Name: Dr. Jean M. Citron
Phone: (727) 394-6003 (email within class preferred) For emergencies only, my cell: (727) 278-9667
Email: citron.jean@spcollege.edu
Instructor Web Page: http://www.spcollege.edu/instructors/id/839
Dean: Dr. John Chapin Academic Chair: Dr. Amanda Gilleland
Office Location: UP 337 – Seminole Campus Office Location: UP 337 – Seminole Campus
Office Number: (727) 394-6995 Office Number: (727) 394-6024 eCampus Web Page Link: http://www.spcollege.edu/ecampus
Course Prefix and Number: BSC 1005
Section Number: 2605
Course Name: Biological Science
Course Description: This course is an introduction to the essential principles relevant to the biological sciences. Contemporary issues are applied to topics in biology and include the process of science, evolutionary theory, organisms and ecology, cell structure and function, chemistry for biology, diversity of life, and genetic mechanisms. (This course may not be taken for credit subsequent to receiving a grade of “C” or better in BSC 2010, BSC 2011.)
Course Goals (Major Learning Outcomes):
1. The student will understand the process of science.
2. The student will recognize the diversity of life.
3. The student will understand the organization of nature, including the basic structure, function and homeostatic integration in select biological organisms.
4. The student will understand the conceptual basis of evolutionary theory.
5. The student will understand the basic concepts and application of genetics.
6. The student will demonstrate their understanding of basic ecological principles.
Course Objectives:
1. The student will understand the process of science by: a. explaining the terms and premises involved in solving problems scientifically, scientific research, and peer review. b. defining and presenting solutions regarding contemporary issues and problems using scientific methodology. The student should demonstrate at least one essential skill in science in solving these problems including, but not limited to: critical thinking, efficient written and/or oral communication, identification of reliable scientific information, etc.
2. The student will recognize the diversity of life by: a. classifying major biological taxonomic categories, distinguishing similarities and differences among them. b. identifying characteristics such as energy processing, cellular structure and organization, and methods of reproduction in each major life grouping.
3. The student will understand the organization of nature, including the basic structure, function and homeostatic integration in select biological organisms by:
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a. recognizing levels of complexity in nature. b. identifying major cellular structures and their functions. c. describing the processes of cell division and its role in the life cycle of organisms. d. describing how organisms obtain and process energy, with special emphasis on photosynthesis and aerobic cellular respiration. e. describing how organ systems function in order to provide homeostasis.
4. The student will understand the conceptual basis of evolutionary theory by: a. applying the principles of evolutionary theory to the understanding of changes in abundance and kinds of life with time. b. describing different mechanisms of evolution such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. c. describing the importance of mutation in producing variation. d. explaining the evidence of evolutionary change.
5. The student will understand the basic concepts and application of genetics by: a. differentiating among chromosomes, genes, alleles, genotype, and phenotype. b. solving genetics problems involving complete dominance, incomplete dominance, sex-linked traits, multiple alleles, multiple genes and simple pedigrees. c. describing the role of meiosis in heredity d. describing technology that arises from our understanding of genetics, and explaining its uses and implications.
6. The student will demonstrate their understanding of basic ecological principles by: a. explaining the flow of energy through ecosystems and the laws of thermodynamics governing that flow through successive trophic levels. b. understanding biotic and abiotic contributions to ecosystems. c. explaining community ecology and interactions among populations. d. describing population ecology, including how human population growth relates to sustainability.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK & OTHER RESOURCE INFORMATION:
Required Text: Discover Biology by Anu Singh-Cundy and Michael Cain, 6 th Edition
This includes access to Smartwork
ISBN Number: 9780393936728
Library: http://www.spcollege.edu/central/libonline/
COURSE WEBSITE:
Course URL: http://smartwork.wwnorton.com
Enrollment Key:
Note: If you bought a used edition of the textbook, you can purchase access to the SmartWork resource for a 180 day term for $20.00 on the website. SmartWork assignments are not mandatory, however, they are helpful resources for studying for quizzes and exams.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Course Dates: August 17 th through December 11. 2015
Last Day to Drop with full refund: August 21
Last Day to Withdraw with a grade of “W”: October 20
Holidays – Labor Day September 7, Veteran’s Day November 11, Thanksgiving Break November 25-
November 29, Winter Break December 19-January 3, 2016
Financial Aid: http://www.spcollege.edu/central/SSFA/HomePage/calendar.htm
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ATTENDANCE:
The college-wide attendance policy is included in the Syllabus Addendum which can be found at http://www.spcollege.edu/webcentral/policies.htm
. The policy notes that each instructor is to exercise professional judgment, define “active participation” in class (and therefore “attendance”), and publish that definition in each syllabus.
For this class, attendance is defined as active participation, which is based on the completion of the required activities (quizzes, exams, discussion forums, and current events).
Unexcused excessive lack of participation (two weeks of missed assignments in a row) before the withdrawal deadline will result in the recording of a non-participating status being entered into PeopleSoft, which automatically assigns a grade of “WF”.
If there is unexcused excessive lack of participation after the drop date, you will receive a failing grade
“F” at the end of the term. If this is your third attempt (or greater) in this course and you violate the active participation/attendance policy at any time you will be assigned an “F”. The “Withdrawal” deadline for this session is March 25 th , 2015. You must decide by that date either to drop the course or stay in the course for a letter grade. As stated in SPC’s attendance policy, YOU are responsible for withdrawing yourself from the course if you choose to receive a grade of “W”. If you violate the attendance/active participation policy before the withdrawal deadline and do not want to be assigned a grade of “WF”, be sure to withdraw yourself form the course on or before March 25 th , 2015.
Please note that attendance is reported twice during the semester – during the first two weeks of class and at the 60% completion mark for the course. If you do not participate in the course by completing required assignments for the two weeks during these attendance periods, your absences will be reported and you will be automatically withdrawn from the course. Please plan to participate on a regular basis.
GRADING:
Course Content and Grading Policy:

This course is organized by Course Objectives as outlined above. Each week, a chapter from the text will be covered to meet the Course Objective for the week. A quiz will be given on the chapter. In addition, you will be required to participate in a discussion forum for the week.
There is one current event assignment due during the semester, two online exams, and a midterm and final proctored exam.

Quizzes (25%) – Quizzes are found in the weekly unit folders under the Submission Review.
With the exception of the “Start Here” Syllabus Quiz, each quiz consists of 10 questions and is in multiple choice, matching, and true/false format. All quizzes may be taken twice . The highest grade will be counted towards your average. You are allowed 20 minutes for each quiz.

The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.
- Once you begin quiz, you will not be able to stop and begin again later – the timer continues to run until the 20 minute time period passes. Your work will automatically be submitted at the end of this time period.
- Make-ups for quizzes are not permitted, so make sure to take quizzes by the due dates
(see schedule below for dates). Quizzes will always be available early, so you can work ahead when you anticipate a busy week.
- The “Start Here” Syllabus Quiz consists of 15 questions in multiple choice and true/false format and may be taken as many times as desired. You should complete the “Start
Here” Syllabus Quiz with a 100% before accessing the rest of the content in the course.
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
Unit Participation/Discussions (15%) – For each weekly unit, a topic will be posted in a discussion forum within the unit folder. You must write a statement on that topic and respond to another stu dent’s comments for full credit.
- Current Events Summary – A current event summary is due during Week 13 of the semester. You must find a current article, written within the last year, related to Biology, and write a short (150 – 200 word) summary about the article.
 Articles can be found in newspapers, magazines, journals, or from reputable
Internet sources.
 Articles should be properly cited at the end of your summary using MLA format.
 Current event summaries must be submitted to the Current Event Summary
Discussion.
 You are expected to post a meaningful comment to at least one other student’s summary for the current event.
 The summary is worth about twice as much as a chapter discussion and is evaluated for posting the summary and meeting the 150 – 200 word limit, proper spelling and grammar, proper citation in MLA format, and posting a thoughtful comment to another student’s summary in the discussion forum.

Exams (20% [Exam 1=10% and Exam 3=10%]) – Exams are found in the exam folders located under “Submission Review”.

The folders are available throughout the course, but the actual exams will only be available on the selected dates.
- Each exam covers one or two of the Course Objectives as outlined above.
- There are two exams in multiple choice, matching, and true/false format. Exams may be taken only one time. They are to be taken online on the dates scheduled.
- Each exam consists of 50 questions. You will be allowed 120 minutes for each exam.
- Once you begin an exam, you will not be able to stop and begin again later – the timer continues to run until the specified amount of time passes. Your work will automatically be submitted at the end of this time period.

Mid-Term and Final Exam (40% [Midterm=20% and Final=20%]) – The mid-term and final exams are proctored exams. Proctored exams must be completed at an SPC campus or by designating a proctor if you are outside of Pinellas County.
- You will be allowed 120 minutes for each exam.
- Each exam consists of 50 questions.
- Students will not be allowed to use notes, texts, or online resources during proctored exams.
- The proctored exams will constitute 40% of your final course grade.
- Information about proctored exams can be found at:
Pinellas County students: http://www.spcollege.edu/ecampus/cyberadvisor/testing_pinellas.html
Students outside Pinellas County: http://www.spcollege.edu/ecampus/cyberadvisor/testing_pinellas.html
- For those students outside of Pinellas County, you must identify a proctor in your area within the first 2 weeks of each semester and complete the necessary forms and process.

SmartWork Website – None of the SmartWork activities posted on the website are required, but research has shown that when students use these additional resources, they have a better understanding of the material and earn better grades.

Important Notes About Grading
- Make-ups for exams are not permitted, so be sure to take exams on the dates scheduled . Refer to the schedule below for dates so that you can plan accordingly.
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- You will receive a grade of zero for any quiz not taken, discussion forum not posted, exam not completed, or current event not submitted by the due date. Exams must be taken on dates scheduled; failure to do so will also result in a grade of zero.
- There is no extra credit available in this course.
- All assignments are due by 11:55pm on the due dates listed below .
Grading Scale:
The grading scale is based on the following:
Percent Letter Grade
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69 below 60
A
B
C
D
F
PROCTORED EXAM INFORMATION:
There are three ways to complete the required proctored Mid-Term and Final Exams:
It is expected that students will complete the proctored exams on the scheduled dates. If there is an emergency during the testing window (death, accident on the way to testing, severe illness), a makeup MAY be provided as long as appropriate documentation is produced.
Vacations are not acceptable reasons for rescheduling the exam.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you wish to request accommodations as a student with a documented disability, please make an appointment with the Learning Specialist on campus. If you have a documented hearing loss, please contact the Program for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing at 791-2628. If you will need assistance during an emergency classroom evacuation, please contact your campus learning specialist immediately about arrangements for your safety. The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities can be reached at
791-2628 or 394-6108 (SE).
STUDENTS’ EXPECTATIONS AND INSTRUCTOR’S EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to respect and uphold the standards of honesty in submitting written work to instructors. Though occurring in many forms, plagiarism in essence involves the presentation of another person’s work as if it were the work of the presenter. Any cheating or plagiarism will result in disciplinary action to be determined by the instructor based on the severity and nature of the offense. It is the student’s responsibility to review the online
Student Conduct Code , Student and Faculty
Expectations , and Academic Honesty Policy , and comply with them.
STUDENT SURVEY OF INSTRUCTION:
The student survey of instruction is administered in courses each semester. It is designed to improve the quality of instruction at St. Petersburg College. All student responses are confidential and anonymous and will be used solely for the purpose of performance improvement.
SYLLABUS ADDENDUM:
The Syllabi Addendum is an important part of your syllabus and can be easily accessed by using the link below:
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http://www.spcollege.edu/central/asa/addendum.htm
Do take the time to read this VERY important information.
BSC 1005 – Biological Science
Fall 2015
ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Topic
The Nature of Science and the Characteristics of Life
Cell Structure and Internal
Components
Energy, Metabolism, and
Enzymes
Photosynthesis and
Cellular Respiration
EXAM 1
Cell Division
Patterns of Inheritance
From Gene to Protein
DNA Technology
MID TERM EXAM
Evolution: Change in
Populations
Bacteria, Archaea, and
Viruses
Protista, Plantae, and
Fungi
Animalia
EXAM 3
Growth of Populations
Ecological Communities
Ecosystems
FINAL EXAM
Objective
1
2
2
2
1, 2
3
3
3
3
1, 2, 3
3
4
4
5
4, 5
5
6
6
Activities Due
Syllabus quiz = “Start Here”
Introduction Discussion
Ch 1 quiz
Ch 3 quiz
Week 2 Discussion
Ch 5 quiz
Week 3 Discussion
Ch 6 quiz
Week 4 Discussion
Available Online – 9/12 – 9/15
Ch 7 quiz
Week 5 Discussion
Ch 9 quiz
Week 6 Discussion
Ch 12 quiz
Week 7 Discussion
Ch 13 quiz
Week 8 Discussion
PROCTORED – 10/9 – 10/11
Ch 14 quiz
Week 9 Discussion
Ch 17 quiz
Week 10 Discussion
Ch 18 quiz
Week 11 Discussion
Ch 19 quiz
Week 12 Discussion
Available Online – 11/7–11/10
Ch 21 quiz
Week 13 Discussion
Current Event Summary
Ch 23 quiz
Week 14 Discussion
Ch 24 quiz
Week 15 Discussion
PROCTORED – 12/4 - 12/6
Chapter
1
Due
Date
8/23
3 8/30
5 9/6
6
1, 3, 5, 6
7
9
12
13
1, 3, 5-7,
9, 12, 13
14
17
18
19
14, 17-19
21
9/13
9/15
9/20
10/25
11/1
11/8
11/10
11/15
9/27
10/4
10/11
10/11
10/18
23
24
14, 17-19,
21, 23, 24
11/22
11/29
12/6
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