Fall 2009   BSC 2011C: Fundamentals of Biology II   Ref# 306710
 
INSTRUCTOR :  Dr. David Byres       Phone: 646-2038

OFFICE : D 119 (South Campus)       Email: dbyres@fscj.edu

HOME PAGE (Website) : http://web.fccj.org/~dbyres

TEXTS:  Biology; Solomon, Berg & Martin, 8th Ed. (Optional)
  Biology Lab Manual; Byres, Lloyd & Miller, 3rd Ed. ISBN 0536738955(Required)
 1. General outline : This course is a 4 credit hour, 5 contact hour course. Typically in this class you have 3 hours of lecture a week, and 2 hours of lab. In this hybrid course, the lecture part is done online, but you must attend the labs at South Campus (room D 210) on Thursdays from noon to 1:50p.m. Note: All E-mail sent out from Blackboard will go to your FCCJ E-mail account, so make sure you check your FCCJ E-mail account at least twice a week.

2. Attendence : Attendence will be noted at every lab and lecture test during the semester. If you have 3 absences during the semester, you will fail the course (FN grade: Fail due to Non-attendance).

3. Tests: You will take 6 lecture tests during the semester. To study for the lecture tests, you should print out and learn the essential notes. The lecture tests are based on the material in the essential notes. Tests will include a variety of questions: multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching, write a sentence etc. Each lecture test is 50 questions. To see which chapters are covered by a particular test, look at the schedule. The lecture tests will normally be taken at South Campus on Wednesdays at 10a.m. ( see the schedule for details). If you cannot come to South Campus at the scheduled time, E-mail me and we can make other arrangements.

You will take two lab tests at South Campus. These will be during the regularly scheduled lab times. The lab tests will be based on the labs you do every week. Lab tests are done individually.

4. Group work : you will be randomly assigned to a lab partner in each half of the semester. During lab periods you and your partner will work together and answer written questions at the end of the lab.

5. Worksheets : Internet exercises will be used to supplement the lecture book. You will use the Internet to answer the questions available online. You will do 15 exercises, each worth 4 points. Note: this is individual work, so you need to do this work yourself. If two students hand in exactly the same answers they will both get 0 points for the worksheet.

6. Online Discussion : There will be a weekly "Discussion Board" set up during the semester, where you will comment on recent news reports relating to Biology. Your grade will be based on the thoroughness, accuracy and insightfulness of your answers.

8. Points :

      6 lecture tests ( 50 points each )      300 points
      2 lab tests     ( 50 points each )      100 points
      Group lab work                           44 points
      Online Discussion                        46 points
      Worksheet exercises ( 4 points each )    60 points
                                             -----------
      Total points                            550 points
9. Grades : NP grades will not be given for this course. Students who are currently getting a passing grade and have completed 75% of the course, but are unable to complete the course may request an incomplete ( I ) grade. The request for the I grade must be in writing, and handed in two weeks before the end of the semester.
 Grade scale:           Percent                Points

              A        90 - 100 %            495 - 550
              B        80 - 89.9 %           440 - 494
              C        70 - 79.9 %           385 - 439
              D        60 - 69.9 %           330 - 384
              F        0  - 59.9 %             0 - 329
10. Important reminders : Textbooks may be ordered online, for example at http://www.gettextbooks.com/.

Once you start the course, check the "Announcements" section of the online course website at least every week as this will have reminders about work that is due, and any changes to the schedule.

11. Assistance : In case of absence, or if you are having difficulty with the course, please contact me for additional help. You may come to my office during office hours, or E-mail me , or phone me at 646-2038. If you must miss a lab class due to sickness, unexpected work demands or other unforeseen emergency, contact me before the start of class to get an excused absence.

Note: If there is a storm or hurricane warning for the area, check http://alert.fccj.edu/ to see if classes have been cancelled.

Click to view the class schedule