Course Syllabus

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Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1.  Explain the core concepts of biology (evolution and adaptation, structure and function,
    systems and biology, flow of information, flow of energy and matter) as they apply to
    appropriate topics of cell and molecular biology, organismal biology, genetics, evolution and
    ecology.
2.  Integrate related core concepts.
3.  Demonstrate skill in core competencies.
 

Instructor Contact

Email and Phone

      • I respond to Canvas Inbox message  or email (azoger@santarosa.edu) within 24 hours M-F, by Monday afternoon if sent between 5pm Friday and 5pm Sunday.
      • You may leave phone messages (707-527-4524) but I'm not as good at checking those as I am with email.

Office Hours: Baker 1824 or Zoom 

      • Tuesday from 4-5pm Baker 1824 and via Zoom 
      • Thursday from  6:30-7:30pm via Zoom 
      • Also available for 1 on 1 or group meetings by appointment - send me a Canvas message with a few days and times that work for you

 

What are office hours for?

Please come to office hours! I am happy to see you and talk with you. 

Ideas for things to discuss during office hours:

          • get help answering a study question, or another content question you have
          • go over a quiz after your first attempt to improve for the 2nd attempt
          • go over a graded exam
          • go over an assignment before you submit it, or discuss feedback on a graded assignment
          • get help navigating Canvas
          • get help finding an SRJC or community resource (like writing help, mental health care, food, equipment loans, etc.) 
          • get help figuring out what to focus on to catch up, make a priority list and schedule, and set course goals together 
          • chat and help me get to know you (great idea if you might ever want me to write a recommendation letter for you, which I love to do)
          • get advice or ask for help connecting with helpful people for your future academic or professional career 
          • ask random biology questions I may or may not be able to help you with
          • work on an assignment quietly by yourself and ask me questions when they come up as you work
          • come with your study group and study, asking me questions when they come up

Schedule 

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.

Covid 19: FAQ

What if I feel sick? 

Please don’t come to class if you are sick or if you have been exposed to someone who has Covid. Students and faculty may be high risk themselves or have family members who are, so please don’t risk exposing others. If you feel sick or know you’ve been exposed, please get tested for Covid ASAP. You can get a free test at Student Health Services. Please call them (527-4445) for an appointment.  

What do I do if I test positive for Covid? 

You need to quarantine for 5 days if you test positive for Covid.  This means you cannot come on field trips or come to campus during this time, even if you feel better. If you are going to miss class for this reason, I need to have confirmation from your doctor or Student Health Services of when you’re cleared to come back to class. Please send me this information ASAP so we can make a plan for make-up work. 

What will this mean for my status in the class? 

You are responsible for all the material you will miss while on quarantine. The material on Canvas is set up so that you can follow along at  home and attend the remote lecture sessions on Thursdays.  

Labs and Lab Exams:

When you are well enough, you should do the reading for the labs you missed. You can make a lot of progress by reading and filling in the lab manual. I can put together assignments for you to do that will help capture the material. Come to my office hours and I will review my introduction to the lab with you. Also try to get notes from someone in class (if you don’t know anyone, let me know and I can ask around). 

Grading Policy

Visit the “Grades” page in Canvas course navigation to keep track of your grades. I grade and post grades and comments on the online Canvas gradebook. I encourage you to keep a close eye on your grades and feedback. 

Grades will be assigned as follows:

    • A: 90-100%; B 80-89%; C 70-79%; D 60-69%; F: 59% and below. 
    • Grades are transferred directly from Canvas into the final grade system, so what shows in Canvas is accurate.
    • You can use the What If? grade function in Canvas to set specific goals on assignments - it will show you how your grade will change given an assignment grade you enter. Here is a link to learn about this tool: What If Grades in Canvas

Turning in assignments

  • In this course, all assignments will be submitted through Canvas with the exception of written exams. I will not accept assignments through email, because I grade  using the Canvas grading system. Each assignment will have a due date (listed in the course schedule) and a close date (the Unit close date except for surveys and self assessments). I will accept assignments for full credit up until the close date. 
  • Some assignments will require file uploads. The acceptable file formats are: pdf, jpg, jpeg, tiff, png, doc, docx, xls.
  • Never submit a .pages document, or a live document (like a google doc or google spreadsheet) - I cannot accept these, as I won't be able to view them through the Canvas grading tool.
  • Each assignment page will have directions and upload help links. Make sure to start your upload at least 30min before the close time. Submit a day in advance if you might need help from me. 

Exams and quizzes

There will be Canvas quizzes and assignments  as well as in-person lecture and lab exams. The material comes from the lectures, labs, and supplemental materials provided to you. 

Each week there will be a series of Study Guide Questions: Your exams will be written using these questions as my guideline. 

I will not be able to arrange make up exams for missed lab exams, as they require lab space, lab specimens, and lab equipment but I will work with the Disability Resources Department to ensure any accommodations requirements are met.

A makeup lecture exam may be possible, but only in the event of unforeseen emergencies. This policy is to protect my time, as proctoring an exam takes hours away from my other work, which is difficult for me to do without advance notice and planning. 

Many students experience exam anxiety. Some strategies that have worked for other students:

    • Go over your notes after each class (after lecture, after lab). Some students reorganize notes by making tables, charts, diagrams, and word banks or by color coding. Keep a well organized study guide. 
    • Write down questions you need help with and plan to come to office hours at least once a week to get help. 
    • Schedule time to study. Turn off all devices during this time. When your scheduled study time is over, move on to something else. 
    • Take your first quiz attempt early, treat it as a practice test. 
    • After your first quiz attempt, come to office hours to go over what you missed before taking the second attempt.

Accommodations

Students with disabilities who need or may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (527-4278), disabilityinfo@santarosa.edu as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. You will need to provide the Authorization for Academic Accommodations (AAA letter) from the Disability Resources Department (DRD) to receive accommodations. 

I want you to have what you need to succeed, so if you may be eligible, please seek all accommodations you are entitled to even if you have not done so in previous classes.

Additional resources for success

Course Summary:

Date Details Due