BIOL1100 Lecture Syllabus

Fall 2012

Instructor: Joan McKearnan                  Office: S108

Phone numbers:  Office: 763-433-1232  Secretary:

E-mail: joan.mckearnan@anokaramsey.edu

Website: webs.anokaramsey.edu/mckearnan

Office hours: M 10-11am, TTh 11am-12noon and TTh 4-5pm or by appointment

Lecture meeting time: TTh 12:30-1:45pm

Required Textbook:  Reece, J. B., M. R. Taylor, E. J. Simon and J.L. Dickey.  2012.  Biology: Concepts and Connections: second custom edition for Anoka-Ramsey Community College.  Pearson Custom Publishing. Boston, MA

Other required material: Unifying Concepts in Biology Case Studies Manual.  2011. Compiled and edited by Anoka Ramsey Community College Biology Department Faculty

Biology 1100 Lab Manual.  2012.  written by ARCC Biology Department Faculty

Official communication: Your e-mail account that is registered on D2L is considered the official method of communication in this course.  Please check it once a day for any announcements.  Some announcements may also be made on the D2L news site for this course.

General Course Goal/Major Concepts:

Introductory course designed to teach the process of science as it applies to biology today.  Topics in biology that will be covered include heredity, evolution, and ecosystems.  4 Credits, satisfies MnTC Goal Area 3.

Overall Goal: to become a better global citizen and be able to make everyday decisions that involve biology

Class activities:

Class time will be a mix of group activities geared toward self- and cooperative learning and lecture by the instructor.   Students will be assigned to cooperative learning groups which will work together for the entire semester.  Group activities include work problems, study sheets, case studies and a variety of other activities.  The main focus will be on using cases to emphasize lecture material.  We will always work in groups when we work on cases.  Additional material will be handed out concerning successful techniques in working in groups.  Student participation and questions are expected during lecture anytime you do not understand material. 

Grading:

Lecture grade is based on three lecture exams given during the lecture period and a comprehensive final exam given on Thurs, 20 Dec, 11:50am-1:50pm.  Each group activity varies in points, but member participation is key to group success.  Each student will be periodically surveyed on their group members’ participation.  They will be asked to indicate how much each person contributes to group activity, including coming to class prepared.  If a student is assessed by his/her group mates to be contributing more or less than 100%, his/her group grade will be multiplied by whatever percent his group perceives s/he participates.  Ex: John’s group indicates he only contributes 80% to the group and the group receives 150 points.  John will receive only 120 points for his group work.  Albert, on the other hand, works hard in the same group and his group rates him as contributing 120% to the group.  He will get 180 points for his group work. 

Total points for the lecture portion of class is:

          3 lecture exams @ 75 pts. each                         225 pts.

          Final exam (125 pts.)                                       125 pts.

          13 Individual & Group activities                           185 pts.

            Total                                                                           535 pts.

Your final grade will be the sum of your lecture and lab grades (total = 755 points) and the letter grade will be determined by the following percentage criteria:

          90-100% = A           > 679.5 pts.            60-69%  =  D         453-528 pts.

          80-89%  =  B          604-679 pts.            < 60%   =  F           < 453 pts.

          70-79%  =  C          528.5-603.5 pts.      

If a grade is borderline, e.g. 89.5%, the grade will be upgraded only if the student shows effort (judged by attendance, promptness and preparedness) and has at least one exam in the higher grade range.  The option to take the course Pass/Fail should be discussed with the professor by the second week.  The last day to withdraw is 24 November.

Attendance and Absences: “Eighty percent of success is showing up.”  Woody Allen

Attendance in lecture may be taken at the beginning of each class period.  Attendance is expected in lecture when group work is being conducted or you will not receive group credit for that activity.  Some exercises may be made of as individual but you must contact me before the lecture period to make up the work.  You are responsible for all material presented in lecture, including announcements.  Make-up exams will be given only if a valid excuse is provided.  Valid excuses include religious holidays, sickness, a court appearance, a death in the family, or direct participation in a school-sponsored activity.  I reserve the right to ask for documentation for the excuse.  You must contact me prior to your absence.  If you cannot reach me, leave a message with my voice mail or secretary, or send an e-mail.  Make-up exams will be taken no later than one week after the original exam date.  Late lecture assignments will result in 10% decrease in the total points for every school day that the assignment is late and will not be accepted more than five school days after the assignment was due.  An unexcused absence from a lecture exam or group activity will result in a zero grade for that activity. 

Academic Dishonesty policy

An exam or assignment in lecture and lab which was conducted under dishonest behaviors, e.g., cheating or plagiarism (see Student Handbook) will result in no credit for that exam or assignment and all previous exams or assignments of the same type.  If you knowingly allow someone to copy an exam or non-group assignment you will receive no credit for the exam or assignment and all previous exams or assignments of the same type.  Exchange of information is allowed for most homework assignments, but all written material for credit as individuals or as a group should be in your own words or properly acknowledged.  Students are responsible for knowing what plagiarism is (see Plagiarism.org).  All incidents of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Student Life. 

Classroom Civility – Students are expected to behave in a respectful manner in lecture and lab, including coming to class on time, not leaving early, turning off cell phones, not talking when professor or other people are addressing the entire class, not coming to class under the influence of alcohol or drugs, dressing respectfully, etc.  Disruptive students will be warned and if they continue to behave in a way that disrupts the classroom, they will be removed from the classroom.

Accommodations: Any disability accommodations should be discussed with the Director of Disability Services (433-1903).  Religious accommodations should be discussed with the professor at the beginning of the semester.

BIOL1100 Lecture Schedule

Fall 2012

Schedule is tentative and any deviations will be announced in class.  Last day to withdraw is 30 November.

“Chance favors only the prepared mind”  Louis Pasteur

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Last revised: Wednesday, 11 April 2007