BIOL 4500 - Biology Seminar
Course Syllabus - Spring 2009

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 4500 Biology Seminar

Credit Hours:

1.0 semester credit hours

Catalog Description:

BIOL 4500 Biology Seminar 

Experts from industry, government, and academe address current topics in Biology. Students enrolled in the seminar prepare for the talks by performing electronic literature searches and submitting questions for the speakers. This course gives students the opportunity to meet with and question experts in the field. Examinations and projects are based on seminar topics.

Prerequisites:

Prerequisites: BIOL 1108/L and CHEM2412/L and MATH 1231.

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 allowed in this class. Your computers must be closed after entering this class.  There will be speakers coming to this class and it is disruptive to have your computer open.  Outside of class, computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.

Overall Course Learning Objective:

• To learn about current research in the biological, chemical and physical sciences that could be applied to the business world.

Student Learning Outcomes:

BIOL4500 supports outcomes 1, 3, 6 and 7 of the biology major:

These outcomes are:

(1) Effectively demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of major fields of biology.

(3) Apply knowledge of physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics to biological concepts.

(6) Collaborate effectively on team-oriented projects.

(7) Demonstrate the ability to identify and describe the impact of biological and physical sciences on the environment and society.

Instructor Information:

Dr. Fran Norflus
Office:  Administration Building, A-23B
Phone: 678-466-4852
e-mail:  FrancineNorflus@clayton.edu
Internet:  http://a-s.clayton.edu/fnorflus/
Office Hours:
11:30 AM to 12:45 PM Monday & Wednesday

4:30 PM to 5:30 PM  Monday & Wednesday

10:00 AM to 1:30 PM Friday

Office hours will be held in A-23B or C28.

Textbook Information:

There is no textbook for this class.

Evaluation:

Grading:

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Tentative Course Schedule*:

The course schedule is provided on a separate page - you should check this page often for updates to the schedule. 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.

 

Course Policies:

If you are absent on the day that the two papers are due, you will need to provide me with a written excuse from a doctor or other competent authority ON THE DAY YOU RETURN TO CLASS.  You will also need to turn in your paper on the day you return to class.  If you do, you will receive full credit.  Without an excuse, a grade of zero points will be assigned for the missed work.  If you do not hand in the assignment when you return to class, you will also receive a grade of 0.

For each day that your paper is late, 10% will be deducted from the grade.  Each day includes days that we are not in class.  No assignments will be accepted after three days past the due date.  Assignments may NOT be sent to me via email.  All assignments must be submitted at the beginning of class.  If you are turning your assignment in late, you will need to personally find me and hand it to me.  DO NOT put it in my mailbox or you will get a grade of 0.

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 play video games during lecture.

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

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 grade of zero for the work involved.  All instances of academic misconduct will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs.   Judicial procedures are described at
http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentconduct.  

Disruptive Classroom Behavior

Disruptive behavior in the classroom can negatively affect 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:

• Eating in class.
• Monopolizing classroom discussions.
• Failing to respect the rights of other students to express their viewpoints.
• Talking when the instructor or others are speaking.
• Constant questions or interruptions which interfere with the instructor’s presentation.
• Overt inattentiveness (e.g., sleeping or reading the paper in class).
• Creating excessive noise.
• Entering the class late or leaving early.
• Use of pagers or cell phones in the classroom.  No text messaging ALLOWED!
• Inordinate or inappropriate demands for time or attention.
• Poor personal hygiene (e.g., noticeably offensive body odor).
• Refusal to comply with faculty direction.

• 
  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:
   

• Use of profanity or pejorative language.

• Intoxication.

• Verbal abuse of instructor or other students (e.g., taunting, badgering, intimidation).
• Harassment of instructor or other students.
• Threats to harm oneself or others.
•  Physical violence.

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.

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

A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at: 

http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm

Electronic devices

All electronic devices including cell phones, PDA's, pagers, calculators, etc. are not allowed in this class unless otherwise specified. They must be off and hidden away.

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 regularly for new postings. Handouts given in class and other important items will be posted on the web page for this class.

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

Last update: 12/23/08