BIOL 4460- Virology
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@clayton.edu.

Course Description:

Number and Title:

BIOL 4460 (CRN 24447)
Virology

Credit Hours:

3.0 Semester credit hours

Catalog Description:

This course will focus on animal viruses and will discuss basic concepts in virology including viral taxonomy, structure, entry/exit, replication, quantitation, genetics, pathogenesis, and virus-host interaction.

Course prerequisite and co-requisite:

Prerequisites: BIOL 3200 and BIOL 4201

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:

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers may be used in the classroom in this course for class assignments. Computers will be required to access course materials, work on assignments outside of class, and to communicate with your instructor.  Students may be permitted to use computers in class for general use at the instructor's discretion.  Instructor's may deny permission to use a computer during class time.  In addition, instructors reserve the right to forbid computer use to particular students if those students are found using them for purposes not related to the course (e.g., web surfing, email, instant messaging, etc.).  This same limitations apply to the use of other electronic devices in class (including, but not limited to cell phones, personal digital assistants, etc.).  Violation of these rules will result in loss of points, so check with your instructor to determine what is acceptable.

Course Objectives:

Student Learning Outcomes:

Term:

Spring Semester 2009

Instructor:

Renee McFarlane  (CRN 24447)
Office: Administration Building, A-14B
Phone: (678) 466-4790
Fax: (678) 466-4797
Email: ReneeMcFarlane@clayton.edu
Internet: http://a-s.clayton.edu/mcfarlane/default.htm
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday 10:00 am - 11:30 am, Wednesday 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, and by appointment only

Class Meetings:

Classroom: Arts and Sciences Building, G127

Class Times: T/R 9:50 am - 11:05 am

Text Information:

Understanding Viruses by Teri Shors

Evaluation:

Each student's grade will be calculated as follows:  

Three tests (100 points each)  300 points
Term Paper/Case Study   60 points
Final examination (comprehensive) 140 points
TOTAL 500 points

 

Grading:

Grade

 Points

A

 90-100%

B

 80-89%

C

 70-79%

D

 60-69%

F

 below 60%
Mid-term Progress Report

The mid-term grade in this course which will be issued before the midterm, 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 fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term, which occurs on March 6th.

Course Policies

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

Students must read course policies as stated below on first day of class.

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 for all class periods.  At the beginning of each class, students must sign the attendance sheet on instructor's desk to record attendance. Students are responsible for making sure they sign the attendance sheet each class period. Attendance is required for ANY assignments given and examination periods.  Any absence from assignments or exams must be accompanied by a written excuse from a doctor or other competent authority the next class period student returns to class (not 2 weeks later).

Tests will be given at the beginning of the class; if you arrive late, you may be permitted to take the 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, those points will not count in your grade.

Missed Work

Without excuse, a grade of zero points will be assigned for the missed work. Absences from tests must be accompanied by a note from a competent authority (doctor, judge, etc.).  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.  If a valid excuse is provided  then the student will be excused from assignment or exam and the average of other assignments and exams will be taken. NO MAKEUP ASSIGNMENTS OR EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!  If the final exam is missed without a proper excuse then a grade of 0 will be given for the final. You are only permitted one excused absence from class exams.  If you miss more than one with an excuse, you will need to seek a hardship withdrawal as the exams are the majority of the points in the class.  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.

For other class assignments, unless otherwise specified, all work is due in class on the due date.  Any work that is turned in after the set time will be considered late and penalized 20%.  Assignments will be penalized an additional 20% for each extra day late.

Academic Dishonesty 

Cheating is defined as copying anything that is not your own and turning it in as your own work.  Be sure to hand in your own work. Cheating will not be accepted for any of the following violations:

    a. If you work on an assignment with a classmate and you write your answers with the same wording as your classmate then you will be accused of cheating (and so will your fellow classmate).  

    b. If you copy ANYTHING out of a book or off of a web page then you will be accused of cheating.  

    c. If you copy answers off of another person's paper during a test then you will be accused of cheating.  

    d. If you are caught with an inappropriate device on your desk during an exam

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.  Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.

 

Disruption of the Learning Environment

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.

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

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

 

Other Policies

Each student must turn off all cell phones before class begins, especially before an exam. Failure to do so will result in deduction of 2 points (if during class period) or 5 points (if during exam period) from overall grade. Each student will place ALL belongings in front of classroom near instructor's desk.  Only pencils and pens will be allowed on the desk while taking a test. All students are responsible for filling in their scantron bubbles correctly. The instructor will not give back any points back for mistakes made on filling out scantron forms. If there are any errors on exam, instructor must be contacted within 48 hours or the next class period. Anytime after this period, no changes will be made.

No smoking is permitted at any time in the classroom.

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.

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

Important Dates:

TERM PAPER: April 16, 2009

EXAM DATES:  Please see TENTATIVE schedule for exam dates.  These are subject to change.

MIDTERM (LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT ACADEMIC PENALTY): March 6

FINAL:  Tuesday May 5, 2009 - 10:15 AM