GENERAL BIOLOGY SYLLABUS – Fall 2007
(BIOL1004 –Section 0108)
On-Line
1. INSTRUCTOR: Dr.
Office: 138 F; phone: 581- 2879 (Voice mail)
Biology Office: 581-2373 (Secretary)
Office Hours: Mon through Fri 9 - 10AM; and by appointment.
Web Page: www.cameron.edu/~loreeg
e-mail: loreeg@cameron.edu
2. REQUIRED TEXTS:
Francisco, Benjamin Cummings, 2007)
General Biology Laboratory Exercises Fall 2007
Both are available at the Cameron bookstore.
3. COURSE DESCRIPTION: General Biology is a laboratory course for non-science majors. Students should learn the principles of cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, organismic diversity, ecology, and the scientific method. These principles will be applied in discussions of biotechnology, conservation of biodiversity and natural resources, human population growth, and global environmental changes. This course is NOT applicable to a Biology major or minor, or Medical Technology major.
4. COURSE OBJECTIVES: General Biology is a general education class and as such is designed to meet Cameron’s objectives of general education.
5. EXAMS AND GRADING SYSTEM: Lecture scores count as 75% of your final grade and laboratory scores count as 25% of your final grade. Listed below are the lecture score requirements. The laboratory score requirements will be found in your laboratory syllabus.
a. Lecture Exams. Five (5) exams will be given during the semester. Four (4) lecture exams will be worth 100 points each. The last exam will include Exam V as well as a comprehensive final. Exam V/ Final will be given during finals. It will consist of 100 points of new lecture material, covered since Exam IV, and 50 points of comprehensive material. The Exam V / Final will be worth 150 points. Exams may be a combination of Multiple Choice, Matching, and True-False questions.
Make-up exams will be allowed only on a case-by-case basis at my discretion, and are essay / short answer / matching, fill-in-the-blank / etc. (i.e., blank sheets of paper with one to three questions per page).
As stated, Make-up Exams are at my discretion and are given in the event of an emergency, or other excused absence that conflicts with a scheduled exam. You need to inform me, not a classmate, my voice mail, my e-mail, or the Department Secretary, of the emergency, prior to the exam that you will need to miss. In the event this is not possible, you must inform me within 24 hours of missing an exam. I also need written documentation of the reason you missed the exam. Students will be allowed a maximum of one (1) Make-up Exam per semester.
Finals will NOT be given early – no exceptions!
Two (2) Written Assignments will cover announced topics (Written Assignments Handout has more details). No late work will be accepted.
c. Five (5) Homework assignments will cover announced topics (Homework Assignments Handout has more details). No late work will be accepted.
d. Five (5) Worksheets will be due before each of the 5 exams. No late work will be accepted.
e. Three (3) Discussion Quizzes. There will be three (3) required Group Discussions throughout the semester. Students need to make at least 2 entries during the week of the Discussion. At the end of the discussion there will a quiz over the material that was discussed. Part of your grade will be participation in the Group Discussion. Entries in the Group Discussion need to be within the timeframe given for the discussion. The Group Discussion Quizzes will be do within 24 hours of the end of the discussion.
5 Hourly Exams.………………550 pts
2 Written Assignments….……...45 pts
5 Homework Assignments..……50 pts
5 Worksheets………….….…….75 pts
3 Group Discussions……………30 pts
TOTAL….~ 750 pts
The 750 points are worth 75% of your grade for General Biology.
You will need to be concurrently enrolled in General Biology Lab (1004L) to pass this course.
NOTE: This point distribution is subject to change during the semester.
6. FINAL COURSE GRADE is a simple percentage of your points divided by the total points possible. Grading is the standard 90/80/70/60. You can track your progress with the tables on the last page of this syllabus.
7. BONUS ASSIGNMENT. One Bonus Assignment will be available for students who want to potentially earn bonus points. This will be a written/essay assignment. The Written Assignments Handout has more details. The Bonus Assignment will be worth a maximum of 10 points. These points have not been included in the 750 point total above. No late work will be accepted.
8. TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: YOU ARE THE KEY TO SUCCESS! All of you can do well in this course if you’re willing to put in the effort. The material covered is not difficult, but there is a HUGE body of knowledge that you must acquire. A 4-credit-hour laboratory science course is essentially like taking two typical 3-hour courses together, so you should expect to work twice as hard.
9. RULES FOR SUCCESS:
a. Don’t miss lecture or lab. Even though this is an On-Line class you need to set aside dedicated time every week to read your text, cover the lecture slides, and do the assigned and recommended activities. Do not procrastinate! There is simply too much material covered too rapidly to catch up if you get behind. TAKE NOTES on what you read in your text and off the lecture slides, don’t just “read” them. Students who actively take notes and do the activities generally learn the material better than those who don’t.
b. Be consistent. Determine when you can regularly “attend” class on-line. You need to make an agreement with yourself at the outset of the course and stick to it as to when you’ll study General Biology. Students who vary their study time generally do not do as well as those who set aside the same time every week for study.
c. Keep up by studying regularly. You will not succeed in this course if you wait until the week before an exam to study. You must drill on the material as it is presented.
d. Manage your time well. Schedule study time every day. In all college/university classes you should expect to study a minimum of 2-3 hours OUTSIDE OF CLASS TIME for each credit hour of class. General Biology is a four (4) hour course so you should expect to spend at least 8 – 12 hours a week studying for this course. This is not like any other on-line class you may have taken. I will give you a time frame in which to cover the assigned material. You may not work ahead nor will I allow make-up or late work.
e. Study the “right stuff”. The purpose of a lecture is to direct your attention to what you need to know. The notes clearly state what you are expected to learn. I do not cover every topic in the text and you are responsible for those topics covered in class – unless I specifically assign you outside reading. Recopying your notes and making flash cards are two essential techniques. Students find that copying off the "Note Taking Pages" before starting the PowerPojnt lectures is helpful.
f. Practice! Practice! Practice! After learning your notes, put yourself in a test situation by answering each chapter’s checkpoint and review questions, and then the activities.
g. If you’re having difficulty, get help early. The sooner you seek help, the more options I have to help you improve your learning. Ask me questions in the Discussion Board under Student Questions. And you can always come see me in my office, call me, or e-mail me.
h. Improve your test-taking skills. We’ll cover this in more detail before the first exam.
i. DO the Written Assignments, Homework Assignments, Worksheets, Group Discussion, and Group Discussion Quizzes! The written assignments, homework, worksheets, and group discussions are designed to assist you in learning the course material. Grades are based on the assumption you are completing the Written Assignments, Homework, Worksheets, and Group Discussion Quizzes. Failure to do all the Written Assignments, Homework, and Worksheets, and Group Discussion Quizzes may negatively affect your grade as they are worth about 25% of your lecture grade.
Written assignments and worksheets are due on the days specified in the syllabus and will not be accepted late.
Homework assignments are due on the date specified in the syllabus and will not be accepted late.
Group Discussion Participation and Quizzes are due on the dates specified in the syllabus. Comments and quizzes will not be accepted late.
10. ACADEMIC HONESTY: it should be self evident that you are expected to do your own work, relying only on your brain and trusty lucky pencil during exams. Cheating will be dealt with harshly, as described in the Cameron Student Policies Handbook.
11. STUDENTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Cameron Student Policies Handbook is the official University publication explaining policies and procedures for all aspects of University life. You are responsible for knowing its contents. Copies are available in the office of the Dean of Students.
GENERAL BIOLOGY COURSE SCHEDULE – Fall 2007
Dr.
(This is a tentative schedule, subject to change at any time.)
|
Week |
Topic |
Reading Assignment |
|
|
1 |
Aug 20 - 26 |
Introduction / Critical Thinking / Scientific Method / Biology Today / Essential Chemistry |
Chapters 1 & 2 |
|
2 |
Aug 27 - Sep 2 Aug 31 |
Essential Chemistry / Molecules of Life Homework #1 Scientific Method Due |
Chapter 2 & 3 |
|
3 |
Sep 3 - 9 Sep 3 - 7 Sep 5 |
Molecules of Life / Tour of the Cell Group Discussion #1 Worksheet I due |
Chapters 3 & 4 |
|
4 |
Sep 10 Sep 10 - 16 Sep 14 |
EXAM I Tour of the Cell / The Working Cell Written Assignment #1 – Critical Thinking Due |
Chapters 4 &5 |
|
5 |
Sep 17 - 23 Sep 21 |
The Working Cell / Cellular Respiration / Photosynthesis Homework #2 Working Cell / Cellular Respiration Due |
Chapters 5, 6 & 7 |
|
6 |
Sep 24 -30 Sep 24 - 28 Sep 26 |
Photosynthesis / Cellular Reproduction Group Discussion #2 Worksheet II Due |
Chapters 7 & 8 |
|
7 |
Oct 1 Oct 1 - 7 |
EXAM II Cellular Reproduction / Patterns of Inheritance |
Chapters 8 & 9 |
|
8 |
Oct 8 - 14 |
Patterns of Inheritance / Molecular Biology / Gene Regulation |
Chapters 9, 10 & 11 |
|
9 |
Oct 15 - 21 Oct 15 Oct 17 |
Gene Regulation./ DNA Technology Homework #3 Genetics Due Worksheet III due |
Chapters 11 & 12 |
|
10 |
Oct 24 Oct 22 - 28 |
EXAM III Populations Evolve |
Chapter 13 |
|
|
|||
|
11 |
Oct 29 - Nov 4 Nov 2 |
Populations Evolve / Biological Diversity / Evolution of Microbial Life Written Assignment #2 Biology Paper Due |
Chapters 13, 14 & 15 |
|
12 |
Nov 5 - 11
Nov 7 Nov 9 |
Plants & Fungi Evolution of Animals Worksheet IV Due Homework #4 – Reproductive Barriers Due |
Chapters 16 & 17 |
|
13 |
Nov 12 - 25 Nov 14 Nov 14 - 25 |
Evolution of Animals EXAM IV Ecology of Organisms Thanksgiving Week and Break is Part of Week 13 |
Chapter 17
Chapter 18 |
|
14 |
Nov 26 - Dec 2 Nov 14 - 30 Nov 30 |
Ecology of Organisms / Community & Ecosystems Group Discussion #3 Written Bonus Assignment Due |
Chapters 18 & 19 |
|
15 |
Dec 3 - 10 Dec 5 Dec 7 |
Community and Ecosystems / Human Impact Homework #5 – Biomes / Feeding Cycles due Worksheet V Due |
Chapters 18, 19 & 20 |
|
Dec 12 Exam V / Final |
|||
EXAM I covers: Chapters 1.-.3
Exam II covers: Chapters 4 - 7
Exam III covers: Chapters 8 - 12
Exam IV covers: Chapters 13 - 17
Exam V / FINAL covers: Chapters 18 – 20. Exam V / Final will include a 50 questions over Chapters 18 through 20, and a comprehensive section on material covered over the entire semester. The comprehensive portion will consist of 25 total questions taken from the Self-Quizzes at the end of each chapter. Exam V / Final is worth 150 points total.
Each Exam will include vocabulary words and/or word roots taken from the Vocabulary/Word Roots Handouts posted on my Website.
Worksheets will be due before each of the five (5) exams. (15 points per Worksheet)
Students will be held responsible for reading the textbook and other assigned references as directed.
Dates to Remember:
Aug 20 - CLASSES BEGIN
Aug 27 - LAST DAY TO ENROLL OR ADD A CLASS
Aug 31 - LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT ENTRY ON
TRANSCRIPT
Sep 3 - LABOR DAY – NO CLASSES
Sep 28 - UNIVERSITY CONVOCATION
Oct 18 and 19 - FALL BREAK –
NO CLASSES
Nov 14 - LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH AN
AUTOMATIC “W”
Nov 16 - STATEHOOD DAY
Nov 22 and 23 - THANKSGIVING BREAK - NO
CLASSES
Dec 3 - LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM A CLASS -
NEED INSTRUCTOR’S PERMISSION