SYLLABUS FOR INVESTIGATIVE BIOLOGY

Course Number: BIO 100K

Instructor: Professor Tom Notermann, Ph.D.

Office: Room #510

Office Phone: 219-473-4264

E-mail: tnotermann@ccsj.edu

Office Hours: M 12:30-3:30; T9-12; W 9-12; R 1-3:30

Course Time: Lec/Quiz Monday 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. - Video Assisted Instruction (VAI).

Lab Thursday 3:30-5:00 p.m.

A course focused upon applying sound and responsible biological techniques, to test and assess biological theories and concepts. The course utilizes common laboratory procedures to address questions surfacing from environmental problems to possible criminal activities. Laboratories are focused around answering particular biological questions, including techniques presently applied in DNA fingerprinting and analysis. This course is geared towards the non-science major who will be exposed to applied biological techniques, either in their chosen field of study, or in the work environment. Investigative Biology meets a science with a lab requirement for non-science majors.

Laboratory Fee: See current fee schedule.

Cecie Starr, BIOLOGY concepts and applications, third edition, Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1997.

Video Tapes: A set of five two hour "Cycles of Life" tapes contain twenty 30 minute segments which complement the text material.

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.

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, 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.

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. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

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).

Class Policies for Attendance and Assignments: Each week the student is to hand in answers to text Chapter(s) "Review Questions" and "Self Test"(worth 15points) and take an in class quiz based on the Chapter(s) (worth 20points). The lowest Quiz/Homework score will be dropped and no make-up quizzes will be given. The final exam will be cumulative and based on in-class quiz questions.

The lowest lab grade is dropped and there are no make-up labs. A field trip may replace one lab and the student will prepare a one-two page summary. The lab reports are due at the end of each lab session.

The term project involves: Selecting a topic relevant to the text material and of interest to the student, preparing a five typed page report with at least tow references (one internet). Report and 5-10 minute in-class presentation are due Nov. 29 or Dec 2.

Students in this course will:

• Learn biological concepts and integrate them into their field of focus.
• Demonstrate the ability to question and test theories using appropriate scientific methodology.
• Demonstrate knowledge and laboratory skills required for general knowledge application and experimentation in any discipline within biology and specific knowledge and skills applicable to their chosen discipline.

Laboratory 100points

Term Project 20 points

Weekly Quizzes(11@35) 385points

Final Exam 95points

A: 90-100% B+: 85-89% B: 80-84% C+: 75-79%,

C: 70-74% D+: 65-69% D: 60-64% F: less than 60%