BIOLOGY 1010 COURSE SYLLABUS SPRING 2015

COURSE DESCRIPTION

General Biology (BIO 1010) is a four credit Biological Science course developed primarily for non-science majors. The course consists of a lecture component (three hours each week) and a laboratory session (three hours each week). The time commitment on your part, therefore, is the same as if you had enrolled in TWO three-credit courses. At the end of the semester, ONE GRADE IS GIVEN based on your performance in BOTH lecture and laboratory.

CREDIT HOUR EXPLANATION

At Prince George’s Community College, for all credit courses, students are expected to spend a minimum of 37.5 combined hours of instructional time and related coursework time per credit hour. This course is a 4 credit course. This course achieves the minimum of 150 hours of total instructional hours by requiring 75 hours instructional time and 75 hours of student work outside of instructional time.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name:
Title:
Office Location:
Office Phone:
Biology Office Number:
Office Hours:
Web address:
E-mail:

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

1. What is Life? A Guide to Biology with Physiology, 2nd edition. 2013. Phelan. WH Freeman.

ISBN 978-1-4641-0243-1 or 1-4641-0243-0

2. Human Biology: Condensed, 7th edition. 2013. Bres and Weisshaar. Education Resources.

3. Thinking About Biology, 4th edition. 2013. Bres and Weisshaar. Pearson Benjamin Cummings. ISBN 978-0-321-79195-5 or 0-321-79195-9

These books will be used frequently in lecture and laboratory. Please bring them with you everyday.

RECOMMEND MATERIALS

1.  Fetal Pig Dissection Diagram Sheet. You will need this mid semester so wait if you are strapped for cash.


REQUIRED MATERIALS

  1. Several #2 pencils (Mechanical pencils are preferred. You never have to sharpen them and they are better for the environment.)

2. Erasers (lots). An eraser stick may be a good idea.

3. Set of colored highlighters (or colored pencils)

4. Calculator (nothing fancy needed)

5. Stapler (Points will be deducted for papers that are turned in without a staple.)

6. Ruler or straight-edge (for drawing graphs)

Bring the above materials with you to ALL lab and lecture sessions. You will always write exercises you do during lab in pencil.

EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES

1.  Apply the fundamental principles of ecology to real world situations, including the transfer of energy and cycling of materials through ecosystems

2.  List and explain factors that impact human population growth and evaluate the impact of human population dynamics on ecosystems

3.  Explain how various human actions affect the global and local environments

4.  Apply the basic principles of chemistry to nutrition and other functions within the human body

5.  Apply knowledge of the working of each body system explored during the course, to the course instructional objectives

6.  Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between structure and function within each body system, among body systems, and as applied to health problems

7.  Apply genetic principles to problems related to inheritance, genetic diseases, and current issues in molecular biology

8.  Uses scientific method to solve problems


STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS:

For success in the lecture portion of this course:

• BEFORE we go over the material in class, complete the assigned reading in the textbook.

• WHILE we are going over the material in class, fill in all the blanks in the Biology 101 study guide (Human Biology: Condensed) and take comprehensive notes on three-hole punched paper.

• REVIEW all the above assigned materials and rewrite your notes in your own words, after we have covered each topic in class.

• INSERT re-written notes into the appropriate location in the BIO 101 study guide. When preparing for an exam, concentrate on the information presented in the study guide and your class notes.

For success in the laboratory portion of this course:

• BEFORE you come to lab, read the assigned laboratory exercise in Thinking About Biology.

• WHILE we are in lab, get checked off for all activities and take comprehensive notes.

• Complete the Self Test and review the above materials at home, after you have completed each lab exercise. When preparing for a lab quiz, concentrate on the information presented in the lab manual and what we did in class.

CLASS PARTICIPATION

There will be graded homework assignments, class discussions, and non-graded, optional homework assignments. To be successful, you must keep up with the assigned readings and be prepared to discuss them in class.

If you allow yourself to fall behind, it will be very difficult to catch up again. You are expected to read the assigned lecture AND laboratory material BEFORE the class meets and to be prepared to discuss the material in class.

**Note: At the end of each laboratory period, we will have a class discussion summarizing the main points covered that day.**

Students will not be allowed to leave lab early without permission. Should you choose to do so without permission, you will be marked absent for that laboratory session. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE QUIZ OR TURN IN THE HOMEWORK ON THE MISSED SUBJECT MATTER THE FOLLOWING LAB PERIOD.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

The final course grade is determined based on 780 possible points. The exact number of points needed for a particular grade is listed at the bottom of the attached Grade Record Sheet.

In order to be successful in this course, you must be able to demonstrate your comprehension by explaining course concepts in your own words and apply your knowledge to new situations. Exams will include objective questions in a variety of formats. There will also be several essay questions and problem solving opportunities on each examination.

All lecture and laboratory exams (except the lecture final) will be returned to you. Exams are a learning experience. It is important to go over the exams and correct your misconceptions. The course material is cumulative in that comprehension of subjects later in the course hinges on your understanding of earlier, foundation concepts. If you need clarification on something you missed on the exam, or didn't understand during your studying, please ask me about it.

LECTURE EXAMS = 400 POINTS

There will be four lecture exams, each worth 100 points. Each exam will include several essay questions. For example, you will be required to explain basic concepts, define terms, read and draw graphs, and demonstrate your expertise in data analysis and interpretation.

** NOTE: LECTURE AND LABORATORY MAKE-UP EXAMS ARE NOT GIVEN.**

It is YOUR responsibility to contact me within 24 hours of a missed exam. A missed exam without a VALID DOCUMENTED EXCUSE is an AUTOMATIC FAILURE of the exam.

Since additional time is needed to formulate answers to problem solving and concept based questions, all lecture exams (except the final exam) will be administered by the Campus Assessment Center located in Bladen 100.

At the Campus Assessment Center, there is no time limit for exams, however, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to take each exam. The testing center picks papers up fifteen minutes before closing. Make sure you check the Center hours and adjust your schedule accordingly.

Campus Assessment Center: (301) 322-0090

Operating Hours for Spring 2015:

8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday

9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday

LECTURE EXAMS WILL NOT BE GIVEN DURING CLASS TIME.

YOU ARE NOT EXCUSED FROM REGULARLY SCHEDULED CLASSES TO TAKE EXAMS AT THE CAMPUS ASSESSMENT CENTER.

EACH EXAM WILL BE AT THE ASSESSMENT CENTER FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE DATES FOR ALL EXAMS WILL BE ANNOUNCED WELL IN ADVANCE.


TENTATIVE LECTURE EXAM DATES

Exam #1:

Exam #2:

Exam #3:

Exam #4:

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS = 80 POINTS

Throughout the semester you will turn in eight lecture homework assignments to be graded. The assignments will be done cooperatively (by small groups of students) and you can earn a total of 10 points per assignment.

LECTURE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE DONE IN GROUPS. NO INDIVIDUAL PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

EACH PERSON IN YOUR GROUP SHOULD KEEP A COPY OF THE COMPLETED HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT (AND BE READY TO TURN IT IN IF NECESSARY).

ALL HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE NEAT, CLEARLY LEGIBLE, AND STAPLED.

Homework assignments are due at the BEGINNING of the class period. Note for late-arriving students: papers will NOT BE ACCEPTED more than FIVE MINUTES after the class period begins!

LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. No exceptions will be made for traffic snarls, car breakdowns, illness, etc. To avoid late papers from last minute problems, you are encouraged to turn in homework assignments BEFORE THE DUE DATE. Give me the papers or deliver them to my mailbox in CHESAPEAKE HALL ROOM 100.

LABORATORY QUIZES = 300 POINTS

There will be eight laboratory quizzes, each worth 50 points. Quizzes will be given during regularly scheduled laboratory sessions. The two lowest quiz grades will be dropped.

Lab quizzes will cover all aspects of laboratory exercises including equipment and methods used, practical demonstrations of knowledge (such as locating and identifying body organs), and comprehension of basic concepts (such as being able to explain the function of each organ, or how a microscope works).

COMPLETED ASSIGNMENTS

All completed assignments (except the final exam) will be returned to you.

It is YOUR responsibility to SAVE all graded papers until you receive final grade in the course. In case of a discrepancy between my recorded grades and your recollection of your grade, you MUST be able to show me the graded paper before I can correct errors in my records.

Q GRADES
Students are expected to attend and participate in class activities. Students who either never attended the class or who ceased attendance during the first 20 percent of the course will be assigned a “Q” grade by the instructor. The Q grade is a final grade and will not be replaced with a different grade at a later time. Although the Q grade will not impact students’ GPA, the issuance of a Q grade will likely decrease students’ financial aid awards.

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Students requesting academic accommodations are required to contact the Disability Support Services Office (M-1042) or call (301) 322-0838 (voice) or (301) 322-0122 (TTY) to establish eligibility for services and accommodations. Students with documented disabilities should discuss the matter privately with their instructors at the beginning of the semester and provide a copy of their Student/Faculty Accommodation Form.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Prince George's Community College Code of Conduct defines the rights and responsibilities of students and establishes a system of procedures for dealing with students charged with violations of the code and other rules and regulations of the college. A student enrolling in the college assumes an obligation to conduct himself/herself in a manner compatible with the college's function as an educational institution. Refer to the current Student Handbook chapter on Procedures and Policies, for a complete explanation of the code of conduct, including the procedure for dealing with disruptive student behavior.

CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The college is an institution of higher learning that holds academic integrity as its highest principle. In the pursuit of knowledge, the college community expects that all students, faculty, and staff will share responsibility for adhering to the values of honesty and unquestionable integrity. To support a community committed to academic achievement and scholarship, the Code of Academic Integrity advances the principle of honest representation in the work that is produced by students seeking to engage fully in the learning process. The complete text of the Code of Academic Integrity is in the current Student Handbook and posted on the college's website.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

The College has a strict policy on academic dishonesty (for details, see the Student Handbook). Simply put, academic dishonesty will NOT be tolerated. AN ACT OF CHEATING WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF ZERO BEING ASSIGNED TO THE WORK. ANY REPEATED INCIDENT WILL RESULT IN A COURSE GRADE OF "F."

Cheating includes putting someone's name on a group assignment when that person has not fully participated in the group work. Cheating also includes plagiarism. Answers to all questions must be written in your own words.

COPYING DIRECTLY OUT OF A TEXT, CLASS HANDOUT, OFF THE INTERNET, OR FROM OTHER REFERENCES IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! THIS INCLUDES SLIGHTLY REARRANGING THE WORDS SO THAT THEY ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE SOURCE!

PLEASE NOTE

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all lectures and laboratory classes. In the event that an emergency occurs, you are responsible for all work assigned during your absence.

Students are not permitted to bring children into the laboratory with them. Pagers and cell phones should be silenced while in the classroom and the lab.


IMPORTANT DATES:

Jan. 19 Mon. / COLLEGE CLOSED—Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday observed
Jan. 20 Tues. / Classes begin for spring 2015
Feb. 6 Fri. / Last day to change from “credit” to “audit” or “audit” to “credit” for full semester classes
Feb. 16 Mon. / COLLEGE CLOSED—Presidents’ Day
Feb. 17 Tues. / Last day to apply for spring graduation
Feb. 23 Tue. / Last day to withdraw from first-half semester classes
March 11 Wed. / Mid-term/End of first half-semester classes
March 12 Thur. / Begin second half-semester classes
March 30 – April 5 Mon.–Sun. / COLLEGE CLOSED—Spring break
April 6 Mon. / College reopens and classes resume
April 10 Fri. / Last day to withdraw from full semester classes
April 20 Mon. / Begin open registration for all summer 2015 terms
April 24 Fri. / Last day to withdraw from second half-semester classes
April 27–May 1 Mon.–Fri. / Advance registration for fall 2015 semester for returning students.
May 4 Mon. / Begin open registration for fall 2015 semester
May 4 Mon. / Last day of regular classes for the spring 2015 semester.
May 5–11** Tues.–Mon. / Final examination period/last week of classes at all campuses
May 21 Thurs. / Commencement
May 23–25 Sat.–Mon. / COLLEGE CLOSED—Memorial Day observed

COURSE COORDINATORS

After meeting with the course instructor(s), course coordinators are the next point of contact for any concerns or unresolved issues.

Professor Paul Assanah
210 J Chesapeake Hall
301 Largo Road
Largo, MD 20774
Phone: 301-322-0423
Biological Sciences Office: 301-322-0420
Fax: 301-386-7529
E-mail: / Dr. Cassandra Moore-Crawford
210 H Chesapeake Hall
301 Largo Road
Largo, MD 20774
Phone: 301-386-7562
Biological Sciences Office: 301-322-0420
Fax: 301-386-7529
E-mail:


BIOLOGY 1010 APPROXIMATE COURSE SCHEDULE - SPRING 2015