BSC1005C BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES WITH LAB
COURSE POLICIES/SYLLABUS
FALL 2015 #4333 SI 103 LAB ROOM
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Name: Tamara Dizdarevic, M.S.
Office Hours: By appointment only
Email: dizdarevic.tamara@spcollege.edu or MyCourses email
Phone: 727-631-6058
Instructor Web Page: http://webapps.spcollege.edu/instructors/id/dizdarevic.tamara
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT:
Academic Chair: Dr. Mark Italia
Office Location: LY 206, Tarpon Springs Campus
Office Number: 712-5459
Dean: Dr. John Chapin
Office Location: UP 337, Seminole Campus
Office Number: 394-6995
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
BSC 1005C BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE WITH LAB (3 credit hours). This course introduces the
essential principles relevant to the biological sciences through combined lecture and laboratory activities.
Contemporary issues are applied to topics in biology and include the process of science, evolutionary
theory, organisms and ecology, cell structure and function, basic biological chemistry, diversity of life,
and genetic mechanisms. 69.50 contact hours.
Mondays and Wednesdays 11am-1:15pm in SI-103
LEARNING OUTCOMES AND OBJECTIVES:
1. The student will demonstrate their understanding of the process of science by:
a. explaining the terms and premises involved in solving problems scientifically, scientific
research, and peer review
b. identifying an observation of interest, developing a hypothesis and designing an
experiment to test it
c. discussing scientific contemporary issues using essential science skills including, but not
limited to, critical thinking, efficient written and/or oral communication, and the ability to
identify reliable scientific information
2. The student will be able to explain the diversity of life and identify the general
characteristics of each of the major life groups by:
a. naming characteristics of major biological taxonomic categories
b. comparing major taxonomic categories, distinguishing similarities and differences among
them
c. identifying live and/or preserved specimens belonging to each of the major taxonomic
groups
3. The student will describe the underlying organization of nature, including the basic
structure, function and homeostatic integration in select biological organisms by:
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
f. performing dissection of selected organisms to identify major structural components
relevant to their function and maintenance of homeostasis
4. The student will explain 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 describe 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, sexlinked 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 with respect to the laws of
thermodynamics governing flow through successive trophic levels
b. analyzing biotic and abiotic factors in ecosystems
c. explaining community ecology and interactions among populations
d. describing population dynamics, human population growth and topics in sustainability
7. The student will demonstrate the use of basic scientific equipment and techniques by:
a. using a microscope to observe cellular structures and other specimens as well as
identifying the parts of the microscope
b. using various types of scientific equipment to collect specimens or conduct scientific
experiments
c. applying the knowledge of use of the equipment to real world scenarios
CRITERIA PERFORMANCE STANDARD:
Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate
mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course
instructors.
PREREQUISITES:
ENC 1101 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Discover Biology. 6th edition. 2015. Singh-Cundy, Cain and Dusheck. WW.Norton & Company. ISBN:
9780393936728
* Discover Biology website assignments are not mandatory; however they have helpful resources for
studying for quizzes and exams. StudySpace is free to students and includes flash cards to quiz yourself
on chapter materials.
http://wwnorton.com/college/biology/discoverbio5/
LIBRARY:
http://www.spcollege.edu/central/libonline/
FINANCIAL AID:
http://www.spcollege.edu/central/SSFA/HomePage/calendar.htm
IMPORTANT DATES:
August 17
August 21
September 7
October 20
October 22
November 11
November 25 – 29
December 7 – 10
First Day of Classes
Last Day to Drop and Receive Refund
Labor Day
College Day
Withdrawal Date
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Holiday
Final Exam Week
STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS:
Student Expectations:
1. The college has an official policy on academic honesty and proper classroom behavior. It is the
student’s responsibility to review the online Academic Honesty Policy or "Academic Honesty
and Student Behavior: Expectations of Students at SPC" brochure. College policy states that a
first offense (cheating, plagiarism, etc) is given a “zero” for the assignment with no possibility of
replacing the score. In addition, on the first offense, a form is filed in the Assistant Provost’s
office. This does not go onto the student’s transcript, but, should a second offense occur, the
student is then subject to expulsion from school. I take this subject very seriously and will not
tolerate academic dishonesty or inappropriate/disruptive behavior in the classroom.
2. All electronic devices (cellular phones, laptops, blackberrys, iPods, etc.) are to be turned off
before the class starts. Use of these devices in lab is in violation of College Policy and subject to
disciplinary action. It is considered to me as a mental absence, so it will be counted as an
unexcused absence for the day. I also reserve the right to answer all phone calls received during
the class.
3. No food, drinks or tobacco products are allowed in the lab.
4. Be on time, it is disruptive to other students when one is late for class. If you are tardy to class
you will lose points from the day’s laboratory handout. If you are more than 10 minutes late
(without a documented excuse), you will not be permitted into class and it will count as an
unexcused absence.
5. Once class starts, you are required to be there until it is over.
6. Do not talk while I or another student is talking. You will be given one warning if you are
disrupting class. If a second offense occurs, you will be asked to leave the classroom and be
given an unexcused absence for the day.
7. Students who are not actively participating in class will be reported to administration at the 60%
point in the semester. Administration will automatically withdraw (WF) students for nonparticipation. Active class participation will be judged based on missing no more than 2 classes
by the 60% point in the term. A student who has missed no more than 2 classes by that deadline
will be considered to be actively participating. A student with 3 or more absences will be deemed
“not actively participating” and assigned a grade of “WF” by administration.
Instructor Expectations:
1. Assignments will be graded and returned within one week of the date submitted.
2. I will be available for assistance outside of class by appointment only.
3. I will respond to all email correspondence within 24 hours on weekdays and within 48 hours on
weekends.
4. I will notify you in advance if I will be out of touch for more than 2 days.
ATTENDANCE:
The college-wide attendance policy is included in the Syllabus Addendum
(http://www.spcollege.edu/webcentral/policies.htm). The policy notes that each instructor is to exercise
professional judgment and define “active participation” in class (and therefore “attendance”), and publish
that definition in each syllabus. For this class, attendance is defined as having no more than three
unexcused absences. The last day for you to voluntarily withdraw with a grade of W is October 22, 2015.
I will not be able to withdraw you from the course during any point throughout the semester.
Students will be automatically withdrawn at the beginning of the term for non-payment of course fees.
Faculty verifies that students are in attendance at least once each week during the first two weeks of class.
Students classified as “No Show” for both of the first two weeks will be administratively withdrawn.
Immediately following the 60% point of the term (October 22, 2015), each instructor will verify which
students are actively participating in class as defined above. Students classified as not meeting the criteria
for active class participation will be administratively withdrawn with a “WF.”
However, nonparticipation after the 60% deadline will result in an “F” grade. Students and instructors
will automatically receive an email notification to their SPC email whenever a withdrawal occurs. Please
come see me if you have any questions.
MYCOURSES:
Your MyCourses class contains the syllabus and powerpoints. It also has an email area where you can
communicate with me. You can also check your attendance, grades and your current class average.
Please check the MyCourses website on a regular basis.
GRADING:
Current Event Summaries:
Find four current articles (written within the last year) related to Biology and write a 200+ word summary
about the article. Articles can be found in newspapers, magazines, journals or from reputable internet
sources (check with me if you are unsure). Articles should be properly cited at the end of your summary
using MLA or another appropriate format. Current events must be posted to the discussion forum and you
are expected to post a comment to at least one other student's summary for each of the four current
events. Current events will not be accepted after due dates, but they may be submitted early (you do not
have to wait until after the due date of one to move on to the next). See the "Current Events Rubric" located
in the Current Event Summaries tab for a breakdown of how your summaries will be graded. The schedule
below includes the dates that current event summaries are due. There are 4 current event summaries 4 @
25 points each = 100 points.
Exams:
There will be five unit exams on the lecture materials and the classroom activities. The exams will be
primarily multiple choice. The exam answer form we will be using for all exams is Scantron Form 882.
Dates and material covered on each exam are listed on your course schedule. There are 5 exams @ 100
points each = 500 points total.
Make-up Exams:
There are no makeup exams unless you have verifiable documentation as to your absence.
Quizzes:
The pre-lab “quizzes” are worth 10 points each. Each quiz is due prior to that lab. You have a one-time
submission and a 20-minute time limit. The quiz will close out at the beginning of the lab. Once the grades
are documented by your instructor, the quiz will be reopened for review purposes only. Make-ups for
quizzes are not permitted unless you have verifiable documentation, so make sure to take quizzes by the
due dates. Each quiz is ten questions and in a multiple choice or true/ false format. There are 15 quizzes
@ 10 points each = 150 points total.
Activities:
Each classroom activity report is worth 10 points. 30 lab reports x 10 points = 300 points.
Possible Points Summary:
Current Events
Classroom Activities
Quizzes
Exams
Total Possible Points
100
300
150
500
1050
FINAL GRADE SCALE:
90 – 100% = A
80 – 89.9% = B
70 – 79.9% = C
60 – 69.9% = D
0 – 59.9% = F
There will be available extra credit during this course. Quizzes for each chapter will be available on
InQuizitive; each quiz will be worth 1 extra credit point for a total of 20 bonus points this semester. The
instructor reserves the right to make changes where necessary to the schedule and assignments.
Changes will be announced in class and/or Mycourses. Students need to check Mycourses regularly
for course information and are responsible to note any changes.
The Syllabi Addendum is an important part of your syllabus and can be easily accessed by using
the link below. Do take the time to read this very important information—
http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/
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.
BSC 1005C Biological Sciences with Lab Tentative Course Schedule
Fall 2015
Date
Topic
Chapter
August 17
Activity #1:
Introduction
Scientific Method & Discussion on Bad Science – Chocolate Hoax
-
August 19
Activity #2:
The Nature of Science
The Microscope
1
August 24
Activity #3:
Patterns of Genetics
Genetics Avatar
9
August 26
Activity #4:
Chromosomes and Human Genetics
Human Mendelian Traits
10
August 31
Activity #5:
DNA and Genes
DNA Extraction Worksheet
11
September 2
Activity #6:
Review Jeopardy Session/Exam # 1/Current Event #1 due
Genetics Soap Opera
1,9 – 11
September 9
Activity #7:
From Gene to Protein
Transcription/Translation
12
September 14
Activity #8:
DNA Technology
DNA Fingerprinting
13
September 16
Activity #9:
Evolution: Change in Populations
Evolution “The Big Picture”/Natural Selection
14
September 21
Activity #10:
The Origin of Species
Flashy Fish
15
September 23
Review Jeopardy Session/Exam #2/Current Event #2 due
12 – 15
September 28
Activity #11:
The Chemistry of Life
Chemistry pH
2
September 30
Activity #12:
The Chemistry of Life, cont.
Crime Scene Analysis
2
October 5
Activity #13:
Cell Structure
Cells (Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic)
3
October 7
Activity #14:
Energy, Metabolism, and Enzymes
Catalase Experiment
5
October 12
Activity #15:
Activity #16:
Photosynthesis and Cell Respiration
Plant Extract Spectrophotometer
Chromatography
6
October 14
Activity #17:
Photosynthesis and Cell Respiration, cont.
Cricket Cell Respiration
6
October 19
Review Jeopardy Session/Exam #3/Current Event #3 due
2,3,5,6
October 21
Activity #18:
Cell Division
Mitosis/Meiosis Worksheets
7
October 26
Activity #19:
Activity #20:
Homeostasis
Homeostasis Exercise
Bone Hunt and Organ System Discussion
26
October 28
Activity #21
Activity #22
Bacteria, Archaea, and Viruses
Bacterial Pathogens
Human Microbiome
17
November 2
Activity #22 cont.:
Activity #23:
Protista, Plantae, and Fungi
Analyze Human Microbiome
Protista/Fungi
18
November 4
Activity #24:
Plantae
November 9
Review Jeopardy Session/Exam #4/Current Event #4 due
7,26,17,18
November 11
Activity #25:
Animalia
Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Mollusca, Annelida
19
November 16
Activity #26:
Arthropoda, Echinodermata, Chordata
November 18
Activity #27:
Growth of Populations
Sandhill Gopher Tortoise Inventory
November 23
Activity #28:
GPS Analysis
21
November 25
Thanksgiving Holiday
November 30
Activity #29:
Ecological Communities
How Big Is Your House?
23
December 2
Activity #30:
Ecosystems
Wetlands
24
Week of Dec. 7
Exam #5
19,21,23,24