Clayton State University

BIOL3650 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Course syllabus - Fall, 2011

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@clayton.edu.

Course description:

Number and title: BIOL 3650 (CRN 87094), Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

Credit hours: 3.0 semester credit hours

Catalog description: An experiment-based comparative study of selected vertebrate phyla with emphasis on gross anatomy, evolutionary history, and taxonomy.

Course prerequisite: BIOL1108 and BIOL1108L with a C or higher.  BIOL3650L, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory with a D or higher (can be taken concurrently).  If you have not taken 3650L before, then withdrawal from BIOL3650 requires withdrawal from BIOL3650L.

Computer Requirement: Each CSU 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 CSU'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, e-mail (including attaching and retrieving files via e-mail), a Web browser, Adobe Acrobat Reader, GeorgiaView, and Microsoft Excel.

In class use of Student Notebook Computers

Computers may be used for some in-class activities, and students will use their computers outside of class for assignments, to access the internet, and to communicate with the instructor.  In class use of computers may require access to GAView, so make certain that you can access the site and resolve any problems as soon as possible.  On days when we use GAView, you MUST bring your own computer with you to class.  Students without a computer will be unable to complete the assignment and will lose the points automatically. 

Computers may only be used during class when specified by the instructor; use of a computer during any other time is forbidden and will result in a loss of points.  During times when computers are permitted, students who are found using their computer for activities not related to the course (including, but not limited to checking email, web surfing, instant messaging, etc.) will have their computer confiscated for the remainder of the class period and will NOT be allowed to use the computer in class in the future.  They will also lose some points associated with the "good behavior" points (see below).  This same limitation applies to the use of any other electronic devices in class (including, but not limited to cell phones, personal digital assistants, etc.).

Due to problems with students using their computers during class time for inappropriate activities, students who wish to use their computers for note taking during class, may only do so if they sit in the front two rows of the classroom.  Any students sitting further back are forbidden from using their computers during class time.  If you want to use your computer during class, make sure  you arrive early enough to get a seat in those two rows.  Exceptions to this rule will only be granted under extenuating circumstances.

Course objectives:

At the end of this course, students should be able to

Outcomes:

Term

Fall 2011

Instructor

Dr. Stephen Burnett
phone: 678-466-4774
fax: 678-466-4797
e-mail: sburnett@clayton.edu
internet address: http://a-s.clayton.edu/burnett/

Office: 

Faculty Hall, room A28A

Office hours: 

9:40-11:00 and 2:00-3:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Also available some lab times and by appointment.

During office hours, I will generally be in one of three locations:  A28A (my office), the biology labs (C23, C29, C32, or LAB 201) or the research labs (C28 or C62).  If I am not in my office, I will leave a note on my office door indicating where I can be found.

Class meetings: Classes will meet in the Arts & Sciences Building, Room G101 from 12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, and Thursday.

Required textbook information:

Kenneth V. Kardong.  2012.  Vertebrates: comparative anatomy, function, evolution, 6th edition.  McGraw Hill Higher Education.  New York.  ISBN: 9780073524238

Due to the fact that the 6th edition was not published until recently, the bookstore appears to only have the 5th edition.  For that reason, we will work to make sure that students with either the 5th or 6th editions are getting the same material.  My apologies for any confusion.

Text Coverage: Chapters 1-5, 7-12, 16-17

Victoria E. McMillan.  Writing papers in the biological sciences, 4th edition.  Bedford/St. Martin's.  New York. ISBN-13: 978-0312440831

Text Coverage: This text will be used as a reference for writing various assignments.  This is a reference that is used by a variety of biology courses.  The specific sections you need to read will be indicated by your instructor.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE YOUR OWN SCANTRONS FOR EXAMS - Scantrons can be purchased at the bookstore.  Students who fail to bring a scantron on the day of the exam will receive a zero for any sections of the test that required the scantron.

Evaluation and grading:

Tentatively, the points will be distributed as follows:

 
Item Points
3 exams (50 pts each) 150
Class Assignments* 100
Class Project** 50
Final exam, comprehensive 100
TOTAL 400

*Some class assignments will be completed in class.  Absence from class on those days will result in the loss of the points for those assignments.  You cannot make up an in class assignment, but if you have an excused absence from that class period, those points will not count in your total.  Assignment points also include some points for "appropriate behavior".  Appropriate behavior applies to disruptive behavior or the use of unauthorized electronic devices during class time.  Specifically, any student causing a disruption or using an electronic device during class (e.g., making noise and disturbing other students, texting during lecture, etc.) will automatically lose 5 points.  If any electronic device plays its ringtone or makes any other noise during class, the offending student will lose 2 points.  Students who routinely violate this policy may have additional points removed from their individual scores.  For more extreme types of disruptive behavior, the instructor reserves the right to remove additional points from offending students.

**The class project will be a group assignment.  Your grade for the final project will be affected by your ability to work with your group members successfully as judged by material turned in during the semester and ratings provided by your group members.  Students who are not actively participating in group activity will not receive points for group assignments.  If there are difficulties working with group members, it is your responsibility to notify me of those early so that they can be addressed.  Individuals who are not working well with their group mates may be removed from the group and required to complete the group project on their own.  This will result in a substantial loss of points, so it is in your best interest to work well with your group mates! 

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Grade Points
A 360+ (90-100%)
B 320-359 (80-89%)
C 280-319 (70-79%)
D 240-279 (60-69%)
F Below 240 points

 

Mid-term Progress Report

The mid-term grade in this course which will be issued by October 4th, reflects approximately 25% of the entire course grade.  Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W."  Students pursuing this option must withdraw from the course using the DUCK or fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term, which occurs on October 7th.

Course schedule

The course schedule is listed on a separate page.  Be sure to check it often to keep track of any changes in the due dates of assignments and exams during the semester.  Due dates for assignments may be changed at the instructor's discretion.  You are responsible for keeping track of due dates and turning in your work when it is required.

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

Course policies:

General policies

Changes or additions to this syllabus, including readings, exam dates, grading, and course policies can be made at the discretion of the instructor at any time.  If such changes are made, they will be posted on the announcements section of the instructor's web page.

General data from this course may be used by the instructor for research on improved methods of teaching, leading to presentation or publication.  Data that would be used for this purpose would consist of anonymous data, with no identifying information from particular students (e.g., the overall average for the course, NOT grades from particular students).  If you do not wish for your instructor to include your data in such studies, fill out the withdrawal of consent form and bring it to your instructor.

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook.  Students are also expected to abide by the guidelines in the "Basic Student Responsibilities" document.  Of particular concern is any sort of disruptive behavior where a student is not showing proper respect to the instructor or other students in the class.  Such behavior will not be tolerated and a student engaged in such behavior will be required to leave the class, forfeiting any points that are associated with that day's activity.  The ability of the student to return to class is determined by the instructor, based on the severity of the disruption, and can range from missing the current class period up to administrative withdrawal from the course.  In addition, charges may be filed with the Office of Judicial Affairs.

Grades will not be communicated by phone or email - graded materials can only be picked up by the individual to whom they belong.

Visitors (friends, children, etc.) are strictly prohibited from attending class without the permission of the instructor.

Issues associated with grades on assignments (disputes over points for a question, questions about grading keys, etc.) must be brought to the instructor's attention in a timely manner.  This means that such concerns must be brought to your instructor within one week of the assignment being returned to the class.  Items that are not brought to the instructor in this time period will NOT be addressed.

Academic integrity

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.  Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to: falsifying any information submitted on course assignments, copying the work of another person, allowing another person to do your assignment, allowing another student to copy your work, working in a group on a graded item that is not intended as group work, copying or closely paraphrasing referenced sources, using anything but your brainpower on an exam, etc.  Misconduct in any form will result in a zero on the assignment for all involved students and academic misconduct forms may be filed with the Office of Student Conduct for any violation.  Judicial procedures are described on the webpage of the Office of Student Conduct.

Disruption of the Learning Environment

Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not tolerated. This includes belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class and risks loss of points.

    Examples of disruptive behavior:

    Common examples of behaviors that may be disruptive include, but are not limited to:

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

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

A student who is dismissed from a course for unacceptable and/or disruptive behavior is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights within 3 class days following dismissal. If found in violation after the review process, the student’s dismissal will be upheld and a grade of WF may be issued for the course.

Conditions attributed to physical or psychological disabilities are not considered as a legitimate excuse for disruptive behavior.

Writing Assistance

The Writers’ Studio 224 is located in the A&S building, room 224.  There you can talk with trained writing tutors about your writing projects.  They are available to work with you at any stage of your paper, from generating ideas to organizing your paper to understanding how to format it correctly.  The service is free; you may drop in and wait for a tutor or sign up for a regular appointment.  But remember: you, not your tutor, are ultimately responsible for the quality and content of the papers you submit.

http://a-s.clayton.edu/english/Writers'%20Studio/index.html

Operation Study

At Clayton State University, we expect and support high motivation and academic achievement. Look for Operation Study activities and programs this semester that are designed to enhance your academic success such as study sessions, study breaks, workshops, and opportunities to earn Study Bucks (for use in the University Bookstore) and other items.

Attendance

University Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

Course Attendance Policy

Attendance is expected at all class meetings and will be checked at each class meeting with the student's signature on the class roll. Quizzes and tests will be given at the beginning of the class; if you arrive late, you may be permitted to take the quiz/exam as long as the materials have not been collected from the class.  However, you will be required to turn in the assignment at the same time as the rest of the class - NO extra time will be given.  Exceptions to this policy can be made only under extenuating circumstances and with a WRITTEN excuse or explanation for tardiness or absence.  Some class assignments may be given during class time and absence from that class period will result in a zero for that class assignment.  If you have an acceptable excuse (see below), those points will not count in your grade.

For any excused absences, you are responsible for providing your instructor with complete information if you are absent from class, particularly if you are aware of an issue ahead of time.  In all cases, you must provide that information either by email or in writing as appropriate.  In addition, if the absence is to be excused, you must provide me with suitable written documentation.  In neither case is it suitable to simply tell me you are going to be absent and provide no further information.  It is your responsibility to make sure that I have the information I need to document your absence.  If such documentation is not provided, it will be assumed that your absence was unexcused, which will result in a loss of points for any missed work.

For any excuse to be "acceptable", you must provide me with an original (no photocopies) of a document from a competent authority (doctor or other healthcare provider, a subpoena, jury summons, etc.).  For this purpose, a note from your parents is NOT acceptable.  The excuse must specifically indicate the dates that are to be excused, must be presented upon the first class day that the student returns to school, and makeup arrangements must be made at that time.  The decision on whether or not to allow a makeup exam is at the discretion of the instructor and without an acceptable written excuse, no makeups will be given.  Makeups will not be permitted after the graded exams have been returned to the class.  If you are unable to make up an exam from an excused absence, the missed examination will not count in your final course grade (which means that the remaining graded work will be responsible for a greater weight in determining your final grade). 

You are only permitted one excused absence from class exams, regardless of your excuse.  If you miss more than one exam with an excuse, the second exam will automatically receive a grade of zero.  At such a time it will probably best to consider the option to take a hardship withdrawal, as the exams are the majority of the points in the course.  In addition, excuses will not be accepted for routine procedures (checkups, teeth cleanings, eye exams, etc).  Students should not schedule such appointments for class times.

Warning: Makeup exams may not follow the same format as the exam that was missed.

NOTE: Excuses for graded assignments can only be applied if you were NOT present to take the assignment.  If you take the assignment, you cannot come to me and ask not to count that assignment in your grade after the fact.  In such situations, you will receive the score you earned on the assignment.  If you know of an extenuating circumstance, it is in your best interest to discuss it with your instructor ASAP.

If you miss a class period where there is no graded assignment, there are no points that you will lose.  However, you are responsible for all the material that was covered during that class period.  You will need to work with a classmate to get any notes that you missed.  Then you can come to me to get help understanding that material, but you cannot simply ask me to repeat all the material that you missed from lecture.

Exam/quiz policies

Specific policies on exams and quizzes will be provided on the day of the exam/quiz itself, but several rules apply to all testing situations

  1. All electronic devices including cell phones, palm pilots, pagers, calculators, MP3 players, etc. are not allowed during exams or quizzes, unless specifically permitted by the instructor.  During such activities, these devices are not permitted to be in your possession at all (which means they cannot be clipped to your belt, in your pocket, etc.).  Possession and/or use of these items during an exam or quiz will result in an automatic zero on the graded activity, and may result in a charge for academic misconduct.
  2. If a cell phone or other electronic device makes noise (by ringing, buzzing, etc.), even if it is not on your person, the instructor will penalize the responsible student(s) by taking 10 points from their score on the assignment or 10% of the total points for the assignment, whichever is larger.  It is possible that this will result in a negative score for the assignment.
  3. On any portion that is graded using a scantron sheet, your grade will be based on what you marked on the scantron sheet, with no reference to what you have written on the exam pages.  I will return the exam to you, but I will keep all scantrons in case there are problems in scoring, errors on the answer key, etc.  If you wish to see your actual scantron sheet, you will need to come to my office.
  4. For any exam or quiz you are NOT permitted to leave the room once you have started. If you wish to leave the room for any reason you must turn in the assignment before you leave. If you leave without turning the assignment in, your instructor will collect your assignment and you will not be permitted to work on it further.

Electronic devices

Students are REQUIRED to turn off all unnecessary electronic devices during class.  Unauthorized use of cell phones, MP3 players, etc. during class will result in the loss of "Appropriate Behavior" points.  In addition, the offending student is subject to confiscation of the device.   

Late assignments

Unless otherwise stated by your instructor, assignments that are to be completed outside of class are due in class on the assigned days.  Assignments that are not turned in during class lose 20% of their points.  They lose an additional 20% per day (only Monday-Friday are counted for determining how many days the assignment is late). The additional 20% is taken off based on the ending time of the lecture section.  For example: if an assignment is due on Tuesday it must be turned in by 2:00 pm to be on time.  If you turn it in on Thursday at 2:30 pm, it will be penalized 60% (20% for being after 2:00 pm on Tuesday, 20% for being after 2:00 pm on Wednesday, and 20% for being after 2:00 pm on Thursday).  Late work that is turned in to me will be penalized based on the time I received it.  If you are unable to turn an assignment in to me personally, you must have a faculty or staff member from the Department of Natural Sciences sign the assignment and mark the date and time on it before you place the item in my mailbox or under my door.  Items that lack any of these three items will be penalized based on the time that I pick up the assignment.  Electronic submission of assignments is only allowed if the instructor specifically permits it.  If it was not permitted, electronic submissions will not be accepted and your work will be considered late, losing points until I receive a printed copy of the assignment.  Printing problems are not an acceptable excuse for submitting work late.  Under NO circumstances will assignments be accepted more than one week after they are due or after I have returned the graded work to the class, whichever is sooner.  Because assignments that are completed in GAView typically allow students to see the answers as soon as they are completed, you generally cannot turn in GAView assignments after the due date and time, so it is important to complete these assignments before the deadline.  I will not re-open assignments after the deadline has passed.  Turn in all parts of your assignment together. No supplemental materials may be added once you have turned in the assignment.

E-mail

Each student must activate his/her e-mail account at Clayton State University. The class list serve will be the only method for communicating with the class by email.  Important announcements will be sent to the class on the class list serve.  You should also check my web page and the GAView page for the course regularly for new postings. Handouts given in class and other important items will be posted on the GAView page for this class.

Communication from personal email accounts (e.g., Yahoo, gmail, etc.) is acceptable, as long as the following requirements are met:

  1. You clearly identify yourself in the body of the email
  2. You clearly identify which class you are writing to me about
  3. The subject line of your email is suitably descriptive that I can tell it isn't Spam or a virus (e.g., do not send emails with a subject of "Hello", etc.)
  4. You do not ask me specific questions concerning grades, as they cannot be discussed by email.

Emails that do not meet these requirements will not receive a response.

GeorgiaView

Each student must activate his/her GAView account at Clayton State University. This account will be used for completing various assignments in and out of class.  These assignments will generally have very specific time limits, and if they are not completed on time, they will not be possible to complete as late assignments.  More information on these assignments will be provided as the semester progresses.

This page last updated August 15, 2011