COURSE SYLLABUS
1. TITLE OF COURSE: Basic Biology Concepts
2. PREFIX/NUMBER: BIO 090 CREDIT HOURS: 4.0 (3L/1LAB)
3. PREREQUISITES: REA 090, MAT 060, ENG 060 or equivalent assessment test scores.
4. RESOURCES NEEDED:
TEXT: Cell Biology & Genetic,Starr & Tagga, 11 Edition, THO
SUPPLIES: Dissecting kit and latex gloves
4. COURSE GOAL:
To familiarize students with biological terminology and introduce them to basic concepts of biology and chemistry.
5. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Examines the molecular, cellular, genetic, and laboratory concepts necessary to succeed in a 200-level Biology course. This course includes a study of chemistry, cell structure and function, cellular metabolism, and basic concepts of molecular biology. This course includes laboratory experience.
5. COURSE COMPETENCIES:
a) Understand the basic terminology and concepts of chemistry, cell structure and metabolism, and genetics as they apply within biology courses.
b) Understand the components of the scientific method, being able to perform data analysis, graphic & charting, and critical thinking.
c) Be able to design, research, write, and present a scientific report.
d) Be able to perform basic biology lab techniques, such as microscopy, measurement, and proper waste disposal.
e) Demonstrate an understanding of basic laboratory safety techniques.
f) Be able to apply basic biological, chemical, and generic knowledge to higher-level (200-level or higher) biological concepts and disciplines.
6. EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
Seventy five (75%) of the course grade is from lecture.
The lecture grade will be determined as follows: The lab grade will be determined as follows:
3 exams (100 pts. each) 300 pts 2 Practicums (100 pts. each) 200 pts
Worksheets, quizzes & case studies 100 pts Quizzes 100 pts
Research paper 60 pts Lab participation & manual 100 pts
Research presentation 40 pts TOTAL 400 pts
Comprehensive final 100 pts
TOTAL 600 pts
[(lecture % x 3) + (lab %)]/4 = FINAL GRADE
GRADE PERCENT LETTER GRADE
92 - 100 % A
82 - 91 % B
72 - 81 % C
65 - 71 % D
64% and below F
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL:
Passing grades on retakes will be limited to 36/50 (72%). To receive a grade of “C” or above, the student must receive at least a “C” (72%) on the comprehensive exam
Students may retake the comprehensive exam once, only if the students has a 71% or above for the course and does not pass the comprehensive exam with a 36/50 (72%).
7. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
a) In the event that the school or building is closed during the semester, it is the student’s responsibility to contact their instructor concerning missed exams, labs or lectures.
b) It is the students’ responsibility to comply with all of the course prerequisites.
c) Teaching and learning require a team effort. The Science Department expects students to show up for class on time and be prepared for lecture (i.e. you’ve read the assigned chapters and be prepared with questions over the material). We strongly encourage cooperation among students to help in each other understanding of the material. The Science Faculty greatly appreciates specific feedback on any aspects of the course, both positive and negative.
d) Respect and common courtesy to your peers, staff and instructors is expected.
e) There will be no extra credit (point) projects for individuals.
f) Submitted assignments must be your own work even though you may have worked on it as a group (in your own words & handwriting). Plagiarizing other students’ work is cheating and will result in a zero for that assignment. Repeat offenders will not only lose points for the assignment, they will lose points for participating in the lab/project and are subject to disciplinary actions.
8. LECTURES:
a) Attendance is required. The lecture material is supplemental to the text. Your exams will cover both lecture and text materials. To reap your investment of time and money, please attend class. In the event that you cannot possible attend, make arrangements with a classmate to obtained missed lecture notes or watch the appropriate videos.
9. EXAM RULES:
a) With instructor’s approval and appropriate documentation, a make up exam may be given for a missed exam. Failure to take a scheduled examination at the appointed time will result in a 10% reduction in the score of any make-up examination. A second missed exam will result in an automatic 20% reduction. Being unprepared is not a legitimate reason!!
If an emergency arises the day of the exam, appropriate documentation such as an ER admit form, police report of the accident/ticket or a doctor's excuse is required and there will be a 10% reduction of exam score. Documentation is only necessary to make up a missed exam. All make-up exams must be taken within 5 days of the original exam date and may be an essay exam.
If you have a prior obligation the day of the exam you must arrange with your instructor to take the exam prior to the scheduled date.
There are no retakes of exams if a student should fail an exam.
b) Case Studies and study guides to be handed in with the exam. Students need to abide by the school's policy on plagiarism. Remember that plagiarism includes other student's work. Case studies are to be typed and not to exceed 1 page; include a bibliography on a separate page. Case studies and study guides will be accepted up to one day after the exam for 1/2 credit and will not be accepted after that.
c) Cell phones, pagers, and electronic devices with sound are to be turned off, and put away during class times, unless otherwise documented. If you must use your electronic devices, please leave the classroom. This includes text messages (“txting” and “pix”) during any class time.
d) Cheating on an exam will result in a zero for that exam. No make up exam will be given.
e) On exam days, students arriving 20 minutes or more late, will not be allowed to take the exam.
10. LAB RULES:
a) Participation in lab is mandatory. Even though you will be working with your lab partners, it is expected that you complete your own work. Submitted assignments must be your own work (in your own words & handwriting) even though you may have worked on it as a group. Plagiarizing other students' work is cheating and will result in a zero for that assignment. Repeat offenders will not only lose points for the assignment, they will lost points for participating in the lab/project and are subject to disciplinary actions..
b) Taking a practicum at a time other than your scheduled lab time during lab exam week, requires approval by your instructor and will result in a 10% reduction in the score.
c) Lab practicums use stations which consist of models, microscope slides, or specimens. Specific questions at each station will pertain to the above items. Students move from station to station following the teacher's prescribed procedures. Each lab practicum will consist of approximately 50 short answer questions. There may be 2 or more questions per lab station. Answers must be spelled correctly. Closely missed spelled words may receive partial credit.
d) Questions for each lab exam are to be taken from the information listed on review sheets. Any omissions or additions to the review pages by an instructor must be given to students in writing, one week prior to the exam.
e) Lab quizzes will be given during the first 5 minutes of lab period. If you come to class after the quiz is given you will receive a zero for that quiz. If you come into class while the quiz is being given you may take the remaining questions on the quiz. No make up quizzes will be given.
f) Cheating on an exam will result in a zero for that exam. No make-up exam will be given.
g) Lab Participation points will reflect not only your participation but also the cleaning of lab counter tops and sinks. If your work area and sink are not clean, participation points will be deducted.
h) Pre-labs are due the first 5 minutes of the lab period. After the first 5 minutes of lab 1 point will be deducted for every 5 minutes late.
i) Protective eye wear (provided by PCC science dept.) is required for all students during dissection.
j) A new lab manual is required for the course.
k) Materials for open lab will be limited and held in another classroom during the week of a lab test.
l) Cell phones, pagers, and electronic devices with sound are to be turned off, and put away during class times, unless otherwise documented. If you must use your electronic devices, please leave the classroom. (This includes text messages (“txting” and “pix”) during any class time.)
11. MISSED LABS:
a) For documented emergencies only, if a student misses a lab, the student may make prior arrangements with the instructor of another lab to attend it. You must make-up the lab during the week of the missed lab.
b) School policy states a student must attend a minimum of 80% of the class or may be withdrawn by the instructor.
12. SPECIAL REMARKS:
a) There are no extra credit (point) projects for individuals.
b) If after 20% of classes are missed, the student can be dropped from the class.
c) If a student has not met the course prerequisites, the student should not be in the class.
d) Students are expected and encouraged to spend two to three hours outside of class for every contact hour in class and in lab. This is essential in lab.
e) In the event a student receives a failing grade in this course, the student will be required to repeat BOTH the lecture and lab components
f) College policy prohibits the use of tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco, snuff, and chewing tobacco, in all College buildings and facilities.
g) Students giving presentations who arrive 10 minutes or more late for class, points will be deducted from their presentation score. Also students must save PowerPoint presentations as a ppt.. on a floppy disk, CD, or DVD-R. Do not use re-writable CD or DVD or save as “read-only” or PowerPoint Show as these media and formats are not compatible with our systems.
h) Lecture and lab cover the same biological concepts but often from different perspectives.
i) In the event that a problem occurs between students or students and faculty, the appropriate process for addressing student concerns is as follows
· First, address concern with course instructor.
· If your concerns are not rectified, then schedule an appointment with Department Chair.
· If your concerns are still unresolved then schedule an appointment with the appropriate divisional dean.
13. ADA Notice: Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information.
14. Academic Integrity:
The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Pueblo Community College has adopted a policy of academic conduct as described in the Student Handbook. Violation of academic integrity may be defined to include the following: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty and personal misrepresentation. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. Sanctions for violating the standards of academic integrity may include warning, probation, suspension, and/or failure of the course or assignment at the discretion of the instructor