BSC 1005 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES EXPRESS COURSE
COURSE POLICIES/ SYLLABUS
SPRING 2015
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Name: Jennifer Fernandes
Office Hours: Online only
Office Location: LY 214
Email fernandes.jennifer@spcollege.edu or through MyCourses
Phone: 727-712-5838
INSTRUCTOR WEBPAGE: http://www.spcollege.edu/instructors/id/1812
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT:
Dean: Dr. John Chapin
Office Location: UP 337B Seminole Campus
Office Number: 727-394-6995
Program Director: Dr. Meg Delgato
Office Location: LY 206
Office Number: 727-712-5459
Ecampus webpage link: www.spcollege.edu/ecampus
COURSE DESCRIPTION: BSC 1005 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE 3 credits
This is a survey course for students who choose a major other than science. Topics included are the
scientific method, basic chemistry of life, plant and animal kingdoms, the cell, selected human systems
including human reproduction and embryological development, genetics, evolution, and selected
contemporary issues in biology. (This course may not be taken for credit subsequent to receiving a
grade of "C" or better in BSC 2010 or BSC 2011). 47 contact hours.
COURSE GOALS: (Major Learning Outcomes)
1. The student will be familiar with the basic chemistry of life.
2. The student will be able to describe the structure of the cell and understand current theories
pertaining to its functioning, including cell division.
3. The student will understand how plants and animals obtain, transfer and use energy on the
community, organismic and molecular levels.
4. The student will be familiar with several body systems: structure, function, current applications and
homeostatic integration.
5. The student will understand the concepts of genetics and use them to explain basic inheritance
patterns.
6. The student will be familiar with an overview of major life groupings; be able to recognize
relationships in terms of evolutionary theory and understand the basic principles that link all life.
7. The student will be able to apply the scientific method in defining, analyzing and solving problems
throughout the course and in life situations.
COURSE OBJECTIVES Stated in Performance Terms:
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.
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3.
4.
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6.
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.
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:
The student will understand the 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 0020, REA 0002 and MAT 0024) or (EAP 1695 and MAT 0024).
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
Discover Biology. 2012. Ebook, Study Guide and Smart Work. Singh-Cundy, Cain and Dusheck.
WW.Norton & Company. ISBN: 9780393271546
Website: http://smartwork.wwnorton.com Enrollment Key (case sensitive): Spring2015Fernandes
To sign in:
1. You must have a valid email address
2. Use the enrollment key above
-33. Use your registration code included with the book bundle
You have two-weeks to use the program for free if you did not buy the book bundle before you decide
if you want to buy the program.
Note: If you bought a used or older edition of the textbook you can purchase access to the Discover
Biology website Study Guide and/or SmartWork.
Study Guide standalone (as a “recommended” option): 978-0-393-91851-9; $31.50
SmartWork: 978-0-393-91860-1; $25
Discover Biology website assignments are not mandatory; however have helpful resources for studying
for quizzes and exams.
Library: http://www.spcollege.edu/central/libonline/
CLASS MEETING INFORMATION:
Course Location: Online
IMPORTANT DATES:
January 12
First Day of Classes
January 16
Last Day to Drop and Receive Refund
March 8-14
No Classes – Spring break
March 25
Withdrawal deadline
May 4-7
Final Exams
FINANCIAL AID: http://www.spcollege.edu/central/SSFA/HomePage/calendar.htm
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 active participation,
which is based on the completion of the required activities (quizzes, exams, participation in discussion
forums and current event summaries). Unexcused excessive lack of participation (three missed
assignments in a row) before the withdrawal deadline will result in the recording of a nonparticipating 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, 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 from the course on or before March 25, 2015. Please
email me or come see me if you have any questions.
GRADING:
 Typically each week covers one or two chapters from the text. A quiz will be given on those
chapters. The quizzes are helpful in guiding you in the key definitions and concepts to prepare for
the exams.
 Quizzes- Quizzes are found in the unit modules in the Content area within each respective Chapter
(each chapters has its own quiz) except for the syllabus quiz. It is found in the START HERE
module. Please make sure you look at the syllabus calendar to make sure you are taking each quiz
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
for the chapters covered that week. There are 1 - 2 quizzes each week. Each quiz is 20 questions
and in a multiple choice or true/ false format. The quiz over the syllabus is open for unlimited
attempts; however, every chapter quiz may be taken only once. You are allowed 20 minutes for the
quiz and they are due on their specific due date. Make-ups for quizzes are not permitted. Quizzes
are always available early, so you can work ahead when you anticipate a busy week (see schedule
below for dates). There are 22 quizzes @ 20 points each= 440 points total. You can drop your lowest
quiz= 420 points total.
Current event summaries- Find current articles (written within the past six months) related to
Biology and write a short (300+ word) summary about the article. Articles can be found in
newspapers, magazines, journals or from reputable internet sources. Wikipedia is not a reputable
source. If you are unsure of the site, check with me. Articles should be properly cited at the end of
your summary using MLA or another appropriate format. Summaries should also be written in
complete sentences with proper grammar. Current event summaries must be submitted into the
drop box. Current events must also 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 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
module titled "Drop Boxes and Discussion Forums for Current Events" in the Content area for a
breakdown of how your summaries will be graded. The schedule below includes the dates that
current event summaries are due. There are 3 current event summaries: 3 @ 30 points each = 90
points.
Proctored ExamsMidterm and Final exam:
http://www.spcollege.edu/ecampus/cyberadvisor/testing_dates.htm#dates
Your midterm and final will be during the assigned college dates for online courses: March 20-22,
2015 for the midterm and May 1-3, 2015 for the final. You will need to go to the website above to
decide which method you will choose to take your midterm and final exam. You can use any of the
3 options. Please make your decision early on in the semester because if you decide to take your
exam off campus (out-of-district students), you will have to set up a proctored site or the Proctor U
service and if you decide to take the exam on one of SPC’s four campuses, you will have to sign up
for a testing time. Please see the above website for more information.
Total possible points:
Quizzes
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Current Events
Total possible points =
Final Grade
89.45-100%
79.45-89.4%
69.45-79.4%
59.45-69.4%
0-59.4%
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=
=
=
=
=
420 (showing lowest dropped)
200
200 (not cumulative)
90
910
A
B
C
D
F
You will receive a grade of zero for any missed assignment, quiz, or exam not posted/taken by the
due date. Make up work is not accepted in this class. You are able to always work ahead so plan
accordingly, except for exams. Exams are only open for a certain period of time so make sure you
take the exam during the scheduled time. All assignments, except exams, are due by 11:55 PM on
the due dates listed below.

-5Extra Credit will only be given by the discretion of the instructor if it’s available and will be
provided to the whole class. Do not email the instructor asking for extra credit or for specific extra
credit just for yourself because it will not be granted.
STUDENT 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.

In addition to the college's policy on academic integrity I have a special note. Students are not to
submit the same assignments. This is an individual lecture class and you should be sharing ideas,
not answers. Any student found in violation of this will be given the grade of zero "0" on their
assignment and reported to administration.

Since you are taking this course online, you will need to spend more than three hours a week on
studying the material. The average amount of time spent per week for an online biological course is
between 10-15 hours per week. The following are ways to help study and comprehend the material:
1) Read the chapter in detail and use the document called “How to analyze a textbook chapter”
found in the Supplemental Material area for each chapter. 2) Take notes on the chapter and make
sure you understand key concepts and terms. 3) Watch and study any animations for the chapter. 4)
Take notes from the provided PowerPoints. Create flashcards from the PowerPoints and notes you
took from the chapter and study those. 5) Watch Khan Academy tutorials for topics associated with
the chapter.
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 1005 Biological Sciences Tentative Course Schedule
Spring 2015
Date
Chapter
Title
Assignments Due Date
Jan 12
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Syllabus Quiz due
Nature of Science and Characteristic of Life
Biological Diversity, Bacteria and Archaea
Jan 18
Jan 19
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Protista, Plantae, and Fungi
Animalia
Jan 25
Jan 26
Chapter 5
The Chemistry of Life
Feb 1
Feb 2
Chapter 6
Cell Structure and Internal Compartments
Current Event #1 Due
Feb 8
Feb 9
Chapter 8
Feb 15
Energy, Metabolism, and Enzymes
-6Feb 16
Chapter 9
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Feb 22
Feb 23
Chapter 10
Cell Division
Mar 1
Mar 2
Chapter 12
Patterns of Inheritance
Mar 8
Mar 9
Chapter 13
Chromosomes and Human Genetics
Current Event #2 Due
Mar 15
Mar 16
Chapter 14
Mar 22
Mar 20-22
Midterm Exam (Chapters 1-6, 8-10, and 12-14) – SPC campus or Proctor U / Designate a
Proctor for out of Pinellas county students
Mar 23
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
From Gene to Protein
DNA Technology
Mar 29
Mar 30
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
How Evolution Works
Evolution of Populations
Apr 5
Apr 6
Chapter 19
Speciation and the Origins of Biological Diversity
Apr 12
Apr 13
Chapter 22
Growth of Populations
Chapter 23
Ecological Communities
Current Event #3 Due
Apr 19
Apr 20
Chapter 24
Ecosystems
Apr 26
Apr 27
Chapter 26
Internal Organization and Homeostasis
May 3
May 1-3
Final Exam (Chapters 15-19, 22-24, and 26) – SPC campus or Proctor U / Designate a
Proctor for out of Pinellas county students
DNA and Genes
Attention Students: 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/central/asa/addendum.htm