Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division: STEM and Business
Course Prefix and number: BIOL 297
Course Title:
Independent Study in Biology
DATE PREPARED: April 15, 1996
DATE REVIEWED: January, 2014
DATE REVISED: March, 2014
PCS/CIP/ID NO: 11-260101
IAI NO. (if available):
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: Summer, 2014
CREDIT HOURS: 1- 3
CONTACT HOURS
LECTURE HOURS:
LABORATORY HOURS:
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisite:
- Permission of division dean
AND
- Placement at college level English and reading
This course involves intensive work in an area of the life sciences of special interest to the
student. Each individual project is to culminate in a comprehensive written report.
TEXTBOOK(S):
Carey, Stephen S. (1994). A Beginner’s Guide to Scientific Method. Boston, MA: Wadsworth
Cengage Publishing.
Or a comparable text that provides students with the opportunity to achieve the learning
outcomes for this course.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
This course was designed to meet specific student needs either individually or within a program.
Transferability of this course will be determined by each transfer institution. Please see an
academic advisor for an explanation concerning transfer option.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Learning Outcomes:
After successful completion of the course the student will:
1. Describe research methods in an area of life science related to the student’s interest or
planned major. (CT1)
2.
Discuss the methods of science and their application to the independent study. (CT1)
3.
Evaluate information and data based on scientific criteria. (CT2)
4.
Identify problems that are appropriately solved by scientific methods. (CT2)
5. Apply research skills and data collection techniques during completion of an independent
project. (CT3, CO2)
6. Formulate a hypothesis, devise a procedure to test the hypothesis, record results, draw
conclusions, revise hypothesis, if necessary, and present them in a written report. (CT4)
Essential Competencies:
CO2: Students effectively deliver a message via various channels/modalities.
CT1: Students gather knowledge, apply it to a new situation, and draw reasonable
conclusions in ways that demonstrate comprehension.
CT2: Students determine value of multiple resources or strategies and select those most
appropriate in a given context.
CT3: Students generate an answer, approach, or solution through an effective synthesis of
diverse sources and arguments and provide a rationale.
CT4: Students actively reflect on their answer, approach, or solution and act upon those
reflections to improve the final result.
Range of Assessment Methods:
Research paper, presentation, exam, or an assessment method deemed appropriate by the
instructor.
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
The student will work with the instructor to define the nature of the project for this independent
study, develop a reasonable timeline to complete it and manner by which the student will make a
final report on the independent study.
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
The student will be evaluated on a project proposal and final completed report. Presentation of an
oral report or a display may also be included when appropriate. Other assessment methods
deemed appropriate to the study by the instructor may also be used.
A = 90%
B = 80%
C = 70%
D = 60%
F = < 60%
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
The student must be able to read background material for his or her project. A final written
report following APA style will be required.