Life Science Lab I (lab for non-science majors) Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

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The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

BIOL-1108-002 Life Science Lab I (lab for non-science majors)

Prerequisites

Course Description

Hands on, collaborative and interactive laboratory experiments in cell biology and genetics. Recommended to be taken with BIOL 1308.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(1 sem hr; 2 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Life Science I Lab Book.  Porter and Hines 2003

Supplies

\ Computer access with reliable internet connection.  Free down loads such as Shockwave, Acrobat Reader, Adobe QuickTime, PowerPoint Viewer, etc.

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Student Performance

STUDENT PERFORMANCE, COMPETENCIES AND OBJECTIVES: After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department.

1. Describe the metric system and demonstrate conversions within the International System and conversion of Standard English System measurements to SI.
2. Describe the difference between a hypothesis and a theory.
3. Describe the steps of the scientific method and how to generate hypotheses.
4. Describe the structure and function of the microscope, to include TEM and SEM.
5. Discuss the basic chemistry of living organisms, to include pH, buffers, and properties of water.
6. Describe the components and functions of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
7. Describe the characteristics of cellular membranes, to include active and passive transport mechanisms.
8. Explain enzymatic energetics, to include the laws of thermodynamics, endothermic, and exothermic reactions.
9. Describe the properties of the different photosynthetic pigments and the importance of each in the biochemical pathway.
10. Give a detailed analysis of the cell cycle, to include the stages of mitosis and meiosis.
11. Discuss the basic principles of Mendelian genetics, to include the laws of dominance, independent assortment, and segregation; and predict genetic outcome probabilities.
12. Describe the structure of DNA and how it is related to genetics.
13. Compare and contrast the process of DNA Fingerprinting and DNA profiling.
14. Discuss current issues and techniques in biotechnology, to include micropipetting, DNA extraction, and electrophoresis.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

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In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE: If a student is having a problem with the course policies or the instructor, he or she should first try and resolve any such problems with the instructor.  If the problem is not resolved the student may proceed to the Department of Mathematics, Sciences, and Engineering Chairperson, Associate Vice President of Instruction, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the College President, IN THAT ORDER.

SAFETY: "Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are stored in SCIE 110.
For any emergency contact Campus Police 371-5911

TELEPHONES/PAGERS: It is the policy of the Biology Department that cell phones and pagers must be turned off or in the silent mode in the classroom and the Sciences Study Center. If a student gets a phone call during class he/she will NOT answer it during class time unless prior approval by the instructor. Please be considerate to others.

FOOD/DRINK: Food and drink are allowed in the classroom and laboratory unless posted otherwise.

WITHDRAW: A grade of "W" will be given for drops or withdraws on or before the published official withdraw date.  You may not drop or withdraw after that date.

FINAL GRADE CHANGES:The final grade turned into the registrar office will not be changed unless approved by full time biology faculty committee. Request must be submitted in writing.

TEST RULES: Do nothing which would appear to involve cheating.  Failure to abide by the test rule will result in a grade of zero.  Cell phones ringing during a major exam will result in a zero, regardless if you answer it or not.  Once the exam has been started you may not leave the classroom for any reason.  Use the facilities prior to starting the exam.  When you turn your exam in, it is final.  You can not get it back to make changes. If you believe that a paper has been graded incorrectly, please return it with a written explanation which must include: 1) your name, 2) the number of the question(s) you wish to have reconsidered, and 3) a detailed explanation of the mistake and documentation for the correct answer (include page numbers and source).

BAD WEATHER: 
If classes are canceled due to inclement weather, you are responsible for reading and learning the material that would have been covered.  If an exam was scheduled and classes are canceled, the exam will be given the next class meeting. (BE PREPARED) If class is canceled the last day of class and an exam was scheduled, then the exam will be added to the Final Exam and the questions will count as the exam and as the final exam. If class is canceled during final exam, check the AC website for new exam times. Cancellations will be announced on the Radio by 6:30 AM or by 3:00 PM for evening classes. Also check the AC website.

Grading Criteria

EVALUATION : Exams will count for 70% and Quizzes and other assignments will count 30%of the course grade.

GRADING: Grades will not be curved and NO extra credit.
89.5 - 100 = A
79.5 - 89.4 = B
69.5 - 79.4 = C
59.5 - 69.4 = D
00.0 - 59.4 = F

QUIZZES AND ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS: 30% of the total grade for the semester.
There will be quizzes and additional assignments made each class peroid during the semester. The quizzes will be fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, labeling, and/or short answer.  They will be online or unannounced in class quizzes.  The lowest grade from this category will  be DROPPED.
You will get two attempts on online quizzes (AC Online) and one attempt on in class quizzes and homework assignments.  The best score on quizzes will be recorded. If a problem occurs during an online quiz (example: loss of internet connection, computer lock up, accidently open it prematurely, or you simply forgot to submit it) that will count as one attempt.  Your instructor will make the final decission to resets the online quiz or not.  You will get only one reset on an online quiz per semester for any reason. You must finish within the allotted time frame.  Failure to comply with this rule will result in a decreased score (10 points /min over) on the quiz.You must also finish before the due date and time or a grade of zero will be assigned. Extra time will not be given to an individual student.  Please do not ask. If you MISS or COME IN LATE or LEAVE EARLY to any in class quiz for any reason or MISS the DUE DATE or TIME for any quiz or assignment for any reason, a grade of zero will be assigned for that quiz or assignment and that will be your drop for the semester. NO MAKE-UPS or extra time will be given for any reason on any quiz or assignment, so Please DO NOT ASK.

EXAMS: 70% of the total grade for the semester.
Two exams (Midterm and Final), 50 questions (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer). The exam material will come from the laboratory material, lab textbook readings, web readings, and other assignments.  If you MISS  either exam you will have to make up the exam during finals week.  The make up exam will cover the same content but will be in a different format and will be shorter.   If you miss an exam you will make up the exam during a make up exam time scheduled by your instructor.  Failure to make up the exam with out discussing the matter with your instructor will result in a grade of zero.  No Exceptions

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement, therefore it is the responsibility of the student to attend each class and complete all assignments.

Calendar

Additional Information

EMAIL: The instructor will check email Monday - Thursday by 5:00 PM .  Emails after 5:00PM  will be checked the following day.  The instructor will try to respond within 24 hours, except on Fridays and week ends. Remember instructors have numerous other duties.  Be patient.

I reserve the right to amend this syllabus at anytime during the semester