Biology for Non-Science Majors Laboratory II Syllabus for 2013-2014
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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.

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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

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Student Withdrawal Procedures

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Course

BIOL-1109-001 Biology for Non-Science Majors Laboratory II

Prerequisites

Course Description

This laboratory-based course accompanies BIOL 1309, Biology for Non-Science Majors II. Laboratory activities will reinforce a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including evolution, ecology, plant and animal diversity and physiology.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(1 sem hr; 2 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Porter D. and Hines, T.  2003.  Life Science 1: Lab Manual. B & C Publishing, Amarillo, TX. 

Supplies

\ You will need your lab notes, general class supplies and a willingness to learn. 

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Student Performance

\    Ã¯Â»Â¿Ã¯Â»Â¿ Ã¯Â»Â¿Ã¯Â»Â¿ 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. Explain the basic principles of evolution.
\ 2. Describe the scientific evidence that led to the evolutionary theory.
\ 3. Describe the difference between a hypothesis and a theory.
\ 4. Describe the basic body tissues, organs, and systems.
\ 5. Describe how viruses affect living organisms and how they are classified and reproduce.
\ 6. Describe the biology of bacteria.
\ 7. Describe the diversity of the animals
\ 8. Describe the diversity of the plants.
\ 9. Discuss the animal body and its coverings.
\ 10. Discuss the concept of animal support and locomotion.
\ 11. Describe the idea of gas exchange and internal transport.
\ 12. Discuss animal responsiveness and sensation.
\ 13. Discuss the processes of chemical regulation.
\ 14. Describe how humans affect the environment.
\ 15. Discuss animal behavior.
\ 16. Discuss current issues in biology.
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Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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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

 

CLASS CONDUCT

Class disruptions will not be tolerated.  Disruptions include talking during lecture/lab, texting, harassment, or any other action deemed disruptive by the instructor.  If you disturb class you will be asked to leave.  If disruptions continue, other disciplinary actions may be taken by the instructor.

 

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY (cheating)

Cheating will not be tolerated.  If you are caught cheating you will receive a zero for the exam and will be prosecuted further to the extent of the student handbook and could include but not limited to expulsion from the class.

 

CAMPUS POLICE

For help, call the campus police at 371-5163

 

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

If a student is having a problem with the course policies or with the instructor, he or she should first try and resolve many such problems with the instructor.  If the problem is not resolved, the student may proceed to the Sciences Department Chairperson (Dr. Kathy Wetzel), the Division of Sciences and Engineering Chairperson (Mr. Jack Stanley), the Associate Vice President for instruction (Dr. Lowery Hart), or the college President (Dr. Matney), In that order.

 

FOOD AND DRINK

You may not bring food or drinks into lab.

 

CELL PHONES AND PAGERS

 Cell phones and pagers are not prohibited, however please be considerate of others.  Please keep all cell phones and pagers on silent or vibrate mode and in your bag or purse.  No cell phones will be taken out during class unless necessary.  If it is essential that you answer the call please step outside the classroom to complete the call.  Phones will be turned off before an exam or quiz.  Absolutely no calls shall be taken during a quiz or exam.  This will result in a grade of zero on that quiz or exam. 

Following instructions

You must follow all instructions given by your instructor.  Failure to follow any instructions during the lab will result in either not being given credit for the lab and/or being asked to leave the class.

 

Grading Criteria

REQUIRED EXAMINATION:  A minimum of 2 lab exams including a final exam will be given throughout the semester

EXAMS:  80% of the total grade for the semester.

Laboratory material will be combined into two (2) exams. Approx. 40 questions scantron (multiple choice, fill in the blank, Labeling, and short answer). The material will come from laboratory assignments.

If you MISS or COME IN LATE to an exam for any reason, a grade of zero will be assigned for that exam.   NO MAKE-UPS for any reason on any EXAM.

QUIZZES and PARTICIPATION GRADES: 10% of your total grade will be from lab quizzes and 10% from participation for each lab assignment.

There will be quizzes and additional lab participation assignments made during the semester.  In class quizzes will be unannounced and will range from 5-10 questions.  These will be given at the beginning, at the end of lecture class, or online. The quizzes will be fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, labeling, and/or short answer.  If you miss a class, check with your instructor for missed work. The lowest grade from both the quizzes and participation grades will be DROPPED.

 FINAL EXAM: Comprehensive. It will cover everything from the beginning of the semester and some material will come from previous exams and the rest comes from the text or other notes. 100 questions.  (regular scantron form)..

MISSING AN EXAMINATION

If you know you are going to not be able to attend class on an exam day, let me know ahead of time and a test will be placed in the testing center.  You will be allowed until the day of the exam to take the test.  You must be on time for class.  If you are late to an exam you only have until the allotted time to take the exam.  During quizzes, if you arrive after the quiz has been handed out you will not be allowed to take the quiz.

 

GRADING

            Grades will not be curved.

            90% to 100% = A

            80% -89% = B

            70%-79% = C

            60%-69% = D

            Below 60% = F

            Points will be rounded at a .5 level.  Grades below .5 are not elevated.

 

 

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.  

 

A grade of W will be given for a student initiated drop or withdrawal on or before Nov. 20th, 2013.

After that date a student may not drop the class without the permission from the Biology Department.  The student must petition the biology department for this to occur. 

Calendar

Additional Information

\ LAB SAFETY

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\ Laboratories can be dangerous.  Everyone is responsible for the safety of the others around them as well as equipment.

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\ Student lab safety rules

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1. \ Never work alone in the laboratory hours without permission and prior knowledge of instructor.
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2. \ Never allow experiments to run unattended or unsupervised.
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3. \ Take special precaution when working with open flames. Loose hair, clothing, and dangling jewelry must be secured. Never leave a heat source (hot plate or Bunsen burner) unattended.
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4. \ Keep containers of alcohol, acetone, or other flammable liquids at a safe distance from flames.
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5. \ Wear appropriate shoes at all times in the laboratory.
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6. \ Never eat or drink anything in the lab, unless given permission by the instructor.
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7. \ Never apply makeup or lip balm in lab, unless given permission by the instructor.
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8. \ If working with cadavers, preserved specimens, or caustic substances, contact lenses are not advised.
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9. \ Keep hands away from face, eyes, and mouth when working with chemicals, cadavers, and preserved specimens.
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10. \ Wash hands thoroughly before leaving lab.
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11. \ Always use extreme caution when using scalpels and other sharp objects. When carrying sharp objects, point tips downward and away from other people.
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12. \ Wear gloves and safety goggles when dissecting or handling cadavers, chemicals, or bodily fluids.
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13. \ Dispose of used scalpel blades in blade disposal box. Other metal sharps should be disposed of in the labeled sharps containers.
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14. \ Dispose of broken glassware in the marked container. Always use a broom and dust-pan.
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15. \ Dispose of slides in the container labeled “Used Slides”.
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16. \ Dispose of hazardous biological wastes in biohazard containers. Preserved materials are not considered biohazardous waste and are safe for regular trash.
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17. \ If any chemicals should splash into your eyes, flush with the eye wash immediately.
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18. \ Do not use any lab equipment without instruction and authorization from the instructor.
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19. \ Report any damaged or broken equipment to your instructor immediately.
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20. \ Report ANY and ALL accidents, spills, or injuries, no matter how trivial they appear, to the instructor.
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21. \ Work area should be kept tidy at all times.
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22. \ Leave the laboratory clean and organized for the next lab section. Leave your work area as clean or cleaner than you found it. Make sure waste and trash are placed I the appropriate receptacles. Be sure to collect all personal belongings before leaving for the day. 
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\ DO NOT PUT ANY METAL SHARPS WASTE IN REGULAR TRASH OR DUMPSTERS.

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\ Glass should be placed in the broken Glass boxes found within the lab room.  Any biohazardous materials should be placed in the biohazard bags.

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\ SPECIAL CONDITIONS

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\ If you have a health condtion such as asthma or diabetes please inform me of your condition and any actions that should be taken in the cas of an emergency.  For example if yyou have an epinephrine or glycogen shoot that must be administered.

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\ COMPUTER LAB

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\ The computer lab is located in the CAI lab on the second floor of the library.  Lab hours are monday through Thursday, 8:00ap to 8:50 p.m.:Friday, 8:00 a. m. to 4:50 p.m.; Sunday, 2:00 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.  When using the computer lab, please be sure that you log in and out at the entrance of the lab

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\ BIOLOGY STUDY CENTER

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\ The biology study center is located in room 109 of the sciences building.  Check office door for hours.

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\ DISCLAIMER

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\ The course will adhere to the content of this syllabus.  In the event of unforeseen circumstances the instructor may change the syllabus.  The student s will be notified if changes are made.

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