NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

 

 

Course title:  BIOL1408 General Biology for non-science majors

Course prefix, number, and section number:BIOL1408 sections 342 and 343

Semester/Year of course:  Fall 2024

Semester start and end dates: Aug 26, 2024 – December 14, 2024

Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Asynchronous Online

Class meeting location, days, and times: Online on Canvas Monday Through Saturdday

Lab meeting location, days, and times: Online on Canvas Monday Through Saturday

Semester credit hours: 4

 

Required course materials

Required Textbook/ISBN: Registration in this course gives you access to the eBook, ___ Inquiry Into Life, 17^th ed OLC(On Line Compatible) version Edition __17th___ by   Mader & Windelspecht  _with McGraw-Hill Connect.  

You do not need to purchase a separate textbook or access code.  We are participating in the Inclusive Access Program where the materials are available in Canvas on the first day of class. Students are charged a discounted price for the required materials through their account after enrolling in a course using Inclusive Access textbooks. The cost for these materials will be billed directly to your student account. Information on how to access the materials or opt-out of the program will be provided to you via email. You will receive an email with additional information prior to the start of the semester at the student email address (.edu domain) that is issued by the College/University. If you wish to opt out of the Inclusive Access materials you may do so through the link in your canvas course or you can contact the bookstore at nctc@bibliu.com. You must be opted out before the "Last Day to Drop ( without grade of W)" noted on the academic calendar. If you opt-out, you will be responsible for purchasing course materials on your own at the higher opt-out price.

You can register for Connect and access your assignments directly from Canvas by clicking on a McGraw-Hill Connect assignment without an additional payment or access code. You can find instructions to register here:  McGraw-Hill Inclusive Access Registration Instructions.  You may also purchase an optional discounted loose-leaf copy of the textbook from McGraw-Hill or the bookstore if you would like to have a physical copy of the text. 

 

Name of instructor: Wendy Roush

Office location: Online by appointment

Telephone number:

E-mail address: wroush@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: by Appointment anytime can do webex meeting or schedule to meet in Denton, Gainesville or Corinth

 

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

 

 

List of graded assignments: 4 - 100 point Online Lecture Exams, 3 - 100 point Online Lab Exams, 12 - 10 point Labs, 4  - 25 point review quizzes, 1 - 20 point intro quiz, 1 - 50 point project, 10 point exit quiz, 2 - 50 point finals , and 1 - 10 point lockdown browser testing quiz.

Final grade scale:  1110 points

Late work policy: All work is due on date listed on calendar and summary of assignments on canvas. Late work will be accepted with a documented medical excuse or other documented reason. All exams must be taken on Monday and Tuesday of the week the exam is scheduled.

 

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL. IT WILL ALSO SHOW HOW YOUR GRADE IS CALCULATED.

 

There are also multiple addendums to this syllabus located under the “ files” tab on the left side of canvas.  Please review all of those. There are 6 parts in all to the syllabus.

 

 

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)]”. 

 

 

Artificial Intelligence Policy: AI STATEMENT

Use of or consultation with generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other similar technologies shall be treated analogously to assistance from another person, agency, or entity. In particular, using generative AI tools to substantially complete an assignment or exam is not permitted. Students should acknowledge the use of generative AI (other than incidental use) and default to disclosing such assistance when in doubt.

 

When students use generative AI to replace the rigorous demands of personal engagement with their coursework, it runs counter to the educational mission of the college and undermines the heart of education itself. Artificial Intelligence, large language models, and technologies hold promise for deploying knowledge in service to others and accelerating the discovery of new knowledge. However, such technology poses new challenges to pedagogy and to integrity. Within the context of the teaching mission of the college and consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, the authority to define the appropriate use, study, and deployment of these technologies rests with the faculty.

 

Individual course instructors, in coordination with their divisions, set policies regulating the use of generative AI tools in their courses, including allowing or disallowing some or all uses of such tools. Course instructors will set such policies in their course syllabi and clearly communicate such policies to students. Students who are unsure of policies regarding generative AI tools are encouraged to ask their instructors for clarification.

 

Attendance Policy: Class is online and work for the week should be completed by Saturday

Withdrawal Policy: A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. The last day to drop and not get a “W” is Sept. 10, 2024. 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:  Nov 4, 2024

 

Student 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.  Communicate effectively 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