Biology for Non-Science Majors I 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

Privacy Statement

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-1408-007 Biology for Non-Science Majors I

Prerequisites

Course Description

Provides a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells, structure, function and reproduction. Laboratory activities will reinforce lecture content.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Essentials of the Living World, 4th ed. George Johnson. 2013

Life Science 1 Lab Manual, Dan Porter
 

 

Supplies

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

Student Performance

 

STUDENT PERFORMANCE, COMPETENCIES AND OBJECTIVES:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions, and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.

2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory.

3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations.

4. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures.

5. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.

6. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.

7. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.

8. Describe and identify karyotyping, pedigrees, and biotechnology and provide an example of the uses of each

9. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.

10. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.

 

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

AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF CHEATING. The appearance of cheating may result in a grade of zero for the exam or quiz and possibly a failing grade for the course. Hats and earphones are not to be worn during tests. Cell phones must be turned off during exams. Cell phones should be set to silent during lecture and labs, and texting is not allowed. If you must take an important call or have an emergency text you must reply to, please inform the instructor before class begins. There will be no eating, drinking or chewing gum in the lab. Any disruptive behavior may lead to removal from the lab or lecture.

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\ The student will be expected to follow the safety rules and to notify the instructor immediately if any accident occurs. While the risk is minimized as much as possible, there is the potential for contact with electrical appliances, heating elements, sharp instruments, chemicals, and organic materials, some of which may be biohazards. Any student deemed to be jeopardizing the safety of others will be asked to leave the lab immediately and possibly permanently. Other safety rules are found in the Laboratory Manual and will be covered in the first day of class. Proper attire is required to participate in lab. Improper attire may result in removal from the lab and a zero for any participation or exam grade given that day.

Grading Criteria

EVALUATION: Exams will count for 60%, Quizzes and Assignments will count for 20% and Lab Tests will count 20%of the course grade.

GRADING: Grades will not be curved and there will be 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

LECTURE Exams are worth 60% of the overall grade for the course. There will be 5 exams. You will be allowed to drop one exam grade. Each exam is worth 15% for a combined 60%, once the lowest exam is dropped.

EXAMS
Five lecture exams, approximately 50 questions (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer). The exam material will come from the lecture outlines, textbook readings, web readings, and other assignments.  One exam grade will be DROPPED (See Final Exam Option). If you MISS the due date and time for an exam for any reason, a grade of zero will be assigned for that exam and that will be your drop for the semester. NO MAKE-UPS or extra time will be given for any reason on any EXAM. 

QUIZZES AND ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS 20%
There will be quizzes and additional assignments made weekly during the semester. The quizzes will be fill-in-the-blank.  The quizzes will be given promptly at the start of lecture. Five minutes will be allowed to take the quiz. After 5 minutes, the quizzes will be taken up and graded. If you are late and miss a quiz, a grade of 0 will be given for that quiz. There are no makeup quizzes. Two quiz grades from this category will be DROPPED. The rest of the quiz grades and other assignments will be averaged. IMPORTANT!! Quizzes and other assignments will be due at the beginning of class.

FINAL EXAM OPTION: If you take all four (4) lecture exams and you are satisfied with your grade prior to the final exam, you can elect to use your final exam grade as the drop grade INSTEAD of one of the lecture exams. (Remember NO MAKE - UPS on exams).

LAB PRACTICALS 20%

There will be 2 Lab Tests given. Each is worth 10% of your overall grade. There are no drops for lab tests.

SCIENCE TESTING CENTER POLICIES

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. Please note:  No tests will be given out less than one and a half hours 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.

Mandatory 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.

A 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.

Free Drop-in:

Peer tutors are available at the Science Enrichment Center

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!

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  It is therefore the responsibility of the student to attend class. Absences result in zeros for any missed quizzes, exams, presentations or participation grades. If you stop attending class and do not officially drop the course, you will receive an “F” for the course. A grade of “W” will be given for student-initiated drops or withdrawals. Texas law now mandates that students may only drop or withdraw 6 times in their entire college careers, excluding drops prior to the census date.

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Calendar

Additional Information

EMAIL: The instructor will check email Monday - Thursday by 5:00 PM and Fridays by 1:00PM.  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 teach numerous other courses.  Be patient.

Also remember Instructor's emails are sent to your default email address. .

CLASS WEBSITE: AC Online is utilized in this class as a grade book and e-mail system. There may be quizzes and other assignments to be completed through AC Online. I will post announcements, lecture and lab handouts, photos, and other important material via AC Online. The login for AC Online is the same as with WebAdvisor. If you do not have a computer or internet access at home, you have available to you the computer lab on campus in the library second floor.

Biology Study Center: Located in the Warren building, room 110.

MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet may be requested from your instructor.

Campus Police: Campus Police NonEmergency 371-5163, in case of Emergency call 371-5911 or call 911 for city police and ambulance assistance.

Grievance Procedure: If a student has a problem with the course policies or the instructor, he or she should first try to 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, the Dean of Arts and Sciences, the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the college President, IN THAT ORDER.

Expectations: Every student will take personal responsibility for his/her learning in this course. To succeed, each student must...

    Attend all lecture and lab meetings

    Spend at least 1 hour of study for each hour spent in lecture and lab

    Complete reading assignments before coming to class

    Participate in lecture and lab by asking questions and being active in lab

    Demonstrate college-level effort and behavior

    Complete all assignments when due.

Biology Contract for Success

_______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. Cheating also includes helping or attempting to help other students to cheat on a test. 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.

            _______I understand all testing will be done outside of the class time.

_______I understand if I score below a 70 on any exam, I must complete a mandatory 30 minute tutoring session with my instructor or the Science Enrichment Center before requesting a test for the next exam (excluding the Final Exams week). I also understand that I must present a completed Record of Tutoring form to the Science Testing Center when requesting my next exam.

_______I have reviewed/read and understand the course syllabus and Science Testing Center rules below. It was covered by my instructor on the first day of class. I understand that I must abide by the requirements outlined within that syllabus. I am aware that the course syllabus is also available for reference or print or print on AC Connect.

SCIENCE TESTING CENTER RULES

• Books may be placed on the bookshelf before you request a test but Amarillo College is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
• To request a test, fill out a “Test Request” slip.
• All tests must be taken in order. Once a test is taken, you may not go back and take a previous test.
• An Amarillo College picture ID is required in order to take or view any test in the Science Testing Center. 
• No scratch paper or notecards are allowed for testing. You may use the back of the test to show your extra work.  Once you have begun work on a test that is considered one attempt. You cannot leave the Science Testing Center and return to finish that test at a later time.
• In the testing room, please do not sit by someone with the same colored test. All purses must be on the floor.
• The Science Testing Center will not hand out a test less than 1 ½ hours before closing time.
• The Science Testing Center personnel will pick up your test five minutes prior to closing time.
• Tests may not be taken out of the Science Testing Center.
• The Science Testing Center hours are posted on the outside door, in this syllabus, on AC Connect, and in the Science Testing Center. 
• Please come prepared. If you do not have a pencil, you may purchase one from the Science Testing Center for 25 cents.  Please bring exact change. Pens are not allowed on any test.
• Childcare arrangements must be made prior to testing. Children may not accompany students into testing room or be left unattended anywhere on campus.
• CELL PHONE CALCULATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
• Cell phones must be turned off and out of sight in the testing room.
• Students can log in to AC Connect to get their test results.

Course and Section #:_____________Instructor Name _________________________Semester _______

Print Name:_________________________________________ Phone Number _____________________

Signature: _________________________________ Student ID Number ________________________