BSC 1005
SYLLABUS
Fall, 2007-2008
Instructor: Anthony Cornett
Email:
Office Ph#: (407) 582-4917
Office Room: 3-215
Office Hours: MW 1030-1145, TR 0800-1015, or by appt.
Credits: 4
Class Times: MW 0730-1015
TR 1030-1315
(you may only attend your designated class time)
Classrooms: Mon 1-206, Wed 1-269, Tues & Thurs 1-208
Required Texts
1. Johnson, George & Jonathan Losos. 2008. Essentials of the Living World, 2nd ed.
2. Lab Manual for BSC 1005C
Catalog Description
This class is an introduction to the essential principles of biological science. Topics include, but are not limited to, the nature of science and the scientific method, chemistry for biology, cell structure, metabolism, reproduction and genetics, organisms and ecology. This is a general education course for non-biology majors. It is also recommended for students who need preparation before enrolling in a biology course for science majors. This course may also be used as a prerequisite for BSC2093C or MCB2010C when minimum grades of a C have been earned in both BSC1005C and BSC1005L.
Course Objectives
This is an introductory biology course that will provide you with the fundamentals for understanding biology. This semester, we will discuss the characteristics of living organisms, the basic principles of evolution, the basic principles of ecology, the structure and function of cells, cell reproduction, heredity, and genetics. The lab exercises will provide hands on activities that should not only mirror the lecture material, but provide a way to physically study the various processes of life.
Attendance and Participation
You are expected to attend all class lectures. A sign-in sheet will be passed around at the beginning of class. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they have confirmed their presence by signing in. Missing signatures will be viewed as absences. If for some reason you can not make a lecture, you must inform me (via email preferably) that you will be absent. You are also responsible for gathering the class notes and making up any work missed on your own time. This class is meant to be both a lecture and open discussion format. I encourage class participation, especially when the class work coincides with current world events. This will not only make the class more fun and rewarding, but will help increase your ability to understand the topics being discussed.
Student Code of Conduct
That said, I expect students to show respect for and tolerate each others points of view. Some subject areas may be controversial, and may be freely debated in the classroom, but a positive learning environment must be maintained. Be respectful of your fellow students desire to learn. Talking among classmates during lecture is a distraction and, more than likely, others would be interested in the subject being discussed. Please ensure all cell phones are turned off or placed on silent during class.
Academic Honesty
Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Any student caught doing so will be subject to Valencia’s policy on academic honesty. The immediate action will be an F on the assignment, with the potential for an F in the course and/or expulsion from the college.
Students With Disabilities
Students MUST provide a letter from the Office of Students with Disabilities and discuss specific needs with me at the beginning of the semester. The Office of Students with Disabilities will determine what accommodations are needed for each student.
Competencies
Valencia faculty defined four interrelated competencies that prepare students to succeed in both work and in their community. These competencies are:
Think, Value, Communicate, Act
These core concepts are important in all aspects of your life (not just in education) and this course provides an excellent chance to develop your skills in these areas.
Grades and Testing
2 exams (midterm & final), 100 pts each = 200 pts
5 quizzes (lowest dropped), 25 pts each = 100 pts
Group presentation = 100 pts
12 Labs, 20 pts. each = 240 pts
Lab Practical Exam = 100 pts
Attendance/class discussion = 60 pts
Total Possible = 800 pts
100-90% = A
89-80% = B
79-70% = C
69-60% = D
59% > = F
All quizzes and exams will begin promptly at the beginning of class. Each quiz will take the first 10 minutes of class time. If you arrive late, you will have the remaining allotted class time to finish your exam or quiz. If you miss the quiz entirely, it can only be made up at my discretion and then only for a valid reason with proof (i.e. death in the family, emergency room visit, etc.). Usually, exams may not be made up. If you miss the midterm, the final exam will count double (once for each exam). The midterm exam will cover all information from the beginning of class to the midpoint. The final exam will cover all information from the midterm until the end of the class. If you miss the final exam, you need to provide a valid, certifiable reason why you were unable to make it to class. The quizzes will include all information covered between successive quizzes.
Disclaimer
I reserve the right to modify course procedures or policies at any time. I will announce any changes at least one class period in advance.
Class Schedule MW
Aug 27 M / Intro / 1 Lab Safety
Aug 29 W / Ch 1 / 2 Measurement
Sept 3 M / no class / NLS
Sept 5 W / 5 Atoms, Bonds, Molecules
Sept 10 M / Ch 3 / NLS / topics due
Sept 12 W / 6 Acids, Bases, pH
Sept 17 M / Ch 4 / NLS / 1 (1,3)
Sept 19 W / 3 Microscope
Sept 24 M / Ch 5 / NLS
Sept 26 W / 7 Cell Types/Parts
Oct 1 M / no class / NLS
Oct 3 W / Ch 6 / NLS / 2 (4,5)
Oct 8 M / Ch 7 / NLS
Oct 10 W / 8 Cell Transport
Oct 15 M / Midterm / NLS / Mid
Oct 17 W / 9 Enzyme Action
Oct 22 M / Ch 8 / NLS
Oct 24 W / 10 Cell Metabolism / summary
Oct 29 M / Ch 9 / NLS
Oct 31 W / 13 Mitosis
Nov 5 M / Ch 10 / NLS / 3 (8,9)
Nov 7 W / 14 Meiosis
Nov 12 M / Ch 11 / NLS
Nov 14 W / 15 Mendelian Genetics
Nov 19 M / Ch 12 / NLS / 4 (10,11)
Nov 21 W / no classes / no classes
Nov 26 M / Ch 2 / NLS
Nov 28 W / 16 Human Genetics
Dec 3 M / Ch 15 / Practical Exam / 5 (12,2)
Dec 5 W / Talks / NLS / presentation
Dec 10 / FINALS / NLS / Final
Class Schedule TR
Aug 28 T / Intro / 1 Lab Safety
Aug 30 R / Ch 1 / 2 Measurement
Sept 4 T / Ch 3 / NLS
Sept 6 R / 5 Atoms, Bonds, Molecules
Sept 11 T / Ch 3/4 / NLS / topics due
Sept 13 R / 6 Acids, Bases, pH
Sept 18 T / Ch 4 / NLS / 1 (1,3)
Sept 20 R / 3 Microscope
Sept 25 T / Ch 5 / NLS
Sept 27 R / 7 Cell Types/Parts
Oct 2 T / Ch 6 / NLS / 2 (4,5)
Oct 4 R / Ch 7 / NLS
Oct 9 T / Midterm / NLS / Mid
Oct 11 R / 8 Cell Transport
Oct 16 T / Ch 8 / NLS
Oct 18 R / 9 Enzyme Action
Oct 23 T / no class / NLS
Oct 25 R / 10 Cell Metabolism / summary
Oct 30 T / Ch 9 / NLS
Nov 1 R / 13 Mitosis
Nov 6 T / Ch 10 / NLS / 3 (8,9)
Nov 8 R / 14 Meiosis
Nov 13 T / Ch 11 / NLS
Nov 15 R / 15 Mendelian Genetics
Nov 20 T / Ch 12 / NLS / 4 (10,11)
Nov 22 R / no classes / no classes
Nov 27 T / Ch 2 / NLS
Nov 29 R / 16 Human Genetics
Dec 4 T / Ch 15 / Practical Exam / 5 (12,2)
Dec 6 R / Talks / NLS / presentation
Dec 10 / FINALS / NLS / Final
Class Project
The class project will be a PowerPoint presentation on a subject that is of interest to your group. That’s right, your group. I will choose your groups based on your (personally identified) strengths and weaknesses. This is designed for several reasons:
1) it allows you to learn from fellow classmates whose strengths may be your weaknesses
2) it takes the workload off the individual and allows it to be distributed over several people
3) its more fun to work in a group
4) topics can be covered in more depth with a group
I expect your group to choose a topic that you all find interesting. It must be a topic of concern to environmental science such as alternative fuels, the effects of over-fishing (on the species, on the food chain, or even the fishermen themselves!), alternative farming techniques, etc. Please do not pick something such as “global warming.” This is a very large and vague topic that you could write several books about without covering all aspects! Instead, it would be best to choose a topic within a topic. Get specific! Pick something of interest to all of you. If you have trouble picking a topic, read the newspaper, listen to NPR, watch the BBC, or look up the latest scientific research. Environmental issues always have current discussions in the popular media. Now the popular media may be a starting point for ideas, but it is not to be used for developing your presentation. This is a science class, so use scientific, peer-reviewed journal articles for references. If you are getting bored with your presentation, chances are you presentation will be boring! Make sure you all pick something that will capture your attention or is of great interest to you. I also do not want duplicate presentations. I have the due date for topics listed as Monday, Sept. 10th. If your group has its idea sooner, email it to me. Topics are on a first come, first serve basis.
Each PowerPoint presentation will be approximately 20 minutes in length, based on a group of 3 people. If a different number of people are in a group (such as 2 or 4), I will adjust the time accordingly. Your presentations should not only contain information, but figures, graphs, photos, or even movies or audio files (they can not take your place talking!). Visual references are a must! You must also turn in a one page summary to go along with your presentation. This summary will be double spaced, 12 point, and with a Times New Roman font. Turn in a hard copy to me and email me one as well. A separate works cited page will be turned in with the presentation summary, with each reference listed according to proper APA formatting. You need a minimum of two references per person in the group, with at least half being from peer reviewed journals. You only need to turn these documents in to me, not the class.
Grading
20 pts = time
40 pts = presentation content
20 pts = works cited
20 pts = summary