Biology Advising



SYLLABUS for Genetics and SocietyBIOL 3030Office: 221JTelephone: (435) 722-1780 Fax: (435) 789-3188Email: charles.hanifin@usu.edu Vernal and Broadcast / Thursdays: 8:00 – 10:30 pmINSTRUCTORCharles T. Hanifin, Ph.D.USU Uintah Basin Regional Campus320 North Aggie Blvd, Vernal, Utah 84078LOCATION: Broadcast and Vernal: BEERC ROOM B133OFFICE HOURS Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:00 AM; e-mail anytimeI will be in my office in Vernal and available to speak by phone or in person during these times. I am usually on campus during regular hours and can often be reached by phone outside of these office hours as well but email is probably the best way of contacting me. I understand that family and work issues can make it difficult for students to come by or contact me during scheduled office hours. Please feel free to come by my office outside of listed office hours. If you have something critical to discuss I strongly suggest that you schedule a meeting either by email (preferred) or phone. Also, don’t forget to look in the Biology Research Lab (BEERC 222) if I am not in my office.Required Materials/Textbook: None to Purchase. Textbooks (free Open Educational Resources)Concepts of Biology (here), OpenStax Consortium?Biology (here), OpenStax ConsortiumI am not asking you to purchase a textbook for the course. Most of the textbooks for course such as this are very expensive and written for graduate student level courses. Instead we will be using Open Educational Resources (OERs). These are textbooks that have been developed to keep costs down for students and are available for free or reduced costs. Some of these will be through a website called Scitable (here) that is published by Scientific America and the Nature publishing group. The OpenStax consortium publishes the other two primary textbooks we will be using. Concepts of Biology (here) is an introductory text for non-majors. Biology (here) is an introductory textbook for Biology majors. Both of these are web based and readable through a browser. You can also download the books as pdfs or download them to read and view on an IOS device (iPhone, iPad, etc.).?The OpenStax website does not require payment to view the textbooks online or download a pdf.?It does require a payment to use on an IOS device or have a copy printed and sent to you. It is up to you to decide what form you want to access materials and if you want to make a donation to the OpenStax group when they ask.COURSE GOALSThe broad goals for this course are to help you:Build a basic foundation in geneticsUnderstand the impact of modern genetics on societyMake informed choices about public policy and health issues related to geneticsThis course is designed for all students. I do not assume a strong background in biology or genetics and will make every effort to help students understand terms, vocabulary, and concepts required for the class.COURSE DESCRIPTIONGenetics and Society (BIOL 3030) is a single semester course upper division science course that fulfills the depth requirement at USU. This course will provide exposure to topics in genetics but with an emphasis on social and ethical issues. Because the course is designed for non Biology (or Science) majors will emphasize concepts and broad processes in genetics. COURSE STRUCTUREThe course will be divided into three major units. The first unit (5 weeks) will focus on getting students up to speed with the basic biology and genetics required to understand the topics of Units 2 and 3. The second unit will cover the genetics of disease as well as ethics and issues associated with genetic testing and personalized medicine. The final unit will focus on human evolution and ancestry. The class will be lecture with reading and class discussions. Because we only meet once a week we will also use online discussions through CANVAS to expand the depth with which we cover topics. I will spend some portion of each class with lectures designed to give you a factual understanding of the science associated with the topics that we are covering but much of what we will revolve around cooperative and collaborative learning. The quality of this course will depend on you contributions and engagement.Course Management System: CANVASYou will need to use the course website on CANVAS to access weekly guided study questions (see below), current grade status, course information, link to my email, study guides, links to useful learning resources and more. Go to online.usu.edu and login to CANVAS using your A number and password, click on Courses in the top menu, and then click on the Biology 3030 link. Course grading scale will be no stricter than:Total Points PossibleFinal Grade93-100%A90-92%A-87-89%B+83-86%B80-82%B-77-79%C+73-76%C70-72%C-67-69%D+60-66%DBelow 60%F Final Grade BreakdownPointsExams (3 @ 100 pts)Homework (10 @ 30 pts)300300Writing Assignments (2@ 100 pts)200 Graded Discussions (8 @ 25 pts.)200Total Points: 1000Grading Standards. A - achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements.B - achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements.C - achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect.D - achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements.F - represents failure (or no credit) and signifies that the work was either (1) completed but at a level of achievement that is not worthy of credit, or (2) was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the student that the student would be awarded an I.I (Incomplete) - assigned at the discretion of the instructor when, due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., hospitalization), a student is prevented from completing the work of the course on time.Grading Exams (30% of your total grade): You will have three exams each worth 100 points (300 points total). Each exam will happen at the end of a unit and will cover the material for that unit. I will have an optional comprehensive final that can serve as a make up exam.Graded Discussions (20% of your grade): A significant portion of your grade will be based on graded, online discussions. We will have 8 discussions divided across 3 modules (units). Each discussion will be worth 25 points. For each discussion you will have a reading assignment and a broad topic to address. I expect each student to make a substantive contribution to each discussion (see rubric). We will go over the discussion before the first one is due.Homework (30% of your total grade): You will have homework assignments on Canvas. Some assignments will be worksheets on CANVAS designed to help you learn vocabulary or concepts and some will be reading and writing assignments designed to help you master critical thinking and difficult concepts. There will be 10 of these, each worth 30 points. Homework assignments will help you focus on vocabulary, concepts, and factual material.Writing Assignments: You will have two writing assignments due in the middle and end of the semester. Each of the is worth 100 points. The specific details are in CANVAS but these are short (3 to 4) pages and I am asking you to do some independent research to expand your understanding of the course material.ABOUT STUDY AND PREPARATION FOR THE COURSEStudyingPlease do the readings on time. Much of the class will depend of having discussions about the readings. Do your best to complete assignments on time. Spend time outside of class thinking about making connections between what you are reading, what we a talking about in class, what we are doing in lab, and your daily life. Since we will spend time on complex concepts in class, you are responsible for learning much of the vocabulary on your own. Flash cards are good for this. Some of the BEST study resources are your peers. I strongly encourage you to study together and try teaching each other as a way to strengthen your understanding of the material. Online Student Resources:The USU Academic Resource Center can help you develop your study skill at the Online Learning Center (). Additionally, the Student Policy Manual can be read online at COURSE POLICIESInstructor’s ResponsibilitiesI will help you learn by engaging you in the material and challenging you to think like a biologist. You can expect me to attend all lectures, read the assigned material, and prepare examinations and quizzes that are fair and representative of the reading assignments, and lecture activities as they relate to the learning objectives provided. I will also be available by email, telephone, or in my office during the day to answer questions and provide any needed assistance toward the course learning objectives.Student’s ResponsibilitiesYou are expected to attend each lecture, participate in activities, take comprehensive notes, and read the relevant material in the text. You should focus your efforts on achieving the learning objectives by doing the appropriate problems in the text and lab manual, reviewing concepts, and practicing problem solving. In the event that there is any difficulty in keeping up with the pace of the course, it is YOUR responsibility to contact me for advice or assistance. If you cannot take an exam during the scheduled period, you must make other arrangements with me at least 48 hours before the exam is given. If you cannot attend a class, you are still responsible for all content. (I strongly suggest exchanging contact information with your biology-buddy right now!) Use of mobile devices and laptops in classAs research shows, unexpected noises and movement automatically divert and capture people’s attention, which means that you are negatively affecting everyone’s learning experience if your cell phone goes off, images move on your laptop screen, etc. For this reason, I expect you to turn off your mobile devices (even vibrate can be distracting). If you must use a laptop, please mute it and sit behind other students. If you must answer your silenced mobile device in the case of an emergency, please leave the room before speaking. The bottom line- don’t disturb others in the class. UNIVERSITY POLICIESStudents with DisabilitiesUSU welcomes students with disabilities. If you have, or suspect you may have, a physical, mental health, or learning disability that may require accommodations in this course, please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) as early in the semester as possible (University Inn # 101, 435-797-2444,?drc@usu.edu). All disability related accommodations must be approved by the DRC.? Once approved, the DRC will coordinate with faculty to provide accommodations.Withdrawal and Incomplete Grade Students are required to complete all courses for which they are registered by the end of the semester. In some cases, a student may be unable to complete all of the coursework because of extenuating circumstances, but not due to poor performance or to retain financial aid. ?The term 'extenuating' circumstances includes: ?(1) incapacitating illness which prevents a student from attending classes for a minimum period of two weeks, (2) a death in the immediate family, (3) financial responsibilities requiring a student to alter a work schedule to secure employment, (4) change in work schedule as required by an employer, or (5) other emergencies deemed appropriate by the instructor. If an incomplete grade is to be given, an Incomplete Grade Documentation Form must be filed by the instructor in the department or college office. Students may not be given an incomplete grade due to poor performance or in order to retain financial aid. An incomplete grade may be granted only if the student has completed the majority of the course and is passing the class at the time. More information can be found at includes knowingly "representing, by paraphrase or direct quotation, the published or unpublished work of another person as one's own in any academic exercise or activity without full and clear acknowledgment. ?It also includes the unacknowledged used of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials." To help you learn how to identify and avoid committing plagiarism, go to The penalties for plagiarism are severe. ?They include warning or reprimand, grade adjustment, probation, suspension, expulsion, withholding of transcripts, denial or revocation of degrees, and referral to psychological counseling. More about USU policy on plagiarism can be found at Academic Honesty – The “Honor System”Each student has the right and duty to pursue his or her academic experience free of dishonesty. The Honor System is designed to establish the higher level of conduct expected and required of all Utah State University students.The University expects that students and faculty alike maintain the highest standards of academic honesty. For the benefit of the students who may not be aware of specific standards of the University with regards to academic honesty, the following paragraph discussing infractions of academic integrity is quoted from the Student Policy Handbook (()InfractionsActs of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:1. Cheating. (1) Using or attempting to use or providing others with any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, examinations, or in any other academic exercise or activity, including working in a group when the instructor has designated that the quiz, test, examination, or any other academic exercise or activity be done “individually”; (2) depending on the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; (3) substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for oneself, in taking an examination or preparing academic work; (4) acquiring tests or other academic material belonging to a faculty member, staff member, or another student without express permission; (5) continuing to write after time has been called on a quiz, test, examination, or any other academic exercise or activity; (6) submitting substantially the same work for credit in more than one class, except with prior approval of the instructor; or (7) engaging in any form of research fraud.2. Falsification. Altering or fabricating any information or citation in an academic exercise or activity. 3. Plagiarism. Representing, by paraphrase or direct quotation, the published or unpublished work of another person as one’s own in any academic exercise or activity without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes using materials prepared by another person or by an agency engaged in the sale of term papers or other academic materials.PenaltiesA. An instructor has full autonomy to evaluate a student’s academic performance in a course. If a student violates the Honor System, the instructor may sanction the student as part of the course evaluation. Such sanctions may include: (1) verbally warning the student; (2) giving the student a written reprimand; (3) requiring the student to rewrite a paper/assignment or to retake a test/examination; (4) adjusting the student’s grade—for either an assignment/test or the course; or (5) giving the student a failing grade for the course. A sanction by the instructor is not a disciplinary penalty. If the instructor believes that, in addition to any sanction, the student should be disciplined and a penalty imposed, the instructor shall refer the student for disciplinary proceedings. ................
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