Biology for Non-Science Majors I Syllabus for 2015-2016
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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
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-1408-003 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
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
You must use Respondus Lockdown Browser & Respondus Monitor for all exams and quizzes! See the section below regarding Respondus Lockdown Browser. During each assessment, 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.Grading Breakdown
Percentage Range Letter Grade 89.5% — 100% A 79.5% — 89.49% B 69.5% — 79.49% C 59.5% — 69.49% D Below 59.49% F 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.
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.

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.Calendar
Week
Dates
Course Schedule
Lab
1
Aug 24 — Aug 28
Syllabus; Chapter 0 (Studying Biology) & Chapter 1 (The Science of Biology)
(#1) PowerPoint Assignment
2
Aug 31 — Sep 04
Chapter 2 (The Chemistry of Life)
(#2) The Metric System
3
Sep 08 — Sep 11
Chapter 3 (Molecules of Life)
(#3) The Scientific Method & Properties of Water
4
Sep 14 — Sep 18
Chapter 4 (Cells) & EXAM 1 Due
No Lab
5
Sep 21 — Sep 25
Chapter 5 (Energy and Life)
(#4) The Microscope & Cells
6
Sep 28 — Oct 02
Chapter 6 (Photosynthesis)
(#5) Osmosis & Diffusion
7
Oct 05 — Oct 09
Chapter 7 (How Cells Harvest Energy from Food) & EXAM 2 Due
No Lab
8
Oct 12 — Oct 16
Chapter 8 (Mitosis)
(#6) Photosynthesis
9
Oct 19 — Oct 23
Chapter 9 (Meiosis)
(#7) DNA Extraction
10
Oct 26 — Oct 30
Chapter 10 (Foundations of Genetics)
(#8) Mitosis
11
Nov 02 — Nov 06
Chapter 10 (Foundations of Genetics) continued & EXAM 3 Due
No Lab
12
Nov 09 — Nov 13
Chapter 11 (DNA: The Genetic Material)
(#9) Genetics
13
Nov 16 — Nov 20
Chapter 12 (How Genes Work)
(#10) DNA to Proteins
14
Nov 23 — Nov 25
Chapter 13 (The New Biology)
(#11) Biotechnology
15
Nov 30 — Dec 04
Chapter 13 (The New Biology) continued & EXAM 4 Due
No Lab
16
Dec 07 — Dec 09
FINAL EXAM Due (Due: Wednesday, December 9th)
No Lab
Important Dates:
September 07 —— Labor Day (holiday)
September 11 —— All campuses close at 11am CDT
November 17 —— Last Day to Withdraw
November 26 thru 29 —— Thanksgiving (holiday)
December 09 —— Final Exam due (this is a Wednesday!)Additional Information
Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor
Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor must be used to complete all online exams and quizzes!
Amarillo College now requires all online exams and quizzes to be completed using a web browser called Respondus Lockdown Browser. This browser functions similar to other web browsers; however, it prevents a student from opening up other programs, web pages, notes, files, etc during an exam or quiz. This helps to maintain academic honesty, even when students are participating through online and distance education courses.You will be required to 1) download and install Respondus Lockdown Browser on your computer, and 2) only use Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor when you attempt quizzes and exams, including the Final Exam. If you try to start an exam or quiz using Firefox, Safari, Chrome, etc, Blackboard will prevent you from starting the assessment until you navigate to the assessment using Respondus Lockdown Browser.
You can the download information once you log-in to Blackboard, and then click on “Student Tools” at the top right of your Blackboard page. Then, on the Student Tools page, you can find the Respondus Lockdown Browser information on the module on the left side of the screen. I have also posted some information on regarding Respondus Lockdown Browser in the Week 1 folder and inside the Course Syllabus folder!
Here is the Link explaining why you must use Respondus Lockdown Browser.
Here is the Link to Respondus Lockdown Browser download.
Here is the Link to Respondus Lockdown Browser installation tutorial.You must also use Responds Monitor for each exam and quiz. This means you will need to set up your webcam and successfully initiate it for the software. You must show your Amarillo College ID or drivers license (if your AC ID is not handy) to the webcam to prove you are the one taking the test! You will also be required to use the webcam to show you have no books or notes around you before you start the exam or quiz. If you fail to do so, significant points will be reduced on your quiz or exam!
If you have ANY issues, errors, problems, or questions, please contact Amarillo College IT department as soon as possible!!! Contact your instructor about Respondus only if the AC IT Department is unable to resolve your problems or issues. If you are not comfortable taking exams or quizzes using Respondus Monitor, then you must take your exams and quizzes in the Amarillo College Testing Center.
Information Technology (IT) Department Info
Email Info: TIC@actx.edu
Washington Street Campus: Russell Hall, Room 121
West Campus: Building A, Room 102
West Campus Computing & Testing Center: Building D, Room 106
East Campus Testing Information Center: Building SSC, Room 106
Tutors are available at the:
Science Enrichment Center (SEC)
Warren Hall
Room 110
Phone: (806) 345-5536
The SEC will do its best to accommodate a student’s schedule within the SEC hours of operation. This may require plenty of advanced notice by the student as time slots fill quickly.SEC Hours of Operation Monday—Thursday 8:00am — 8:00pm Friday 8:00am — 3:00pm Saturday 9:00am — 3:00pm Sunday closed
The instructor, Dr. Adkins, reserves the right to amend this syllabus at any time during the semester.
Syllabus Created on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM
Last Edited on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM