Introduction to Biology Syllabus – Fall 2007
BIO 112-02, T R, 8:00 – 9:15, 3 Credit Hours, Location: Science Building 108
Instructor: Mr. Micah W. Perkins Email: micah.perkins@kctcs.edu
Office Location: 203 Technology Building Office Phone: (270) 686-4610
Office Hours: Mon. 8-8:45, 10-11, 1-2; Tues. 9:15-12; Wed. 8-8:45; Thurs. 9:15-11; Fri. 8-9, 11-12
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introductory biology relevant to both plants & animals-cell structure & function.
MAJOR COURSE OBJECTIVES: The student should gain an understanding of the science of biology. Each student should understand how differences in molecular and cellular structure function. These differences allow for the various types of plants and animals found in the environment. In addition, the student should gain an understanding of how the function or role of humans is affecting this constantly changing environment.
Expectations for this course are directly supported by OCTC Expectations (Quality Enhancement Plan), which can be found at the center of the fall schedule or the following website: http://www.octc.kctcs.edu/expectations/
REQUIRED TEXT: Biology: Concepts and Connections 5th Edition by Campbell, Reece, Taylor and Simon. Published by Pearson, Benjamin Cummings, 2006. Bring text to class periods.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Exam 1 – Thursday, Sept. 6 Exam 2 – Thursday, Oct. 4
Exam 3 – Thursday, Nov. 8 Final Exam (Non Comprehensive) – Tuesday, Dec. 11, 8:00 am
EVALUATION PROCEDURES: The course grade will be determined by a variety of materials submitted
throughout the semester:
Exams - Exams will assess your understanding of concepts and your ability to apply the knowledge acquired.
Exams are 70% of your final grade with all exams weighted equally.
Assignments and Group Work - Individual take-home assignments and in-class group projects will
be done throughout the semester. You must be present to obtain credit for group work. Group work will be at levels 1 and 2 in accordance with OCTC oral and written expectations. Assignments and group work will be 20% of your final grade
Class Participation – Class participation includes attendance, tardiness, participating in class discussions, and
class disturbances. Class participation will be 10% of your final grade.
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%
If students wish to determine their progress throughout the semester, they must figure their own grades. If you have problems figuring your grade and wish to know your progress, then you must set up an appointment during office hours.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance will be recorded daily, and a record your attendance will be maintained to accommodate federal regulations concerning financial aid. Class participation is strongly encouraged and is necessary to earn credit for in-class activities. If a student has had greater than 3 absences during the semester, the student’s participation grade will be reduced to 0%. Two late arrivals count for one absence.
WRITTEN WORK POLICY: Written assignments with excessive grammatical, spelling or typographical errors are unacceptable. All written group work and written assignments will be required to be at levels 1 through 3 in accordance with OCTC expectations. All assigned work is due at the beginning of the class of the due date.
LATE WORK POLICY AND TEST MAKE UP:
• If assigned work is not turned in at the beginning of the class of the due date but still that
day, I will reduce the grade by 20%. If you turn the assignment in the next class period after the due date, I will reduce it by 30%. Work will not be accepted after 1 class period after the original due date.
• If you are unable to take a test at the scheduled time, you must contact the instructor the day of the
scheduled test. Phone, leave a voice mail, email, etc. If I am not contacted on the scheduled test day, no make up test will be available, and a zero will be awarded for that test. I will not track down students about missed tests. Any student that sits through a review of test results before making up the test will receive a 0 even if plans were made to make up the test. This is the student’s responsibility. Not knowing about an exam or missing the week before are not valid excuses. Students must make up the test within one week of when the original test was scheduled. No make up tests will be given greater than one week after the original scheduled test. All make up tests will be in essay format.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
• Friday, August 17, is the last day for a student to drop this course without a grade.
• Monday, October 15 (midterm) is the last day you may withdraw and receive an automatic "W". A grade of
W from midterm through Monday, December 3 (the last class day of the semester) requires the signature of the instructor. After the midterm, I will sign for a W for any student that has been attending class and putting forth noticeable effort. I will not sign a form for students that have not been attending regularly.
• Financial Aid Repayment: Students receiving some forms of federal financial aid, who do not officially
withdraw by the scheduled deadline, may also face financial penalties. Students may be required to repay a portion of their financial aid or may not be able to receive future financial aid.
• Academic Honesty Policy: The OCTC faculty and students are bound by principles of truth and honesty
that are recognized as fundamental for a community of teachers and scholars. The college expects students and faculty to honor, and faculty to enforce, these academic principles. Cheating, plagiarism and copying of assignments will not be tolerated. Such activities will result in a grade of zero for that particular exam or assignment and may result in failure of the course in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct. Expectations of OCTC Standards of Professional Conduct are available at the following website: http://www.octc.kctcs.edu/expectations/spc.htm .
• For information about OCTC’s expectations and Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), refer to center of the
Fall schedule or the following website: http://www.octc.kctcs.edu/expectations/ .
Course Specific Competency:
Science: To demonstrate a working knowledge of human effects on the biological and physical environment. Students will be required to understand basic concepts of chemistry, ecology, soil science and nutrient cycling. Students should be able to understand that changes in physical factors (light, temperature, salinity, chemicals, etc.) in the environment may affect biological species. Students will learn about social and ethical issues in science. All exams and class participation will directly address the course specific competency.
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.