SYLLABUS FOR BI-101 - GENERAL BIOLOGY- SUMMER 2012
Hybrid Class with Saturday on campus meetings
12 hours online work per week
Labs: Saturday 8:30 – 2:50
All assignments and schedule dates are tentative and can be changed at any time by the instructor. Any changes in this syllabus will be explained to students either verbally or in writing. Each student is responsible for reading and understanding the content of this syllabus.
Course Credits: 4
Meeting Times and Locations:
Lecture CRN 13662 –Online lectures, quizzes, and discussion
Lab CRN 13663 –Saturday8:30 – 2:50 Bldg. 8, Rm. 226
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Greg Coleman
Office: Bldg. 8 Room 226 (lab room)
Office Hours: Times by arrangement.
Office Phone: (541) 760 - 5664
Home Phone: (541) 757 - 7016 (voicemail)
E - Mail: campus: (allow 24 hours for reply)
Required Text and Packets (From the Bookstore):
Cain et al 2007, Discover Biology, 4th ed.
BI101 Lab Packet - available in bookstore. Additional handouts provided in class.
Computer Access:
Students must be able to access campus pipeline and webCT web page for this
course. This can be done from any computer with Internet access. Get on the
internet and go to Chemeketa’s home page and click on Chemeketa e-learn, log in
with your log-in name and password. Select the"My Courses" folder and click on
the name of this course, that will take you to the web page. Follow all instructions.
If you have difficulty getting into the web page call the
help desk at (503) 399 - 7899
“Warning”
This course requires extensive use of a computer with internet access, the computer
must be Microsoft word and PowerPoint capable, and the student must possess
proficient abilities to communicate and navigate via the internet. High speed
broadband internet access is also required (dial up would take too long for downloads).
BI101 Syllabus pg. 1
Course Description:
BI 101 is the first course in a three-term sequence in General Biology. This
course is for NON-SCIENCE MAJORS. The topics covered this term include
the nature of scientific inquiry, ecology, diversity of life, and environmental
problems. The three courses, BI101, BI102, and BI103, are designed for students
in transfer programs, usually outside the sciences. The sequence may be taken in
part or in any order. If you intend to major in the sciences, this is probably NOT
the course for you. Check with your intended transfer school and program for
their specific degree requirements.
Primary Teaching Methods:
The textbook is the primary source of information for this course. Students are
responsible for reading the required chapters in preparation for that days lecture.
Some questions on quizzes and exams may be formulated using reading
assignments rather than lecture notes. However, power point lecture slideswill be
a major source for test and quiz questions.
Grading:
All grading is based upon mastery of the subject matter of this course. Points
towards your final grade will be awarded as follows:
First hour exam 100 Tentative grade cut-offs.
Second hour exam 100 A 90%
Final exam 200 B 80 - 90%
Pre-lab exercises 6 @ 5 30 C 70 - 80%
Lab quizzes 7@ 5 35 D 60 - 70%
Lab exercises 7@ 10 70 F <60%
Environmental Action Assignment 80
Weekly discussion posts 50
Weekly online quizzes 120
Total 785 (actual total may be different)
Note- No final grades will be determined until the end of the term. However,
students can estimate their standing at any time by calculating their current
standings. Final percentage grades will rounded up (0.5 is rounded up) to the
nearest whole percent to determine course grade.
BI101 Syllabus pg. 2
Grading (continued):
Incompletes - An incomplete grade can be awarded only to students that are
missing work at the end of the term, and have arranged, in advance, to make up
work. This grade can only be given to students with a passing grade on all turned
in assignments.
No grade - A "no-grade" can only be given to students who complete less than the
first third of the course and then stop attending but fail to drop before the last date
to withdraw.
Incompletes and no-grades cannot be substituted for a failing grade in the course.
Late Assignment Policy:
Lecture and lab assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date of
the assignment unless otherwise indicated. The due date will be printed on the
assignment or announced in class. Any late assignment will be penalized at the
rate of one letter grade (10%) per class period.
Students are expected to attend and be on time for all labs. Students
that will be late for a class or will miss a class entirely should notify the instructor
before such absence/tardy occurs. If a student must miss class, that student should
plan to turn in any assignment before class to receive full credit.
Exams and Quizzes:
Two one hour midterm exams will be given during regularly scheduled testing
center hours (see testing center information). These exams will consist of
approximately 50 points in multiple choice questions and 50 points for short essay
questions. The first exam will cover material from the text readings, lecture slides,
labs, and assignments for weeks one and two. The second exam will cover material
from the text readings, lecture slides, labs, and assignments from week three. The
final exam will be cumulative covering all material throughout the term and your
score will represent your mastery of the subject matter. As such, any 100% scores
on the final exam will translate into an “A” for the class.
Lab quizzes are all short answer or fill in the blank questions drawn from the
previous weeks lab assignment. Quizzes will be the first activity for labs after a
short question/answer period. Quizzes will not be distributed to students arriving
after the quizzes are completed and are handed in (approximately 10 minutes).
BI101 Syllabus pg. 3
Make-up Exams:
Quizzes and Exams must be taken at the scheduled time unless prior arrangements
are made with the instructor. If an emergency causes a student to miss an exam, it
is the students responsibility to contact the instructor before the absence. Make-up
exams are given at the discretion of the instructor. Make-up exams may include
material beyond the limits of the original exam.
Important Dates:
1st Midterm Week of, July 2nd
2nd Midterm Week of, July 9th
Bonesteele Field Trip Saturday, July 14th
Cascades Field Trip Saturday July 21st
Final Exam Week of July 23rd
Student Behavior:
Attendance and participation are essential components of this class. Class
meetings will center on small group activities, which all students must participate
in. Learning is best accomplished through collaboration among students. These
student groups work best when the focus is on member's strength rather than their
weakness. As such, derogatory or condescending behavior or remarks
towardsother students will not be tolerated.
Although collaboration and group activities are a central part of this course, each
student is ultimately responsible to demonstrate their mastery of the subject
matter. Classroom activities submitted for credit, including exams and quizzes,
must be completed individually unless otherwise stated by the instructor.
If a student misses class, it is that student's responsibility to determine material
missed, obtain handouts, make-up assignments (when possible), and to keep track
of upcoming assignments and due dates.
Academic Needs for Disabled Students:
If a student has a disability that will affect their performance in this class, please
see the instructor. The instructor will make every effort to accommodate those
students with special needs.
BI101 Syllabus pg. 4
Obtaining Assistance:
Students may drop by the adjunct instructor's office during the office hours listed
on page one of this syllabus. Students may also arrange an appointment that better
fits their schedule.
“WARNING”
All midterms and exams are to be completed at Chemeketa’s testing center located at: Testing Services
4000 Lancaster DR NE
Bldg 2, Room 110 (first floor)
Salem, OR97303
You must make an appointment to take a test and it is the student’s responsibility to make sure exams are taken during the required week.
For an appointment call 503.399.6556 or email
BI101 Course Objectives: By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Use a dichotomous key to identify local flora in a field setting.
- List the characteristics of the domains and kingdoms of living things and diagram their evolutionary relationships.
- Cite examples that illustrate the impact of human activity on sustaining biodiversity.
- Explain the composition and growth characteristics that distinguish between populations applying the knowledge to both human and non-human populations.
- Describe basic ecological principles pertaining to communities using examples drawn from the local region through directed field experience.
- Relate characteristics and species composition of communities, ecoregions and biomes to physical environment and climate patterns.
- Diagram and explain the movement of energy and matter in ecosystems.
- Use examples to show impacts that human activities have on populations, communities, ecosystems and the biosphere.
- Gather information on organizations that provide opportunities for volunteer environmental activities and describe their participation as a volunteer.
BI101 Syllabus pg. 5
Itinerary for Bonesteele Park Field trip.
Biology 101, Summer 2012
Instructor: Greg Coleman
Field trip is Saturday, July 14, 2012
1:00 pm: Leave from ChemeketaCommunity College.
1:30 pm: Arrive at BonesteelePark
4:30 pm: Leave from BonesteelePark.
5:00 pm: Arrive at ChemeketaCommunity College
Itinerary for Cascades Field trip on Saturday, July 21, 2012.
Biology 101, Summer 2012, Instructor: Greg Coleman
Field trip is Saturday, July 21st, 2012, all times are tentative depending on many variables.
7:00 am: Leave from ChemeketaCommunity College.
7: 45 am: Donut stop in Sweethome, Oregon.
9:00 am: Arrive at HouseRockState Park.
11:00 am: Leave from HouseRockState Park.
11:15 am: Arrive at TombstoneSummitSnowPark.
11:30 am: Leave from TombstoneSummitSnowPark
12:00 noon: Arrive at Lost Prairie Campground. Lunch stop!
12:45 pm: Leave from Lost Prairie Campground.
1:20 pm: Arrive at Little Nash Crater.
1:45 pm: Leave from Little Nash Crater.
2:15 pm: Arrive at Hoodoo Recreational Ski Area.
2: 45 pm: Leave from Hoodoo Recreational Ski Area.
3:20 pm: Arrive at Metolius Headwaters.
4:20 pm: Leave from Metolius Headwaters.
4:40 pm: Arrive at Juniper woodlands.
5:00 pm: Leave from Juniper woodlands.
5:20 pm: Arrive at Sisters, Oregon; Store stop and restrooms
5:40 pm: Leave Sisters, Oregon.
7:40 pm: Arrive ChemeketaCommunity College
Biology 101 Summer 2012 “On-Line Hybrid”; Saturday campus Laboratory.
Biology 101 investigates the diversity of organisms, principles of ecology, and effects and consequences of ecosystem alteration by humans. This sequence need not be taken in order.
Labs meet on Campus on Saturdays from 8:30 am – 2:50 pm in building 8, room 226
Date / Weekly chapters / Saturday am lab / Saturday pm lab / Exams / ReadingsWeek 1 June
25 - 30 / Characteristics of Life;
The Nature of Science(Ch. 1)
Organizing the Diversity of Life (Chapter 2)
Major Groups of Living Organisms (Chapter 3 pt 1) / Online quizzes / Assign EAP Groups
Microscopy and Aquatic Life
(Lab 4) / Quiz 1 Pre-lab due
Symbiosis (Lab 6) / Exams at testing center –
Must make appointment / Chs. 1, 2, and 3
Week 2
July 2 –7 / Major Groups of Living Organisms
(Chapter 3 ) Parts 2 - 5 / Online quizzes / Quiz 2 Pre-lab due
Antimicrobial Plant Compounds (Lab 7) / Quiz 3 Pre-lab due
World Human Population (Lab 5) / Must make appointment at testing center@
503-399-6556 / Ch 3
Week 3
July 9 - 14 / Major Groups of Living Organisms
(Chapter 3 ) Parts 6 & 7
Biodiversity and People (Interlude A) / Online quizzes / Quiz 4 Pre-lab due
Dichotomous Keys and Woody Plants
(Lab 1) / Quiz 5 Pre-lab due
Bonesteele Field trip
(Lab 2)
1:00 – 5:00 pm / Midterm 1
Testing center hours during week 3 / Chs 3 & interlude A,
Week 4
July
16 - 21 / The Biosphere (Chapter 33)
Growth of Populations (Chapter 34)
Interactions among Organisms (Chapter 35 & 36) / Online quizzes / Quiz 6 Pre-lab due
Cascades Trip
(Lab 3)
7:00 am – 8:00 pm / Midterm 2
Testing center hours during week 4 / Chs. 33, 34, 35&36
Week 5
July
23 - 28 / Ecosystems (Chapter 37)
Global Change (Chapter 38)
Building a Sustainable Society (Interlude G) / Online quizzes / Quiz 7
EAP Presentations / Final Exam
Testing center hours during week 5 / Final Exam
Testing center hours during week 5 / Chs. 37, 38. and interlude G