Syllabi for Dr. Kaesberg
General Biology I – BSC 1010C
Fall 2020
Course Syllabus
Lecture: Online
Lab: online
Instructor: Dr. Jeff Kaesberg
Email address: jkaesberg1@valenciacollege.edu (please use Canvas, not email)
Required Text: BIOLOGY, BSC1010C, Custom Edition for Valencia College, Campbell and Reese, Pearson Custom Publishing
or
CAMPBELL BIOLOGY, Eleventh Edition, Reese. Urry. Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky and Jackson, Pearson/Benjamin Cummings Publishing (Students planning to take BSC1011C, General Biology II should purchase this book.)
Required Materials: For the lab, students will to purchase a McGraw Hill package electronically from the bookstore.
Lecture and Lab Notes: Will be posted on Canvas
Course Description
*Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of all mandated course in reading mathematics, and English. Introduction to fundamental biological principles emphasizing common attributes of all living organisms. Unifying concepts include chemical structure of living matter, structure and function of the cell, specialized cells, major metabolic functions, control systems, reproduction, genetics, evolution and ecology. This course is a prerequisite for advanced biology courses.
Course Objectives
1. To acquire majors-level foundational knowledge in biology and understanding its applications and implications.
2. To develop the ability to communicate biological concepts with accuracy and depth.
3. To develop critical thinking skills, and enhance existing skills.
4. To apply the Valencia Student Core Competencies to the study of biology.
Ways to achieve the course objectives
1. Study every day, this is a “weeder” class and extremely difficult for many people. Simply learning the language of biology (i.e. the jargon) will be helpful.
2. Form a study group: Often peers can convey the material in a more understandable manner. Learning is an action verb.
3. Use flash cards: A fair amount of this course entails rote memorization.
4. Take notes while reading.
5. Read the syllabus and prepare for each class. Reading the chapter to be covered before the lecture helps reinforce key concepts.
6. Do the optional homework. Writing, more than reading, enhances learning.
- Be on time to class and attend every class. The introduction to each lecture is important to understand the entire lecture’s purpose.
- Prepare for class and allow plenty of time to study every day.
- Rewrite your notes soon after the lecture; tape record lectures to refresh your memory when you rewrite your notes.
- Make a lab journal when you get home to review everything you did , used, saw and explain what you saw in the lab to refresh your memory when studying for the lab practical exams; make charts and tables to organize your thoughts about the different media.
- Use mnemonic devises and other games to remember concepts; go to Google images and YouTube for additional pictures and videos to clarify concepts.
- Make lists of confusing topics from your studying and ask questions, talk to the professor before or after class for a better explanation of any concepts.
LETTER FROM THE DEAN
Expectations of Academic Integrity
Welcome to the Science Division of Valencia College’s West Campus; we are enthused to have this opportunity to assist you in achieving your educational goals. In working to provide you with the best learning experience at Valencia College, my expectation is that each of our faculty and students maintain the highest ethical academic standards.
From your professors, you can expect the following:
1. They will be on time to class and available during their scheduled office hours.
2. They will return graded tests, labs and other assignments when promised and within a reasonable period of time.
3. They will answer emails and phone calls within 48 business hours.
4. They will properly cite their references and resources, where applicable.
From you, we expect the following:
1. You will take your exams without referring to any books, notes, electronic devices or classmates unless you are specifically instructed that a test is open-book or collaborative.
2. You will not tell other students about test questions or answers before or during their exam and you will protect the exam from being seen by others.
3. You will avoid even the appearance of cheating by not looking in the direction of other exams, by not wearing clothing/hats/visors that hide your eyes, by keeping your belongings, other than pens, pencils and erasers away from your desktop, by going to the restroom before the exam and by asking your professor for permission and supervision if you need to retrieve another pen, pencil or eraser from your backpack or purse.
4. You will not allow anyone else to be the author of any part of your essays, lab reports or other written assignments and you will not include any materials from any sources (books, journals, other students, the internet, etc.) unless you give credit to those sources.
It is my hope that you will think about why it is important that we each show academic integrity and how cheating and plagiarism affect all of us, including those guilty of these academic crimes. Some students think that it only hurts their grade if they get caught cheating or plagiarizing, but cheaters typically lie not only to others, but to themselves. Eventually, cheaters pay a price.
Ø Those who cheat typically fail licensure exams, since they don’t really know the material. Without a professional license, they won’t be able to get employment. Would you want to be treated by a doctor who cheated in order to pass an exam that covered his or her knowledge of your disease? Also, if they falsify a patient’s medical records, can you guess what can happen to them?
Ø Research scientists who falsify data are typically discredited and their reputations can be permanently ruined.
Ø Although you may think your professors have no clue when a student is cheating, usually your classmates do and some will inform your professor.
Ø Cheating becomes habitual. See what happens when employees cheat their employer.
Ø Students who let others cheat off them are not doing anyone a favor. If you are in a highly competitive field, you may ultimately be aiding your competition.
Ø Guess what a professor says to a student seeking a letter of recommendation when they know the student cheated or plagiarized.
Ø Finally, what happens to a person’s self-esteem and to their reputation when they act unethically by cheating or plagiarizing?
Use the following as your guide: “Each student is required to follow Valencia policy regarding academic honesty. All work submitted by students is expected to be the result of the student’s individual thoughts, research, and self-expression unless the assignment specifically states ‘group project.’ To get the most out of each of your classes, it is best to learn how to study for long term comprehension, not just to memorize facts. Study so you can teach others what you are learning. My motto is, “if you can’t teach what you are learning to others, you don’t really know the material.” Academic dishonesty, in the forms of cheating and plagiarism, will not be tolerated and for most of our science professors will result in a student getting a zero on a test or assignment for the first offense and then an F for the course if a student is caught cheating or plagiarizing again; at that point the Dean of Students will also be notified. Don’t throw away your dreams and your reputation by showing a lack of academic integrity. We wish you the best and want you to succeed and be proud of your accomplishments at Valencia.
Dr. Robert Gessner
Valencia College West Campus Dean of Science
Grade calculation
| Chapter Quizzes | About 700 points |
| Chapter Discussions | About 240 points |
| Laboratories | 120 points |
| Final Exam | 200 points |
| Total Points | About 1260 points |
· The class will be divided into modules – each chapter has its own module.
o In each module, there will be a PDF of Dr. Kaesberg’s PowerPoint, a few relevant videos, and a 50-point quiz (about 25 questions). The deadline for each module will be posted on Canvas.
o The lowest two quiz grades will be dropped.
· The final exam will be posted on December 7, 2020.
· If a student wants extra credit, he or she can donate blood and then submit a picture of the blood donation ticket to Dr. Kaesberg via a Canvas Message. If a student cannot donate blood for whatever reason. Ask for a donation ticket from the donation site – even an attempt is worth point. The ticket showing donation is worth 25 bonus points.
· Please communicate with Dr. Kaesberg via a message on Canvas.
Ø This may be subject change. If so, Dr. Kaesberg will post an announcement on Canvas.
Ø Important Dates:
o Classes begin: August 24
o No show reporting period: September 01
o Withdrawal deadline: October 30
o Class ends: December 6
o Final Exam: December 7 (see the note on an announcement on Canvas)
o Grades Due: 9:00 a.m. on December 14