BSC 2010C SYLLABUS: Spring term (Ref# 319164)
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. David P. Byres PHONE: 646 - 2038
OFFICE: D-119 ( South campus ) E-mail: dbyres@fscj.edu
HOME PAGE (website) http://web.fccj.org/~dbyres
TEXTS: Biology Lab Manual, 3rd ed., Byres, Lloyd, Miller. ISBN# 0536738890(Required)
Biology, 7th Edition, Solomon, Berg & Martin. ISBN# 0534492762(Optional)
1. Attendance : Regular attendance is strongly recommended. There will be 6 lecture tests during the course. (See the schedule for details). If you take all six tests, and have one, or zero absences during the semester, you can drop your lowest test score (only 5 tests count). If you have 2 or more absences, all six tests will be averaged (including a zero for any missed tests). If you are absent for more than 15% of the classes (3 absences by mid-term) you will be withdrawn from the class (FN grade: Fail due to non-attendance).
Please note that attendance is recorded from the first day of class, so if you register late, or miss the first day that class meets, you will have one absence. It is also your responsibility to make up any work you have missed.
2. Tests : Lecture tests are based on material covered during classes. Tests may include a variety of questions - multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching, labeling diagrams etc. Lecture tests will be non-cumulative, and have 50 questions. Sample test questions
Laboratory tests will be worth 50 points. Half of the questions in the lab tests will be answered in 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. You cannot drop a lab test.
The final exam will be worth 100 points, and will be cumulative.
3. 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. Usually each lab will have questions worth 4 or 5 points, for a total of 50 points over the semester.
4. Extra credit: Internet Exercises using an online worksheet will be used for extra credit. Each exercise will be worth a maximum of 5 bonus points, for a total of 20 points over the semester. This is individual work, so make sure you do this on your own. If two students hand in answers that are exactly the same, they will both get 0 points for the exercise.
5. Points: 5 lecture tests ( 50 points each ) 250 points
2 lab tests ( 50 points each ) 100 points
Group lab work 50 points
Final exam 100 points
__________
Total 500 points
6. Grades : 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 % 450 - 500
B 80 - 89.9 % 400 - 449
C 70 - 79.9 % 350 - 399
7. Assistance : Textbooks may be ordered online, for example at http://www.gettextbooks.com/.
D 60 - 69.9 % 300 - 349
F 0 - 59.9 % 0 - 299
In case of absence, or if you are having difficulty with the course, you are encouraged to meet with me for
additional help. You may come to my office during office hours, or Email dbyres@fscj.edu to get help with course work.
If you must miss a class due to sickness, unexpected work demands or other unforeseen emergency, phone 646-2038 or E-mail me before the start of class to get an excused absence. The withdrawal deadline is Thursday 3/25.
8. 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.