Course Syllabus
Introduction to Biology (BIOL 10)
Instructor: Leslie Blackie email: lblackie@peralta.edu office hours: appts via Conferences/BigBlueButton
When you email me I will respond withing 24-48 hours except on weekends
Website addresses: www.laney.edu/leslie_blackie and Biol 10 webpage
Here is a digital version of the BIOL 10 Spring 2022 Syllabus and the spring calendar schedule of due dates (Note - assignments unlock via Modules)
Required materials
Textbook: Concepts of Biology through OpenStax (zerocost). Use Blue textbook link on canvas navigation OR Essentials of Biology w/Physiology, Campbell option for a digital textbook
Computer or device where you can upload documents/photos, watch videos and take quizzes. Here is a link to Chromebook lending resource from Laney Library
Reliable internet service to access Canvas and be able to take timed exams
Description:
This class is an introduction to the science of biology for non-majors. We cover the fundamentals of biology for the non-major: Scientific inquiry, biological chemistry, cell structure and function, DNA and genetics, evolution and ecology, and an overview of living organisms. This class also includes laboratory exercises designed to complement lectures. As a first semester course, we will also be addressing study skills for Biology and biological thinking.
LEARNING OUTCOMES - Our Practical Goals for you
- Differentiate between a hypothesis and a theory
- Discuss the principles of biology as the study of living things including biological hierarchies, classification of living things, chemical processes of the cell and organisms.
- Improve confidence in scientific knowledge and ability to apply knowledge to related situations.
- Read and discuss articles related to current issues in biology. Form opinions on these issues and express and defend those opinions biologically in discussions and written essays.
LAB GOALS -
- Cooperate with others working as a group, delegate work to others, collaborate with group.
- Use microscopes and other equipment correctly and care for them properly.
Although most of this course material is based on European science, which was mainly conducted by white men, we value and honor the information gathered by people outside of what might be reflected in your textbook. We will be highlighting BIologists and other researchers with a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. We also encourage you to bring your own thoughts to the discussions and class chats. Science is not without bias, in fact much of science has been used to justified biases of dominant culture We will be discussing scientific bias from the first day of class. If you come across information that you think would be valuable to the class, we encourage you to share it.
How inclusive is this class? Use this Peralta Equity Rubric Let me know what you think and maybe what we can work on it with your feedback! Please contact us if you have any questions. Thank you!
ASSESSMENT OF THESE GOALS
WRITING ASSIGNMENT - To help you become more involved in the world of science…
You are assigned two writing assignments to complete this semester. For each testing section, you need to find a current topic in the news that relates to what we are discussing in class. Then, you will to write a 2 page of analysis on your article, 5-paragraph form. In the essay, be sure you address the topic, the name of the researcher or research group and where the research was conducted. You should explain what the research is, what benefit it has to the world, how it relates to the course material (a sentence that starts with ‘this relates to class’ is good) and why the research is important. See attached essay grading rubric for specifics on what is required of you. Due the week before your lecture exam, yet, you can turn it in early! Check the dates the assignment is open for submission along with the grading rubric for specifics.
Here is a link to a page that provides more information about the essay including a link to the rubric we use to grade your essay. Have this out while you write!
STUDY GUIDE ASSIGNMENT - To help you prepare for exams…...
To encourage you to utilize the study guide to its fullest, you can earn points by answering all the questions on the study guide for exam 1 or 2. To earn full credit, you must write out the question then write out a complete answer. This may be a word, a sentence, or a long complex answer so be thorough. Try using a separate piece of paper for each section. We recommend that you complete the first one for credit, then you can increase your score if you need to with the second one. We’re hoping that once you see how much it improves your scores you do this for all the tests. As well as increasing your test scores, you can earn up to 30 pts this way, so make sure you put in the time. Due the day of the lecture exam (except final exam). Once you take the exam, you cannot submit the study guide. The window stays open until Exam Two so you have two chances to complete it.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS (HW)- To prepare you for class……
We have some assignments to help you explore different topics. Those Homework (HW) assignments will be listed in the module for a total of 15 points of Homework points for each test section. Be sure you follow the module in order so you have all the information you need. The grades will be hidden until I have a chance to review. If you submit assignments twice, you may see your scores before I do, so be aware that your score may change. The "due" date posted is the day recommended to complete the work. However, the assignments may be open for an additional day so you can ask for assistance if you need help completing the work. Some of these assignments have Fill in Questions. We do look them over before finalizing you grades which might take us a few days to double check.
LECTURE EXAMS - To assess your understanding of the material presented ….
There will be three lecture exams (each worth 100pts) consisting of a material covered in lecture and reading from text. Tests may include multiple choice, true/false, matching questions, short answer and essay questions to help you learn to explain the reasons for your answers. To help you prepare, there are practice quizzes (3 pts each) for each topic and correlate to the study guide questions. Try them out to see how well you are understanding the material. Exams are open 48 hours and you have 1 hour to complete the test once it starts so plan accordingly.
It is a good idea to review your exam once it’s graded. If you believe your answer is correct and you can explain it biologically speaking, you can turn that in, in writing, to try to gain points. Due 3 days from the date you took the exam.
LAB WORK - To assess your ability to conduct experiments and answer questions on the material….
You have labs to complete at home almost every week. Check the schedule for which labs to conduct when. The "due date" is the day recommended to complete the work. However, they are open for an additional day so you can ask for assistance if you need help completing the work. To recieve full points, you must submit your completed lab (summary questions and all) online via Canvas. This will count as your lab poitns (5 pts per lab x 13 labs). Be sure you read the lab before you start the lab. The answer keys will be posted online after the last day to submit. You are responsible for checking your answers to ensure you have the most accurate information. Bring your questions to the check in days
LAB PRACTICALS - To assess your understanding of the material you learned in the lab….
There will be 3 lab practicals give during the semester. These exams are designed to test your knowledge of both the experimental procedures and the hypotheses tested for each experiment. The exams consist of stations with questions you need to answer within a limited time as well as a few short answer questions. Exams are open 48 hours and you have 1 hour to complete the test once it starts so plan accordingly. We suggest making vocabulary and activity lists for each lab and try the practice practicals first.
CALENDAR & GRADES PAGE ASSIGNMENTS – To help you organize your time
We’ve included a calendar to help you get organized. Write in the due dates for assignments of other classes or dates other exams, work schedules, study times, etc. You can download a digital version via Canvas if you’d like to edit for your 10 section. Once this is filled out, you will submit it to us. Turning in the Calendar is your acknowledgement that you are aware of dates when you might need to come to lab on an alternative date, dates assignments are due and exam dates. We also ask that you fill out the grades page two times during the semester, with totals. Do not use Canvas for your overall grades, use this form. Be sure to read the directions for both.
DISCUSSIONS- To help be a part of a scientific community
As part of our online learning community participation, you have Discussions to take part on in Canvas. You can also set up Conferences with each other to create study groups. You'll see directions for each discussion with a grading rubric.
PARTICIPATION - To be sure you are keeping up with the requirements of the class overall…
Each person is expected to attend class regularly, and to participate in the office hours, discussions and virtual interactions with your fellow students and professors. Setting up a schedule when you regularly work on the class is important to your success in the class. Participation includes timely posting in discussions and replies to colleagues, check ins/office hours with instructor, working in groups for lab work/discussions of data. If we meet in the lab that will include following safety/masking protocols and cleaning the lab area before you leave. You will be given points dependent upon how well you achieve these goals. Everyone starts with 70% of participation points and those points will go up or down depending on you!
ASKING QUESTIONS/ASKING FOR EXTRA HELP
Questions are not only welcome, but encouraged. You have a few places to ask your questions. There will be scheduled check in days, Discussion boards to work out questions with your group, online meeting times with our tutors or instructors. We also suggest setting up Conferences with your Group and with us. If you have any concerns about the class, please feel free to discuss them with us. We will reply to email within 24-48 hours with the exception of weekends Click on Need help with Canvas on the left if you need technological support.
If you need support in other ways, our Community Resources page has links to health care services, mental health counseling, access to food pantries, public transportation information and other things you might find helpful.
ACCESSIBILITY
It is our goal to make our courses as accessible as possible to students all of our students. We encourage you to chat with us by the second week of the course regarding any accommodations that will improve your experience in this course. You can also contact the Disability Services and Programs for Students at 464-3428 for assistance.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
In the long run, dishonesty will not help you in school, or your professional career. Cheating includes using cell phones for any reason during exams, attempting to copy (or copying) any information from others on quizzes, lab practicals, exams or lab notebook information or anything else deemed cheating by instructor.Ask me for help in you need it. The penalty can be a 0 on the assignment, a subtraction of points from your total, an “F” in the course and/or referral to the Dean of the College. See Department Policy if you have questions
The grades you earn in this class are based on your performance:
| Syllabus and Microscope quiz ( 10 pts each) | 20 pts |
| Calendar (10 pts) Grades page 1, Grades page 2 | 20 pts |
| Discussions (5 pts each) | 25 pts |
| Practice Quizzes ( 3 pts each) | 60 pts |
| HW assignments (15 pts per section) | 45 pts |
| Essays (2 @ 25 pts each) | 50 pts |
| Study guide (for test 1 or 2) | 30 pts |
| Labwork (5 pts a day) | 65 pts |
| Exams (3 @ 100 pts each) | 300 pts |
| Lab Practicals (3 @ 50 pts each) | 150 pts |
| Participation/Effort (15 lec/20 lab) | 35 pts |
| Total | 800 pts |
Letter grades are determined by percent:
A 90 – 100% (720-800 pts)
B 80 – 89% (640-719 pts)
C 70 – 79% (560-639 pts)
D 60 – 69% (480-559 pts)
F below 59.9% (<480 pts)
Extra Credit is available through participating in Lake Clean-up throughout the semester. If you work on Saturdays, see your Canvas shell for other options. Some options include visiting local zoos, science museums, parks and science lectures. There is a limit of 1 extra credit assignment per testing section with a total of 30 points maximum. Once the test has been taken, the opportunity is lost so try to plan ahead. You will turn it in through Canvas.
It is your responsibility to drop out from the class by College due date. Do Not Depend on Me to Do That for You! Protect yourself from receiving an "F" for a class that you stopped attending at some point in the semester!
If you have any concerns with the class, please feel free to discuss them with me. If the situation calls for it, the biology department cochairs may be contacted via email. Check out our department website for more information
Laney College does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, military or veteran status, disability, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition, and immigration status.