Monday
Lecture: 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM in R205
Wednesday
Lecture: 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM in R205
Lab: 2:00 PM - 3:40 PM in R207
This course will include: the structure, function, and evolutionary relationships found in the Domains of life; plant and animal structure and function; ecology; and environmental biology. Note: the BIOL 1514 and BIOL 1524 sequence is recommended for students transferring to university programs requiring a full year of general biology. IAI: BIO 910 Biological Sciences. IAI: L1 910L.
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
Relationship to academic programs and transferability
BIOL 1524 was designed to meet specific student needs either individually or within a program and is designed to transfer to other colleges and universities. KCC participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide transfer agreement for general education courses. All colleges and universities participating in the IAI agree to accept a collective “package” of IAI general education courses; transfer of courses separately is not guaranteed. For more information about IAI and the transferability of courses to specific four-year institutions, go to itransfer.org and mycreditstransfer.org.
Faculty Contact Information
Student Support Hours
Weekly On-Campus Office Hours
Mondays: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm in L337
Tuesdays: 12:30 to 1:30 PM in L337 or R211
Wednesdays: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm in L337
Thursdays: 12:30 to 1:30 PM and 2:30 to 3:30 pm in L337 or R211
Online Office Hours:
These hours are flexible and can be delivered via Zoom or another virtual platform if needed. Please contact Prof Larson to arrange a date and time.
Students may email (klarson@kcc.edu), or schedule appointments with Professor Larson virtually (Canvas or Zoom). Students may also meet face-to-face with Professor Larson. See schedule above.
Professor Larson will respond to student emails within a 24-hour period, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semester, and Monday through Thursday during the summer term. If an email is unable to resolve a student issue/concern, Professor Larson will schedule to meet with a student virtually (Canvas or Zoom).
Kristen Larson
Office: 815-802-8773
klarson@kcc.edu
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe how the taxonomic hierarchical system of classification reflects evolutionary patterns of descent.
- Utilize the methods of science to identify and investigate questions relevant to biology.
- Demonstrate the ability to use current techniques and instruments that enable the study of a diversity of organisms on the microscopic and macroscopic levels.
- List the criteria for the 3 Domain/5-kingdom system of classification.
- Compare and contrast basic structural, developmental, and physiological classification criteria for the major Moneran groups (cyanobacteria and eubacteria), Protistan Phyla, Fungal Divisions, Plant Divisions, and Animal Phyla.
- Demonstrate understanding of basic anatomy of plant roots, stems, and leaves.
- Contrast mechanisms of water transport versus carbohydrate transport in plants.
- List and explain the major functions of organs in the vertebrate body responsible for circulation, immunity, digestion, respiration, and excretion.
- Compare and contrast exponential versus logistic population growth curves.
- List and describe interactions among living organisms that influence their exploitation of environmental resources.
- Describe the flow of energy and nutrients through ecosystems.
- Viruses and Prokaryotes
- Protista
- Fungi
- Seedless plants
- Seed plants
- Plant form and physiology
- Transport
- Soil and nutrition
- Plant reproduction
- Invertebrates
- Vertebrates
- Cardiovascular system
- Respiratory system
- Digestive system
- Excretory system
- Ecology and the biosphere
- Population and community ecology
- Ecosystem ecology
-Lab Manual: General Biology II (Bio1524) Lab Packet (available at KCC Bookstore)
-Safety goggles (available at the KCC 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.
Points: 6 Lecture Exams (30 pts each) 180
30 Connect Assignments (5 pts ea) 150
14 Lab Reports (5 pts each) 70
1 Article Presentation 20
Misc Class Assignments 100
Comprehensive Final Exam 100
Total = 620
Connect Reading Assignment: These assignments are delivered through the McGraw-Hill Connect system. Students will be doing one of these for each assigned chapter. These are worth 5 points each. The lowest 2 chapter scores for the semester will be dropped from the gradebook and will not affect the student's overall course grade.
Labs: You will be doing the assigned labs during our designated lab time. The specific lab number for each week can be found in your course calendar. The labs can be found in your required lab book. As a rule, please read them over before coming to lab that week. That will make labs go much more smoothly, and you will likely understand the learning objectives better. The lowest (1) lab score for the semester will be dropped from the gradebook and will not affect the student's overall course grade.
Lecture Exams: will be taken in class. In-person lecture quizzes will be at the beginning of class time on Thursday on the days indicated in the syllabus (and on the course calendar). The chapters each one covers will be given in the syllabus. They are Scantron quizzes, 30 questions long and worth 30 points. Bring a pencil!
Article Presentation: Once during the semester, you will need to present a summary of a science article for that week's discussion. Instructions and deadlines are given on Canvas.
Miscellaneous Class Assignments: The nature of these assignments will vary. It may include short quizzes on Canvas pertaining to the chapter material, discussions, and others. This category is designed to enrich the student’s interaction with the material. The lowest (1) Misc. Assignment score for the semester will be dropped from the gradebook and will not affect the student's overall course grade.
* 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
Course Policies and Course Information
Attendance & Absences
-This is a face-to-face class and attendance is expected to all scheduled meetings (lecture and lab) each week. Attendance will be taken at each class meeting and, in some cases, may count for credit.
-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.
-Please inform the instructor if an absence is due to an unavoidable circumstance, e.g, military duty, court appearance, hospitalization, quarantine, etc. Some unavoidable absences may be excused at the instructor’s discretion.
Laboratory Policies (We will discuss this part during the first lab meeting.)
-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.
-Students who 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.
-Students who do not have proper apparel and/or goggles will not be permitted to participate in lab. This will count as a lab absence. Proper apparel and goggles are required for lab regardless of the activity scheduled for the day. The professor does not have loaner materials to share.
-To receive the full credit for the lab activity, the student must stay for the entire lab period, unless dismissed early by the professor. A student will only be dismissed early if they have completed the entire laboratory activity for that day. If a student leaves before being dismissed, the student will forfeit the points for the laboratory activity for that day and will receive a zero, and the 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.
-Experiment make-ups due to absence are not an option.
-It is highly suggested to attend every lab and only reserve lab absences for unavoidable absences; do not use lab absences like you would vacation days.
-Lab assignments are usually worth 5 points each, with a few exceptions.
-The lab activities will be collected (in their entirety) at the next lab meeting after procedures are completed in lab unless otherwise indicated by your instructor.
-If a student is absent on any given lab day, they will lose the ability to earn points for that lab.
-If labs are turned in late, there will be two points deducted for each calendar day they are handed in late.
-Students will have the lowest 5-point lab assignment dropped from the grade book. In the event that a student earns 5 points for every single assignment, the most recent lab will be dropped.
Missed or Late Lab Policy
-Due to the nature of lab activities, it is not possible to make up labs. Therefore, if a student is absent for a lab activity, they forfeit the possibility of earning points for that assignment. (See policy listed above for the dropped lab.)
-If a lab is turned in late, students will lose two points per calendar day that it is late.
Exams
-Exams will be either multiple-choice or a combination of true-false multiple-choice and short-answer questions.
-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.
-Once an exam has been administered, a student will not be permitted to leave for any reason until they turn in the exam. Please use the restroom BEFORE the exam begins.
-If a student’s cell phone disrupts the class during an exam, the student will receive a zero on that exam.
-If a student is found to be cheating on an exam, the student will receive a zero on the exam as well as receiving an F for their course grade.
-If a student is found using their cell phone or any other device in any way during an exam, it will be considered a case of cheating and the student will receive a zero on the exam, as well as the possibility of receiving an F for their course grade.
Missed exams
-Make-up exams will be allowed only if one of the two conditions is met;
1-The student arranges another time with the instructor, a minimum of seven days in advance of the scheduled exam date to take the exam early.
2- The student reaches out to the professor via email to have the exam date extended in Canvas.
-Either way, the student must notify me ASAP if they will be missing an exam.
-Make-up exams taken after the class will consist of essay questions and will be taken in the testing center.
-All make-up exams must be taken within one week of the assigned test date. Any student taking an exam beyond the week timeframe will receive a zero on that exam. No exceptions will be made.
-Appropriateness of excuses will be determined by the instructor. If your excuse is deemed unacceptable, you will not be allowed to make up the exam.
Final Exam
-The final exam will be cumulative, multiple-choice choice and will cover lecture and lab content.
-All finals must be taken at the assigned time.
-If a dire emergency arises, you may arrange to take an exam early with appropriate documentation.
-Taking the final exam after the assigned date and time will not be permitted under any circumstances.
-The final exam date is listed in the course calendar.
Scantron Policy
-Scantrons are often used in this class for exams and quizzes.
-If a student changes an answer and fails to erase completely, the machine may count a correct answer as an incorrect one. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that erasures are complete or to copy answers onto a new sheet. If the student fails to do this, the question will be marked wrong, and scores will not be changed.
-A pencil (#2) must be used on all exams. Please bring at least one pencil to the exams.
Viewing Previous Exams
-Students may view their old exams during the instructor’s office hours. Students are strongly encouraged to view old exams, as this is part of the learning process.
Other Policies
-All work must be submitted by the final exam, and no work will be accepted after the final exam.
-Electronic devices, laptops, cellphones, etc., are allowed during class for class-related use only.
-Video recording of the lecture is not permitted unless pre-approved by the professor.
-Cell phones
- Turn your cell phone to silent or off before the start of class.
- Cell phone usage for non-class-related activities (texting, etc.) is not allowed during class.
-Know how to access your CANVAS and your KCC email account. It is important that you find a way to have access to the Internet for checking your KCC email, for using Connect, and for CANVAS.
-Students are expected to demonstrate academic integrity at all times. This includes all aspects of behavior that can disrupt fellow students' concentration in class, from noise to obnoxious odors. Please be aware of how you are affecting others around you and be considerate.
-Students who disrupt the class may be asked to leave.
- Any behaviors that are disruptive, disturbing, or concerning will be reported to the Dean of Student Services.
· I expect student behavior in this class to be professional.
Athletics and This Course
-Any student involved in college athletic programs must individually discuss all schedule conflicts with the instructor as soon as possible (exam or otherwise) and are held to the same course policies as non-athletes.
-It is the student’s responsibility (not the coach’s) to be knowledgeable about the policies and schedule of the course and discuss concerns with the instructor.
-The professor will make minimal accommodations to the course schedule to accommodate an athlete’s sporting event schedule.
-Students are asked to recall that they are attending college primarily to gain an education. Students are asked to remember that and consider taking courses with schedule conflicts or higher demand for study time during their off-season, if necessary.
Sustainability
In line with the sustainability mission of the college, students will:
- Print only what is required.
- Use the recycle bin in the classroom to dispose of unwanted paper.
3. Use the recycle bins outside the classroom to dispose of beverage cans and bottles.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty by a student will lead to the immediate failure of the course with no opportunity for the student to withdraw. No exceptions are made. Students may also have the event noted on their academic transcript at the instructor’s discretion. Bottom line: do your own work as assigned by your instructor.
Some Advice for Success in this class…
-ATTEND every class meeting and be on time. PowerPoints offered DO NOT have all of the info.
-ASK questions when you don’t understand or when you want more information. You need to get comfortable asking questions.
-VISIT office hours and help sessions. GO TO the tutor labs for help as well.
-STUDY regularly and don’t procrastinate. Study mainly your own prepared notes and the book.
-READ and USE the book. PowerPoints offered DO NOT have all of the info. Don’t expect to pass if you do not authentically read the chapters in the textbook.
-TAKE the homework and labs seriously because they are intended to prepare you for the exam.
- MAKE the time to do the studying, homework, get help, make your own notes, etc. This is your responsibility.
-STAY ORGANIZED and use the supplemental materials that I supply to you.
-REACH OUT if you feel overwhelmed, if you don’t know where to begin and need help getting started, or if you are stuck on a problem or need clarification. Do not wait until things get out of control because it may be too late.
Some Facts…
-If you can’t do something before the test, you won’t be able to do it on the test.
-An average student needs to spend two hours (sometimes more) studying for each hour spent in class/lab to get an average grade.
-Your success is up to you, but I am here to help you along the way if you ask me to.
Laboratory Safety
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. 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.
Students are expected to comply with the KCC 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.
Week Week of Lecture Topic Readings Lab
Microbial Diversity
1 Jan. 12 Viruses & Prokaryotes Ch. 26 & 27 Orientation
1 - Viruses/Prokaryotes
2 Jan. 19 Protista Ch. 28 2 – Protists
No Lecture Monday-MLK Day
3 Jan. 26 Fungi Ch. 31 3 - Fungi
Plant Diversity
4 Feb. 02 Seedless & Seeded Plants Ch. 29 & 30 4 – Seedless Plants
Exam 1 (Chs. 26, 27, 28 & 31) – Wed. (02/04)
Plant Anatomy & Physiology
5 Feb. 09 Plant Form and Physiology Ch. 35 & 36 5 – Seed plants
6 Feb. 16 Soil and Plant Nutrition & Defense Ch. 37 & 38 6 – Organization of Exam 2 (Chs. 29, 30, 35, 36, & 37) – Wed. (2/17) Flowering Plants
7 Feb. 23 Plant Sensory & Reproduction Ch. 39 & 40 7 – Transpiration
Animal Diversity
8 Mar. 02 Animal Diversity & Body Plans Ch. 32 8 – Plant Reproduction
Exam 3 (Chs. 38, 39 & 40) – Wed. (03/04)
MARCH 09 - 13 SPRING BREAK
9 Mar. 16 Protostomes & Deuterostomes Ch. 33 & 34 9 - Invertebrates
10 Mar. 23 Animal Body & Regulation Ch. 41 10 - Coelomates
Animal Anatomy
11 Mar. 30 Nervous, Sensory & Digestion Ch. 42, 43 & 46 11 – Vertebrates
Exam 4 (Chs. 32, 33, 34) – Wed. (04/01)
12 Apr. 6 Respiration & Circulation Ch. 47 & 48 12 - Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems
13 Apr. 13 Immunity & Excretion Ch. 50 & 49 13 – Immunity &
Exam 5 (Chs. 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48 ) – Wed, (04/15) Excretion
14 Apr. 20 Animal Repro, Dev. & Behavior Ch. 51, 52 & 53 14 – Sampling Ecosystems
Ecology
15 Apr. 27 Population & Communities Ch. 54 & 55 15 –Effects of Pollution
Exam 6 (Chs. 49-53) – Wed. (04/29)
16 May 05 Ecosystems & Human Impact Ch. 56 & 57 Review/complete labs
17 May 11th FINAL EXAM Noon-1:50 pm (Monday)
**AFTER THE FINAL, THE CLASS IS OVER AND NO ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED
Syllabus disclaimer
Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.
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.