Biology for Non-Science Majors II 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-1409-004 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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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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

Optional: Life Science 2 Lab Book.  Moore, Schwarzlose, Foster, Thompson 2014

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. Define modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro and
\ macroevolution, and speciation.
\ 5. Describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes.
\ 6. Identify the major phyla of life with an emphasis on plants and animals, including the basis
\ for classification, structural and physiological adaptations, evolutionary history, and
\ ecological significance.
\ 7. Describe basic animal physiology and homeostasis as maintained by organ systems.
\ 8. Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages.
\ 9. Illustrate the relationship between major geologic change, extinctions, and evolutionary
\ trends.

Students 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

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 Dual Credit Coordinator (Sam Schwarzlose sjschwarzlose@actx.edu), Department of Biological Sciences Chairperson, the Dean of Sciences and Engineering, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the College President, IN THAT ORDER.

WITHDRAW: A grade of "W" will be given for drops or withdraws on or before the published official withdraw date.  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.

TEST RULES: Do nothing which would appear to involve cheating.  Failure to abide by the test rule will result in a grade of zero.  If you believe that an exam or assignment has been graded incorrectly, please email a written explanation which must include: 1) the number of the question you wish to have reconsidered, 2) the question, and 3) a detailed explanation of the mistake and documentation for the correct answer. (include page number)
QUIZZES - You will get two attempts on quizzes.  The best score will be recorded.  If a problem occurs during a quiz ( example: loss of internet connection, computer lock up, accidently open it prematurely, or you simply forgot to submit it) you will have only one attempt.  If the instructor decides to resets the quiz, you will have only one attempt.  You will get only one reset on a quiz per semester for any reason. Also you must finish within the allotted time frame. 
EXAMS - You will get only one attempt. If a problem occurs during an exam contact your instructor immediately.  The instructor will reset only one exam due to a technical problem or any other reason.  After the one reset any other problems will result in a zero on that assessment and it will be your drop.  If your computer or connection is weak. please use a reliable computer or connection.  Also you must finish within the allotted time frame.

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 GRADE 80% – consists of 5 Exams worth 60% of the overall grade for the course, and Quiz and Homework grades worth 20% of the overall grade.

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. If you miss another exam, there will be no drop and no make-up. That zero will become part of your overall grade average.

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, multiple choice, labeling, and/or short answer.  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. The 2 lowest 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. Late submissions will not be accepted and a grade of zero will be given.

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 GRADE 20% – Your teacher will assign your lab grade.

Warren Hall 112

All tests, will be taken in a proctored environment at a time established by your instructor. All students must take the exam during the same due date and time. It is not appropriate for students to take the exams at different times or dates.

Free Drop-in Tutoring:

Peer tutors are available at the Science Enrichment Center on the Washington Street Campus of Amarillo College. The SEC is located in room 110 of the Warren Building.

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.

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.

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.  For Instructions on how to change your default email address see Week One Lesson.

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.

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

_______I have reviewed/read and understand the course syllabus. It was covered by my instructor. 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.

_______I understand that this is a college course offered through Amarillo College, and I must abide by the policies laid out in the syllabus. This includes all policies related to grading, absences, make-ups, drops, etc.

Course and Section #:_________________________________ Semester _______________

Instructor Name _____________________________________________________________

Print Student Name:__________________________________________________________

Student Signature: ___________________________________________________________

Student ID Number __________________________________________________________

Parent or Guardian Signature___________________________________________________