Aug 26, 2013 ... Course Description: The principles of biology will be covered. Environmental ...
science majors. Required Materials: Inquiry into Life by Sylvia S. Mader and
Michael Windelspecht, 14th Edition .... Veteran's Day: November 11.
General Biology (BSC 1005, Hybrid)—Fall 2013
Instructor: Class Location: Class Time: Office Hours: Contact:
Julie Terrell Niceville Campus, Science Building, Room S-‐202 Thursday, 6:30 pm — 8:30 pm Instructor is available fifteen minutes before each class or by appointment. (850) 200-‐4100;
[email protected] http://faculty.nwfsc.edu/science/terrellj/index.htm
Course Description: The principles of biology will be covered. Environmental impact of human activity on the biosphere will be emphasized. This is a non-‐laboratory, four credit hour course intended to provide general education for students other than science majors.
th
Required Materials: Inquiry into Life by Sylvia S. Mader and Michael Windelspecht, 14 Edition
Grading: Course material will be split into 7 units (see table on next page). You will earn an overall grade for each unit. Each unit grade will be made up of an exam grade, a quiz grade, and a special topic grade. The maximum grade for each unit is 250 points. Your final grade for the class will be the determined by averaging the 7 unit grades and using the grading scale listed below.
Grading Scale: 90–100 = A; 89–80 = B; 79–70 = C; 69–60 = D; 59–0 = F
Unit 1 2
Title Study of Life/Cell Biology Cell Division/Inheritance/DNA
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 5, 21, 25
3 4 5
Metabolism/Photosynthesis/Respiration Evolution of Life, Diversity of Live-‐Part 1 Diversity of Life-‐Part 2, Ecology
6
Maintenance of the Human Body
6, 7, 8 27, 28, 29 9, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
7
Integration and Control of the Human Body
Tentative Special Topic Themes Exam Date (2 papers due with each unit) September 5 an element, biological molecule, organelle September 19 a genetic disease, a genetically engineered crop or animal, a common mutagen October 3 photosynthetic adaptation, diet/metabolism October 17 a description of a prokaryote, virus, protist, fungi October 31 a description of plant, invertebrate, vertebrate November 14
17, 18, 19, 20, 21
December 5
a skin, skeletal, neurological, sensory, muscular, immunological, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, or reproductive disease a skin, skeletal, neurological, sensory, muscular, immunological, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, or reproductive disease
Exam Grade (100 points): There will be one exam per unit. Each exam will cover the course material for that unit. Each exam will be worth 100 points. The date of each exam will be announced in class throughout the semester. On exam day, exams will only be given out until a student returns an exam. If you are late on an exam day and someone has already returned his or her exam YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE EXAM. There will be a maximum time limit of 1 hour for each exam. There will be NO make-‐up exams.
Quiz Grade (100 points): Quiz grades for each unit will be obtained from Northwest Florida State College’s distant learning technology laboratory—D2L. For each chapter within a unit, you will take quizzes on your own using the D2L learning system. You are allowed unlimited attempts for each chapter. All quizzes within a unit are due at the end of each unit—NO EXCEPTIONS! Your highest single grade for each chapter will be your quiz grade for that chapter. All the chapter quizzes for each unit will total 100 points for each unit.
Special Topics: You will be required to write TWO special topic papers per unit. Each special topic paper should be no longer than 2 pages typed. You can pick a topic from the table listed below or discuss a topic with me. The maximum score for each paper is 25 points. The total points available for special topic papers within each unit are 50 points.
The final exam (250 points): The final exam is optional. It will be given on Thursday, December 12 at 6:30 PM. The final exam will be a comprehensive exam of the 7 unit exams. It can be used to replace the lowest unit grade. Any conflict with the final exam schedule should be brought up with the professor during the first two weeks of the semester.
Grades will NOT be given out over the phone. All class communication will be conducted in class, in person at office hours, or through NWF State College email. This includes comments on exams, dates, assignments, grades, etc. All students should activate their NWF State College email accounts; only NWF State College email accounts will be used.
Incomplete grades: An incomplete grade (“I”) may be awarded when the student is unable to finish the required work because of unforeseen extenuating circumstances such as illness or TDY assignment. To receive an “I” grade, the student must have successfully completed a significant portion of the required coursework and be able to finish the remaining work without attending class. An “I” grade will automatically convert to a grade of “F” if the student does not complete the remainder of the coursework by the established deadline. Important Dates Last day to register or to drop with a refund: August 26, 2013 Last day to change to audit or to drop with a grade of “W”: October 30, 2013 No Classes: Labor Day: September 2 Veteran’s Day: November 11 Thanksgiving: November 27-‐30 Extra Credit: There may be various volunteer events, science seminars (etc.), and current event discussions that students can gain extra credit for—the extra credit earned will be applied to each unit assigned in class. You may write ONE special topic papers per unit. Each special topic paper should be no longer than 2 pages typed. Each extra credit opportunity listed above can earn up to 5 points. You can only earn 10 points extra credit for each unit. Individual Meetings: You can meet with me at the classroom 15 minutes before class. You can also meet with me at my office, please make an appointment and schedule these meetings in advance. Attendance: Class attendance is an integral part of the learning process for this course. Students are expected to attend class regularly, as well as to arrive and depart on time. Because this class involves frequent class discussions/lab work/group work, you will neither benefit from these activities nor contribute to the class as a whole if you are frequently absent. Therefore, missed class may result in the penalty of zero points in the participation element of each unit grade in which you were absent. Please note that the college does not distinguish between excused or unexcused absences: an absence is an absence. (See College Catalog and Student Handbook.) Children in the classroom: As a courtesy to other students and the learning process, students may not bring children with them to class sessions. Health and safety concerns prohibit children from accompanying adult students in any lab, shop, office, or classroom or other college facility where potential hazards exist. If a child-‐related emergency means you must miss class, contact the instructor as soon as possible to determine your options. Student rights and responsibilities: Students are responsible for adherence to all college policies and procedures, including those related to academic freedom, cheating, classroom conduct, computer/network/e-‐mail use and other items included in the Northwest Florida State College Catalog and Student Handbook. Students should be familiar with the rights and responsibilities detailed in the current Northwest Florida State College Catalog and Student Handbook. Plagiarism, cheating, or any other form of academic dishonesty is a serious breach of student responsibilities and may trigger consequences which range from a failing grade to formal disciplinary action. Cell phone and pager use: Cell phones, pagers, and other such electronic devices must be turned off during class and lab time. Communication by electronic devices, including but not limited to instant messaging, text messaging, and telephone, during class is strictly prohibited unless expressly designated as part of the learning activities. Use of electronic communication devices during examinations or other graded activities may constitute grounds for disciplinary action. Where emergency or employment situations require access to electronic communication services, arrangements may be made in advance with the instructor. In certain circumstances, (e.g., exams, presentations, etc.), students may be required to temporarily deposit cell phones or other communications devices with the instructor or lab supervisor for the duration of the specific class or activity. Emergency Disclaimer: In the event of unusual or extraordinary circumstances, the schedule, requirements, and procedures in this course are subject to change. If the college closes for inclement weather or other emergency, the date for any exams, presentations, or assignments due during the closure period will be postponed. A revised schedule will be available at the first regular class meeting held once the college re-‐opens. If changes to graded activities are required, students will not be penalized as a result of the adjustments, but will be responsible for meeting revised deadlines and course requirements. If weather or other situations necessitate cancellation of classes, students will be notified via the college website and through the NWFSC Alert System preference they have chosen through RaiderNet. Support Services: If you have a disability for which accommodations may be appropriate to assist you in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Support Services in the Student Services Center on the Niceville Campus. The counselor for Students with Disabilities may be reached by calling 729-‐607oice 1-‐800-‐955-‐8770).
