Bio 103 Course Description

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INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY BIOL 103

Instructor: Kathy Pollock

Office Hours: Varies by semester Room 243-E

Telephone: 777-0395

Email: kathy.pollock@muskegoncc.edu

Course Description:

Biology 103 is a four credit, one-semester laboratory course in biological science. Biological concepts are studied as they relate to the human organism as part of the living world. Basic principles of organization of living matter, including cell structure and function, metabolism, human systems, reproduction, development, heredity and evolution are examined. Detailed Course Objectives are listed in the lab manual and at the beginning of each lab.

YOU MUST ATTEND the section for which you are registered –no exceptions

Texts: Required: Inquiry into Life, Sylvia S. Mader, McGraw-Hill, 11^th edition

Lab Manual for Biology 103

Technology Requirements:

            ON CAMPUS: Student Response Device, CPS RF is a handheld student response device approximately the size of a large cell phone. You will need to purchase this device in the bookstore and register it/enroll it online via blackboard. There is a registration/ enrollment fee, so you will need a credit card to pay online via blackboard fee –if you do not wish to pay online or if you have financial aid or grant funds, you can purchase an enrollment code card in the bookstore. This device will be used during lecture to answer questions for class participation that will be included in your grade.

            Powerpoint or Powerpoint viewer will be needed to print lecture outlines.

            ONLINE: High Speed Internet connection, Java, QuickTime, Shockwave, Authorware, Macromedia Flash, PowerPoint or PowerPoint Viewer, speakers, and word processing program that reads rtf.

Lecture Attendance:

            ON CAMPUS: Class participation is essential for success and participation with a CPS RF handheld student response device will be required. A student is expected to be on time, to bring all needed supplies, to have a cooperative attitude, and to remain in the room continuously until the class is dismissed by the instructor. If you arrive late to class, i.e. after attendance has been taken, you will not receive full participation points.

                        ONLINE: You are expected to visit Blackboard to view powerpoint lectures and participate in other online activities at least twice a week. You are expected to view the lecture presentation, complete lecture note outlines and turn these in as proof of your participation.

Class participation:

            ON CAMPUS: Using your handheld device, you will receive points for class participation everyday, unless we are having a quiz or test that day. If you arrive late to class, i.e. after attendance has been taken, you will not receive full participation points.

To account for unexpected absence, forgotten handheld response devices, low participation scores and other unforeseen situations, you will be allowed to drop 2 CPS participation scores without any explanation, at the end of the semester.

                              ONLINE: You are expected to participate online 3 hours per week. This time should be divided into smaller time periods, rather than 3 hours at one time. You will be required to mark lecture notes reviewed and complete animation quizzes via blackboard twice a week. Materials will be released on Monday and Wednesday to ensure you are participating at least two separate times a week.

Instructor’s message:

I am available for help. Do not hesitate to contact me. When sending emails, please put “BIO103”in as the subject of the email. I am also available during my office hours. Please feel free to stop by during these times.

Studying: Approximately 2-3 hours of studying time for each hour in class is recommended. Reading the text before lecture is necessary for the understanding of the lecture. Making note cards, outlines, concept maps, sketches, summaries, reciting facts out-loud and even “acting-out” or role-play are all additional ways to take a more active approach to studying. Watching computer animations/simulations and taking practice quizzes or tests are also acceptable. Find out your learning style by taking an online questionnaire at: www.vark-learn.com.

Learn the material well enough to be ABLE TO EXPLAIN IT to someone who knows nothing about it or WITHOUT YOUR TEXT OR NOTES.

Blackboard: Blackboard will be use for the course. It is the responsibility of each student to check blackboard on a regular basis for announcements, lecture outlines, additional reading assignments, links to online study activities, and grades.

Grading: Your grade will be calculated based on a variety of activities. 45 %unit tests and quizzes, 30% lab reports, 10 % comprehensive final exam, and 15 % other assignments. Points will be assigned for each activity and total points earned tallied. The total points earned divided by the total points possible will be converted to a percentage. The following grading scale is based on that percentage. Grades will be posted periodically in Blackboard, however you are encouraged to keep track of your own grades.

This is an estimate of the breakdown of points. Points on individual assignments may vary and therefore alter these totals.

900 pts = 3 tests (200), 6 quizzes (50),

470 pts = Lab Reports (390) and 2 Lab Practicals (80)

160 pts = Class participation (7-8 pts each day)

100 pts = other assignments

120 pts = 1 comprehensive final exam .

1750 pts = total possible for the course (estimate)

Grading Scale: Percent of total points earned.

	88-89.9 = B+	78-79.9 = C+	68-69.9 = D+
92-100 = A	82-87.9 = B	72-77.9 = C	62-67.9 = D	59.9 or less =F
90-91.9 = A-	80-81.9 = B-	70-71.9 = C-	60-61.9 = D-

Tests & Quizzes: Tests & quizzes will include questions from lecture, textbook, and laboratory material. Tests will include a variety of types of questions including multiple choice, matching questions, short answer or essay, and lab practical. The instructor will collect tests and keep them until the end of the year at which time they will be destroyed.

Lab Reports: Students are expected to read and follow all directions in the lab manual. A separate lab report form will be provided for students to complete and turn in at the end of the lab session. Some lab report forms may require more than one lab session worth of time to complete and will be worth more points. Other lab report forms may only require part of the lab session time and will be worth fewer points. In this case you may complete up to three different lab report forms in one lab session. Students are expected to make there own lab observations and will be responsible for lab material on tests.

Class Participation/other assignments:

Students may be assigned points for class participation and group work conducted during lecture and lab time. Students will be informed of activities that will be graded under this category.

Academic Assistance:

College Success Center Rm 401 – see page 60 of student handbook

Tutor Services Rm 401 – see page 60 of student handbook

If you have special needs, please let me know and contact Janice Alexander at #309.

Academic Withdrawal Policy:

Please come speak with me to discuss your situation if you are considering dropping the course. Drop deadlines with 100% and 50% refunds are listed in the schedule of courses – please pay attention to these dates. A student shall be entitled to withdraw from the course and receive a "W" grade up to the middle of the semester. After the middle of the semester and before the final test, a student may withdraw from the course and receive either a "WP" grade (Withdraw - Passing) or a "WF" (Withdraw -Failing). A student may not withdraw after taking the final test.

Academic Integrity Policy:

Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated and may lead to a failing grade. Cheating is using or attempting to use, give, and/or obtain materials or information including computer material pertaining to a quiz, examination, written paper or other work that a student is expected to do alone. Plagiarism is the use of another’s words or ideas without acknowledgement. Papers/tests will be immediately taken from the student and the instructor will notify the student on what action the instructor will take. See your student handbook for more information.

Campus Wide Student Assessment:

Muskegon Community College is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation helps ensure students that they are receiving a quality education and can transfer to other colleges and universities with ease and confidence. MCC is committed to an essential part of the accreditation process: assessing student learning. You may be asked to participate in assessing student academic achievement this semester by doing two things:

1. Evaluate your class and your instructor by completing a Student Opinion Survey, usually given toward the end of the semester.

2. In some of your classes, you will find that one hour of the class time may be devoted to completing a test of your general knowledge. Your performance on this test will not affect your grade in this course or your status in the College.

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