CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY

BIOL 1111 - Introductory Biology I
Course Syllabus – Fall 2009

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Administration Building room # 23, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Course Description

Number and Title:

BIOL 1111
Introductory Biology I

Credit Hours:

3.0 semester credit hours

Catalog Description:

The biology sequence (BIOL 1111-1112) covers basic and biological chemistry, cellular organization and function, cell division, bioenergetics, ecology and organ/system physiology as well as Mendelian genetics, molecular genetics, biotechnology, and evolutionary principles. BIOL 1111 includes the basic and biological chemistry, cellular organization and function, cell division, bioenergetics, ecology and selected topics in organ/system physiology.

This sequence is designed for non-science majors. The biology sequence of BIOL 1107 and 1108 is the sequence advised for science majors and most medical majors. If you have questions about the appropriate sequence for your major, please ask your instructor.

Course Co-requisite: BIOL 1111L, Introductory Biology Laboratory I (1 semester credit hour)

Note: If a student withdraws from BIOL 1111L, the student must also withdraw from BIOL 1111. If a student withdraws from BIOL 1111, the student must also withdraw from BIOL 1111L.

Notebook 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:

• Able to use the Windows^TM operating system.
• Able to use a the Microsoft Word^TM word processing program.
• Able to send and receive e-mail using the Outlook^TM or Outlook Express^TM program.
• Able to use a Web browser.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers will not be used in this class. Computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.

Course Objectives:

• To understand the basic concepts of chemistry which are applicable to introductory biology.
• To understand the principles of evolution and the means by which evolution is studied.
• To describe the structure and explain the function of the cellular organelles.
• To describe the processes involved in cellular division.
• To understand general chemical and energetic processes that occur within most eukaryotic cells.
• To understand ecosystem structure and function.
• To understand how the scientific method was employed in acquiring biological information.

Student Learning Outcomes:

General education outcomes:

• Communication: knowledge base. BIOL 1111 will provide knowledge base information necessary for communication of information concerning biological chemistry, cellular biology and ecology.

Knowledge Base

Description: Answers to quiz and test questions must convey knowledge of biology that is appropriate to the question.

Evidence:  Samples of student work on tests.

Awareness of Recipient

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

Evidence:  Samples of student work on tests.

Organization

Description:  Logical and organized thinking is required.

Evidence:  Samples of student work on examinations.

Mechanics/Delivery

Description:  Solutions to quiz and examination problems must be communicated using proper biological vocabulary.

Evidence:  Samples of student work on examinations.

Style

Description:  Given that most exams in this course are multiple choice in format, there is no significant evaluation of style, other than proper bubbling of scantron forms.

Evidence: Scantron forms are checked by students for scanning errors.  Any detected are reported to the instructor.

Critical thinking: all components (question/issue, method, evidence, conclusion). BIOL 1111 will require application of knowledge base information to understand biological relationships.

Question/Issue

Description: Given student unfamiliarity with biological concepts, the instructor in all introductory biology courses generally provides the question/ issue component.  Students are encouraged to ask questions about biological concepts.

Evidence:  None.

Method

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

Evidence:  Samples of student work on examinations.

Evidence

Description:  Non-quantitative critical thinking is evaluated through conceptual multiple-choice questions or short answer questions.

Evidence:  Samples of student work on examinations.

Conclusion

Description:  Conclusions that are biologically correct and reasonable are required.

Evidence:  Samples of student work on examinations.

Teacher Education Standards:

The content of this course syllabus correlates to education standards established by national and state education governing agencies, accrediting agencies and learned society/ professional education associations.  Please refer to the course correlation matrices located at the following web site:

http://a-s.clayton.edu/teachered/Standards%20and%20Outcomes.htm

Instructor Information:

Dr. S. Fowler (CRN 86944)
Office: (Faculty Hall) A14C
Phone: 678-466-4816
e-mail: SamanthaFowler@clayton.edu
Fall Office Hours:  

   Monday: 10 - 11:30; 2:00 - 3:00

   Tuesday: 3:30 - 4:30

   Wednesday: 10:00 - 11:30

   Thursday: 3:30 - 4:30

Dr. J. Boudell (CRN 88100)
Office: (Faculty Hall) Room A40A (FH40A)
Phone: 678-678-4772
e-mail:  JBoudell@mail.clayton.edu
Internet address:  http://a-s.clayton.edu/jboudell
Fall Office Hours:  M 9:00-10:00*, W 9:00-10:00*, 10:00-11:00, 3:00-4:00; F 9:00-11:00 (* in C29, in FH40A otherwise)

Dr. F. Norflus (CRN 87033)
Office: (Faculty Hall) A23B
Phone: 678-466-4852
e-mail: FNorflus@clayton.edu

Internet address:  http://a-s.clayton.edu/fnorflus/default.htm
Fall Office Hours:  Tuesdays, 11:15 AM – 1:00 PM & 2:00 – 4:30 PM, Thursdays, 11:15 AM  - 12:00 PM

Office hours will be held in room A23B or C28

Thursdays, 8:00 – 9:00 PM, online office hours

Class Meetings:

Textbook Information:

Text:

Campbell , Reece, Taylor, Simon, and Dickey, Biology, Concepts and Connections, 6th edition, Benjamin Cummings, 2008

Text Coverage:

Chapters to be covered: 1-12

Evaluation:

Grading:

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Tentative Course Schedule*:

Textbook: Biology, Concepts and Connections, Campbell , Reece, Mitchell, and Taylor , 6th edition

*This lecture schedule and lecture testing is tentative and may change. Tests may be given the week before or the week after the week listed here--or during the week predicted. Specific test dates will be announced approximately one week in advance in class.

Final Examination Schedule:

Course Policies:

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.

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
Course attendance policy will be determined by the individual instructor.

Absences from QUIZZES and EXAMS must also be accompanied by a signed physician's or judge's excuse (there are no exceptions). This must be an original copy.  Without an excuse provided within one week, a grade of zero points will be assigned for the missed assessment.  If the student does have a valid excuse the next quiz will be doubled to make up for the missed quiz or the final exam will be doubled to make up for the missed exam.  If the final exam has been missed, a makeup will be administered.  However, a student may not miss more than one exam or more than one quiz or assignment.  For each exam or assignment missed after the one excused absence, a grade of 0 will be assigned regardless of the excuse because the student will be missing an excessive amount of material.

The format of the exams will be decided by the instructor for the class.  However, please note that when scantrons are used, you will be credited only for correct answers written on your scantron.  If you have a different answer circled on the question sheet or have accidentally left out the answer on the scantron, you will NOT be given any credit.  The correct answer MUST be on the scantron.

Detailed instructions concerning late assignments will be included with assignment descriptions.

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

No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted at any time in the classroom.

Students may not use laptop computers for anything other than note taking during class.  Students using laptop computers for anything else (including, but not limited to, instant messaging, sending or receiving email, playing games, or surfing the internet) will be asked to leave the class.

Cell phone use during class is disrespectful and distracting to the instructor and other students.  Any student using their cell phone during class (ringing, talking, or sending/receiving text messages) will have the phone confiscated and must come see the me at the end of class to get it back.  I may decide to answer it for you!  I may read your text message to the entire class!  It is suggested you switch your phone to the off position before class begins.

Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not tolerated.  While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include 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.  A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal.  If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.  Please refer to http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm for more information.

Regular and punctual attendance is highly recommended.  We will be covering material in class that may not be found in the textbook.  Announcements concerning changes in test dates, quiz dates, and assignment due dates will be made during class.  If you must be absent due to illness or other unforeseeable event, you are still responsible for any and all information given during class.  This may include changes in test dates, quiz dates, assignment due dates, and the syllabus.

Exams and quizzes will generally be given at the start of class.  The policy for exams is that a student that is more than 10 minutes late (according to the professors cellular phone clock) without a valid excuse will not be permitted to begin the exam.  Late students will not be given additional time to complete the exam. 

Quizzes:  If a student  is late for a paper based quiz, he or she will be permitted to begin the quiz but will not receive any extra time to complete it.  If the quiz is PowerPoint based, the student will not be permitted to take the quiz if it has already started.  Again, it is suggested that you arrive on time. 

No form of academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this class.  Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism.  All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a MINIMUM penalty of a grade of zero for the work involved.  All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs.  Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.

Changes or additions to this syllabus, including reading, exam schedule, grading, and course policies can be made at the discretion of the instructor at any time.

Last update: 7/28/09