North Arkansas College
General Biology
BIOL 1004
4.0 Hours
Mark B. Welch, Science Instructor
Office: M 182
Office Phone: 391-3000
mwelch@alpena.k12.ar.us
Class Meeting Time: Lecture (Monday 5:30-8:20)
Lab
(Wednesday 5:30-7:20)
Catalog Course Description: This is a general overview of biology for students who may or may not be
majoring in science. This course relates man to his environment and to the living organisms around him.
This is a course in the biological sciences that helps fulfill the laboratory science requirements of some
transfer programs. Honors section available. Prerequisite: RED 1003 with a “C” or better or ACT reading
score of 19 or higher (81 on Compass) AND CP 0633 with a “C” or better on Math ACT of 15 or higher (19
or high on Compass Algebra).
Course Audience: This course is designed as a general survey of biology. The student should have an
understanding of general life science principles. An individual seeking a broad scope, general understanding
of the biosphere will be well served by this course.
Course Goal: The goal of this course is to introduce the student to the magnificence and vastness of the
living world. By the end of the course the student will have general knowledge of the cellular biology,
cellular processes, cellular division, patterns of inheritance, evolution and classification, ecology and
environmental awareness.
Course Text: Mader, Sylvia S. Concepts of Biology. Second edition. McGraw-Hill: Boston
Lab Manual: Mader, Sylvia S. Inquiry into Life. Thirteenth edition. McGraw-Hill: Boston
Resources Needed: Course Text, Laboratory Manual, writing utensil, and paper.
Resources Available: Instructor may be contacted at any time during the business day via
e-mail address provided on this syllabus.
Instructional Methods: Lecture, discussion, small group activities, laboratory activities, and demonstration.
Course Evaluation: Multiple-choice tests will be given over each unit of text covered. Lecture quizzes and
lab quizzes will be administered each class meeting. No research papers, or reports, will be assigned. No
evaluation can be made up for any reason. One test grade may be dropped provided the student declares for
and takes the comprehensive lecture final examination. The final exam grade shall not be dropped and will
also count for the exam to be dropped.
Grade Weighting: Unit Tests 50%, Lab Final 30%, and Lab Quizzes 20%
Grading Scale: 90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, below 60 F
Test Schedule: Date
02/06/12
03/05/12
04/02/12
04/23/12
04/25/12
05/02/12
Topics Evaluated
Exam 1 (Chapter 1 – Chapter 3)
Exam 2 (Chapter 4 – Chapter 7)
Exam 3 (Chapter 8 – Chapter 10)
Exam 4 (Chapter 13 – Chapter 15)
Comprehensive Lab Final
Final Exam (Chapter 37 – Chapter 39)
Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class meetings. It is the responsibility of the faculty
members to advise their classes, in writing, of their attendance policy. After a student has missed 15% of
scheduled class meetings (six hours in a traditional 3 credit lecture course, proportionately more in classes
with laboratory, studio, or clinical components), the instructor has the prerogative to drop the student with
a grade of a “W”.
Instructors will monitor attendance in on-line classes based on participation in the class as evidenced by
turning in assignments, participation in discussion boards, e-mail, or formal contact. Students who fail to
participate in an on-line class for a period greater than two weeks will be dropped at the prerogative of the
instructor.
Instructors will not allow a student to stay on their class roll when it becomes clear that excessive absences
prevent the student’s successful completion of the course but will officially drop the student rather than give
the student and “F” at the end of the semester.
Discipline: All students are expected to conduct themselves as adults. If a student chooses not to behave
this way they will be removed from the class. Any student suspected of cheating on any evaluation will
receive a zero for that evaluation as judged by the instructor.
Provision for changing the syllabus: Any alteration of this syllabus will be done with a week advance notice.
ADA statement: North Arkansas College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations
should make their requests in the following way:
(1) talk to the instructor after class or during office hours about their disability or special
need related to classroom work; and/or
(2) contact Special Services in Room M188 and ask to speak to Robert Markle or Molly
McCorkindale.
North Arkansas College
Syllabus Acknowledgement
Course: General Biology, BIOL-1004
Semester: Spring 2012
I acknowledge by signing below that I have received the syllabus for the
course indicated above. I have reviewed the syllabus and understand the
objectives of this course. Further I understand how my performance will
be evaluated and how my final grade will be determined. I am aware of
my instructor’s office hours, and I know how to contact him or her for
help with and/or clarification of course contents or procedures.
(Student Signature)
(Date)
I consent to be contacted by the instructor at the email address listed below in case of
emergency.
signature
email address