Environmental Science Syllabus
Teacher: Mr. Chris Morris
Room: S514 in MTSU Hall
Email: [Link]@[Link] Phone: (931) 247-2620
Twitter: @Mr_ChrisMorris
Textbooks: Holt Environmental Science & Environment: The Science Behind the Stories
Supplies:
Pencils, 3-ring binder, 1 box of tissues, 1 box of nitrile gloves (any size)
Lab Fee: There is a $20.00 lab fee for this course (assessed for all science classes).
These fees are essential to allow us to purchase the materials and equipment needed to
provide you with a top-quality science education.
Course Objectives:
● Explore the components of ecosystems and how the interactions and processes
contribute to the functioning of the ecosystem as a whole
● Use scientific tools and processes to ask and answer questions about how nature works.
● Examine the role of humans in the biosphere, including actions that have positive and
negative effects on ecosystem functions.
● Understand major environmental issues that impact the biosphere, and develop and
express opinions about these issues that demonstrate a sound understanding of
science.
Week Topics Chapter
1,2 Unit 1: Introduction to Science and Technology 1
2,3 Unit 2: Earth Systems: Matter, Energy, and Geology 2
4-5 Unit 3: Environmental Systems and Ecosystem Ecology 5
6-7 Unit 4: The Organization of Life, Evolution, Biodiversity 3, 4,11
8-9 Unit 5: Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems 4, 15, 16
***Cumulative Midterm Exam***
***Spring Break***
Week Topics Chapter
1-2 Unit 6: Ethics, Economics, and Sustainable Development 6,7
3,4 Unit 7: Human Population 8
5,6 Unit 8: Natural Resource Management 9,10,12, 23
7 Unit 9: Energy Resources 19, 20
8 Unit 10:The Atmosphere, Air Quality, & Pollution Control 17, 18
9 Unit 11: Sustainable Solutions 13, 24
***Cumulative Final Exam***
Classroom Expectations:
1) To abide by school and classroom rules at all times
2) To treat yourself, others (including me), and school property with respect.
3) To be cooperative and not disruptive.
4) To come to class on time and ready to learn each day.
5) To try your best on everything you do.
6) To take responsibility for your learning.
Cell Phones:
1) Cell phones are to be turned off (THIS WILL SAVE YOUR BATTERY!) and placed in
“The Holding Cell” before the tardy bell rings
2) You will not be able to access your cell phones until the end of class
3) Cell phones that are not placed in “The Holding Cell” will be confiscated and given to the
office
4) Headphones will remain out of sight. I will only ask once.
you choose to disrupt class, the following sequence of interventions will occur:
Discipline: If
1) First offense: A verbal warning
2) Second offense: A phone call home and teacher detention
3) Third offense: A written referral will be sent to the office.
4) Severe Disruptions: Student(s) will be sent immediately to the office.
Chromebooks:
1) Only to be used for classwork
2) No unnecessary tabs will be open
3) I can view your screens, take screenshots of your screens, close your tabs, pause your
screens and message you from my desk.
Grading: Student nine-weeks’ grades will be determined by the following scale:
35% = Class Participation (Attendance, tardiness, behavior, work ethic, being respectful)
10% = Homework
15% = Project/Lab/Research
15% = Quiz
25% = Exam
Cheating/Plagiarism: It is never okay to cheat or to represent someone else’s work as your
own. If you choose to cheat or plagiarize, or to allow someone else to cheat from you, you will
receive a zero on the assignment. Repeat offenses will result in an office referral and serious
disciplinary action.
Collaboration: On some assignments, you will be allowed, or even expected, to work with
others. Collaboration means that all parties participate in discussing and formulating answers.
Getting or giving answers does not constitute collaboration and will be considered cheating.
Schoology: You are expected to setup and use a Schoology account to post some homework
and to gain access to handouts, announcements, and website links.
[Link] . Your class access code is:
● 2nd Period: CKKT2-B547T
● 3rd Period: DFQ4Q-MVJ29
● 4th Period: D3RHR-59WSR
Late Work: You are expected to complete every assignment and have it ready to hand in at the
beginning of class. I will accept late work, but I will not make you another copy if you’ve lost the
one you’ve already been given.
Make-up Work: Because this class involves many hands-on labs and activities, attendance is
VERY important; Days missed are difficult to make up. Students should attend school every
day possible to ensure their success. It is always the student’s responsibility to find out what
was missed and to ensure that it is turned in.
● Protocol for turning in late/missing work
○ Email Mr. Morris with a list of the days/assignments you are missing
○ Mr. Morris will email you with all of the assignments/activities you will need to
make up
○ All late/missing work must be turned in within 5 days of your return to school
Quizzes/Exams:
1) Quizzes will be given at the end of every chapter.
2) Exams will be given at the end of every unit. All exams are cumulative. This will help
you prepare for your final.
3) Quizzes and exams must be taken within 5 school days after your return to school.
4) Missing days of school is not an excuse to miss a quiz or an exam.
Excused/Unexcused Absence: Get daily assignments by checking the class assignments on
Schoology. Most of the materials will be posted and downloadable; others you will need to get
from your folder when you return. This is your responsibility. These are due within
five days
of your return. A written report may be assigned to make up for a missed hands-on activity. I
will not be accepting late work during the last week of this semester.
Classroom Photos/videos: During certain assignments I will be taking photos/videos of the
classroom activities and posting them on twitter for the community to see what we are doing at
Tullahoma High School.
Documentaries: We will be watching multiple documentaries throughout this semester. Some
of the documentaries contain small amounts of language that is representative of their feelings
toward the topic being discussed. The documentaries will cover the following topics: Oil & Gas
Industry, Agriculture, Evolution, Climate Change, and various other topics.
Student: I have read the class syllabus and understand my responsibilities as a student. My
signature is my pledge to honor the class policy.
Signautre___________________________ Date____________
Parent/Guardian: I have read and discussed this syllabus with my child. I understand what I
have read and support Mr. Morris implementing all of the rules, procedures, and activities listed
above.
Signautre___________________________ Date____________
Teacher: I will be fair and consistent in administering these classroom procedures.
Signautre___________________________ Date____________
PERMISSION TO USE THE GREENWAY
During the course of this semester, the Ecology class will be using the Rock Creek Greenway
(located behind the school) for various nature studies and labs. Because this area is off school
grounds, permission is sought from parents for students to participate. Students are expected
to remain with the class, under the teacher’s supervision, and follow appropriate safety rules
and instructions from the teacher. All school rules are in place during such outings.
My son or daughter, ______________________ has my permission to participate in outdoor
labs and activities on the Rock Creek Greenway with the Ecology Class. It is my understanding
that all students participating in these activities will be under the rules and regulations of the
school during these outings and will be subject to disciplinary measures for infraction of these
rules. Also, it is my understanding that every precaution will be taken for the protection and the
safety of the students. However, in the case of accident or mishap, the Board of Education and
school officials will not be held liable. In the event of an emergency, my son or daughter has my
permission to receive medical treatment from a doctor or hospital.
Parent/Guardian Signature:_____________________________
Date:______________________
If applicable, please list any special health concerns of which the teacher may need to be aware
of (e.g. bee sting allergy, asthma, etc.):
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
________________________
