[Instructor Objectives]

1.  The student will receive background information necessary for entry into higher level high
    school science courses.
2.  The student will increase his or her awareness concerning possible science careers.
3.  The student will become competent in some basic principles of physical science.
4.  The student will receive the opportunity to become involved in the scientific process.
5.  The student will become competent in those topics tested on the New York State Intermediate Level
     Science Examination.

Course Topics

1.  Basic Chemistry
2.  Basic Physics
3.  Selected Topics in Meteorology/Astronomy
4.  Review for the New York State Intermediate Level Science Exam

More Information about Specific on these topics can be obtained from the URL below:

http://ekcs.neric.org/~jbuckley/sci8unit.html

Internet Usage for this Course

I have worked this summer to place many notes and practice tests for topics on
the course on our school server.    This information may be obtained at the following
URL:

http://ekcs.neric.org/science/science8/

Regular use of the study materials provided at this resource will improve your performance
in the course and on the Intermediate Level Science Exam.

[Evaluation]

1.  (Quizzes and examinations)

   -- will comprise 60% of the overall grade
   -- quizzes may be announced or unannounced
   -- examinations will always be announced
   -- quizzes will count as 1 grade
   -- examinations count as 2 grades
   -- notebook evaluations may be counted in this grading category

2.  (Homework)

-- will make up about 40% of the overall grade
-- usually counts as 1 grade
-- lab reports will be evaluated in this category

** In addition, oral and written reports may be assigned.  The format for their evaluation will
     be at the instructor's discretion.

[Notebook Requirement]

** Notebooks must be complete and may be collected for one or more exam grades at any time.
All notes will be kept in a separate notebook, binder, or  folder from your other notes.

** Changes in this evaluation scheme may be made at any time at the discretion of the instructor.

[Makeup Policy]

The makeup policy will be provided separately on the opening day of school
and may be viewed at the link below.

Science 8 Quiz/Test Makeup Policy

[Additional Policies and Student Expectations]

1.          The student missing school is responsible for getting the notes for any time you miss due to absence(s).
             These notes are available from my Internet web pages and/or other students.

2.        You have the amount of time equivalent to your absence to complete any evaluation.
            If you miss school on only the day a quiz or a test is given, you will be expected
            to complete it when you return to class.  If you fail to complete it at this
            time, the evaluation will be discarded and your grade will become a zero
            for that evaluation.

3.         I reserve the right to give unannounced "pop" quizzes at any time.

4.         I reserve the right at the time of any evaluation to inspect your notebooks
            for evaluation. I may grade some or all of the notebooks at any time.

 I  EXPECT YOU TO MAINTAIN A SEPARATE
 NOTEBOOK(S) THAT I CAN COLLECT AT ANY TIME.

5.         I expect all students to participate in all laboratory activities.

6.         At all times, I expect your work to be your own.

7.         If you know you are going to be out of school for an extended period,
            get in contact with me through the school or some other channel to obtain the work
            you are missing.

8.         If you are missing school due to a family vacation, school sanctioned field trip, or other
            situation, you must provide notification to me a minimum of one week before the event
            in legible writing which includes the day(s) of your absence.   If this minimum time
            requirement for notification is not met, I do not guarantee you will receive the work
            you need during such absence.

9.        Under no circumstances will late homework papers be accepted unless
            your special circumstances are discussed with me before the paper is due.

10.       I expect you to have required texts and materials present in any class or lab.