BiolSci 103: HUMAN BIOLOGY
Professor: Dr. James R. Coggins
Spring Semester, 2014
Welcome to the on-line section of Human Biology for Spring Semester 2014. This
introductory letter will serve to tell you a bit about the course, my expectations, and the
D2L system that we use at UWM for this semester. Consult the syllabus for additional
information on class activity/expectations.
Textbook
The textbook for this course is: Human Biology by Sylvia S. Mader. This is available in
the UWM Bookstore as well as Panther Books on Downer Ave. The textbook is
available as hardcopy on line for less $$. You may also get an electronic version of the
text on line (see McGraw Hill website). There will be one textbook on reserve at the
UMW Library.
Introduction
This on line course effort is very much a continuing work in progress. I have put the
course online in order to make taking the course more convenient for you; I very much
want for everyone to do well. Also, I am open to constructive feedback. As I will
remind you toward the end of term, there is a course evaluation feature in the Survey part
of the D2L website.
Course Structure
In this introductory course, we will examine the basic biology of humans. We will
examine the scientific method; discuss what is, and what is not, science. We will then
begin looking at the structure of humans from the molecular, cellular, and tissue level.
After examining the building blocks that make up the human body, we will begin a study
of the systems that comprise the physiology of humans, how we work and carry out the
daily functions of life. The course will be composed of seven (7) Units. Each unit
consists of two Chapters presented as PowerPoint lectures that you are expected to view.
Each unit has your quiz assignment for that unit. There will be a Quiz for each unit that
you will be expected to complete on-line and return to the instructor via the Dropbox
within the allotted timeframe. For this semester, that is before taking the mid-term and
final. There will be two wrap up Exams; a mid-term and a final exam. The due dates for
these two exams are the only hard deadlines (March 23 and May 11). The quizzes are
self paced re. schedule.
Grading
Referring to the course structure (above), your Unit Quizzes will make up 40% of your
final course grade. The Mid-Term (30%) and Final Examinations (30%) will
constitute 60% of the final course grade.
Instructor
Now that we have covered the course, let me tell you a little about myself. I am
originally from a small community in North Carolina. I received two of my academic
degrees from the University of North Carolina (B.S; M.S.). I earned my Ph.D. degree
from Wake Forest University, also in North Carolina. My first job was at the University
of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. I was lured north to Wisconsin and took my
present position at UWM. During the years I have been at UWM, I have taught a variety
of courses from freshmen level to the advanced Human Parasitology and graduate student
seminars. I have served as head of the Department of Biological Sciences but now enjoy
being a faculty member with no administrative responsibilities. I look forward to trying a
somewhat new venture, that of teaching Human Biology completely on-line.
D2L Basics
You can access D2L by going to the UWM homepage (http://www.uwm.edu) and
clicking on “E-Learning and D2L” at the very top of the page. From there you click on
the big blue “Desire 2 Learn” box. This will take you to the login page. Or, go to the
login page with the direct address for D2L: (https://uwm.courses.wisconsin.edu). Note
that there is no www in the address and an “s” on https. On the login page, notice the
“For Students” link that offers several help files for dealing with various aspects of D2L.
These help documents are very good, clear and helpful, so keep them in mind if you ever
get stuck. The other “help” options are to visit the computer help desk in EMS 225,
calling them at 414-229-4040, (toll free at 1-877-381-3459), or sending email to
help@uwm.edu. The help documents and tutorials found within D2L are very good.
However, do not hesitate to contact the help desk for any computer related questions.
Responsibility
By signing up for an on-line course, you take the responsibility of making sure you have
regular access to adequate and reliable technology to complete all course requirements.
You need to make sure you r home, office or campus computer(s) are appropriate for
your needs and are not going to fail on you at key times. Lack of access to a computer,
loss of key documents from a hard drive or a printer failure are not excuses for failing to
meet assignment deadlines.
Everyone at UWM is assigned a UWM email account. I will be using your UWM
account. If you have another account that you use as primary, have your mail forwarded
from UWM to that account; setting up forwarding is easy. See the help desk with any
questions. Again, this is your responsibility. The help desk can assist you in the
forwarding procedure.
Finally, welcome to the course.
Professor James R. Coggins, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences
Lapham 297
coggins@uwm.edu
229-4350
Biological Sciences 103
HUMAN BIOLOGY
Spring Semester
Text: Human Biology, Sylvia Mader, 11th Edition
Instructor: James Coggins, Ph.D., Professor of Biological Sciences
Phone: 414-229-4350
Email: coggins@uwm.edu
Office Location: Lapham Hall, Room 297
Office Hours: By appointment, email or telephone (email for number)
Lecture: On Line Lectures
Grades: Final grades will be determined by a series of quizzes (total of 7); mid-term
(Units 1-3) and final (Units 4-7) exams. Regular participation and meeting of deadlines
for quizzes and exams are extremely important. Late submission of quizzes will be
penalized.
Quizzes: 40%
Mid-term Exam: 30%
Final Exam: 30%
In order to receive full credit for exams, on line submissions must be submitted by the
end of the allotted unit timeframe (see syllabus, below). Quizzes are self paced; no
deadline except that they must be submitted before taking the corresponding exam
(midterm; final). The midterm exam covers units 1-3 while the final exam covers
units 4-7.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid UWM account and a working
computer with current software. “My computer (printer) broke” is not an accepted
excuse.
Participation by Students with Disabilities: If you need special accommodations in order
to meet any of the class requirements, contact me by the end of the first week of class.
Accommodation for Religious Observances: See UWM official policy; contact the
course instructor
Academic Misconduct: Assignments are expected to be completed independently,
without the aid of other individuals. Cheating on exams or any other type of assignment
will not be tolerated and will result in a zero on the exam, quiz or other assignment.
Additionally, any suspected cheating will be reported to the Dean of Students Office,
possibly resulting in further, more severe, consequences.
Incompletes: A notation of “incomplete” may be given in lieu of a final grade to a
student who has carried a subject successfully until the end of a semester or term, but
because of illness or other substantiated, documented cause beyond the student’s control,
is unable to complete the final or a limited amount of term work.
An incomplete cannot be assigned if the student has not completed a substantial amount
of the semester of work, or unless the student can prove to the instructor that they were
prevented from completing the course requirements for just cause.
Grade Appeal Procedures: A student may appeal a grade on the basis that it is based on
capricious or arbitrary decision of the course instructor. The procedure for making such
an appeal is available in writing from the BioSci department receptionist, chairperson or
the Academic Dean of the College/School (Letters and Science).
Note: this timetable is a guide. Units are self paced. There is no due date for quizzes;
you may turn them in whenever you finish the unit. However, quizzes 1-3 MUST be
submitted before taking the mid-term. The due date for mid-term is hard and firm; NO
EXCEPTIONS. Again, quizzes 4-7 are self paced. The final exam MUST be submitted
by the due date; due date for final is hard and firm; NO EXCEPTIONS.
SYLLABUS
UNIT
HUMAN BIOLOGY
TIMETABLE
WEEK DATES
1
2
3
4
5
6
Unit of Study
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
1
1
2
2
3
3
Mid-Term Exam Due
MARCH 23
4
4
5
5
6
7
Final Exam Due MAY 11
4
Schedule of Topics
Unit
Lecture
1
Lecture
2
3
4
5
6
7
Chapter
Topic
1
Chapter 1
Introduction
Lecture
2
Chapter 2
Chemistry of Life
Lecture
3
Chapter 3
Cells
Lecture
4
Chapter 4
Lecture
5
Chapter 5
Organization;
Regulation
Cardiovascular 1
Lecture
6
Chapter 6
Cardiovascular 2
Lecture
7
Chapter 7
Immunity
Lecture
8
Chapter 9
Respiration
Lecture
9
Chapter 8
Digestion
Lecture 10
Chapter 10
Excretion
Lecture 11
Chapter 13
Nervous System
Lecture 12
Chapter 14
Sensory System
Lecture 13
Chapter 16
Reproduction
Lecture 14
Chapter 17
Human
Development
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