Syllabus (text)
Summer 2009
BIO 112
General Biology
Instructor: Geralyn M. Caplan
Office Hours: on-line
Office Location: S117 (Science Building)
Phone: 812-867-1459 Home (I will not be in my office this summer)
e-mail: geralyn.caplan@kctcs.edu
Web site: www.octc.kctcs.edu/gcaplan
Description: Basic study of structure, function and interactions of living organisms including cell theory, genetics, energetics, evolution and ecology.
Objectives:
| Analyze information using the scientific method |
| Describe basic cellular functions that are essential to all life |
| Demonstrate critical thinking about basic concepts of biology and to integrate that knowledge into practical application of daily life |
| Describe the evolutionary relationships that develop among organisms |
| Describe the position of humans in the hierarchy of life and out relationship to the environment as a biological organism |
| Describe the concept of heredity and how it is influenced on a genetic level |
Required Text:
Campbell, Reese, Taylor, Simon & Dickey Biology Concepts & Connections 6th Edition
Publisher: Pearson/Benjamin Cummings ISBN 978-0-321-48984-5
Grading Criteria:
Letter grades are not given for individual assignments and quizzes. The grade will be based on the percentage earned of total possible points for the entire course.
| Weekly quizzes: 50 points |
| Discussion Boards 5-10 points each |
| Projects: 100 points |
| Final: 200 points |
| Miscellaneous 5-20 points |
Your final course letter grade will be determined as follows:
A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% E = Below 60%
Students can see their progress throughout the semester by going to "My Grades."
Attendance: There is no attendance policy with my online course. However in order to receive credit for course assignments, students must turn in all assignments on time
Written Work Policy
All written work including Discussion Board must be grammatically correct. Excessive grammatical and typing mistakes will not be accepted. All written work must be in complete sentences without any commonly used slang (i.e. LOL) All written assignments must be accordance with at least level 3 of the OCTC expectations. The major project must be accordance with level 4 of the OCTC expect ions. http://www.octc.kctcs.edu/expectations/framework.htm
OCTC Expectations: Essential Methods of Expression through Performance and Production: The Written Word
All papers will be presented at Level 4 Expression at this level would be tailored to the needs of the audience/customer/class/instructor. When including outside research, /APA format will be followed. Complete sentences are required, and grammar, mechanics, and spelling are evaluated Note: Students writing at Levels 2, 3, and 4 would not use "I" or "you" unless otherwise instructed to do so. Students are to follow the forms in the official APA books.
All other assignments will exhibit at least Level 2:
Complete sentences are required, and correct grammar and spelling should be used
Late Work: You will have at least a week for all assignments and usually 2 weeks. That is more then enough time to complete the assignments. It is the students responsibility to turn in professional work on time and to follow all assignment instructions.
LATE WORK WILL NOT BE EXCEPTED FOR ANY REASON
Cheating and Plagiarism:
Students are expected to follow the OCTC Standards For Professional Conduct in regards to plagiarism.
Representing someone else's words or thoughts as your own is plagiarism, and having someone else complete your assignments is cheating. Plagiarism is theft and is considered a serious offense. This includes exchanging answers on homework, copying from another published or Internet source, by either lifting material directly from a source or borrowing a passage and changing only a few words without attributing it to the source. In addition quoting excessively from a source that is attributed is also plagiarism.
Your work must be your own.
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
Such activities will result in a grade of 0 for that particular exam or assignment. and may result in failure of the course in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct.
I think ethical behavior is very important and thus I take this very seriously.
Withdrawal:
Students may withdrawal from the class without a grade until June 12th. June 24th is the last day for students, at their discretion, to officially withdrawal from the class and receive a grade of W. After this date, students may withdraw and receive a grade of W only with permission of the instructor and only until 12 pm July 31st.
Course Specific Competency:
Science: To demonstrate a working knowledge of human effects on the biological and physical environment.
General Education across the Curriculum Competencies:
I. Communicate Effectively
1. Read and listen with comprehension.
2. Speak and write clearly using standard English.
3. Interact cooperatively with others using both verbal and non-verbal means.
4. Demonstrate information processing through basic computer skills.
II. Think Critically
1. Make connections in learning across the disciplines and draw logical conclusions.
2. Demonstrate problem solving through interpreting, analyzing, summarizing, and/or integrating a variety of materials.
3. Use mathematics to organize, analyze, and synthesize data to solve a problem.
III. Learn Independently
1. Use appropriate search strategies and resources to find, evaluate, and use information.
2. Make choices based upon awareness of ethics and differing perspectives/ideas
3. Apply learning in academic, personal, and public situations.
4. Think creatively to develop new ideas or processes.
IV. Examine Relationships in Diverse and Complex Environments
1. Demonstrate an awareness of the relationship of the individual to the biological and physical environment.
2. Develop an awareness of self as an individual member of a multicultural global community.