BSC 1020 THE BIOLOGY OF HUMANSFall 2014

• This is an online course– So, there are no class meetings

• Instructor: Dr. Johnny El-Rady• TAs: Mohsen Botlani-Esfahani, Priyanka Dutta,

Kristy Menning, Anusha Poosapati, and Jia Yuan

• Textbook: Campbell's Essential Biology with Physiology (4e) by Eric J. Simon, Jean L. Dickey, Jane B. Reece (Pearson, 2012).

• The customized text is available as a hard copy and an eBook.

• Before proceeding with this course, please note that you must:– 1. Have access to reliable,

high-speed internet service, and a reliable computer

– 2. Be able to purchase on-line, a one-time use access code, using a credit or debit card

– You have to take a 1-question syllabus quiz by 2 PM on Wednesday, August 27th

– If not, you’ll be dropped!

“First day” mandatory attendance policy

1. Course Objectives:

• Allow students to develop an understanding of

• 1) Scientific inquiry. • 2) Cellular structure and

function.• 3) Inheritance in humans. • 4) The human body systems. • 5) Human diseases.• 6) Biotechnology.

2. Course Topics: • The course is divided into eleven units (A-K).

• Unit A: Biology Today – Chapter 1• Unit B: Molecules of Life – Chapters 2 & 3• Unit C: Cells R Us – Ch. 4 & 5•Unit D: The Sunny Side of Life –

Ch. 6 & 7•Unit E: Mitosis, Meiosis, Mendel,

Oh My! – Ch. 8 & 9•Unit F: You Say DNA, I Say RNA,

We All Say Proteins! – Ch. 10-11

2. Course Topics: • Unit G: The Evolution Revolution –

Chapters 13 & 14• Unit H: Biodiversity and Me – Ch. 15-17• Unit I: I Eat, I Bleed, I Breathe, Therefore

I Am! – Ch. 21-23• Unit J: The Biology of Sex –

Ch. 25 & 26• Unit K: How I Interact With My

Environment – Ch. 24 & 27

3. Grade Determination:

• Examinations (33.33%) • Quizzes (25%)• Home works (25%)• Process of Science activities

(6.67%)• Reflection papers (10%)

3. Grade Determination:

• A total of 900 points – Best 2 campus exams 300 pts– Best 9 quizzes 225 pts– Best 9 homeworks 225 pts– Best 6 POS activities 60 pts– Best 9 Reflections 90 pts

3. Grade Determination:

• A+ = 864-900 (96%+)

• A = 810-863 (90%+)

• A– = 792-809 (88%+)

• B+ = 756-791 (84%+)

• B = 720-755 (80%+)

• B– = 702-719 (78%+)

• C+ = 666-701 (74%+)

• C = 630-665 (70%+)

• C– = 612-629 (68%+)

• D+ = 576-611 (64%+)

• D = 540-575 (60%+)

• D– = 522-539 (58%+)

• F ≤ 521 (≤ 57%)

• El-Rady’s +/- system

4. Examinations:• All exams are multiple-choice• 50 questions each, including 10 (T/F)• Held at USF in ISA 1051 & 1061 • Exam I Sat, Sep. 27 (11-12:15)

– Covers Units A-D• Exam II Sat, Oct. 25 (11-12:15)

– Covers Units E-G• Exam III Sun, Dec. 7 (12:30-2)

– Covers Units I-K

• It is your responsibility to arrange for another testing location

• NCTA Consortium of College Testing Centers– http://www.ncta-testing.org/

cctc/find.php

4. Examinations:

5. Quizzes:

• A total of 11 quizzes/one per unit• 25 questions each

– Mix of MC, T/F, Fill-in-the blanks• On Canvas• 40 minutes for completion• Closed-book!• Only one try per quiz• Lowest 2 grades are dropped

6. Homeworks

• A total of 11 homeworks/one per unit• Each contains several open-ended

questions– Mix of internet research,

problem-solving, analysis, etc.

• Submitted via Turnitin in Canvas

• Lowest 2 grades are dropped

7. Process of Science activities

• A total of 9 (Two units will not contain a PoS activity)

• Open-ended questions that cover the use and applications of the scientific method

• Submitted via Turnitin in Canvas

• Lowest 3 grades are dropped

8. Reflection Papers

• A total of 11 papers/one per unit• Each paper should: 1) summarize

the material in the unit; and 2) relate it to YOU!

• 2 double-spaced pages long• Submitted via Turnitin in

Canvas• Lowest 2 grades are dropped

Unit/Title QuizProcess of Science, Homework, AND Personal Reflections

A Biology TodayTuesday, Sep. 2@ 8:00 PM

Tuesday, Sep. 2@ 8:00 PM

B Molecules of LifeTuesday, Sep. 9@ 8:00 PM

Tuesday, Sep. 9@ 8:00 PM

C Cells R UsWednesday, Sep. 17@ 8:00 PM

Wednesday, Sep. 17@ 8:00 PM

D The Sunny Side of LifeThursday, Sep. 25@ 8:00 PM

Thursday, Sep. 25@ 8:00 PM

E Mitosis, Meiosis, Mendel,Oh My!

Tuesday, Oct. 7@ 8:00 PM

Tuesday, Oct. 7@ 8:00 PM

F You Say DNA, I Say RNA, We All Say Proteins!

Thursday, Oct. 16@ 8:00 PM

Thursday, Oct. 16@ 8:00 PM

G The Evolution RevolutionThursday, Oct. 23@ 8:00 PM

Thursday, Oct. 23@ 8:00 PM

H Biodiversity and MeWednesday, Nov. 5@ 8:00 PM

Wednesday, Nov. 5@ 8:00 PM

I I Eat, I Bleed, I Breathe, Therefore I Am!

Saturday, Nov. 15@ 8:00 PM

Saturday, Nov. 15@ 8:00 PM

J The Biology of SexTuesday, Nov. 25@ 8:00 PM

Tuesday, Nov. 25@ 8:00 PM

K How I Interact With My Environment

Friday, Dec. 5@ 8:00 PM

Friday, Dec. 5@ 8:00 PM

Deadlines

9. Make-Up Policy :

• Legitimate reason beyond your control • Notification within 24 hours • Documentation within a week• No make-ups will be allowed

beyond two weeks of a published deadline

• Make-up exam will consist of a “subjective” part (definitions, fill-in-the-blanks, etc.)

10. Office Hours:• Tue 10:30-12 and Thu 12-1:30 PM (in BSF 212)• Or by appointment (Just email me a few

options and I will get back with you)

• Virtual Office Hours: – Also by appointment

11. “I” and “S/U” Grade Policies:

• “I” grade – Small portion missing – Student is otherwise

passing

• “S-U” grades – In writing the first three

weeks of the semester

12. Special Accommodations:

• Confidential discussion

• Memorandum of Accommodations from the Office of Academic Support and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (ASASD)

13. Dates to Remember:

• Deadlines of all assignments!

• Sat. November 1 Last day to drop the course and receive a grade of ‘W’ (no refund; no academic penalty)

• Up to 30 points!

• 1) A quiz (10 points) – Based on the syllabus information– Must be finished by Tue, Sep. 2 at 8:00

PM

14. Extra-Credit (YEAH!)

• 2) A “portfolio” (20 points) – Collection of cartoons and ads

that are related to Biology!– Due on Fri, Dec. 5 at 11:59 PM – Details will be provided later

Disclaimer

• I reserve the right to change any portion of this syllabus.

• You will be notified and held responsible for any announced changes

BEST OF LUCK AND I HOPE THAT AT THE

END OF THIS COURSE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO LOOK BACK ON IT AS A REWARDING AND USEFUL PART OF YOUR EDUCATION