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BISC001: Structure & Function of Organisms – Fall 2022

January 9 through April 28

Mon, Wed 6:00pm – 7:15pm 

201 Thomas Bldg

Instructor: Dr. Joseph Verica, 328 Mueller Bldg

Email: [email protected] (Include BISC 001 in the subject line). EMAIL VIA CANVAS ONLY!

Zoom Office Hours:  Wed, 4:45pm-5:45pm or by appt. Zoom by appt.

Course Description and Objectives:

BiSc 001 is an issues-oriented course that covers a wide range of topics relating to the life sciences. Biology is undergoing an explosion of information brought on by advances in biotechnology and computer innovations. With this in mind, it becomes vital that we try to synthesize this new information to be able to answer complex ethical questions that we encounter each day. Addressing these questions requires the development of a scientific literacy that goes beyond rote memorization of facts. To do this, you will need a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of biology and use this information to analyze biological issues. While we will cover topics that may relate to all organisms, many of our examples will involve those processes that are occurring in humans. At the end of this course, you should have a clear understanding of many important biological principles. You should be able to begin thinking like a scientist and be able to effectively evaluate, analyze, and critique the multifaceted biological issues of today. You should also have developed critical thinking skills that will enable you to make decisions that affect your own life and perhaps the lives of others.

Course Text: The course material is drawn primarily from the Power Point presentations that I will provide, as well as the readings from the following text: Biology: Science for Life with Physiology (Authors: Belk and Borden). The text is recommended for this course. The textbook is available at the Penn State University Bookstore and online vendors). If you have an older version of the text, you are welcome to use that. Just be aware that some material differs slightly between editions. You will be responsible updated materials as provided in the Power Point presentations.

https://www.pearson.com/store/p/biology-science-for-life-with-physiology/P100000890943/9780135214114

In addition to text, there are a variety of online resources available. Here are several you may want to check:

· Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)

· Kimball’s biology pages (http://biology-pages.info)

· Biology Online (http://www.biology-online.org/)

· Online Biology Dictionary (http://www.macroevolution.net/biology-dictionary.html)

Course Format: Lectures will begin at 6:00 pm. Each lecture will have an accompanying Power Point presentation that I will provide. You should download and review the PowerPoint presentation before coming to class. Lecture will expand on the concepts from the PowerPoint presentation. The textbook will help to clarify and further your understanding of various concepts. All topics discussed in class, covered in the assignments, handouts, and any supplemental readings will be considered testable material. I will be available during office hours to explain key concepts and to answer any questions you may have.

Grades:

Attendance: Attendance at lecture is required. Attendance is worth a total of 30 pts. If you are unable to attend class, you MUST have a legitimate excuse (see below) or the absence will be considered unexcused. You may have up to five (5) unexcused absences with no penalty. If you have additional unexcused absences, you will lose four (4) points from your attendance grade per missed class. In case of absence (excused or unexcused), you will be responsible for everything we discuss during class time, including any additional information presented to supplement the PowerPoint presentations. If you are unable to attend class, be sure to check in with a classmate to get the notes. I will also be available to explain any of the PowerPoint presentations during my office hours.

Quizzes: There will be a quiz for each unit covered in the course (see course calendar below). All quizzes will be administered online, via the course Canvas site. You must agree to comply with an Academic Integrity Statement before taking quizzes to certify that all work is entirely your own and does not violate Penn State's Academic Integrity policy.

There will be 12 short open book quizzes, each worth 10 pts. In total, the quizzes will be worth 120 pts. Quizzes must be completed by 11:59 PM EST on the due date. Quizzes may be submitted after the due date for half credit.

Exams: There will be six (6) exams, each worth 25 pts. Each exam will have 25 questions. Each question is worth 1 pt. In total, the six exams are worth 150 pts. All topics discussed in class, covered in the assignments, and any supplemental materials I provide will be considered testable material. The exams are NOT cumulative. Exams have a 50 minute time limit.

Attendance for exams is mandatory. If you are unable to take an exam on the scheduled date and you have a legitimate documented excuse, you must contact me within 48 hours of missing the quiz or exam. If you have a legitimate documented excuse, I will schedule a makeup exam and you will not be penalized for late submission.  This must be taken within one week of the regularly scheduled time. If do not take the makeup exam within one week, your score will be zero.

Course Grading Breakdown

Exams 50%

Quizzes 40%

Attendance 10%

Assignment of Final Grades: All letter grades will be assigned in accordance with the University's grading policy. There is no extra credit.

Individual exams MAY be curved at the instructor’s discretion. Final grades are NOT curved. Final Grades will be rounded up to the nearest point. For example, if you receive a grade of 79.4% (C+), that grade will be rounded up to 80% (B-). A final grade will be changed only if a mathematical or grade-entry error has been made.

**If you believe that a clear and unambiguous error was made in grading a quiz or exam question, submit a short, typed explanation.  Requests for review submitted after one week will not be considered.

The following are the only legitimate excuses for missing classes, quizzes or exams:

· Illness (with doctor’s note)

· A University sponsored event (with a note from the sponsor)

· Religious holiday recognized by PSU

· Death in the family (you must provide official documentation with a date)

If you are unsure about your excuse, ask the course coordinator before your absence. As adults, it is your responsibility to provide reasonable verification. Each situation is unique, and I can be flexible.  If you have a family emergency, you may call the Assistance and Information Center 24-hour Family Emergency line at 814-863-2020.  They will take the information and notify your instructors of your absence.  

COVID-19 Safety: The safety of everyone involved in this course and everyone with whom they come into contact is of primary concern. Therefore, we require everyone enrolled in this course and attending any in-person course activities to comply with all of Penn State’s COVID safety policies, as outlined at https://virusinfo.psu.edu.

Academic Integrity/Academic Dishonesty: Professional behavior includes academic integrity. Academic dishonesty is not limited to simply cheating on an exam or assignment.  The following is quoted directly from the PSU Faculty Senate Policies and Rules for Undergraduate Students regarding academic integrity and academic dishonesty: “Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University's Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students' dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts. Academic integrity includes a commitment by all members of the University community not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.” (http://senate.psu.edu/policies-and-rules-for-undergraduate-students/47-00-48-00-and-49-00-grades/#49-20)

All university, college and departmental policies regarding academic integrity/academic dishonesty apply to this course and the students enrolled in this course.  Refer to the following URL for further details on the academic integrity policies of the Eberly College of Science: http://science.psu.edu/current-students/Integrity/Policy.html   Each student in this course is expected to work entirely on her/his own while taking any exam, to complete assignments on her/his own effort without the assistance of others unless directed otherwise by the instructor or teaching assistant, and to abide by University and College policies on academic integrity and academic dishonesty.  If you violate any conduct or academic integrity policies of the testing center (http://www.testing.psu.edu/student_conduct), you will receive a zero on that exam. If you have any questions about completing an assignment, please ask.  Academic dishonesty either in lab or lecture can result in assignment of “F” by the course instructors or "XF" by the Office of Student Conduct as the final grade for the student.  Students are responsible for ensuring that their work is consistent with Penn State's expectations about academic integrity.

Copyright Issues and Classroom Note-Taking Services: Students who are enrolled in the course and who sell notes to either commercial note-taking services or to other students (directly or through online services) are advised to consult official University policies (for example, see Administrative Policy AD40 at: (http://guru.psu.edu/policies/AD40.html) to learn about classroom notes, handouts, and other materials that are protected under the federal Copyright Act and under University policy in order to avoid violating copyright laws and University policy.

The Eberly College of Science Code of Mutual Respect and Cooperation embodies the values that we hope our faculty, staff, and students possess and will endorse to make The Eberly College of Science a place where every individual feels respected and valued, as well as challenged and rewarded. (http://science.psu.edu/climate/support-and-resources/code-of-mutual-respect-and-cooperation/Code-of-Mutual-Respect%20final.pdf)

Statement on Nondiscrimination: The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Note: The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation in this course or have questions about physical access, please tell the instructor as soon as possible.

Accessibility: Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources Web site provides contact information for every Penn State campus: http://equity.psu.edu/sdr/disability-coordinator. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources Web site: http://equity.psu.edu/sdr. To receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation:  http://equity.psu.edu/sdr/applying-for-services. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.  If you have an SDR accommodation letter, please meet with the course coordinator, Dr. Hass.

Counseling and Psychological Services: Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional wellbeing. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation.

Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park  (CAPS)
(http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/): 814-863-0395

Counseling and Psychological Services at Commonwealth Campuses
(http://senate.psu.edu/faculty/counseling-services-at-commonwealth-campuses/)

Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741

Educational Equity/Report Bias: Consistent with University Policy AD29, students who believe they have experienced or observed a hate crime, an act of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment that occurs at Penn State are urged to report these incidents as outlined on the University’s Report Bias webpage (http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/) 

You are responsible for reading and understanding all course policies as outlined in this syllabus.

Course Schedule: BiSc001 Spring 2023

ALL QUIZZES MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) ON THE DATE INDICATED.

*The schedule above is subject to change. In the event of a schedule change, I will post an announcement on the class Canvas site. You are responsible for keeping up to date with any potential changes on the course schedule.