Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Face-to-Face Common Syllabus
FALL 2015
BIOL 1114 Section BL1 General Biology
Involves biological principles, population, man and the environment. Genetics, reproduction,
development, concepts of evolution, selection, adaptation, speciation, taxonomy, and various
concepts involving ecosystems are studied.
Type of course: Theory/Lab
Credit Hours: _4_; Total hours of theory per semester: _45_; Total hours of lab for the
semester: _30_
Class length – Full Semester
Class days and times: Lecture: Tuesday 8:30- 9:25 am CST
Lab: Tuesday’s 9:30-11:25 am CST
Prerequisites: None
Instructor Name: Floyd Robison
Instructor Phone: (918) 293-5490
Office: SCTEC Room # 9
Instructor email: f.robison@okstate.edu
Contact: My preferred method of contact is _email, office or by phone. Please allow 24-48
hours to return your correspondence during the normal work week.
Instructor's Office Hours: Posted on office door
Division Name: Arts and Science
Division’s Main Phone: 918-293-5370
REQUIRED TEXT, REFERENCES, AND MATERIALS
Texts:
Biology, 11th ed., Mader, and Windelspecht, McGraw Hill,
ISBN #978-0-07-352550-1
References:
None
Materials:
Materials needed including notebooks, writing utensils, 6 or 7 green
scantrons, and one box of colored pencils. Colored pencils will need to be
purchased before lab #5.
Estimated Cost for Materials:
Estimated Cost for Uniform/Tools:
Updated: July 2014
$ Based on current bookstore cost
$ Based on current bookstore or supplier cost
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Upon completion of the course, students should:
Course Objectives
Assessment of Objectives
1. Analyze the components of the cell theory
Lab, Test
2. Analyze the structure & function of the cell
membrane
3. Identify the organizational scheme for
classifying organisms
Lab activity with microscope aided
observations, Test
Test
4. Analyze basic genetic principles of heredity Test
5. Analyze the impact of interactions between
ecosystems
6. Critical Thinking - Demonstrate logical,
systematic critical thinking techniques.
7. State the role of the hypothesis in the
scientific method
8. Identify the relationship between the
hypothesis and experimentation
9. Gather accurate information from an
experiment
10. Use experimental information to draw
conclusions
Test
Lab activities including the *Scientific
Method Lab, Test
*Scientific Method Lab, Test
*Scientific Method Lab, Test
*Scientific Method Lab, Other laboratories,
Test
*Scientific Method Lab, Other laboratories,
Test
Aspects of the course objective assessments may be used in the university’s assessment of
student learning. If applicable, an asterisk (*) above indicates that this assignment is used in the
university assessment program.
COURSE ACTIVITIES
In this course students will:
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Participate in class discussions and activities.
View videos that depict the various concepts.
Take examinations.
Participate and complete varies lab activities.
Complete reading assignments.
May be required to do quizzes.
Updated: July 2014
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EVALUATION - GRADES WILL BE BASED ON THE QUALITY AND COMPLETION
OF THESE TASKS:
Item
Unit Exams
Labs
Chapter Reviews
In Class Activities
Research Paper
Final Exam
Quantity
6
10
10
6
1
1
Points Per Item
100
50
20
15
50
Total Points
Total Per Category
600
500
200
90
50
100
1440
OSUIT
Grading Scale
A = 90%-100%
B = 80%-89%
C = 70%-79%
D = 60%-69%
F = 59% & below
*The student’s grade for this assignment will be used in the university’s assessment of
student learning. A 70% competency or higher receives a Pass rating. This Pass/Fail
rating is independent of the student’s course grade.
Daily and/or weekly quizzes, small weekly assignments and similar type projects: Normal return
time to student by next class meeting or no later than one (1) week.
Extensive assignments, large lab projects, extensive quizzes, exams and similar type projects:
Normal return time to students in one (1) to two (2) weeks.
AUTHORIZED TOOLS
Examples: Students may use any/all course materials, including books and notes, while
participating in classroom activities. No course materials or electronic devices will be allowed
out during exams or quizzes. All quizzes and written assignments are to be completed
independently; no collaboration with classmates is permitted and any instance of such will be
considered academic dishonesty.
LATE WORK
Assignments/labs are to be turned in during class/lab on their due date. Late work will not be
excepted unless you have an excused absence. If you are unable to attend class due to an
excused absence the instructor is to be notified beforehand.
COURSE OUTLINE
A detailed course outline is attached to this syllabus. In addition, a course calendar reflecting all
assignments and due dates is included under the Content tab in D2L. In this blended course, due
dates are extremely important as many assignments and Exams will only be available on D2L
during posted times. (See additional Exam information below.) Unless otherwise instructed
during the semester, all homework assignments should be turned into the appropriate Drop Box
Updated: July 2014
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by the posted due date. Drop Boxes will close on the posted date at 11:59 p.m. Exams will only
be available during their posted availability dates.
TESTING
Exams make up 42% of your total grade, so it is imperative that you are present and prepared on
exam days. Exams must be completed by the dates/times listed in the syllabus (the dates will
also be posted on D2L). The exams will be set up so that you have an allotted amount of time to
complete the exam. Make sure you set aside enough time and have a reliable online connection
during this time. So you should study for every exam as if you were in a traditional classroom
setting.
Exams will be available over a period of several days so that you may take them at a time that is
convenient to you during that time frame. Do not wait until the last minute to take the exam
because if something causes you to be unable to finish once you’ve started, you may not be able
to reach me in time and you will miss the deadline (resulting in a zero). There are computers
available on campus in the library and other areas if you have issues with your connection at
home. Check with the individual locations for hours. Note: Exams are ONLY visible on D2L
during their active dates. Exams are timed, but D2L will not disconnect you if you go over
time. Please continue until you have completed the exam. There is no penalty for going
slightly over time. If the time amounts are a problem, contact me and we can discuss
options.
Exams will open at 8 am on Wednesday’s according to the course schedule. The exams will be
open until 11:59 pm on Sunday’s. You will need to complete your exams before they close at
11:59 pm. If you have not completed your exam by 11:59 pm on Sunday, then you will be kicked
out of the exam and you will not be able to complete it.
If you miss an exam, you will have the option of completing a Comprehensive Final Exam. If
you miss more than one exam, the others will remain as zeros. If you have not missed any
exams, the Comprehensive Final Exam will be optional for you. You may elect to complete it so
that your score on the exam will replace your lowest exam score if you have not missed any
exams in the course.
LABS
Students are expected to be prepared for lab. It is imperative that you are punctual for lab,
because important safety and procedure information will be discussed at the beginning of lab.
The instructor reserves the right to deduct points for tardiness. I will not go back over the
instructions for the lab for anyone that comes in late; you will be unable to complete the lab
if you are more than 10 minutes late for lab. You must be present for lab in order to get
credit for the lab. Labs cannot be made up ahead of time. There are two make up labs
scheduled in-case of emergency when the instructor cannot be present or circumstances out (ex.
Weather, remolding) of the instructors control. However, if you miss a lab it cannot be made up
those dates are in case the schedule has to be rearranged.
Updated: July 2014
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NOTES/HANDOUTS
Success in the classroom is directly related to your attendance; therefore, you need to be in class
to participate, take notes, etc. to succeed. Being on time is also crucial as I will begin lecture/lab
promptly. If a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to get the missed notes from a
classmate (a copy machine is located in the LRC for student use). If a document such as a
rubric, study guide is given out it is the student’s responsibility to pick up the document or to
make arrangements for the document to be picked up. I will also provide a power-point for each
chapter and a short chapter overview/notes for each chapter. The power-point and chapter
overview will be posted in the content section of the course on D2L.
CHAPTER REVIEWS
There will review questions for each chapter that we cover this semester. The chapter reviews
will consist of a set of 10 to 20 questions, which will either be questions from the book or
questions that I provide for each chapter. The questions will need to be typed and you will need
to submit your questions to the drop-box. The questions will be due on Tuesdays by 11:59 pm.
RESEARCH PAPER
The instructor will provide the class with a topic at some point during the semester. You will be
expected to demonstrate college writing skills, for example: complete sentences, appropriate
punctuation, and capitalization. Topic Paper Requirements: Font size of 12, and 1” margins on
each side of the paper, along with 3 references.
IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES
There will be 6 in-class activities for points at any given point during the semester. They will be
unannounced, and it will not be possible to make them up. You must be present to receive the
in-class activity points. If you are absent for an in-class activity you will be required to present
documentation regarding your absence.
BONUS POINTS
Bonus points are a bonus and will be added to your overall score at the end of the semester. You
must be present in class to receive any bonus points that might be given during the semester.
Bonus points can NOT be made up!
E-MAILS
If you email me, please make sure that you include your name, what class you are in, and that
you write in complete sentences. If you choice to send me an email that has abbreviated words or
is not written in complete sentences I will not spend time trying to interpret what you have
written, therefore you will not receive a response from me. I will also not respond to emails that
are sent from personal email addresses if you do not include your name and what class you are
enrolled in.
Updated: July 2014
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STUDENT CONDUCT
Students are expected to cooperate in maintaining a classroom environment conducive to
learning. Courteous and respectful behavior will be expected from all students each day. If you
are being disruptive to other students you may be asked to leave the classroom. All pagers, MP3
players, and cell phones are expected to be turned off or put on vibrate. Children are not to
be brought to lecture or lab. The use of tobacco in any form in University buildings is
prohibited.
UNIVERSITY & COURSE EXPECTATIONS
It is the responsibility of each OSUIT student to read, abide by and maintain a copy of the
syllabus for this course. Syllabi are available on the OSUIT website.
Students understand that excerpts or portions of their work may be utilized for institutional
assessment purposes. The purpose of institutional assessment is for verification of student
learning and program improvement. Every effort will be made to keep this information
confidential.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, each student with a disability is responsible
for notifying the University of his/her disability and requesting accommodations. If you think
you have a qualified disability and need special accommodations, you should notify the
instructor and request verification of eligibility for accommodations from the Office of
Academic Accommodations/LASSO Center. Please advise the instructor of your disability as
soon as possible, and contact The LASSO Center, to ensure timely implementation of
appropriate accommodations. Faculty have an obligation to respond when they receive official
notice of a disability but are under no obligation to provide retroactive accommodations. To
receive services, you must submit appropriate documentation and complete an intake process
during which the existence of a qualified disability is verified and reasonable accommodations
are identified. The LASSO Center is located on the 3rd floor of the Noble Center. You may
call 918.293.4855 for more information or fax documentation to918.293.4853.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty or misconduct is neither condoned nor tolerated at OSUIT. Any student
found guilty of academic dishonesty or misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary action.
Academic dishonesty and/or misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following actions:
(1) Plagiarism: the representation of previously written, published, or creative work as one’s
own; (2) Unauthorized collaboration on projects; (3) Cheating on examinations; (4)
Unauthorized advance access to exams; (5) Fraudulent alteration of academic materials; (6)
Knowing cooperation with another person in an academically dishonest undertaking. Students
are required to actively protect their work against misuse by others. For details, refer to The
OSUIT Student Handbook (Student Rights and Responsibilities Governing Student Behavior)
available online at http://www.osuit.edu/academics/forms/student_rights_responsibility.pdf.
Updated: July 2014
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ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR FACE-TO-FACE COURSES
A primary component of OSUIT's Mission is “to prepare and sustain a diverse student body as
competitive members of a world-class workforce.” Regular and consistent attendance not only
aids in academic success, dependable attendance is a requirement in today's real-world
employment; therefore, regular and consistent attendance is a requirement in all OSUIT courses.
Definitions: Absent: Failing to attend all or a significant portion of a class or lab session.
A. Students may not be marked as absent if missing class for situations such as, but not
limited to
1. participating in a required university activity such as a field trip;
2. fulfilling a military obligation;
3. a mandatory court appearance;
4. death in the immediate family;
5. extreme illness or accident to oneself or immediate family. Instructors, at
their discretion, may require proof of such events.
B. It is the responsibility of the student to contact and inform the instructor and/or
department in advance of such excused absences whenever possible.
Tardy: Arriving late to class as defined by the individual class instructor. Faculty, at their
discretion, may equate three tardies to equal one absence.
Procedures:
Early Intervention
A. Any student who misses 10% of an individual course (or earlier at faculty discretion)
during a regular fifteen-week semester, or the equivalent portion of time in a shorter
session, will have their name submitted by that course instructor to the OSUIT Early
Alert System for retention intervention.
B. At the point the Early Alert is issued, the student must meet with their assigned
faculty advisor or designated faculty/staff member within seven (7) academic
calendar days for counseling on how to improve their attendance and academic
success.
Excessive Absences
A. The University reserves the right to administratively withdraw any student from an
individual course who misses 20% of that course, whether excused or unexcused,
and, in the opinion of the instructor, the student does not have a reasonable
opportunity to be successful in the course.
B. Students should be aware any of the following may impact their financial aid:
1. being administratively withdrawn from a course
2. dropping a course
3. their last date of attendance in a course
Please see OSUIT Policy 2-021 for full details and procedures.
Updated: July 2014
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WORD OF WISDOM
Do NOT fall behind in this class; there is a lot of material for you to cover so you will need to be
diligent about investing enough time in this course. This is a 4 credit hour course so you should
expect to spend at the VERY LEAST 8 hours per week on this class. Some students find that
scheduling a time during the week to work on the on-line course specifically helps with
completing all assignments. Use your self-discipline and make sure you complete things as they
are due.
IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION
Attached is a tentative schedule for this course which may be subject to change by the instructor
if conditions or circumstances require change to occur. This is a tentative syllabus and is subject
to change if conditions or circumstance require change to occur.
Updated: July 2014
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BIOL 1114—GENERAL BIOLOGY
FALL 2015
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE (T)
HW-(Chapter Review Questions) EXAM-(Opens at 8 am on Wednesdays and Close at 11:59 pm on Sundays)
WEEK
WEEK
OF
1
9/01/15
CHAPTER
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENTS
DUE DATE
Introduction Power-point (In
Class Activity #1)
HW 1
EXAM #1 (Chapter 1)
9/9/15
9/15/15
9/20/15
Introductions
Syllabus
2
9/08/15
1
A View Of Life
3
9/15/15
2
Basic Chemistry
4
9/22/15
3
Chemistry of Organic
Molecules
HW 2
9/22/15
5
9/29/15
4
HW 3
EXAM #2 (Chapters 2 and 3)
9/29/15
10/4/15
6
10/06/15
Cell Structure and
Function
NO CLASS (Career
Encounters)
Class Activity
10/6/15
7
10/13/15
5
Membrane Structure
and Function
HW 4
10/13/15
8
10/20/15
6
Metabolism: Energy
and Enzymes
HW 5
EXAM #3 (Chapters 4 and 5)
10/20/15
10/25/15
9
10/27/15
8
Cellular Respiration
HW 6
11/27/15
10
11/03/15
9
The Cell Cycle and
Cellular Reproduction
HW 7
EXAM #4 (Chapters 6 and 8)
11/3/15
11/8/15
11
11/10/15
10
Meiosis and Sexual
Reproduction
HW 8
11/10/15
12
11/17/15
11
Mendelian Patterns of
Inheritance
HW 9
EXAM #5 (Chapters 9 and 10)
11/17/15
11/22/15
13
11/24/15
42
Animal Development
Thanksgiving Break
11/25-11/27
HW 10
11/24/15
Research Paper
EXAM #6 (Chapters 11 and 42)
12/1/15
12/6/15
Optional Final Exam
12/07/15
12/10/15
14
12/01/15
15
12/08/15
Updated: July 2014
42
Animal Development
Cont.
Finals Week
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BIOL 1114 GENERAL BIOLOGY
FALL 2015
LAB: TUESDAY
TENTATIVE LABORATORY SCHEDULE.
WEEK
LAB DATE
LAB ACTIVITY
1
9/01/15
NO LAB
2
9/08/15
Scientific Method--Lab #1
3
9/15/15
Atomic Structure—Electron Configuration—Lab #2
4
9/22/15
pH Measurement—Lab #3
5
9/29/15
Food and Nutrient Analysis—Lab #4
6
10/06/15
NO CLASS OR LAB
7
10/13/15
Microscope Usage—Lab #5 (MUST HAVE
COLORED PENCILS)
8
10/20/15
Osmosis and Diffusion—Lab #6
9
10/27/15
Cell Structure: Onion/Elodea/Cheek Cells—Lab #7
10
11/03/15
Onion Root/Whitefish—Lab #8
11
11/10/15
Celery Mitochondria—Lab #9
12
11/17/15
Effectiveness of Antacids—Lab #10
13
11/24/15
Make-Up Lab Session
If Necessary
14
12/01/15
Make-Up Lab Session
If Necessary
15
12/08/15
NO LAB (FINALS WEEK)
Schedules are subject to change at instructor discretion.
Updated: July 2014
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Updated: July 2014
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Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Course Number and Name
BIOL 1114 BL1 (General Biology)
Semester and Year
FALL 2015
I have read and understand this syllabus, and agree to abide by the policies, procedures and
guidelines specified therein.
___________________________________
Printed Name
Updated: July 2014
______________________________________
Student ID Number (this is not your SSN)
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Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Course Number and Name
BIOL 1114 BL1 (General Biology)
Semester and Year
FALL 2015
Student Assessment Release
I agree that Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology may excerpt some of my work to be
utilized for institutional assessment purposes. The purpose of institutional assessment is for verification
of student learning and program improvement. I recognize that every effort will be made to keep this
information confidential and that my name will not be associated with my work.
___________________________________
Printed Name
___________________________________
Signature
Updated: July 2014
______________________________________
Student ID Number (this is not your SSN)
______________________________________
Date
Page 13 of 14
STUDENT INFROMATION SHEET
Biology 1114 Section BL1
FALL 2015
Name: _______________________________________________________
Email address: _______________________________________________
Telephone Number: ___________________________________________
Updated: July 2014
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