General Biology – BIOL 100-1001 Fall 2023
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General Biology – BIOL 100-1001
Fall 2023
Schedule Number 9871
COURSE INFORMATION
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Class Days / Times: Online Class Location: Online Mode: Online asynchronous Platform: Canvas |
Instructors: Dr. Apollo Kacsinta Email: [email protected] Office location: TBD
Office hours: via zoom (https://SDSU.zoom.us/j/81977224473) By appointment only |
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The best way to contact Dr. Kacsinta is by email. Please put ‘BIOL 100’ in the subject line. I will do my best to respond to you within 36 hours of receiving your email, but only during normal business hours Monday-Friday. If you plan on meeting with me on zoom please prepare as listed below. Zoom Web Conferencing Prepare your computer and yourself for live online sessions using the Zoom web conferencing tool: Before using Zoom, please note that this is a two-way web conferencing tool, and that you should make yourself and your surrounding area presentable prior to joining any Zoom meeting in case the camera video is on by default. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT |
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For millennia, the Kumeyaay people have been a part of this land. This land has nourished, healed, protected and embraced them for many generations in a relationship of balance and harmony. As members of the San Diego State University community, we acknowledge this legacy. We promote this balance and harmony. We find inspiration from this land, the land of the Kumeyaay. INCLUSIVITY: We welcome individuals of all ages, backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicities, gender identities, national origins, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, ability - and other visible and nonvisible differences. All members of this class should feel safe and respected, and in turn, are expected to contribute to a welcoming and inclusive environment. To fully participate in the learning process, we must be open to the views of people different from ourselves. Please honor the uniqueness of your fellow classmates and appreciate the opportunity we have to learn from one another. ESSENTIAL STUDENT INFORMATION |
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● Compliance with CSU / SDSU vaccination and facial covering policies is required.
● Your SDSU email address will be used for all course-related communications.
● The Student Conduct Code prohibits conduct disruptive to instruction, including academic dishonesty and the unauthorized recording, dissemination, or publication (including on ● websites or social media) of lectures or other course materials.
● ([email protected] | sdsu.edu/sasc). Please allow 10-14 business days for this process.
student information, including contact information, grades, and graded assignments. I will not post grades or leave graded assignments in public places. Students will be notified at the time of an assignment if copies of student work will be retained beyond the end of the semester or used as examples for future students or the wider public.
● As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. I am required to share information regarding sexual violence on SDSU’s
campus with the Title IX coordinator, Gail Mendez (619-594-6464), who will contact you to let you know about support services at SDSU and possibilities for holding accountable the person who harmed you. If you do not want the Title IX Officer notified, you can speak
confidentially SDSU’s Sexual Violence Victim Advocate (619-594-0210) or Counseling and ● Psychological Services (619-594-5220, psycserv@sdsu.edu).
Need help finding an advisor, tutor, counselor, emergency economic assistance, or other support? Contact the SDSU Student Success Help Desk Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
● For technical or computing assistance, contact the Library Computing Hub.
HELP CONTROL THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
Addressing the COVID-19 pandemic is a shared responsibility. Each of us has a role to play in keeping our learning environments and campus as safe as possible. To that effect, it is critical students are aware and in compliance with CSU/SDSU vaccination and facial covering policies (https://sacd.sdsu.edu/student-rights/covid-policies) is required.
Instructions for caring for instructional spaces will be posted in each lab, clinic, or
classroom; supplies will be available. Individuals are required to provide their own facial coverings. If students need assistance purchasing facial coverings, please contact the Economic Crisis Response Team.
All SDSU community members are encouraged to make a commitment to health and safety, please consider signing the SDSU Health Commitment. For additional COVID-19 information, visit the university’s COVID website.
COURSE MATERIALS
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Materials (including texts, readings, course fees, equipment, and any technology requirements) |
Required or optional |
Where and how it can be obtained |
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eText: Simon, E. 2019. “Biology: The Core.” 3rd ed. Pearson. |
Required |
Immediate access via enrollment your university account will automatically be billed unless you opt out |
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Mastering Biology (included with purchase of etext via immediate access(see below)) |
Required |
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Laptop/computer with functional camera or webcam |
Required |
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Equitable/Immediate Access: The required course materials for this class are provided in a digital format by the first day of classes and are free through the add/drop date. Your SDSU student account will then be charged a special reduced price for use of the materials for the remainder of the semester unless you opt-out of the content by 11:59 PM on the add/drop date. For additional information about immediate access, please visit www.shopaztecs.com/immediateaccess for information about pricing, digital subscription duration, print add-ons, opting out and other frequently asked questions.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
● Connect facts and concepts to theories that are foundational in the study of biology.
● Apply the scientific process by developing, testing, and evaluating hypotheses.
● Develop argumentation, modeling, and data analysis skills to solve problems and think critically.
● Connect knowledge to real-world applications and communicate how science impacts your life.
● Interpret and evaluate scientific claims from current events.
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BIOLOGY DEGREE LEARNING OUTCOMES |
LEVEL OF EMPHASIS |
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Concepts |
Provide examples of the relation between form and function in biology, as expressed in molecular, cellular, and whole-organism physiology |
Introduced |
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Compare and contrast the major cellular processes in eukaryotes and prokaryotes |
Major component |
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Explain how genetic information is transmitted, and the relationship between genetics and evolution |
Introduced |
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Compare and contrast the primary mechanisms of evolutionary diversification |
Introduced |
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Categorize the diversity of life in terms of the phylogenetic relationships among major organismal groups |
Introduced |
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Describe how interactions among organisms and their environment influence populations, communities, and ecosystem function |
Reinforced |
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Skill s |
Quantitatively answer biological questions using mathematical or statistical tools |
Not Addressed |
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Design, conduct, and interpret experiments using common biological lab and field techniques |
Introduced |
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Effectively and concisely present scientific ideas and the results of scientific research in written and oral form |
Introduced |
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Critique scientific papers, as demonstrated by written or oral summaries of hypotheses, methodology, and conclusions |
Introduced |
COURSE DESIGN: MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS
Course Overview: General Biology is a general education course for non-biology majors. The course is organized around core topics (e.g., Climate Change, Nutrition, Cancer) that demonstrate the basic principles of biology, link biology to current and real-life examples, and demonstrate the relevance of biology to our daily lives.
Course Structure: For this course, you will take an active role in the learning process. Rather than simply passively watching pre-recorded lectures, each lecture will have questions or activities embedded within the lecture that you will have to answer before continuing the video. This is an effort to re-enforce challenging concepts, enhance learning and develop critical thinking. It is essential that you complete the required reading assignments and pre-recorded lectures before attempting the Mastering Biology homework assignments. These will guide your learning and will help us to assess which material is challenging and/or where you are having problems. All communications regarding the course (announcements, assignments, grades, etc.) will be conducted via Canvas. All homework assignments will be conducted using Mastering Biology, to which you will link through your Canvas account. Additional information on how to register for Mastering Biology is posted on the Canvas course page.
GRADING POLICIES
ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING OUTCOMES
Exam 1 (Respondus lockdown browser w/ monitor) 100
Exam 2 (Respondus lockdown browser w/ monitor) 100
Exam 3 (Respondus lockdown browser w/ monitor) 100
Exam 4 (Respondus lockdown browser w/ monitor) 100
Exam 5 (Respondus lockdown browser w/ monitor) 100
Homework Assignments 360 (13 assignments 30 pts; lowest
dropped)
PlayPosit Questions/Activities.
possible E.C.)
Total
COURSE GRADE
140 (15 assignments 10 pts; 10
1000 points
5
Final course grades will be determined objectively based Homework assignments,
PlayPosit questions, and lecture exams. Grades will be determined by the percentage of points you earn based on the following tentative grading scale:
> 92.0 =A 82.0 = B 72.0 = C 62.0 = D
90.0 = A- 80.0 = B- 70.0 = C- 60.0 = D-
88.0 = B+ 78.0 = C+ 68.0 = D+ < 60.0 = F
Homework assignments due Thursdays by 11:59 PM
2023-09-13