Syllabus for BIO-101
INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY
Introductory Biology is a general biology course for nonmajors and provides an overview of the structure and function of living organisms. Topics covered in this course include essential information about characteristics of life, the scientific method, cell structure and function, genetics, microbiology, and comparative biology. Students will take from this course an understanding of the basic concepts in biology.
After completing this course, students will be able to:
CO1 Describe elements of the scientific study of living things.
CO2 Discuss cells, including their elements, organization, and membranes.
CO3 Explain cell processes such as metabolism, mitosis, meiosis, and photosynthesis.
CO4 Discuss DNA and the basics of genetics.
CO5 Describe how scientists classify and systematize the study of biology.
CO6 Discuss the evolutionary process and the diversity of life.
CO7 Discuss microbiology including viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
CO8 Discuss characteristics, structures, and functions common to animals.
You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.
Your course site includes links to animations, videos, and websites on the topics in each module.
Introductory Biology is a three-credit, online course consisting of six modules. Modules include study materials and activities. You are required to take three exams.
Course objectives covered in this module: CO1
Course objectives covered in this module: CO2, CO3
Course objectives covered in this module: CO3, CO4
Course objectives covered in this module: CO5, CO6, CO7
Course objectives covered in this module: CO7, CO8
Course objectives covered in this module: CO6, CO7, CO8
For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in six online discussion forums, complete six written assignments, and take three proctored examinations—one during Week 4, another during Week 8, and the last during Week 12. You will also take chapter quizzes. Modules include an overview, topic list, objectives, study materials (including reading assignments), and activities: discussion forums, written assignments, and quizzes.
Consult the Course Calendar for assignment due dates.
One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in SafeAssign.
Introductory Biology requires you to participate in six graded online discussion activities, in addition to an ungraded, but required, Introductions Forum in Module 1.
Communication with the mentor and among fellow students is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a posted activity and subsequent comments on classmates' responses. Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate, the readings, or your mentor, state and support your agreement or disagreement. You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, professional, and respectful.
You are required to complete six written assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules.
You are required to take fifteen quizzes, one per chapter. All quiz items are multiple choice. You may use any materials that you like in taking the quizzes, and there is no time limit for taking each quiz.
Students find that quiz-taking is one way to prepare for examinations. Therefore, you will be able to take each quiz an unlimited number of times, and the gradebook will record your most recent score. This arrangement will allow you to go back and reread portions of the text that you need to review and then take the quiz again for further practice.
For a list of key concepts that may appear on your exams, refer to the study guides available in the Examinations section of the course website.
Introductory Biology has three proctored examinations during Weeks 4, 8, and 12. See the Course Calendar for the dates of your exam weeks.
For all of these online examinations, you are required to use the University’s Online Proctor Service (OPS). Please refer to the Examinations and Proctors section of the Online Student Handbook (see the General Information area of the course website) for further information about scheduling and taking online exams and for all exam policies and procedures. You are strongly advised to make your scheduling arrangements for exams within the first week of the semester.
Online exams are administered through the course website.
The first exam is a closed-book, proctored exam. It is one hour long and covers material from Modules 1 and 2 of the course (Chapters 1, 3, 4, and 5 in the textbook). The exam consists of multiple-choice questions similar to those in the quizzes. Fully answering the written assignment questions for these modules will help you prepare for the examination.
The second exam is a closed-book, proctored exam. It is one hour long and covers material from Modules 3 and 4 of the course (Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12 in the textbook). The exam consists of multiple-choice questions similar to those in the quizzes. Fully answering the written assignment questions for these modules will help you prepare for the examination.
The third exam is a closed-book, proctored exam. It is one hour long and covers material from Modules 5 and 6 of the course (Chapters 13, 15, 16, 17, and 21 in the textbook). The exam consists of multiple-choice questions similar to those in the quizzes. Fully answering the written assignment questions for these modules will help you prepare for the examination.
You are on your honor not to cheat during an exam. Cheating means:
If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in an exam, the exam will be declared invalid, and you will fail the course.
Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:
All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:
A | = | 93–100 | C+ | = | 78–79 | |
A– | = | 90–92 | C | = | 73–77 | |
B+ | = | 88–89 | C– | = | 70–72 | |
B | = | 83–87 | D | = | 60–69 | |
B– | = | 80–82 | F | = | Below 60 |
To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or better (for an area of study course) or D or better (for a course not in your area of study), based on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings).
To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:
Consider the following study tips for success:
To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.
For more, see:
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