Course Syllabus

Santa Ana College, Summer 2019                          Patricia Caldani (instructor)      

                                                                                    email: Caldani_Patricia@sac.edu

 

Lab: Thursday  11:30am-2:50pm  in R - Russel Hall, Room R-202   office hours:

         

                             

BIOLOGY 109L   67568

 

Co-requisite: students must be concurrently enrolled in Bio 109, or they must have received a passing grade in Bio 109 in the past

 

Course Description: Biology 109L examines the fundamental principles of biology with laboratories emphasizing hands-on investigations. Topics include an introduction to evolutionary theory, basic biological chemistry, cell function and reproduction, cellular respiration and photosynthesis, classical and contemporary genetics, gene expression and an introduction to animal structure and function.

 

Student Learning Outcomes: Communication Skills       

1. Reading and Writing - Students will develop their ability to comprehend readings on biological subjects.
2. Reading and Writing - Students will learn the basics of the technical vocabulary of biology.

 

Thinking and Reasoning 1. Critical Thinking - Students will develop their critical thinking skills by evaluating scientific evidence to reach valid conclusions

 

• Attendance: Students who miss three laboratory classes may be dropped from the class. If you miss two consecutive labs from your registered laboratory section or the midterm laboratory examination you must inform your instructor to avoid being dropped from the class.

 

• Safety: 
• i. No open toed shoes are allowed in the lab
• ii. Approved goggles are required
• iii. No eating or drinking allowed

 

Seek assistance: A student with a disability, who would like to request an academic accommodation, is responsible for identifying herself/himself to the instructor and to the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS).  To make arrangements for academic accommodations, contact the Learning Disabilities Program in The Village, VL-203, or phone (714) 564-6264, TTY (714) 564-6284 for a referral to the appropriate DSPS Department.

 

Required Books and Materials

Textbook Lopez, J. 2015. Fundamentals of Biology. Argus Publishing.  

 

Academic honesty: The principles of truth and honesty are recognized as fundamental to a community of teachers and scholars. Both faculty and students will honor these principles, and in so doing, protect the validity of university grades. This means that all academic work will be done by the student to whom it is assigned, without unauthorized aid of any kind. Cheating and plagiarism are the two most obvious violations of academic honesty.  In this class, plagiarism and cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Any instance of cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the appropriate college authorities for disciplinary action. Also, any cheating or plagiarism will result in a score of zero and forfeiture of any past and future extra credit. A second instance of cheating or plagiarism will result in an “F” grade for the course. Additional penalties may by imposed by the College. If you are ever in doubt as to what consists plagiarism or cheating, in this class or in any other class, ask your professor. 

 

 

Santa Ana College Catalog and Class Schedule The Santa Ana College Catalog and the Class Schedule contain a number of policies relating to students that are important to you. Please be sure that you have read these publications thoroughly. You may read these publications online at the Santa Ana College website, www.sac.edu.

 

 

Emergency Response Statement Take note of the safety features in and around the classroom. Also, please study the posted evacuation routes. The most direct route of exit may not be the safest. Running out of the building during earthquakes may be dangerous. During strong earthquakes, it is recommended to duck, cover, and hold until the quaking stops. Follow the guidance of your instructor. Your cooperation during emergencies can minimize the possibility of injury to yourself and others.

 

             Take all your personal belongings and leave the classroom.

             Do not use the elevator. They may not be working once the alarm sounds.

             For additional information on exits, fire alarms and telephones, Building Evacuation Maps are located near each classroom exit.

             Anyone who may have difficulty evacuating the building, please see the instructor

 

Behavior in class: Student behavior is subject to the Santa Ana College Student Code of Conduct. Behave in a manner that does not distract or disturb your classmates or professor. Talking is distracting to classmates and to your professor. Arriving late or leaving early is also disruptive. Please, be respectful of others. Refrain from talking, texting or any other distraction. If you engage in any disruptive behavior, you may be asked to leave. If disruptive behavior is repeated, you may be dropped from the class.

 

Withdrawals: Should you decide to withdraw; it is your responsibility to officially drop the class. Failure to formally drop will result in a failing grade. 

 

 

Make up labs: A maximum of 2 labs can be made up only with written documentation of extenuating circumstances. Labs can be made up only during the same week as the missed lab. To make up a lab, attend any other lab section the same week.

 

 

Make up exams: To take a practicum in a laboratory section other than the one in which you are registered, you must: (1) obtain written permission from BOTH your registered instructor and the instructor in whose class you wish to take the examination at least 24 hours before you are to take the examination, (2) present at least one photo ID to the instructor administering the test, and (3) leave the signed permission slip with the examination. No instructor except your registered instructor is required to give you a practicum.

 

 

 

Course Grade

 

Lab:    At the beginning of each lab there will be a short quiz covering the previous weeks material.  Your lowest lab quiz score will be dropped.  Lab worksheets are due at the start of the next laboratory session.  Late or incomplete lab worksheets will receive only partial credit.

 

12 Lab Quizzes*20                                         240 pts

2 Lab Exams*75                                             150 pts

14 Lab Worksheets *5                                    70 pts

                                                                                    460 pts possible

Exams and quizzes will consist of true/false, multiple choice and matching questions answered on Scantron forms and there may be one or more short answer questions per exam.  You will be expected to provide Scantron forms (available in the bookstore) and a no. 2 pencil with a good eraser for each exam or quiz.  Any make-up exams or quizzes will be more challenging and

contain short answer questions.

                                                             The grade scale is:

      at least 414 pts                  A

      at least 368 pts                  B

      at least 322 pts                  C

      at least 276 pts                  D

     less than 276 pts               F

 

 

 

Questioning grade errors: If you believe there is an error in any of your grades, it is your responsibility to bring the problem to the professor’s attention in a timely manner. You should report any grade issues as soon as possible but no later than 2 weeks from the time the grade is posted, or one week before the final exam, whichever is earlier.

 

 

Communicate with the professor in a timely manner: If you have questions, problems or unusual circumstances that affect your performance in the class talk to the professor as early as possible. Addressing issues early increases the chances of finding a positive resolution.

 

 

 

Collaboration: Learning is a team effort. You are likely to be more successful when you get to know your professor and your classmates. Bring questions to the professor during office hours. Collaborate with your classmates on assignments and study with them. You are not alone.

 

To assist you in this, introduce yourself to at least 4 of your classmates, and write their name and contact information below.

 

 

1. ________________________ Phone # __________________ e-mail: ___________________

 

2. ________________________ Phone # __________________ e-mail: ___________________

 

3. ________________________ Phone # __________________ e-mail: ___________________

 

4. ________________________ Phone # __________________ e-mail: ___________________

 

 

Special Accommodations

 

If you require special accommodations for a disability, religious holiday, etc, please inform me within the first week of the course and I will accommodate you if at all possible.  For accommodations due to disability, you must consult the Disabled Student Programs and Services office after which we will abide by their recommendations.

Recommendations for Success

 

This is a demanding class covering a lot of information.  Here are some suggestions:

 

• do NOT fall behind in the course, keep up with the material on a weekly basis
• each time you study, spend a few minutes reviewing previous lessons

(this is the secret to long term memory)

• outline the powerpoint notes, this will help you to mentally organize the large amount of material you will be learning
• use associations, acronyms to help you remember things
• create flash cards and form study groups if you find that helpful
• keep up with the Mastering Biology assignments on a weekly basis, this will help you to better learn the material and avoid losing free points
• know the key terms (you can’t answer questions correctly if you don’t!)
• at a minimum, you should learn the course material 3 times in order to

retain it well for the exams and quizzes:

 

1)   comprehend the class material during the lecture

2)   read the corresponding material in the text while reviewing your notes

3)   review your notes and key terms before the exams

 

***If you don’t do at least this much, you won’t do well in this class***

           

Week 1  Lab 1  The microscope and the metric system    

   Lab 2  The structure and function of cells--Quiz1 

Week 2  Lab 3  Chemistry and the molecules of life--Quiz 2

   Lab 4  Cellular respiration, fermentation and the  process of science--Quiz 3 

Week 3  Lab 5  Cell division ‐ Mitosis and meiosis--Quiz 4 

   Lab 6  Genetics--Quiz  5 

Week 4  Lab 7  Molecular Genetics--Quiz  6 

  Practicum Lab Practicum #1 (Labs 1‐7) 

Week 5  Lab 8 Embryology and developmental biology--Quiz  7 

   Lab 9 Population ecology--Quiz 8 

Week 6  Lab 10 Evolution and the origin of species--Quiz  9 

   Lab 11  Plant diversity and anatomy--Quiz 10 

Week 7  Lab 12  Fieldtrip: Irvine Park--Quiz 11 

  Lab 13  Animal diversity and anatomy--Quiz 12 

Week 8  Lab 14  Environmental biology--Quiz  13 (Extra Credit Quiz)

   Practicum Final: Practicum #2 (Labs 8 ‐ 14)