BIO-187IN TELE-COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Information

 

Course Prefix/Number: BIO 187

Course Title: Introduction to Biological Research

Semester: 200220 (Spring 2002)

CRN (Section Code): 20313

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites/ Required Assessments: None

Estimated Time Requirements: 100 hours/semester

 

Instructor Information

Name: Dr. Ann Christensen

US Mail: Pima Community College, Biology Dept., West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Road, Tucson, AZ 85709-0270

Phone/Voice Mail: (520) 206-6763

Fax: (520) 206-6902

E-mail: achristensen@pimacc.pima.edu

Availability: Office Hours at West Campus in E-202 by appointment

 

Instructional Materials

Required Text: None

Additional Material: PowerPoint slides from selected lectures are available at http://cc.pima.edu/users/achristensen/187/187homepage.html

Student discussions should be posted to the class listserv: B101871ink@ pimacc.pima.edu or e-mailed to the instructor. Note: Videotapes are available for viewing at any of the PCC campus libraries but may be checked out ONLY at the Community Campus Support Service Center. Bring your registration fee receipt and PCC picture ID.

First Broadcast: Week of January 14, 2002

Broadcast Schedule: The course consists of 17 lessons, each two hours long. During the fall and spring semesters, one lesson is broadcast as a two-hour program (with a 10 minute break) each week and repeated at least once during the week. Broadcast dates and times depend on your cable supplier and whether your TV is cable ready or uses a conversion box. Please see PCC TV broadcast schedule for specific information.

On Campus Session: Attendance at this session is optional but strongly recommended.

Introductory Session: 6:30-7:30 PM, Monday, January 14, 2002 at the Community Campus in Building A, room 112.

Information Statement: This course is recommended as a precursor to BIO 295, Independent Research, and for participation in the Arizona Biology Network. Completion of this course does not guarantee placement in either research program.

Course Description: Introduction to the methods of research in biology. Includes scientific laboratory procedures, experimental design, scientific writing, bioethics, and current research in working laboratories.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to do the following:

1. Discuss proper laboratory procedures.

2. Design experiments using critical thinking.

3. Discuss bioethical issues.

4. Discuss the planning and organization of a scientific paper.

5. Discuss and critique ongoing research in biological laboratories.

 

Assessment: In order to determine whether this course is meeting its above-stated objectives, a variety of classroom assessment techniques will be used. These may include but are not limited to short answers regarding your comprehension of the material presented in class, pre-and post-tests, discussions, brainstorming, case studies, interviews of students and student self-evaluations. The purpose of the use of these assessment instruments is to assist your instructor in improving this course. Because this course fulfills a general education requirement, your instructor will also use assessment techniques to determine whether the skills of the students in your class improved in the following areas: oral and written communication, critical inquiry, cultural diversity and global awareness.

 

Course Outline:

1. The Research Laboratory

A. Laboratory safety

B. Metric system and scientific method

C. Experimental design and biostatistics

D. Critical thinking in biology

E. Current topics in bioethics

F. How to write and publish a scientific paper

G. Use of computerized data banks for literature searches

H. Selected current topics in biological research

 

2. Guest Lectures Series

A. Introduction to selected topics

B. Guest lectures

C. University visitations

D. Discussion forums

 

Course Requirements: To complete this course successfully, you must do the following:

Instructional Delivery: Two hours of taped lectures or taped laboratory visits per class session.

Important Phone Numbers:

For questions concerning subject matter: 206-6763 For questions involving schedules: 206-6454 For questions concerning TV broadcast errors: 206-6410

For general information about Pima Community College: 206-4500 For general information about the Community Campus: 206-3933 For PCC Registration: 206-4880 (MAX)

Attendance: Since this is a distance delivery class, you are not required to come to campus but you are expected to participate actively in the course. Correspondence (by e-mail, preferably, or USPS mail) following lectures is used as a measure of participation. A student who ceases to communicate with the instructor for more than two weeks may be withdrawn from the course. Should this occur, the College will not refund tuition. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the live introductory class session.

Academic Integrity: Violations of scholastic ethics are considered serious offenses by Pima Community College, the Biology Department and by your instructor. Students may consult the PCC Student Handbook for information on the student code of conduct, on scholastic ethics and on the grade appeal procedure. Copies are available at PCC libraries and at http://www.pima.edu/-coadmissions/studresp.htm.

ADA Compliance: Pima County Community College District strives to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students with disabilities requiring special accommodations must notify the instructor of this need or directly contact the Disabled Student Resources Office on your campus at the beginning of the semester.

Assignments: A detailed description of assignments is on the videotapes. Due dates are on the class calendar. Credit distribution is included in the grading system. Students may drop off or mail assignments to the West Campus, E-202. For your protection, you may wish to make a copy of all your work. Be sure to indicate your name and assignment number and to mark all submissions clearly with Christensen: B10187.

Course Feedback: will be provided by E-mail. Hardcopy assignments may be picked up at the West Campus, E-202.

Deadlines: Contact your instructor if circumstances require an extension of any deadlines.

Exams: Final exam must be submitted by the date indicated on the calendar.

Withdrawals: Students may withdraw from class at any time during the first 2/3 of the semester (through April 11, 2002) without instructor permission and without incurring any grade penalty. Students who fail to correspond with the instructor for two weeks without notifying the instructor may be withdrawn from the class (45th Day Census is February 28, 2002). See grading system.

BIO 187 Telecourse Grading System

Your grade will be complied from the following components:

Bloethics Discussion, 10%

Animal Care & Use Discussion, 10%

Draft 7 Experimental Designs, 10%

Critical Thinking, 10%

Experiment Proposals, 10%

Current Research Report, 10%

Experiment Results, 20%

Final Exam, 10%

Comments on Lectures, 10%

Your final grade is determined by the following scale: A 90 - 1 00% B = 80 - 89% C = 70 - 79 D = 60 - 69 F = Less than 60.

Incomplete (I) grade:

College policy does not permit substitution of an incomplete grade ("I") for substandard performance; therefore to be eligible for and "I", the student must have averaged a "C" grade or greater for the course and must have completed at least 80% of the required course work. If, for a reason that is acceptable to the instructor, one assignment is not turned in, or if the final exam is not turned in, an incomplete will be awarded. If the work is not completed within a year, the grade is automatically changed to an "F".

Official Withdrawal grade (W): Prior to the 45 th day (February 28, 2002), students who fail to correspond with the instructor for 2 weeks without notifying the instructor may be withdrawn from the class. The "W" grade cannot be given after the 45th day census.

Special Withdrawal (Y) grade:

After the 45 th day, students who fail to correspond with the instructor for 2 weeks without notifying the instructor may be awarded a "Y" or special withdrawal grade with the student's consent. The "Y" grade is an administrative withdrawal given at the instructor's option when no other grade is deemed appropriate. Your instructor must file a form stating the specific rationale for awarding this grade. "Y" grades are discouraged since they often affect students negatively.

Examination: The final examination for this course is included in this syllabus and is due by May 13, 2002

Late Policy: Please make arrangements with the instructor if you need extra time to complete an assignment.

Final Grades: For security reasons, instructors may not post grades and are advised NOT to give grades over the telephone or by E-mail. Grades will be posted to the PCC computer within twelve working days of the final exam. Students wishing to check grades may call MAX 2000 at 206-4880.

Caveats: Your instructor will make every attempt to follow the above procedures and schedules, but they may be changed in the event of extenuating circumstances.

Students submitting assignments through the mail are advised to make copies for their own protection.

Please note that the TV broadcast schedule does not observe Pima College holidays.

Because most of our contact with you is through the US Postal System or by E-mail, it is important that we have your correct mailing address and E-mail address. If you move during the semester, please report your change of address to any campus registration office and also call 206-6454 so that our office can keep up to date.

The set of tapes received by Telecourse students is covered by strict copyright restrictions and must be returned at the end of the semester. Grades and transcripts will be encumbered by PCC if students do not return the set of tapes.