BIOLOGY 1408Introductory Biology: Unity of Life

Austin Community College/Anderson High School

Fall 2012

Instructor / Jennifer Lazare (Keelen) / WEBSITE / and Blackboard
Classroom Phone / 512-841-1572 / EMAIL / /
CELL PHONE / 512-4262848 / OFFICE / Anderson High School Room 104
FAX / 223-3060 / OFFICE HOURS / M-Th 8:15-9:00am or by appointment via email

Course Information:

Campus: Anderson High School

Room (Lecture): AHS 104

Room (Lab): AHS 104

2 Sections

Time (Lecture): TTh 9:00 a.m.-10:20 a.m.

Time (Lab): TTh 1:30-:3:00 p.m.

Synonym: 11284

Section: 009

Time (Lecture): MW 9:00 a.m.-10:20 a.m.

Time (Lab): MW 1:30-:3:00 p.m.

Synonym: 11290

Section: 017

High School Block Schedule:

Synonym/section / Day (follow A/B schedule) / Time (Period located on high school schedule) / Room
11284/009 / MW or TTh / 6thor 7th / AHS 104
11290/017 / MW or TTh / 6th or 7th / AHS 104

COURSE DESCRIPTION:BIOL 1408

Introductory biology course designed for non-science majors who desire a conceptual approach to biological topics. An introduction to the nature of science, the characteristics of life, the molecular and cellular basis of life, genetics, reproduction, and development. An emphasis will be placed on how these topics are related to current issues such as genetic engineering, biotechnology, and problems facing modern society. BIOL 1406 and BIOL 1408 may not both be counted toward graduation.

SKILLS and Prerequisites:

Skill G means you must have reading, writing and math skills at ACC placement skill level 5 or above or you must have passed a state-approved assessment test (TASP or COMPASS) in these areas or you must be exempt from assessment through transcript hours from another college or you must have appropriate ACT, SAT, TAKS, or TASS scores. For more details see

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS:

  1. Campbell Essential Biology, 4th Ed, by Simon, Reece and Dickey
  • A class set of textbooks is provided in the classroom
  • You will receive an online account to access the textbook online
  • Although it is not required, you may also purchase the textbook at any ACC bookstore (expensive) or from an online source such as ebay, amazon etc…..Older editions are much cheaper and perfectly fine for this course.
  1. Lab Manual
  • Instructor will provide copies of lab instructions for labs conducted in the classroom
  • Virtual Labs must be printed by you from Blackboard
  • Safety eyewear that meets Z87.1 standards (if course has a lab)
  • Closed-toed shoes (if course has a lab)
  1. Course Web Site - Blackboard-MUST ACCESS the first Class by visiting this site;
  2. Post it Notepad: for in class questions
  3. Access to PRINTING or FLASH DRIVE:All course materials will be located in Blackboard. I WILL NOT print out anything for you that is posted on Blackboard. For lecture you have two options:
  4. Print lecture power points at home or in the library
  5. Open power point file in class. Take notes in power point. Save file and access later for studying
  6. All homework and essay are submitted online in blackboard

TUITION: NONE (make sure to turn in your waiver to Mrs. Mason). Tuition for 8 credit hours at UT Austin would cost $3779.00

LAB FEES: $30.00 for the Year. Checks made payable to Anderson Science Department.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY:

The course includes both a lecture and a lab. The lecture will include notes, animations, PowerPoint images, and in-class activities that support lecture. The majority of the labs are self-directed. The labs provide a hands-on learning environment.

Blackboard will house all course materials and houses the online homework which is required. Practice test are also provided as a study aid. Case study assignment will be submitted via Safe Assign in Blackboard. All optional exercises can also be found here.

COURSE RATIONALE:

This course is one of two introductory non-science major classes. This one focuses on the cellular and molecular bases of life and the similarities found among all living things. The course is intended to foster an understanding of biological issues and provide students with the tools to critically analyze biological data and intelligently relate these data to issues in our society such as cloning, genetic engineering, etc.

The primary focus of BIOL 1408 is the development of the skills that will enable our students to think critically and evaluate the flood of new information that the tools of molecular biology are making possible. To do this, they must have a foundation of general knowledge about cell biology. In addition, they must also learn about the techniques of molecular biology and their practical applications, how these applications will affect them, and the "current issues and problems facing modern society" that relate to these applications.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: The ACC Biology Department has specified the content of this course, in both

lecture and lab. The departmental objectives are located at

ATTENDANCE

You are responsible for attending all lectures and lab. Most students do better on the exams if they attend regularly. You are responsible for all materials, activities, assignments, or announcements covered in class, regardless of your reason for being absent. If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to get lecture notes from someone in the class and to get handouts and assignments from me/Blackboard. Lecture and lab attendance will be informally monitored. If your percent grade is within 0.5 percentage points of a letter grade, your final letter grade will be determined by your attendance AND participation in lecture and lab.

  • Unlike high school, the instructor DOES NOT take attendance. But I reserve the right to DROP any student who appears to have excessive absences
  • Students must see instructor during scheduled office hours to discuss any work that will be accepted.
  • Student must notify instructor through email within 24 hours of being absent if nay work is to be accepted late. Otherwise: NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED.
  • See Makeup Policy below

Use of ACC email

“All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at “ To access your e-mail from another e-mail program go to:

Expectations:

●If you want a grade of at least a “C” in the class, spend a MINIMUM of 2 hours outside of class for every hour spent in class. Most students need to spend MUCH MORE time to obtain a grade higher than a C. Short study periods every day are much more effective than one long study session.

●Check Blackboard daily for announcements.

●Be prepared for each lecture. Print the lecture outline/objectives handout for that day BEFORE coming to class.

●Read the textbook after each lecture (though some students prefer to read the textbook before each lecture-choose what works best for you). You should read the sections in the textbook that were covered in lecture and answer the pertinent Review Questions at the end of each chapter as soon as possible AFTER each lecture. The specific pages to read and questions to answer for each topic are posted in the "Readings" button on Blackboard.

●Attend the Open Labs. You will NOT have enough time during lab to master all of the material.

●Actively participate in all class and lab activities, including dissections.

●Come see me if you need help. You can also try a tutor at the LearningLab (see schedule at or on Blackboard. You can also form a study group (3 people per group is the maximum recommended).

●Clean up and store materials before leaving lab. See specifics above.

OPEN LAB POLICIES:

Mrs. Lazare’s classroom is open from 8:30am-4:15 Monday-Thursday. You may come in any time to complete labs that were not finished in class.

GRADES: Your final grade depends on the total number of points you accumulate from these sources.

Source / Number / points ea / total
Lecture Exam / 3* / 100 / 300
Lab Reports / 10 / 10 / 100
Online homework / 10** / 10 / 100
Lab Exam / 2 / 25 / 50
Practice Exercises/Virtual labs / Will vary*** / Will vary / 50
Total Points / 600

*A cumulative final exam may replace your lowest exam grade

**Lowest 2 will be dropped

***You must accumulate 50 points by completing a virtual lab or practice exercise of your choice. Anything over 50 points is bonus. To maximize your score, you should so virtual labs for your 50 required points and the practice exercises as optional points on your test. But it is all you choice. You decide how to earn your points.

Final Grading Scale: 90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; below 60% = F

INCOMPLETE GRADE POLICY

A grade of incomplete (I) will be assigned only if you have:

- A valid reason (instructor makes decision) with written documentation,

- Requested a grade of “I” in writing,

- Completed all of the course work scheduled before the drop deadline,

- Completed more than 50% of the course work, and

- At least a 70% (c) average on completed work.

If you want to know your final grade at the end of the semester before grade slips are mailed out by ACC, bring a stamped self-addressed envelope to the last class.

Lecture EXAMS: There will be 4 lecture exams. Refer to the course schedule for dates. The first 3 lecture exams will be a mixture of multiple choice (70%) and Case Study Analysis (30%). The 4th exam will be cumulative, all multiple choice and may be used to replace your lowest exam grade is needed.

The chapters covered by each exam are indicated on the course schedule and the material is specified in the learning objectives for each unit. There are no retests in this course; once you have taken an exam, you may not take it again to try for a better grade.

  • Case Study Analysis of Exam will be completed BEFORE the exam is taken, so you may use outside sources to complete the assignment. See Case Study Analysis Document for more information.

Lab Reports: Lab Report handouts will be given out by instructor. Portions of the report will be done in class. Students will finish lab report outside of class. Lab Reports are due the next class period.

Online homework:Will be submitted in blackboard each week assigned in the syllabus. These questions will be used to create Lecture exams. All HW is due the Sunday of the week indicated by 11pm. 2 lowest grades will be dropped

Lab Exam: Will be given in class and cover lab exercises as indicted in the syllabus. More information will be provided in lab course. There are no makeups.

MAKEUP Policy

  • Lecture EXAMS: NONE. The final cumulative exam will be used to replace any missing exams
  • Lab: NONE. Optional points earned in class may be added towards any missed lab exercises
  • Lab Exams: NONE

If you know you will be absent you MUST see your instructor during office hours to discuss any missed work.

Due to ACC policies concerning the FamilyEducationRightsandPrivacyAct (FERPA), I cannot post grades or call or e-mail you with information about your grades. You can find a copy of FERPA at

Grades will be posted on Blackboard (you will only be able to see your own grades, not those of your classmates). You can also keep track of your grades in the space on the next page.

OPTIONAL POINTS:Through the semester, student will be given opportunities to earn optional points to be used towards exam grade or missing work. Listen for these opportunities!

Rule of Three:

Students are charged a higher tuition rate for courses they repeat for the third or more time. This is generally referred to as the “Rule of Three”. Information about this rule is located at: and

Six Drop Rule:

Texas Education Code Section 51.907 mandates that all students who enroll as first time freshmen at a Texas public institution of higher education in Fall 2007 or later may not drop more than six courses during their academic career. Information about this rule is located at: and

Withdrawal Policy:

“It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decides to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary (excessive absences, etc). If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course. State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.”

The student is responsible for monitoring their progress in the course and determining if they need to withdraw. I can help the student make that decision, but the final decision is the student’s decision.

You can withdraw by filling out the appropriate form and submitting it to the ACC Admissions and Records office on any campus before the stated deadline. You do not need my signature on this form. The last day to “Drop” the class (and avoid receiving a “W” on your transcript) is September 12th.The last day to withdraw for the semester is November 26th, 2012. Withdrawal courses appear on the student's record with a grade of W. If you stop attending class and do not withdraw yourself from the course, you will end up with a grade of F for the semester.

In order to be reinstated in the class after having been withdrawn, the student must have been enrolled in the course on the state reporting date, as demonstrated by the twelfth-day class roll, must have been withdrawn from the course in error, must show evidence of being capable of passing the course within the time remaining in the semester, and the instructor must have documentation that the student is eligible to be reinstated in the course.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact withdrawing from a course may have on their financial aid, veteran’s benefits, international student status, and academic standing. Students are urged to consult with their instructor or an advisor or counselor before making schedule changes.

Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college career. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are encouraged to carefully select courses and contact an advisor or counselor for assistance.

EXPECTATIONS: I expect you to be prepared for each lecture and lab class and to participate in all class activities. You are expected to be familiar with the concepts previously covered throughout the semester. If you are not familiar with this material, I expect you to review these concepts before attending class. If you need help with review material, you should see me during office hours or work with your study group.

To pass the course (with a grade of 70% C), you should expect to spend at least 2 hours outside of class for every hour spent in class. That means a minimum of 10 hours of quality, undisturbed study time outside of class per week. If you expect to earn a grade higher than C, you should expect to spend even more time preparing for class. If your background in Anatomy is weak or if your reading, studying and analytical skills are weak, you may need to spend more time just to pass. Everyone who has the prerequisites (and learned the material) should be capable of earning a passing grade in this class. The main impediment for most students is usually time. Make sure you have enough time to study in order to earn the grade you need.

Scholastic Dishonesty:

“A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college. See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at ”