Survey of Biology, Biol&100 Fall 2012 LECTURE Sections C&D Building 15, Room 204; M,W, F 11:30-12:40 LAB: Section C(5013): Building 15, Room 128L; Tuesday 11:30-1:20 Section D(5014): Building 15, Room 128L; Thursday 11:30-1:20 Instructor Kim Harrington (you can call me Kim or Ms. Harrington or Your Majesty Professor Harrington) Office Building 15 (The Science and Engineering Building) Room 237 Contact Information Telephone: 253-460-4305 Email: kharrington@tacomacc.edu Web site: www.tacomacc.edu/kimharrington Office Hours M 12:45-2:45 Building 15 Rm. 237 (My office) T 9:30–11:00 Building 15 Rm. 237 (My office) Th 9:30–11:00 Building 15 Rm. 237 (My office) I welcome you to see me during my office hours. I am also usually happy to see you at other times, though sometimes I will have to ask you to see me at another time. You can also make an appointment to see me. If you are not on campus, you can make an appointment via email or phone message for a time in which we can have a phone conversation. Catalog Description (Formerly BIOL-100) A one-quarter introduction to biological principles for non-majors or students starting in life sciences. Topics include: diversity of life; basic cellular anatomy and biochemical processes; evolution and genetics; ecology and environmental issues; and an overview of human anatomy/physiology. Laboratory included Prerequisite Completion of ENGL 095 and READ 095 with a minimum grade of C or ENGL/ 095 with a minimum grade of C and completion of MATH 090 or MATH 093 with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent assessment in these areas Course Overview Biology is incredibly exciting because it affects every aspect of our lives! I hope this class will help you to understand how your body and the things around you work. I hope it will help you to make better decisions. I hope you will get as excited about biology as I am! Degree Learning Outcomes Core of Knowledge (COK): Demonstrate a basic knowledge of each of the distribution areas (Written Communication, Humanities, Quantitative Skills, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences; or, as applicable, specific professional/technical programs), integrate knowledge across disciplines, and apply this knowledge to academic, occupational, civic and personal endeavors. 1 of 6 Communication (COM): Listen, speak, read, and write effectively and use nonverbal and technological means to make connections between self and others. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving (CRT): Compare, analyze, and evaluate information and ideas, and use sound thinking skills to solve problems. Information & Information Technology (IIT): Locate, evaluate, retrieve, and ethically use relevant and current information of appropriate authority for both academic and personal applications. Living & Working Cooperatively/Valuing Differences (LWC): Respectfully acknowledge diverse points of view, and draw upon the knowledge and experience of others to collaborate in a multicultural and complex world. Responsibility & Ethics (RES): Demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes responsible and ethical behavior toward individuals, the community, and the environment. Program Learning Outcomes Natural Sciences Upon successful completion of the Natural Sciences distribution requirements for the AAS Option A or B, or the Associate in Biology, or the Associate of Sciences degrees, students will: 1. Evaluate information scientifically in the context of his/her own life 2. Explain the importance of observation and hypothesis testing in the scientific process, and distinguish between the scientific process and other human endeavors 3. Communicate the primary principles and processes underlying at least one natural system (for example: atoms and molecules, cells and organisms, the oceans and atmosphere, the solid earth, or the cosmos) 4. Perform and effectively communicate the results of scientific investigations, and explain how research is done in science 5. Demonstrate the safe and proper use of scientific instrumentation, measuring devices, chemical reagents, media, and/or other tools of science in a laboratory or field setting relevant to specific disciplines of science Course Learning Objectives Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to: 1. Understand and participate in the scientific method. (COM,CRT) 2. Know the major taxonomic groups and their evolutionary relationships. (CRT) 3. Think about biological issues across a relevant size spectrum from subatomic particles to the ecosphere. (CRT) 4. Understand and utilize basic chemistry and elementary biochemistry. (CRT) 5. Understand cell structure, organelle function, and the basics of metabolic activities such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis. (CRT) 6. Comprehend genetics topics such as DNA replication, mitosis, genetic engineering, viruses, cancer, inheritance, sex, and evolution. (CRT, RSP, LWC) 7. Understand basic ecological processes such as nutrient cycling and symbiosis. (CRT, RSP) 8. Recognize and understand more of the biological events occurring around and within them. (CRT, RSP, LWC) 9. More competently research, interpret, critique, and present biological information. (COM, RSP, IIT, LWC) Instructional Methods Used This course utilizes a combination of lecture, laboratory exercises, small group discussions and activities and online assignments. 2 of 6 Academic Assistance I am one of many resources available to help you succeed in this class. Here are some other resources. Study Group You should join or form a small study group for this class. A study group is an excellent source of help. Tutoring Center Biology tutors are available at no additional cost in the Tutoring Center on the second floor of building 7. Appointments can be made in person or by calling 253.566.6032. For more information see: http://www.tacomacc.edu/resourcesandservices/writingandtutoringcenter/ Counseling Center The Counseling Center staff in Building 7 can help you address personal difficulties that interfere with your studies. This includes things like test anxiety. Call 253.566.5122 to make an appointment. http://www.tacomacc.edu/resourcesandservices/counseling/ Laboratory All students must follow the biological science lab safety procedures and standard operating procedures established by Tacoma Community College, the Science & Engineering Department, and the instructor. Students who repeatedly or willfully violate these procedures may face sanctions, including removal from the course, a failing grade, and referral to the college for action under the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The departmental safety procedures for biological science are available at: http://www.tacomacc.edu/UserFiles/Servers/Server_6/File/academics/sciencesdivision/Biolo gy%20Laboratory%20Safety%20Rules_Sep09.pdf Textbooks & Supplemental Materials There is no textbook that must be purchased for the course. Links to readings and assignments will be posted on the course web site. Evaluation Criteria & Grading Standards Grading will NOT be on a curve. You will be graded according to how well you demonstrate your understanding of the material taught in this course. This means that you are not competing against each other for a few A's. Instead, you should help each other learn the material. You are each other's best help. The course is set up so that more than 1/3 of your grade will be from homework and in class activities. About 1/3 of your grade will be from lab activities. Less than 1/3 of the grade will be from exams including the final exam. Note: The number of assignments and points for an assignment may change. This will result in a change in the total points. The course grade will be determined from the percentage of the possible points earned using the table below. As described in the Quizzes and Exams section, the lowest quiz score is not included in the course grading. You can calculate your current grade at any time calculating your percentage earned: total po int s you have earned 100 total po int s possible so far The grade will be based on a percentage of the total points earned, using the following table: 3 of 6 GRADE A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DE PERCENTAGE 93-100 90-92 87-89 83-86 80-82 77-79 73-76 70-72 67-69 63-66 60-62 0-59 GRADE POINTS 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 1.0 0.7 0.0 Homework A schedule of assigned reading, homework and project due dates will be posted on the course web site. The due dates are subject to change depending on what is happening in class. Students are responsible for any information given in class about assignment due dates. Not being present in class is not a valid excuse to miss an assignment. Late assignments will not be accepted. Exams Unit exam dates will be posted on the course web site. There will be no makeup exams. Withdrawals and Incompletes Please see the calendar of important dates. http://www.tacomacc.edu/areasofstudy/academiccalendar/ Attendance Successful completion of this course will require perfect or near-perfect attendance. Students will be responsible for all the material that is presented during lecture and laboratory sessions. A missed lab cannot be made up and all lab quizzes, exams and assignments cannot be made up. A missed exam cannot be made up. Late assignments will not be accepted without advance approval. Student Requirements Academic Dishonesty As stated in the TCC Catalog, ‘Students are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication or other forms of academic dishonesty corrupt the learning process and threaten the educational environment for all students” (pg. 31). In this course, sanctions for academic dishonesty will be as follows: No dishonorable conduct will be tolerated. Any form of academic dishonesty on quizzes / assignments will result in a 0 grade for that assignment / quiz. Other forms of dishonesty or misconduct will also result in a 0 grade. Second offenses of any type of academic dishonesty will result in an E for the course and the student is asked to not return to class. Dishonorable conduct includes: Cheating (to violate rules): Honesty is expected in all endeavors. Plagiarism (to present the ideas or words of another as one’s own or to not properly cite a source when using adapted words or ideas): Tables, figures and words should never be copied directly from a book, Internet, another student’s paper or any other works. Lying (to be untruthful or false): There is no reason to lie to an instructor. Be truthful and take responsibility for your own actions. 4 of 6 Stealing (to take and carry away without permission): Permission is required to borrow any materials from the classroom. Other violations: A student that is in violation of any college policies or other forms of dishonesty/conduct will be asked to leave the class upon the first offense, will lose all points for that period and will be reported to the Associate Vice President for disciplinary proceedings. The complete Administrative Procedure for Academic Dishonesty is available on the TCC website at: http://www.tacomacc.edu/abouttcc/policies/administrativeprocedureforacademicdishonesty/ Accommodations Students with Special Needs: All students are responsible for all requirements of the class, but the way they meet these requirements may vary. If you need specific auxiliary aids or services due to a disability, please contact the Access Services office in Building 18 (253-566-5328). They will require you to present formal, written documentation of your disability from an appropriate professional. When this step has been completed, arrangements will be made for you to receive reasonable auxiliary aids or services. The disability accommodation documentation prepared by Access Services must be given to me before the accommodation is needed so that appropriate arrangements can be made. http://www.tacomacc.edu/resourcesandservices/accessservices/ Classroom policies (as applicable) Children/visitors in Class: Only students that are enrolled in the class may attend on a regular basis. There are some instances that I will allow visitors. However, you must get permission from me at least one day before bringing a visitor into the classroom. Cell Phones and Pagers: These must be on vibrate if present in the classroom. Please remove yourself from the classroom before using such a device during breaks, before class and after class. No text messaging is allowed during class. Electronic Dictionaries/translators: These devices are not allowed in the classroom. It is your responsibility to learn the needed vocabulary and be able to apply it. English is the primary language used in this class and everyone is expected to write, speak, and understand English. A grade of ‘B’ or above in English 91 is recommended. Classroom Etiquette Students come to class to learn. It is expected that everyone will act in ways that are respectful and that promote learning for all students and will refrain from actions that interfere with learning. Specific examples include Arrive on time. If you arrive late, do your best to minimize the disruption to other students. If I will be late, I will send someone to inform you. Use the time to study. If late arrivals become a problem, I will close and lock the door ten minutes into class and not allow anyone to enter after that point. Be ready to learn when the class begins. Even quiet conversation is very disruptive during class. If you cannot hear what is said or see what is written on the board, let me know. Stay until the end of class. If you must leave early, sit near the exit and minimize the disruption to other students. Learn the names of the people you interact with in class and lab. Guests, including children, are welcome in class on an occasional basis with my prior approval. Guests must not disrupt the class in any way. You are responsible for your guests. Guests are not allowed in the lab. Turn off all alarms and ringers before class starts. Beverages are allowed in a classroom. Food should generally not be eaten in the classroom, 5 of 6 except as necessary to maintain your health. Food and beverages are not permitted in the lab rooms. If you have a contagious illness, stay home. I can usually answer a few quick questions before and after class. However, lengthy discussions, and confidential or private discussions should take place during office hours or by special appointment. Etiquette for Classroom Dispute Resolution If you have questions or concerns about this class or me, please come to talk with me about your concerns. If we are unable to resolve your concerns, you may talk next with the Chair of the Program/Department, Rebecca Sliger, 253-460-4428. The Chair can assist with information about additional steps, if needed. Caveats This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check for announcements made while you were absent. 6 of 6