Course:
SYLLABUS Your Course Learning Plan
Instructor: Time Frame:
BIO 181 General Biology 1 (CRN# 10009) Dr. Matt Pearcy January 17th through May 5th (Spring 2017)
A. Instructor Contact and Communications Phone:
928-649-5486
E-mail address: Skype address:
Matt.Pearcy@yc.edu mattpearcy
Office Location:
VC.M 208
Student Hours:
Classroom location:
My job is to help you be successful so please come see me outside of the classroom if you need to talk about anything at all. The sooner the better! Official student hours will be held on Mondays from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, Wednesdays from 7:00 am to 8:00 am and from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and Fridays from 7:00 am to 8:00 am; however, if these times don’t work for you let me know and we’ll figure out an alternative time to meet. Since the class is online many of you may live far away from Clarkdale so email me if you need to talk to me and we’ll set up a time. Online B. General Course Information
Credit hours: Course description:
4.0 The class covers biological principles; emphasizing structure and function at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels of biological systems.
Prerequisite/Co-requisite:
Secondary school chemistry strongly recommended. Primarily for biology majors and preprofessional students in health-related fields. Prerequisite: Reading Proficiency. Three lecture. Three lab.
Textbooks, software, supplies, equipment and tools:
Biology, by OpenStax College. Laboratory Kit for Biology from EScience Labs. C. Course Content and Outcomes
Course content: 1. Scientific Method 2. Basic chemistry and biological macromolecules 3. Organization of cells 4. Energy and Enzymes 5. Photosynthesis 6. Cellular respiration 7. Cell division 8. Genetics 9. Gene expression and regulation 10. Gene technology 11. Data collection and analysis Learning outcomes: 1. Apply the scientific method in problem solving (1) (PBS 1,3) 2. Describe the basic chemistry and chemical interactions of life (2) 3. Describe the structure and function of the four main types of biological macromolecules (2) 4. Identify and describe the structure and function of the parts of typical prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (3) 5. Describe the properties of enzymes and their relation to cellular metabolism (4) 6. Explain and diagram the fundamental processes of photosynthesis (5) 7. Explain and diagram the fundamental processes of cellular respiration (6) 8. Describe the biological processes of cell division including the cell cycle, mitosis, and meiosis (7) 9. Solve mendelian and nonmendelian genetics problems (8) (PBS 2) 10. Describe the fundamental processes of gene expression and control of gene expression (9) 11. Describe basic genetic engineering techniques and tools including recombinant DNA techniques and Polymerase Chain Reaction (10) 12. Conduct experiments, observe biological phenomena, and record information in a laboratory notebook (11) Assessments: Assessments for this course will include weekly online quizzes and four proctored exams. The four exams must be taken at a Testing Center so that they can be proctored. The exams will be closed book. Early in the semester we will work out where you are going to take the proctored exams. If you take the exams at any of Yavapai College’s Testing Centers the proctoring will be free. If you are in a location that requires a non Yavapai College affiliated Testing Center you may have to pay a small fee to take the exams. (Usually about 15 – 30 dollars) You are
responsible for this fee to take the exams. Every effort will be made to find a free testing center. There will be 15 online quizzes covering the lecture and lab material. The questions on the quizzes will be similar, but not identical, to those found on the exams. The point of the quizzes is to prepare you for the types of questions you will see on the exams. There will be 14 weekly online labs. At the beginning of the semester students will be required to complete a quiz covering the syllabus for the class. Grading (credit) criteria: Exams: 4 proctored exams at 125 pts apiece………………...…...500 pts. Quizzes: 15 online quizzes at 35 pts. apiece .……………….……..525 pts. Labs: 14 at 35 pts. apiece……………………………...…...…..490 pts. Introduction Discussion……………………………………...25 pts. Syllabus Quiz……………………………………….....……..25 pts. Total Points
1,565 pts.
Letter Grades: The first criterion to pass the class is to achieve a 70% average on the proctored exams. Once that criterion is met the letter grades will be assigned as follow: A = 1,408 – 1,565 pts. B = 1,252 – 1,407pts. C = 1,095– 1,251 pts. D = 939– 1,094 pts. F ≤ 938pts. Labs: Labs will be graded for quality and completeness. Each lab is worth 35 points. Labs will be assigned weekly and will be due on Sundays at 11:59 pm. The lab material will be on the proctored exams so when you’re completing the labs you’re studying for the proctored exams! Quizzes: Quizzes will be given online once a week. Each quiz will be worth 35 points and will be due on Sundays at 11:59 pm. The quiz questions will be on the proctored exams so when you’re completing the quizzes you’re studying for the proctored exams! Exams: There will be four closed book comprehensive proctored exams during the semester. Each exam will be worth 125 points. The average score for the four exams must be a 70% in order to pass the class.
Grading Policy:
Absences:
My official grading policy is that all assignments will be graded and returned one week after they are due (or one week after I receive them in the mail for proctored exams). However, most of the time it will be much sooner than that. No late work will be accepted. All assignments will be posted one week before they are due so that students can fit the assignment into their particular schedule. All assignments must be completed by their due date to receive credit. No extra credit will be assigned.
D. Student Resources (as applicable) Library services: Library services are available at the Prescott Campus and the Verde Valley Campus libraries. Both libraries are members of a countywide library network, which provides access to a wide-range of information and resources at libraries throughout Yavapai County. Possession of a College library card entitles students to access materials housed at member libraries. Instructors may place required course materials on reserve in the library or make assignments that require the use of library resources. Learning Centers: A Learning Center is available on the Prescott and Verde Valley Campuses. These centers provide a variety of learning support for students including tutoring, adaptive computer and equipment for students with disabilities, and a networked general computer lab. Tutoring: Call for details: Prescott 776-2085 or Verde Valley 634-6562 Computer Hardware and To obtain information about computer hardware and software Software Information: requirements, plug-ins and how to obtain them and to see a list of programs required to complete the class visit the link below. https://www.yc.edu/v5content/teaching-and-elearningsupport/students/hardware-software.htm For more information contact Teaching and eLearning Support (TELS) at 928-771-6120 Online resources and The college offers many services to help students succeed. The links services: below will provide contact information and resources for various services. Testing Centers https://www.yc.edu/v5content/testing-center/ Academic and Career Advising https://www.yc.edu/v5content/advising/ Registration https://www.yc.edu/v5content/enrollment-services/default.htm Financial Aid https://www.yc.edu/v5content/financial-aid/ Campus Activities https://www.yc.edu/v5content/campus-activities/ E. Instructor Procedures and Institution Policies
Attendance: Students are expected to attend and participate in all class meetings, laboratories, and field trips. A student who expects to be absent due to another school-sponsored activity or compelling personal reason must make prior arrangements with the instructor. All course work must be made up as directed by the instructor. A student who does not adhere to instructor and College attendance requirements may be dropped from the course as defined in the Yavapai College General Catalog. Course withdrawal: After the drop/add period closes, students may withdraw until the deadline for student-initiated withdrawals. Withdrawals result in a "W" on the permanent transcript. For semester-length classes 14 weeks in length or longer, the withdrawal deadline is March 12th For classes of 4 days to 14 weeks in length, withdrawals are permitted until the class is 50 percent completed. For classes of 1-3 days in length, withdrawals are permitted until the class is 50 percent completed. A "Y" is noted on the permanent transcript for an administrative withdrawal. More information can be obtained from the Admissions & Registration Office. Academic integrity: Honesty in academic work is a central element of the learning environment. The presentation of another individual’s work as one’s own or the act of seeking unfair academic advantage through cheating, plagiarism or other dishonest means are violations of the College’s “Student Code of Conduct.” Definitions of plagiarism, cheating, and violation of copyright and penalties for violation are available in the Yavapai College General Catalog. All cell phones must be stowed before beginning an assessment. The presence of a cell phone on a student’s desk during an assessment will be construed as cheating and the student will receive an F for the class. Any incident of cheating or plagiarism on any assignment in the class will result in the student receiving an F as their letter grade for the class. Student code of conduct: Respect for the rights of others and for the College and its property are fundamental expectations for every student. The “Student Code of Conduct” outlines behavioral expectations, and explains the process for responding to allegations of student misconduct. Disability support services: Yavapai College is committed to providing educational support services to students with documented disabilities. Academic support services or accommodations for mobility impaired students must be arranged through the ADA Coordinator (Prescott Campus: 928.776.2079 or Verde Valley Campus: (928.634.6563). Cell phone: Yavapai College is committed to providing a quality learning environment. All cell phones must be placed in a non-audible mode while in classrooms, computer labs, the library, the learning center, and testing
areas. Cell phones must be used outside these facilities. Preventing Harassment: Students are expected to respond and write in a professional and appropriate manner when activities are assigned to create scenarios, discuss opinions, present on a selected subject, or post to a web board or email. Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintain an appropriate learning environment. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance and nationalities. All correspondence between instructor and students and between individual students must be of a professional nature. Any inappropriate language (profanity) or correspondence of a threatening or harassing nature will result in the student being immediately dropped from the class. Email Turn Around: I answer emails in the morning and afternoon Monday through Friday. If you sent me an email and haven’t gotten a reply with 24 hours (excluding weekends) please resend it.
BIO 181 Spring 17 Tentative Class Schedule The general course content and learning outcomes addressed for each class are listed below. The topics covered will include, but are not limited to, the content listed below. I reserved the right to change the contents listed below. The following learning outcome will be addressed every week: conduct experiments, observe biological phenomena, and record information in a laboratory notebook. Week
Date
Topic
1
Syllabus Quiz is due January 20th
Chapters 1 and 2
Introductory Discussion is due January 20th
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2
Course Content: Scientific Method and Basic Chemistry Lab Activity: Introduction to Science
2
Lecture Quiz #1 is due January 22nd Lab Activity #1 is due January 22nd
3
Lecture Quiz #2 is due January 29th Lab Activity #2 is due January 29th
4
Chapter 3 Course Content: Biological Macromolecules Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5 Lab Activity: General Lab Safety Chapter 4 Course Content: Organization of Cells Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 4 Lab Activity: Chemical Bonding Fundamentals
Lecture Quiz #3 is due February 5th
Chapters 5
Lab Activity #3 is due February 5th
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 5
Exam #1 is due February 10th
Course Content: Organization of Cells and Energy Lab Activity: Introduction to the Microscope
Exam #1 covers the material in chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4 as well as Lab Activities 1, 2 and 3 5
Lecture Quiz #4 is due February 12th
Chapters 6
Lab Activity #4 is due February 12th
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 5
Course Content: Organization of Cells and Energy Lab Activity: The Chemistry of Life
6
Lecture Quiz #5 is due February 19th
Chapter 7
Lab Activity #5 is due February 19th
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 5, 7
Course Content: Cellular Respiration Lab Activity: Diffusion and Osmosis
7
Lecture Quiz #6 is due February 26th
Chapters 8 Course Content: Osmosis
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 5, 6
Lab Activity #6 is due February 26th 8
Lab Activity: Enzyme Catalysis
Lecture Quiz #7 is due March 5th Lab Activity #7 is March Exam #2 is due March
5th
10th
Chapter 10 Course Content: Cell Division Learning Outcomes: 1, 8 Lab Activity: Metabolism
Exam #2 covers the material in chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8 as well as lab activities 4, 5, 6 and 7. 9
Lecture Quiz #8 is due March 12th
Chapter 11
Lab Activity #8 is due March 12th
Learning Outcomes: 1, 8
Course Content: Cell Division Lab Activity: Hierarchies of Life
10
Lecture Quiz #9 is due March 19th
Chapter 14
Lab Activity #9 is due March 19th
Learning Outcomes: 1, 10
Course Content. Gene Expression and Regulation Lab Activity: Unicellular Organisms
11
Lecture Quiz #10 is due March Chapter 15 26th Course Content: Gene Expression and Regulation Lab Activity #10 is due March Learning Outcomes: 1, 10 26th Lab Activity: Mitosis and Meiosis
12
Lecture Quiz #11 is due April 2nd
Chapter 16
Lab Activity #11 is due April 2nd
Learning Outcomes: 1, 10
Exam #3 is due April 7th
Course Content: Gene Expression and Regulation Lab Activity: Transcription and Translation
Exam #3 will cover the material in chapters 10, 11, 14 and 15 as well as lab activities 8, 9, 10 and 11 13
Lecture Quiz #12 is due April 9th
Chapter 12
Lab Activity #12 is due April 9th
Learning Outcomes: 1, 9
Course Content: Genetics of Organisms Lab Activity: Mendelian Genetics
14
Lecture Quiz #13 is due April 16th
Chapter 13
Lab Activity # 13 is due April 16th
Learning Outcomes: 1, 9
Course Content: Genetics Lab Activity: Mendelian Genetics Continued
15
Lecture Quiz #14 is due April 23rd
Chapter 17
Lab Activity #14 is due April 23rd
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 11
Course Content: Gene Technology Lab Activity: Biomolecular Techniques
16
Lecture Quiz #15 is due April 30th Exam #4 is due May 5th Exam #4 covers the material in chapters 16, 12, 13, and 17 as well as lab activities 12, 13, 14 and 15
No new material