BIOL 104 Human Biology
Section 001 Spring 2016
Instructor (for lecture and laboratory):
Dr. Elizabeth Burgess
Office: SBDG 204 (hours by appointment)
Email: elizabethb@usca.edu
Note: The instructor reserves the right to make reasonable changes to details summarized in this syllabus at any point
during the semester.
Course Description and Objectives: “Human biology is designed to introduce non-biology majors to science and the
scientific method through the concepts of human biology. Topics include an overview of human anatomy and
physiology, immunity and disease, cancer biology, and genetics. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week.
This course satisfies the General Education Laboratory Science requirement.”
Course credit: 4 credit hours (upon successful completion)
Course Materials:
Lecture: Starr & McMillan, Human Biology 11ed., Cengage Learning etext at www.cengagebrain.com.
Laboratory: Supplemental materials for laboratory exercises will be provided as appropriate
Lecture Time & Place: TTH 8:00 – 9:15AM, SBDG 108
Laboratory Time & Place: F 1:00 - 3:40PM, SBDG 103
Blackboard: https://blackboard.sc.edu, BIOLA104-001-SPRING-2016:HUMAN BIOLOGY
When we meet in the library with Mrs. K. Weaver: laboratory time, place is Library 218
Grading: The on-line grade book will be updated regularly. Documentation (the graded quiz, exam or assignment)
must be presented to resolve discrepancies.
Possible points breakdown:
~10 Lecture Quizzes (~20 pts. ea.)
200
1 Final Exam (comprehensive, 100 pts.)
100
2 Article Summaries (100 pts. ea.)
200
2 Peer Review Worksheets (20 pts. ea.)
40
5 Laboratory Worksheets (10 pts. ea.)
50
1 Participation/Safety Score (10 pts.)
10
Total possible points
600
Grade-point scale: A: 540 or more (90-100%), B: 480-539, C: 420-479, D: 360-419, F: less than 360
Grade Opportunties Overview:
•
Lecture Quizzes: These quizzes will be administered throughout the semester, upon completion of each
lecture topic. The point values of quizzes may vary.
•
Final exam: This exam will be comprehensive, covering material from the entire semester. Likely, it will
include actual questions from each of the Lecture Quizzes. A Scantron form may be required.
•
Article summaries: Three article summaries will be assigned over the course of the semester in association
with discussion of research techniques and source evaluation. Guidelines for composing an article summary
and response will be provided.
•
Peer review sessions: Scheduled during lecture or laboratory periods (see below), peer review sessions will
provide you with an opportunity to evaluate one another’s writing and improve your own. Guidelines for peer
review sessions will be provided.
•
Laboratory Worksheets: Laboratory worksheets will be provided for in-lab exercises as appropriate.
Worksheets for each session should be completed and submitted before leaving the laboratory that week.
•
Participation/safety score: You start the semester with 10 points. Assuming you come to class, participate,
don’t hurt yourself or others, and clean up after yourself, you’ll end the semester with 10 points. Look here
also for any bonus points that aren’t associated with a specific exam, quiz or assignment.
Attendance and Punctuality: Poor attendance will negatively affect both your Participation and Safety score and your
overall grade. Good attendance will give you the opportunity to hear the lectures, ask questions, participate in
laboratory exercises and learn the material on a first-hand basis, which will improve your overall grade.
Exams and quizzes in the lecture or laboratory period will start promptly at the scheduled time. Extra time will
not be given for a late arrival.
There will be no make-up lecture quizzes or exams except under extreme circumstances as deemed acceptable
by the instructor on an individual basis. There will be absolutely no make-ups for missed peer review sessions or
laboratory exercises.
Page 1 of 3
BIOL 104 Human Biology
Section 001 Spring 2016
Tutoring: Tutoring services are available through the Academic Success Center on campus. The center employs
experts trained to help students develop good study habits based on individual needs and skills. See
http://www.usca.edu/asc for more information.
Disability Statement: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability that might affect your
performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, B&E 134, (803) 643-6816, as soon as
possible. The Disability Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.
Honor Code: Students are expected to abide by the Academic Code of Conduct as described in the Student Handbook
on every exam and assignment. “On my honor as a University of South Carolina at Aiken student, I have neither given
nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment / examination. To the best of my knowledge, I am not in
violation of academic honesty.” Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if academic integrity is violated.
Respect and Policy for Portable Electronic Devices: The instructor expects you to participate in this course in a
respectful manner. This includes everything from using complete sentences in correspondence to SILENCING
electronic devices before entering the classroom or laboratory. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. The instructor
reserves the right to dismiss disrespectful students during lecture or lab, or to block their participation in on-line
discussions. There will be no make-ups of missed material.
The use of portable electronic devices during class is allowed. Contact with the outside world, however, is not
appropriate unless prior approval has been given to the student from the instructor. If you use a portable electronic
device during a test, quiz, or other assessment, you are eligible to receive a failing grade on that assignment.
Again, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if academic integrity is violated.
Lecture Schedule: The PowerPoint files for each lecture topic will be posted on Blackboard within 24 hours of the
lecture. Content for quizzes and exams will come primarily from what is presented in class; the textbook is a
supplement to this material. There will be material covered in class that is not covered in the textbook. The quizzes
will be scheduled based on the amount of time required to get through the lecture topics associated with each; a
tentative schedule is presented below. As the semester progresses, the schedule will be updated on the Blackboard
calendar. The final exam is scheduled according to the USCA Final Examinations Schedule.
Laboratory Schedule: Relevant information for lab each week will be posted on Blackboard by Wednesdays. You are
responsible for accessing this information and being prepared for lab.
Laboratory Safety: Several of the laboratory exercises this semester will require handling chemicals and glassware. A
lab coat or oversized, button-up shirt and close-toed shoes are recommended. Do not eat or drink during laboratory
exercises. Long hair and bangs should be pulled back or tied up. Keep workspace clean. Thoroughly wash hands
before and after lab work. Specific details will be provided during the relevant laboratory meetings. Failure to practice
laboratory safety will negatively affect your Participation and Safety score.
Blackboard: Familiarity with Blackboard will be essential for this course. If you are having trouble accessing
Blackboard, get help as soon as possible by contacting University Technology Services
(http://uts.sc.edu/academic/blackboard/index.shtml, 803-777-1800, or servicedesk@sc.edu).
Page 2 of 3
BIOL 104 Human Biology
Section 001 Spring 2016
Human Biology Spring 2016 Schedule
Date Day Location
12-Jan T lecture
14-Jan TH lecture
15-Jan F lab
19-Jan T lecture
21-Jan TH lecture
22-Jan F lab
26-Jan T lecture
28-Jan TH lecture
29-Jan F lab
2-Feb T lecture
4-Feb TH lecture
5-Feb F lab
9-Feb T lecture
11-Feb TH lecture
12-Feb F lab
16-Feb T lecture
18-Feb TH lecture
19-Feb F lab
23-Feb T lecture
25-Feb TH lecture
26-Feb F lab
1-Mar T lecture
3-Mar TH lecture
4-Mar F lab
8-Mar T
10-Mar TH
11-Mar F
15-Mar T lecture
14-Mar TH lecture
18-Mar F lab
22-Mar T lecture
24-Mar TH lecture
25-Mar F lab
29-Mar T lecture
31-Mar TH lecture
1-Apr F lab
5-Apr T lecture
7-Apr TH lecture
8-Apr F lab
12-Apr T lecture
14-Apr TH lecture
15-Apr F lab
19-Apr T lecture
21-Apr TH lecture
22-Apr F lab
26-Apr T lecture
Text Ch. Activities/Topic
1
Syllabus, Introduction/Science and Critical Inquiry
1
Learning about Human Biology
Safety, Chemistry; Worksheet 1
Quiz 1; Chemistry of Life
2
2
Chemistry of Life
Microscopy, Cells; Worksheet 2
Quiz 2; Cells and How They Work
3
3
Cells and How They Work
Meet in Library 218 - Techniques for Source Evaluation
Quiz 3; Tissues, Organs, and Organ Systems
4
4
Tissues, Organs, and Organ Systems
Tissues; Worksheet 3
Quiz 4; The Skeletal System
5
5
The Skeletal System
Skeletal System; Worksheet 4
Quiz 5; Peer Review, Critical Inquiry
Peer Review, Critical Inquiry
Meet in Library 218 - Finding Primary Research Articles; Summary 1
?
System of Choice 1
?
System of Choice 1
Systems of Choice; Worksheet 5
Quiz 6; System of Choice 2
?
?
System of Choice 2
Peer Review
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
Quiz 7; [Immunity and Disease]
[9]
[9]
[Immunity and Disease]
Meet in Library 218 - Scientific Review Articles; Summary 2
[19] Quiz 8; [Introduction to Genetics]
[19] [Introduction to Genetics]
tbd
[20] Quiz 9; [Chromosomes and Human Genetics]
[20] [Chromosomes and Human Genetics]
tbd
[22] Quiz 10; [Genes and Disease: Cancer]
[22] [Genes and Disease: Cancer]
tbd
tbd
tbd
tbd
tbd
tbd
tbd
tbd
Page 3 of 3