Spring  2010  BSC 2010C:Fundamentals of Biology I   Hybrid class
INSTRUCTOR :  Dr. David Byres       Phone: 646-2038         Ref# 319163

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

WEBSITE (Homepage) : http://web.fccj.org/~dbyres

TEXTS: Biology;  Solomon, Berg & Martin,  7th Ed. ISBN# 0534492762 (Optional)
       Biology Lab Manual; Byres, Lloyd & Miller,  3rd ed. ISBN# 0536738890(Required)
 1. General outline : This course is a 4 credit hour, 5 contact hour course. Typically 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-202) on Tuesdays from 12 noon to 1:50p.m.

2. Attendance : Attendance will be noted at every lab and lecture test during the semester. See the schedule for details). If you have 3 absences during the semester, you will be withdrawn from the course (FN grade : fail due to non-attendance). Electronic devices, such as cell phones, must be switched off during class.

3. E-mail : In this hybrid course E-mail will be an important method of communication. In any E-mail please include your name and the online course 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 Any student that ignores this requirement will be withdrawn from the class.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 sent out from the Blackboard website will go to your FSCJ student E-mail account, not your regular (such as Yahoo) E-mail. Make sure you check your FSCJ E-mail at least twice a week.

4. Tests: You will take 6 lecture tests during the semester. To study for the lecture tests, you should read print out 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 worth 50 points.
The lecture tests will normally be taken at South Campus at 10a.m. on Wednesdays (see the schedule to find out the date of each test and the chapters covered). 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. Half of the questions in the lab tests will be answered in groups (pairs), and the other half will be answered individually. If you are absent for two or more labs per half-semester you will do the lab test individually; your lab partner will work with another group.

5. 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.

6. Discussion Board : During the semester there will be several group discussions on the Blackboard website, 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.

6. Worksheets : Internet exercises will be used to supplement the lecture book. You will use the Internet to answer the questions. You will do 13 exercises, each worth 6 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. Late work will not be accepted.

7. Points :     6 lecture tests ( 50 points each )      300 points
                2 lab tests     ( 50 points each )      100 points
                Group lab work                           44 points
                Discussion Board                         78 points
                Workbook exercises ( 6 points each )     78 points
                                                        -----------
                Total points                            600 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:       Percent       Points

       A          90 - 100 %     540 - 600
       B          80 - 89.9 %    480 - 539
       C          70 - 79.9 %    420 - 479
       D          60 - 69.9 %    360 - 419
       F           0 - 59.9 %     0  - 359
9. Important reminders : Withdrawal deadline is Thursday 25th March, 2010.
Textbooks may be ordered online, for example at http://www.gettextbooks.com/. Once you start the course, check the "Announcements" section of the Blackboard 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 : 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, phone 646-2038 before the start of class to get an excused absence.

11. Other information: a) Students with disabilities should contact the office for special accomodations (phone 646-2191).

b) If you repeat this class a third time, you must pay out-of-state tuition rates, which are approximately four times higher than in-state tuition costs.

c) Academic dishonesty, in any form, is expressly prohibited by the rules of the District Board of Trustees of Florida State College.

d) Free tutoring is available in the Learning center (G-200), phone: 646-2258.