General Zoology 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.

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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

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-1413-001 General Zoology

Prerequisites

Course Description

Fundamental biological concepts relevant to animals, including systematics, evolution, structure and function, cellular and molecular metabolism, reproduction, development, diversity, phylogeny and ecology. Laboratory activities will reinforce lecture content. (This course is intended for science majors.)

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

            Integrated Principles of Zoology, 16th ed, Hickman et al. 2014. McGraw-Hill

Laboratory Studies in Integrated Principles of Zoology, 16^th ed, Hickamn et al. 2014 McGraw-Hill

 

  

Supplies

\ Bring with you text books, pen or pencil, and anything you will need to take notes and complete assignments.  I suggest printing the notes and any handouts from Angel and bringing them with you each day.

Student Performance

\ Learning Outcomes

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\ After studying the material in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following:

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1. \ Describe the concept of evolution.
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2. \ Define basic tissue, organs, and organ systems of living organisms.
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3. \ Discuss the basic principles of heredity, gene regulation, and genetic engineering.
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4. \ Compare the concepts regulating evolution and speciation.
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5. \ Discuss the evolutionary origin and history of life, and the evolution of the primates.
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6. \ Define taxonomy and outline its basic concepts.
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7. \ Define the primitive animal-like organisms: Protozoa.
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8. \ Compare the animals without a coelom: Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, etc.
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9. \ Discuss the coelomate protostomes: Mollusca, Annelida, and Arthropoda.
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10. \ Compare the deuterostomes: Echinodermata and Chordata.
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11. \ Discuss the concept of animal protection, support, movement, processing of food, and nutrition.
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12. \ Define the ideas of animal internal transport, internal defense, and gas exchange.
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13. \ Define osmoregulation and disposal of metabolic wastes.
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14. \ Describe neurons, neural control, the nervous system, and the special senses.
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15. \ Define endocrine regulation, reproduction, and development.
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16. \ Discuss the concept of the geography of life, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystems, ecosphere, and the impact of humans on the environment.
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\ By the end of the semester the student will be able to satisfactorily complete all the listed learning objectives with a minimum of 60 percent competency level based on the completion of a minimum of four (4) major exams and a comprehensive post examination not to exceed two hours.  These will be administered under the supervision of the instructor.

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

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\ CELL PHONES AND PAGERS:

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\ Cell phones and pagers are not prohibited; however, please be considerate of others.  This means they should be on silent or vibrate mode.  Please be courteous to those around you with regard to cell phones and pagers and do not disrupt class.  If the call is an emergency please take the call outside of the classroom.  No texting during class.  And no music devices (Ipods, etc.) can be used in class and head phones must be out of ears and out of sight.  If your cell phone or pager goes off while we are taking a quiz, exam, or practical, you may receive a grade of zero on that test.  Cell phones in the “silent or vibrate” modes are not considered to be in the off mode and the preceding sentence will apply to these phones. 

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Grading Criteria

            A:        90-100

            B:        80-89

            C:        70-79

            D:        60-69

            F:         Below 60                  *There will be NO curves so don’t ask*

 

   

LECTURE:

50% of the Total Grade.  There will be weekly homework assignments given, totaling seven.  These will average to equal 1 test grade.  The homework will be given out on Thursdays and due the following Tuesday.  In addition to the homework there will be seven tests and out of the total of eight assignments (7 tests and homework grade) the lowest grade will be dropped.  The tests will be 50 questions multiple choice, matching, and true/false.  A scatron will be needed for all tests.  The seven grades will be averaged together for the lecture grade.  There will be no make up tests or homework given since there is a drop test.  Test dates given are subject to change.  If classes are officially canceled exams will be given the next class meeting.

                                                Test 1:                     September 4 – 5, 2014

                                                Test 2:                     September 18 – 19, 2014

                                                Test 3:                     October 2 – 3, 2014

                                                Test 4:                     October 16 – 17, 2014

                                                Test 5:                     October 30 – 31, 2014

                                                Test 6:                     November 13 – 14, 2014

                                                Test 7:                     December 4 – 5, 2014

LABORATORY:

25% of the Total Grade.  There will be 3 practicals, quizzes, and handouts. There will no make up quizzes since there will be a drop quiz.  Also there are no make up handouts, they are your responsibility to pick up, and they will be due at the first of the following lab period.  Make up practicals will only be given with a valid, written excuse during finals week.  If you need to do a make up you will need to make arrangements before your scheduled final.  Test dates given are subject to change.  If classes are officially canceled practicals and quizzes will be given the next class meeting.

                                Practical 1:               September 16, 2014

                                Practical 2:               October 21, 2014

                                Practical 3:               December 2, 2014

                                Group Presentation:    December 4, 2014

FINAL EXAM:

25% of the Total Grade.  The final will be comprehensive.  The test will be approximately 100 multiple choice, matching, and true/false questions.  You will need a scantron for the test.

                                                Final Exam:                             Thursday, December 11, 2014, 9 – 11

Attendance

\ Attendance will be taken each class period.  At the end of semester those who miss two days or less will receive 2 bonus points on their grade.  If you miss more than two days for what ever reason (illness, court date, funeral, etc.) you will not receive the extra credit.  Those who attend class every day and participate usually do much better than those who do not, so IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU COME TO CLASS PREPARED EVERY DAY!

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Calendar

Additional Information

  

COMPUTER LAB:

The Science and Engineering Computer Lab is located in the Library.  Please check with the library personnel about the lab hours.  When using the Computer lab, please be sure that you log in and out on the computer located at the entrance of the Computer lab.

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 Biology Department Chairperson (Dr. Biggers), the Dean of Instruction, and the college President, IN THAT ORDER.

MSDS:

Material Safety Sheets (MSDS) are stored in the yellow storage cabinet.

CAMPUS POLICE:

For help, call Campus Police at 371-5163

FOOD AND DRINK:

You may bring food and drink into both lecture and lab; however if you spill something, please clean up after yourself.  No food or drink allowed in the lab during dissections.

SCIENCE ENRICHMENT CENTER:

The Science Enrichment Center is located in the Warren Hall, room 110.  The hours are posted at the center and through the hallways.  These hours are subject to change based on the availability of the monitors.  The study center also offers free tutoring for science classes.  When using the study center, please be sure that you log in and out on the computer located at the entrance of the study center.  This is a good place to study models but not all models match the ones in lab.  PLEASE BE NICE AND TREAT THOSE AROUND YOU AND THE LADIES IN THE CENTER WITH RESPECT AT ALL TIMES!  Students will be asked to leave if they do not follow the rules.  Remember this is a privilege to help you get extra study time not a requirement of the biology department so please be patient if the hours are changed or if the center has to be closed due to an emergency.

SCIENCE TESTING CENTER:
Warren Hall 112

All tests, excluding the Final Exam, will be taken in the Science Testing Center and may be taken during normal Science Testing Center hours, day or evening.  Tests are to be taken outside of class lecture time.  If an exam is retaken, the higher of the scores is counted.  Please note:  No tests will be given out less than one hour before the Science Testing Center closes. You must present an Amarillo College student ID every time you take a test. The Science Testing Center staff will retain your ID while you take your test and it will be returned to you when you turn in your test.  when using the Science Testing Center students should scan in and out with their Amarillo College student I.D.

MANDITORY TUTORING:
Warren Hall 110

In an effort to increase retention in Biology courses, any student who scores below a 70 on any exam (excluding he Final Exam week) must complete a mandatory 30 minute tutoring session with his/her instructor or in the Science Enrichment before taking the next exam.  Appointments for 30 minute tutoring are required and can be scheduled in the Science Enrichment Center or by calling (806)371-5536.  Record of Tutoring form will be given to you when you complete 30 minutes of required tutoring. You will not be allowed to take the next exam without the complete Record of Tutoring form.

CHEATING:

Cheating will not be tolerated in any biology course at Amarillo College. On the first day of class, you will be required to sign and date a Course Contract. Included in the contract is the following statement: "I fully understand that if I cheat, or attempt to cheat, on any test I will receive an automatic “F” in the course. This grade will go on my permanent transcript and cannot be removed. Cheating includes, but is not limited to: the illegal use of books, notes, cell phones*, copying or leaving the Science Testing Center with a test or questions from a test. Cheating also includes helping, or attempting to help, other students to cheat on a test."  You will not be allowed to take your tests until this contract is signed and on file in the Science Testing Center.

*Please Note: NO CELL PHONES in the Testing Room. If we see your cell phone out AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, while in the testing room, YOU WILL RECEIVE an "F" for the course!