BIOLSCI 103: HUMAN BIOLOGY
Professor: Dr. James R. Coggins
Summer, 2012
Hello Everyone, Welcome to the on-line section of Human Biology for SummerSession 2012. This introductory letter will serve to tell you a bit about the course, my expectations, and the D2L system that we use at UWM for this semester. Consult the syllabus for additional information on class activity/expectations.
Textbook
The textbook for this course is: Human Biology by Sylvia S. Mader. This is available in the UWM Bookstore as well as Panther Books on Downer Ave. The textbook is available as hardcopy on line for less $$. You may also get an electronic version of the text on line (see McGraw Hillwebsite). There will be one textbook on reserve at the UMW Library. A note on editions: I have specified the 11th edition. There is a newer version, 12th edition. There is little changed except some pictures and the price (higher). You are okay with any edition 10th or higher. Even older editions have the essential information, so if you can find an older edition for less, buy it.
Introduction
This on line course effort is very much a work in progress. Some things will work well, others not so much. I have put the course online in order to make taking the course more convenient for you; I very much want for everyone to do well. Also, I am open to constructive feedback. As I will remind you toward the end of term, there is a course evaluation feature in the Survey part of the D2L website. I urge you to fill out the survey as feedback to me.
Course Structure
In this introductory course, we will examine the basic biology of humans. We will examine the scientific method; discuss what is, and what is not, science. We will then begin looking at the structure of humans from the molecular, cellular, and tissue level. After examining the building blocks that make up the human body, we will begin a study of the systems that comprise the physiology of humans, how we work and carry out the daily functions of life. The course will be composed of seven (7)Units. Each Unit consists of twoChapters presented as PowerPoint Lectures that you are expected to view. Each unit has an associated quizassignment for that unit, total of 7 quizzes. There will be a Quiz for each unit that you will be expected to complete on-line and return to the instructor via the Dropbox within the allotted timeframe. For this semester, that is before taking the mid-term(Quizzes 1-3) and final exam (Quizzes 4-7). There will be two wrap up Exams; a mid-term and a final exam. The due dates for these two exams are the only hard deadlines. The quizzes are self paced re schedule. The date by which ALL work in the course must be completed is, for this session, June 23, 2012.
Exam Structure
The midterm and final exam each consist of fifty (50) multiple choice questions. Material for the exams is taken from the power point lectures. Example questions may be found at the end of each chapter of the textbook. When asked, I say that if you can answer most of the questions at the end of the text chapters you should do well on the exams. Exams are timed and students can only take the exam once. There is a practice exam on line to allow students to work with the logistics of taking and submitting the exams. The practice exam may be taken multiple times. If you have not taken online exams before, I recommend you take the practice exam and submit it to make sure the technology works. If you take an exam and have trouble getting it submitted, contact me immediately via email and I will work some magic.
Grading
Referring to the course structure (above), your Unit Quizzeswill make up 40% of your final course grade. The Mid-Term(30%)and Final Examinations (30%) will constitute 60% of the final course grade. If any part of your assigned work is not submitted by the deadline, you will receive a grade of F for the course.
Instructor
Now that we have covered the course, let me tell you a little about myself. I am originally from a small town in North Carolina. I received two of my academic degrees from the University of North Carolina (B.S; M.S.). I earned my Ph.D. degree from Wake Forest University, also in North Carolina [go Demon Deacons]. My first job was at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana (go Irish). I then was lured north to Wisconsin and took my present position at UWM. During the many years I have been at UWM, I have taught a variety of courses from freshmen level to the advanced Human Parasitology and graduate student seminars. I have served as head of the Department of Biological Sciences but now enjoy being a faculty member with no administrative responsibilities. I look forward to trying a new venture, that of teaching Human Biology completely on-line.
D2L Basics
You can access D2L by going to the UWM homepage ( and clicking on “E-Learning and D2L” at the very top of the page. From there you click on the big blue “Desire 2 Learn” box. This will takeyou to the login page. Or, go to the login page with the direct address for D2L: ( Notethat there is no www in the address and an “s” on https. On the login page, notice the “For Students” link that offers several help files for dealing with various aspects of D2L. These help documents are very good, clear and helpful, so keep them in mind if you ever get stuck. The other “help” options are to visit the computer help desk in EMS 225, calling them at 414-229-4040, (toll free at 1-877-381-3459), or sending email to . The help documents and tutorials found within D2L are very good. However, do not hesitate to contact the help desk for any computer related questions.
Responsibility
By signing up for an on-line course, you take the responsibility of making sure you have regular access to adequate and reliable technology to complete all course requirements. You need to make sure you r home, office or campus computer(s) are appropriate for your needs and are not going to fail on you at key times. Lack of access to a computer, loss of key documents from a hard drive or a printer failure arenot excuses for failing to meet assignment deadlines. (back up your work often)
Everyone at UWM is assigned a UWM email account. I will be using your UWM account. If you have another account that you use as primary, have your mail forwarded from UWM to that account; setting up forwarding is easy. See the help desk with any questions. Again, this is your responsibility. The help desk can assist you in the forwarding procedure.
Finally, welcome to the course.
Professor James R. Coggins, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences
Lapham 297
229-4350
Biological Sciences 103
HUMAN BIOLOGY
Summer, 2012
Text:Human Biology, Sylvia Mader, 11th Edition (earlier editions are acceptable)
Instructor: James Coggins, Ph.D., Professor of Biological Sciences
Phone: 414-229-4350
Email:
Office Location: Lapham Hall, Room 297
Office Hours: By appointment, email or telephone (email for number)
Lecture: On Line Lectures
Grades: Final grades will be determined by a series of quizzes (total of 7); mid-term (Units 1-3) and final (Units 4-7) exams. Regular participation and meeting of deadlines for quizzes and exams are extremely important. Late submission of quizzes will be penalized.
Quizzes: 40%
Mid-term Exam: 30%
Final Exam: 30%
In order to receive full credit for exams, on line submissions must be submitted by the end of the allotted unit timeframe (see syllabus, below). Quizzes are self paced; no deadline except that they must be submitted before taking the corresponding exam (midterm; final). The midterm exam covers units 1-3 while the final exam covers units 4-7.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid UWM account and a working computer with current software. “My computer (printer) broke” is not an accepted excuse. (I am running Windows XP; MS Office 2007; files are in docx format).
Participation by Students with Disabilities: If you need special accommodations in order to meet any of the class requirements, contact me by the end of the first week of class.
Accommodation for Religious Observances: See UWM official policy; contact the course instructor
Academic Misconduct: Assignments are expected to be completed independently, without the aid of other individuals. Cheating on exams or any other type of assignment will not be tolerated and will result in a zero on the exam, quiz or other assignment. Additionally, any suspected cheating will be reported to the Dean of Students Office, possibly resulting in further, more severe, consequences.
Incompletes: A notation of “incomplete” may be given in lieu of a final grade to a student who has carried a subject successfully until the end of a semester or term, but because of illness or other substantiated, documented cause beyond the student’s control, is unable to complete the final or a limited amount of term work.
An incomplete cannot be assigned if the student has not completed a substantial amount of the semester of work, or unless the student can prove to the instructor that they were prevented from completing the course requirements for just cause.
Grade Appeal Procedures: A student may appeal a grade on the basis that it is based on capricious or arbitrary decision of the course instructor. The procedure for making such an appeal are available in writing from the BioSci department receptionist, chairperson or the Academic Dean of the College/School (Letters and Science).
Note: this timetable is a guide. Units are self paced. There is no due date for quizzes; you may turn them in whenever you finish. However, quizzes 1-3 MUST be submitted before taking the mid-term. The due date for mid-term is hard and firm; NO EXCEPTIONS. Again, quizzes 4-6 are self paced. The final exam MUST be submitted by the due date; due date for final is hard and firm; NO EXCEPTIONS
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SYLLABUS UNIT / TIMETABLEHUMAN BIOLOGY
WEEK / DATES / Unit of Study
1 / 1
1
2
2
2 / 3
3
2 / Mid-Term Due June23
4
4
3 / 5
5
6
7
4 / Final Exam Due June 23
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Schedule of Topics
Unit / Lecture / Chapter / Topic1 / Lecture 1 / Chapter 1 / Introduction
Lecture 2 / Chapter 2 / Chemistry of Life
2 / Lecture 3 / Chapter 3 / Cells
Lecture 4 / Chapter 4 / Organization; Regulation
3 / Lecture 5 / Chapter 5 / Cardiovascular 1
Lecture 6 / Chapter 6 / Cardiovascular 2
4 / Lecture 7 / Chapter 7 / Immunity
Lecture 8 / Chapter 9 / Respiration
5 / Lecture 9 / Chapter 8 / Digestion
Lecture 10 / Chapter 10 / Excretion
6 / Lecture 11 / Chapter 13 / Nervous System
Lecture 12 / Chapter 14 / Sensory System
7 / Lecture 13 / Chapter 16 / Reproduction
Lecture 14 / Chapter 17 / Human Development
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