Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Spring 2016
General Biology (BIOL 1114)
This course involves the study of biological principles, populations, man, and the environment. Genetics,
reproduction, development, concepts of evolution, selection, adaptation, speciation, taxonomy, and various
concepts involving ecosystems are studied.
Type of course:
Blended Theory/Lab
Credit Hours:
4; Total theory per semester: 50 (Online); Total lab for the semester: 30
Class length:
Full Semester
Class days/times:
R– 9:30 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
Prerequisites:
None
Instructor Name:
Regina Foster, Ph.D. Instructor Phone: (918) 293-5401
Office: Science & Technology, Room 13 Instructor email:
regina.foster@okstate.edu
Contact: My preferred method of contact is email. Please allow 24-48 hours to return your correspondence
during the normal work week.
Instructor's Office Hours (CST):
Division Name: Arts and Sciences
MTWR – 8:30 a.m. – 9:25 a.m.
MT – 10:30 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
M – 12:30 p.m. – 2:25 p.m.
R – 1:30 p.m. – 2:25 p.m.
Division Phone: (918) 293-4768
REQUIRED TEXT, REFERENCES, AND MATERIALS
Texts:
Materials:
Biology, 12th ed., Mader and Windelspecht, McGraw Hill
ISBN # 978-0-07-802426-9
Materials needed include a notebook & writing utensils
Estimated cost for Materials:
$ Amount based on current bookstore cost.
Course Objectives
1. Analyze the components of the cell theory
Exam
Assessment of Objectives
2. Analyze the structure & function of the cell
membrane
Exam & Lab activity with microscope
aided observations
3. Identify the organizational scheme for classifying
organisms
4. Analyze basic genetic principles of heredity
5. Analyze the impact of interactions between
ecosystems
6. Critical Thinking - Demonstrate logical,
systematic critical thinking techniques.
Exam
Exam
Exam
Scientific Method Lab
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COURSE ACTIVITIES
In this course students will
 Participate in online discussion.
 Participate in online activities.
 Participate in online exams.
 Participate in on campus lab activities.
GRADES BASED ON THE QUALITY AND COMPLETION OF THESE TASKS: (Note: These are
approximate totals but grade calculation will be done based on ACTUAL point totals for the semester.)
Item
Exams
Labs *
Discussion Board Posts
Homework Assignments
Total Points Possible
Points Summary
Number
6
12
12
5
Pts. Each Total
100
600
40
480
10
120
20
100
1300
OSUIT
Grading Scale
A = 90.00 – 100.00
B = 80.00 – 89.99
C = 70.00 – 79.99
D = 60.00 – 69.99
F = 00.00 – 59.99
1164 – 1300 pts .................. A
1034 – 1163 pts .................. B
904 – 1033 pts .................... C
774 – 903 pts ...................... D
0 – 773 pts .......................... F
Student grades will be posted on D2L. This will enable you to monitor your progress through the course;
therefore you are strongly encouraged to check D2L often. D2L can be accessed from OSUIT’s homepage
(click on “Online Classroom).
* The student’s grade for the Scientific Method Lab will be used in the university’s assessment of student
learning. A 70% competency or higher receives a Pass rating. This Pass/Fail rating is independent of the
student’s course grade.
EXAMS
Exams make up approximately 44% of your total grade, so it is imperative that you are aware of the exam
schedule. Exams will be given on D2L in the Quizzes section. Each exam will have an open time period listed
in the schedule and on the calendar in D2L. Exams are typically open 3 days and must be taken at some point
during those 3 days. You cannot see exams on D2L except during their active period. Students must log on and
complete exams during this time frame. Exams have time limits but D2L does not kick you off at the end of the
time period, only warns you that you might incur a time penalty. Please continue working until you have
completed the exam before submitting, there will be no penalty for exams that go SLIGHTLY over time. If you
miss at exam during the semester, there is an optional comprehensive final exam at the end of the semester
which can be completed to replace the missing exam score. It is not required for the course.
Additional missed exams cannot be made up. Students who complete all exams have the option of taking the
final exam in order to replace his/her lowest exam score.
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LABS
Students are expected to be prepared for lab. It is imperative that you are punctual for lab as important safety
and procedure information will be discussed at the beginning of lab. The instructor reserves the right to deduct
points for tardiness. You must be present for lab in order to get credit for it. Labs cannot be made up ahead of
time. One make-up lab is built into the schedule. This lab can replace one missed lab. Any additional missed
labs cannot be made up and will be recorded as zeros.
DISCUSSION BOARD POSTS
All topics will be posted at the beginning of the class. You may post to boards at any time during the semester
up to the due date but two posts per topic are required. Due dates are given on each board topic. Please post
you own thoughts on the topic and then reply to at least one of your classmates’ posts as well. Make sure to
post at least twice on each board BEFORE the due date. There are required DB posts nearly every week. Most
DB’s require an initial 3 sentence post unless they have other specific instructions.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
During the course of the semester, 5 writing homework assignments will be completed. These assignments
generally involve an assigned topic you are asked to respond to. Topics vary but your response will almost
always involve your opinion about a topic supported by research. These are short (1-2 page) writing
assignments and all will be posted at the beginning of the semester and available until their due date. They will
disappear following the due date.
Homework Assignments may be submitted to the drop box on D2L early (prior to the deadline). Assignments
are due by 11:59 p.m., Central Standard Time on the posted due date. Unless otherwise indicated, assignments
should be typed, double spaced, 12 point type maximum, 1” margins. Please include your name and the
assignment in the file name. While this is not an English class, college level writing skills are expected,
complete sentences, correct spelling and punctuation. Anytime the Drop Box is unavailable due to problems
with D2L, homework can be emailed to the instructor at regina.foster@okstate.edu. The same due dates apply.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, each student with a disability is responsible for notifying the
University of his or her disability and to request accommodations. If any member of the class feels that he/she
has a qualified disability and needs academic accommodations, he/she should notify the Counseling and Access
Services Office (Suite 102, Administration Building) to request verification of eligibility for accommodations.
Faculty members have an obligation to respond when they receive official notice to provide academic
accommodations but are under no obligation to provide retroactive accommodations.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty or misconduct is neither condoned nor tolerated at OSUIT. Any student found guilty of
academic dishonesty or misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty and/or
misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following actions: (1) Plagiarism: the representation of
previously written, published, or creative work as one’s own; (2) Unauthorized collaboration on projects;
(3) Cheating on examinations; (4) Unauthorized advance access to exams; (5) Fraudulent alteration of
academic materials; (6) Knowing cooperation with another person in an academically dishonest
undertaking. Students are required to actively protect their work against misuse by others. For details, refer to
The OSUIT Student Handbook available in the Office of Enrollment Management, each division office, and
online at http://www.osuit.edu/handbook/.
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STUDENT CONDUCT
Students are expected to cooperate in maintaining a classroom environment conducive to learning. Courteous
and respectful behavior will be expected from all students each day. All pagers and cell phones are expected to
be turned off or put on vibrate. The use of tobacco in any form in University buildings is prohibited. Children
are not to be brought to lecture or lab.
INSTRUCTOR’S POLICY ON ABSENCES
Attendance at recitation/lab sessions is essential. Labs cannot be made up and important information for the
class will be distributed during these sessions. Additionally, these sessions will be our only opportunity to
convene as a group and review any issues anyone might be having with the course or its format. Being on time
is also crucial as I will begin lab promptly.
UNIVERSITY ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR FACE TO FACE COURSES:
A primary component of OSUIT's Mission is “to prepare and sustain a diverse student body as competitive
members of a world-class workforce.” Regular and consistent attendance not only aids in academic success,
dependable attendance is a requirement in today's real-world employment; therefore, regular and consistent
attendance is a requirement in all OSUIT courses.
Definitions:
Absent:
Failing to attend all or a significant portion of a class or lab session.
A. Students may not be marked as absent if missing class for situations such as, but not limited to
1. participating in a required university activity such as a field trip;
2. fulfilling a military obligation;
3. a mandatory court appearance;
4. death in the immediate family;
5. extreme illness or accident to oneself or immediate family. Instructors, at their discretion,
may require proof of such events.
B. It is the responsibility of the student to contact and inform the instructor and/or department in
advance of such excused absences whenever possible.
Tardy: Arriving late to class as defined by the individual class instructor. Faculty, at their discretion,
may equate three tardies to equal one absence.
Procedures:
Early Intervention
A. Any student who misses 10% of an individual course (or earlier at faculty discretion) during a
regular fifteen-week semester, or the equivalent portion of time in a shorter session, will have their
name submitted by that course instructor to the OSUIT Early Alert System for retention
intervention.
B. At the point the Early Alert is issued, the student must meet with their assigned faculty advisor or
designated faculty/staff member within seven (7) academic calendar days for counseling on how to
improve their attendance and academic success.
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Excessive Absences
A. The University reserves the right to administratively withdraw any student from an individual
course who misses 20% of that course, whether excused or unexcused, and, in the opinion of the
instructor, the student does not have a reasonable opportunity to be successful in the course.
B. Students should be aware any of the following may impact their financial aid:
1. being administratively withdrawn from a course
2. dropping a course
3. their last date of attendance in a course
Please see OSUIT Policy 2-021 for full details and procedures.
INSTRUCTOR’S LATE WORK POLICY & FINAL PROJECT
Assignments/labs are to be turned in online or in lab on their due date. Unexcused late work will not be
accepted. I will provide you with guidelines concerning your final paper as it gets closer to the end of the
semester when we cover the topic of environmental science. There is no make-up for the final project.
IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION
A detailed schedule of course activities follows:
This syllabus is tentative and can be modified by the instructor if the need arises.
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BIOL 1114 General Biology
Blended Schedule – Lab (R 9:30 am – 11:25 am), Lecture/Exam Online
Week
1
2
Topic
Chapter 1 View of Life
The first face to face
class meeting is
Thursday, January 7
2016. Online Course
Access begins
Wednesday,
January 6, 2016
Chapter 2 Basic
Chemistry
3
Chapter 3 Chemistry of
Organic Molecules
4
Chapter 1-3 Continued
5
Chapter 4 Cell Structure
and Function
6
Chapter 5 – Membrane
Structure and Function
7
Chapter 6 Metabolism:
Energy and Enzymes
8
Chapter 7 Photosynthesis
Chapter 8 Cellular
Respiration
Assignments
Lab Topic
Due at end of Lab
period on Thursday
Each Week.
Safety and Lab
Syllabus
Procedures
Verification
Introductions Lab 1 – Scientific
Method
Safety Tips
Lab 1
Due Date
Lab 1 – 1/7/16
Lab 2
Discussion
Board 1
Lab 2 – Atomic
Structure and Electron
Configuration
Lab 2 – 1/14/16
DB 1 – 1/17/16
Lab 3
Discussion
Board 2
Lab 4
Discussion
Board 3
Exam 1
Lab 3 – Energy Content
in Food
Lab 3 – 1/21/16
DB 2 – 1/24/16
Lab 5
Discussion
Board 4
Homework
Assignment 1
Lab 6
Discussion
Board 5
Exam 2
Lab 7
Discussion
Board 6
Homework
Assignment 2
Lab 8
Discussion
Board 7
Exam 3
Lab 4 – Acids and Bases Lab 4 – 1/28/16
DB 3 – 1/31/16
Exam 1
Opens – 1/28/16
Closes – 1/31/16
Lab 5 – Microorganisms Lab 5 – 2/4/16
DB 4 – 2/7/16
HW 1 – 2/7/16
Lab 6 – Membrane
Diffusion
Lab 7 – Diffusion 2 Osmosis
Lab 8 – Cellular
Respiration
Lab 6 – 2/11/16
DB 5 – 2/14/16
Exam 2
Opens – 2/11/16
Closes – 2/14/16
Lab 7 – 2/18/16
DB 6 – 2/21/16
HW 2 – 2/21/16
Lab 8 – 2/25/16
DB 7 – 2/28/16
Exam 3
Opens – 2/25/16
Closes – 2/28/16
6
Week
Topic
Assignments
9
Chapter 9 The Cell Cycle
& Cellular Reproduction
10
Chapter 10 Meiosis and
Sexual Reproduction
Chapter 11 Mendelian
Patterns of Inheritance
Lab 9
Discussion
Board 8
Homework
Assignment 3
Lab 10
Discussion
Board 9
Exam 4
11
12
13
14
15
16
Lab Topic
Due at end of Lab
period on Thursday
Each Week.
Lab 9 – Mitosis and
Meiosis
Due Date
Lab 9 – 3/3/16
DB 8 – 3/6/16
HW 3 – 3/6/16
Lab 10 – Biological
Membranes
Lab 10 – 3/10/16
DB 9 – 3/13/16
Exam 4
Opens – 3/10/16
Closes – 3/13/16
Spring Break – No Class Monday, March 14 – Friday, March 18, 2016
Chapter 16 How
Lab 11 – Genetics
Lab 11 – 3/24/16
Lab 11
Populations Evolve
Problems
DB 10 – 3/27/16
Discussion
Chapter 43 Behavioral
HW 4 – 3/27/16
Board 10
Ecology
Homework
Assignment 4
Chapter 44 Population
Lab 12 – Acid Rain
Lab 12 – 3/31/16
Lab 12
Ecology
DB 11 – 4/3/16
Discussion
Exam 5
Board 11
Opens – 3/31/16
Exam 5
Closes – 4/3/16
Chapter 45 Community
Make Up Lab Due
MUL – 4/10/16
Discussion
& Ecosystem Ecology
DB 12 – 4/10/16
Board 12
Chapter 46 Major
HW 5 – 4/10/16
Homework
Ecosystems of the
Assignment 5
Biosphere
Chapter 47 Conservation Optional
NA
Opt DB – 4/17/16
of Biodiversity
Exam 6
Discussion
Opens – 4/14/16
Board
Closes – 4/17/16
Exam 6
Final
NA
Optional Final
Optional
Graduation – Friday,
Opens MONDAY
Final
April 22, 2016
– 4/18/16
Closes
THURSDAY –
4/21/16
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