BIOL 1108 - Principles of Biology II
Course Syllabus - Spring 2008

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Course description:

Number and title: BIOL 1108, Principles of Biology II (CRN 25943)

Credit hours: 3.0 semester credit hours

Catalog description: A continuation of BIOL1107, which includes evolution, plant and animal systematics, plant and animal form and function, and ecology.

Course pre-requisite: BIOL1107 and BIOL1107L

Course co-requisite: BIOL1108L, Principles of Biology II laboratory. Withdrawal from BIOL1108 requires withdrawal from BIOL1108L and withdrawal from BIOL1108L requires withdrawal from BIOL1108.  

Course as a pre-requisite:  Note: A grade of "C" or better is required for higher level courses in the biology major.

Computer Requirement: Each CCSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CCSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm .

Computer skill prerequisites: You must be able to use Windows, Microsoft Word, Outlook Express (including attaching and retrieving files via e-mail), a Web browser (Internet Explorer preferred), and Microsoft Excel

In class use of Student Notebook Computers

Student computers will be used in the classroom in this course, and will be required for taking quizzes and exams.  You should bring your notebook computer to every class meeting. Computers will also be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.

Outcomes:

Communications Outcomes:  Students will gain a knowledge base of basic principles of biology, including evolution, population genetics, characteristics of major groups of organisms, anatomy and growth of vascular plants, diversity of invertebrate phyla, vertebrate anatomy and physiology for selected systems, and basic ecological principles . Students will also communicate their ideas orally and in written form in class discussions, reports, and exams.

Knowledge Base

Description: answers on quizzes, class assignments, and exams must convey knowledge of biology that is appropriate to the question.

Evidence: Samples of student work on examinations and class assignments.

Awareness of Recipient

Description: Communication of answers to quiz and examination problems must be understandable to a trained biologist.

Evidence: Samples of student work on examinations.

Organization

Description: Student must be able to provide organized, concise answers to questions on exams and quizzes. Points are deducted for answers that are unclear or poorly written.

Evidence: Samples of student work on class assignments and examinations.

Mechanics/Delivery

Description: Answers to questions on exams and quizzes must be communicated using vocabulary appropriate for introductory biology. Students are graded on their knowledge of, and ability to use the terminology covered in class.

Style

Description: Students are permitted to use any method to provide appropriate answers to questions presented to them. Diagrams or tables may be used to replace prose when appropriate, but is not required. Expressing opinions are not appropriate for describing the methods of biology.

Critical Thinking Outcomes  

Question/Issue

Description: Given student unfamiliarity with biological concepts, the instructor question/ issue component. Students are encouraged to ask questions about biological concepts. 

Method

Description: Given an instructor provided question, students are required to determine appropriate biological concepts to address the problem at hand.

Evidence

Description: Facts learned in class or from other class work are applied to questions provided by the instructor. Short answer and essay questions are used to address student’s ability to apply concepts to new areas. Critical thinking is also evaluated through conceptual multiple-choice questions.

Conclusion

Description: Conclusions that are based upon the current understanding of biological systems are required.

Biology Outcomes:

Course objectives:

Instructor information:

Instructor:

Dr. Barbara Musolf
Phone: (678) 466-4851
Fax: (678) 466-4899
E-mail: BarbaraMusolf@clayton.edu
Website: http://a-s.clayton.edu/bmusolf/

Office: Arts and Sciences Building, G 110-G.

Office hours:  MF 9:30 am to 12:00 noon, MR 12:30-2:00

Class Meetings: MWF 8:30 to 9:20

Textbook information:

Required texts:
Biology, Seventh Edition, Campbell, Reece, and Mitchell, The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc., ISBN 20050-8053-7146-X

Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences, Fourth Edition, Victoria McMillan, Bedford/St. Martin’s, ISBN: 0-312-44083-1

Text coverage: Biology Chapters 22-25, 28, 31-35, 38, 40, 42, 45, 48, 52 or 53 

Optional text: Student's Study Guide, Taylor

Evaluation and grading:

Tentatively, the points will be distributed as follows:

Tentative course schedule:

Please note that the schedule is tentative and the dates of the exams are tentative and subject to change. Exam dates and chapters covered are not set until they are announced in class. The exam date will be announced at least one week in advance.

 Final Examination: April 30, 2008 from 7:30 to 9:30 AM in Room B-14

Course policies

Attendance: You are expected to attend all class meetings. Attendance will be taken at each class meeting by signing the class roll.

Cheating and Plagiarism: Cheating in any form will not be tolerated; all work that you turn in must be in your own words and must be your own work.  If your brainpower did not generate what you turn in, it is considered cheating.  The following are examples of cheating:  copying the work of another person, allowing another person to do your assignment,  working in a group on a graded item, copying or closely paraphrasing referenced sources, using anything but your brainpower on an exam, etc.  Cheating in any form will result in a zero on the assignment and academic misconduct forms will be filed with the Office of Judicial Affairs for any violation. Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.  

Disruptive Classroom Behavior¹: Disruptive behavior in the classroom can negatively effect the classroom environment as well as the educational experience for students enrolled in the course. Disruptive behavior is defined as any behaviors that hamper the ability of instructors to teach or students to learn. Common examples of disruptive behaviors include, but are not limited to:

Students exhibiting these types of behaviors can expect a warning from the instructor or dismissal for the lesson in which the behavior occurs. Failure to correct such behaviors can result in dismissal from the course.

More extreme examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to:

Students exhibiting these more extreme examples of disruptive behavior may be dismissed from the lesson or the entire course.

Students dismissed from a lesson will leave the classroom immediately or may be subject to additional penalties. Dismissed students are responsible for any course material or assignments missed.

Students dismissed from a course have the right to appeal the dismissal to the department head responsible for the course. Appeals beyond the department head may also be pursued. If no appeal is made or the appeal is unsuccessful, the student will receive a grade o WF (withdrawal – failing) regardless of the current grade in the course.

¹ The description of disruptive behavior and listings of examples of disruptive behavior are taken from the Web sites of James Madison University, the University of Delaware and Virginia Tech.

Making up missed work

Quizzes and exams: Quizzes and exams will be given at the beginning of the class period. If you come in late and the exam is still in progress, you may take the exam, but you will not be given any additional time to work. You must turn in your work when time is called. 

Taking exams and quizzes:  All electronic devices including cell phones, palm pilots, pagers, calculators, etc. are not allowed during exams or quizzes unless indicated by the instructor.  Possession and/or use of these items during an exam or quiz will result in a zero on the graded activity.

Late assignments: Assignments are due on the posted due date and by the end of my scheduled appearance on campus that day. Any work that is not turned in on the due date will be considered late and penalized 10% daily. Under no circumstances can an assignment be turned in more than 5 days late.

E-mail: Important messages and announcements will be sent to you via your CCSU account. You must activate your account and check your e-mail regularly.  If you cannot use your CCSU account, it is your responsibility to send me an alternate e-mail address.  You are responsible for all e-mails sent to the class list.

Website: Check my web page, http://a-s.clayton.edu/bmusolf/, regularly for new postings. You are responsible for printing out any handouts or other important items posted on the syllabus for this class.  

General policies:

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 770-961-3719, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.