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BIOLOGY 1114 & 1124
COURSE POLICIES AND SYLLABUS
Instructor : Dr. David L. Davis, Jr.
Office Room : B - 227
Office Phone : 471-2744
Office Hours : Posted on office door
* If a student is unable to meet with me during office hours, please schedule an appointment. If you are unable to reach me directly, please leave a message with the Natural Sciences and Mathematics secretary (471-2751).
Text Required: Human Anatomy &
Physiology, fourth edition, (Marieb)
Lab Manual for Biol 1114 & 1124, first editions, (Sun,
Davis, Harnsberger)
Lab Material : Several pairs of surgical gloves or playtex type gloves
Course Content and Objectives: This course is the first course in a two course sequence and its primary objective is to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of various aspects of human anatomy and physiology. The material presented in this course will serve as important building blocks for the second course in the sequence (Biology 112). The major topics covered in this course include the following: Anatomical terminology, Homeostasis, Basic chemistry, Cells and tissues, Skeletal system, Muscular system, Nervous system
Basic Student Responsibilities: Students are expected to attend all class meetings and stay abreast of all class assignments. Reading assignments from the textbook, lab manual, and handouts should be completed prior to class discussion. Always come to class prepared. You should always come to class prepared to take a test over previously covered material, as well as, material to be covered that day. Follow the objectives at the beginning of each chapter of the textbook or those listed on any handouts. Exams will be developed from reading assignments, lectures, and any study-aid materials handed out. Your success in this course will require you to constantly keep up in your studying efforts.
Testing : Several major lecture exams will be given during the quarter. Every effort will be made to give you at least one week prior notice of their occurrence. From time to time, pop quizes may also be given without prior notification. There will also be a comprehensive lecture final exam at the end of the quarter. Several major lab practicals will be given during the quarter. Notification of those will also be atleast one week in advance when possible. Pop quizes in lab may be unannounced. Every possible effort should be made not to miss any testing. Test make-ups will follow a very strict format as outlined.
Test Make-ups : Pop quizes can not be made up. Major exams for lecture or lab can be made up only in extreme extenuating circumstances as outlined below.
1. The reason for missing the scheduled exam must be justifiably valid and
documented. The validity of the excuse is left to the discretion of the
instructor.
a. Illness : must be under a physicians care and supported by
documentation from the physician that you were physically
unable to attend.
b. Family crisis: (i.e. death in family or hospitalization of
family member) should also be supported by proper
documentation.
c. Military: supported by documentation of your absence.
d. Miscellaneous: validity rarely excepted unless circumstances
beyond your control (i.e. car accident on the way to the
exam ; house burns down ; etc.).
2. Must contact instructor immediately upon return to class and present documentation.
3. All make-ups will be given on last class day of quarter.
4. All make-up exams will be essay and/or oral exams at the discretion of the instructor.
5. Failure to follow report or documentation procedures will result in a zero being assigned as grade. Failure to have a valid excuse will result in a zero being assigned as grade.
Grading : Your grade in both lecture and lab is calculated by the same method. You are graded on the bases of a total point system. All grades returned to you will be in the form of a fraction. The top number is the number of points you have earned and the bottom number is the number of possible points for that test.
EXAMPLE: 65/70 means you received 65 points out of a possible 70 points.
To determine were you stand in the course at any point in time add up all the points you have earned then divide that number by the sum of the total possible points. If you have done that correctly you will have a decimal which multiplied by 100 will give you a percent.
EXAMPLE:
| exam 1 = 65/70 | grade = (65 + 45 + 8 / 70 + 60 + 9) X 100 |
| exam 2 = 45/60 | grade = 118 / 139 X 100 |
| quiz 1 = 8/9 | grade = 84.9 % |
Although you receive only a single grade for this course, it is wise to keep a running total of points in both lecture and lab. Your final grade is based on the total number of points you have earned in both lab and lecture divided by the total number of possible points in both lab and lecture times 100. In order for your instructor to perform this calculation you must have a passing percentage for both lab and lecture. A passing percentage is 60 % ( 59.99999999 % is not 60 % and therefore not a passing percentage). In other words, if your lab percentage comes out to 85 % and your lecture percentage comes out to 59.9999 % you could receive an F as your course grade.
EXAMPLE 1 :
Total point earned in lecture = 239
Total possible points in lecture = 400
Total points earned in lab = 225
Total possible points in lab = 300
Lecture % = 239 / 400 X 100 = 59.75 %
Lab % = 225 / 300 X 100 = 75.0 %
Grade for Biology 1114 or 1124 = F
EXAMPLE 2 :
Total points earned in lecture = 350
Total possible points in lecture = 400
Total points earned in lab = 225
Total possible points in lab = 300
Lecture % = 350 / 400 X 100 = 87.5 %
Lab % = 225 / 300 X 100 = 75.0 %
| Grade for Biology 1114 or 1124 | = (350 + 225 / 400 + 300) X 100 |
| = (575 / 700) X 100 | |
| = 82.14 % | |
| = B |
The grade scale is based on :
A = 90 % or above
B = 80 - 89 %
C = 70 - 79 %
D = 60 - 69 %
F = below 60 %
Grades are not curved and you must pass both the lab portion and lecture portion of the course. You should also keep a record of your points, as well as, any returned test results.
Attendance Policy : In accordance with the college catalog, you will not be academically penalized for five (5) or less unexcused missed class meetings ( only two (2) can be from lab). If you accumulate more than five unexcused absences you can receive a failing grade. The instructor will judge the validity of the excuse when possible. If you are absent, common courtesy requires an explanation to the instructor. Every attempt should be made to make-up a missed lab. Two tardies also equals one absence.
Student Behavior : It is assumed you are
all adults and will act accordingly.
1. Be courteous of your fellow students and refrain from carrying on personal
conversations during class meetings. This can be distracting to your peers
and you may be asked to carry your conversation elsewhere.
2. Labs should be maintained as neat and orderly as possible. This includes
the times you are in lab studying on your own. If the labs are found in disarray
from student use during unscheduled lab periods; the labs will be locked
and you will have access to them only during your scheduled lab period.
3. You should make every attempt to arrive on time for a class meeting.
4. The use of tape recorders is a privilege that should not be abused. Tape
recorders may be used during class meetings for the sole purpose of recording
to aid your study efforts. No other use of tape recordings is permitted.
If instructed by your instructor to turn them off, it is advisable to do
so. Any abuse of this privilege and no taping will be allowed.
5. Always bring your textbook to lecture and both your textbook and lab manual
to lab. You are expected to have preread any material to be covered in a
class meeting. Do not wait until after the topic has been covered to read
about it.
Dishonesty: You are expected to conduct yourself with integrity and honesty in the classroom and laboratory. Academic infractions are listed in the current student handbook (pg. 24). All incidences of dishonesty will result in immediate failure in the course.
Study Habits : Your instructor may go over some of the best ways to approach this course. This course will require a great effort on your part in order for you to succeed. A large portion of what you will get out of this course depends on what you are willing to put into it. Your instructors are here to help you succeed but do not wait until the last moment to seek their help. Hopefully a peer tutor will be made available for you to seek assistance from. Good luck and hopefully this course will be both interesting and academically challenging for you.
Special Notice : Test results and grades are not posted. Tests results will be returned to you in a timely fashion. Do not call my office or the secretaries' office about your grade. That information will not be given out over the phone.
Anatomy & Physiology Study Room: A study room equipped with two computers; study software; and video tapes should be available for your use this quarter in the science building. Please check with your lab or lecture instructors concerning their availability.
