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Textbooks:
Biology by Sylvia Mader, 9th Edition, McGraw Hill and Selected Labs from Biology Manual, 9th edition, McGraw Hill, 2007
Safety Glasses must be purchased by all students for use during certain labs. These may be purchased at the HCC bookstore, or at Home Depot or any other hardware store (these are not the full-closure goggles used for chemistry lab, rather these are safety glasses used during home projects and are suitable for biology lab experiments).
Bio 103 Biology Today
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
An introduction to the science of life, emphasizing unifying concepts. Topics include methods of biological experimentation, evolution, ecology, the chemistry of life, cell structure and function, cellular metabolism, and genetics. The course focuses on current issues such as biotechnology, genetic engineering, pollution, the loss of biodiversity, and human health concerns. On-campus laboratories supplement lecture by allowing the students to explore the processes of science, emphasizing inquiry-based, student-implemented investigations. Familiarity with biological principles and their applications is intended to provide the students with knowledge critical to evaluation of the important scientific advances in today’s world.
Prerequisite:
None
3 Class Hours 3 Laboratory Hours 4 Credits
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (for Bio 103/104 series):
To expose beginning students to a variety of biological concepts and experiences, so that they can establish the foundation basic to an understanding of life processes.
To stimulate intrinsic curiosity about nature, foster a genuine interest beyond the introductory level, and provide a factual basis for critical evaluation of current advances in the life sciences.
To introduce students to basic investigatory methods employed by scientists studying life processes.
The aim of this course is to create an introductory, comprehensive biology course. Specific considerations include:
Flexibility - the total syllabus has been arranged to allow each half of the course to be offered every semester.
Revamped Labs - there is an emphasis on investigation by the students. There are no student dissections of preserved animals.
Expanded content - course content and level is appropriate for both biology majors and non-biology majors. The emphasis is less on bio-chemistry and more on humanistic aspects and current advances in biology.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lecture:
Lectures, tutorials, and electronic class discussions. Text, Textbook-linked webct activities. readings, study questions, journal readings.
Laboratory:
Activity oriented. Wide use of carefully selected media for variety of learning experiences. Variety of simulations and investigations. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distance Education Course Interaction Plan
Course Title:
Biology Today
Faculty:
Linda M. Peters, M.S.; M.A.
Office Hours:
by appointment on the web
Email Address:
lpeters@hightide.hcc.mass.edu
Asynchronous Course*
Asynchronous with the exception of exams. Exams are 90 minutes in length, available online for a 24 hr period on specified dates.
Asynchronous:
This kind of distance education is characterized by an emphasis on "learning on demand" or "as needed communication" between students and faculty from multiple locations at times convenient to participants.
Synchronous:
This form of distance education entails the use of live, two-way communication among and/or between students and faculty in a scheduled or "fixed" point(s) of time(s), much like classroom-based instruction.
This course may include, but not be restricted to, the following interactions:
1. in person meetings
NO
2. telephone interactions
NO unless requested by student
3. electronic interactions ( email, internet. ..)
YES
Students are required to engage in the following interaction(s) for successful completion of this course:
Have regular access to a computer using Microsoft Explorer browser version 5.0 or higher
Conduct independent research using the internet on various topics related to the weekly textbook reading, writing summaries of the information and posting the URLs along with their opinions in the weekly discussion forum. Logging in three separate times per week to participate is required. Failure to log in for three weeks (fall/spring) or two weeks (summer) may result in being dropped from the course for lack of attendance.
Exams using multiple choice, short answer, and/or matching questions are given approximately every four weeks. A cumulative, all-essay written final exam is given at the end of the course.
Take quizzes and exams on-line on specified dates (Explorer 5.0 is required to access exams and activities). Failure to log in for three weeks (fall/spring) or two weeks (summer session) will result in being dropped from the course with an AW.
Participate in on-campus lab. Failure to attend more than two labs may result in the student being dropped from the course with an AW.
