FALL 2014 Proposed Syllabus 1163 BIO 3 (Introduction to Biology)
Instructor: Jacki Houghton, D.C.
Office Hours: Tuesdays 11:00 – 12:00 PM by appointment only
e-mail:
Office: AHS 216 VM Phone: 818-947-8414 Cell Phone: 818-397-2506 (texts only)
Website: http://www.fullfrontalanatomy.com/Bio3.html
Meetings: Lecture: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00AM – 9:25AM EST 105
Lab: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 – 11:00 AHS 151
THIS IS A WEB-ENHANCED CLASS! YOU MUST HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER AND THE INTERNET TO GET YOUR DOCUMENTS AND PRINT THEM. You may also have online assignments.
Units: 4 semester
Required Prerequisites: None
Transfer credit: UC, CSU
Required Supplies:
· 6 Scantrons Form No. ABF-882 (50 answers per side for Lecture Exams)
· #2 Pencils – Be sure to bring several to an exam!
· Eraser – Bring several just in case.
· 1 cheap sketch pad from the .99 cent store
· Colored pencils or markers
· Craft Scissors
Required Text Book: Biology by OpenStax Free Access on Fullfrontalanatomy.com/Bio3/bio_files.htm
Highly Recommended: Essential Biology, with Physiology 4th Ed. Campbell, Simon, Reece and Dickey
978-0-321-77260-2 any version is fine
Required Lab Book: Biology 3 Lab Manual – LAVC, Dept of Biology (Bookstore only) MUST BE NEW!
**Highly Recommended**Biology Coloring Workbook by Edward Alcamo $10 on Amazon
ALSO: I will be sending important information to the class via the LAVC email system. PLEASE!! Make sure you list a current active email address where you can be reached on the class roster at: using the LAVC designated email address.
Course Description
This a general biology course designed for non-biology majors. However, this course is also a laboratory science requirement for advanced courses in biology, such as microbiology, human anatomy and physiology. Lectures covered will include basic cellular organization, respiration/photosynthesis, cell reproduction and genetics. We will also examine the diversity of life on earth, emphasized by lectures on evolution, population biology, ecosystems, and ecology.
Attendance: According to Administration Regulation E13, attendance is mandatory. “Whenever absences, in hours, exceed the number of hours the class meets per week (6), the instructor will consider whether there are mitigating circumstances which justify the absences. If the instructor determines that such circumstances do not exist, the instructor may exclude the student from the class
*If you miss more than 2 days of lecture without notice, I may exclude you. However, if you want to drop the class, it is YOUR responsibility to do so. Do not expect me to drop you if you stop coming.
* Enrolled students who do not attend the first meeting will forfeit their right to a place in the class. Those on the waitlist will be added before walk-ins. Crashing the class will be by lottery. You must be present to qualify for the lottery.
ADDS – Add slips must be taken to Admission & Records to be processed by the next class meeting. You will be required to show proof (receipt signed/stamped) that you added the class. If you do NOT add the class by the next meeting, your spot will go to the next student on the list.
Grades: Grades are to be earned by examination. There are 4 exams. Exams are worth 100 points each. The lowest exam score will be dropped. Labs are worth 10 points each maximum. They must be completed by the beginning of the following lab.
Extra point opportunities: For each unit, I will offer 10 extra points on exams. This will be in the form of an advanced essay question.
Exams: All exams start at the beginning of class. If you are late, you will have less time to finish.
If you miss an exam, that will count as your dropped grade.
Class Policies:
· Students are advised to read the scheduled readings before coming to class.
· A major key to success in this class is good attendance. Students with excessive
absences usually do not do well. Additionally, it is your responsibility to officially drop from the class if you’ve decided not to attend the class anymore. Otherwise, you will receive a grade based on your accumulated earned points!
· Cheating is not tolerated in this class.
· Please do not turn in identical lab activities – do your own work!
This could be considered cheating, and will not be tolerated.
· Please do not copy exact words or sentences from the books, computer and other sources. Plagiarism is prohibited. Students are not allowed to use dictionary nor electronic devices during exams.
The use of electronic devices will be allowed in a controlled manner. (subject to change). No texting will be allowed, however, you may use your device for recording and researching ideas during discussions.
· There is NO SMOKING in and around the entire science quad area.
· Please do not enter the backyard of the AHS building.
Plagiarism – using others’ words or ideas without acknowledging their source is considered academic dishonesty. Anyone found to be plagiarizing or cheating on assignments (e.g., copying or giving answers, using “crib” sheets, etc.) will receive a fail on the assignment and be referred to a Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action. For more information of plagiarism go the the Writing Center website: www.lavc.edu/WCweb/plagiarism.html and the college website: www.lavc.edu/catalog/policies.pdf
Student Code of Conduct – The student code of conduct must be observed at all times when on campus. The code is in the catalog and schedule of classes.
Financial Aid is available! Call (818) 947-2414 The Financial Aid Office is at www.lavc.edu/studentservwebsite/financial/index.html
Accommodations: If you require accommodations for religious reasons, or if you have registered your needs with the college’s Disabled Student Programs and Services office, you must inform me in writing within the first two weeks of class. At that time, we will meet and you will provide me with the appropriate documentation.
Religious Accommodations: If you require accommodations for religious purposes, you must inform the instructor in writing prior to the end of the 2nd week of class.
ADA Accommodations: If you require accommodations as per ADA, you must register with the college’s Disabled Student Services and inform me in writing prior to the end of the 2nd week of class.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Explain the Scientific Method; form a hypothesis and design an experiment with controls.
2. Discuss the principles of general biology.
3. Identify the organelles of plant and animal cells and discuss their functions.
4. Identify the major components of the cell membrane and cytosol and their respective properties. Identify their major functions in cells.
5. Apply course content to everyday life using observations and critical thinking.
6. Discuss the diversity of plants and animals on earth and how they interact from an ecological and evolutionary perspective.
7. Differentiate between different animal phyla, be able to design and use an animal classification key.
8. Compare the DNA double helix to the RNA structure and describe the functions of each molecule.
9. Differentiate between common ecosystems and propose how population growth affects these ecosystems.
10. Explain how biotechnology and genetic engineering are improving our human health system.
11. Use the scientific method to set up a biological experiment.
12. Build simple chemical models & DNA.
13. Use the compound and dissecting microscopes to accurately observe, microscopic organisms.
14. Be able to dissect a flower and identify trees using a leaf key.
15. Explain the fertilization process.
16. List and describe the common ecosystems in Southern California.
17. Dissect an owl pellet and identify the main bones in the pellet.
18. Solve basic genetics problems using the punnet square method to solve dihybrid and monohybrid crosses.
19. Demonstrate how to use an animal key to identity the correct phyla of unknown species of animals.
20. Dissect a flower and describe the function of each part and explain how fertilization takes place.
21. Identify the primary human animal tissues with use of the microscope and identify the bones of the human skeleton.
22. Use and accurately read measuring instruments such as scales, flasks, pipettes and graduated cylinders.
23. Restate and apply the principles of cellular transport, such as diffusion, osmosis and active transport as they relate to living organisms.
Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)This course will help students achieve the following Institutional SLOs. First: Students will have acquired the knowledge and laboratory skills necessary to analyze genetic disorders and understand the underlying cellular dysfunction. Evidence that students have mastered this SLO will be provided by a written response to questions describing genetic disorders during class discussion and/or exams. Second: Students will distinguish various forms of organismal diversity. Evidence that students have mastered this SLO will be provided by laboratory investigations
Beginning of Class:
Please be in the classroom, seated and ready to begin at 8AM sharp! The doors will be locked and you will not be allowed into the classroom.
Lecture Exams
There will be five lecture exams. Each contains 100 questions and takes 85 minutes. The format may be multiple choice, essay, fill-in, matching, problem solving and true/false types. Questions will be drawn from lecture, reading materials and activities, discussions, online homework, projects and the text. The exam questions contain factual recall and critical thinking application questions. Review sheets will be given prior to each test. The Final Exam is not cumulative, however, you will be graded on your understanding of the SLOs and Course Objectives. No exam will be dropped.
General policy will be NO MAKEUP EXAMS. However at instructor’s discretion, you may take one exam early if you know you will have to miss it. If for any reason you cannot make it to an exam, please contact me before or right after the scheduled exam, an EMAIL message is best. Make-up exams may be granted on a case-by-case basis, and only with documentation to support the student’s situation.
The format of questions varies. You may not make up quizzes or homework.
Grading:
Activity / # / Points / Total / % of GradeLab exercises / 14 / 10 / 140 / 30
Lecture Exams / 4 / 100 / 300 / 65
Field Trip Report / 1 / 25 / 25 / 5
*The Final Exam MUST be taken by everyone on the Final Exam Day
The total points for the course is 465 points
Grading Scale:A / 418.5 – 465 90- 100%
B / 372 – 418.4 80 – 89%
C / 325.5 – 371 70 – 79%
D / 279 – 325.4 60 - 69%
F / 0 – 278 < 59%
Field Trip Report
You will be given appropriate guidance to complete this exercise
THE GOOD NEWS!
The schedule attached is tentative and may be changed at any time. The Syllabus may be amended at anytime. You will be notified by email of such changes.