BIOL 1107 - Principles of Biology I
Course Syllabus - Fall 2008

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 1107 Principles of Biology I

Credit Hours:

3.0 semester credit hours

Catalog Description:

BIOL 1107 Principles of Biology I (3-0-3)

An introductory biology sequence designed for science majors which includes chemistry, cell structure and function, cell division, molecular genetics, Mendelian genetics, evolution, plant and animal systematics, and ecology.

BIOL1107 is the first course of a two semester sequence for students majoring in the sciences or in some pre-professional programs. It is expected that students have a biology and chemistry background from high school and have a familiarity with algebra. Writing coherently is also expected.

Co-requisites:

BIOL1107L, Principles of Biology I laboratory. Withdrawal from BIOL1107 requires withdrawal from BIOL1107L and withdrawal from BIOL1107L requires withdrawal from BIOL1107.

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.
• Able to use a the Microsoft Word^TM.
• Able to use a the Microsoft Excel^TM.
• Able to send and receive e-mail using the Outlook^TM or Outlook Express^TM.
• Able to use a Web browser.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers will occasionally be used in this class. Outside of class, computers will be used to complete science assignments, to access the internet and class materials, to do activities on the text CD ROM, and to communicate with the instructor.

Course Objectives:

• To understand science as a process of inquiry.
• To describe the levels of organization in living things.
• To integrate chemical information in the investigation of cell structure and function.
• To investigate the processes of bioenergetics necessary for life.
• To investigate inheritance and genetics from the Mendelian, chromosomal and molecular perspective.
   

Student Learning Outcomes:

Instructor Information:

Dr. Jere A. Boudell (CRN 87017)
Office: Arts and Science Building, Room G-105-F  
Phone: (678) 466-4772
e-mail: jboudell@clayton.edu
Internet address: http://a-s.clayton.edu/jboudell
Office hours:  http://a-s.clayton.edu/jboudell/schedule.htm

Dr. Paul Guy Melvin (CRN 87016)
Office: Arts and Science Building, Room G-210-P
Phone: (678) 466-4789
e-mail: PaulMelvin@clayton.edu
Internet address: http://a-s.clayton.edu/pmelvin/pmelvin.htm
Office hours:  M 1:00-4:00, W 10:00-11:00 & 1:00-2:00, TH 12:30-3:30

CAMPUS MAP

Textbook Information:

Required text: 

• Biology, 8th Edition, Campbell et al., The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc., 2008.
• Scientific American: Current Issues in Biology v4 (0-8053-3566-8)
• Scientific American: Current Issues in Biology v5 (0-321-541-87-1)
• Inquiry in Action: interpreting scientific papers (0-3215-3659-2)
• Writing papers in the biological sciences, 4th edition, Victoria E. McMillan. Bedford/St. Martin's. New York . (0312440839)

Text coverage: Chapters 1-10, 12-17, 20

Evaluation:

Grading:

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Tentative Course Schedule*:

Biology, 8th Edition, Campbell et al., The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc., 2008

*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.

Absences from QUIZZES and EXAMS must also be accompanied by a signed physician's or judge's excuse (there are no exceptions). 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.  A student may not miss more than one exam. 

Attendance is expected for all class periods.  Attendance is required for quiz and examination periods (see above).  Any absence must be accompanied by a written excuse from a doctor or other competent authority.  Without an excuse, a grade of zero points will be assigned for the missed work.  Late assignments must be turned in within one day of the due date and 10% will be deducted from the final assignment grade.   Assignments may NOT be sent to me via email.

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.

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/.

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.

Disruptive Classroom Behavior¹

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
# 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.

1 The description of disruptive behavior and listings of examples of disruptive behavior are taken from the Web sites of James Madison University, the University of Delaware and Virginia Tech.

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: August 16, 2008