General Biology (BIO 101) is a four credit Biological Science course developed primarily for non‑science majors.  The course consists of a lecture component (three hours each week) and a laboratory session (three hours each week).  The time commitment on your part, therefore, is the same as if you had enrolled in TWO-three credit courses.  At the end of the semester, ONE GRADE IS GIVEN based on your performance in BOTH lecture and laboratory.

 Name:     Dr. Christine Barrow, Assistant Professor

 Office Location:                           Chesapeake Hall 210-F

Office Phone Number:                  (301) 341 - 3086   Leave a message on my voice mail and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

 E-mail:                                                cbarrow@pgcc.edu

Emergency Number:              (301) 322‑0420 (Department Office)

 Office Hours:   Tues. 12:30-2:00pm, Wed. 9:30 – 10:30amThurs. 12:30-2:00pm, Fri. 9:30 – 10:30am, or by appointment.

 Name:       Mr. Arnold Weisshaar, Professor

Office Location:    Chesapeake Hall 210-E

Office Phone Number:     (301) 322‑0420 (Department Office)  Leave a message with the secretary.

 E-mail:      aweisshaar@pgcc.edu

Office Hours:   Wed. 12:20-1:00pm

 1.         Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues.  2003.  Michael D. Johnson 

2.         Supplement (shrink wrapped with textbook) – Biology: Concepts and Connections (chapters 34-36 and 38). 2000.  Campbell, Mitchell, and Reece.

3.         Human Biology: Condensed.  4th Edition.  2001.  Bres and Weisshaar. 

4.         Thinking About Biology.  1998.  Bres and Weisshaar.

5.         OPTIONAL:  Color photograph sheet - Dissection of the Fetal Pig

 1.  Several #2 pencils  (Mechanical pencils are preferred.  You never have to sharpen them and they are better for the environment.)

2.   Erasers (lots).  How about an eraser stick? 

3.   Set of colored highlighters (or colored pencils)

4.   Calculator (nothing fancy needed)

5.    Stapler (* Points will be deducted for papers that are turned in without a staple.)

            Bring the above materials with you to ALL lab and lecture sessions. 

 For success in the lecture portion of this course:

 ·         BEFORE we go over the material in class, complete the assigned reading in the textbook (Johnson).

·         WHILE we are going over the material in class, fill in all the blanks in the Bio 101 study guide (Human Biology: Condensed) and take comprehensive notes.

·         REVIEW all the above assigned materials and rewrite your notes in your own words, after we have covered each topic in class.  When preparing for an exam, concentrate on the information presented in the study guide and your class notes.

 For success in the laboratory portion of this course:

 ·         BEFORE you come to lab, read the assigned laboratory exercise in Thinking About Biology.

·         WHILE we are in lab, get checked off for all activities and take comprehensive notes.

·         COMPLETE the Self Test and review the above materials at home, after you have completed each lab exercise.  When preparing for a lab quiz, concentrate on the information presented in the lab manual and what we did in class.

 There will be graded homework assignments, class discussions, and non‑graded, optional homework assignments.  To be successful, you must keep up with the assigned readings and be prepared to discuss them in class. 

 If you allow yourself to fall behind, it will be very difficult to catch up again.  You are expected to read the assigned lecture AND laboratory material BEFORE the class meets!

 Plan to spend the entire three hours in lab.  At the end of each laboratory period, we will have a class discussion summarizing the main points covered that day.

 The final course grade is determined based on 900 possible points.  The exact number of points needed for a particular grade is listed at the bottom of the attached Grade Record Sheet.

 Each exam will have six to ten pages and will take approximately two hours to complete.  Some individuals may wish to take more time and others may finish comfortably in less.

 In order to be successful in this course, you must be able to demonstrate your comprehension by explaining course concepts in your own words and apply your knowledge to new situations.  IT ISN'T ENOUGH TO SIMPLY MEMORIZE FACTS AND DEFINITIONS.

 You will be expected to explain course concepts IN YOUR OWN WORDS AND SOLVE NEW PROBLEMS similar to those covered in class and on homework assignments.

 All lecture exams (except the lecture final) will be returned to you.  Exams are a learning experience.  It is important to go over the exams and correct your misconceptions. 

 The course material is cumulative in that comprehension of subjects later in the course hinges on your understanding of earlier, foundation concepts.  If you need clarification on something you missed on the exam, or didn't understand during your studying, please ask me about it. 

LECTURE EXAMS WILL NOT BE GIVEN DURING CLASS TIME. 

 YOU ARE NOT EXCUSED FROM REGULARLY SCHEDULED CLASSES TO TAKE EXAMS AT THE CAMPUS ASSESSMENT CENTER. 

 EACH EXAM WILL BE AT THE ASSESSMENT CENTER FOR SEVERAL DAYS.  THE DATES FOR ALL EXAMS WILL BE ANNOUNCED WELL IN ADVANCE.

 Since additional time is needed to formulate answers to problem solving and concept based questions, all lecture exams (except the final exam) will be administered by the Campus Assessment Center (located in TS-100, Temporary Trailer). 

 At the Campus Assessment Center, there is no time limit for exams, however, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to take each exam.  The testing center picks papers up fifteen minutes before closing.  Make sure you have picture ID and check the Center hours and adjust your schedule accordingly.

Operating Hours for Spring 2004:

 8:30 a.m.  - 8:30 p.m.     Monday through Thursday

  8:30 a.m.  - 2:30 p.m.     First Friday of every month

  8:30 a.m.  - 4:30 p.m.     Friday

  9:00 a.m.  - 3:30 p.m.     Saturday

 There will be five lecture exams, each worth 100 points.  Each exam will include several essay questions.  For example, you will be required to explain basic concepts, define terms, read and draw graphs, and demonstrate your expertise in data analysis and interpretation. 

 If you find that you absolutely cannot be on campus during a scheduled exam period, be sure to contact me IMMEDIATELY.  If you have a legitimate reason (as determined solely by ME) for missing the scheduled time, I will try to arrange some form of makeup for you.  I will NOT even consider scheduling a make-up unless I hear from you BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHEDULED EXAM PERIOD !! It is YOUR responsibility to contact ME.

 Since you will have several days to take exams at the Campus Assessment Center, there are VERY FEW ACCEPTABLE EXCUSES for missing exams.  If a make‑up exam is granted, AND IT RARELY IS, I reserve the option to change the format of the exam. A missed exam without an ACCEPTABLE (to me), DOCUMENTED EXCUSE will give you an AUTOMATIC ZERO on that exam.

 Exam #1:  Friday 2/13/04– Tuesday 2/17/04                       

Exam #2:   Friday 3/5/04– Tuesday 3/9/04

Exam #3:   Friday 3/26/04 – Tuesday 3/30/04

Exam #4:    Friday 4/23/04 – Tuesday 4/27/04

Exam #5:     Final Exam, 5/14/04 from 8:00am – 10:30am in Chesapeake Hall Room 105 

 Throughout the semester you will turn in lecture homework assignments to be graded.  The assignments will be done cooperatively (by small groups of students) and you can earn a total of 10 points per assignment.

 LECTURE HOMEWORK/PROJECT ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE DONE IN GROUPS.  NO INDIVIDUAL PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED! EACH PERSON IN YOUR GROUP SHOULD KEEP A COPY OF THE COMPLETED ASSIGNMENT (AND BE READY TO TURN IT IN IF NECESSARY).

 ALL HOMEWORK/PROJECT ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE NEAT, CLEARLY LEGIBLE, AND STAPLED.

 Assignments are due at the BEGINNING of the class period.  Note for late-arriving students: papers more than FIVE MINUTES after the class period begins WILL BE SEVERELY PENALIZED.  To avoid late papers from last minute problems, you are encouraged to turn in assignments BEFORE THE DUE DATE.  Deliver papers to my mailbox in CHESAPEAKE HALL, ROOM 100.

 There will be a short, lecture quiz at the beginning of each class period. This quiz will have only one question relating to either the previous lecture material or the material for the current days lecture.  Each quiz will be worth 2 points.  Usually they are graded as either correct = 2 points or incorrect = 0 points, so be prepared.  This quiz will be given during the first five minutes of lecture.  If you walk in after the question has been given, then you will receive a zero for that quiz.  The lowest two quiz grades will be dropped at the end of the semester. 

 There will be a lab quiz at the beginning of each lab period.  Each quiz will have questions from the previous lab and the current lab 20-point quizzes will be given during regularly scheduled laboratory sessions.  Your lowest THREE laboratory grades will be dropped.

 **        NOTE:  THERE ARE NO MAKEUPS FOR MISSED LAB QUIZZES!

 Quizzes will be given AT THE BEGINNING of each scheduled laboratory period, so be on time.  IF YOU ARE LATE FOR LAB, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO MAKE UP THE QUIZ!

 Lab quizzes will cover all aspects of laboratory exercises including equipment and methods used, practical demonstrations of knowledge (such as locating and identifying body organs), and comprehension of basic concepts (such as being able to explain the function of each organ, or how a microscope works).

 All completed assignments (except lab quizzes and the final exam) will be returned to you.

 It is YOUR responsibility to SAVE all graded papers until you receive your final grade in the course.  In case of a discrepancy between recorded grades and your recollection of your grade, you MUST be able to show me the graded paper before I can correct errors in my records

 The college has a strict policy on academic dishonesty (for details, see the Student Handbook).  Simply put, academic dishonesty will NOT be tolerated.  AN ACT OF CHEATING WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF ZERO BEING ASSIGNED TO THE WORK.  ANY REPEATED INCIDENT WILL RESULT IN A COURSE GRADE OF "F." 

·         Cheating includes putting someone's name on a group assignment when that person has not fully participated in the group work. 

·         Cheating also includes plagiarism.  Answers to all questions must be written in your own words.

·         COPYING DIRECTLY OUT OF A TEXT, CLASS HANDOUT, OFF THE INTERNET, OR FROM OTHER REFERENCES IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!  THIS INCLUDES SLIGHTLY REARRANGING THE WORDS SO THAT THEY ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE SOURCE!

 Monday, February 16           President’s Day - No classes

 Thursday, April 1

   through  Sunday, April 11    Spring Break Vacation – No classes

 Friday, April 23                       Last day to withdraw from 15-week classes

 Monday, May 11                     College begins final exam period

 Lecture Texts:    

Michael D. Johnson  -  Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues

Campbell – Biology: Concepts and Connections (Suppl.)

Bres and Weisshaar   -  Human Biology: Condensed, 4th Edition (HBC)

Laboratory Text:   

Bres and Weisshaar   -  Thinking About Biology

Note:  Lecture homework due dates TBA.