HONORS GENETICS (BIOLOGY 350C) SYLLABUS
FALL 2007, SECTION 111
TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, 11:00 AM TO 1:45 PM, FOLSOM 304
DR. BONNIE WOOD, PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY
HOW TO FIND ME
¸Office hours, 316 South Hall: Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
( 768-9446 (you may leave a voice mail
message)
: Use Blackboard (www.courses.maine.edu), my email
address (wood@umpi.maine.edu) or my webpage (www.umpi.maine.edu/~wood)
If you need to see
me but cannot come during regular office hours, you may make an appointment to
meet at a more convenient time. If you do
not understand some of the course material, please ask questions before it is
too late!
CWHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS COURSE?
In Honors Genetics, the arbitrary distinction between
"lecture" and "laboratory" is eliminated. Instead, both parts of the course are
interwoven during two longer class meetings each week. Take a look at the Topic Schedule to see what
will be covered this semester.
My goal is to ACTIVELY
engage you in the learning of genetics so this course becomes a positive
component of your undergraduate experience---a part that is not only a stepping
stone to a degree but also enriches your life.
This class will emphasize USING facts about genetics rather than simply
memorizing those facts. Sometimes you will do this alone; sometimes you will do
it in collaboration with members of your learning group.
I teach Biology
350 using methods that I hope will significantly change the way you view the world. I want to foster an interest in genetics
that will continue beyond the date of the final exam; to prepare you to make
effective choices in the voting booth and to be a citizen of the world; to help
you acquire thinking skills that you can use in other life endeavors.
To accomplish my
goals, I use "lecture-free" teaching methods. You will participate in
inquiry-based exercises that foster critical thinking about real-world
problems. Active learning will NOT make the course easier and will NOT take
less of your time. However, if you follow my guidelines you will not only enjoy
the course more but also will increase your likelihood of success in the class.
To be successful you must TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN LEARNING. This syllabus describes how you do this and
is a resource for the entire semester.
Ñ HOW TO SUCCEED IN BIOLOGY 350C
All class meetings
require active involvement. To participate, you must PREPARE BEFORE EACH CLASS.
¨The Honors
Genetics CoursePack (which you must
buy at the bookstore) contains outlines of the information you are expected to
know about each subject listed on your Topic Schedule. BEFORE each scheduled class, read appropriate parts of the suggested chapters,
and take notes (in your own words) on the outlines. The outlines are not necessarily in the same
order as the chapters in your text, and you may have to look up some terms in
the index or glossary to learn about them.
If one outline is scheduled for several class meetings, COMPLETE THE
OUTLINE BEFORE THE FIRST CLASS IN WHICH IT IS USED.
:Email me BEFORE
7:00 AM ON THE DAY OF EACH CLASS if you have specific questions or
topics you want me to clarify that day. If I do not receive any questions or
requests, I will assume that everyone in the class understands the topic for
the day, and will spend no time explaining information. You are responsible for
any concept listed in the outlines, even if I don't discuss it in class.
Your completed outlines for a particular topic will be
periodically collected for grading (and without prior notification!). This is
done to give you feedback on your note taking and to keep you motivated to do
the work ahead of time. (No late submissions will be accepted.)
Class time will be used for active learning and
laboratory exercises that assume prior knowledge. You will work with your assigned learning
groups for many of these activities.
Some of these will be fun, and all of them will help you learn and
understand genetics and prepare you for upcoming tests. If you fail to read the chapter and take
notes on the outline before each class, you will let your learning group down
and you will not gain information and expertise during the activities.
During the last two minutes of each class meeting you
will describe in writing "The
Murkiest Point" --something from that class which you still do not fully
understand. If you understand
everything, instead describe "The Most Interesting Point". You will sign this paper and hand it in as
you leave. I will begin the next class with
an explanation of the two or three most frequently stated
"murkies." You must write
something other than your name!
ACADEMIC HONESTY. In cases of violation of academic honesty, I
will discuss the matter with you and will assign you a grade of F (zero points)
for the violated work or require that you withdraw from the course with a grade
of F according to the gravity of the offense.
IATTENDANCE. Attendance at all scheduled class meetings is
very important. Each class will include
activities that you do alone or with your learning group. You are responsible for all material covered
during class whether you were present or not.
If you miss class you should discuss what was done with one of the
members of your learning group. A record
of "The Murkiest Point" papers will assess your attendance.
RESOURCES
THESE BOOKS MUST
BE PURCHASED AT THE BOOKSTORE AND BROUGHT TO ALL CLASS MEETINGS:
&Genetics. A
Conceptual Approach, Second Edition, by Benjamin A.
Pierce. First we will cover molecular
genetics and then classical (Mendelian) genetics, an order different from that
of the textbook. The chapters of this book that correspond to each week’s
lectures are indicated on the Topic Schedule.
& Honors Genetics CoursePack is a three-ring binder containing outlines that
you must complete before class as well as detailed instructions for homework,
in-class and laboratory activities.
Other materials (like this Syllabus and the Topic Schedule) that I give
you throughout the semester should be added to the CoursePack.
:BLACKBOARD is an online software tool that you will use in Biology
350C. Through Blackboard you will
receive important announcements from me, communicate with me, access course
materials, and participate in other activities that I will explain during the
semester.
To access the Blackboard Website ( www.courses.maine.edu),
use the instructions in the handout entitled “Getting Started with Blackboard”
that is found in the front of the Honors Genetics CoursePack.
:COMPUTER LABS:
You may learn about locations and hours of Houlton and
Presque Isle computer labs from the UMPI homepage (www.umpi.maine.edu) by going
to Information ForàCurrent
StudentsàComputer ServicesàFishing Hole (on left of screen)à Lab Hours.
TUTORING AND OTHER
ASSISTANCE:
If you are at all concerned about your ability to
succeed in this course, you should sign up for tutoring IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait until you have done poorly on the
first test! To sign up see the Tutor
Coordinator, 120 South Hall, 768-9614. If you have a disability and need
accommodation or assistance in this course, contact the Director of Student
Support Services, 123 South Hall, 768-9613 or email Mary Kate Barbosa:
barbosam@umpi.maine.edu.
E LEARNING GROUPS:
As part of an activity on the first day of class about
some important organic compound subunits, you will be randomly assigned to a
learning group. You will
work with these students in and out of class for the entire
semester.
Group Coordinator:
Choose a group coordinator who will organize meetings, facilitate
discussion and keep me informed of progress and problems in the group. On the first day of class you should
determine several times during the week when you are all available outside of
class.
Exchange Information: Exchange telephone numbers and email
addresses among yourselves.
Behavior: Arrive promptly to class and sit with your learning
group. There will be activities during
each class in which you will interact and your fellow group members will depend on you to be there at the beginning to
hear the instructions.
GFIRST WEEK ASSIGNMENTS:
·
Read this syllabus
carefully!! Note especially your
responsibilities in the course.
·
If you have not activated your University “@maine.edu”
email account, contact Computer Services in the Library basement (768-9626) for
help.
·
If you forgot your password, you can reset your password
using the following Website: http://mail.maine.edu.
·
I will send you email via Blackboard by using your
“@maine.edu” account. If you check a
different account more frequently, use the UMS Mail Server
(http://mail.maine.edu) to forward your @mail.edu email to your preferred
account.
ONGOING ASSIGNMENTS
&READINGS AND /OTHER HOMEWORK
Before each class, read appropriate
parts of the chapters listed on your Topic Schedule. Determine the parts of the
chapter you should read by looking at the topic outline. You should also do any
other assignments listed in HOMEWORK column of the Topic Schedule. You are expected to be familiar with this
material before the first class at which it is discussed.
s WEEKLY PROBLEM SETS. Problems from the
end of the text chapters along with additional problems or assignments from lab
exercises will be posted on Blackboard by each Friday afternoon. They must be
completed before the beginning of the class on the following Tuesday. (No late
submissions). At the beginning of class
each Tuesday, you may ask questions about the homework before you turn them
in. I will grade them for completeness
only. Answers and explanations will be posted on Blackboard for you to check
your own problem sets.
&STUDENT-LED
TEACHING MODELS. On the first day of class, you will each
choose an article describing a teaching model.
You will assemble and demonstrate your model to the rest of the class on
the date indicated on the Topic Schedule. When preparing for your presentation,
follow the guidelines described in detail in the “Student-Led Teaching Model
Grading Criteria” in the front of your CoursePack. You are responsible for collecting the
materials and teaching the principles demonstrated by your model. (I already
have most of the materials, so check with me before buying anything. If you bring me the receipt, I will pay you
for any additional supplies you purchase.)
Grading is according to the “Student-Led Teaching Model Grading
Criteria” a copy of which should be handed to me before you begin your
presentation. Put full effort into
preparing to teach your topic because your presentation is your classmates’
opportunity to apply and understand the material. Your peers are dependent upon you to guide
them through this process. If you choose
an unfamiliar topic, you will learn more as you become the class expert.
"You don't really understand something until you can
explain it to your grandmother"--- attributed to Albert Einstein.
Learning Pyramid: Average Retention Rates for Learning
Activities (Source: National Training Laboratories, Bethel, ME)
&BOOK REVIEW
Choose and read a book from the Biology 350 Book Review
Choices on Blackboard and on my website and write a review of its
appropriateness for Biology 350 students.
Each student must read a different book.
For the review, carefully follow the “Book Review Grading Criteria” in
the front portion of your CoursePack.
Due
dates See the Homework column on your Topic Schedule / You do not have to
wait until the due date to complete each part! ONE POINT IS DEDUCTED FOR EACH DAY THAT A PART IS LATE:
·
Tuesday, October 2: Tell me the book you
have chosen to read. Since each student
must read a different book, borrow your book early from the library to ensure
you get your first choice.
·
By Friday, November 30: Complete your consultation with one of the
UMPI Writing Center tutors. You should
make an appointment well in advance by going to the Writing Center located in
South Hall. Students from many different
classes use the Writing Center, so getting an appointment at the last minute
may be impossible. Don’t forget to take
your “Book Review Grading Criteria” to the appointment and have it
signed and dated by your tutor.
· Tuesday, December 11: Submit your final book review with the “Book Review Grading Criteria” sheet stapled to the front. Behind the final copy, attach the first draft along with notes made during the consultation at the writing center. You will also briefly share with your classmates, on the last day of class, thoughts about your book.
TESTS
AND EXAMS
TYPES OF TEST QUESTIONS. Questions emphasize critical thinking skills
acquired during in class and laboratory activities and also by completing your
weekly problem sets. For each test you may bring with you one 8.5" x
11" paper on which you have written important facts (using one side only)
and your name. This will be stapled to
the back of your test when you turn it.
MAKE UP. If you
know in advance that you will be absent during a test or final examination, you
must obtain permission from me at least two school days before the day
of the test. Unanticipated absences will
result in a grade of F (zero points) unless you call me on the day on which the
test was scheduled (you may leave a
voice mail message and I will call you back) and present medical or legal
documentation at the earliest possible date after the class period.
If you have just read this entire syllabus, email me
before 7:00 AM on the second day of class with a statement of the most
important thing you learned from the syllabus and you will receive 3 extra
credit points!
GRADING PROCEDURES:
The total possible
points for the course is approximately 340 distributed in the following way:
3 topic
tests @ 50 points = 150
l final exam
@ 100 points = 100
Book Review = 30
Teaching
Model = 21
Outlines +
class participation = 10
Problem sets
@points » 24
Total
course points » 335
To determine the
letter grade for a test or exam or for the course:
1. Calculate your percentage based on the total
possible points using this ratio: points obtained/total possible points X 100 =
%
2. Convert the percentage to a letter grade
using the scale below:
|
A = 93-100% |
B- =
80-82.9% |
D+ =
67-69.9% |
|
A- =
90-92.9% |
C+ =
77-79.9% |
D = 63-66.9% |
|
B+ =
87-89.9% |
C = 73-76.9% |
D- =
60-62.9% |
|
B = 83-86.9% |
C- =
70-72.9% |
F = 00-59.9% |