SYLLABUS
Fall 2014
COURSE: BIOL 1402.08 General Biology
TERM: Fall 2014
MEETING TIMES AND LOCATIONS: TR 5:45-7:00 pm, Science 2.106
PROFESSOR: Dr. Christopher Taylor
PHONE: 956-665-3758 E-MAIL: [email protected]
OFFICE: SCNE 3.128
OFFICE HOURS: MW 2:00-4:00pm or by appointment
CONTACTING DR. TAYLOR:
It is UTPA policy that all electronic communication be conducted through BroncMail. Include your course, section number, and name in the reference
line. You may also come by my office during office hours or by appointment.
TEXTBOOK AND/OR RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS
1. You will be required to have materials from McGraw-Hill Education which include the textbook content and CONNECT (which houses
Learnsmart, your adaptive online study tool). See “CHOICES” at the bottom of the syllabus for more detailed information.
a. Textbook: Textbook: Raven, Peter H., George B. Johnson, Kenneth A. Mason, Jonathan B. Losos, and Susan R. Singer. 2014.
Biology. 10th edition. (Text and Connect Access).
b. CONNECT (which houses Learnsmart, your adaptive online study tool)
2. Turning Technologies Response Card NXT. Other clickers will NOT work! You can use only your clicker to get credit.
3. Access to Blackboard
4. One Scantron Answer Forms (882-E or 882-ES)
5. Enrollment in laboratory
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITE
This course will provide students with a foundation of knowledge in the basic principles of biology. Topics covered include evolution and diversity
of prokaryotes, invertebrate and vertebrate animals; mechanisms of support and movement, digestion and nutrition, respiration, circulation,
homeostasis, hormonal control, nervous control, sexual reproduction, development, behavior and ecology.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1401.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES/STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Biology Student Learning Outcomes for this course (from the State of Texas Higher Education Board’s Exemplary Educational Objectives):
1. To understand and apply method and appropriate technology to the study of natural sciences.
2. To recognize scientific and quantitative methods and the differences between these approaches and other methods of inquiry and to
communicate findings, analyses and interpretation both orally and in writing.
3. To identify and recognize the differences among competing scientific theories.
4. To demonstrate knowledge of the major issues and problems facing modern science, including issues that touch upon ethics, values, and
public policies.
5. To demonstrate knowledge of the interdependence of science and technology and their influence on, and contribution to, modern culture.
COURSE ORGANIZATION
1. Class notes are organized by Lesson, and are available online through Blackboard. This course is augmented through Blackboard; Blackboard
is not a substitute for class attendance. The content on Blackboard includes major points made in class, and does not have the
comprehensive chapter notes.
2. Announcements pertinent to the course and course requirements will be made in class NOT on Blackboard. Assignments, quizzes, and
lecture exams are available online through Blackboard. Take your tests and quizzes at the Academic Services Building in the open lab to
ensure that you get full credit for your work! If you choose to take your tests or quizzes at home or at the library, and the computer
crashes, there is no guarantee that you will get full credit for the work that you did.
3. Tests and quizzes will be available between 7:30 am and 10:00 pm. UTPA Students can get online help with technical issues by submitting
a Helpdesk Ticket [email protected] and forward a copy to me. The E-mail must include your full name, course number, section
number, description of what happened, which assessment you were working on, at what time, and what number you were on. Then you
may also call the COLTT Helpdesk 665-2979 (Leave a message if necessary). COLTT is located in the Education Complex-(EDCC) 2.202. COLTT
will not reset quizzes/exams for you. Resets will be at my discretion. I will not reset quizzes or tests that were not taken at the ASB open
lab!
4. Students who enroll in the lecture must enroll in a lab and must meet requirements of laboratory instruction.
GRADING POLICY
Attendance/Participation
Quizzes
4 Hourly Lecture Exams
Laboratory Grade
Final Exam
10% (two grades will be dropped) - clicker
10% (two grades will be dropped) - Blackboard
30% (one grade may be dropped) - Blackboard
25%
25% (The final is comprehensive – It may NOT be dropped)
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UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN
BIOL 1402.02: GENERAL BIOLOGY
SUMMER SESSION 1 2014 - TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
GRADING SCALE
The final letter grade will be based on a cumulative percentage using the scale below:
A=90-100%; B=80-89.9%; C=70-79.9%; D=60-69.9%; F< 60
I do not curve individual tests or quizzes. However, if necessary, I will use a curve to generate final grades. I will never curve grades down.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION POLICY
ATTENDANCE/ABSENCES:
This is not an online class. Attendance is imperative. Students must sign in on the class roll for attendance the first week. In accordance with the
policy on absences in the University’s Handbook of Operating Procedures, regular attendance in all meetings of courses for which the student is
registered is expected. A student who enrolls for a course and then does not attend is considered absent from class until the student officially
drops the course. If a student wishes to drop it is his/her responsibility.
PARTICIPATION:
Participation points will be earned in lecture starting the second week by signing in/out and answering questions using the “clicker. You CANNOT
earn participation credit without your clicker. The participation grade will be the percent of points you earn answering these questions. The
highest participation grade you may earn is 100%.
HOMEWORK/QUIZZES/HOURLY LECTURE EXAMS
1. Homework assignments will be available through Connect/LearnSmart. Homework is for your benefit, to help you with course material –
there are no points awarded for homework, but it is highly recommended that you do it.
a. Homework assignments take approximately 30 minutes to complete if you are prepared.
b. Homework assignments will help to adequately prepare you for quizzes and tests. However, they need to be used in
conjunction with reading your book and going over your notes/powerpoints
2. Quizzes will be posted in Blackboard and must be completed within the allotted time. You must access assignments through Blackboard to
obtain credit.
a. Quizzes are multiple choice, 10 questions. The quizzes are timed (12 mins).
b. You must make arrangements in advance if you know you will be absent and not have access to Blackboard for a quiz
(business, school or athletic functions only). Quizzes given before the scheduled date will be multiple choice. Remember there
is NO allowance for make-up quizzes.
3. Exams will be posted in Blackboard and must be completed within the allotted time. You must access assignments through Blackboard to
obtain credit.
a. Unit exams are multiple choice, 50 questions. The exams are timed (60 min.). The final exam will be 100 questions and you
will have two hrs to complete it.
b. You must make arrangements in advance if you know you will be absent and not have access to Blackboard for an exam
(business, school or athletic functions). Exams given before the scheduled date will be multiple choice. Remember there is NO
allowance for make-up exams.
MAKEUP POLICY
No provision has been made for makeup exams, quizzes, or assignments. No make-up work will be given.
Deadlines: All work is due on the designated due date. I do not accept late work. If you know that you will be absent on a day that an
assignment is due, it is your responsibility to make arrangements with me prior to the absence.
Two attendance/participation grades will be dropped.
Two quizzes will be dropped.
One Hourly Lecture exam will be dropped. You may not drop the Final Exam
DROP POLICY
Aug 25 - Aug 29 - Only time to withdraw (drop all Fall classes) for a 80% refund
November 25, 2014 - The last day to drop without a grade. After that date the student will receive the grade earned.
STUDENT CONDUCT
University policy requires that students conduct themselves in such a way as not to disrupt or interfere with the education of other students or the
ability of the instructor to conduct class without interruption. The instructor expects professional etiquette in the classroom and in written
communications. The student is expected to be on time and prepared for class, every class meeting. While in class the student is expected to behave
in a professional and respectful manner. Text messaging, cell phone use, and various other uses of electronic devices in class are not professional
behavior and will not be tolerated. The student is expected to take appropriate actions to prevent cell phones and other devices from becoming a
distraction. Unprofessional behavior in the classroom may result in the student being dropped from the class. Although social conversation is not
allowed, relevant questions are welcome and encouraged.
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UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN
BIOL 1402.02: GENERAL BIOLOGY
SUMMER SESSION 1 2014 - TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Any cheating will be reported to the Dean of students. A grade of “0” will be recorded for any type of cheating during exams. As members of a
community dedicated to honesty, integrity, and mutual respect in all interactions and relationships, the students, faculty, and administration of our
university; students need to abide by the UTPA Academic Integrity guidelines. See www.utpa.edu/dos .
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability Services office for a confidential discussion of their individual needs for academic
accommodation. It is the policy of the University of Texas-Pan American to provide flexible and individualized accommodation to students with
documented disabilities that may affect their ability to fully participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. To receive
accommodation services, students must be registered with the Disability Services office (DS), University Center #108, 665-7005 or
[email protected].
Mandatory Course Evaluations period (Apr 15 – May 6): Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of
this course, accessed through your UTPA account (https://my.utpa.edu/); you will be contacted through email with
further instructions. The evaluation window closes at 11:59 pm on May 6th, the last day of Spring classes. Students who
complete their evaluations by May 6th will have priority access to their grades.
I look forward to getting to know you and finding out about your interests. Nothing
makes me happier in the classroom than seeing students enjoy what they are
learning! So let’s try to have a little fun while we learn.
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UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN
BIOL 1402.06: GENERAL BIOLOGY
Fall 2014 - TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
DATE
Jan 21 (W)
Jan 26 (M)
Jan 28 (W)
Feb 2 (M)
Feb 4 (W)
Feb 9 (M)
Feb 11 (W)
TOPIC (Read Chapter before Class)
Syllabus and Intro. Begin Chapter 26
Turning point and Connect technology primer
Chapter 26, The Origin and Diversity of Life
Chapter 27, Viruses
Chapter 27 Viruses
Chapter 28 Prokaryotes
Chapter 29 Protists
Chapter 30 Seedless Plants
Chapter 31 Seed Plants
Chapter 32 Fungi
Quiz
Quiz 1: Ch 26-28
Quiz 2: 29/30
Feb 16 (M)
Feb 18 (W)
Feb 23 (M)
Feb 25 (W)
Mar 2 (M)
Mar 4 (W)
EXAM 1
(Ch. 26-31)
Chapter 33 Animal Diversity and the Evolution of
Body Plans
Chapter 34 Protostomes
Chapter 35 Deuterostomes
Chapter 36 Plant Form
Chapter 37 Transport in Plants
Chapter 38 Plant Nutrition and Soils
Chapter 39 Plant Defense Responses
Chapter 40 Sensory Systems in Plants
Quiz 3: 31/32
Quiz 4: 33/34
Mar 9 (M)
Mar 11 (W)
Mar 16-20
Mar 23 (M)
Mar 25 (W)
EXAM 2
(Ch. 32-38)
Chapter 43 The Nervous System
Spring Break
Chapter 44 Sensory Systems
Chapter 45 Endocrine System
Chapter 47 The Digestive System
Chapter 48 The Respiratory System
Quiz 5: 35/36
Quiz 6: 39,40,43
Mar 30 (M)
Apr 1 (W)
Apr 6 (M)
Apr 8 (W)
Apr 13 (M)
Apr 15 (W)
Apr 20 (M)
Apr 22 (W)
Apr 27 (M)
Apr 29 (W)
May 4 (M)
May 6 (W)
May 11
Exam
EXAM 3
(Ch. 39-41, 4345)
Chapter 49 The Circulatory System
Chapter 50 Osmotic Regulation and the Urinary
System
Chapter 51 The Immune System
Chapter 52 The Reproductive System
Chapter 52 cont.
Quiz 7: 47-48
EXAM 4
(Ch. 47-52)
Chapter 54 Behavioral Biology
Chapter 55 Ecology of Individuals and Populations
Chapter 56 Community Ecology
Chapter 57 Dynamics of Ecosystem
Chapter 58 The Biosphere
Chapter 59 Conservation Biology
Chapter 59 & wrap-up
Final Exam: Tuesday, May 11, 5:45 p.m.
Quiz 8: 49/50
McGRAW-HILL EDUCATION CHOICES:
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(Comprehensive)
The following 2 pages will assist you in registering for McGraw-Hill in Blackboard. A step-by-step set of instructions with graphics will follow to
assist you in making a smooth transition into this course.
If you need any Technical Support (forgotten password, wrong code, etc) please contact McGraw-Hill Education Customer Experience Group at
(800) 331-5094 (Please be sure to get your case number for future reference if you call the CXG line.)
FAQs: http://www.connectstudentsuccess.com/
BOOKSTORE: Your bookstore has this package, which includes the print book and the Connect Code. (The Connect code you will need to
access the online study modules is included in the package.) To register you follow the same steps as below but you enter your code.
OR:
Buy the package on the direct to student purchasing site: University of Texas – Pan American:
http://shop.mcgraw-hill.com/mhshop/store/UOTPA
ONLINE: All DIGITAL. You can purchase Connect Plus (no print book, E-book and access to all the Connect/Learnsmart content) directly from
the course website.
Go the Blackboard
Click McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Click “Go to my Connect Section”
Click the “Register Now” Button.
Enter your email address.
Enter your access code, select “Buy Online”, or you can “Start Free Trial” if you don’t have an access code.
Complete the registration form, click “Submit”
EXAMPLE:
SUPPORT:
If you need any Technical Support (forgotten password, wrong code, etc) please contact McGraw-Hill Education Customer Experience Group at
(800) 331-5094 (Please be sure to get your case number for future reference if you call the CXG line.)
FAQs: http://www.connectstudentsuccess.com/
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