BSC 1005 - BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES



BSC 1005C Biological sciences WITH LAB

Course Policies/ Syllabus

SPring 2020 #2112

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name: Susan Popa

Office Hours: By Appointment

Email popa.susannah@spcollege.edu or myCourses email

Instructor Web Page:

ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT:

Academic Chair: Michael Davis

Office Location:   LY 206, Tarpon Springs Campus

Office Number:  712-5245

Email: Davis.michael@spcollege.edu

Dean: Dr. Natavia Middleton

Office Location: Midtown Campus, MT 310

Office Phone Number: 727-398-8288

Email: middleton.natavia@spcollege.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION: BSC 1005C BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE WITH LAB. 3 credit hours. This course introduces the essential principles relevant to the biological sciences through combined lecture and laboratory activities. Contemporary issues are applied to topics in biology and include the process of science, evolutionary theory, organisms and ecology, cell structure and function, basic biological chemistry, diversity of life, and genetic mechanisms. 69.50 contact hours.

LEARNING OUTCOMES AND OBJECTIVES:

1. The student will demonstrate their understanding of the process of science by:

a. explaining the terms and premises involved in solving problems scientifically, scientific research, and peer review.

b. identifying an observation of interest, developing a hypothesis and designing an experiment to test it.

c. discussing scientific contemporary issues using essential science skills including, but not limited to, critical thinking, efficient written and/or oral communication, and the ability to identify reliable scientific information.

2. The student will be able to explain the diversity of life and identify the general characteristics of each of the major life groups by:

a. naming characteristics of major biological taxonomic categories.

b. comparing major taxonomic categories, distinguishing similarities and differences among them.

c. identifying live and/or preserved specimens belonging to each of the major taxonomic groups.

3. The student will describe the underlying organization of nature, including the basic structure, function and homeostatic integration in select biological organisms by:

a. recognizing levels of complexity in nature.

b. identifying major cellular structures and their functions.

c. describing the processes of cell division and its role in the life cycle of organisms.

d. describing how organisms obtain and process energy, with special emphasis on photosynthesis and aerobic

cellular respiration.

e. describing how organ systems function in order to provide homeostasis.

f. performing dissection of selected organisms to identify major structural components relevant to their function and maintenance of homeostasis.

4. The student will explain the conceptual basis of evolutionary theory by:

a. applying the principles of evolutionary theory to the understanding of changes in abundance and kinds of life with time.

b. describing different mechanisms of evolution such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow.

c. describing the importance of mutation in producing variation.

d. explaining the evidence of evolutionary change.

5. The student will describe the basic concepts and application of genetics by:

a. differentiating among chromosomes, genes, alleles, genotype and phenotype.

b. solving genetics problems involving complete dominance, incomplete dominance, sex-linked traits, multiple alleles, multiple genes and simple pedigrees.

c. describing the role of meiosis in heredity.

d. describing technology that arises from our understanding of genetics and explaining its uses and implications.

6. The student will demonstrate their understanding of basic ecological principles by:

a. explaining the flow of energy through ecosystems with respect to the laws of thermodynamics governing flow

through successive trophic levels.

b. analyzing biotic and abiotic factors in ecosystems.

c. explaining community ecology and interactions among populations.

d. describing population dynamics, human population growth and topics in sustainability.

7. The student will demonstrate the use of basic scientific equipment and techniques by:

a. using a microscope to observe cellular structures and other specimens as well as identifying the parts of the

microscope.

b. using various types of scientific equipment to collect specimens or conduct scientific experiments.

c. applying the knowledge of use of the equipment to real world scenarios.

Criteria Performance Standard:

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

PREREQUISITES: ENC 1101 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C

MEETING TIMES: Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 am – 11:45 am in SI-103

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:

Essentials of Biology with Physiology. Simon. Pearson. Code for Modified Mastering with ebook. 9780135892602  or

 

Package of Loose leaf book + Modified Mastering with ebook access code:  9780136473039

LIBRARY:

FINANCIAL AID:

IMPORTANT DATES:

January 13 First Day of Classes

January 17 Last Day to Drop and Receive Refund

January 20 MLK Day- No Class

March 9-15 Spring Break- No Class

March 25 Withdrawal deadline

April 10-12 Spring Holiday- No Class

May 4-7 Final Exam

STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS:

Student Expectations:

1. The college has an official policy on academic honesty and proper classroom behavior. It is the student’s responsibility to review the online Academic Honesty Policy or "Academic Honesty and Student Behavior: Expectations of Students at SPC" brochure. College policy states that a first offense (cheating, plagiarism, etc) is given a “zero” for the assignment with no possibility of replacing the score. In addition, on the first offense, a form is filed in the Assistant Provost’s office. This does not go onto the student’s transcript, but, should a second offense occur, the student is then subject to expulsion from school. I take this subject very seriously and will not tolerate academic dishonesty or inappropriate/disruptive behavior in the classroom.

2. All electronic devices (cellular phones, laptops, etc.) are to be turned off before the class starts. Use of these devices in lab is in violation of College Policy and subject to disciplinary action. It is considered to me as a mental absence, so it will be counted as an unexcused absence for the day. I also reserve the right to answer all phone calls received during the class. No texting during class.

3. No food, drinks or tobacco products are allowed in the lab.

4. Be on time, it is disruptive to other students when one is late for class. If you are tardy to class you will lose points from the day’s laboratory handout. If you are more than 10 min late (without a documented excuse), you will not be permitted into class and it will count as an unexcused absence.

5. Once class starts, you are required to be there until it is over.

6. Do not talk while I or another student is talking. You will be given one warning if you are disrupting class. If a second offense occurs, you will be asked to leave the classroom and be given an unexcused absence for the day.

7. Students who are not actively participating in class will be reported to administration at the 60% point in the semester. Administration will automatically withdraw (WF) students for non-participation. Active class participation will be judged based on missing no more than 3 classes by the 60% point in the term. A student who has missed no more than 3 classes by that deadline will be considered to be actively participating. A student with more than 3 absences will be deemed “not actively participating” and assigned a grade of “WF” by administration.

Instructor Expectations:

1. Assignments will be graded and returned within one week of the date submitted.

2. I will be available for assistance outside of class by appointment. Please contact me via email to set up a meeting time.

3. I will respond to all email correspondence within 24 hours on weekdays and within 48 hours on weekends. Email is the best way to get in touch with me as I am not usually in the office to check voicemail.

4. I will notify you in advance if I will be out of touch for more than 2 days.

ATTENDANCE: The college-wide attendance policy is included in the Syllabus Addendum (). The policy notes that each instructor is to exercise professional judgment and define “active participation” in class (and therefore “attendance”), and publish that definition in each syllabus. For this class, attendance is defined as having no more than three unexcused absences. The last day for you to voluntarily withdraw with a grade of W is March 25th, 2020. I will not be able to withdraw you from the course during any point throughout the semester.

Students will be automatically withdrawn at the beginning of the term for non-payment of course fees. Faculty verifies that students are in attendance at least once each week during the first two weeks of class. Students classified as “No Show” for both of the first two weeks will be administratively withdrawn. Immediately following the 60% point of the term (March 25, 2020), each instructor will verify which students are actively participating in class as defined above. Students classified as not meeting the criteria for active class participation will be administratively withdrawn with a “WF.”

However, nonparticipation after the 60% deadline will result in a “F” grade. Students and instructors will automatically receive an email notification to their SPC email whenever a withdrawal occurs. Please come see me if you have any questions.

MYCOURSES: Your myCourses class contains the syllabus and powerpoints. It also has an email area where you can communicate with me. You can also check your attendance, grades and your current class average. Please check the myCourses website on a regular basis.

GRADING:

DYNAMIC STUDY MODULES: The Dynamic Study Modules are located in Mastering Biology and due the day of the exams. The Mastering course can be accessed by clicking on the Pearson tab on the bottom left hand corner of your myCourses class home page.  

 

Each chapter has 15 questions to answer. Click twice on the answer to pick the answer you want. To get a 100% you must “master” the study module and answer all of the questions correctly. You can go back to answer the questions that were incorrect. It is a proportional grading system, so if you answer half of the questions correctly your score is 50% and so on. There is no time limit. There are 19 Dynamic Study Modules and 2 Introduction Modules= 21 modules x 10 points each = 210 points total. 

 

CURRENT EVENT SUMMARIES: The current events are located in Mastering Biology.  When you go into Mastering Biology you will read the various current event topics and answer the questions. The grade is automatically transferred to the gradebook.  The schedule below includes the dates the current event summaries are due. There are 8 current event summaries 8 @ 10 points each = 80 points.  

 

EXAMS: There will be five unit exams on the lecture materials and the classroom activities.  The exams will be primarily multiple choice.  The exam answer form we will be using for all exams is Scantron Form 882.  Dates and material covered on each exam are listed on your course schedule.  

 

MAKE-UP EXAMS:  There are no makeup exams unless you have verifiable documentation as to your absence. 

 

LAB ACTIVITIES: Each classroom activity report is worth 10 points.  26 lab reports x 10 points= 260 points – 1 drop= 250 points.  

 

Possible points: Dynamic Study Modules  210  

Current Events              80 

Exams  500  

26 Classroom Activities (1 drop) 250 

Total possible points =          1040 

Final Grade

90-100% = A

80-89.9% = B

70-79.9% = C

60-69.9% = D

0-59.9% = F

There will NOT be any available extra credit at the end of the semester.  Do NOT “request” extra points or additional assignments at the end of the course. No response will be given to these requests. The instructor reserves the right to make changes where necessary to the schedule and assignments. Changes will be announced in class and/or Mycourses. Students need to check Mycourses regularly for course information and are responsible to note any changes.

The Syllabi Addendum is an important part of your syllabus and can be easily accessed by using the link below.  Do take the time to read this very important information— 



STUDENT SURVEY OF INSTRUCTION: The student survey of instruction is administered in courses each semester. It is designed to improve the quality of instruction at St. Petersburg College. All student responses are confidential and anonymous and will be used solely for the purpose of performance improvement.

BSC 1005C Biological Sciences with Lab Tentative Course Schedule

Fall 2019

Date Topic Chapter

January 13 Introduction/Introduction to Dynamic Study Modules (DSM’s)

Activity #1 Scientific Method

January 15 Learning About Life 1

Activity #2 The Microscope

January 20 NO CLASS: MLK DAY

January 22 How Populations Evolve 13

Activity #3 Evolution “The Big Picture”/ Natural Selection

DSM Ch 1 due

Current Event #1 due

January 27 How Biological Diversity Evolves 14

DSM Ch 13 due

January 29 Activity #4 Predator-Prey Dynamics

Current Event #2 due

February 3 Exam #1 on Chapters 1, 13 & 14

DSM Ch 14 due

February 5 Cellular Reproduction: Cells from Cells 8

Activity #5 Mitosis/ Meiosis

Current Event #3 due

February 10 Patterns of Inheritance 9

Activity #6 I’m Having a Baby/ Human Mendelian Traits

DSM Ch 8 due

February 12 The Structure and Function of DNA 10

Activity #7 Soap Opera Genetics

Activity #8 Genetics Problems

DSM Ch 9 due

February 17 How Genes Are Controlled 11

Activity #9 DNA Extraction/ Transcription & Translation

DSM Ch 10 due

February 19 DNA Technology 12

Activity #10 DNA Fingerprinting

DSM Ch 11 due

Current Event #4 due

February 24 Exam #2 Chapters 8-12

DSM Ch 12 due

February 26 The Evolution of Microbial Life 15

Activity #11 Bacterial Pathogens

March 2 Microbial Life (cont) 16

Activity #12 Protists

March 4 The Evolution of Plants and Fungi 16 (cont)

Activity #13 Plantae and Fungi

Current Event #5 due

DSM Ch 15 due

March 9 NO CLASS: SPRING BREAK

March 11 NO CLASS: SPRING BREAK

March 16 The Evolution of Animals 17

Activity #14 Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Mollusca, Annelida

DSM Ch 16 due

March 18 Animals (cont)

Activity #15 Arthropoda, Echinodermata, Chordata 17 (cont)

Current Event #6 due

March 23 Exam #3 Chapters 15-17

DSM Ch 17 due

March 25 An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere 18

Activity #16 Wall Springs Park Hike

Current Event #7 due

March 30 Population Ecology 19

Activity #17 Gopher Tortoise Ecological Inventory

DSM Ch 18 due

April 1 Communities and Ecosystems 20

Activity #18 Insect Communities/ Review

DSM Ch 19 due

April 6 Activity #19 Ecology Scavenger Hunt

DSM Ch 20 due 20 (cont)

April 8 Exam 4 Chs. 18-20

Current Event #8 due

April 13 A Tour of the Cell 4

Activity #20 Cells (Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic)

April 15 The Working Cell 5

Activity #21 Catalase Experiment

DSM Ch 4 due

April 20 Cellular Respiration: Obtaining Energy from Food 6

Activity #22 Cricket Cell Respiration

DSM Ch 5 due

April 22 Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food 7

Activity #23 Plant Germination

DSM Ch 6 due

April 27 Activity #24 Chapters 4-7 Review

DSM Ch 7 due

April 29 Unifying Concepts of Animal Structure and Function 21

Activity #25 Homeostasis Exercise

Activity #26 Organ Systems

DSM Ch 21 due

Week of May 4th Final Exam #5 Chapters 4-7 & 21

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