HONORS HUMAN NUTRITION (BIOLOGY 300) SYLLABUS
TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, 11:00 AM TO 12:15 PM, FOLSOM 303
DR. BONNIE WOOD, PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY
SPRING 2009
HOW TO FIND ME
ÂOffice hours, 316 South Hall: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:45 PM – 3:30 PM
( 768-9446 (you may leave a voice mail message)
: Use Blackboard (www.courses.maine.edu), my email address (bonnie.s.wood@umpi.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?
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 human nutrition 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 nutrition rather than simply memorizing those facts. Sometimes you will do this alone; sometimes you will do it in collaboration with members of your learning team.
I teach Biology 300 using methods that I hope will foster an interest in nutrition that will continue beyond the date of the final exam. I want to prepare you to make effective dietary choices for yourself, your family and friends. Most importantly, I want 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 to do this and is a resource for the entire semester.
ÑHOW TO SUCCEED IN HUMAN NUTRITION
All class meetings require active involvement. To participate, you must PREPARE BEFORE EACH CLASS.
¨ The Human Nutrition 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. After taking notes on the outline, do the assigned Homework Activities that are described at the end of each outline and be prepared to discuss your results on the first class day scheduled for that topic.
: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 reading on 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 notetaking 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 exercises that assume prior knowledge. You will work with your assigned learning groups for many of the exercises. Some of these will be fun, and all of them will help you learn and understand nutrition concepts 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 MUST BE PURCHASED AT THE BOOKSTORE AND BROUGHT TO ALL CLASSES:
& Nutrition: An Applied Approach, 2nd Edition, by Thompson and Manore. The chapters of this book that correspond to each week’s lectures are indicated on the Topic Schedule.
&Human Nutrition CoursePack is a three-ring binder containing outlines that you must complete before class as well as detailed instructions for homework and in-class activities. Other materials (like this Syllabus and the Topic Schedule) that I give you throughout the semester should be added to the CoursePack.
:DINE® Healthy6 computer software is available for your use in all student computer labs.
Using the instructions in your CoursePack you will learn to enter data into the DINE® Healthy6 program. There will be homework assignments for you to complete with DINE® Healthy6 throughout the remainder of the semester.
THIS CAN BE ACCESSED IN ANY UMPI COMPUTER LAB AND WITH MOST HOME AND PUBLIC COMPUTERS
:BLACKBOARD is an online course management system that you will use in Biology 300. 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 login to Blackboard go to www.courses.maine.edu; click the [Login] button; and enter your username and password. All of your UMS courses that use Blackboard will be listed under “My Courses” and you can access each one by clicking on the link.
:COMPUTER LABS:
You may learn about locations and hours of Houlton and Presque Isle computer labs by going to www.umpi.edu/it-services/student-computing.
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 Helen Findlen, Tutor Coordinator, 120 South Hall, 768-9614. If you have a disability and need accommodation or assistance in this course, contact the Mary Kate Barbosa , Director of Student Support Services, 123 South Hall, 768-9613 or email: mary.barbosa@umpi.edu.
ASSIGNMENTS
E LEARNING TEAMS:
As part of an activity on the first day of class about the classification of nutrients, you will be randomly assigned to a learning team. You will work with these students in and out of class for the entire semester.
Team Coordinator: Choose a coordinator who will organize meetings, facilitate discussion and keep me informed of progress and problems in the team. 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 team. There will be activities during each class during which you will work together, so your team 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 (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.
&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, such as looking at specific websites. You are expected to be familiar with this material before the first class at which it is discussed.
2 WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
Ø ONE POINT IS DEDUCTED FOR EACH DAY THAT ANY PART OF WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT IS LATE, INCLUDING THE CONSULTATION AT THE WRITING CENTER.
Ø YOU SHOULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE WRITING CENTER WELL IN ADVANCE BY GOING TO THE MAIN DESK ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF SOUTH HALL. STUDENTS FROM MANY DIFFERENT CLASSES USE THE WRITING CENTER SO GETTING AN APPOINTMENT AT THE LAST MINUTE MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE. MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT BEFORE YOUR DRAFT IS WRITTEN!
&BOOK REVIEW
Choose and read a book related to human nutrition from the Biology 300 Book Review Choices on my Blackboard Webpage and write a review of its appropriateness for Biology 300 students. Each student must read a different book. For the review, follow carefully the Book Review Grading Criteria, page ix of your CoursePack.
Due dates: (See the Topic Schedule Homework column. You do not have to wait until the due date to complete each part!):
· By Tuesday, February 10:Tell me the author and title of book you have checked out from the UMPI to read. Since each student must read a different book, select your book early to ensure you get your first choice.
· By Thursday, April 9: Complete your consultation with one of the UMPI Writing Center tutors.
· Thursday, April 16: 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.
HOMEWORKS #1-30. All homework assignments are described following the content outlines they are designed to reinforce. Homework assignments are due on the date indicated on the Topic Schedule. No late submissions are accepted.
FINAL PROJECT: SERVICE-LEARNING NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT AND LUNCHEON FOR PARTNERS
· A copy of an article I published in the Journal of College Science Teaching describing this service-learning project is located near the front of your CoursePack.
· You will be paired with someone who has volunteered to be the subject of a complete nutritional assessment. A detailed description of what should be included in the written nutritional assessment is in your CoursePack.
· During the first half of the semester you will learn how to perform a nutritional assessment of yourself. During the second half of the semester you will apply these skills to a nutritional assessment of your service-learning partner.
· By Thursday, April 30: Submit to me a printed copy (from DINE) of the Nutrition Facts Label for the food you are preparing for the luncheon plus its recipe or ingredients.
· On Thursday, May 7 (the final day of class): We will host a luncheon of healthful foods prepared by us for all of the service-learning partners and guest speakers. Please sit with your partner at the meal!! You will contribute a food item labeled with Nutrition Facts.
· Before 5:00 PM on Tuesday, May 12, 2009: In place of a final exam, you will submit to me a detailed, written nutritional assessment of your service learning partner. During your final meeting with your partner, you will present him or her with a copy of the written assessment, along with your verbal explanation. Skipping this final meeting with the service-learning partner will result in an Incomplete for the course.
TESTS
TYPES OF QUESTIONS. Questions emphasize critical thinking skills acquired during homework and in-class activities. For each test you may bring with you your completed Content Outlines in your coursepack.
MAKE UP. If you know in advance that you will be absent during a test, 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 of 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 are 325 distributed in the following way:
3 topic tests @ 50 points = 150
Service Learning Nutritional Assessment = 100
Book Review = 35
Homeworks #1-30 @ 1 point each = 30
Outlines and participation = 10
Total course points = 325
To determine the letter grade for a test 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% |