Spring 2015 Syllabus for BIOL A104.001 – Human Biology
Note: Instructor reserves the right to make reasonable changes in the syllabus at any point during the
semester.
Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Burgess
Instructor E-mail: elizabethb@usca.edu
Office: SBDG 204
Office Hours: TTH 10:40-11:40 AM, or by appointment
Course Description and Objectives: “Human biology is designed to introduce non-biology majors to
science and the scientific method through the concepts of human biology. Topics include an overview
of human anatomy and physiology, immunity and disease, cancer biology, and genetics. Three lecture
and three laboratory hours per week. This course satisfies the General Education Laboratory Science
requirement.”
Course credit: 4 credit hours (upon successful completion)
Course Materials:
Lecture: Access code card for Starr & McMillan, Human Biology 11ed., Cengage Learning
digital content at www.cengage.com.
Laboratory: Morton, Perry & Perry, Laboratory Manual for Human Biology 2ed. Cengage
Learning.
Supplemental Readings: Essays from Thomas, L. The Lives of a Cell will be provided as
appropriate.
Lecture Time & Place: TTH 8:00 – 9:15AM, SBDG 103
Laboratory Time & Place: F 1:00 - 3:40PM, SBDG 103
Blackboard: https://blackboard.sc.edu, BIOLA104-001-SPRING-2015:HUMAN BIOLOGY
When we meet in the library with K. Weaver: laboratory time, place is Library 218
Grading: The on-line grade book will be updated regularly. Documentation (the graded quiz, exam
or assignment) must be presented to resolve discrepancies.
Possible points breakdown:
2-3 lecture exams (100 pts. ea.)
250
1 lecture final exam (comprehensive, 100 pts.)
100
~10 [pop] quizzes (~10 pts. ea.)
100
1-2 laboratory practical exams (100 pts. ea.)
150
3 article summaries (20 pts. ea.)
60
2 peer review sessions (20 pts. ea.)
40
1 participation/safety score (20 pts.)
20
Total possible points
~720
Grade-point scale: A: 648 or more (90-100%), B: 647-576, C: 575-504, D: 503-432, F: 431 or less
Grade Opportunties Overview:
Lecture exams: Lecture exams will cover material presented since the last exam. Question
formats for the tests range from multiple choice to essay. Scantron Forms 882-E, available at the
Pacer Schoppe, will be required.
Final exam: This exam will be comprehensive, covering material from the entire semester.
Likely, it will include actual questions from each of the lecture exams.
[Pop] Quizzes: There will be several [pop] quizzes given throughout the semester; you must be
present and on-time to class to complete these quizzes. The total points for the quizzes will equal 100
points. Quizzes may be given during lecture or lab, with or without warning, at the instructor’s
discretion.
Laboratory practical exams: Based on activities from lab, practical exams will be set up as a
serious of timed stations. There will be 2-4 short questions at each station that may include multiple
choice, short answer, true/false, or identification of a labeled structure.
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Article summaries: Three article summaries will be assigned over the course of the semester in
association with discussion of research techniques and source evaluation. Guidelines for composing
an article summary and response will be provided.
Peer review sessions: Scheduled during two different laboratory periods (see below), peer review
sessions will provide you with an opportunity to evaluate one another’s writing and improve your
own. Guidelines for peer review sessions will be provided.
Participation/safety score: You start the semester with 20 points. Assuming you come to class,
participate, don’t hurt yourself or others, and clean up after yourself, you’ll end the semester with 20
points.
Attendance and Punctuality: Poor attendance will negatively affect both your Participation and Safety
score and your overall grade. Good attendance will give you the opportunity to hear the lectures, ask
questions, participate in laboratory exercises and learn the material on a first-hand basis, which will
improve your overall grade.
Exams and quizzes given at the beginning of the lecture or laboratory period will start promptly
at the scheduled time. Extra time will not be given for a late arrival.
There will be no make-up lecture exams except under extreme circumstances as deemed
acceptable by the instructor on an individual basis. There will be absolutely no make-ups for missed
quizzes, laboratory exercises, or practical exams.
Tutoring: Tutoring services are available through the Academic Success Center on campus. The center
employs experts trained to help students develop good study habits based on individual needs and
skills. See http://www.usca.edu/asc for more information.
Disability Statement: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability that might affect
your performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, B&E 134, (803) 6436816, as soon as possible. The Disability Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations
based on medical documentation.
Honor Code: Students are expected to abide by the Academic Code of Conduct as described in the
Student Handbook on every exam and assignment. “On my honor as a University of South Carolina
at Aiken student, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment /
examination. To the best of my knowledge, I am not in violation of academic honesty.” Appropriate
disciplinary action will be taken if academic integrity is violated.
Respect and Policy for Portable Electronic Devices: The instructor expects you to participate in this
course in a respectful manner. This includes using complete sentences in correspondence and
SILENCING distracting electronic devices before entering the classroom or laboratory. Disruptive
behavior will not be tolerated. The instructor reserves the right to dismiss disrespectful students
during lecture or lab, or to block their participation in on-line discussions. There will be no make-ups
of missed material.
The use of any portable electronic devices during class is not allowed for any reason unless prior
approval has been given to the student from the instructor or unless required for the course. If you use
an unapproved portable electronic device during a test, quiz, or other assessment, you are eligible to
receive a failing grade on that assignment.
Lecture Schedule: The PowerPoint files for each lecture topic will be posted on Blackboard within 24
hours of the lecture. Content for exams will come primarily from what is presented in class; the
textbook is a supplement to this material. There will be material covered in class that is not covered in
the textbook. The exams will be scheduled based on the amount of time required to get through the
lecture topics associated with each. As the semester progresses, the exam schedule will be updated on
the Blackboard calendar. The final exam is scheduled according to the USCA Final Examinations
Schedule.
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Laboratory Schedule: Relevant information for lab each week will be posted on Blackboard on
Mondays. You are responsible for accessing this information and being prepared for lab.
Laboratory Safety: Several of the laboratory exercises this semester will require handling chemicals
and glassware. A lab coat or oversized, button-up shirt is recommended and close-toed shoes are
required. Do not eat or drink in the laboratory at any time. Long hair and bangs must be pulled back
or tied up. Keep workspace clean. Thoroughly wash hands before and after lab work. Specific details
will be provided during the relevant laboratory meetings. Failure to practice laboratory safety will
negatively affect your Participation and Safety score.
Blackboard: Familiarity with Blackboard will be essential for this course. If you are having trouble
accessing Blackboard, get help as soon as possible by contacting University Technology Services
(http://uts.sc.edu/academic/blackboard/index.shtml, 803-777-1800, or servicedesk@sc.edu).
Human Biology Lecture Topics Outline
Topic
No.
Lecture Topic
Text Chs.
1
Human Biology
1.1-1.3
2
Cells
3, essay
EXAM 1
3
Tissues, Organs, Organ Systems
4
4
Chemistry and Homeostasis
2, addn’l
pgs, essay
EXAM 2
6
What Is Science?
1.4-1.6,
essay
7+
To be determined (tbd)
tbd
FINAL EXAM (All Topics)
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Human Biology Laboratory Schedule
Date
Laboratory Topic
Manual Ex.
1/16
Safety, Microscopes, Cells
2, 4
1/23
Tissues, Organs, Organ Systems
8
1/30
Lab Practical 1
n/a
2/6
Peer Review Session
n/a
2/13
Meet in Library 218
n/a
2/20
Chemistry and Homeostasis
5, 7
2/27
Enzymes
6
3/6
Skeletal System
9
3/13
SPRING BREAK!
3/20
Meet in Library 218
n/a
3/27
Human Respiration
13
4/3
tbd
tbd
4/10
tbd
tbd
4/17
Peer Review Session
n/a
4/24
Humans and the Environment
tbd
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