* See below.)

Homework/Classwork = 20%            All students are expected to report to class/work on time.

Record-keeping/Lab Reports= 20%   All data and information will be kept in a legal, scientific notebook.

Participation =20%                          Subjective evaluation of effort, skills and work production.

Skills/Tests = 20%                          Objective evaluation of skill development, skill quizzes, required projects, and chapter tests.

 

*Makeups for labs are by appointment onlv, within one week (5 school days) of absence.  Some make-up labs may be completed during lunch depending on availability of lab space and time needed. Each absence affects your grade. You may "make-up" up to 2 missed labs/semester (school activities are not included but must be made up) without penalty, after which each absence will affect your attendance grade proportional to the number of labs/semester.  Each tardy is counted against the "promptness" grade.  Please refer to the discipline policies for Mrs.  Briggs.

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Biotechnology students will have opportunities not available to others, including sophisticated laboratory research, guest speakers, "meaningful" readings/activities/discussions/ lectures/ presentations, and workplace experiences. It requires a commitment from the students and the adults in his or her life. Because it is often hard to control the timing of experiments occasionally students may be expected to be in the lab at unscheduled times.

 

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