Calumet College of St.
Joseph
SYLLABUS FOR HUMAN
BIOLOGY
Term: Spring, 2002
(Jan. 11 – April 20)
Course Number: BIO 101X
Instructor: Dr. Stephen Vogel
Office
Phone: (312) 355-0252
E-mail: vogel@uic.edu
Home
Phone: (219) 763-6884
Office
Hours: (N/A)
Instructor
Background: B.S., Cornell University (1972); Ph.D. in
Physiology, University of Virginia (1980); current position is Assistant Prof.
of Pharmacology at University of Illinois College of Medicine (Chicago).
Course
Time: Friday 6:30 – 10:00 PM
Course Description: This
course emphasizes human physiology and the role humans play in the biosphere.
Bio-ethical issues and application concepts to daily activities and dilemmas
are addressed and discussed between student and Instructor. Through these
activities, it is the goal of this course that each student leave with the
understanding of how a normal human being functions. We are often called upon
to be responsible for making decisions related to our own bodies’ health and
the health of the environment that we live in. It is our responsibility to take
responsibility for our health, education and careers.
Learning
Outcomes/ Competencies:
Students in this course will:
·
design a
test of a scientific hypothesis
·
critically
evaluate scientific data
·
thoroughly
understand and use the scientific method
·
learn basic
concepts in organic and biochemistry that forms the basis of human biology
·
become
familiar with the cellular basis of human biology
·
appreciate
the fine structure of the plasma membrane of animal cells
·
differentiate between biological
tissues, organs, and organ
systems
·
grasp the
concept of homeostasis which underlies the discipline of physiology
·
become
familiar with the physiological functions of the following body systems: skeletal-muscular, digestive, cardiovascular,
respiratory, renal, nervous, and endocrine systems
·
learn the
scientific basis for the concept of evolution
·
discover the relationship between human biology and
ecology
·
to debate important bioethical issues on an
informed basis
Textbooks:
Mader, Sylvia S. Human Biology (McGraw Hill, Boston); Student
Study Guide accompanying the textbook is recommended.
Learning
Strategies: (Group Discussions, Team Projects, Collaborative
Learning, Lecturing…etc.)
The learning
strategy is (1) in-class group discussions; (2) a term-essay; (3) open-book
essay exams; (4) lectures tied to text material. It is strongly recommended that the text material be mastered
prior to lectures.
Assessment: Assessment is based on 4
closed-book in-class written examinations; a term essay; 4 take-home open-book
examinations and, for ambitious students, a special program of extra
credit. Each of the 4 examination
grades will be a weighted average of in-class exam (0.8) and corresponding
take-home exam (0.2) on the same text material. The four examination grades plus the term essay will be weighted
equally to compute a final grade in the course. The lowest grade on examination or term essay will be dropped.
Exams (Midterm, Final, Quizzes) _______% of grade
Class
participation/collaboration/attendance/assignments _______% of grade
Class presentation and assessment instruments _______%
of grade
Class
Policy for Assignments: Term
essay or extra-credit essays can be handed in at any time upto and including
the last day of class.
Grading
Scale:
A: 92-100 A-: 90-91 B+: 88-89 B: 82-87 B-:
80-81 C+: 78-79
C: 72-77
C-: 70-71 D+: 68-69
D: 62-67 D-: 60-61
F: 59 & below
Class
Policy on Attendance: Three unexcused absences will result in a
student being dropped from this course.
Excused absences are strictly emergency situations of which I should be
informed in advance (if possible) and will require a signed and verifiable
excuse from physician, employer, etc., as the case may be.
Class
Policy on Electronic Devices: (Optional)(Cell phones, Beeper, Pagers…etc.)
Observe common
courtesy to avoid disruption of the class.
Course
Outline:
1.
Lectures on Human Organization will include: basic biological chemistry; animal cell
structure and function; and a detailed exploration of the homeostasis concept.
2.
Lectures on Human Physiology will consider the
major physiological systems of the human body such as cardiovascular,
respiratory, muscular, nervous and endocrine systems.
3.
Lectures on the Human Genome will cover basic
principles of chromosomal inheritance, medical genetics, modern concepts in
biotechnology, and pathogenesis of human cancers; ethical and moral concerns
about biotechnology, such as human cloning, will be woven into the lectures and
accompanying class discussions.
4.
Lectures on Evolution and Ecology will deal with
the hard scientific evidence for Darwin’s famous theory, the natural selection
concept, the ecosystem notion, and the global problems introduced by the
population explosion.
Class
Dates: Fridays
at 6:30 pm through April 20, 2002.
Topics/Assignments: Term essay: assignment to
be detailed in class.
Class
Participation: My
courses depend heavily on class participation, as I employ the Socratic
teaching method deigned to engage students in thought-provoking discussions of
the material. The important elements of
class participation are to complete assigned readings and to participate
(i.e., by speaking and listening) in
class discussions.
Center
for Academic Excellence:
Tutoring
assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the
Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The
Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help
students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to
do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.
Statement
of Plagiarism:
If an instructor or other Calumet College of St.
Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in
another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may
elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any
form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for
judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses
student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)
Citation
Guidelines:
Calumet College
of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular
discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.). All of these guidelines are available in the
Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of
sources, including electronic media.
Withdrawal
from Classes Policy:
After the last
day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw
from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty
member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the
withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal
must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final
examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to
the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to
make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is
forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or
deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive
notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate
why the withdrawal is disallowed.
An official
withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript.
Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an
"F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).