Course Syllabus

BIOLOGY 100 – General Biology

We have an exciting semester planned for Biology 100. Along the way you’ll learn the fundamental biological ideas behind atopic range of topics so you can be more well informed about how and why behind the science of biology.

Catalog Description: This is an introductory course for non-majors emphasizing the scientific method in investigating the origins, physiology, ecological roles, and comparative characteristics of living organisms.

This is a four-unit class. It consists of 48 - 54 contact hours per semester of lecture time and 48 - 54 contact hours per semester of lab time. This does not include study time outside of class time.

1.  

Associate Degree Applicable. Transfers to both UC/CSU.

Prerequisite Advisory: ENGL 101 or eligibility for ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H as determined by the SBVC assessment process.

This syllabus, its contents, and the appended schedule are subject to change based on circumstances. All changes will be clearly communicated to students.

This course has me, Professor Burnham, as your lecture instructor. Each section has as a different lab instructor. We are a team that works together to help you succeed.

• Consult the lab instructors syllabus and Schedule for Lab Component Information

You can locate me three ways:

Email: lburnham@valleycollege.edu Office Phone: (909) 384-8561            Office: HLS 210 

I hold student hours (formerly office hours) in-person or via Zoom Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7am to 8am or via zoom as requested

Throughout this course we will complete several learning objectives- things we’d like you to walk away with knowing.

 

Lecture:

• Read, discuss, and critically evaluate biological information based on principles of scientific methods and research design.
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic vocabulary and concepts of biology at the cellular, genetic, organismal, evolutionary, and ecosystem levels.
• Compare and contrast basic anatomical, physiological, and ecological features of living organisms.
• Illustrate how the application of basic biological concepts relates to human health and ecosystem issues.
• Describe how natural selection works and impacts biological systems.

Lab:

• Create simple scientific hypotheses and generate questions from biological observations.
• Collect qualitative and quantitative scientific data using basic biological measurement tools such as metric rulers, analytical balances, thermometers, and microscopes.
• Manipulate and interpret biological data by organizing data tables, calculating averages, preparing graphs, and evaluating results.
• Prepare laboratory reports in a scientific report format.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Lecture: Students will demonstrate their ability to meet the lecture objectives through their ability to pass (65%) a comprehensive final exam.
• Lab: Students will demonstrate their ability to meet the lab objectives through their ability to write a scientific lab report meeting the requirements set forth in the scientific report guidelines. A passing score will be 65%.

Course Materials and Resources:

The course will use various tools to help you learn. You are responsible for all items below:

Canvas: You must have access to Canvas. Canvas is a webpage where instructors place course materials, including assignments, reading materials, and announcements. There will also be some quizzes or assignments on Canvas.

Textbook: We will be using Biology by Raven as our course textbook. It is a free online textbook available through the “McGraw-HIll” link on Canvas. You are required to do all readings and assignments in each module.

Supplemental Lecture Packet: Readings found on Canvas.

Lab Packet: Please consult the lab section for information on your lab materials.

Assignments: there will be a combination of online and paper assignments. You must have internet access to complete online assignments.

If you have trouble accessing Canvas, contact: https://support.valleycollege.edu/

Attendance Policies:

It is important we hold ourselves accountable to the material. Attendance will be takenin lab and monitored on Canvas, and will be counted as an absence if you are late or leave early without a documented reason.

Behavioral Policies:

A good course is much like an ecosystem – we must all work together to ensure each other’s success. This means being attentive to our behavior, remembering to be respectful and courteous to students and professors.

Professors reserve the right to ask a student to leave the class for disruptive behavior.

Academic Integrity:

I place a high standard on academic integrity. Cheating on assignments, quizzes, and exams will result in a zero to all parties involved. Allowing someone else to copy your exams or classwork will get both parties zeros.

Every student will be held accountable for upholding SBVC’s Academic Standards and Policies:  https://catalog.valleycollege.edu/academic-standards-policies/

Campus policy defines cheating as

• Obtaining information from another student during an examination.
• Communicating information to another student during an examination.
• Knowingly allowing another student to copy one’s work.
• Offering another person’s work as one’s own.
• Taking an examination for another student or having someone take an examination for oneself.
• Sharing answers for a take-home examination unless specifically authorized by the instructor.
• Using unauthorized material during an examination.
• Altering a graded examination or assignment and returning it for additional credit. ● Having another person or a company do the research and/or writing of an assigned paper or report.
• Misreporting or altering the data in laboratory or research projects.
• Collusion: when any student knowingly or intentionally helps another student perform an act of academic dishonesty.

Plagiarism is not allowed. Presenting someone else’s  written material (your classmate’s work or text from a book or online) as your own is a form of cheating called “plagiarism.” Turning in a writing assignment copied from another source, or that is written by someone other than yourself, will result in a zero for that assignment. Copying even a portion of a sentence is considered plagiarism.

If you are caught cheating in any way, you will receive a zero on that work (assignment, quiz, or exam) and you will forfeit any chance to make up the lost points. When I have to lower a score due to cheating, an Academic Integrity report will be filed, and this could result in further disciplinary measures, such as academic probation or suspension.

What happens if someone violates these policies?

We must each strive to create and promote an authentic and honest community to pursue knowledge and aim to achieve academic excellence. If you believe that a member in our community has violated these academic integrity policies, please report concerns to me immediately by email. In your email - indicate the violation and include specific evidence. All concerns will be addressed promptly and appropriately. All reported concerns and individuals will be confidential.

Make-Up Quiz/Exam and Late Assignments:

Make up quizzes and exams are allowed ONLY with a documented excuse. The student must then take the exam at a time prior to the corrected and graded exam or quiz is returned to the class that is suitable for both the professor and the student requiring the make-up.

Assignments (online or on paper) submitted past the due date will be deducted 10% of the possible score for each day late. For example, if you would have received all ten points on a ten-point assignment that submitted late by two days, you can now only earn a maximum of eight points – each day was 10% off the total possible score.

There are no make-ups for labs. These are experiences we engage in with our class, and are thus not possible to recreate.

Should you miss lecture, you are responsible for the material.

Scoring Grievances and Rescoring:

If you feel you should have earned more points for a quiz, exam, or assignment you must do the following:

1. On a separate piece of paper indicate what part of the quiz, exam, or assignment you would like the professor to rescore.
2. Indicate your reasoning. If you feel the professor is incorrect, locate the portion of the book or lecture material that supports your reasoning.
3. Submit this form along with the original quiz, exam, or assignment to the professor within the week of it being handed back to you.

Points and Grading:

This course gives students different types of opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge. Each of these opportunities will have a set of points assigned to them.

Lab Reports: Points to be determined by lab instructor

Lab Assignments: Type of assignment and points to be determined by lab instructor

There will be no extra credit unless the lecture instructor deems it necessary. Please do not ask – the instructor will indicate if and when it is available.

Grading follows a standard format, and the professors reserve the right to either curve or not.

Grading range (% based): 100 – 94 = A; 93.99 – 82= B; 82.99 – 70 = C; 69.99 – 58 = D; 7.99 and lower = F

Our wonderful campus has many resources to help you.

Tutoring and Academic Support:

Academic Success Center: Valley College Academic Success Center provides a variety of tutoring  options for STEM courses. Remote tutoring is available! Please contact the Tutoring Center to find out more: https://www.valleycollege.edu/student-services/tutoring-academic-support/student-success-center/

Library: The library provides access to online databases, as well as al great team of librarians and staff: https://library.valleycollege.edu/

Writing Center: The writing center offers many resources by staff to support and enhance student skills in reading writing in all disciplines: https://www.valleycollege.edu/student-services/tutoring-academic-support/writing-center/

Student Accessibility Services: SAS coordinates all academic accommodations for students with disabilities. If this applies to you, be sure to contact SAS (located at Student Services Bldg, Rm  105 at (909) 384-4443 or https://www.valleycollege.edu/student-services/specialized-counseling-services/student-accessibility-services/index.php

If you are already registered with DSPS and require accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can assist you in a timely manner. I do not make accommodations after an assignment or exam has been completed if you do not alert me beforehand.

Student Health Services: https://www.valleycollege.edu/student-services/specialized-counseling-services/health-services/

Counseling Services: SBVC has many focused counseling services and programs available to assist and promote your success: https://www.valleycollege.edu/student-services/counseling/

MESA-STEM Program: provide a series of resources and workshops for science and allied health majors https://stem.valleycollege.edu/mesa/

Student Well-being and Safety: Valley College is committed to supporting the physical and mental health of all our students. If you or another student you know needs support, please do not hesitate to use the following resources:

Campus Safety & Security (non-emergencies): (909)-384-4491

Title IX Information and Website: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs, including athletic programs, or activities that receive federal funding. For more information, please go to https://www.valleycollege.edu/contact-sbvc/. 

 

	Tentative Lecture Schedule
9/6 to 9/12	Getting a Great Start
9/12 to 9/26	Molecular Basics of Life
9/26 to 10/10	Biology of the Cell
10/10 to 10/31	Energy Sources and the Use and Role of DNA in Reproduction
10/31 to 11/14	Evolution
11/14 to 11/28	Diversity of Life on Earth
11/28 to 12/5	Animal Form and Function
12/5 to 12/16	Ecology and Behavior