INSTRUCTOR : Dr. David Byres Phone: 646-2038
OFFICE : D-119 (South Campus) Email:dbyres@fccj.edu
HOME PAGE (Website) : http://web.fccj.org/~dbyres
TEXT REQUIRED:Essential Biology; by Campbell & Reece 2nd Edition
1. Description. : This course gives a broad overview of Biology. There are no prerequisites and the course assumes that you have had little, or no, biology before. We basically start from scratch. The course covers biochemistry, cell structure, genetics, evolution and ecology.Once you have registered and paid for this class you should E-mail me at: dbyres@fccj.edu to give me your name and E-mail address. If you do not contact me by Friday 17 March you will automatically be withdrawn from the course.
Note: All E-mail that I send out from Blackboard automatically goes to your FCCJ E-mail account, so make sure you check your FCCJ E-mail account at least twice a week.
2. General outline : This course is a 3 credit hour course. Typically you have 3 hours of lecture a week, but in this online course, the lecture part is done on the computer. So you only need to come into campus to take 4 tests over the semester (see the schedule).
There is also an orientation meeting on Wednesday 8 March at 9a.m. in D-202 (South Campus). Note: if you cannot attend this meeting, please E-mail me.
3. Course outline and study hints. : This course is taught on the web. The online website will have notes that summarize the main information from the textbook. You need the textbook because it will explain the notes, and provides diagrams, photos etc so that you can understand the material. In addition, there will be Internet worksheet exercises that you will do to supplement the information. Finally, you will get points for contributing to online discussions.
To do well in this class I suggest that you:
a) Print out the essential notes from the website.
b) Read the chapter in the textbook to make sure you understand the notes.
c) Do the Internet worksheet.
d) Print out and answer the sample test questions.
e) Study and learn the essential notes in detail before the test.
4. E-mail : In this online course E-mail will be an important method of communication. In any E-mail please include your name and the online course (BSC 1005) at the bottom of the E-mail. Both E-mail and discussion forums require that you follow standard rules of "netiquette" : do not write any offensive material. Any student that ignores this requirement will be withdrawn from the class. Note: all E-mail from Blackboard will be sent to your FCCJ E-mail account, not your regular (such as Yahoo) E-mail. Make sure you check your FCCJ E-mail at least twice a week.
5. Tests: You will take 4 lecture tests during the semester. The lecture tests are based on the material in the essential notes, but will also occasionally include material that has been specifically referred to in the notes (such as diagrams etc). Tests will include a variety of questions: multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching, write a sentence etc. Each lecture test is worth 50 points. 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 9a.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.
6. Worksheets : Internet exercises will be used to supplement the lecture book. You will use the Internet to answer the questions in the workbook. You will do 8 exercises, each worth 10 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. You can print out the worksheets, go to the websites listed and answer the questions, then turn in the worksheets when you come in for a test.
7. Points : 4 lecture tests ( 50 points each ) 200 points
8 Internet worksheets (each 10 points) 80 points
Online Discussion 20 points
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Total points 300 points
8. 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: Grade Percent Points
A 90 - 100 % 270 - 300
B 80 - 89.9 % 240 - 269
C 70 - 79.9 % 210 - 239
D 60 - 69.9 % 180 - 209
F 0 - 59.9 % 0 - 179
9. Important reminders : textbooks can be ordered online ( see www.distancelearning.org or http://www.gettextbooks.com/).
Spring C8 term withdrawal deadine is Wednesday 12 April, 2006.
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.
10. Assistance : To change the location where you take your tests, 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.