Syllabus: Biology 1002 Section 2

Required Materials

Textbook: Cecie Starr and Ralph Taggart. 2004. Biology: : The Unity and Diversity of Life, 10th Edition. Thomson Brooks/Cole.

EXAMS

• Your grade will be determined by your performance on 5 exams. Each exam will consist of 40 multiple choice questions.
• Exams are NOT cumulative.
• I will supply scantrons; you will need to bring a #2 pencil.
• Permission to miss an examination should be obtained before the examination. Students given permission to miss an examination will be required to take a make-up examination. Students missing an examination without receiving permission or without supporting documentation will receive a grade of 0. You must contact me within 48 hours of missing an exam due to any unexpected emergency.
• All of your exam grades count; your lowest exam score WILL NOT be dropped.
• All assessment information will be posted on SemesterBook.
• There is no extra credit.

GRADING SCALE:

Final grades will be determined by the following percentages:

% of Total Points	Grade
90.00 - 100.0%	A
80.00 - 89.99%	B
70.00 - 79.99%	C
60.00 - 69.99%	D
< 60.00%	F

CHAPTER EXPECTATIONS

For each chapter, I have assembled a list of key terms and concepts from my PowerPoint presentations. These lists are posted for two reasons:

1. If you fill in the definitions/identifications before lecture, you will have an essentially complete set of notes for that lecture. If you bring a copy to classyou can use it as a "lecture notes template". It would be a good idea to leave a few blank lines between each term on your "template" so that you have room to write additional notes.
2. I expect you to know all of the material on these lists for the exams. In general, if it is not on the list, it will NOT be on an exam. The only exceptions to this will be questions on anecdotal information (i.e., from stories I tell during lecture) or any listed outside readings.

TENTATIVE SEMESTER SCHEDULE:

CLASSROOM POLICIES:

LSU's multimedia classrooms are state-of-art facilities that offer unique instructional opportunities. As members of the LSU community, it is incumbent upon us to both maintain these facilities and take full advantage of the educational opportunities they afford. Therefore, the following policies will be strictly enforced.

1. As stated in Policy Statement 29, “It is the University's intent to provide in all teaching facilities an environment conducive to study and learning. Any situation or deportment which disrupts the learning process is prohibited. Eating, drinking, and smoking are prohibited at all times in teaching areas. All animals, except seeing eye dogs, are prohibited in teaching facilities.”
2. All Louisiana State University students are responsible for observing the highest standards of academic and personal integrity. The penalties for academic dishonesty are severe and ignorance is not an acceptable excuse. All cases of alleged academic misconduct will be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students. All students are encouraged to review Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism on the Judicial Affairs website at www.lsu.edu/judicialaffairs. This website also includes the Code of Student Conduct.
3. With several hundred students in one room, any talking can easily lead to interference with student learning. Accordingly, classroom deportment may take on even greater importance. Students should not be having conversations during class and should wait to be called upon before speaking to the instructor. Disruptive behavior diminishes the educational experience for everyone and cannot be tolerated.
4. Cell phones should be turned off at all times.
5. Vandalism of any sort and littering is strictly prohibited.
6. Any student with a disability that requires an accommodation should speak with the instructor.

These policies have received prior review by the Office of the Dean of Students. Students who violate these policies are subject to discipline in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct. To assure an effective learning environment, class members should make the instructor aware of any violations of these standards.

As stated in the University’s Commitment to Community:
"Louisiana State University is an interactive community in which students, faculty, and staff together strive to pursue truth, advance learning, and uphold the highest standards of performance in an academic and social environment."

In this same sense, the success of this course in this learning environment is in large measure dependent upon the cooperation of everyone involved in the process. Accordingly, your cooperation is essential and appreciated.

ATTENDANCE*

Students should observe any special attendance regulations stated by their college, school, division, or the instructor. The instructor may report a student's absences and the student may be placed on attendance probation by his or her dean. A student may be dropped from the college by violating the written terms of such probation.

An absence due to illness or other causes beyond a student's control will be excused when the instructor is convinced that the reason for absence is valid. The University's Policy Statement 22 discusses approved trips, activities, and other instances of excused absences.

Instructors will excuse any student who is unable to attend or participate in class or an examination on a religious holiday supported by the student’s religious beliefs. It is the student’s responsibility to anticipate such conflicts and discuss this with the faculty member well in advance. Policy Statement 31 discusses the University’s policy on observance of religious holidays in further detail.

*From LSU General Catalogue 2004-2005.