This is an introductory course for students needing two semesters of Biology.  Covers fundamental concepts of cell composition, metabolic processes, and introductory genetics.  Three hours class plus three hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisite: High school biology or consent of instructor. 

       Instruction will be accomplished by means of lectures, discussions, demonstrations, laboratory exerises/experiments, dissections, and other applicable means.  Taking of notes in some form is highly recommended.  Science courses are very content-rich and it is hard to get what you need if you rely on in-class memory alone. I do not collect class notes for grading, but may look at them to get an idea of how we are missing one another. 

No seats are assigned, so sit where YOU can see, hear and perform best.  A seat next to your friends may not qualify here - have the courage to give yourself an edge and maximize your own performance.  (Hint: Over the years I have found that the worst grades are almost always earned by people who constantly sit in the back few rows of the classroom.) 

COURSE GOALS:  This course meets the following Illinois State Teaching Standards: Core Science Standards: 
    The competent science teacher understands:
    1) scientific inquiry and has the ability to conduct scientific inquiry; 
    2) the concepts, principles and processes of technological design; 
    3) and can apply concepts that explain the cell, molecular basis of heredity, and biological evolution; 
    5) the nature and properties of energy in its various forms, and the processes by which energy is exchanged and/or transformed; 
    9) and applies accepted practices and implications of science in contemporary and historical contexts; 
    10) the interaction among science, technology and society, including historical and contemporary development of major scientific ideas and technological innovations; 
    11) the major unifying concepts of all sciences (systems, order, and organization; evidence, models, and explanation; constancy, change, and measurement; evolution and equilibrium; form and function), and how these concepts relate to other disciplines, particularly mathematics and the social sciences; 

and Biology Core Standards: The competent biology teacher:
    1) applies an understanding of the concepts of cell biology; 
    2) applies an understanding of the molecular basis of heredity and the associated mathematical probabilities of pedigrees; 
    3) applies an understanding of biological evolution. 

REQUIRED TEXTS:

• Mader, Biological Science, 9th edition
• http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/classware/infoCenter.do?isbn=0072464631
• C. Kasper, Laboratory Manual for Biology, 2007

 
EVALUATION CRITERIA:                                                       GRADE SCALE 

   50% - 100 point Exams (lowest dropped)                             A = 90 -100% 
   25% - Lab reports/quizzes (lowest dropped)                         B = 80 -  89%
   10% - Attendance/participation                                             C = 70 -  79%
   15% - Comprehensive final                                                    D = 60 -  69%
  100%                                                                                    F =   0  - 59%

HOUR EXAMS:  These will be given during regular class periods.  Each exam will target both in-class and textbook material covered since the previous exam but can also refer to earlier material and pertinent laboratory work.  The lowest of these exam grades will be dropped.  If you miss an exam for a non approved reason, this is automatically your drop grade. Any additional (approved) missed exam will be made up with an essay exam. (If you have any special educational requirements you must contact Disability Support Services for documentation before any accommodation can be instated.) 

The FINAL comprehensive exam will be partly on material not covered on previous exams and partly on material from the rest of the semester. 

NOTE: You must have AT LEAST 60% IN BOTH LAB AND CLASS to pass the course.  If you do, your total percentage from lab and class work will combine to determine your final grade. 

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION:

Poor class attendance interferes with class participation and performance on quizzes and examinations.  Attendance will be taken during both class and lab and will be applied to the Attendance portion of the grade.  An approved absence gives you the right to MAKE UP the material without penalty, NOT SKIP it.  This requires a note from Dr. Fitz or the school nurse. "Overslept, sister getting married, flat tire, sick", etc. are reasons, not approved absences - even though I may sympathize.  (Hint: Students with the highest grades tend to be those who attend virtually all class sessions.) 

Athletic practice sessions NEVER outrank class.  The coaches know you will be late to practice on Lab days.  If you are in an approved athletic event which interferes with class, you are expected to MAKE UP the material/lab/test. 

Participation includes appropriate in-class behavior and response when called upon plus productive activity and interaction in laboratory sessions.  Maturity and attitude will be considered in assigning points under this criterion.  Participation, attendance and chronic tardiness will be used to determine latitude on borderline grades. 

LABORATORY:

You must be registered for a Laboratory Section along with the class.  Laboratories are periods are scheduled for approximately 3 hours and you are expected to be on time.  Instructions (and often quizzes) are given during the first few minutes and will not be repeated if you are late. 

Unapproved lab absences: If you miss a lab this is a zero for that lab - there is no other section.  If you arrive excessively late (my decision) or leave after one hour, you will not get attendance credit for that lab.  (Hint: Should you actually finish that early, help other students - the best way to insure your own understanding is to teach someone else!) 

Lab grade points will come from Lab Reports or quizzes.  Grades for lab and lecture are kept separately but figured together for the final overall grade. 

ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS:

Since I do not grade on a curve, everyone in the class can potentially get an A.  Go for it!

Academic dishonesty, in any form, will be taken seriously and can result in an F on a given assignment or in the course.  Refer to the Academic Dishonesty guidelines in The Maggie . 

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:

You responsible for getting all materials (class notes, handouts, etc.) covered during any given class or lab period.  It would be a good idea to make arrangements with a classmate to take notes and pick up any handouts when you are absent. 

You must respect other students' rights to learn and develop both inside and outside the classroom. Any behavior which compromises this right will be strongly discouraged.  See Standards of Conduct in The Maggie . 

HELP!:

ON-LINE LEARNING CENTER, provided by the text's publishers, provides study outlines, quizzes keyed to each chapter of the book, interactive exercises, case studies, web links, as well as other features.  I highly recommend this supplement to improve your learning base and may sometimes assign required exercises from here. 

OTHER STUDENTS: Consider a "study buddy" or group of classmates to brainstorm with. They are suffering about the same growing pains as you are and each of you knows a little something that the others don't.  Practice positive synergy!  (Hint: If your are getting a D/F, do not study ONLY with other D/F students.  If they aren't able to help themselves; they probably can't help you.) 

PEER TUTORS: Check with the Student Life about our peer tutor(s) for this class. 

STUDY SKILLS: The Learning Center is able to give or arrange guidance in study, note taking, and testing strategies to enhance your performance.  The price is right - the Learning Center's offerings are free to all MacMurray students. 

ONE-ON-ONE WITH INSTRUCTOR:  I will be available to answer questions during office hours as well as shortly before and after class.  Check the schedule on my Home Page or the one on my office door for other times I might be available.  Unless I have another obligation, we can work together just about any time I am here.  You may also E-mail me questions and I will answer.  carol.kasper@mac.edu