General Biology for Non - Majors, BIOL 100, Fall, 2012
Syllabus Great Basin College
Professor: Pete Bagley Office: Lundberg Hall 128B
Email: Phone: 775-753-2229
Office Hours: Mon, thru Thur, 2:30 – 4:00 and by appointment.
Lecture Reading Assignments and Exam Dates
Chapter Topic
1 Humans in the World of Biology
2 Chemistry of life
3 Cells
4 Body Organization & Homeostasis
Exam I Wednesday, Sept 19
5 Skeletal System
6 Muscular System
7 Neurons
8 Nervous System
9 Sensory Systems
Exam II Wednesday, Oct 17
10 Endocrine System
11 Blood
12 Cardiovascular System
13 Senses
15 Digestive System
Exam III Wednesday, Nov 14
17 Reproduction
19 Chromosomes and Cell Division
20 Genetics
21 DNA
22 Evolution
23 Ecology & Us
24 Human Population
Final Exam Monday, Dec 10
Reading assignments and exam dates are tentative, and may be changed at the discretion of the instructor. Any changes will be announced in class.
Texts: Biology of Humans. 4th ed. Goodenough and McGuire. ISBN 0321794257
(includes MasteringBiology access code)
Mastering Biology – the online system included with new texts – contains online homework
(can be purchased separately online if you have a used textbook)
Use of Computers in This Course:
WebCampus:
At this time, this course will not make use of GBC’s WebCampus. This will change as the semester progresses. When I have taken time to set up WebCampus for this class, I will use for announcements etc. When WebCampus is ready, I will make the announcement in class. Until that time, do not use the WebCampus email function to contact me, rather, contact me using my regular GBC email account.
To log in, go to webcampus.gbcnv.edu. Your WebCampus ID is your Great Basin College email address ID. If you don't have a GBC email address or don't remember your address go to swami.scsr.nevada.edu or the Technology Help Desk , or 753-2167. Passwords will be sent by mail to students who register for their course(s) 5 days before the semester begins. If you register after this time or did not receive a letter by mail, contact the Help Desk as soon as possible.
Online Homework:
There will be a weekly online homework/quiz for this course. This is a requirement of the course. To access the online homework, follow the directions in “MasteringBiology Registration Instructions” below. Assignments will be based on the topics covered in lecture and some additional topics we did not cover in lecture. You will be required to look up the information for this additional subject matter in order to complete the assignments. The first assignment is due the first week of class. You are responsible for having access to a functioning computer and for completing and turning in of the assignments on time. Late work is not accepted.
I do not have the capacity to help you with computer-technical issues this semester. You will receive much faster and more knowledgeable assistance from the GBC Help Desk for use of WebCampus. Please go to them for technical assistance.
The online homework system is provided and maintained by the textbook publisher (Pearson, Benjamin Cummings). I am only able to set up the assignments – this means that I cannot help with technical issues. You must get help from the publisher if you think that there is something wrong.
You bear the responsibility for getting the technical aspects of the course to function properly so that you can participate fully.
Online homework assignments will be assigned each week. They will be made available on Monday morning and they are due Sunday at 11:00PM. The homework assignments will focus on what we have covered in lecture for the week. Some of the problems will be based on material that we have not covered in lecture. This will require you to read the textbook yourself in order to figure out those problems.
MasteringBiology Registration Instructions
BIOL 100 General Biology for Non-Majors
Professor Bagley Fall 2012
These instructions will help you register for MasteringBiology and enroll in the correct Mastering course.
Step 1: Register for MasteringBiology
1. Go to www.MasteringBiology.com and click on “Students” under Register.
2. To the question, “Do you have an access code” click on Yes. Click Continue.
3. Read the License Agreement and click “I Accept” if you agree to the policies.
4. If you have an existing MyLab or Mastering account please use your same log in and password and choose “Yes”. If not, answer “No” to the question “Do you have a Pearson Account.” Create your own username/password. This can be whatever you use to log into other systems or it can be something completely different. Make sure to use a username/password that you will remember. Enter the Access Code which came with your book or was purchased from the bookstore or online. It will look similar to this: PSSMC-FONDA-UPEND-KANZU-CRUSH-TUNES
5. Enter your personal information, school information (including Great Basin College zip code: 89801) and create a security question that you can answer if you forget your username/password. Click Next.
You are done with Step 1 and can click on “Log In” to enter your course.
Step 2: Enroll in your professor’s course
1. After you have clicked “Log in Now” or returned to www.MasteringBiology.com, enter the username/password you recently created under Log In. You no longer need to register.
2. On the next page, enter the Course ID: MBBAGLEY21540
3. You are now officially enrolled in your professor’s course—good luck this
semester!
SPECIAL NOTE: When registering for Mastering it is important that you use
your real name, both first and last (in the proper order), so that your name is
properly entered into the online gradebook.
FOR REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE:
• Go to http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com
Hours are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
• You can also call 877-672-6877
Hours are Noon to 8pm Monday - Friday, EST.
Catalog Description:
BIOL 100 General Biology for Non – Majors (3)
Basic biological concepts, interpretation and application of scientific methods, and effects of biological advances on society. Core curriculum science course; cannot be used for credit toward field of concentration in biology. Prerequisite: Must have completed MATH 96, MATH 120, or higer, or sufficient SAT/ACT/Accuplacer test score for placement into MATH 120.
Course Description & Objectives:
· General Biology for Non-majors is a three credit, freshman level laboratory science course designed for the non-science major, that can fulfill the science requirement for most associate degrees at Great Basin College.
· This course is designed to introduce the student to the central ideas of the science of biology. Topics will include chemistry as relevant to biology, the cell theory, energy transformations, genetics, evolution, ecology and the uses of the scientific method. Many biological topics of current importance to humans will be introduced with the goal of enriching the students’ civic and personal lives.
· The GBC General Education Objectives (see below) are addressed in this class.
Measurement of Objectives:
Learning and general education objectives will be assessed with three distinct tools. Lecture exams will consist of multiple choice questions that will test three types of knowledge: recall of factual information; definitions of terminology; and conceptual and integrative thinking. On line quizzes and study aids will guide students thru the subject material, as well as assess student learning. A written report on the video Intelligent Design on Trial (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/evolution/intelligent-design-trial.html) will assess written communication skills, as well as conceptual understanding of a critical concept in biology. Additional information on assessment is listed below.
Grading System:
The grade for this course will be based on four components:
Four non-cumulative, in class, multiple choice exams 50%
Fifteen on line MasteringBiology.com based quizzes/activities
keyed to each chapter 35%
Written response to video 15%
The grading scale is as follows:
90 - 100% = A You’re doing super! Keep up the good work. Have you considered a career in
the life sciences?
80 - 89% = B Excellent! Continue what you’re doing, but consider asking questions on the
finer details in the text.
70 - 79% = C Adequate. You’ve got it under control, but don’t get complacent. Review your
notes and the text carefully. Ask questions to clarify important topics.
60 - 69% = D Danger zone. All is not lost, but you are at risk. You need to carefully work
through the materials and resources available to you. Attend regularly, and work
on your note taking skills. Make sure to ask questions for help.
> 60% = F Failing. Definitely contact me so we can work on a strategy for your
improvement.
A student may receive a “W” grade only if withdrawal occurs before the end of the thirteenth week of the semester (23 November). To withdraw, the student must inform the instructor verbally or in writing why the withdrawal is taking place, and must formally withdraw through student services. Anyone who does not formally withdraw and does not complete the course will receive an ‘F’ grade. ‘I’ grades for ‘incomplete’ will be given only under the most extenuating circumstances, and only with the prior approval of the instructor.
Written Response to Intelligent Design on Trial Video:
The video is available online at:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/evolution/intelligent-design-trial.html
Your response to the video will use the format given below. In the report I will be looking for evidence that you understand the subject and controversy, and can clearly communicate that your understanding. Your demonstration of knowledge of natural selection and the evidence and issues surrounding it will be subject to grading, not your personal opinion. The report must be typed, double spaced.
The report should follow the following outline:
Introduction Give the background to the topic or problem. Briefly explain why it is important.
Discussion Explain the details of the situation, show that understand what is being described. What do you recommend doing in this situation?
Conclusion Briefly reiterate both the problem and your conclusion.
Grading criteria for the report are similar to those used by the English department:
1. Focuses and develops ideas effectively, showing creativity and insight.
2. Organizes ideas in a purposeful and logical manner, moving the reader (listener) smoothly through the text (subject).
3. Uses sentence structure and word choice effectively with a sense of control.
4. Commits few, if any, errors in grammar/usage and mechanics.
This assignment must be turned in via WebCampus to the appropriate assignment dropbox, on or prior to the due date (Sunday, Dec 2, 11pm), in Word Format. Assignments will not be accepted via snail mail, email, fax or other means. Technical problems with WebCampus need to be addressed to the GBC Helpdesk.
Miscellaneous Policies:
All exams will be held on the dates listed in the syllabus. Any changes to that schedule will be announced in class well in advance. Missing an exam due to personal reasons or illness must be approved in advance if possible, or by contacting me within 24 hours of the exam in the case of emergency. Make up exams will be allowed and scheduled at my discretion.
Attendance will not be taken, but be advised: Regular attendance is the single most important thing you can do to get and maintain a good grade.
This syllabus does not in any way represent a contract. It is a reflection of the intent of the instructor, but do recognize that it is an organic construct that may change as the semester progresses. Any changes will be announced in class.
General Education Objectives and Assessment:
Student Outcomes
Communications Skills Objective
Students will have several opportunities to exercise written essay and text discussion communication skills throughout this course.
Measurement of this objective: lecture exams (students will be able to read and answer exam questions in written form), written response essay (students will clearly communicate scientific information in written form, see “Written Response” above for grading rubric), online discussions (students will be able to communicate scientific ideas).
Critical Thinking Objective
Quantitative Ability- Students will use mathematical principles and quantitative methods to complete the assignments.
Reasoning and Independent Thought- Students will use reasoning and independent thought to complete online experiments and answer exam questions.
Scientific Understanding- Students will comprehend workings of molecular-biological and cellular systems and the process by which the scientific knowledge is discovered. They will also develop the ability to understand molecular-biological and cellular information and how it relates to them.
Measurement of this objective: exams (students will be able to answer quantitative questions related to cell and molecular biology on exams, many questions on the exams will require the student to examine data and make an independent conclusion), online activities (students will be able to answer quantitative questions related to biology on exams), written essay, online class discussions (ungraded)
Personal and Cultural Awareness Objective
Sense of the Individual in Society- Students will gain an understanding of molecular and cellular biology and how this affects them and society.
Sense of the Past- Students will gain an understanding of how biological knowledge was discovered and how this knowledge has changed society and their lives.
Sense of Accountability- Students will comprehend the consequences of human discoveries in molecular and cellular biology and their implications.
Appreciation of Fine Arts- Students will develop an understanding of the value of biological diversity and individual curiosity and creative thought.
Measurement of this objective: exams (students will be able to answer exam questions on the importance and place of cell and molecular biology in society, on the history of biological research, and how their actions affect them and their environment), online class discussions (students will be able to discuss the importance and place of biology in society and how their actions affect them and their environment)
Personal Wellness Objective
Students will develop skills in determining the consequences of their actions in relation to the environment and their personal health. They will gain knowledge needed to make important decisions involving personal health.
Measurement of this objective: lecture exams (students will be able to answer exam questions on the molecular basis of human health), class discussions (students will discuss the molecular basis of human health,)