BSC 1005 - BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BSC 1005C Biological sciences WITH LAB
Course Policies/ Syllabus
FALL 2016
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Name: Susan Popa
Office Hours: By appointment
Email popa.susannah@spcollege.edu or myCourses email
Phone: 712-5498
Instructor Web Page:
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT:
Academic Chair: Michael Davis
Office Location: LY 206, Tarpon Springs Campus
Office Number: 712-5459
Dean: Dr. John Chapin
Office Location: UP 337, Seminole Campus
Office Number: 394-6995
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
Tuesday and Thursdays 8 am-10:15 am in SI-103
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: Discover Biology. 6th edition. 2015. Singh-Cundy, Cain and Dusheck. WW.Norton & Company. ISBN: 9780393936728
Discover Biology website assignments are not mandatory; however have helpful resources for studying for quizzes and exams. StudySpace is free to students and included flash cards to quiz yourself on chapter materials.
LIBRARY:
FINANCIAL AID:
IMPORTANT DATES:
August 15 First Day of Classes
August 19 Last Day to Drop and Receive Refund
September 5 Labor Day
October 18 All College Day- no classes
October 20 Withdrawal Date
November 11 Veteran’s Day
November 23-27 Thanksgiving Holiday- no classes
December 5-8 Final Exams
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, blackberrys, iPods, 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.
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 2 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 during the hours posted outside of LY 211. If these posted times do not work with your schedule, please contact me via email to set up an alternate 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 October 20, 2016. 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 (October 20, 2016), 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:
CURRENT EVENT SUMMARIES: Find four current articles (written within the last year) related to Biology and write a 200+ word summary about the article. Articles can be found in newspapers, magazines, journals or from reputable internet sources (check with me if you are unsure). Articles should be properly cited at the end of your summary using MLA or another appropriate format. Current events must be posted to the discussion forum and you are expected to post a reply to at least one other student's summary for each of the four current events. A reply should include why you liked their particular current event and information you have regarding that topic. Current events will not be accepted after due dates, but they may be submitted early (you do not have to wait until after the due date of one to move on to the next). See the "Current Events Rubric" located in the Current Event Summaries tab for a breakdown of how your summaries will be graded. The schedule below includes the dates that current event summaries are due. There are 4 current event summaries 4 @ 25 points each = 100 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.
QUIZZES: The online post- class quizzes are worth 10 points each. Each quiz has a due date. Check the dates online. The first quiz is unlimited attempts. Be sure to take this quiz until you receive 100%. Starting with the second quiz, you have a one-time submission and a 20-minute time limit. Once the grades are documented by your instructor, the quiz will be reopened for review purposes only. Make-ups for quizzes are not permitted unless you have verifiable documentation, so make sure to take quizzes by the due dates. Each quiz is ten questions and in a multiple choice or true/ false format. There are 20 quizzes @ 10 points each= 200 points total. You can drop your lowest quiz=190 points total.
Each classroom activity report is worth 10 points. 25 lab reports x 10 points= 250 points.
Possible points: Quizzes 190 (lowest dropped)
Current Events 100
Exams 500
25 Classroom Activities 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 2016
Date Topic
Aug 16 Introduction
Activity #1: Scientific Method
Aug 18 Ch 1: The Nature of Science
Activity #2: The Microscope
Aug 23 Ch 9: Patterns of Inheritance
Activity #3: I’m having a baby/ Human Mendelian Traits
Aug 25 Ch 10: Chromosomes and Human Genetics
Activity #4: Soap Opera / Genetics worksheet
Aug 30 Ch 11: DNA and Genes
Activity #5: DNA Extraction/ Review
Sep 1 Exam #1/ Current Event #1 due (Chs 1, 9-11)
Sep 6 Ch 12: From Gene to Protein
Activity #6: Transcription/ Translation
Sep 8 Ch 13: DNA Technology
Activity #7: DNA Fingerprinting
Sep 13 Ch 14: Evolution: Change in Populations
Activity #8: Evolution “The Big Picture”/ Natural Selection
Sep 15 Ch 15: The Origin of Species
Activity #9: Flashy Fish / Review
Sep 20 Exam #2/ Current Event #2 due (Chs. 12-15)
Sep 22 Ch 3: Cell Structure
Activity #12: Cells (Prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic)
Sep 27 Ch 5: Energy, Metabolism, and Enzymes
Activity #13: Catalase experiment
Sep 29 Ch 6: Photosynthesis and Cell Respiration
Activity #14: Plant growth lab
Oct 4 Ch 6: Photosynthesis and Cell Respiration (continued)
Activity #16: Cricket cell respiration/ Review
Oct 6 Exam #3/ Current Event #3 due (Chs. 3, 5 & 6)
Oct 11 Ch 7: Cell Division
Activity #17: Mitosis/ Meiosis worksheets
Oct 13 & Oct 20 Ch 26: Homeostasis
Activity #18: Homeostasis Exercise
Activity #19: Organ Systems
Oct 18 All College Day: NO CLASS
Oct 25 Ch 17: Bacteria, Archaea, and Viruses
Activity #20: Bacterial Pathogens/ Bacterial swab
Oct 27 Ch 18: Protista, Plantae, and Fungi
Activity #21: Protista/ Fungi
Nov 1 Activity #22: Plantae/ Review
Nov 3 Exam #4/ Current Event #4 due (Chs. 7, 26, 17, & 18)
Nov 8 Ch 19: Animalia
Activity #20: Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Mollusca, Annelida
Nov 10 Activity #21: Arthropoda, Echinodermata, Chordata
Nov 15 Ch 21: Growth of Populations
Activity #22: Predatory/ Prey dynamics
Nov 17 Activity #23: Sandhill gopher tortoise inventory
Nov 22 Ch 23: Ecological Communities
Activity #24: How Big Is Your House?
Nov 24 Happy Thanksgiving! NO CLASS
Nov 29 Ch 24: Ecosystems/
Activity #25 Water Quality
Dec 1 Ch 25: Global Change/ Jeopardy Review
December 5-8 Exam 5 Chs. 19, 21, 23, 24 & 25
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