Biology for Science Majors I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information
Instructor
Christopher Adkins (Curriculum Vitae)Office Hours
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
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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-1406-003 Biology for Science Majors I
Prerequisites
Prerequisite: RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills; SCIT 1307 recommended
Course Description
Fundamental principles of living organisms will be studied, including physical and chemical properties of life, organization, function, evolutionary adaptation and classification. Concepts of cytology, reproduction, genetics and scientific reasoning are included. Laboratory activities will reinforce lecture content.
Student Resources Student Resources Website
Department Expectations
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Hours
(4 hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)
Class Type
Online Course
Syllabus Information
Textbooks
Textbook: Essentials of The Living World, 4th Ed., by George Johnson, ©2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
• You are not required to have a McGraw Hill CONNECT code. This means you may purchase a used book if you want. However, a CONNECT code will give you access to advanced online study materials - the choice is yours.
Supplies
- Access to a reliable computer with internet connectivity.
- In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in
- through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu.
- All students must use "AC Connect Email&rdq
Student Performance
Subject Description
By the end of this semester, students are expected to complete and satisfy all of the following learning objectives with a minimum of 60% competency based on the completion of quizzes, labs, major exams, and a comprehensive final exam.
Learning Outcomes & Objectives: Upon satisfactory completion of this course of study in life science, students will be able to:
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 the importance of karyotypes, pedigrees, and biotechnology.
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 ResponsibilitiesLog 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
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 if possible)
QUIZZES - You will get two attempts on lecture quizzes and one attempt on laboratory quizzes. The best score will be recorded. If a problem occurs during a quiz ( example: loss of
internet connection, computer lock up or restart, or you simply forgot to submit it) you will have only one attempt. If the instructor decides to reset the quiz, you will get only one attempt. Also, you must finish within the allotted time frame. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a decreased score (10 points /min over) on the quiz.
EXAMS - You will get only one attempt. If a problem occurs during an exam, contact your instructor immediately. The instructor will reset an exam only if it is an Amarillo College server problem (not a personal computer issue). Any other problems will result in a zero for that assignment. Also, you must finish within the allotted time; if time expires, the exam will automatically and immediately be submitted and graded.
TAKING QUIZZES & EXAMS: If your computer, laptop, PC, Mac, tablet, and/or internet connection is slow, weak, problematic, unreliable, or possessed, it is “highly” recommended that you seek a reliable computer and/or internet connection such as those at the AC Testing Center or AC Library. It is your responsibility to ensure that you attempt all quizzes and exams on a reliable computer.
WAITING UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE: If you wait until the last minute to complete online assignments, quizzes, or exams, you’re almost guaranteed to encounter computer problems. Completing assignments in advance should ensure technology will work as planned.Grading Criteria
Students must have a combined score of 60% (total) or better for a passing grade. Percentages for the final grade will be calculated as follows:
How Many?
Quizzes & Lab Assignments = 45% of grade {4 Quizzes, 11 Labs}
Exams = 40% of grade {4 Exams}
Final Exam = 15% of grade {1 Final Exam}QUIZZES & LAB ASSIGNMENTS: = 45% of your total grade. Four (4) quizzes, 20 questions (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer). The quiz material will come from the outlines, textbook readings, web readings, and other assignments. If you miss the due date and time for a quiz for any reason, a grade of zero will be assigned for that quiz. No make-up quizzes or extra time will be given for any reason on any quiz. For labs: You will have to submit photo documentation of several labs. The instructor will post what items must be in the pictures to get credit for the lab. See the lab documentation and assignments for details as they become available.
EXAMS: 40% of your total grade. Four (4) exams, 50 questions (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer). The exam material will come from the outlines, textbook readings, lab assignments, lab readings, web readings, and other assignments. If you miss the due date and time for an exam (for any reason), a grade of zero will be assigned for that exam. NO MAKE-UPS or extra time will be given for any reason on any exam.
Please check Blackboard daily for details regarding when exams will be due.
FINAL EXAM: = 15% of your total grade. It is comprehensive. It will cover everything from the beginning of the semester to the end of the semester. It will cover material from previous exams and some material from the textbook, labs, websites, and/or other notes covered in this class. 100 questions.Attendance
Although this course is an online format, regular online attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. This is an 8 week online summer course which will demand a large weekly effort in terms of time from each student. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to meet assignment due dates and regular weekly reading. Again, no make-ups will be given for any missed assignment, quiz, or exam. This includes any personal computer problems or scheduling conflicts.
Calendar
Week 1
June 08 — 12
Syllabus; Chapter 0 (Studying Biology) Chapter 1 (The Science of Biology) Chapter 2 (The Chemistry of Life)
#1 PowerPoint Assignment #2 The Metric System
Week 2
June 15 — 19
Chapter 3 (Molecules of Life) Chapter 4 (Cells)
EXAM 1 Due
#3 The Scientific Method & Properties of Water
Week 3
June 22 — 26
Chapter 5 (Energy and Life) Chapter 6 (Photosynthesis)
#4 The Microscope & Cells #5 Osmosis & Diffusion
Week 4
June 29 — July 02
Chapter 7 (How Cells Harvest Energy from Food) Chapter 8 (Mitosis)
EXAM 2 Due
#6 Photosynthesis
Week 5
July 06 — 10
Chapter 9 (Meiosis)
Chapter 10 (Foundations of Genetics)
#7 DNA Extraction #8 Mitosis
Week 6
July 13 — 17
Chapter 11 (DNA: The Genetic Material)
EXAM 3 Due
#9 Genetics
Week 7
July 20 — 24
Chapter 12 (How Genes Work) Chapter 13 (The New Biology) EXAM 4 Due
#10 DNA to Proteins #11 Biotechnology
Week 8
July 27 — 30
Chapter 13 (The New Biology) continued...
FINAL EXAM (Due July 29, 2015)
No LabAdditional Information
The instructor will check emails Monday - Thursday by 5:00 PM. Emails after 5:00PM will be checked the following day. The instructor will try to respond within 24 hours, except on Fridays and weekends. Please be patient. I, the instructor, reserve the right to amend this syllabus at any time during the semester.

If you miss the due date and time for any quiz, assignment, or exam, a grade of zero will be assigned.
No make-ups, second chances, or extra time will be given for any reason on any quiz, assignment, or exam; unless it is directly Amarillo College’s servers fault.
If you have scheduling conflicts, personal computer problems, or miss any assignment due dates, a grade of zero will be given for that assignment.Syllabus Created on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM
Last Edited on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM