Spring 2011 Syllabus
SC114 / AG160
Introduction to Biotechnology
3 Credit Hours
Textbook: Introduction to Biotechnology 2nd Edition,
William J. Thieman and Michael A. Palladino
Division of Science and Mathematics
Instructor: Cathy Castle, MS
INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY
Spring 2011
Course Number: SC114 and AG160
Time & Day: Monday and Wednesday 12:00-1:25 p.m.
Location: Geary County Campus Room: A2
Instructor: Cathy Castle, MS
Office: Building C
Office Hours: My schedule is posted on my door. Scheduled office hours are 9:30-11 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday or 1:30-4:00 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday. Other times are available upon request. If I am not teaching a class, advising in Student Services, or in a meeting, I am usually in my office. Feel free to stop by if you have questions or concerns.
Office Phone: (785) 238-8010 x718 Home Phone: (785) 238-8970
Cell Phone: (785) 260-1700
Email:
Required materials: Textbook listed above
Course Description: Introduction to Biotechnology Is designed to introduce and acquaint students with the use of biotechnology in agriculture today and its applications in the near future. The class will cover aspects in the areas of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), transgenic animals, cloning, and the bovine, ovine, and porcine genome projects, and genetic identification and screening of replacement animals. (Dual listed as science 114 and agriculture 160)
Prerequisite: none.
Method of Evaluation/Grading: Assessment of student mastery of the course content will be accomplished by the following traditional methods. The points are tentative and could be more or less according to the discretion of the instructor. Students will be notified if changes occur:
4 Lecture exams @ 100 points each 400 points
13 Homework assignments @ 10 points each 130 points
12 quizzes @ 10 points each 120 points
2 Class Discussions/Debates @ 25 points each 50 points
2 Written assignments @ 25 points each 50 points
Total = 750 points
Exams: Four exams will be given covering topics discussed in lecture and reading assignments.
Homework: One homework assignment will be given for each chapter. Assignments will vary depending on the chapter and may include responses to study guide-type questions, evaluation and/or discussion of current biotechnology information in the news and/or other media source, and short opinion/reaction papers on controversial topics, among others.
Quizzes: A quiz will be given for each chapter to help students remain current with course material. The lowest quiz score will be dropped.
Class Discussions/Debates: We will have two in-class discussions covering controversial aspects of biotechnology in more detail. Half of the class will present the “pros” and the other half will present the “cons” of the issue.
Written Assignments: Two written assignments will be given during the semester. Students will choose from various areas of biotechnology and will explore an area of their own interest in further detail.
Due Dates and Details: Additional information about the homework assignments, discussions, and written assignments will be provided in class.
grades: Students are encouraged to monitor their grades and keep track of their progress in the course. The instructor uses the web-based grading program found at www.mygradebook.com. The log-in ID for all students in this course is ITBSpring2011 and the password is the student’s CCCC student ID number.
Grading scale:
90% and above.... A 70-79% ...... C Below 60% ... F
80-89% ...... B 60-69% ...... D
Teaching Methods:
The following learning strategies will be employed:
1. The course will be a combination of lectures and class discussions.
2. A copy of the instructors PowerPoint notes will be provided to each student. The PowerPoint presentations will be used as a visual aid to student learning. These will also be available on the instructor’s CCCC webpage at http://www.cloud.edu/academics/faculty/ccastle/. Students are expected to have reviewed the previous lecture material in preparation for class discussions and quizzes.
3. To assist student preparation, study guides will be provided prior to all lecture examinations.
4 Homework assignments will be given to reinforce topics discussed in lecture and enhance student learning.
5. Two written assignments will be given to allow students to explore in more detail an aspect of biotechnology of interest to them.
6. Quizzes will be given to help students remain current with course material.
aSSIGNMENT POLICY: Due dates will be announced for any assignments that are given. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. All assignments must be completed as directed by the instructor in order to be eligible to receive any or all of the assigned points for a particular assignment. Points will be deducted for work not received by the due date. The instructor reserves the right to accept or not accept late assignments.
Course Policies
1. Attendance is considered imperative for the successful completion of this course. You are required to contact your instructor anytime you will miss class or if you will be late for class. Attendance will be recorded daily.
2. Dates of lecture exams will be announced at least 1 week prior to the date of the exam. Exams must be taken at their scheduled time unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor in advance.
3. Make up examinations will only be given if you receive permission to miss a scheduled exam. Contact the instructor prior to class or as soon as possible in the event of an emergency if you will need to miss an exam. The instructor reserves the right to grant or not to grant permission to miss an exam. Make up exams will not be the same as the original scheduled exam and may be given in the instructor’s office or in the tutoring center at the instructor’s discretion.
4. If you miss an exam without prior approval and arrangements are not made to make up the exam, you will be given a zero for that particular exam.
5. When you return to class after an absence, you must be prepared for the current class discussion and/or lecture. Solution/suggestion: Keep informed regarding what is happening in class, i.e., call your instructor or ask a classmate.
6. A tentative schedule of topics, assignments, and lecture exams will be provided, however the instructor may make modifications to the schedule if needed. Students will be informed of any changes that are made.
7. Cell phones, pagers, and all other electronic devices must be turned off or placed on silent mode during class. Please return calls outside of classrooms and class times. No texting is allowed in class.
8. No eating or drinking is allowed in the classroom.
Academic Integrity
It is imperative that each student does his/her own work. The following policy will apply to all students in class.
Infractions of academic integrity (honesty) shall include:
· Using another student’s work without giving the student credit for the work. In other words, taking someone else’s file and placing your name on it and claiming it is yours, using another student’s quiz, or help on a quiz/exam.
· Giving another student your file(s) knowing that he/she intends to turn it in as his/her own creation, giving another student your quiz, or help on a quiz/exam.
It is not an infraction of the policy to help another student understand how to do an assignment if he/she does the work himself/herself with your assistance.
Cheating:
“Cheating means getting unauthorized help on an assignment, quiz or examination.”
- You must not receive from any other students or give to any other students any information, answers, or help during an exam.
- You must not use unauthorized sources for answers during an exam. You must not take notes or books to the exam when such aids are forbidden, and you must not refer to any book or notes while you are taking the exam unless the instructor indicates it is an “open book” exam.
- You must not obtain exam questions illegally before an exam or tamper with an exam after it has been corrected.
Materials taken from “Academic Dishonesty in Our Classrooms.” Instructional Exchange, 1990, 2 (2), 1-4 (Newsletter available from the Office of Universiy Assessment and Intellectual Skills Program, Western Michigan University)
Plagiarism:
“Plagiarism” means submitting work as your own that is someone else’s. For example, copying material from a book, the Internet, or another source without acknowledging that the words or ideas are someone else’s and not your own is plagiarism. If you copy an author’s words exactly, treat the passage as a direct quotation and supply the appropriate citation. If you use someone else’s ideas, even if you paraphrase the wording, appropriate credit should be given. You have committed plagiarism if you purchase a term paper or submit a paper as your own that you did not write.
Attendance Policy: See course policies.
Conduct: Students are expected to respect the rights of other classmates. No cell phone use or the use of other electronic devices (pagers, MP3 players, phones, calculators, electronic dictionaries, etc.) is allowed in the classroom. No eating or drinking is allowed in the classroom. Active participation in class discussions is expected and encouraged. Be respectful of other students and your instructor. If you must leave during class, do so with as little disruption as possible to those around you.
Examination Policy: Each examination must be taken as directed by the instructor and according to the information in the “course policies” and “academic integrity” sections above.
Instructor Assistance: Office hours are posted on the office door in building B. I welcome interaction with students and am available at other times as well. Please contact me at the numbers above or by e-mail to arrange to meet at a time other than the posted office hours if these times are not convenient for you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions, problems, or concerns. I am here to help you succeed in the course.
Tutor Assistance: Tutors are available in the tutoring center located in Building A.
Incomplete Policy: Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented as described in the Student Handbook. The incomplete must be made up with the instructor assigning the incomplete and must be completed the semester immediately following the semester in which the class was taken. Refer to the Student Handbook for a complete explanation.
ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS: Cloud County Community College has an Academic Due Process Policy to address any student academic complaints. For any unresolved complaints, the policy can be obtained from the Academic Affairs Office.
COURSE GOALS (Student Learning Outcomes):
· Describe the nature of science, scientific processes and methods as they relate to biotechnology. Define biotechnology and provide examples of historic and current applications of biotechnology.
· Explain ethical considerations and practices in biotechnology; discuss ethical, legal, and social issues relating to biotechnology and its applications; describe regulatory requirements relating to biotechnology.
· Describe careers and opportunities in biotechnology; develop an understanding of skills and training required to be a part of the biotechnology workforce.
· Understand basic biochemistry/molecular biology as it pertains to introductory biotechnology including cell types and structures, nucleic acid structure and function, protein structure and function, and gene expression.
· Describe biotechnology applications relating to microbes, plants, and animals.
· Explain the use of biotechnology in forensic analysis, bioremediation, medicine.
ASSESSMENT OF COURSE OUTCOMES: Student learning is assessed every semester based on course outcomes. Each instructor measures student performance on all course outcomes for each course section every semester. The instructor fills out an electronic form, which populates a database. This information is reviewed by the Assessment Coordinator and the Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Team. It is due to be completed by February 15th for the fall semester and June 15th for the spring.
PROGRAM GOALS: The following are the goals students should be able to achieve in CCCC Science Courses.
· Demonstrate understanding of the process of science.
· Demonstrate an understanding of the levels of organization in the living world.
· Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between structure and function in living organisms.
· Describe the basic processes and outcomes of evolution, both biological and physical world outcomes.
· Demonstrate an understanding of the levels of organization in the physical world.
· Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and models that describe the physical world.
ASSESSMENT OF PROGRAM OUTCOMES: Student learning is also assessed each semester based on program outcomes. Program outcomes accomplishment is measured through performance on course outcomes. Each program uses a matrix to match course outcomes of individual courses to overarching program outcomes. The program outcomes are calculated as an average of all of the relevant course outcomes. This information is processed after each semester and then immediately reviewed by the Assessment Coordinator and the Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Team.
Accommodation for Disability: If you need academic adjustments for any type of disability, see your instructor during office hours or make an appointment. Students also may contact the Director of Advisement and Counseling, located in the Advisement Center.
Inclement Weather Policy:
In the winter months, weather conditions may cause the college to delay the start of the day or cancel classes all together. In cases of a delayed start, students should report to the class that would normally be in session at the time of the start. A two-hour delay means courses would begin at 10:00 am. The students would go directly to their 9:30 classes. These classes would end at 11:30, allowing the afternoon classes to resume the normal schedule.
The following radio and TV stations will be notified of any delays or cancellations
KJCK 1420 AM and 94.5 FM KABI 1560 AM
KQLA 103.5 FM and KMKF 101.5 FM
KBLS 102.5 FM WIBW TV Channel 13
KSAJ 98.5 FM KSNT TV Channel 27
KYEZ 93.7 FM KSALLink.com
KSAL 104.9 FM and 1150 AM
Notification will also be placed on the internet at www.cancellations.com. A text message will be sent out on the Emergency Text Messaging System for the students who have signed up for it. Students should contact their instructors or call the campus at 800-729-5101 or 785-238-8010 if they are unable