General Biology BSC 1005 Blended Spring 2013
Instructor: Dr. Margaret Aresco
Class Location: South Walton Campus A133
Class Time: Thurs 2 - 4 pm
Office Hours: by appointment
Phone: Science Department 729 – 5376
Email: arescom@nwfsc.edu
Website: http://faculty.nwfsc.edu/web/science/arescom/bsc1005.htm
Course Goals: This course is intended for students not majoring in biology. Students
will take away from this course an appreciation for the many ways biology affects their
daily lives. Course goals are to understand the cellular basis of life, the theory of
evolution, earth’s biodiversity, the structure and function of the human body, and the
processes of ecology which support the biosphere.
Required Textbook: Biology: A Guide to the Natural World by D. Krogh, 5th Edition
Blended Class Format: As a Blended class the student has a great deal of responsibility
for learning the material that is not covered during class lectures. Material will be posted
throughout the semester on the course website, students are expected to check the website
several times each week for new material. Students should also check their NWFSC
email account several times each week for course information. Class will meet for
lecture on Thurs each week. Before lecture each week students will be responsible for
reading and understanding the assigned chapter(s) using the study guide posted on the
course website. Often the textbook contains much more detail than is required for the
course, the study guide outlines the material that students are responsible for learning.
Grading: Grades will be a based on a combination of 5 lecture exams, 1 final exam, and
written assignments (4 throughout the semester combine to equal one exam grade). The
lowest lecture exam score will be dropped; there are no make-up exams. Additional
quizzes and extra-credit assignments may be scheduled throughout the course.
Grading Scale:
90 - 100% A
80 - 89% B
70 - 79% C
60 - 69% D
< 60% F
Tentative Exam Schedule:
Exam 1: Jan 24
Exam 2: Feb 14
Exam 3: Mar 7
Exam 4: Mar 21
Exam 5: Apr 18
Final Exam (cumulative): May 2, 2 - 3:50 pm
Tentative Written Assignment Schedule:
1. Cancer – due Jan 31
2. Evolution – due Feb 21
3. Nutrition: Personal diet diary and analysis – due Apr 4
4. Florida Biodiversity: endangered species – due Apr 25
Emergency Procedures
The schedule, requirements, and procedures of this course are subject to change. If the
college closes for inclement weather or any other emergency, any exams, presentations,
or assignments previously scheduled during the closure period will be rescheduled for the
first regular class meeting held once college reopens.
Accommodations for Special Needs Students
If you have special needs for which accommodations may be appropriate to assist you in
this class, please contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities or Special
Needs on the Niceville Campus (located in the ASC), or call 729-6079 (TDD 1-800-9558771 or Voice 1-800-955-8770).
Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Academic Integrity
Students are responsible for adherence to all college policies and procedures, including
those related to academic freedom, cheating, classroom conduct, computer/network/email use and other items included in the Northwest Florida State College Catalog and
Student Handbook. Students should be familiar with the rights and responsibilities
detailed in the current Northwest Florida State College Catalog and Student Handbook.
Plagiarism, cheating, or any other form of academic dishonesty is a serious breach of
student responsibilities and may trigger consequences which range from a failing grade to
formal disciplinary action.
Class Attendance
Students must attend class regularly and arrive on time. Attendance will be taken every
class period and students with excessive absences or tardies may be withdrawn from the
class. Students may not use cell phones/pagers/email/internet during class and must
turn off such devices before entering the classroom. During exams all personal
materials must be placed under the desk and students may be required to temporarily
deposit communications devices with the instructor.
BSC 1005 Blended - Spring 2013 – Dr. Aresco - Tentative Lecture Outline
Week
Jan 7
Jan 14
Lecture 1 - Blended
Jan 21
Inheritance/DNA structure &
function
Evolution/Darwin
Jan 28
Feb 4
Feb 11
Feb 18
Feb 25
Mar 4
Mar 11
Mar 18
Mar 25
Apr 1
Apr 8
Apr 15
Apr 22
Apr 29
Cells/Photosynthesis/Respiration
Biodiversity:
Prokaryotes/Viruses/Protists/Fungi
Plant Biology
Animal Biodiversity: Invertebrates
Animal Biology – Tissues/Organs
Locomotion/Endocrine/Excretion
Circulation/Respiration
Digestion/Nutrition
NO CLASS (Spring Break)
Reproduction
Population Ecology
Ecosystems/Biosphere/Habitat
Diversity
Behavioral Ecology
Florida Biodiversity/Conservation
Chapter Lecture 2 - Thurs
Intro to Biology, Molecules
4, 5, 6,
Cell Reproduction/Cancer
7, 8
11, 12,
EXAM 1
13, 14
16, 17
Evolution/Speciation
19, 21,
22
24,25
23
26
26, 28,
31
30
31
32, 33
34
36
Plant Biodiversity
EXAM 2
Animal Biodiversity: Vertebrates
Neurobiology/Sensory
EXAM 3
Immunity
EXAM 4
NO CLASS (Spring Break)
Development
Community Ecology
EXAM 5
Conservation Biology
FINAL EXAM
Chapter
1, 2, 3
9, 10
17,18,
19
24
23, 20
27
29
32,33
35