Chemistry Syllabus for 2014-2015
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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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

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

MLAB-2501-001 Chemistry

Prerequisites

Corequisite: MLAB 2266

Course Description

An introduction to the principles and procedures  of various tests performed in Clinical Chemistry. Presents the physiological basis, principle and procedure and clinical significance of test results, including quality control and reference values. Includes basic chemical laboratory technique and safety, electrolytes, acid-base balance, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, enzymes, endocrine function and toxicology.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(5 sem hrs; 4 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Clinical Chemistry: Concepts and Applications, Shauna C. Anderson and Susan Cockayne, 2007, ISBN: 1-57766-514-7 2007

Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference,  2014, ISBN: 978-0-323-08949-4 
(Also availavle as an ebook: http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/product.jspisbn=9780323080149&navAction=jump&navCount=4 )

Supplies

The following includes a general list of lecture and lab supplies: 

• Textbook(s) and/or lab manual
• 3 inch notebook
  • Tabs/dividers
  • Numbering dots
• Scientifi

  Student Performance

  \ END-OF-COURSE OUTCOMES
  \ Upon the completion of this course, the student will be able to do all of the following with at least 70% accuracy as evaluated by the faculty in the program: (Reference: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board-Workforce Education Course Manual)

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  1. \ Apply principles of safety, quality assurance and quality control in Clinical Chemistry;
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  2. \ Evaluate specimen acceptability for chemical analysis;
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  3. \ Compare and contrast human body chemistry levels under normal and abnormal conditions;
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  4. \ Explain and perform procedures found in a clinical chemistry laboratory; and
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  5. \ Evaluate laboratory test outcomes and correlate test results with patient condition(s).
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  \ Specific learning/behavioral objectives for each lecture section and each laboratory exercise are distributed as part of the lecture/laboratory handouts.

  Students Rights and Responsibilities

  Student Rights and Responsibilities

  Log in using the AC Connect Portal

  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

  \ ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
  \ Academic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of the college rules and regulations and is punishable as prescribed by Amarillo College Board policies. Academic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to, cheating on a test/quiz/assignment, plagiarism, and collusion. Cheating shall include:
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  • \ Copying from another student's test/assignment paper.
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  • \ Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test/assignment (ex: notes, books, etc).
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  • \ Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test/assignment without permission from the test/assignment administrator/instructor.
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  • \ Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an administered/unadministered test/assignment.
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  • \ The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the administered/unadministered test/assignment.
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  • \ Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one's self, to take a test/assignment.
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  • \ Bribing another person to obtain an administered/unadministered test/assignment or information about an administered/unadministered test/assignment.
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  \ Plagiarism shall be defined as the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another's work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one's own written work.
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  \ Collusion shall be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.
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  \ Students may not use books, computer websites, or collaborate with another individual when completing quizzes, exams, or assignments in this course unless specifically directed to do so by their instructor.
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  \ WORK ETHICS
  \ Amarillo College and the Medical Laboratory Technology program are committed to developing knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors in students so that they can obtain entry-level employment and advance in their chosen profession. Great measures are taken to ensure that the curriculum is updated and that equipment is purchased and kept at industry level, as much as possible. Program Advisory committees meet annually to ensure that the curriculum meets the needs of the local medical community as well as the program's national accrediting agency.
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  \ We are committed to providing these things to ensure that a graduate has the skills and knowledge to obtain and advance in their chosen profession. Therefore, professional education must address more than academic and skills training in order to meet this challenge. Business and industry state that their greatest need is for employees who possess strong work ethics. Therefore, we accept the challenge of providing not only academic and hands-on training but also work ethics training to students. The work ethics program is important because it provides the link between academic knowledge, skills training and successful employment in the workforce. The program focuses on those behaviors expected in a professional environment.
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  \ The following work ethics have been identified as being most important to professional employers, and will be covered and evaluated on a weekly basis, each semester, throughout the program:
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  • \ Attendance
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  • \ Character
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  • \ Teamwork
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  • \ Appearance
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  • \ Attitude
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  • \ Productivity
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  • \ Organization
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  • \ Communication
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  • \ Cooperation
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  • \ Respect
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  \ NOTE: If a student is absent during a scheduled lecture/lab period, he/she cannot be awarded points for work ethics during that missed lecture/lab period.
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  \ CELLULAR TELEPHONES AND PAGERS
  \ Cellular telephones and pagers are disruptive during lecture and lab sessions. Cellular telephones and pagers should be turned-off during class time, or set on vibrate or "blink" during class time. If the student anticipates an emergency during class time, they should leave the number for the Student Services Office with their contact. The number is 371-5300.
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  \ Text/Instant Messaging is NOT permitted when lectures and labs are in session.  It is disruptive and disrespectful to fellow students and the course instructor. Students who are caught engaging in either of these will be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to:
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  1. \ Being asked to leave class for the remainder of the day
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  2. \ Mandatory conference with the Dean of Health Sciences
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  3. \ Conference with the Vice President of Student Affairs and a permanent entry in the student's official program record
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     \ The ONLY exception that will be made is if the student has discussed the situation with their instructor beforehand, and ONLY for emergency purposes.
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  \ 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 through the instructor. If the problem is not resolved, the student may proceed to the Program Director (Jan Martin), the Dean of Health Sciences (Mr Mark Rowh), Vice President of Academic Affairs (Dr Russell Lowery-Hart), and the College President (Dr Paul Matney), IN THAT ORDER.

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  Grading Criteria

  \ The lecture and laboratory components of this course will be weighted as follows:
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  \ Chemistry Lecture = 70% of the total grade
  \ Chemistry Lab = 20% of the total grade
  \ Work Ethics = 10% of the total grade
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  \ Seven major examinations will be given over the lecture and reading material. A comprehensive final will also be given at the end of the course in both the lecture and laboratory portions of this course. Quizzes may be given, announced or unannounced at any time, so the student is advised to complete all assignments in a timely manner in order to be successful on quizzes. No credit will be given for assignments, study questions, etc... turned in/submitted after the specified due date. A total accumulative point system is used to calculate the final grade average and is comprised of the following:

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  • \ Assignments (Lab experiments, 5-15 points possible, each; study questions, 10 points possible; Notebooks, 50 points possible; etc.)
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  • \ 7 major Lecture Examinations (100 points possible per exam), 1 lab practical (300 points possible)
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  • \ 1 comprehensive final exam (Primarily covers lecture material, however laboratory procedures may be included, in the context of their relationship to the lecture material)
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  • \ Quizzes (10-50 points possible, each)
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  • \ Work ethics: (0-10 points possible per lecture and per lab, based on student demonstration of positive work ethic qualities, as evaluated by their instructor(s)). In addition, there will be discussions over each of the work ethics. Students will be required to post answers and also to give feedback regarding other student's postings. Each work ethic assignment will be worth an additional 10 points, based on the grading rubric for discussions.
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  \ 1 comprehensive lecture final exam (200 points, possible)
  \ 1 comprehensive lab exam, with written and practical components (200 total points, possible)

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  \ Study questions/assignments are given in conjunction with each section covered in this course. The examinations for each section are based, for the most part, on the study questions. Although completion of study questions will be optional, students are advised to complete each set of questions as an effective means of studying for examinations. Students who complete the study questions, and submit them via email prior to the day and time the exam to which they pertain opens, may receive a possible 10 extra credit points to be added in to their total points for that exam. No study questions will be accepted in class. If a student is having technical difficulty sending their study questions via email, he/she should save their study questions to a disk, notify their instructor, and ask for assistance in a computer lab at any of the Amarillo College campuses. Students who elect not to complete/turn in their study questions will not be penalized, however they will also be unable to receive the extra credit points.

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  \ Students with questions regarding examination results may call or email their instructor with their concerns. The request must be submitted within 1 calendar week after the exam closes. The student will be notified within 1 calendar week if the points have/have not been awarded.

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  \ The grading scale used for this course will be applied as follows:  

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  • \ A = 90.0% - 100.0% of the total points possible for this course
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  • \ B = 80.0% - 89.9% of the total points possible for this course
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  • \ C = 70.0% - 79.9% of the total points possible for this course
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  • \ F = 69.9% or less of the total points possible for this course
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  \ NOTE: A grade of 'D' is not possible

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  \ Points earned throughout the semester WILL NOT be rounded when computing the final semester grade.

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  \ INCOMPLETES
  \ Incompletes are granted only for emergency situations such as hospitalization of the student just prior to the final exam, serious injury to the student on the day of the final exam, etc. Incompletes will not be granted for situations involving vacation plans, transportation difficulties, appointments, etc. Students who need to request an incomplete must do so prior to the scheduled time of the final exam with appropriate documentation given to the instructor.

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  \ DROPPING/WITHDRAWING FROM CLASSES
  \ No administrative drops/withdrawals will be initiated by program officials.  It is the responsibility of each student to drop or withdraw from a course.  Students can drop a course via WebAdvisor, and must do so prior to the last day to drop/withdraw as posted on the Amarillo College Master Calendar.  Students should be aware that failure to attend class does NOT result in being automatically dropped from a course, and WILL result in a grade of “F”. 

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  \ Students should be advised that they may repeat a MLAB course only one time, and may repeat no more than two courses while enrolled in the program. The term “repeat” shall be interpreted to mean re-enrollment following withdrawal, drop or an unsatisfactory grade from a class. Students who are forced to completely withdraw from the college during a given semester may re-apply for admission to the program. Once the student has actually begun the program, he/she must complete all MLAB major courses within 36 months.

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  \ Examinations and quizzes may not be made-up. Students will be given 72 hours to take each exam, 48 hours for the final exam, and 48 hours to take each quiz. If a student experiences problems with his/her computer or internet provider, or if the student is out of town, he/she can access ACconnect from ANY computer equipped with internet service, including public libraries, internet cafes, or at any of the student accessible college computer laboratories. Students are advised NOT to wait until the last minute to take their exams/quizzes.

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  \ Once a student logs into an exam/quiz on ACconnect, the timer for that exam/quiz begins and continues until the maximum allowable time for that exam/quiz has expired, regardless of whether the student is online or offline. As a result, students are strongly advised not to log on and off during a(n) exam/quiz.

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  \  Late assignments will not be accepted, and laboratory sessions cannot be made-up under any circumstances, due to the nature of the laboratory environment and viability of specimens. Students are also responsible for gathering the information that was covered in lab during their absence.

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  \ Final examinations cannot be made up, unless an incomplete has been granted, and missing the exam will automatically result in an exam grade of "F".

  Attendance

  \ Attendance and punctuality will be noted in this course in both lecture and in lab. Additionally, punctuality will be appraised in turning in assignments, completing exams and activities, labs, quizzes, etc. Students should be aware that these are an important component of their Work Ethics evaluations each week.

  Calendar

  This is a tentative course calendar. The calendar may change depending on the pace of the class, instructor illness, LMS difficulties, etc. The instructor will always notify students, via course announce and/or course email, if there is going to be a change in the calendar. It is the student's responsibility to check course announcements and course email on a regular basis in order to be appraised of any changes in the calendar.

  Week Sec(s) Topic Reading Assignment(s) Due 1 1 Work Ethic 1: Attendance   Complete Discussion Board Assignment Open Mon closes Thurs @ 9am  Syllabus   Complete Syllabus Agreement Saturday @ 9am Lecture: Electrolytes and Water Balance Ch 21 Complete  Sec 1 Learning Activities Monday-Thursday Lab 1: Infection Control & Lab Safety   Discussion Tuesday Lab 2: Instrumentation & Quality Control   Discuss and review lab procedure(s Tuesday     Complete and submit lab Tuesday Lab 3: Spectrophotometer and Light   Discuss and review lab procedure(s) Thursday     Complete and submit lab Thursday Work Ethic 2: Character     Complete Discussion Board Assignment Open Thurs, closes Mon @ 9am     Evaluation of student work ethics Mon-Thurs, lecture and/or lab     Complete Study Questions over Sec 1 Due Friday before 9am     Exam over Sec 1 Exam open Friday-Monday @ 9am   2 2 Labor Day Holiday   No Class Monday Work Ethic 3: Teamwork   Complete Discussion Board Assignment   Open Mon closes Thurs @ 9am Lecture: Carbohydrates & Lipid Metabolism Ch 9 & 10 Complete  Sec 2 Learning Activities Tuesday-Thursday Lab 4: Electrolytes   Discuss and review lab procedure(s Tuesday     Complete and submit lab Tuesday Lab 5: Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphate   Discuss and review lab procedure(s) Thursday     Complete and submit lab Thursday Work Ethic 4: Appearance     Complete Discussion Board Assignment Open Thurs, closes Mon @ 9am     Evaluation of student work ethics Tues-Thurs, lecture and/or lab     Complete Study Questions over Sec 2 Due Friday before 9am     Exam over Sec 2 Exam open Friday-Monday @ 9am   3 3 Work Ethic 5: Attitude   Complete Discussion Board Assignment   Open Mon closes Thurs @ 9am Lecture: Renal Anatomy, Physiology, and Function Ch 19 & 20 Complete  Sec 3 Learning Activities Monday-Thursday Lab 6: Glucose & Oral Glucose Tolerance Testing   Discuss and review lab procedure(s Tuesday     Complete and submit lab Tuesday Lab 7: Hemoglobin A1C