Course Syllabus

Biology 16: Non-Major's Biology 

Class Meetings

Lecture: M,W 10:30-12 noon Baker 1840

Lab: M, W 12:30-3:30 pm Baker 1840

Instructor Contact  Abigail Zoger 

 azoger@santarosa.edu 

(707) 527-4524

Office Hours: M 3:30-4:30 pm, T & Th 11-12 noon Baker 1824

Textbook & Materials  

    • Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology 5th Edition. Eric J. Simon, Kelly A. Hogan, Jean L. Dickey, Jane B. Reece. ISBN 0321967674 
    • Biology 16: Lab Textbook : also available from Amazon.com
    • scantrons (882)
    • a pack of 5x8 index cards
    • be able to print out handouts and bring to class
    • You will need to have a Turnitin.com account. You can register on the web site and then sign into our class. 
      • Class ID: 12907448
      • Class Password: Biology

    campbell textbook.jpg

    You can locate and order textbooks online via the SRJC Bookstore don't care which book you use. You can probably buy an older edition of our book on line for less than $20, but make sure you get an edition that says ''With Physiology''. You will have to do extra work to match page numbers.   I have copies of the book on reserve in the library as well.  I've tried to title the reading assignments so that you could look up the topic in a different book if that is what you have chosen to do. 

Attendance

Students who fail to attend the first class meeting may be dropped by the instructor.

Instructor Announcements and Q&A Forum

I will post announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences.  You can have have Canvas send you text messages. 

Assignments & Exams

The reading is always due the day it is written next to and prepares you for the lecture material.   Most of the reading is from the textbook, but occasionally there will be outside articles and handouts.  They will always be linked on the Canvas site.

Sometimes there will be Canvas assignments. 

Makeup lecture exams will be given at the instructor's discretion and will be entirely essay questions. A call must be received before the exam, and there needs to be a valid excuse (to be determined by the instructor). If you miss an exam for ANY reason, you will receive a zero for that exam. There will be periodic quizzes in lecture and lab. There will be no make up quizzes for any reason.

It is the policy of the Life Sciences Department to not return exams to students.  Once graded, your exams will be filed in my office and available for review during the semester.  After each exam is graded you have one week to hand in any rebuttals, in writing, concerning the grading of that exam.  After that week, your grade will remain as given.  Once final course grades are submitted, students have two months to request an appointment to review any exam for the previous semester.  After that time exams will be shredded.

Grading

Your grade in this class will be based on your total number of points as compared to the total number of points available from the entire semester.  Here is an approximate breakdown of the points available: 

Assignment Points Each Total
Lecture Exams 100 points 400 points
Lab Exams 100 200
Presentation 25 points 25 points
Scientific Paper 100 points 100 points
Assignments 1-5 points ~75 points
Total ~ 675 points

Grades will be assigned as follows:  A> 90%; B = 80-89%; C= 70-79%; D= 60-69%; 

If taking Pass/No Pass you need at least 70% of the total class points and complete the midterm exam and the final exam to pass the class.

Course Web Site

Students will use the Canvas course web site for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, etc

Standards of Conduct

Students are expected to behave respectfully to each other and the instructor; not speaking when some one else is talking; arriving and leaving on time; getting up during class only in the case of emergencies. You should enroll in this course only if you are serious and  prepared for college level work

Food and Drink: Is allowed as long as it is not distracting to other students. For example it shouldn't have a strong odor or make noise (no crinkly bags!)

Students who regester in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Code of Conduct page.

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. Students are encouraged to share information and ideas, but not their work. : SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism

Special Needs

Every effort is made to conform to accessibility standards for all instructor-created materials. Students should contact their instructor as soon as possible if they find that they cannot access any course materials. Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (527-4278). 

Important Dates

Day Class Begins: Monday  8/22/16

Day Class Ends: 12/14/16

Last Day to Drop with refund: 9/4/16

Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: 9/11/16

Last Day to Opt for Pass/No Pass: 10/12/16

Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol: 11/20/16

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Apply the scientific method to investigating and evaluating biological phenomena.
2. Explain the application of the core concepts of biology to current issues.
3. Evaluate the scientific background of and debate on current biological issues.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of laboratory and field biology techniques, including microscopy.

Emergency Information 

 In case of an emergency where you would usually call 911, at Santa Rosa JC you must instead dial 527-1000 (from a cell phone) or 1000 (from a campus phone)for an immediate police response. In the event of an emergency during class that requires evacuation of the building, please leave the class immediately, but calmly to make sure everyone got out of the building safely. During lecture, gather in Bech Parking Lot. During lab, gather on the lawn between Baker and Bech. Wait to receive further instructions.  If you are a student with a disability who may need assistance in an evacuation, please see me during my office hours as soon as possible so we can discuss an evacuation plan.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due