Bio Online Class

California State University, Fullerton Page 1

 

Biology 101-51 (#18681): Elements of Biology Fall 2013 Syllabus

Instructor Information

Instructor: Maryanne Menvielle, M.S. Office: MH 045 (in the basement) Office Hours: Wednesdays 3:45-4:45pm; Monday and Friday by appointment

Office Telephone: 657-278-5125 (emailed is preferred method of communication) E-mail: mmenvielle@fullerton.edu

***Email is the preferred method of communication for this course. Emails will be checked daily Monday through Friday and at least once on the weekend. Responses to emails will usually occur within 10 hours but may take as long as 24 hours.

NOTE: Emails must be written with proper etiquette in mind. This means they should: 1)

contain a greeting to the person you are sending it to; 2) contain a subject line relevant to the contents; 3) be composed properly (no “text talk”); 4) be signed with your full name

AND course information (in this case your emails should state Biol 101-51)

Course Description (from catalog):

Underlying principles governing life forms, processes and interactions. Elements of

biology and reasoning skills for understanding scientific issues on personal, societal and global levels. For the non-science major. No credit toward biological science major.

Textbook & Course Materials

 Phelan, Jay (2012). What Is Life? A Guide to Biology with Physiology 2nd edition

 Access to PrepU quizzing system (either the stand-alone PrepU or through BioPortal)

Helpful Resources

 For writing assignments utilize the resources available: CSUF Writing Center

(http://hss.fullerton.edu/english/wc) or the University Learning Center (http://www.fullerton.edu/ulc)

 Tutoring is available through the University Learning Center (http://www.fullerton.edu/ulc) located on the second floor of Pollak Library North. Call (567) 278-2738 for an appointment.

 

 

 

 

 

Biol 101 Fall 2013 Syllabus

 

California State University, Fullerton Page 2

Course Requirements

 Reliable and accessible internet connection

 CSUF has a policy regarding computer competency for students (UPS 320.030, see http://www.fullerton.edu/senate/PDF/300/UPS300-030.pdf ). You are expected to be knowledgeable in the use of a computer, familiar with

Titanium, the WWW, email messages, and email file attachments.

 Hardware, Software, and Infrastructure Requirements

o Software Requirements: You will need a word processing program. If you have an older or rare software program, it must be able to save files in

.RTF. As a CSUF student, you may purchase MS Office at a reduced rate from the Titan Shops.

o E-mail account: You must have an E-mail account that you can access

daily. It is recommended that you use the CSUF email and access class through the portal http://my.fullerton.edu.

o FOR PC USERS: Minimum Hardware: 1 Ghz or higher multimedia processor; 1GB RAM; DSL or cable modem is recommended.

o Minimum System Software: XP or higher Operating System, Internet

Access (an Internet Service Provider) and an internet browser (You must use Firefox for Blackboard Features to work properly),

o FOR MAC USERS: Mac requirements: 1 Ghz or higher multimedia processor, OS X or higher. Firefox.

Course Structure

This course will be delivered entirely online through the course management

system Titanium. You will use your Titanium account to login to the course through the portal at fullerton.edu

In Titanium, you will access online lessons, course materials, and resources.

Activities will consist of discussion forums, online assignments, Turnitin submission, quizzes and exams

Titanium Access

Firefox is the preferred Web browser to access this course on Titanium. If you do

not already have Firefox you can download it from https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/

You may also need to disable the pop-up blockers on your computer to allow

downloads from the Titanium course site.

Technical Assistance

 The CSUF Help desk can be contacted at: helpdesk@fullerton.edu or 657-278-7777, or by visiting www.fullerton.edu/helpdesk/index.asp

 

 

California State University, Fullerton Page 3

 

Course Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes: The goals for Biology 101 are for student learning of the following major scientific ideas:

a. Living things are made of smaller structures whose functions enable the organism to survive.

Biology 101 Students should be able to:

 Define the characteristics of life

 Differentiate between the main classes of biologically important molecules.

 Summarize cell theory

 Explain the processes associated with cell growth & division

 Compare & contrast characteristics of prokaryotic & eukaryotic cells

 Relate cell structure to cell function

 Explain how an organism maintains homeostasis

 Organize functions within levels and explain relationships between levels of

biological organization (cell, tissue. organ, organ system, organism)

b. Living things depend on each other and the physical environment as they interact to obtain, change, and exchange matter and energy.

Biology 101 Students should be able to:

 Describe how energy from the sun drives most activities on the earth’s surface

 Sketch the flow of energy & matter through higher levels of biological organization

 Explain the ways in which organisms may interact

 Identify factors that affect population growth and decline

 Identify factors that affect ecological organization at the community & ecosystem

level

 Assess the role of humans in natural systems

 Describe & give examples of the value of biodiversity & the natural world c. The great diversity of living things is the result of billions of years of evolution of

organisms through the mechanisms of heredity, random change, and natural selection.

Biology 101 Students should be able to:

 Illustrate the Central Dogma

 Explain & apply the basic principles of inheritance

 Summarize the evidence for evolution

 Describe how different processes (e.g. mutation, gene drift, selection) can lead to

genetic differentiation and speciation

 Define and explain natural selection

 Interpret evolutionary relationships among organisms

 Explain how evolutionary principles & ideas influence daily lives (eg GMOs, AIDS,

antibiotic resistance)

Biology 101 students will also possess the following skills:

Biology 101 Students should be able to:

 Retrieve information from a variety of sources (eg popular press, scientific papers)

 Apply the scientific method

 Critically evaluate data accurately (graphs, tables, text)

 Critically evaluate claims rather than accept authoritative statements

 Recognize the historical context of science

 Differentiate between science and non-science

 Analyze societal issues based on biologically sound principles

 Justify opinions on social issues related to biology (stem cells, GMO)

 

 

Biology 101-51 Fall 2013 Semester Syllabus

California State University, Fullerton Page 4

In order to meet the General Education objectives for the Natural Sciences and Life

Sciences, this course will introduce you to the basic principles of biology, and will give you the tools to think like a biologist. I believe that you need to understand how the natural

world works if you are going to have a good life, get a good job, and be a good citizen. The critical and creative thinking skills that you develop as you “do” science will help you in many areas of your life. For example, if members of your family have suffered from

diabetes, how would you use genetic information about susceptibility to diabetes in thinking about your diet, and in planning whether to have children? If you choose not to

have children, or to wait, what form of birth control should you use? If you choose to have children, should you feed them genetically engineered food? What about organic food? Should you take your family on holidays to areas that are vulnerable to extinction due to

human contact? Should you take them to areas in which there are serious viral outbreaks?

Topic Outline

This course is divided into 3 main units, each consisting of 4-5 weekly modules. The

modules are used as a foundation for both studying the biological concepts and in developing critical thinking skills. All modules within the unit open on the same date,

although each module has its own due date. An exam will be given at the end of each unit. Refer to the course calendar for specific meeting dates and times. Activity and assignment details will be explained in detail within each week’s corresponding learning

module. Unit 1:

Introduction to Biology Cells and Energy

The Cell Cycle and Cancer

DNA and Protein Synthesis DNA Technology

Unit 2: Inheritance Reproductive System & Health

Designer Babies Digestion & Nutrition

Cardiovascular system and Heart Disease Unit 3: Introduction to Evolution

Evolution of Disease Human effects on other organisms

Human effects on the biosphere

Important Note: This syllabus, along with course assignments and due dates, are

subject to change. It is the student’s responsibility to check Titanium for corrections or updates to the syllabus. Any changes will be clearly noted in course announcement or

through Titanium email.

 

 

 

 

Biology 101-51 Fall 2013 Semester Syllabus

California State University, Fullerton Page 5

 

Grading Policy

Course Activities

Please include your name, date and section number on all assignments. All assignments 1) are required to be completed independently unless otherwise stated 2) must be

submitted in the format requested (i.e. an email attachment will NOT be accepted when the assignment is to be submitted to Titanium) 3) must be completed according to the directions – if directions are not followed, a student may receive a zero on the assignment

or exam. Deadlines for assignments are primarily Thursday at 9pm or Monday at 9pm (see schedule)

 Knowledge Checks (15% of overall grade): These assignments will reinforce key terms and concepts of a module. The format of the assignment will vary

depending on the nature of the material currently being covered. Most assignments will be either a PrepU mastery quiz or an interactive (SCORM) assignment. The scores for SCORM assignments are usually posted immediately

to Titanium. PrepU scores will be entered into Titanium every 3 – 4 weeks but are visible immediately in the PrepU system.

 Application Assignments (15% of overall grade): These assignments will require you to utilize critical thinking skills and apply the current concept to a new situation. The format of these assignments will vary depending on the nature of

the material – usually an uploaded document or participation in a discussion forum. Grades will usually be posted on Titanium within 2 weeks of the

assignment deadline.  Exams (60% of overall grade): You will have 3 exams throughout the semester.

Since you have various resources available to you while taking the exam, most

questions will require you to compare and contrast various concepts, link a concept to the larger picture, critically evaluate a scenario using what you have

learned or apply your knowledge to a new situation. Exams are posted in multiple parts (usually a multiple choice section and a short answer section with answers written in your own words) and all sections must be completed prior to

the deadline.  Research Assignment (10% of overall grade): The written portion of the

assignment meets the Core Competency requirement for writing in the General Education curriculum. It will require the organization and expression of complex data and ideas in a 1000 – 1250 word paper reviewing a biological issue that is

current and controversial. Your grade for the paper will be based both on the content of what you write AND the quality of your writing. LATE ASSIGNMENTS

WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. If you do not turn in your paper by the due date and time, it will not be graded and you will receive a zero for the assignment. All writing assignments must be submitted electronically to Turnitin.com. Detailed

instructions on the assignment will be available on Titanium. Grading of these assignments will take a minimum of 3 weeks.

 

 

 

 

Biology 101-51 Fall 2013 Semester Syllabus

California State University, Fullerton Page 6

Late Work Policy

You should have all your work completed and submitted by 9pm on the due date. However, work will be accepted without penalty until 11:59pm. The purpose of this

grace period is so you can correct any technical issues that arise. If you have a problem with your internet or computer, you are expected to solve the problem before the grace period expires, or find another computer on which to finish your

work. Further extensions (past 11:59pm) are not granted for technical issues. It would be a good idea to identify an alternate computer for you to use in case your

regular computer has an issue – the campus computer lab or a friend’s computer would be a reliable choice. Be aware that Titanium undergoes regular maintenance after 10pm on Thursday evenings. Email me any assignment you cannot submit

during this downtime BEFORE the end of the grace period.

You are expected to keep track of deadlines. Work can be made up or submitted

late ONLY if the student has a documented, valid reason for the need to complete work late. Make-up work is accepted at the discretion of the instructor and may incur a grade penalty. A student may also be required to appear in-person to

complete a make-up. An example of such a reason would be a serious illness documented with a doctor’s note. Technical problems with your personal computer

or internet connection are not considered valid reasons for missing deadlines. If you have a technical issue beyond your control (for example, the PrepU site is down), you must inform the instructor PRIOR to the 9pm deadline, and then wait

for a response with instructions on how to proceed.

Grades

Grades will be posted on Titanium for you to review. You are expected to regularly (i.e. weekly) check your scores for accuracy and bring any questions to the

instructor in a timely manner (see Re-grade policy). Your grade in this course will be assessed as follows:

 Knowledge Checks (15%)

 Application Assignment (15%)  Writing Assignment (10%)  Exams (60%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extra Credit: While I don’t intend to offer any extra credit, if it is offered, the

extra credit assignment will be available to all students on an equitable basis. Please do not ask for an individual assignment that is in addition to anything offered to the entire class.

Letter Grade Percentage

A 92.0-100

A- 90.0 – 91.9

B+ 88.0 – 89.9

B 82.0 – 87.9

B- 80.0 – 81.9

C+ 78.0 – 79.9

C 72.0 – 77.9

C- 70.0 – 71.9

D+ 68.0 – 69.9

D 60.0 – 67.9

F < 59.9

 

 

Biology 101-51 Fall 2013 Semester Syllabus

California State University, Fullerton Page 7

Course Policies

Participation

Students are expected to participate in all online activities as listed on the course calendar.

 Read assigned material in the text  View ALL lecture and support material, and take quality notes  Listen actively to lectures – think about the material

 Ask questions to both the instructor, and your classmates (via message boards)  Complete all assignments – module quizzes, exams, discussions, assignments,

and papers  Keep track of deadlines  Check your grades weekly

 Students are expected to know and follow rules of “netiquette”. See resource information at http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html

 

Re-Grading Policy

As a human, I may make mistakes. If you feel that a mistake has been made in the grading of an assignment or exam, please contact me within 1 week (preferably

during office hours) of the grade being posted on Titanium.

Withdrawal Policy

The CSUF policy regarding withdrawal from classes (UPS 300.016) will be followed. After the first two weeks of the semester, students may be granted withdrawal

ONLY by presenting compelling evidence outlining a physical, medical, or emotional condition that prevents completion of the course. Poor academic performance is not

evidence of a serious reason for withdrawal. Students unable to produce official documentation will be required to take the grade they have earned in the class. Please refer to the course schedule for information on the last day to withdraw with

a W grade. Important dates concerning registration are on the inside cover of the CSUF Class Schedule or at: http://www.fullerton.edu/admissions/ .

 The withdrawal deadline for this semester is: November 15, 2013.

Inform Your Instructor of Any Accommodations Needed

The University requires students with disabilities to register with the Office of

Disability Support Services (DSS), located in UH-101 and at (657) 278 – 3117, in order to receive prescribed accommodations appropriate to their disability. Students requesting accommodations should inform the instructor during the first

week of classes about any disability or special needs that may require specific arrangements/accommodations related to attending class sessions, completing

course assignments, writing papers or quizzes/tests/examinations.

 

 

 

Biology 101-51 Fall 2013 Semester Syllabus

California State University, Fullerton Page 8

Academic Honesty Policy & Procedures

Academic Integrity: It is assumed that by enrolling in this class your intentions are honorable, that you accept responsibility for earnest effort toward

understanding the subject, and that you will not cheat on any assignment for this course. You must perform all of your own work. The CSUF policy statement is reproduced in part below.

 Academic dishonesty includes such things as cheating, inventing false

information or citations, plagiarism, and helping someone else commit an act of academic dishonesty. It usually involves an attempt by a student to show a possession of a level of knowledge or skill, which he/she in fact does not

possess.

 Cheating is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for work by the use of any dishonest, deceptive, fraudulent, or unauthorized means. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to, the following:

using notes or aids or the help of other students on tests and examinations in ways other than those expressly permitted by the instructor, plagiarism as

defined below, tampering with the grading procedures, and collaborating with others on any assignment where such collaboration is expressly forbidden by an instructor. Violation of this prohibition of collaboration shall be deemed an

offense for the person or persons collaboration on the work, in addition to the person submitting the work.

 Plagiarism is defined as the act of taking the work of another and offering it

as one’s own without giving credit to that source. When sources are used in a paper, acknowledgment of the original author or source must be made through appropriate references and, if directly quoted, quotation marks or

indentations must be used.” (CSUF Policy 300.021, effective 6 May 2005). Please make sure you understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. For

more information on this topic please see http://www.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/judicial/Plagiarism.htm.

 

Students who violate university standards of academic integrity are subject to disciplinary sanctions, including failure in the course and suspension from the

university. University policies are strictly enforced in this course. Any form of academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, may be reported to the Office of Judicial Affairs. Please familiarize yourself with the academic integrity

guidelines found in the current student handbook. In this course typical penalties include: a zero on the module assignment with a reduction of the course grade by

one letter or zero on the exam or paper.

The course material and assignments are my intellectual property. They may not be posted or shared on outside web sites. If I track a posting back to you from an outside source, you will be referred to the Dean for an act of academic dishonesty, even if the semester has ended.

 

 

 

 

 

Biology 101-51 Fall 2013 Semester Syllabus

California State University, Fullerton Page 9

Faculty Obligation to Meet Classes

In the event of an emergency that disrupts normal campus operations or causes the University to close for a prolonged period of time due to circumstances such as

an earthquake, we will do our best to continue the class via Titanium, if it is available. Therefore, as soon as possible after such as event and at least once a day, check the class Titanium site and your CSUF email for messages and

instructions. You can obtain emergency information about campus operations on the CSUF web site, via the Fullerton Campus Operation & Emergency Closure Line

(657-278-4444) or the Irvine Campus Operation & Emergency Closure Line (657- 278-8676).

Use of class email lists in TITANium

In the past, there were a couple of incidents of students using class email lists to contact members of the class about non-course related items, such as voting for a specific student in elections, announcing events on campus in which the student

was involved, etc. Students should not use contact information from this course without prior permission. Any violations of this policy may result in disciplinary

action.

CSUF is a smoke free campus

California State University, Fullerton prohibits smoking in all interior and exterior campus areas and locations effective August 1, 2013 as specified below:

 Buildings (including residence halls), structures (including parking structures), and outdoor areas owned, leased or rented by the university or one of its auxiliaries whether located on or off the Fullerton main campus.

 Vehicles owned, leased or rented by the university or one of the university’s auxiliaries.

 Vehicles on university-owned, leased, or rented land or in university-owned, leased, or rented parking structures.

The sale or distribution of any tobacco product, including smokeless tobacco products, also is prohibited.

 

Course policies are subject to change. It is the student’s responsibility to check

Titanium for corrections or updates to the syllabus. Any changes will be posted in

Titanium.