An introduction to various topics in biological sciences including basic chemistry, cellular biology, studies of animals, plants, protest, and fungi, human biology, genetics and heredity, and environmental/population studies.
General Course Details:
Type of course: Theory/Lab
Credit hours: 4; Total hours of theory/lab per semester: 64 ONLINE
Class length: Full Semester
Class format: Fully Online
Required synchronous meetings: None
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): MTW – 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
M – 12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
R
– 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Division Name: Arts and Sciences Division Phone: (918) 293-4768
Required Text, References, and Materials
Texts: Essentials of Biology , 4th ed . (2015). Mader and Windelspecht, McGraw
References:
Materials:
Hill [ISBN # 978-0-07-802422-1]
None
Various household items for labs (detailed list attached), ( Note : Not all lab items are required by the beginning of the semester, labs are completed throughout the semester. All labs are posted at the beginning so materials can be acquired as needed.) 3-ring binder for notes and course materials recommended but not required.
Uniform/Tools: None.
Estimated Cost for Materials: Amount based on current bookstore cost
COURSE OBJECTIVES ASSESSMENT OF OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to
1. Analyze the components of the cell theory. Exam
2. Analyze the structure and function of the
cell membrane.
Exam
Exam 3. Identify the organizational scheme for
classifying organisms.
4. Analyze basic genetic principles of heredity.
Exam
5. Analyze the impact of interactions between
ecosystems.
Exam
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ONLINE COURSE INTERACTION
OSUIT requires all online courses to include interaction between students, peers and instructors.
Our online courses use a variety of tools to build a community of learners and strengthen engagement between students and their peers, as well as between students and the instructor. Communication tools used in this course may include Discussion, News, Blackboard Collaborate, and Email. Read the syllabus completely to determine which of these methods you, your classmates and your instructor will use for interaction.
Course Activities
In this course students will

Participate in online discussions of readings and assignments

Complete reading assignments

View videos that depict concepts

Participate in lab activities

Take examinations
EVALUATION – Grades will be based on the quality and completion of these tasks:
Exams .........................
Labs ............................
Homework..................
Discussion Boards ......
Total ...........................
45%
36%
8%
11%
100%
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
Percentages are approximate and may be adjusted by instructor during the semester as conditions warrant. Grades are based on points earned during the semester and will be calculated based on the percentage of the final total possible points earned at the end of the semester.
Daily and/or weekly quizzes, small weekly assignments and similar type projects: Normal return time to student by next class meeting or no later than one (1) week .
Extensive assignments, large lab projects, extensive quizzes, exams and similar type projects:
Normal return time to students in one (1) to two (2) weeks.
Instructor's Late Work Policy
Due dates are clearly posted in the schedule and on the calendar on D2L and late work is not accepted in this course. There is an Optional Comprehensive Final scheduled which can be used to replace the lowest exam score and an Optional Lab which can be used to replace the lowest lab score. These are the only options for making up missed work, so please be sure not to miss assignments and exams.
Exams
Exams must be completed by the dates/times listed in the syllabus (the dates will also be posted on D2L). The exams will be set up so that you have an allotted amount of time to complete the
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exam. Make sure you set aside enough time and have a reliable online connection during this time.
Exams are open book/notes, but you will not have time to look up every answer, so you should study for every exam as if you were in a traditional classroom setting.
Exams will be available over a period of several days so that you may take them at a time that is convenient to you during that time frame. Do not wait until the last minute to take the exam because if something causes you to be unable to finish once you’ve started, you may not be able to reach me in time and you will miss the deadline (resulting in a zero). There are computers available on campus in the library and other areas if you have issues with your connection at home. Check with the individual locations for hours. Note: Exams are ONLY visible on D2L during their active dates. Exams are timed, but D2L does not close your connection when the time expires, please go ahead and finish the exam. There are no penalties for going slightly over time. If the time allotted is a problem, contact me and we will discuss it.
If you miss an exam, you will have the option of completing a Comprehensive Final Exam. If you miss more than one exam, the others will remain as zeros. If you have not missed any exams, the Comprehensive Final Exam will be optional for you. You may elect to complete it so that your score on the exam will replace your lowest exam score if you have not missed any exams in the course.
Laboratories
The completion of the Lab Safety Quiz is required before labs can be counted for a grade and Safety procedures for the labs must be followed at all times.
It is your responsibility to carefully read and follow instructions since you will be working independently on the labs. You will need to provide some common household items for some of your labs. A list of needed items is included in this syllabus. The final lab is an optional lab, if you choose to complete it; the score will take the place of your lowest previous lab score.
Homework Due Dates
Homework 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
.
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 a minimum of two posts per topic are required .
Post your own answer to the question (usually a 3 sentence post is required, details are in the instructions of each Discussion Board Topic) and reply to at least one of your classmates’ posts
. Due dates are given on each board topic.
Make sure to post at least twice on
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each board BEFORE the due date. Use complete sentences. There are required DB posts nearly every week.
Assignment Feedback
Feedback will be provided for homework and laboratory assignments following their due dates.
For laboratories, a feedback grading rubric will be posted to the assignment drop box feedback for students during the week following the due date of each laboratory. For homework assignments, feedback will be in the form of an edited writing assignment with comments in red, posted to the drop box feedback during the week following the assignment. For exam feedback, instructor will provide individual assistance and there is feedback provided while students are taking the exam as well.
University & Course Expectations
It is the responsibility of each OSUIT student to read, abide by and maintain a copy of the syllabus for this course. Syllabi are available on the OSUIT website.
Students understand that excerpts or portions of their work may be utilized for institutional assessment purposes. The purpose of institutional assessment is for verification of student learning and program improvement. Every effort will be made to keep this information confidential.
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/her disability and requesting accommodations. If you think you have a qualified disability and need special accommodations, you should notify the instructor and request verification of eligibility for accommodations from the Office of
Academic Accommodations/LASSO Center. Please advise the instructor of your disability as soon as possible, and contact The LASSO Center, to ensure timely implementation of appropriate accommodations. Faculty have an obligation to respond when they receive official notice of a disability but are under no obligation to provide retroactive accommodations. To receive services, you must submit appropriate documentation and complete an intake process during which the existence of a qualified disability is verified and reasonable accommodations are identified. The LASSO Center is located on the 3rd floor of the Noble Center. You may call 918.293.4855
for more information or fax documentation to 918.293.4853
.
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
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are required to actively protect their work against misuse by others. For details, refer to The
OSUIT Student Handbook (Student Rights and Responsibilities Governing Student Behavior) available online at http://www.osuit.edu/academics/forms/student_rights_responsibility.pdf
.
Attendance Policy for Online 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.
Definition:
Absent: Failing to actively participate in online coursework during a standard week timeframe for a given course.
A.
Students must demonstrate attendance through active participation in the course at least once every seven days. Simply logging into the course does not constitute active participation.
B.
Active participation is defined as the completion of required activities such as:
1.
Completion of online quizzes or exams
2.
Submission of assignments
3.
Participation threaded discussions, or
4.
Involvement in discussion question as determined by the instructor and indicated in the course syllabus.
C. Calculations for weekly to percentage ratios
1.
Missing 1 of 15 weeks = 6.67%
2.
Missing 2 of 15 weeks = 13.33%
3.
Missing 3 of 15 weeks = 20%
4.
Missing 1 of 7.5 weeks = 13.33%
5.
Missing 1.5 of 7.5 weeks = 20%
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.
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
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2.
dropping a course
3.
their last date of attendance in a course
Please see OSUIT Policy 2-021 for full details and procedures.
Student Conduct
Courteous and respectful behavior is expected from students in all online interactions.
Discussion board posts should be professional and students should refrain from personal comments.
Course Outline
A detailed course outline is attached to this syllabus. Additionally, a course calendar is provided on D2L reflecting all assignments and due dates. In online courses, due dates are extremely important as stated previously, many assignments and Exams will only be available on D2L during posted times. Unless otherwise instructed during the semester, all assignments including labs and homework assignments should be turned into the appropriate Drop Box by the posted due date. Drop Boxes will close on the posted date at 11:59 p.m. Many assignments can be completed early and all Drop Boxes are available from the beginning of the semester so it is possible for students to work ahead on assignments with the exception of Exams which are only available during their posted availability dates. Should you have a problem turning in an assignment to the drop box due to an issue with D2L, it is acceptable to email the assignment directly to me. The same due dates STILL APPLY .
**WORDS OF WISDOM for ONLINE CLASSES**
There is a direct relationship between the amount of time you spend online with the course materials and your success in this course. From past experience, students that study the materials, check D2L often, and do not miss any exam/lab/discussion board deadlines generally do well in the class. Students that missed labs/discussion board questions, missed out on some essentially “easy points” and caused their grades to drop. The Optional Comprehensive Exam will replace one exam, however, students that miss more than one exam generally have more difficulty passing the class because extra zeros will stay zeros. Also, by missing an exam and depending on the Optional Comprehensive Final, you have no back-up in case you score poorly on one of the other chapter exams. Therefore, my strongest advice would be to check D2L often and meet all deadlines to better the likelihood of your success!
*The policies mentioned above may be changed at the discretion of the instructor. If any changes are made, all students will be notified in writing on D2L.
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Equipment
Small plastic cups or containers
Glass containers (drinking glasses or mason jars will work)
Measuring spoon
Clock with a second hand or Stopwatch
Newspaper
Paper Toweling
Ruler
Spoon
Aluminum Foil
String
A Penny
Eye dropper
Straw
Chemicals
1-1.67 ounce bag of plain M & M Candies
Cornstarch
Boiling Water
Ice
Red Cabbage
Household Ammonia (Windex with Ammonia will work)
Vinegar
Baking Soda
Soda Pop
2 Eggs
Light Corn Syrup
1 Envelope of Knox or other flavored gelatin
Meat Tenderizer Solution (mix 1 tablespoon of meat tenderizer into 1 cup of warm water)
Chopped FRESH fruit with juice (or frozen juice concentrate, thawed);
Pineapple
Apple
Optional other fruits at your choice
Access to a refrigerator
NOTE: Lab 8 The Egg & Osmosis takes 5 days to complete. Note the due date and be sure you start that one early enough! Also, it is a good idea to include an extra egg…breakage can occur!
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Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
DB – Discussion Board; HW – Homework Assignment
Assignment Laboratory Due Dates Topic
(Reading)
Chapter 1 – Biology:
The Science of Life
(1.1 – 1.3)
Classes begin
Tue. Sept. 1, 2015
Chapter 2 – The
Chemical Basis of Life
(All)
Chapter 3 - The
Organic Molecules of
Life (All)
Chapter 4 – Inside the
Cell (All)
Chapter 5 – The
Dynamic Cell (5.1, 5.4)
Chapter 6 – Energy for
Life (6.1)
Chapter 7 – Energy for
Cells (7.1, 7.3)
Chapter 8 – Cellular
Reproduction (8.1-8.3,
8.5)
Chapter 9 – Meiosis and the Genetic Basis of Sexual Reproduction
(All)
Chapter 10 – Patterns of Inheritance (10.1,
10.3, 10.4)
Chapter 13 – Genetic
Counseling
Chapter 30 – Ecology of Populations (All)
DB1
Lab Safety Quiz
DB2
HW1
DB3
Exam 1
(Chapters 1-3)
Opens 9/16/15
DB4
DB5
Exam 2
(Chapters 4-7)
Opens 9/30/15
DB6
HW2
DB7
Exam 3
(Chapters 8-9)
Opens 10/14/15
DB8
DB9
Exam 4
(Chapters 10-13)
Opens 10/28/15
DB10
HW 3
No Lab
Safety Information
Signature Sheet Turn in
Lab 1 – The
Scientific Method
Lab 2 – Using
Statistics
Lab 3 – Surface
Tension
Lab 4 – Properties of
Matter
Lab 5 – Proteins and
Enzymes
Lab 6 – Acids and
Bases
Lab 7 – Mitosis
Lab 8 – Osmosis
Lab 8 TAKES 5
DAYS!
Lab 9 – Genetics
Problems
DB1 – 9/6/15
Safety Quiz
Closes – 9/6/15
9/13/15
DB2, HW1, Lab1
9/20/15
DB3, Lab2
Exam 1 Closes –
9/20/15
9/27/15
DB4, Lab3
Chapter 31 –
Communities and
Ecosystems (All)
DB11 Lab 10 – Populations
Biology
10/4/15
DB5, Lab4
Exam 2 Closes
10/4/15
10/11/15
DB6, HW2, Lab5
10/18/15
DB7, Lab6
Exam 3 Closes –
10/18/15
10/25/15
DB8, Lab7
11/1/15
DB9, Lab8
Exam 4 Closes –
11/1/15
11/8/15
DB10, HW3, Lab9
11/15/15
DB11, Lab10
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Week
12
13
14
Topic
(Reading)
Chapters 30-31
Continued
Assignment
DB12
Exam 5
(Chapters 30-31)
Opens 11/18/15
Laboratory
No Lab
Week Thanksgiving – No class Wednesday - Friday
Optional Activities Optional DB Make Up Lab
15 Optional
Comprehensive Final
Optional Comp
Final Opens
MONDAY
12/7/15
Fall 2015 Graduation
Friday, December 11, 2015
Due Dates
11/22/15
DB12
Exam 5 Closes –
11/22/15
12/6/15
Make Up Lab,
OPT DB
Opt Final –
Final Closes
THURSDAY
12/10/17
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