NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: Introduction to Biology
Course prefix, number, and section number: 1408-0840
Semester/Year of course: Fall 2022
Semester start and end dates: August 22-December 10, 2022
Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Face to Face
Class meeting location, days, and times: PPHS Room 210
Lab meeting location, days, and times: M-F 10:20-11:05
Semester credit hours: 4
Course description: Provides a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction.
Course prerequisites:
Required course materials: Inquiry Into Life, 17th ed., Mader & Windelspecht
ISBN 9781264155729 and the access code for McGraw Hill Connect
Name of instructor: Dr. John R. Middleton
Office location: Pilot Point High School Rm 210
Telephone number: (940) 686-8740
E-mail address: jmiddleton@pilotpointisd.com
Office hours for students: Mon-Fri 7:20-7:45am, Mon-Fri 3:35-4:00pm All other times are by appointment
SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER
The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.
SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Grading Scale and Assignment Weights:
Weekly Chapter Quizzes 20% (Assigned on Friday, Due on Monday)
Unit Exams/Lab Assignments 60% (6 total, Each Unit is about 3 Chapters)
Final Exam 20%
List of graded assignments:
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Weekly Chapter Quizzes (+/-13)
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a. Unit exams: 6 exams, including the final, at one hundred points each
b. Laboratory: 8-11 labs either delivered as a hands on activity, virtual lab, or case study.
c. Lab exams: Two to three lab exams at one hundred points each
Final grade scale:
A= 90-100%
B= 80-89%
C= 70-79%
D=60-69
F=<60%
Late work policy: All assignments are due on the due date. For every day late, ten percent of the grade will be deducted. Considerations will be made for technical issues.
Extra credit: None
Make-up policy: Students will not be allowed to make up an examination or other assignments or labs missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.
Ressessments: Students are allowed to reassess Unit Exams within one week of grading feedback under the following conditions:
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Student scored 79% or below
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Student attend at least 2 tutoring sessions/office hours to review prior exam
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Student has completed exam corrections (each incorrect question has been hand written, with correct answer and the page in the book where the correct answer has been found.
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Students may only reassess exams ONCE
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Integrity Policy: Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion. Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty. See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.
Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:
1) Academic probation for the rest of the semester
2) In the case of a 2nd offense, there will be immediate suspension for the semester
Attendance Policy:
Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.
All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to sickness or emergencies which are approved by the instructor, or due to participation in an approved college-sponsored activity (which requires written approval from the appropriate Dean or Director).
The instructor is responsible for judging the validity of any reasons given for absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.
Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.
Students may be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been unjustifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course's objectives.
Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories may be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College.
Students may be dropped from a developmental course required for the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) purposes for non-attendance. Official NCTC TSI rules state that students not passing all sections of the THEA, Compass, or the TSI Assessment test must be enrolled in at least one area of remediation each semester they are enrolled or until all sections are passed or all remedial requirements have been met.
Simply logging in to an online course does not constitute attendance. The U.S. Department of Education calculates the last date of attendance by the last time a student participated in an online discussion or made contact (interacted) with a faculty member and this standard is applied to online courses.
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.
Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: October 31, 2022
Student Learning Outcomes:
Lecture Learning Outcomes
1. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures.
2. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.
3. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
4. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.
5. Describe karyotyping, pedigrees, and biotechnology and provide an example of the uses of each.
6. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.
7. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection
Lab Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory.
3. Effectively communicate the results of scientific investigations.
4. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures.
5. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.
6. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
7. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.
8. Identify the importance of karyotypes, pedigrees, and biotechnology.
9. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.
10. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.
Core Objectives:
Critical Thinking
Communication
Teamwork
Empirical and Quantitative Analysis
COLLEGE POLICIES
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.
ADA STATEMENT
NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations. See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.
STUDENT SERVICES
NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students. See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class. If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.
Name of Chair/Coordinator: Jaime Noles
Office location: Gainesville 408
Telephone number: 940-668-7731 ext. 4930
E-mail address: jnoles@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean: Mary Martinson
Office location: Gainesville 1403
Telephone number: 940.668.7731 ext. 4377
E-mail address: mmartinson@nctc.edu