BIO.Q 111/111L CONTEMPORARY BIOLOGY AND LAB Perspectives-Enduring Questions Course Online -- Summer B 2015

Transcription

1 BIO.Q 111/111L CONTEMPORARY BIOLOGY AND LAB Perspectives-Enduring Questions Course Online -- Summer B 2015 How Does Biology Impact Our Daily Lives? INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Stephanie Zamule szamule5@naz.edu (best way to contact) OFFICE: 106 Peckham Hall OFFICE PHONE: LOCATION: online TIMES: online OFFICE HOURS: by appointment SKYPE: stephanie.zamule REQUIRED MATERIALS: 1. Biology: Science for Life, by Belk and Borden Maier (textbook) 2. Mastering Biology access code (for access to online homework and quizzes) 3. LabPaq (equipment needed to complete labs remotely) PREREQUISITES: High school level biology course with lab. COREQUISITES: BIO.Q 111 and 111L must be taken together but you will receive a separate grade for each. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Perspective-Enduring Questions (PEQ) courses are introductions to a discipline or Perspective in this case the discipline of BIOLOGY through the exploration of one or more Enduring Question(s). During this course we will explore the question How does biology impact our daily lives? We will examine current biological issues (many of which can be quite controversial), learn biological terms and concepts that will help us to understand these issues, and explore what it means to be a scientist. We will investigate the common concepts that frame how scientists approach their work and learn about the tools scientists use to explore the natural world. You will be introduced to these topics through online exercises, hands-on labs, interactions with peers, and consulting reference material. 1

2 COURSE EXPECTATIONS: This is a very fast-paced course (BIO. Q 111/111L is normally a 14 week-long course and lab that has been condensed into six weeks for the summer session). Students should plan to devote approximately 20 hours each week to this course and lab! This estimate includes approximately five hours of work for each chapter and approximately five hours of work for each lab (we will be covering two chapters and completing two labs most weeks). Labs vary in the amount of time they take to complete (anywhere from 45 minutes to four hours) and the amount of preparation they require (many require the procurement of additional supplies, such as an egg or potato), so it s important to read the labs early in the week and make sure to set aside enough time to complete them by the deadline. Additionally, you will be writing a paper and generating a reflection during the course and completing a number of online posts. Work for each week is due on Saturdays by midnight, except for the last week when all work is due on Thursday (the last day of classes) by noon. DEPARTMENT MISSION: The mission of the Department of Biology is to enable biology, environmental science, and toxicology majors and non-majors to investigate parts of the natural world which are or were living. Students are engaged in the process of science through challenging courses and undergraduate research experiences. Our faculty fosters collaboration and the development of the problem-solving skills necessary to pursue contemporary questions in biology. Students are prepared to pursue careers in research, health science, and science education. CORE CURRICULUM PERSPECTIVE-ENDURING QUESTIONS STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students should be able to: Identify, evaluate, and engage in scientific and empirical modes of inquiry. BIOLOGY PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (PSLOs): Upon completion of the programs specified above students should be able to: 1) Describe and analyze biological phenomena at the cellular level. 2) Describe and analyze biological phenomena at the organismal level. 3) Describe and analyze biological phenomena at the ecological level. 4) Perform the basic laboratory skills of observation, measurement, recording of data, and analysis of data. 5) Use the scientific method to address new biological questions in the laboratory, field, or literature. 6) Present research data and analysis in written, visual, and oral formats to biologists and to the general public. 7) Exhibit ethical reasoning and action, which encompasses the following: scientific integrity in data collection, analysis, and reporting; laboratory safety; cooperation with others in teams; animal and human safety; and appropriate use of biological knowledge. COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (CSLOs): Upon completion of the course students should be able to (note: each CSLO is linked to one or more PSLOs denoted in parentheses): 1) Define and apply biological terminology (PSLOs #1-3). 2) Critically examine the biological concepts in current issues facing our society today (PSLOs #1-3). 3) Evaluate the ethical implications of current biological issues (PSLO #7). 4) Use the scientific method to address biological questions and present the findings in written format (PSLO #5 and 6). 5) Perform basic laboratory skills of observation, measurement, recording of data, and analysis of data (PSLO #4). 2

3 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Academic Integrity Policy: Academic integrity is essential to the educational mission of Nazareth College of Rochester, for the free pursuit of knowledge and understand is seriously impeded by any form of academic dishonesty. Hence, no form of academic dishonesty will be condoned by the college. Academic dishonesty is understood as any act of deceit bearing on one s own or another s academic work, where academic work is understood to mean any activity pertaining to the educational mission of the college. Such acts include, but are not limited to, plagiarism in any form and the use during an exam of information of materials not authorized by the instructor for such use. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you are a student with a documented disability that requires special accommodation, please notify the instructor as soon as possible. For additional information, you will find a copy of Nazareth College s Students with Disabilities (SWD) handbook at You are also encouraged to make direct contact with Nazareth College s Office for Students with Disabilities at STATEMENT OF CULTURAL AND LIFESTYLE RESPECT: It is the policy of Nazareth College of Rochester not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, carrier status, genetic predisposition or any other protected status in the admission of students to the college; in any of the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the college; in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other programs administered by the college; or in the employment practices of the college. MOODLE: This class will be administered via Moodle, Nazareth s online learning management system. To log on to Moodle use the QuickLinks at the top of the Nazareth homepage at MASTERING BIOLOGY ACCESS: Mastering Biology ( is a collection of online resources that serves as a companion to your textbook and includes the homework assignments and quizzes for each chapter. If you purchased your textbook from the Nazareth College Bookstore, it should come with an access code for Mastering Biology. If you obtained your text from another source, it may not come with an access code. In that case you can purchase an access code through the Mastering Biology website noted above. In addition to the access code, to enter our course you will also need our course code which is: MBZAMULE25114 COURSE GRADING: Mastering Biology Assignments 30% Mastering Biology Quizzes 30% Ethical Issue Outline and Annotated Bibliography 5% Ethical Issue PEQ Artifact Paper 20% PEQ Reflection 5% Discussions & Activities 10% LABORATORY GRADING (YOU WILL RECEIVE A SEPARATE GRADE FOR LAB): Labs (10 10% each) 100% SCALE: % A C A C B C B D B- <60 F 3

4 MASTERING BIOLOGY ASSIGNMENTS AND QUIZZES: Mastering Biology is a collection of online resources that go along with your textbook (see above for access information). For each chapter you will be required to complete an online homework assignment including various activities and a brief online quiz comprised of 12 questions (you will have 12 minutes to complete each quiz). Mastering Biology homework assignments and quizzes must be completed by the specified date and time. ETHICAL ISSUE PEQ ARTIFACT PAPER: Students will select a controversial ethical issue in contemporary biology and write a paper detailing their position on the issue to be included in their core portfolios as the artifact for this PEQ course. The paper should be 4-5 pages (double-spaced, not counting the references cited section) and include a summary of the issue, a brief historical perspective, an explanation of the biological concept(s) behind the issue, a summary of the major points on both sides of the issue, current regulation relating to the issue (if applicable), and an analysis of the evidence supporting the student s stance on the issue. Students will submit an outline and annotated bibliography for approval prior to submission of the final paper. The annotated bibliography should include at least eight sources (cited in CSE name-year format), four of which should be books, chapters, or articles from reputable sources (such as the New York Times, Science, etc.), and the remainder of which may be reputable websites (such as.edu or.gov sites). Papers must be uploaded to Portfolio@Naz (P@N) as well as Moodle to receive full credit. PEQ REFLECTION: Students will submit an enduring question and learning assessment reflection to be included in their core portfolios. This reflection should be words and include two components: 1) an answer to our Enduring Question and 2) answers to the following four questions a) how has your understanding of this question changed over the semester? b) what led to these changes, e.g. what approaches and activities? c) how do you think the concepts and ideas presented during the semester will affect your day to day life in the near future? and d) how do you think the concepts and ideas presented during the semester may affect you in the long term? Answers should be supported with examples from class and lab including references cited using the CSE name-year format. Please refer to the reflection rubric on Moodle for specific grading guidelines. Reflections must be uploaded to Portfolio@Naz (P@N) as well as Moodle to receive full credit. DISCUSSIONS & ACTIVITIES: This course will include a number of write-to-learn and discussion activities which will be posted on Moodle. You will be evaluated on the timeliness, thoughtfulness, relevance, thoroughness, and completeness of your participation in these activities. Late activity posts and responses will receive no credit. LABS: Students will submit ten lab write-ups throughout the semester. Because technical issues do occasionally occur while a lab is being conducted (such as running out of supplies due to needing to repeat a lab, etc.) the lowest lab grade will be dropped. Labs must be completed by the specified date and time. 4

5 TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE Note dates listed in this syllabus represent a prior term. Updated dates/syllabus will be provided at start of class. NOTE: All work for a given week is due on Saturday of that week by 11:59 p.m. except for the last week of the course when all work is due on Thursday (the last day of the semester) by noon. All assignments must be completed by the specified dates and times; late submissions will not be accepted. DATE MATERIAL DUE Week 1 Chapter 1: Can Science Cure the Common Cold? July 5 Lab 1: The Scientific Method Chapter 2: Are We Alone in the Universe? Lab 2: Macromolecules of Life Biology in the News discussion Week 2 Chapter 3: Is It Possible to Supplement Your Way to Better Health? July 12 Lab 3: Cell Membrane Transport Chapter 4: Fat: How Much Is Right for You? Lab 4: Enzyme Catalysis Ethical Issues in Biology glossary Week 3 Chapter 5: Life in the Greenhouse July 19 Lab 5: Photosynthesis and Respiration Chapter 6: Cancer 110 Lab 6: Mitosis Outline and Annotated Bibliography for Ethical Issue PEQ Artifact Week 4 Chapter 7: Are You Only as Smart as Your Genes? July 26 Lab 7: Phenotype and Genotype Chapter 8: DNA Detective Lab 8: Extraction of DNA Week 5 Chapter 9: Genetically Modified Organisms August 2 Lab 9: DNA and Protein Synthesis OR Lab 10: Classification of Species Chapter 10: Where Did We Come From? Ethical Issue PEQ Artifact Paper Week 6 Chapter 11: An Evolving Enemy August 7 No Lab 11 (by noon) Chapter 12: Who Am I? Lab 12: Population Genetics PEQ Reflection 5