Biology 1201 Sections 2 and 3: Biology for Science Majors I
Course Syllabus

Course Personnel:

COURSE MATERIALS

• Textbook: Campbell and Reece. 2002. Biology, 7^th Edition . Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company. Note: the 6^th Edition is NOT acceptable.

• Taylor, Martha R. 2002. Student Study Guide. Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company.
• Borror, Donald J. 1960. Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms. Mayfield Publishing Company.

Course Evaluation:

Grading Scale:

Exams:

1. There will be a total of FIVE exams this semester. Each of the first four exams will consist of 40 questions, while the Final Exam will consist of 65 questions (40 questions on new material, 25 comprehensive / cumulative).
2. Exams will stress application and analysis of concepts. See Bloom's Taxonomy for further details.
3. All assessments (exams) will be conducted using computer-based testing at the Center for Assessment and Evaluation in Room 102 of Himes Hall.
4. Exam dates are listed below. You will be able to take a practice exam (also known as pre-tests) on the days indicated. Practice exams are not required, and will not be counted. There are no make-ups for practice exams - if you miss your pretest, please do not inquire about a make-up.
5. Exam scheduling is not yet enabled, as the class rosters are not yet finalized.
6. The scheduling of the Computer Based Test is done via the internet by going to the following URL: http://www.cae.lsu.edu/default.asp . This works best using Internet Explorer. At the CAE page point your cursor to the "Computer Based Testing" location on their menu bar. Click on that option. A new window with the Online Scheduler will open. Use your PAWS ID as your login ID, and your SSN as your password. Click the Login button. You will be asked to change you password to something new (and more secure than your SSN). Once you've logged in to the scheduler you can choose your function using the buttons on the left side of the screen. You can schedule an exam by clicking on that button. Choose your course from the pull down menu and click the Go button. Choose from the pull down menu. Select the time and date for the event you're scheduling. A walkthrough of this process can be viewed by clicking here CBT Scheduling Tutorial.
7. Please read the LSU Computer Based Testing Labs - Student Rules and Regulations.
8. It is your responsibility to schedule each of your exams. I STRONGLY encourage you to schedule all of your exams as soon as possible. Exams can be rescheduled. If you miss an exam because you did not schedule it, your grade will be 0 for that exam.
9. In the case of a missed exam, make-ups are allowed only with proper documentation that will be verified by the Department. You MUST fill out and submit a PETITION FOR MAKE-UP EXAM in order to take a make-up. Petitions must be delivered in hard-copy form to me personally - preferably during office hours. Electronic (emailed) petition forms will not be accepted.
10. Please see Policy Statement 22 concerning valid excuses for missing exams.
11. Permission to miss an examination must be obtained before the examination for a predictable absence. Students missing an examination 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. Make-up exams will not be considered more than one week after the missed exam except for extreme circumstances.
12. I advise you to schedule your exams for times early in the exam windows. This will allow you to time to reschedule your exam in case of an emergency. Be aware that ~ 80% of students schedule their exam on the final day of the exam window.
13. I can review your exam with you; however, an appointment MUST be scheduled to do this, as it is very cumbersome and time-consuming. Due to time constraints, I cannot review practice exams.
14. Specific questions from practice exams and exams will not be answered by either me or our SI; however, topics will be clarified if asked.
15. Lecture WILL be held during the weeks scheduled for computer-based exams.
16. All of your exam grades count toward your final grade; your lowest exam score WILL NOT be dropped.

Expectations

For each chapter, I have assembled a list of key terms and concepts from my PowerPoint presentations. These lists are called Expectations.

1. It is expected that you will 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 assigned outside readings.
2. It is also expected that you will complete your expectations prior to class time. If you fill in the definitions/identifications before lecture, you will have an essentially complete set of notes for that lecture. You should bring this to class for use 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. Doing this is the first step towards success in this course.
• These lists, along with outside readings, are posted on my Biology 1201 Index page.
• If you cannot find a term in your textbook, you may look on Google or other search engines, or dedicated online biology dictionaries such as Biology Dictionary - Biology-Online.org or Washington University in St. Louis Biology Dictionaries.
• I do not have "copies" of notes; if you miss class, you should seek a copy from a classmate to supplement your completed expectations list. Please do not ask me for notes.
• I do not post or distribute copies of my PowerPoint presentations.

Online Quizzes:

Thirty on-line activities (quizzes) will also be assigned. Only 25 will count towards your grade. There will be no makeups for quizzes.

Quizzes will initially be posted on SemesterBook, and you will access them through your PAWS desktop. Later they will be posted on Blackboard. I will announce in class when the switch occurs.

There will be a quiz prior to each class meeting. It will address material to be covered in that class meeting. After the open period for a particular quiz has ended, you will not be able to view the quiz questions. As such, you should save a copy before submitting. Also, correct answers will not be displayed. If you have any questions regarding the material for a quiz, feel free to ask me at the beginning of class.

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. Students who arrive after the beginning of lecture, and those who leave before the end of lecture must enter/exit through the rear doors. 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 and/or TAs 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.