Fall 2010 Syllabus

AG 160

Introduction to Biotechnology

3 Credit Hour

Textbook

Introduction to Biotechnology

Thieman and Palladino

Division of Math and Applied Sciences

Instructor: Josh Coltrain

Introduction to Biotechnology

FALL 2010

Course Number: AG 160

Time & Day:TR 12-1:25

Location:Room 302

Instructor:Josh Coltrain

Office:Room301A

Phone: office 785.243.1435 ext: 273

Email:

Required

Materials:Prepackaged notebook

Office Hours:See office door

AdvisementCenter:See office door

Course Description:

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 area of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s), transgenic animals, cloning, and the bovine, ovine, and porcine genome projects, and genetic identification and screening of replacement animals.

Prerequisite: None

SEQUENCING:Fall

Method of Evaluation/Grading:

Students will be expected to complete a variety of assignments, quizzes and exams. A student’s final grade will be evaluated according to the following grading scale:

90% of total possible pointsATentative Exam Dates

80% of total possible pointsBSeptember 9

70% of total possible pointsCSeptember30

60% of total possible pointsDOctober 21

<60% of total possible pointsFNovember 18

Final

Five exams (100 pts. each, drop lowest)400

Final exam200

Ten quizzes (10 pts. each)100

Homework assignments100

Attendance/Punctuality100

Semester long project100

total 1000

Teaching Methods:

A.There will be five (5) tests given during the semester. Each test may comprise of multiple choice, true/false, matching, short answer, fill-in-the-blank, and essay.

B.There will be a comprehensive final exam given during finals week. If you have an “A” entering finals week, you will only take the comprehensive section. If you have a score lower than 90% entering the final, you must take both the comprehensive section and the last chapter test as well.

C. There will be quizzes every Friday. There will be days that I will not give a quiz, yet that days activity will count as a quiz score.

  1. D.Homework will be awarded according to the activity.

E.Semester long project will be explained in class and will involve an experiment design by the student.

assignment policy:

Assignments must be turned in on time. Any late assignment will lose 10% of possible points for each day it is late. After 3 days late, a zero (0) shall be recorded as the grade.

Course Policies

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.”

  1. You must not receive from any other students or give to any other students any information, answers, or help during an exam.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 University Assessment and Intellectual Skills Program, WesternMichiganUniversity)

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.

Penalties for Infractions:

Any infraction will receive zero (0) credit on the assignment, paper, quiz, or exam. Any repeat offence shall result in a failure in the class.

Attendance Policy:

Attendance in class is the student’s responsibility, Students are expected to attend class unless they are participating in scheduled school activities or have bee excused by the instructor. Students cannot excessively miss class and effectively complete the course assignments. In case you are late or absent from class, it is your responsibility to get the course notes, handouts, and turn in assignments. Occasionally, attendance may be taken for points, as well as punctuality in which if the student is late, attendance points will be deducted.

Conduct:

Mature behavior is expected and required. Please respect others in the class by turning off your pagers, cell phones and other disruptive devices. Thoughtful discourse is the theme of this class. You are highly encouraged to participate in the classroom discussions; points are awarded for class discussions/ activities.

Examination Policy:

Makeup exams will only be given by special arrangement with the instructor and must be completed within a reasonable time frame. The make up exams may not be the same exams as given in class. NO MAKEUP exams will be allowed without prior arrangements made.

Instructor Assistance:

If you are having problems with the course work, please let me know as early as possible. My office hours are intended as a time to work with students and prepare for classes. If you are unable to come during my office hours, please ask for an appointment in advance. I encourage you to use E-mail as a reliable way to contact me about any issues.

Tutor Assistance:

Tutors are available in the LearningSkillsCenter. Contact the LearningSkillsCenter for more information.

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:

CloudCountyCommunity 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.

Department Goals:

Students who complete an Vocational/Technical course at CloudCountyCommunity College should be able to:

  • Demonstrate Vocational/Technical literacy.
  • Demonstrate the ability to think critically about Vocational/Technical topics.
  • Demonstrate the ability to function in an Vocational/Technical environment.

Levels of Learning

  1. The student is able to analyze and evaluate agricultural topics.
  2. The student is able to define, interpret, and discuss agricultural topics.
  3. The student fails to define, interpret, and discuss agricultural topics.

Standards: Eighty percent of the students completing an Vocational/Technical course at CloudCountyCommunity College will be able to define, interpret, and discuss business/computer topics (Level 2).

Evaluation of these goals will be ascertained through a variety of course work that may include reading, writing, discussion, projects, application of technology, and oral report assignments.

COURSE GOALS (Student Learning Outcomes):

Students who complete this course at CloudCountyCommunity Collegewill be evaluated in the following course competencies. Refer to the attached program competency profile sheets for more information.

  1. To understand and comprehend the history of biotechnology and what is currently happening.
  2. To be introduced to DNA and molecular biology techniques.
  3. To understand DNA technology products and instruments used in biotechnology.
  4. To comprehend how biotechnology has affected agriculture and other industries.
  5. To comprehend biotechnology’s impact on society, both pro and con.
  6. To be introduced to careers in the biotechnology field.
  7. To understand the future of biotechnology and the impact therein.

ASSESSMENT of COURSE GOALS:

Students who complete this course, Introduction to Biotechnology, at CloudCountyCommunity College will be evaluated by these standards.

  1. Eighty percent of the students will score a Level 2 or higher on eighty percent of the course competencies.
  2. Fifty percent of the students will score a Level 3 or higher on eighty percent of the course competencies.
  3. Thirty percent of the students will score a Level 4 or higher on eighty percent of the course competencies.
PROGRAM EXIT GOALS:

This course is part of the Agri-Business program. Students who complete the Agri-Business program will be expected to achieve these competencies. Students should consult their academic advisor to review their program competencies.

ASSESSMENT of PROGRAM SUCCESS:

Each semester student learning success will be assessed. This semester program goals will be assessed by evaluation program competencies.

  1. Ninety percent of the students will score a Level 1 or higher on one-hundred percent of the program competencies.
  2. Eighty percent of the students will score a Level 2 or higher on eighty percent of the program.
  3. Fifty percent of the students will score a Level 3 or higher on eighty percent of the program competencies.
  4. Thirty percent of the students will score a Level 4 or high on eighty percent of the program competencies.

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 AdvisementCenter.

Inclement Weather Policy:

In case of extremely severe weather, the college may close. The following radio and TV stations will be notified:

KNCK1390 AMConcordiaKCLY101 FMClay Center

KREP92.1 FM BellevilleKHCD89.5 FMHutchinson

KVSV1190 AMBeloitKSAL1150 AMSalina

WIBW (TV)Chan. 13TopekaKWCH (TV)Chan. 12Wichita

KOLN (TV)Chan. 10Lincoln, NE

You may also go to

Students should call the switchboard at 800-729-5101 or 785-243-1435 if they are unable to attend class due to hazardous conditions. Night class and off campus class cancellations are left to the discretion of the instructor.