Lake-Sumter State College Course Syllabus Course Information: Course Prefix/Number: BSC 1005 Course Title: Introduction to Life Sciences CRN: 20497 Credit Hours: 3 Semester: SPRING 2019 Class Days, Location, Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, SM-117, 12:30pm-1:50pm Course Description: A non technical course designed for the student not planning to continue in biological science. Man's structure and function will be stressed as well as his relationship to other living things and to his environment. Instructor Information: Name: Cynthia Nash E-Mail: nashc@lssc.edu Office Location: Leesburg SM-227 Phone: 342.435.6343 Office Hours: See Class and Office Schedule posted on faculty website, within the Canvas Course or on my office entryway. If none of those times are convenient, email me or catch me before or after class so we can schedule an appointment. Vital Communication Information: For e-mail, please note that all students are required to use Lakehawk Mail for official college e-mail communications. See the college webpage for instructions on activating Lakehawk Mail. Sending a private message using the MESSAGES tool in Canvas is always the most secure method of contacting your Instructor.
Please remember that any phone contact with your Instructor should be of a professional nature. Please always leave a clear, concise, but detailed message with your contact and class information. Always follow up a phone call with a written account via CANVAS Message or e-mail. Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Textbook & Other Course Materials: Concepts of Biology by OpenStax College, ISBN 1-938168-11-9 **The book is available in a variety of FREE online formats via the website listed above. You can use the book in whichever format(s) you want; I recommend that you download the entire.pdf so that you always have access to your book. A print version is available at a very low cost (~$40), if you would like a hardbound version. Technology Requirements: Canvas is a required component of this course. Students unfamiliar with Canvas are expected to complete the Canvas Orientation from LSSC s website within the first week of classes. Major writing assignments need to be created and saved in a file format that is compatible with Microsoft Word. If using a word processing program other than Word, it is the student s responsibility to adhere to all formatting and submission requirements. Please ask for help if you are unsure how to save a file in a Word-compatible format. Please see the LSSC Lakehawk Page for information on how to obtain Microsoft Office 365 as an LSSC Student. Student Learning Outcomes: The following outcomes will be assessed in this course. An outcome is defined as something students take with them beyond this course. After successful completion of this course, the student will: 1. (1) Describe and identify components, assess and discuss results, as well as design(and/or implement) scientific experiments. 2. (2) Critically evaluate qualitative and quantitative data, applying inductive reasoning to arrive at scientifically rational conclusions. 3. (3) Demonstrate competency with the principles of the scientific method, as well as an appreciation for its purpose in obtaining results from a collection of carefully recorded objectively based observations representing the current level of knowledge as accepted by the scientific community. 4. (4) Integrate basic concepts of chemical, physical, and biological processes into a cohesive awareness of the interrelationships that exist between them. Course Objectives:
Objectives are defined as what the course will do and/or what the students will do as part of the course. After successful completion of this course, the student will: (1) Explain the domain and process of science (2) Describe the characteristics that unite the diverse forms of living things. (3) List the four major classes of biological macromolecules and their main functions. (4) Relate the structure and functions of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems to the functioning of the organism. (5) Describe basic metabolic processes. (6) Distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction, mitosis and meiosis. (7) Demonstrate an understanding of Mendelian genetics and molecular genetics. Institutional Policies & Procedures: Academic Integrity: The successful functioning of the academic community demands honesty, which is the basis of respect for both ideas and persons. In the academic community, there is an ongoing assumption of academic integrity at all levels. There is the expectation that work will be independently thoughtful and responsible as to its sources of information and inspiration. Honesty is an appropriate consideration in other ways as well, including but not limited to the responsible use of library resources, responsible conduct in examinations, and the responsible use of the Internet. See college catalog for complete statement. Important Information for Students with Disabilities: Any student with a documented disability who requires assistance or academic accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities immediately to discuss eligibility. The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) is located on the Leesburg Campus, but arrangements can be made to meet with a student on any campus. An appointment can be made by calling 352-365-3589 and specific information about the OSD and potential services can be found at Disability Services. Privacy Policy (FERPA): The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. 1232g; 34 CFR Part99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of a student s education records. In order for your information to be released, a form must be signed and in your records located in the Admissions/Registrar s Office. Zero-Tolerance for Violence Statement: Lake-Sumter State College has a policy of zero tolerance for violence as stated in College Board Rule 2.17. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with Board Rule 2.17.
Attendance/Withdrawal Policies: Institutional Information: Once the Add/Drop period passes, students deciding to discontinue class attendance and/or online participation have the responsibility for formal withdrawal by the withdrawal deadline. Withdrawal Deadline: Monday, March 25, 2019 Instructor Policies: Preparation: This course will require preparation/review time outside of class; please refer to your schedule. Having a print version of the Power Point available from the elearning website is helpful for taking notes. Expect to take notes in class every day. The material quickly builds on itself, and may be completely new to many students. Keeping up is important. Vocabulary is especially important (and good pronunciation and spelling will help you even though it might be painful). You are expected to read the corresponding chapters in your textbook, and OpenStax online resources are also available and they contain many practice questions, videos, and tutorials. Attendance: While there is not a LSSC attendance policy see above Attendance/Withdrawal Policies, students are expected to attend ALL classes. Students are also responsible for material presented in class. Classroom Behavior: Any disruptive behavior will be addressed by the instructor. Please review the Student Code of Conduct on pages 17-18 in the Lake-Sumter State College student handbook. Electronics: Cell phones should be turned off during class or placed in vibrate mode. If you must receive a call during class, please leave the classroom to talk. Cell phones must be OFF during exams and they cannot be used for anything. Violators will have their exams invalidated and will receive a zero. Laptops are permitted for note-taking, but please refrain from Skype, IM, Facebook, or any form of electronic chat as it can be distracting to other students. Additional Help: Please see me if you have questions concerning the material covered. If you do not understand something, please let me know as soon as possible. Flexibility: It is my intention to accomplish the objectives specified in the course syllabus and schedule. However, circumstances may arise which prohibit this. Therefore, the course syllabus and schedule are subject to change. When possible, students will be notified in advance. Late Work/Extensions:
All exams, quizzes and assignments are mandatory. This means if you do not any of the aforementioned, you receive a zero. In the event of a known schedule conflict on an exam day, prior arrangement may be made to take an exam early; if this is your desire, please contact me as soon as possible. If an exam is missed, making it up will be at the discretion of the instructor. Communication is essential to assure a fair determination can be made for all concerned. Quizzes cannot be made up for ANY reason. Grading Information: Grading Scale: 90-100% A 80-89% B 70-79% C 60-69% D 59% and below F Methods of Evaluation: Each project will be graded using a rubric provided when the assignment is given. Your work will be judged against accepted academic standards for writing and documentation. Assignment Overview & Grade Breakdown: Category Description Percentage of Total Tests Three unit tests and one final exam 50% Homework and Activities Homework and In Class Activities 25% Quizzes Quizzes; announced and unannounced 25% Week Begins Ends Overview 1 Jan 7 Jan 9 Syllabus and introduction Chapter 1 2 Jan 14 Jan 16 Chemistry of Life Chapter 2.1-Building Blocks Chapter 2.2 Water 3 Jan 21 NO CLASS MLK DAY Jan 23 4 Jan 28 Jan 30 Chemistry of Life Chapter 2.3 Biological Molecules Tour of a Cell Chapter 3.2 Prokaryotic v Eukaryotic Chapter 3.3 Eukaryotic
Week Begins Ends Overview 5 Feb 4 Feb 6 6 Feb 11 Feb 13 Cell Membranes and Transport Chapter 3.4 Cell Membrane Chapter 3.5 Passive Transport Chapter 3.6 Active Transport Test #1 Feb 13 How Cells Obtain Energy Summary Chapter 4 7 Feb 18 Feb 22 How Cells Obtain Energy Summary Chapter 5 8 Feb 25 Feb 27 9 Mar 4 Mar 6 Cellular Reproduction Summary Chapter 6 Summary Chapter 7 Genetics Chapter 8 10 Mar 11 Mar 13 11 Mar 18 Mar 20 12 *Mar 25 Mar 27 Genetics II Test #2-Marc 13 No classes-spring BREAK Evolution and Its Processes Chapter 11 Chapter 13: Microbes, Fungi, Protists *Withdrawal Deadline Mar 25 by 4:30pm 13 Apr 1 Apr 3 Ecology Chapter 20 Ecosystems and Biosphere Chapter 21 Conservation and Biodiversity 14 Apr 8 Apr 10 Final Exam Test #3, April 8 and Review for Final Wednesday, April 24 from 12:00pm to 1:55pm Syllabus Disclaimer:
Information contained in this syllabus is, to the best knowledge of this instructor, considered correct and complete when distributed to the student. The instructor reserves the right, acting within policies and procedures of Lake- Sumter State College, to make necessary changes in the course content or instructional techniques without prior notice or obligation to the student.