Biology for Non-Science Majors 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

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-1409-002 Biology for Non-Science Majors II

Prerequisites

Course Description

This course will provide a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including evolution, ecology, plant and animal diversity and physiology. Laboratory activities will reinforce lecture content.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Biology: Concepts and Investigations. 2nd ed. Hoefnagels, 2012

Supplies

\ Pen, pencil, and notebook required. 

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\ Student will need 6 green scantron forms 882-E.

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. 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.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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

Students responsibilities: Students are expected to complete all work on time as stated in the grading criteria of the syllabus.Cell phones will not be tolerated during class. Students who use a cell phone may be asked to leave class, or place their phone on the instructors desk and any graded material missed will be recorded as a 0. In case of expected or emergency calls please inform the instructor before class begins. Missed quizzes and Exams may NOT be made up.  Late work will NOT be accepted.  Students are free to curteously remove themselves from the classroom without disturbance to take care of any personal matters. Food and drink are allowed in the classroom but please be mindful of fellow students. Talking while the instructor is giving lecture will not be tolerated. 

 

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 Program coordinator for Biology (Dr. Claudie Biggers), then the Department of Biological Sciences Chairperson (Dr. Kathy Wetzel), the Dean of the Division of Sciences and Engineering (Dr. Jerry Moller), then the Vice President of Academic Affairs (Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart), and then the College President (Dr. Paul Matney), IN THAT ORDER.

WITHDRAWAL: A grade of "W" will be given for drops or withdraws on or before the published official withdraw date (April 24^th).  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 in writing.

 

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!

 

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 finals week, 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.

Special Notes:

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.  Material included is intended to provide an outline of the course and rules that the instructor will adhere to in evaluating the student's progress.  Students are expected to read the textbook before and after the material is presented in lecture.

Grading Criteria

 

EVALUATION: Lecture exams and assignments/quizzes will count for 75 % of the course grade, and Lab content will count for 25% of the course grade.

Lecture Exams                                 50%
Lecture Assignments/quizzes           25%
Lab Assignments/quizzes                 15%
Poster presentation                          10% 

Total                                               100%

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

LECTURE EXAMS: 50% of the total grade for the semester.
Lecture material will be combined into five (5) exams. Approximately 50 questions (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer). The exam material will come from the lecture notes, assignments, and from the text book. The lowest exam grade will be DROPPED.   NO MAKE-UPs will be given for any reason.  

QUIZZES AND ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS: 25% of the total grade for the semester.
There will be in class quizzes and additional assignments to complete during the semester. The lowest grade from this category will be dropped. 

  

 

Attendance

\ Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement, therefore it is the responsibility of the student to attend each class and complete all assignments. Attendance is not taken on a daily basis, however daily graded assignments may be given.  If you stop attending class and do not officially withdraw from the course before the published drop date, you will receive an “F” for this course.

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Calendar

Additional Information

\ EMAIL: The instructor will check email everyday.  The instructor will try to respond within 24 hours. Remember instructors teach numerous other courses.  Be patient. Also remember Instructor's emails are sent to your default email address. 

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\ Science Enrichment Center

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\     The biology study lab is located in Warren Hall room 110. Their hours will be posted. You may find help with your biology courses as well as free tutoring and internet access. Students are encouraged to utilize this free and helpful resource for all of their course study needs.