Imperial Valley College SPRING 2010 COURSE SYLLABUS Instructor: Rosalba Jepson, MSN
Course Title: Principles of Biological Science - BIO-100 Course Number: 20039
Credit Units: 4.0 Lecture: 3 hrs. Laboratory: 3 hrs Room# 2751
Class Schedule: Tuesday, Lecture. - 6:30 – 9:40 PM Thursday Laboratory 6:30 – 9:40 PM
Required and/or Recommended Materials: Text: Life on Earth. Audesirk, Byers. 5th ed. with CD-ROM. Pearson Education Laboratory: Principles of Biological Science BIOL 100 Lab Manuel.
Instructor Contact: Office # 2130 Phone: 760-355-6294 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: Tues. 5:00- 6:00pm. For any other times: TBA
Course Description: Prerequisite: MATH 90 of equivalent with grade of “C” or better. A comprehensive one semester general biology course for non-majors. Includes life from the molecular to the organismic level of both plants and animals and their interactions within the environment. Special emphasis is put on human biology within appropriate areas of study. Appropriate for general education as well a nursing, pre-professional, and higher-level biology courses. Includes laboratory component.
Disabled Student Program and Services (DSP&S): Any student with a documented disability who may need educational accommodations should notify the instructor or the Disabled Student Program and Services office as soon as possible. Health Sciences Building - Room 2117 (760) 355-6312
Course Objectives: Students will identify the basic characteristics of all living things. Students will name aspects of basic chemistry pertaining to life and the concept of homeostasis. Students will describe the cellular components, structure and function of the cell. Students will describe light and dark reactions of photosynthesis. Students will define cellular respiration and its relations to the entire organism. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the structure and function of DNA and RNA. Students will differentiate fundamentals of asexual and sexual reproduction. Students will define ecology and describe its impact on environmental conditions. Students will describe general genetics and human genetics and related advances in genetics to social responsibility of geneticists. Students will identify the functions and major systems of the human body and correlate the relationship among body systems and the nature of disease. Students will classify organisms in the plant and animal kingdoms. Student learning Outcomes (SLO) Upon completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate: 1. Critical thinking skills related to key biological concepts as evidence by written examination. 2. Global awareness and Communication skills by researching and presenting current issues impacting the ecology, biodiversity and human health
Institutional Student Learning Outcomes Students who complete a degree or certificate at Imperial Valley College will demonstrate competency in communication skills, critical thinking skills, personal responsibility, information literacy and global awareness
Attendance Policy: Class attendance and tardy policy follow the regulations in the IVC Catalog. Students are expected to attend the full instructional periods of lecture and laboratory until dismissed by the instructor or risk being counted as tardy or absent. Attendance will be taken at the start of each lecture and lab class. If you leave mid-way between class it will be considered an absent. Keep in mind that lecture and laboratory sessions are separate classes. Students may be asked to drop the class if absent for more than 3 lectures and/or lab days combine. Please notify your instructor in advance if you know you will be absent. The instructor reserves the right to review extreme cases, only if notified in advance. If absent, you are still responsible for turning in assigned homework on the due date. If you decide to drop the class, it is your responsibility to drop the class before the designated deadline. Deadline for dropping with a “W” is: May. 15, 2010
Exam and Grading Procedures: There will be four written exams worth 50 points each. Two Lab Practicum exams will be given: mid-term and final; 100 points each. Final exam is worth 100 points Present 2 mini-reports on current issues impacting the ecology, biodiversity, or human health. Total of 50 points Lab assignments must be completed timely during class or credit will not be given. Lab exercises or assignments reflect your final grade. There will be no make-ups for missed laboratory exercises. There will be no make-up for missed Laboratory practicum. Please notify instructor as soon as possible if you foresee problems with taking the lab practicum on scheduled dates. There is no make-up for missed exams without prior notification.
Grade Scale: A 90 - 100% B 80 - 89% C 70 - 79% D 60 - 69% F < 60% Classroom Ethics: No talking or using cell phones in class. Turn off or silence all cell phones, pagers, watch alarms or other electronic devices during class. You should not be texting or checking your phones in class. Students who disrupt the class, either by use of electronic devices, excessive talking during lectures and/or distracting behavior will be asked to leave the class for the day and will be marked absent. Food and drink are prohibited in classrooms and labs. Children are not permitted in the classrooms and labs. The use of PDAs and personal laptops are prohibited during class time, unless used during the allotted preparation time for group project or presentation. NO CHEATING. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated on exams, quizzes or assignments. Penalties for academic dishonesty include a grade of an “F” or zero (0) on the exam or assignment, and referral to the Dean for further disciplinary action according to college policy. No plagiarism, (copying directly from books, websites, magazines, etc. without proper citation). Use your own words when writing papers or reports. Any information used from online, books, magazines, etc. that do not represent your own work must be properly cited. Penalties for plagiarism include a grade of an “F” or zero (0). 2/2010
Laboratory Safety Policies
Many of the reagents (chemicals) and some equipment in a biology laboratory are potentially dangerous. You should familiarize yourself with the following safety policies. During the second lab meeting, you may be asked to sign a document indicating that you have received, read and understood the safety rules, and that you agree to comply with them. Any student who stands up during the first five minutes of the second class period and howls like a wolf will receive three extra credit points on their first exam.
1. Follow all directions given by your instructor, 2. The laboratory is not a cafeteria. Do not eat or drink any chemicals. Do not eat, drink, smoke or apply cosmetics in the laboratory. 3. Assume all chemicals are poisonous. If a chemical comes in contact with your skin, rinse affected area immediately with water and notify the instructor. 4. Dispose of chemicals in the appropriate manner. Ask your instructor if you have doubts. Solid waste should NOT be disposed of in the sinks. Do not return chemicals to their original containers unless instructed to do so. 5. You should familiarize yourself with the experiments you will be doing before coming to the laboratory. Do not attempt any experiment until you fully understand the procedure. Ask for clarification if necessary. 6. Keep your work area clean. You will not be allowed to leave the classroom until your work area is clean. Before leaving the laboratory, wipe down the lab bench and wash your hands. Repeated offenders risk grade-points reduction. 7. Please notify the instructor of any medical condition that may interfere with your ability to safely complete the laboratory, so that appropriate accommodations can be made. 8. Please notify the instructor of any of the following conditions: □ Broken glassware □ Any unsafe or hazardous conditions □ Malfunctioning equipment in the lab □ Chemical spills □ Any injuries 9. Your instructor will point out the location of and describe proper usage of safety and emergency equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, fire extinguisher, fire blanket and telephone. 10. It is advisable to dress appropriately for lab. Chemical spill do happen! Closed-toe shoes are good protection against spills. 11. Do not handle hot glassware with you bare hands. Use a test tube clamp. 12. Wear gloves during dissection activities and when advised by the instructor. 13. Use caution when using sharp instruments such as scalpels, knives and razor blades. Be careful not to cut yourself or others assisting in a procedure. During dissections, use a probe rather than a scalpel to point at structures.