Biology 2.3 : Fundamentals of Biology- botany and ecology

Class Meetings

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

Lab: M, W 1-4 pm Baker 1840

Instructor Contact  Abigail Zoger 

 azoger@santarosa.edu 

(707) 527-4524

 

Textbook & Materials  

• Reece et al Biology, 10^th  Edition
• Biology 2.3 Laboratory Manual -provided as part of class fee
• 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: 17157598
• Password: Biology

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. 

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.

Scientific Papers and Assignments: Due at the beginning of lecture electronically- either through Canvas or  Turnitin.com There will be a 5% penalty for turning in reports or papers after lecture begins on the day it is due.  Reports turned in after due date will receive a 10% penalty per school day (M-F). You may not turn a paper in more than 3 days late.   All papers are due at the beginning of that class period through Turnitin.com. No hard copy is necessary.

Special Considerations: If you have any special needs or concerns please do not hesitate to let me know.  We will be working in a hands-on environment; therefore challenges may arise that do not generally come up in a lecture classroom.  During labs, especially when we are using the microscope, close physical proximity and possible physical contact may occur.  Please let me know if this makes you uncomfortable. 

 

Returning  Exams

It is the practice of the Biological Sciences Department to not return exams to students.  I will return your lab exams, but lecture exams will be available for review after they are graded and then kept in my office for a period of one year, after which time they will be shredded.  

 

After each exam is graded you have one week to submit any rebuttals, in writing, concerning the grading of that exam.  After that week your grade will remain as given.  After final course grades are submitted, students have two months to request an appointment to review any exams for the previous semester.  

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
Final Exam	100 pts	100 pts
Arabidopsis  Project	100 points	100  points
Lab Exams	100 points	200 points
Misc	5 points	30 points
Total		~ 830 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 register 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). 

Student Learning Outcomes

Emergency Information