Class Syllabus- Biology 1004

(870) 391-3237 (Voice Mail)

barridge@northark.edu

General Information

Course Title: General Biology

Course Number: Biology 1004; (4) 3L, 2LL

Credit Hours: Four

Catalog Description: A general overview of biology for students who may or may not be majoring in science.  Relates man to his environment and to the living organisms around him.  A course in the biological sciences help to fulfill the laboratory science requirements of some transfer programs.  Honors section available.  No prerequisite.

Instructor: Dr. B. D. Barridge

Office Location: Room M166; Adjacent to Faculty Support Office

Office Hours: Posted on Office Door and on the Main Web-Page

Phone: 743-3000, ext. 237 or 391-3237 (Voice Mail)

Textbook: Biology: A Guide to the Natural World by Krogh

1. Rationale

To convey to the science and non-science student a cross section of the living world, its content, inter-relationship and how humans as living organisms are inter-related with other species on planet Earth.  This course fulfills the requirement of four hours of laboratory science credit.

2. Course Objectives

3. Method of Instruction

The primary method of instruction will be lecture presentations coupled with student cooperative learning techniques.  Student learning will be enhanced through small group discussions of relevant topics and presentations and/or discussions before the class.  Key components of topics will be reinforced using the tape after classroom discussion.  Presentations and discussions attempt to relate concepts presented to our own lives, society in general, and/or the environment when possible.  Internet assignments, article summaries and homework assignments made up of critical thought questions, thinking like a scientist and science, technology, and society questions will also be used.

4. Course Content

Outlines of major lecture topics and lab contents are attached.  Additional special topics may be added as deemed necessary by the instructor.

5. Grading

Lecture: Four 100 point exams will be given during the semester.  The final exam will count as 100 points and will be 30-50% comprehensive.  Homework, article summaries and/or Internet assignments may add 100 additional points.  Final lecture grade will be based on 500 points.

Laboratory: Four 25 point quizzes will be given during the semester.  Lab reports and lab books will account for 80 points.  Total lab points = 180.  Accumulated lab points will be adjusted to account for 25% of the total course grade.

Final course grades will be assigned by the following grading scale.

Grade Percent

 A 90 – 100

B 80 – 89

C 70 – 79

D 60 – 69

F < 60

6. Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory in accordance with school policy. Individual conflicts do occur and must be approved by the instructor.  More than six absences in a 4 hour class will result in automatic withdrawal.  Missed exams may be made up only in the case of excused absences and permission of the instructor.  Make up exams must be scheduled within the first two days of returning to class at NAC and will be administered by representatives of the tutorial lab as requested by the Biology instructor.

The roll or seating chart will be checked at the start of each class.  If you are late to class, it is your responsibility to check with the instructor to insure that you are not marked absent.  Repeated tardiness may result in a conference with the instructor.  Should students continue to be tardy after conference with the instructor, the doors may be locked 5 minutes after start of class.

7. Course Requirements

Successful completion of lecture and laboratory.  At least three 100 point lecture exams, 100 points from assignments, and a 100 point final covering topics discussed will be given.  Grading will be on the 10 point system with:

90 – 100 % = A

   80 – 90% = B

   70 – 60% = C

   60 – 50% = D

The laboratory will constitute 25% of the final grade in Biology 1004.

Any makeup exam must be approved by the instructor within two days after the student returns to class at NAC.  The instructor will make arrangements with the learning lab which will administer the makeup at a time agreed on by the student and instructor.  Failure to makeup the exam will result in a grade of 0 for that test.

Tutoring:

Tutors are available in the instructional support laboratory (ISL).  The science tutors are excellent and in most cases help students achieve higher grades.  Please feel free to "walk in" or make an appointment with them.  One should not be self conscious and ignore this assistance.  Different approaches, new ways of organizing information or hearing it from someone else can be extremely beneficial.

Individual tutors are occasionally available through Mr. Robert Markle in the councilor’s office.

All tutors are free to students.

Computer Assisted Instruction:

A number of web sites contain excellent Biology articles.  The instructor will provide these for you periodically or feel free to ask for suggestions.

Interactive CD ROM tutorials and sample questions have been installed on certain computers in the instructional support laboratory.  See secretary at the receptionist desk in ISL, tutors, or ask your instructor for information on these.

Instructor:

I am always available to you when not in class or a committee meeting.  Office hours are posted on my door and I am more likely to be available during these times.  Feel free to drop by at any time other than regular office hours.  My office telephone number is on the front of this syllabus.

Other Students:

Find a "study buddy" or "study group".  Your understanding of the material is likely to increase by discussing it with and/or explaining it to others.

Other Helpful Hints:

1. Review class notes while fresh on your mind – between class meetings. 10-15 minutes spent each time will dramatically reduce the need to "cram" before an exam.
2. Read the text before the material is covered in class. Then use the text to clarify unclear lecture notes and for reading topics of interest.  Do not get bogged down in material not included in class.
3. Seek help when needed.

 Tapes:

A series of tapes entitled "Cycles of Life" are available in the library, tutoring lab and from me.  These tapes contain short 20-30 minute discussions of each major topic discussed in lecture.  Some students learn better from pictures than from words presented in the book and lectures.  These tapes are an excellent support and learning tool.  The section covering a topic being discussed in class should be reviewed at the end of class discussion and for clarification of key points.

• Read the college catalog and all materials you receive during registration.  These materials tell you what the college expects of you.
• Read the syllabus for each class.  The syllabus tells you what the instructor expects from you.
• Attend all class meetings.  Something important to learning happens during every class period.  If you must miss a class meeting, talk to the instructor in advance about what you should do.
• Be on time.  If you come in after class has started, you disrupt the entire class.
• Never interrupt another class to talk to the instructor or a student in that class.
• Be prepared for class.  Complete reading assignments and other homework before class so that you can understand the lecture and participate in discussion.  Always have pen/pencil, paper, and other specific tools for class.
• Learn to take good notes.  Write down ideas rather than word-for-word statements by the instructor.
• Allow time to use all the resources available to you at the college.  Visit your instructor during office hours for help with material or assignments you do not understand; use the library; use the free tutors, tapes, computers, and other resources in the Learning Assistance Center.
• Treat others with respect.  Part of the college experience is being exposed to people with ideas, values, and backgrounds different from yours.  Listen to others and evaluate ideas on their own merit.

North Arkansas College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.  Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should make their requests in the following way:  (1) talk to your instructor after class or during office hours about your disability or special need related to your classroom work; and/or (2) contact Special Services in Room M188 and ask to speak to Molly McCorkindale.

Plagiarism of published material, copying other student assignments including lab books/reports, and cheating on exams are all forms of academic dishonesty and will not be tolerated in this course.

Laboratory experiments may utilize dangerous materials.  In most cases the laboratory instructor will handle/manipulate these materials.  All students must pay attention to safety rules described in the laboratory manual and set forth by the instructor at the beginning of each laboratory.  Handle all chemicals carefully, wear safety gloves when instructed and dispose of all materials in a manner described by the instructor.  In the event of a spill, notify the instructor immediately.

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