The good thing about science is that its true whether or not you believe in it -Neil deGrasse Tyson
Teacher Information:
Mr. Phil Pham
UCLA
Bachelors in Clinical Psychology
Certification in Electrophysiology
CSUF
Single Subject Credential in Biology
Room #: _____
Email: Philpham314@csu.fullerton.edu
School Number:
(626) 288 5377 - ext 277
Conference/Office Hours:
Mon Tues Wed
7 am - 8 am and 2:35 pm - 4 pm
In-person or by appointment
Course Information:
Subject: Biology
Grade Levels: 9th-10th
Class Website:
http://forceofscience.weebly.com/
Textbook and website:
http://ocas.pearsonschool.com/
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and express my excitement about working
with your child this year. My name is Mr. Phil and I will be your students High School Biology
Teacher this year. A little background about myself, I am a UCLA graduate and earned my
Teaching Credential from CSUF. My passion in life has always been in the sciences, and now I
have the opportunity to spark curiosity and drive for learning in students minds. I believe in
helping each and every single of my students achieve their full potential in school, and I am an
advocate for helping students achieve higher education in college, university, and beyond. This is
why over the course of the year, I will be introducing students to the wonders of science and
engaging their minds in next generation science skills and methodology. Not only will this help
them be prepared for college, but prepared for life as well. Some topics we will be studying include
Genetics, Biomedical Technology, Environmental Sciences, Biochemistry, Evolution and Natural
Selection, and much more. Additional information about the class is provided in the syllabus your
students have received at the beginning of school as well as the copy of the syllabus linked to our
class website. Please read through the syllabus with your student so that you are familiar with our
class rules and expectations.
I have been blessed with many opportunities in both the science and educational fields. Being
a graduate from UCLA, I earned my science degree in Clinical Psychology and certification in
Electrophysiology. This allowed me to work for 2 years in the medical field as both a Transplant
and Cardiac Tech for various hospitals in Southern California. Before being accepted into Cal
State Fullerton to earn my Teaching Credential, I worked for a year as a Math Teacher with inner
city youth in Downtown L.A. With over 10 years of tutoring experience under my belt, it lead me to
my true calling of becoming a Science Teacher. I am originally from San Gabriel Valley, and I am
blessed to be a Teacher here at _____ High School.
As a Teacher, I have high expectations for my students, regardless of their backgrounds. I
believe in student responsibility and in teaching my students to be advocates for themselves.
Science and life is about experimenting and making mistakes, which we all learn from. One of the
most important aspects of learning is how to deal with the consequences of our actions, whether
they be good or bad, my request to all of you is to let your students learn from their mistakes. I will
make it my priority to ensure students learn to become self sufficient, responsible, and hard
working adults who have positive habits and practices. My mantra is, If you put in the work, your
hard work will always be worth it! As long as my students make the effort to learn and do well in
my class, I can assure you they will excel in their studies. I will be sending home progress reports
periodically to keep you informed of your childs progress, but you can also access everything via
our School Loop App, available for Android and IOS. This will be the main resource that both
parents and students can check announcements, upcoming projects and labs, homework and
assignments, and due dates.
If you ever have any comments, questions or concerns, I am available for phone calls and
meetings (by appointment please) each day before and after school. To schedule a meeting, you
may contact me via my email: philpham314@csu.fullerton.edu or you can call me through our
school line at (626) 288 5377 ext 314
I am excited about working with your child. Our BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT is coming up on
August ___, 2018, and I would be honored to meet you all. As always, I welcome questions or
comments, and I am looking forward to a great year.
Sincerely,
Mr. Phil
 Course Description and Objective: Biology ( Bio = life -ology = study of )
Biology is the study of living organisms, which is divided into specialized fields such as cellular biology, biochemistry,
genetics, physiology, behavioral and environmental studies. This class is a lab-based course with a strong emphasis on the
Scientific Investigation of core Biological Concepts. We will be exploring and studying the natural world around us to better
understand phenomena. Using the NGSS guidelines, we will be engaging in multiple labs as well.

Course Units of Study: Required Materials:

California NGSS Biology Standards: - inch 3 ring binder
We will be following the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) -Line Paper
Guidelines here: https://www.nextgenscience.org/search-standards -Clear Transparencies
Click on Grade 9-12 and Discipline select Life Science. -Dividers
-Pen/Pencil/Eraser
Course outline: -Colored Pencils
Unit 1: Molecules & Cells -Colored Markers
Chemistry of Life, Cells, Cells and Energy, Cell Growth and Division -Highlighters
-Glue Stick/Tape
Unit 2: Heredity
Heredity, Molecular Genetics, and Biotechnology

Unit 3: Evolution
Evolutionary Biology, History of Life, Natural Selection

Unit 4: Ecology
Ecosystems, Interactions, Abiotic and Biotic Factors, Biosphere

Unit 5: Physiology Benchmark Exam Dates:

Structure and function of the human body systems One per grading period
#1 9/7/18
School Attendance and Absence Policy #2 10/19/18
#3 11/30/18
The CA Dept of Education has 8 valid reasons for students to miss school, which are First Semester Finals
listed on our school website. State Education Code defines a habitual truant to any
12/17-12/19
student who misses more than 3 days (unexcused/unverified).
-Student must bring a note from parent/guardian/physician within 24 hours to attendance #4 2/8/18
office, or the parent can call the office at (626) 288 5377. #5 3/1/18
#6 4/12/18
Second Semester Finals
Classroom Absence/Makeup Work Policy 5/20-5/21
It is YOUR responsibility to obtain work/notes missed during an excused absence.
There will be an updated Board of Assignments with extra copies in the backup bin, as
well as digital copies to print out on our class website. Assignments will be turned in
when they return, or digitally through our google classroom website.
If a student is absent the day of an Exam/Quiz/Test, the student will be allowed to
take the exam the day they return to class (either before/after school). However, LABS
CAN NOT be made up. Whether its an excused absence or not, students must make it
a priority to not miss lab days. More information down below.

Students are not allowed to be TARDY without a proper note from a teacher or
administrator. Unexcused students more than 10 minutes late will receive detention.
 Classroom Rules and Expectations
1. Ohana Rule: Respect everyone, students, friends, teachers, staff, and most importantly, yourself. We
are going to be together for a year, so each period will become its own Ohana (hawaiian for Family)
You dont have to like/love everyone, but be nice and respect everyone, especially yourself!
2. Be in your seat when the bell rings, prepared, on task, and ready to learn.
3. One Speaker at a time, Teacher or Student.
4. Hands Up Rule: How the Teacher gets everyones attention
5. Clean up your mess, keep everything clean!
6. No eating or drinking (except water) we dont want any accidents.
7. Electronics rule: Keep ALL your personal electronics away, keep it out of sight, out of mind. I dont
want any distractions in our classroom. Yes, there may be times I will require you to use your
smartphones, but respect and privacy rules will still be in play. I dont want anyone being filmed without
their consent. Even when using your phones for assignments, you are expected to be ON TASK.

Daily Routines and Procedures:

1. Turn in HW/assignments in correct tray as you walk into class
2. Pick up todays assignment from the counter by the entrance
3. Daily Jumpstart/Warm up Question
4. TAs will pass back graded work
5. Go over NGSS standard and lesson objective
6. Lesson/Lecture/Activity/Lab/Group Work/Review
7. Exit Ticket/What you learned discussion

To ask a question/request to use the restroom/get up to obtain supplies/sharpen pencil, use these hand signals:

Your participation grade will be determined by a Point-System. If I notice you volunteering in class, answering questions,
helping a classmate, picking up trash, being positive and friendly towards others, etc., I will reward you points. if you
misbehave, you will be deducted points, which has consequences outlined below.

Positive Rewards: Negative Consequences:

1. Point System in Place (Scholar Dollars) 1. Verbal Warning
2. Cash in points for prizes (Boba, Ice Cream, Lunch) 2. Point Deduction
3. Homework/Extra Credit Passes 3. 60 minute Detention
4. Letters of Recommendation for Jobs/Colleges 4. Parent Contact and Conference
5. Positive Postcard to Parents 5. Principals Office and Referral
 Grading Policy:
Course percentage: Grading scale:
Tests and Quizzes 40% A = 90-100%
Classwork and HW 25% B = 80-89%
Labs and Participation 25% C = 70-79%
Group Projects 10% D = 60-69%
F = 59%-below
Test/Exams: At the end of every unit/chapter, we will be having an TEST. This exam will consist of 20 multiple choice
questions and 1 Short Answer Response. You will be notified ahead of time about the date of the Test/Exam.

Quizzes will be given weekly, and you will be notified ahead of time. I dont give pop-quizzes. Quizzes are 10 multiple
choice questions on the topic/unit we are currently studying.

Final Exam: This will be administered at the end of every semester. It will cover the topics we learned during that semester
only, meaning the Final at the end of the school year will NOT be cumulative. The final consists of 50 multiple choice
questions and 2 Short Answer Responses.

Group Project:
We will be conducting a few group projects throughout the year, and yes, you can pick your own groups of 4-5 people.
These projects will be presented to the class in powerpoint/google slides format. More details regarding this project will
come in the future.

Homework: As other students will tell you, Im not a big fan of giving out daily homework. I dont give homework just for the
sake of assigning it, you have enough on your plate already. Therefore, whatever classwork you dont finish during school,
will become homework. If you stay on task and finish in class, that means you have more time for other things at home! So
stay focused and make the most of the time youre here in school. Yes, occasionally I will assign homework and projects,
but those are few and far between.

Absences, Late Assignments, and Turning In/Returning Work

Late work is not accepted (exceptions at my discretion, i.e. excused absences, hospitals, etc.)
The assignment is due ON THE ASSIGNED DUE DATE
If absent, email me Ill send you the work, or as always, check google classroom
I do make exceptions of course, like hospital visits or sick, had to go out of town, family matters, etc., therefore you will be
given extra days to complete those assignments.
Check google classroom for your missing assignments, since we do the majority of our assignments online, you can easily
make them up. Turn in work in the correct tray on the side shelf, and you can collect your graded work in the
Work to be Returned Shelf, organized by periods.

Crucial Days
If you are absent on the day of a LAB there is NO makeup its a ZERO
If you are absent on the day of a TEST, to avoid cheating, you will be given a totally new form to be taken afterschool.
Note: If you are out for a school activity such as band/sports/etc and you miss a lab/test its a zero

CHEATING / Academic Dishonesty

1st offense: Fail on that assignment and parent conference
2nd offense: Withdrawn from the class with an F from the course
(which means you need to retake the entire class)
This includes letting people copy your hw, texting answers, not citing where you got your answers from, eliminates any
suspect of cheating, so if youre using an online textbook/website/encyclopedia, google sites, please cite the source!
 Labs and Experiments: SAFETY CONTRACT
Being a very lab-intensive course, we will be going over a lesson on Lab Safety, learning all the tools and
instruments, emergency procedures, and strict rules during experiments. For example, please do not wear flip
flops during lab-days, if a dissecting tool falls off the table and cuts your foot, there goes your toe. We will be
wearing protective lab-gear such as safety goggles and lab coats, so dress comfortably. We will be conducting
labs once-a-week, so it is paramount youre in class on lab-days. These cannot be made up. Please have both
your parent and yourself read and sign the lab safety contract.

Lab Rules and Safety Regulations:

1. Absolutely no horseplay or fooling around during labs, you will be removed immediately
2. Always have appropriate lab gear: goggles, gloves, lab coats, closed toed shoes
3. Be aware of various dangers: biological, chemical, thermal, electrical, poison, etc.
4. Dress appropriately for labs, no open toed shoes, no jewelry, hair tied up, etc.
5. Handle lap equipment and glassware with care, alert teacher of any accidents
6. Do NOT have any food or drink out, even water is prohibited on lab days
7. Be aware of the locations of the Emergency Shower, Eye Wash, Fire Extinguisher, Chemical Fume
Hood, AED defibrillator, and First Aid Kit located in our room
8. Handle all chemicals/specimens/equipment with care, to avoid contamination
9. Wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap at any of our sink stations
10. Follow all directions given by the Teacher and Instructional Aides, ask for help if lost
11. You can choose your own lab partners, youre old enough to make adult decisions. Use your best
knowledge, think about which people you work best with.

In addition to our bi-weekly labs, we will have the honor of conducting TOPS LABs. These are college level labs
similar to those done in Universities. We have 5 of them a year, these will be guided of course. As expected, a
lab report will be required as well.

We will be going over a lesson on lab safety the first week of school, it is extremely IMPORTANT that you
review the material and pass our safety quiz next week in class. Please allow both yourself and your parent to
read through this contract extensively and write your full names and sign below:

Student Support: I am aware that every student has specific needs, and it is my duty as the Teacher to
address these needs to the best of my ability. However, I ask that p
arents will share any specific
accommodations that I may not be aware of (allergies, medications, health risks, etc.) so I can address them. I
encourage parents to come into our BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT to discuss your childs goals and needs in
more detail, as well as allow me to answer any questions you may have. You are always welcome to contact me
throughout the year if you have any questions about your students progress or the class in general.

Student Name: Parent Name:

Student ID: Parent contact:
Date: Email:
Period: Date:

X_______________________________ X_________________________________