Wednesdays 12:30-2:40 PM in room R210
This course is an introduction to a wide variety of biological concepts using humans as the study organism. Topics include cellular and molecular biology, human structure and function, genetics, heredity, evolution and ecology. IAI: L1 904L.
Appropriate assessment score or ENGL 1422 with a grade of C or better - Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.
Course Alignment
General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:
- Critical Thinking
- Responsibility
Faculty Contact Information
Mondays 9-11am
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8-9:30
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the organization levels of life and the functions of the components at each organizational level.
- Illustrate how the human organ systems function to facilitate the human organism.
- Compare types of cells, their genetic activity, and how those cells reproduce.
- Describe how genetic inheritance of traits effects living things and how these factors drive evolution.
- Distinguish types of ecosystems, interactions and processes within, and how humans impact this dynamic.
- Apply concepts associated with sustainability and a sustainable society to today’s challenges.
- Introduction, Exploring Life and Science
- Chemistry of Life
- Cell Structure and Function
- Tissues/ Skin
- Cardiovascular System and Blood
- Digestive and Respiratory Systems
- Skeletal System
- Muscular System
- Nervous System
- Senses and Reproductive System
- Development and Cell Cycle/Chromosomes
- Cancer, Patterns of Inheritance and DNA
- Animal and Human Evolution
- Ecology and Human Interferences
- Human Population, Resources and Conservation
Textbooks and Materials
Text: REQUIRED: Human Biology 17th Edition with CONNECT Access code by Mader, Windelspecht, published by McGraw Hill.
(Included with your tuition fees and students in the course already have access through Canvas)
Lab Manual: Professor Scott will provide labs in class. No lab book required, but a folder or binder is recommended.
Lab Supplies: Safety goggles (available in the bookstore)
Evaluation
Grading Scale: The course will be graded on a straight scale (no curve). Grades are assigned based on the following percentages:
90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; and 0-59% = F.
| 6 Lecture Quizzes (50 points each) | 300 |
| 14 Lab Reports (10 pts each) | 140 |
| Connect/McGraw Hill Reading Assignments | 230 |
| Lecture Final (Comprehensive) | 100 |
| Total Points | 770 |
*Points are subject to change. Students will be notified of any changes in class.
Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700
Lecture Exams: The primary focus is on the material covered in lecture. Exams will consist of true/false, multiple choice, matching and/or short answer questions. Lecture quizzes are open note but not open book. These will be delivered online outside of class and will require either webcam access or use of the testing center. The final exam will be in person.
Lab Work. Attendance at labs is mandatory. There are 16 labs and the 2 lowest lab scores are dropped. The lab reports given to you at the beginning of class will be collected from you at the end of class unless otherwise indicated. If a student is absent on any given lab day they will not be able to earn points for that lab report. Any lab report handed in late will have 2 points deducted for each calendar day that it is late.
Online Connect Reading Assignments: These reading assignments are delivered through the McGraw-Hill Connect tool in Canvas. Due dates are listed on each assignment. There will be one for each chapter in our textbook. They are worth 10 points each and I will drop your two lowest scores.
Other Class Assignments: These assignments will vary. They may include study guides, worksheets and other miscellaneous assignments. They will usually be worth 10 points each but may vary.
Participation: This is a hybrid class and attendance is expected at all lab meetings each week in order to perform lab activities and take exams. Attendance will be taken at each class meeting and in some cases may count for credit. Due to the hybrid nature of this course, scheduled time for other course content ( and the necessary time to complete the content must be the student’s responsibility to set and complete each week. For this course, expect that to be at least 3 hours per week, sometimes more.
Watching lectures, completing lessons, and being an active participant in class are crucial to your success in this course. Missing assignments, including labs will put you at a severe disadvantage in the course. I recommend completing the assignments prior to their due date in case you have any questions about the materials.
Attendance at the first laboratory meeting is required. A student may not participate in lab if they have missed the first lab meeting, which includes the mandatory lab safety training. In a 16 week semester offering of this course, if a student misses the first lab meeting, they must notify the instructor to make arrangements to make up the safety training before the second lab meeting. If a student has not completed the safety training before the second lab meeting, the student must either drop the course or the student will be institutionally withdrawn.
Under most circumstances, points for in-class assignments missed due to an absence will be forfeited by the student. Any exceptions are made at the instructor’s discretion.
Late work:
Online assignments are due by the due date and late work will generally not be accepted.
Quizzes and in-class work: In class work may be announced or unannounced.
Quizzes and in-class work done in lecture or lab usually cannot be made up if missed.
Lab Policies:
Students must arrive to lab on time and must be ready to begin at the scheduled start time.
Students are expected to have read the lab procedures before coming to lab.
ALL electronic devices must be silenced. No use of ear buds or headphones is permitted in lab.
Students that arrive after the pre-lab lecture has begun will not be permitted to participate in lab that day and will receive a zero on that day’s assignment. This type of absence will count as a lab absence.
If a student does not complete the lab activity in the allotted time, the student could lose points on that day’s lab activity.
Due to the nature of lab activities, it is not possible to make up labs.
Exams:
On exam days, students must arrive on time and be ready to take the exam at the start of class.
If a student arrives late to the exam, they will not be provided any extra time.
If a student is found to be cheating on the exam, they will receive a zero for the exam and will fail the course. This includes, but it not limited to, using a cell phone or any other device or using “cheat sheets.”
Make-up policy:
Labs:
Labs cannot be made up. If you miss class, you will receive a zero for the lab assignment for that day.
Lecture Quizzes:
Make-up exams will be allowed if one of the two conditions is met:
1) The student contacts the professor PRIOR to the exam and schedules a time to take the test early.
2) The student reaches out to the professor via email no later than the day of the exam to schedule a make-up exam.
Please note-all make-up exams need to be taken within a week of the assigned test date.
Any make-up test taken after the assigned test date will include short answer and essay questions and will be taken in Professor Scott’s office or in the Testing Center.
Final Exam: The final exam will be cumulative and will cover lecture and lab content. It will be a multiple choice exam.
All finals must be taken at the assigned time. There is no make-up final.
The final exam date is listed
Academic Dishonesty: You are responsible for understanding what is listed in the student code of conduct as examples of academic dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism and facilitating academic dishonesty (http://www.kcc.edu/students/academics/Pages/codeofconduct.aspx). For any assignment, activity, lab report, or exam in which you violate the student code of conduct you will receive zero points and may face disciplinary action.
**Audio/video recordings: Students may make recordings of lecture and or lab only after receiving permission from the instructor. These recordings are only for personal use while enrolled in this class. The student may not share and/or distribute these recordings without the express written consent of the instructor.
Laboratory Safety
Students are expected to comply with the KCC Science Laboratory Safety Rules at all times. These rules will be discussed during the first lab meeting and each student will sign an acknowledgement of receipt and understanding. Students who do not comply with the safety rules will be asked to leave the lab and will receive no credit for that day’s work.
College Policies
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non-Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu.
College Resources
Math/Science Tutoring Center – The center offers free tutorial services on a walk-in basis to support students enrolled at KCC in a wide range of math and science courses, including Biology, and individual skill development activities. The Math/Science Tutoring Center, L335/339, is the location of most tutorial services. For a current tutoring schedule, go to http://www.kcc.edu/tutoring
Office of Disability Services
KCC works closely with students and instructors to accommodate individual student learning needs. For the services they offer, their contact information and other helpful information, go to www.kcc.edu/disabilityservices.
Miner Memorial Library
The Miner Memorial Library provides a variety of services free to students. This includes anatomy and physiology models to check out. For the services they offer, their hours of operation and other helpful information, go to www.kcc.edu/library.
Syllabus Disclaimer
Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.
| Week | Class Topic | Readings | Lab |
| 1 | Intro/Exploring Life and Science | Chapter 1 | 1-Scientific Method |
| 2 | Chemistry of Life | Chapter 2 | 2-Chemistry of Life |
| 3 | Cell Structure and Function | Chapter 3 | 3-Microscope/Cells |
| 4 | Tissues/Organs/Skin QUIZ #1 (Ch 1-3) | Chapter 4 | 4-Tissues/Skin |
| 5 | Cardiovascular and Blood | Chapter 5and6 | 5-Cardiovascular/blood |
| 6 | Lymphatic and Immune systems Quiz #2 (Ch 4-6) | Chapter 7and8 | 6-immunity |
| 7 | Digestive System and nutrition | Chapter 9 | 7-digestion/nutrition |
| 8 | Respiratory System Quiz #3 (Ch 7-9) | Chapter 10 | 8-Respiration |
| **********************SPRING BREAK******************************************** | |||
| 9 | Urinary System | Chapter 11 | 9-Urinary |
| 10 | Skeletal and Muscular systems Quiz #4 (Ch 10-11) | Chapter 12and13 | 10-Muscle/Skeletal |
| 11 | Nervous system and Senses | Chapter 14and15 | 11-Brain/Senses |
| 12 | Endocrine System | Chapter 16 | 12-Diabetes lab |
| 13 | Reproduction and Development Quiz #5 (Ch 12-16) | Chapter 17and18 | 13- Reproduction |
| 14 | Cell division/Cancer | Chapter 19and20 | 14-Mitosis |
| 15 | Genetic inheritance/evolution Quiz #6 (Ch 17-20) | Chapter 21,22and23 | 15-Evolution/Nat. selection |
| 16 | Ecology/Human Interference | Chapter 24and25 | 16-Moth lab/Acid rain |
| 17 | FINAL EXAM-In Person Wednesday May 13 12-1:50 | ||
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.