INSTRUCTOR:    JULIE AIRES     OFFICE:  KENT E255       OFFICE PHONE:  (904)381-3452

Email address: jaires@fccj.edu

 For on campus students the required text is:  BIOLOGY 3^rd edition by David Krogh

Text available at the Follett’s Bookstore on Kent Campus, Building G, ph # 384-9431.

Please put your name and a contact number in your text book.

For online students the required text is: Biology: Concepts & Connections (6th ed.) Campbell, Reece, Taylor, Simon. (2008). , Pearson Education.  
 This course uses the www.mybiology.com website . The access code will be inside your text.

 This is not the syllabus for online students. You will find your syllabus in Blackboard and Course Compass.

Recommended resources:

For web tutorials to help you understand the big ideas of each chapter go to: www.prenhall.com/krogh3

The CD-ROM located at the back of your book, “Biology A Guide to the Natural World Student Accelerator CD” will help speed up access to animations if your web connection is slow.

Note: if you want to sell your book back at the end of the term you must have the CD with it.

 For general information about the college and our campus see the FCCJ HOME PAGE @ www.fccj.edu

For information about your individual courses and grades and many valuable student resources note the ARTEMIS box in the upper right corner of the FCCJ home page and click on “online student services.”

For library services go to http://www.fccj.edu/Library/

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

BSC 1005 Life in Its Biological Environment — 3 Credit Hours
This course is an introduction to biological structure, function, processes, principles and concepts. This course fulfills the General Education Requirement. Three contact hours. (CBE) A.A., A.S., A.A.S.

SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS IN BIOLOGY:

1.       Start studying tonight! Study in frequent short sessions ... 20 minutes is about right.

2.       Review class notes frequently during your "down time" – waiting, between classes, etc.

3.       Identify the big idea or concept being taught. Don't just memorize facts.  Design your own concept

          maps after each lecture. Use your study guide, text web site, and Internet resources with your notes.

4.        Form a study group. Exchange phone numbers and email addresses with students in the class.

5.       Work hard! Your success depends on old-fashioned hard work. The work load should be a minimum

          of two (2) hours of study time for each hour of class.

6.       Preview the assigned chapter.

7.       Review the study guide objectives.

8.       Attend class and take notes.

9.       Read the assigned chapter for comprehension.

10.     Go back and answer the questions on the study guide.

11.     Use the text website to view tutorials, animated concepts, and practice test questions.

12.     ENJOY LEARNING!

TESTS:

Six tests will be given in this class at 100 points each.  These tests will consist of vocabulary identification, multiple choice, and possibly true false questions. 

Questions will vary in difficulty and test student recall and conceptual understanding. Quiz material will come from assigned chapter readings in text, lectures, power point presentations, and class exercises.

Here are a few suggestions to help ace these tests.

Do not miss a test.  If a test will be missed for a valid reason such as illness, email or call Mrs. Aires explaining the reason for missing the test the day before or the day of the test. Students who miss a unit test
may take a final cumulative test at the end of the term to replace the missing grade.

COURSE GRADING POLICY:

The grading in this course will be based on the number of points earned in comparison to the number of points offered. Your final letter grade is determined by adding points you earned in the categories listed below.

GRADE CATEGORIES...................... POINTS OFFERED................... POINTS EARNED

6 UNIT TESTS (~ 100 points each)...........................~600 total  .................. ________________

CLASS PARTICIPATION (~25 @ 5 pt ea)………...~ 125 total................... ________________

EXTRA CREDIT   .......................................................  optional..................... ________________         

TOTAL POINTS.......................................................... ~ 725..................... ________________

***THE POINTS LISTED ABOVE COULD CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE***

POINT TO LETTER GRADE CONVERSION SCALE     

If points earned by the student are:      Letter grade earned is:

90 - 100 % of the TOTAL POINTS OFFERED...................... = A   

80 - 89 %         "          "                 "          ...................= B   

70 - 79 %         "          "                 "          .................  = C   

60 - 69 %         "          "                 "          .................. = D

LESS THAN 60 % OF TOTAL POINTS   .............................. = F

Students can divide points earned by points offered at any time to find their grade 

 Be aware of your grade; use the grade-tracking sheet handed out after test 1.

For your information you can access general grade information from the online catalog.

FCCJ’S GRADING SYSTEM:  Letter grades will be assigned for courses as follows.

*Students who stop attending class and are failing will be given an “FN.” The “FN” grade may be given immediately after the withdrawal deadline in compliance with the attendance policy published in the class syllabus.

Grade Forgiveness and Course Repeats

Students may repeat a course in an attempt to improve a grade previously earned. State Board Rule 6A – 14.0301 limits such attempts to courses where a “D,” “F” or “FN” grade was earned, and limits to two the number of times a course grade may be forgiven. The official grade and the grade used in calculating the GPA shall be the last grade earned in the course.

A student may have only three total attempts in any course, including the original grade, repeat grades and withdrawals. Upon the third attempt in a course, the student must be given an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F.” A fourth attempt may be allowed only through an academic appeals process based on major extenuating circumstances.

The “AW” grade is an administrative withdrawal that is given if the student has not attended class within the first two weeks of class. The “I” grade is given only in extreme situations when a student is prevented from completing the course. (The student must be passing the course at the time of application for an “I” grade). The “FN” grade will be given to students who stop attending the class.

FCCJ’S CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY

The policy on attendance for college classes will be the responsibility of the professor.

The faculty and staff at Florida Community College want you to succeed. Since studies indicate a positive relationship between good attendance and better grades, you are strongly encouraged to attend all classes and arrive on time.

Any anticipated prolonged absences should be reported to instructors as soon as possible.

If you stop attending class for any reason, you should consult with your instructor about possible withdrawal from the class.

In this class, BSC 1005, attendance is taken through assigned classroom activities referred to as participation points. Students will record earned points throughout the term as they sign the attendance log. Points offered could add up to 15 – 20% of the student’s final grade in this course. Missing a class could result in a loss of participation points for the class missed.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

Cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated in this class.  By the way, "plagiarism is defined as copying from a written source verbatim without putting the material in quotes and citing the source.  This word comes from the Latin root plagiarius, which means 'an abductor,' or 'to steal.'" (Aloi, Jane)  During pop quizzes and tests students should sit every other seat and keep their answer sheets covered at all times.

FOR EXTRA HELP IN BIOLOGY:

FCCJ provides science tutors free to students in the LC (Learning Center located in C100), which is stocked with books, study guides, biology models, practice test questions, etc. to assist you throughout the term. 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

1.       Arrive on time for class.  Important announcements and directions are given first

          thing. Consistent tardiness is disruptive to all.

2.       Test material will come mainly from lectures, PowerPoint programs, class work,

           as well as textbook readings.     

3.       Study Guides are available on Webct for each unit.  Use them to help you get

          organized, to improve your note-taking skills, and as a pretest on the unit being

          covered.

5.       Class attendance is strongly recommended. Your consistent presence in class is

          the best way to comprehend the subject matter.  In addition daily attendance is

          the only way to earn class exercise points.

6.       The class will be more interesting if you participate! Remember to respect the

          rights of others.  Speak only if you have been recognized. Do not interrupt the

          class. Phones should be turned to inaudible mode during class time.

7.       For safety reasons food and drink are not permitted in the classroom. Put

          backpacks on the floor out of traffic flow.

9.       On your first day locate the following in the classroom: fire extinguisher and

          fire exit route.  In case of emergency … use security call button in classroom,

          call 355-4357 for emergency security, or call 911.

10.     Tape recorders are ok to bring to class; children are not - due to liability.

OFFICE HOURS: 

Will vary by term.

My voicemail (381-3452) will take your message anytime day or night. 

DATES TO REMEMBER:

This Course Syllabus is an explanation of class policy. It serves as an academic contract between student and professor. Read it very carefully, discuss it with your class mates, and review it frequently.

 BSC 1005 Sample Course Outline Read Chapters    

          1                           A Guide to the Natural World

          2                           Chemistry and Life

          3                           Water, pH, and Biological Molecules

Take test 1 (100 points)   
Read Chapters          

          4                           The Cell

           5                           The Plasma Membrane

Take test 2 (100 points)
Read chapters

          6                            An Introduction to Energy

           7                           Deriving Energy from Food

           8                           Photosynthesis

Take test 3 (100 points)
Read chapters

          9                           Genes, Mitosis, and Cytokinesis

          10                          Meiosis

  Take test 4 (100 points)

 Read chapters

          11                          Mendel and His Discoveries

          12                          Chromosomes and Inheritance

  Take test 5 (40 points)
Read chapters

          13                         DNA Structure and Replication

          14                         Genetic Transcription, Translation, and Regulation

 Take test 6 (100 points)