BIOLSCI 103: HUMAN BIOLOGY
Professor: Dr. James R. Coggins
Summer, 2012
Hello Everyone, Welcome to the on-line section of Human Biology for Summer Session
2012. This introductory letter will serve to tell you a bit about the course, my
expectations, and the D2L system that we use at UWM for this semester. Consult the
syllabus for additional information on class activity/expectations.
Textbook
The textbook for this course is: Human Biology by Sylvia S. Mader. This is available in
the UWM Bookstore as well as Panther Books on Downer Ave. The textbook is
available as hardcopy on line for less $$. You may also get an electronic version of the
text on line (see McGraw Hill website). There will be one textbook on reserve at the
UMW Library. A note on editions: I have specified the 11th edition. There is a newer
version, 12th edition. There is little changed except some pictures and the price (higher).
You are okay with any edition 10th or higher. Even older editions have the essential
information, so if you can find an older edition for less, buy it.
Introduction
This on line course effort is very much a work in progress. Some things will work well,
others not so much. I have put the course online in order to make taking the course more
convenient for you; I very much want for everyone to do well. Also, I am open to
constructive feedback. As I will remind you toward the end of term, there is a course
evaluation feature in the Survey part of the D2L website. I urge you to fill out the survey
as feedback to me.
Course Structure
In this introductory course, we will examine the basic biology of humans. We will
examine the scientific method; discuss what is, and what is not, science. We will then
begin looking at the structure of humans from the molecular, cellular, and tissue level.
After examining the building blocks that make up the human body, we will begin a study
of the systems that comprise the physiology of humans, how we work and carry out the
daily functions of life. The course will be composed of seven (7) Units. Each Unit
consists of two Chapters presented as PowerPoint Lectures that you are expected to
view. Each unit has an associated quiz assignment for that unit, total of 7 quizzes. There
will be a Quiz for each unit that you will be expected to complete on-line and return to
the instructor via the Dropbox within the allotted timeframe. For this semester, that is
before taking the mid-term (Quizzes 1-3) and final exam (Quizzes 4-7). There will be
two wrap up Exams; a mid-term and a final exam. The due dates for these two exams are
the only hard deadlines. The quizzes are self paced re schedule. The date by which ALL
work in the course must be completed is, for this session, June 23, 2012.
Exam Structure
The midterm and final exam each consist of fifty (50) multiple choice questions.
Material for the exams is taken from the power point lectures. Example questions may be
found at the end of each chapter of the textbook. When asked, I say that if you can
answer most of the questions at the end of the text chapters you should do well on the
exams. Exams are timed and students can only take the exam once. There is a practice
exam on line to allow students to work with the logistics of taking and submitting the
exams. The practice exam may be taken multiple times. If you have not taken online
exams before, I recommend you take the practice exam and submit it to make sure the
technology works. If you take an exam and have trouble getting it submitted, contact me
immediately via email and I will work some magic.
Grading
Referring to the course structure (above), your Unit Quizzes will make up 40% of your
final course grade. The Mid-Term (30%) and Final Examinations (30%) will
constitute 60% of the final course grade. If any part of your assigned work is not
submitted by the deadline, you will receive a grade of F for the course.
Instructor
Now that we have covered the course, let me tell you a little about myself. I am
originally from a small town in North Carolina. I received two of my academic degrees
from the University of North Carolina (B.S; M.S.). I earned my Ph.D. degree from Wake
Forest University, also in North Carolina [go Demon Deacons]. My first job was at the
University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana (go Irish). I then was lured north to
Wisconsin and took my present position at UWM. During the many years I have been at
UWM, I have taught a variety of courses from freshmen level to the advanced Human
Parasitology and graduate student seminars. I have served as head of the Department of
Biological Sciences but now enjoy being a faculty member with no administrative
responsibilities. I look forward to trying a new venture, that of teaching Human Biology
completely on-line.
D2L Basics
You can access D2L by going to the UWM homepage (http://www.uwm.edu) and
clicking on “E-Learning and D2L” at the very top of the page. From there you click on
the big blue “Desire 2 Learn” box. This will take you to the login page. Or, go to the
login page with the direct address for D2L: (https://uwm.courses.wisconsin.edu). Note
that there is no www in the address and an “s” on https. On the login page, notice the
“For Students” link that offers several help files for dealing with various aspects of D2L.
These help documents are very good, clear and helpful, so keep them in mind if you ever
get stuck. The other “help” options are to visit the computer help desk in EMS 225,
calling them at 414-229-4040, (toll free at 1-877-381-3459), or sending email to
help@uwm.edu. The help documents and tutorials found within D2L are very good.
However, do not hesitate to contact the help desk for any computer related questions.
Responsibility
By signing up for an on-line course, you take the responsibility of making sure you have
regular access to adequate and reliable technology to complete all course requirements.
You need to make sure you r home, office or campus computer(s) are appropriate for
your needs and are not going to fail on you at key times. Lack of access to a computer,
loss of key documents from a hard drive or a printer failure are not excuses for failing to
meet assignment deadlines. (back up your work often)
Everyone at UWM is assigned a UWM email account. I will be using your UWM
account. If you have another account that you use as primary, have your mail forwarded
from UWM to that account; setting up forwarding is easy. See the help desk with any
questions. Again, this is your responsibility. The help desk can assist you in the
forwarding procedure.
Finally, welcome to the course.
Professor James R. Coggins, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences
Lapham 297
coggins@uwm.edu
229-4350
Biological Sciences 103
HUMAN BIOLOGY
Summer, 2012
Text: Human Biology, Sylvia Mader, 11th Edition (earlier editions are acceptable)
Instructor: James Coggins, Ph.D., Professor of Biological Sciences
Phone: 414-229-4350
Email: coggins@uwm.edu
Office Location: Lapham Hall, Room 297
Office Hours: By appointment, email or telephone (email for number)
Lecture: On Line Lectures
Grades: Final grades will be determined by a series of quizzes (total of 7); midterm (Units 1-3) and final (Units 4-7) exams. Regular participation and meeting of
deadlines for quizzes and exams are extremely important. Late submission of
quizzes will be penalized.
Quizzes: 40%
Mid-term Exam: 30%
Final Exam: 30%
In order to receive full credit for exams, on line submissions must be submitted by
the end of the allotted unit timeframe (see syllabus, below). Quizzes are self paced;
no deadline except that they must be submitted before taking the corresponding
exam (midterm; final). The midterm exam covers units 1-3 while the final exam
covers units 4-7.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid UWM account and a
working computer with current software. “My computer (printer) broke” is not an
accepted excuse. (I am running Windows XP; MS Office 2007; files are in docx
format).
Participation by Students with Disabilities: If you need special accommodations in
order to meet any of the class requirements, contact me by the end of the first week
of class.
Accommodation for Religious Observances: See UWM official policy; contact the
course instructor
Academic Misconduct: Assignments are expected to be completed independently,
without the aid of other individuals. Cheating on exams or any other type of
assignment will not be tolerated and will result in a zero on the exam, quiz or other
assignment. Additionally, any suspected cheating will be reported to the Dean of
Students Office, possibly resulting in further, more severe, consequences.
Incompletes: A notation of “incomplete” may be given in lieu of a final grade to a
student who has carried a subject successfully until the end of a semester or term,
but because of illness or other substantiated, documented cause beyond the
student’s control, is unable to complete the final or a limited amount of term work.
An incomplete cannot be assigned if the student has not completed a substantial
amount of the semester of work, or unless the student can prove to the instructor
that they were prevented from completing the course requirements for just cause.
Grade Appeal Procedures: A student may appeal a grade on the basis that it is
based on capricious or arbitrary decision of the course instructor. The procedure
for making such an appeal are available in writing from the BioSci department
receptionist, chairperson or the Academic Dean of the College/School (Letters and
Science).
Note: this timetable is a guide. Units are self paced. There is no due date for
quizzes; you may turn them in whenever you finish. However, quizzes 1-3 MUST be
submitted before taking the mid-term. The due date for mid-term is hard and firm;
NO EXCEPTIONS. Again, quizzes 4-6 are self paced. The final exam MUST be
submitted by the due date; due date for final is hard and firm; NO EXCEPTIONS
.
SYLLABUS
UNIT
HUMAN BIOLOGY
TIMETABLE
WEEK DATES
1
Unit of Study
2
2
3
4
1
1
2
2
3
3
Mid-Term
Due June23
4
4
5
5
6
7
Final Exam Due June 23
5
Schedule of Topics
Unit
Lecture
1
Lecture
2
3
4
5
6
7
Chapter
Topic
1
Chapter 1
Introduction
Lecture
2
Chapter 2
Chemistry of Life
Lecture
3
Chapter 3
Cells
Lecture
4
Chapter 4
Lecture
5
Chapter 5
Organization;
Regulation
Cardiovascular 1
Lecture
6
Chapter 6
Cardiovascular 2
Lecture
7
Chapter 7
Immunity
Lecture
8
Chapter 9
Respiration
Lecture
9
Chapter 8
Digestion
Lecture 10
Chapter 10
Excretion
Lecture 11
Chapter 13
Nervous System
Lecture 12
Chapter 14
Sensory System
Lecture 13
Chapter 16
Reproduction
Lecture 14
Chapter 17
Human
Development
-6-