BIOL 1584 Environmental Biology Syllabus 9H9 Summer 2026

Course Policies

This is an 8-week course. This means it is a condensed version of a 16-week course. It is a fast-moving course that is study intensive. Please schedule daily study time for yourself for this class.

Participation:

• This is a hybrid class and attendance is expected to the face-to-face portion that meets once per week. Attendance will be taken at each class meeting and may count for credit.
• Attendance at the first lab meeting (first class) 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. 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training before the second lab meeting the student must either drop the course or the student will be institutionally withdrawn.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. This includes labs turned in at the end of class. Any exceptions made will be at the instructor’s discretion.
• Please inform the instructor if an absence is due to unavoidable circumstance, ie, military duty, court appearance, hospitalization, etc. Some unavoidable absences may be excused at the instructor’s discretion.
• Missing of more than 2 classes will result in automatic failure of the class.  
• You must take the final exam.  If the final exam is not completed, you will not pass the class. 

McGraw Hill Connect Assignments

• Due dates for Connect Reading Assignments and other online assignments will be posted in McGraw-Hill Connect with the assignment. They correspond with the chapters being covered each week as listed the the course calendar below.
• Late Connect reading assignments and online assignments will generally not be accepted with some exceptions. Some situations may warrant an exception, but the student must speak to the instructor or email her about the situation which led to the missed due date. Exceptions are at the instructor’s discretion.

Quizzes and In-Class Work:

• In-class/lab work and quizzes may be announced or unannounced.
• Quizzes and in-class work done in lecture or lab cannot be made-up if missed.  This includes any extra credit that is handed out during class.  

Lab Work

• The lab reports/handouts will be provided by Professor Scott. Lab reports are worth 10 points each unless otherwise indicated.
• Students will turn in their labs at the end of the class period.
• Late labs will not be accepted.

Lab Safety

• Attendance at the first lab meeting is required. A student may not participate in lab if they have missed the first 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.
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Exams:

• Exams will be a combination of multiple choice, true/false, and short answer and essay questions.  They are open note quizzes, meaning you may use any notes you take during class or when studying, but you may not use the internet or your textbook.
• Exams will be delivered through Canvas using the Quizzes tool and monitored using LockDown Browser. The camera on the student’s laptop/computer is used during the exams. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they have the proper equipment to complete the exam on time and ensure they have a suitable internet connection prior to the exam.
  • If you do not have a camera for your computer, you may be able to borrow one from the KCC library(limited supplies available).
  • Alternatively, you can use the testing center on KCC’s Riverfront Campus
• 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 to be cheating and the student will receive a zero on the exam as well as an F for their course grade.

Missed Exams

• Make-up exams will be allowed only if one of the two following conditions is met:
  • 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.
  • 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.

  • Appropriateness of excused 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 covering lecture and lab content. It will consist of 100 multiple choice questions and will be taken in person during the last scheduled class period.
• All finals must be taken at the assigned time.
• Taking the final exam after the assigned date will not be permitted under any circumstance.
• The final exam date is listed in the course calendar.

Other Policies

• All work must be submitted by the final exam date and no work will be accepted after the final exam.
• Electronic devices, laptops, cell phones, etc. are allowed during class for class related use only.
• Video recording of lecture is not permitted unless pre-approved by the professor.

Cell phones:

• Turn 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
• Headphones/Ear buds are not allowed during class period.
• Know how to access 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.

Sustainability

In line with the sustainability mission of the college, students will:

• Print only what is required.
• Use the recycle bin in the classroom/building to dispose of unwanted paper.
• 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.

Some advice for success in this class:

• ATTEND every class meeting and be on time.
• ASK questions when you don’t understand or when you want more information
• VISIT office hours and help sessions. GO the tutor labs for help as well.
• STUDY regularly and don’t procrastinate.
• READ and USE the book
• TAKE the homework and labs seriously because they are intended to prepare you for the exam.
• STAY ORGANIZED and use the supplemental materials I supply 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 .

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 to get an average grade.
• Your success is up to you, but I am here to help you along the way if you ask.