This syllabus is for the upcoming Fall, 2003 semester. The syllabus will be essentially the same for a different term except for the dates.

VERY IMPORTANT!

Please read the document, "Essential Steps for Getting Started in an On-line Course".  This document has major consequences regarding enrollment in on-line courses.

This course syllabus is subject to change throughout the semester.

Click here for the tentative lessons schedule.
Click here for the test schedule
Click here for information about grading and evaluation.

I. TEXTS/RESOURCES

• Text: Biology - Concepts and Connections, 4th ed., Campbell, Mitchell, and Reece
• CD-ROM:  Interactive Study Partner (Packed with the above text.)  Richard Liebaert
• Study Guide: Student Study Guide for Biology - Concepts and Connections, 3rd ed., Liebaert
• Cycles of Life Video set
• COURSE WEB SITE: http://a-s.clayton.edu/bol/admin/titleBIOL1111-F2003.htm
  • Password protected; Will be provided by instructor to all enrolled students at the orientation session.

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND CONTENT

The biology sequence covers scientific method, basic and biological chemistry, cellular organization and function, cell division, bioenergetics, ecology, and an introduction to evolutionary thought.

Prerequisite for Online Biol 1111:  Consent of the Department Head or Professor of Record
Corequisite: BIOL 1111L

In order to fulfill this corequisite requirement, you must register for an on-campus Biology 1111 laboratory section.  Please consult the Fall Semester 2003 class schedule for available laboratory section times.

III.  COURSE OUTCOMES AND OBJECTIVES

• The Communication Outcome
  Communication is much more than setting forth information: it involves an interchange of ideas or thoughts between a sender and a recipient. Whether the communication takes the form of a written paper or report, a letter, an oral presentation, or a problem-solving discussion in a small group, the ultimate goal is a clear, meaningful exchange of ideas between the sender(s) and recipient(s). Regardless of its purpose or its form, communication is characterized by the following five components:

• Knowledge Base
• Awareness of Recipient
• Organization
• Mechanics/Delivery
• Style

• The Critical Thinking Outcome
• Critical Thinking is a systematic process used to find the answers to questions as well as to solve problems or reach informed decisions. The purpose of critical thought can be to reach a judgment based on careful reflection (e.g., reacting to a work of art or a poem) or to fulfill a very specific goal (deciding whether or not to administer a particular drug to a patient). It is important for each of us to develop the ability to think critically as well as to evaluate the quality of the critical thinking of others. No matter what the purpose for critical thought, it is characterized by the following four components:

• Question/Issue
• Method
• Evidence
• Conclusion

• Course Objectives
• The course objectives for each of the lessons in the tentative schedule can be found on the Home Page and from the following link. Course Objectives

IV. CCSU OFFICIAL NOTEBOOK POLICY, MINIMUM COMPUTER SKILLS FOR COURSE, AND APPROPRIATE USE OF THE INTERNET

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

Success in this course REQUIRES that the student use his/her laptop computer.

Students enrolled in this course must possess and have proficiency with the following computer skills:

• Able to use the computer's operating system.
• Able to access and send e-mail, including attached files.
• Able to use a Web browser and search engine (Latest versions of Internet Explorer and/or Netscape).
• Able to use Web CT to access course information and submit assignments via drop box.
• Able to use a word processing program (MicroSoft Word) to produce reports and tests.
• Able to download MicroSoft Powerpoint presentations from the BIOL 1111 course homepage and navigate through the presentation on the computer.
• Able to install and navigate through the course CD-ROM.
• Able to use a bulletin board and chat room for class instruction.
• Additional skills may be required as the semester progresses.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers.

• Student use of the notebook computer will be required throughout the course while the student is working from remote locations and accessing course information through the internet.

V. COURSE POLICIES

Students are expected to attend all on-campus class meetings, including orientation and testing. Attendance will be taken at each on-campus session and you will be required to present a picture ID at all on campus meetings. You will be held responsible for all subject matter covered during the semester.

Information will be presented and class discussion may occur on the class bulletin board, chat room, and list serve. ALL discussion will be held in a professional manner and any inappropriate comments, information, and language will be deleted by the professor. The originator of this inappropriate behavior may be subject to disciplinary action by the Office of Student Services of the University.

Absences from the midterm and final must be accompanied by a signed physician's excuse or other appropriate documentation. The excuse must be presented in writing no more than 48 hours after the examination. Make-up tests will be given and scheduled at a time that is convenient to the student and professor but not more than one week after the date of the administration of the exam. Abuse of this policy will result in failure in this course.  If you have a scheduled conflict, contact the instructor well in advance to arrange to take the exam prior to the scheduled date.
 

General policies:

• Students must abide by the policies in the University Catalog and Student Handbook, and if applicable, program handbook.
• Visitors, including children, are not allowed in the classroom.
• No smoking, other use of tobacco, eating, or drinking is permitted at any time in the classroom.
• 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 minimum of zero on the assignment and academic misconduct forms will be filed with the Office of Judicial Affairs for any violation. 
• Turn off all cell phones, pagers, etc. when entering the classroom.  No electronic devices may be out or in use during exams or other graded assignments.  

NO VISITORS, INCLUDING CHILDREN, WILL BE PERMITTED IN THE CLASSROOM DURING ON-CAMPUS MEETINGS .

VI. Tentative Schedule of Lessons

• The Home Page contains the Activities Pages where all course work and assignments are located. This page provides several activities to help the student understand and master the objectives that are found for each lesson. These activities include (but are not limited to) a tutorial that pertains to the reading assignment in the book, activities from the CD ROM that accompanies the textbook, the Cycles of Life video series with accompanying viewing guide, practice tests, and suggested work in the Study guide from the textbook.
• Course Assignments and answer sheets for students to fill in will be posted on the Activities Pages and the Course Home Page. The filled-in answer sheet will be submitted via WebCT drop box.
• The due dates for the Course Assignments will be posted with the assignment and adequate time will be allowed for completion.
• Please check the Home Page (minimum of three times a week) for updates.
  
  Schedule (Subject to Change Throughout the Semester)

Click here for old exams

Grade calculator

VII. ON-CAMPUS COURSE MEETINGS FOR ORIENTATION AND EXAMS:

Section CRN # 80637

• Orientation: Saturday, August 23, 9:00 - 11:00 am, Lecture Hall - Room B10
• Mid-Term Examination: Saturday, Oct 4, 9:00 -11:00 am, Lecture Hall - Room B10
• Final Examination: Saturday, Dec 6, 9:00 -11:00 am, Lecture Hall - Room B10

VIII. INSTRUCTORS:

Dr. Nickie Cauthen
Office: G105-B
Phone: 770-960-4370
E-mail: nickiecauthen@mail.clayton.edu
Home Page:http://a-s.clayton.edu/cauthen/cauthenhome1.htm

OFFICE HOURS: Mondays through Thursday 10:30 am to 12 pm and Wednesdays 1:30-3:30 pm.  Other times by appointment. I will likely be on campus all day on Monday-Thursday, so come by if you need to see me.
 [Response to Email typically occurs during all office hours posted, and usually occurs within two business (M-F) days]:

Other times by appointment.

Dr. Cauthen's current schedule

Dr. Stephen Burnett
Office: G-110-F
Phone: 770-960-4256 
E-mail: stephenburnett@mail.clayton.edu
Home Page:http://a-s.clayton.edu/burnett/index.html

OFFICE HOURS: Monday and Tuesday 3:30-5 pm.  Tuesday and Thursday 9-10:30 am.   I am usually on campus all day Monday through Thursdays, and Friday mornings, so you can stop by to see me at other times or make an appointment.  Check my web page for my current class schedule to see when I'm available.
 [Response to Email typically occurs during Office Hours, and usually occurs within two business (M-F) days]:

Other times by appointment.

Dr. Burnett's current schedule

IX. TESTS

There will be a midterm and a final exam during the semester (see lessons schedule for specific times).

X. GRADING EVALUATION (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Weekly or Biweekly assignments will be posted in the Assignments section of the of the lessons.  The lessons will be announced by e-mail and posted on Friday's by 5 pm and will be due by the following Tuesday at 11:55 pm.  You will submit these assignments by WebCT dropbox.  Late submissions will not be accepted.  The assignments will be open book, but you are expected to do your own work.
 

Grade Calculator
 

This page is constructed and maintained by
Stephen Burnett and Nickie Cauthen
© Copyright 2002