COURSE TITLE:           Biology 1407 
Credit:                            4 Hours 
Instructor:                       Dr. Phillips

Office  Hours                              MWF  11:00-12:00 
                                      TT       11:00-12:00 
  
Office                       #8 In the Classroom Building 
Phone                       979-830-4204 
E-Mail                      gphillips@blinn.edu 
Home Page               http://www.blinn.edu/natscience/phillips/

COURSE DESCRIPTION    
      An introductory survey of current biological concepts that includes    evolution, biological diversity, 
       ecology, and structure and function of organisms.

PREREQUISITES    None

CORE COURSE    
       This is a Core Course in the 42-Hour Core of Blinn College.  As such, students will develop 
       proficiency in the appropriate Intellectual Competencies, Exemplary Educational Objectives, 
       and Perspectives. To view the Core Curriculum web site.  www.blinn.edu/corecurriculum

CIVILITY STATEMENT    
       Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff and students, are expected 
       to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Blinn College holds all members 
       accountable for their actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit themselves to 
       behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal 
       dignity, rights, and freedoms of every member of the College community, including respect for 
       College property and the physical and intellectual property of others.

    If a student is asked to leave the classroom because of  uncivil behavior, the student may not return to that 
       class until he or she arranges a conference with the instructor: it is the student's responsibility to arrange 
       for this conference.

OBJECTIVES:    
       1. Students should be able to correctly answer 60% or more of the material covered during 
           lecture on each of the 3 major test as well as the final. 
      2. Students should have a working knowledge of the basic laboratory equipment used during this 
           course. 
      3. Students should be able to correctly answer 60% or more of the material covered during lab on 
           the lab portion of the exams.

TEXTBOOKS:    
       Biology, 6th Edition, Raven and Johnson: 2002, WCB/McGraw-Hill Co., New York and London 
       REFLECTIONS in BIOLOGY, 2nd edition,  Greg Phillips and Eric Winkler: 2003, Pearson 
       Publishing Co. 
       *   Solenopsis CD    
       *   Optional    But Highly Suggested

COURSE    REQUIREMENTS:

                READING ASSIGNMENTS - It is important that you read both the lecture material and lab assignments before 
                                                        class. It will make the lectures smoother and more meaningful as well as increase    
                                                        your comprehension, resulting in a better test score.

                WEEKLY QUIZ -                At the endof each week there will be a test at the beginning of the class. Get to class    
                                                       on time on days that quizzes are taken. No student will be allowed in the room until 
                                                       after the quiz is complete. The quiz will consist of short answer questions over the 
                                                       previous weeks lectures. The lowest weekly quiz grade will be automatically dropped.

                OPEN BOOK TEST -          These will be given prior to each of the major exams. You will be asked specific 
                                                       questions over the chapters that have been assigned for the exam about to be taken.
                                                       The open book exam is timed; you will have 20 minutes to answer 15 questions. In    
                                                       order to better prepare yourself and make the most of your time I suggest that you use 
                                                       tabs and underline key words in the chapters.

                LAB PRACTICALS -          There will be three of these during the semester. They will cover and test your knowledge    
                                                       of the material we have covered in lab. They are not comprehensive.

                MAJOR EXAMS -             There will be three major exams during the semester. These will cover the lectures and    
                                                       your notes. They will consist of multiple choice, multiple multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, 
                                                       drawings, matching, short answer essay, and at least one long answer essay. 
   

ECOLOGY INDEPENDENT STUDY -    There are 3 short self-paced interactive CD's over Ecology.  The CD’s are   
                                                      accessible in the academic computer lab, located in the Bullock building.     
                                                      You will be expected to complete the three CD's on your own.  The information    
                                                      on the first CD “Food Chains” will be tested during the first major.  The information 
                                                      on the second CD “Population Ecology” will be tested during the second major.  
                                                      The information on the third CD “Human Impacts” will be tested during the third major.

COMPRHENSIVE FINAL -                 The final exam will cover all of the lecture material presented during the semester.     
                                                      It will not include lab material or the ecology material.  It will have a similar format to
                                                      the major exams.

 COURSE    OUTLINE

                 ALL TEST DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE 

ASSESSMENT:

                        3 Lecture Exams                    40 %  of Grade 
                        Weekly Quizzes                     15 %  of Grade 
                        3 Lab Practicals                     20 %  of Grade 
                        3 Open Book Exams                5 %  of Grade 
                        2 Ecology Tests                       5 %  of Grade 
                        Comprehensive Final              15 %  of Grade

GRADE SCALE:                    A =  100 - 90 
                                                 B =   89 - 80 
                                                 C =   79 - 70 
                                                 D =   69 - 60 
                                                 F  =   below 60

ABSENCES    & MAKE-UP WORK:

 The college attendance policy is designed to foster student success. Prompt and regular attendance is        
the responsibility, and expected of each student.

 Students are responsible for all material covered in class. In case of an extended absence, two weeks        
or more, the instructor should be notified.

If a student decides to drop/withdraw it is that students responsibility to drop the class. To officially
drop a class the student must obtain the class withdrawal form from the admissions office, complete it,
get it signed by the instructor, and then return the form to the admissions office. Do not assume the
 instructor will do it. If you do not drop then you will earn an "F".

No make-up exams will be given! In cases of a verifiable family or medical emergencies I will offer a 
comprehensive essay make-up at the end of the semester. This also applies to school approved absences.

Get to class on time on days that quizzes are taken no student will be allowed in the room until after the quiz
is complete.

 Concerning school approved functions; the student is excused for the day that was missed only. Next class 
meeting they are expected to have acquired the notes and be prepared for assignments over any material they 
may have missed.

To maintain class decorum and prevent interruptions it is expected that all CELL PHONES be turned        
off during class.

MISCELLANEOUS:

 TURN OFF CELL PHONES AND BEEPERS

 Do not bring food, drink, or tobacco into the classroom.

 Hats off in the classroom!

 You are responsible for any equipment assigned to you. Place your name and SS# in your book and lab        
 book. It will not affect the resale value, and it will prevent theft or loss of your book.

 The lowest daily quiz grade will be dropped.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

        The Blinn College policy on academic dishonesty will be followed in the event that a student is 
        caught cheating, plagiarizing others work, or found to be in collusion with other students.

DISABILITY STATEMENT

    Blinn College would like to help students with disabilities achieve their highest potential in college.  In 
    order to receive accommodations on exams or assignments, proper documentation must first be provided 
    to the Office of Disability services located the Administration building, 830-4131.  You must then 
    self-identify and conference with me during my office hours in order to determine the nature of the 
    accommodation you will receive in class. 

COMPUTER TUTORIALS

    All programs for Biology 1407 are found in the computer learning center of the Bullock 
       building.  The mandatory programs listed below are also available on the Solenopsis CD.

    There are seven mandatory programs that are to be completed over the course of the semester. 
       They are :

                1.    Tissues: A Microscopic View 
                2.    The Sheep Brain 
                3.    The Unknown    Adventure (Bacteria) 
                4.    Biological    Images 
                5.    The Kidney    
                6.    The Heart    
                7.    Going Hog Wild - The Fetal Pig Dissection 
                8.    The Crayfish Dissection 
                9.    The Earthworm  Dissection 
              10.    The Clam Dissection    
              11.    Zoological Images

Documentation 
     Division of Natural Science/Brenham Campus

 I,                                        (Print your name), affirm that I have had training on Material Safety Data Sheetsand I know 
that I can have access to them in Office 4 in the Classroom Building on request. I have been informed that the following 
sites also contain MSDS information:  http://www.fishersci.ca/homepage2.nsf/(waSearch)?openagent&lang=E&DB=msds2.nsf    
http://finance.tamu.edu/ehsd/resources/msds.htm

I have been made aware of  the classroom policies and the policies of Blinn College.  I affirm that I have been informed 

of the pertinent Blinn policies and their location on the Blinn College web site. http://www.blinncol.edu/0203BrenHndbk.pdf

I have also had general laboratory    safety training and I'm aware that I must wear protective eyewear, gloves and a lab

coat during Microbiology Lab.  I understand that the best first aid in case of skin contact with any hazardous chemicals is 

to wash for 15 minutes under running water.  If eyes are affected, they are to be held open under the eyewash for 

15 minutes using my fingers.  In case of any spills I will inform my instructor immediately.  I will notify my instructor 

immediately    in case I am injured or observe an injury.  If I receive a cut that is deep enough to draw blood I will 

inform the instructor immediately.  I  have received instruction/training dealing with Blood Borne Pathogens and other    

bodily fluids.  I have also been instructed in cleanup procedures involving Blood Borne Pathogens and other bodily fluids. 

I understand that I have been requested to report any special health problems I may have to my instructor as soon as

possible and that this information will be kept confidential.  I know how to extinguish a fire if the need should arise. 

In case of fire, I know the location of the nearest exit and that no one should be permitted to re-enter the building in case

of fire.

I have been informed that I am to dial 9-911 for fire, police or medical emergencies.  I know the location of the nearest

telephone. (There is one in every faculty office.)  I have also received an Information Sheet on the course and an 

Outline of the Course Content that may be included in the Information Sheet. 

I understand that visitors are not permitted in any laboratory.     This is especially true of infants and children. 

              /             /                                            - 
              DATE                       CLASS and SECTION              STUDENT SIGNATURE