Los Angeles Mission College
Department of Life Sciences
Agenda
Thursday, September 19, 2013
New Business
1. Review of SLO’s and assessments for courses
2.
Old Business
1)
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Updating Course Outlines
Par submitted to Curriculum: (Biology 3, Anatomy 1, Physiology 1) status?
Mike submitted to Curriculum: (Biology 33) – SLO etc. need improvement status?
Mike almost complete with Env Sci 2; waiting for Biology 6 to complete Biology 7
Steve to draft Biology 6; Angela to draft Micro 20 – to be submitted before October 31
Biology 110 – Mike in discussion with Dr. Larry Thouin – Chair at Pierce about possible
collaboration
2) SLO/PLO update
 The following courses will be assessed in the fall 2013 semester:
a. Biology 33 – status?
b. Microbiology 20 to be assessed by Steve and Angela
c. Biology 3: The final practical exam will be divided to a written individual exam and a
shorter practical exam. These exams will be created/modified by Steve and
communicated to the BIO3 faculty. To evaluate the impact of the changes to the lab
practical exam in the fall 2013 semester, a report will be generated by Mike to assess
the success rate of the students before and after this semester.
d. PLO for the Biology AS degree & PLO for the Health Science AS degree programs
i. Mike to assess the BIO7 SLO to use for the SLO evaluation. In addition, Mike and
Steve to identify and use the evaluation of the students who have completed
BIO3, 6, and 7 courses at LAMC for the PLO evaluation.
ii. Mike to assess the Physiology SLO to use for the SLO evaluation. In addition,
Mike to identify and use the evaluation of the students who have completed
Anatomy and Physiology courses at LAMC for the PLO evaluation.
3) Prerequisite Recommendation Sheet
Math 125 must be added as a prerequisite for Biology 6
Anatomy 1 (English 28 or ESL 8; and Biology 3)
Anthropology 101 – 121 (English 28 or ESL 8)
Biology 3 (English 28 or ESL 8)
Biology 6 (English 28 or ESL 8; and Math 125; and Chemistry 51 or 65 or 101)
Biology 7 (English 28 or ESL 8; Math 125; Biology 6)
Biology 33 (none)
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Environmental Science 2 (English 28 or ESL 8)
Microbiology 20 (English 28 or ESL 8; and Biology 3; and Chemistry 51 or 65 or 101)
Physiology 1 (English 28 or ESL 8; and Biology 3; and Anatomy 1; and Chemistry 51 or 65 or
101)
4) Biology 3 Hybrid Course
Par is currently finalizing the course syllabus and as soon as completed she will send it to
the faculty. This course will be offered in Fall 2014.
5) Outdoor Lab for Biology 3
 Overall, the outdoor lab, as suggested by Sheila, was supported by the faculty. Concerns,
such as the bus cost, safety of the students, and liability were discussed if organized in the
LACCD canyon.
 Other locations were recommended: Placerita Canyon and Deukmerjian Park in
La Crescenta.
 Steve to work with Sheila to prepare the lab. May be it can be done as a field trip organized
by the individual’s instructor(s), similar to the zoo field trip.
6) Journal Club
Steve will take the lead to organize the journal club to start in the Fall 2013 semester.
7) Biology 110 (5 SU)
 Mike in discussion with Dr. Larry Thouin – Chair at Pierce
8) Defective Equipment
 Steve to provide Mike with a list of the defective equipment and FFEs.
9) AV in Life Science Labs
 Pong to order rechargeable batteries with appropriate chargers for the microphones.
10) New hires
 Mike to apply for new faculty positions; new round of submissions not yet decided
11) Work study students for Fall 2013
 Pong and Nadine submitted three requests for student workers for Fall 2013 with the hope
of getting a total of 60 hours; If no student workers can be found and paid for 100% by
Federal Student Worker Program, we will have to use supply budget.
12) Anthro online
 Dr. Arthur Gribben is following the process needed to be able to offer an online
Anthropology course. Coast Learning Systems and @One seminar.
13) Axial microscopes/cameras
Steve to organize with Lee a training session – status?
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New Business
SLO Assessments for Fall 13
 Biology 3, 33 and Microbiology 20
Biology 3 Hybrid Course
 Discussion on implementation
Biology 3 Final Practical Exam
 Testing students individually
 Implementation and working with Nadine
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