LEXINGTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Human Ecology - BIO 102

Syllabus and Course Objectives

Lexington Community College and the University of Kentucky are Equal Opportunity Institutions

General Education Competencies:

Science: To demonstrate an awareness of one’s interaction with the biological / physical environment.

Writing: To communicate effectively using standard written English.

Reading: To analyze, summarize, and interpret a variety of reading materials.

Integrated Learning: To think critically and make connections in learning across the disciplines.

Creative Thinking: To elaborate upon knowledge to create new thoughts, processes and / or products.

Ethics / Values: To demonstrate an awareness of ethical considerations in making value choices.

Specific Competencies / Evaluation:

1. Writing: Students will be expected to write one research paper, communicating effectively using standard written English.

2. Reading: Exams are based both on lecture and on student reading of the required text.  Specific reading assignments may also be given for evaluation in a scheduled test.

3. Integrated Learning: Students are expected to integrate facts and critically apply these through discussion of scientific topics, theory application, interpretation of information, and problem solving.  This will be evaluated through scheduled tests and class participation.

4. Creative Thinking: Students are expected to think creatively from information presented in class.  This will be evaluated through various assignments and class participation.

5. Ethics / Values: Students should become aware of ethical considerations in both general and scientific issues.  They are expected to take responsibility for and show commitment to their studies and to understand the consequences of serious infringements such as cheating and plagiarizing.

Course Description:

A study of the interrelationships of man, populations, space, energy, food, mineral resources, and other life on earth.  Not for life sciences majors.

Objectives:

1. To understand the relationship of ecology to other disciplines and its relevance to human affairs.

2. To identify ecological systems and processes providing support for life.

3. To understand the hierarchical organization of ecosystems.

4. To demonstrate the importance of energy as the common denominator of life and the link between ecosystems and economic systems.

5. To understand the various biogeochemical cycles.

6. To discuss how populations grow and how individuals and species interact.

7. To understand that biotic communities develop and evolve over time.

8. To develop a respect for the environment and involvement in environmental issues.

Instructional Materials:

Required Text: Raven, P.H. & Berg, L.R. 2001. Environment, 3^rd edition. Fort Worth, Texas: Harcourt College Publishers.

Optional: Raven, P.H.; Berg, L.R. & Reeder, E.E. 2001. Study Guide to Accompany Environment, 3^rd edition. Fort Worth, Texas: Harcourt College Publishers. 

Supplementary: I will distribute some handouts in class.  Students are responsible for obtaining all handouts.

Web Addresses:

LCC’s Biology Area web site - http://www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/LCC/BSN/BIO

Stacy Smith’s BIO 102 web site - http://www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/LCC/BSN/Smith/bio102.htm

Students are strongly encouraged to become familiar with using computer technology such as E-mail and the Internet. 

Instructional Methods:

During the lecture period overhead transparencies, videotapes, and PowerPoint slides will be utilized.  In addition, question & answer sessions and discussion sessions will be used to encourage student participation and assimilation of information presented in class. Students are encouraged to take advantage of biology tutors who are generally available throughout the semester.

Class Procedures:

Please get in the habit of checking the web site prior to coming to class to get lecture outlines, announcements, etc.  In the unlikely event that I am late arriving for class, please allow 15 minutes before assuming that class is cancelled.  You are encouraged to interrupt lecture at any time for questions or relevant comments, but I will not tolerate excessive talking among classmates, rudeness to other classmates, cell phone calls, etc.  If the need arises, you may be asked to leave the classroom.

Course Requirements, Evaluation Procedures, and Policies:

Exams: Exams will be based both upon the material presented in lecture and your reading of the text and supplementary materials.  Exams will most likely include multiple choice, true-false, matching, and diagram labeling.  The final exam will be made up of questions pertaining to new material covered after the third exam and comprehensive questions. The split will be approximately 2/3 new material and 1/3 comprehensive. 

Make-up Exams: Students are strongly encouraged to contact the instructor in advance if they will miss an exam. Otherwise, they must contact the instructor within one week after missing the exam in order for the absence to be excused. It is the instructor’s responsibility to determine if an absence is excusable. For examples of excused absences see Student Rights & Responsibilities (p.47). Appropriate written verification may be required. If the absence is excused, a make-up exam must be scheduled within 24 hours of notification. The make-up exam will be different from the original exam in format. (i.e. It will include short answer and essay questions.) If the absence is unexcused, the student will receive a zero for that exam.

Late Assignments: Late assignments will be penalized 10% per day (including weekends and holidays) unless arrangements have been made prior to the due date or within one week of an excusable absence.

“W” Grades: The last day for a student to withdraw from this course is Friday, March 9, 2001.  By not withdrawing prior to this date, a student signifies his or her commitment to complete the course as outlined in this syllabus.  I will not sign withdraw slips after this date except under extreme circumstances.

Cheating: Cheating will not be tolerated!  Any student caught cheating can potentially receive a failing grade for the course.

Changes to Syllabus: I reserve the right to make certain changes to this syllabus if it becomes necessary to do so.  However, so that you might better plan your semester, due dates for assignments, exam dates, and the number of exams will not be changed under any circumstance.  The material covered on a particular exam may need to be altered if we get behind.  Such changes will be announced in class and will be indicated in red on the web syllabus. Such changes will also be listed on the “Announcements” page of the course web site. 

Attendance: I will take attendance, but attendance is not mandatory.  However, you will find it difficult to earn a satisfactory grade without regularly attending lecture.  If you miss class (or any part of a class), it is your responsibility to get missed notes, handouts, etc. from a classmate or from the course web site.  I do not share my notes.  Should you arrive late for class or need to leave early, please do so as quietly as possible.  In case of snow, if LCC is open I will be delivering a lecture.  Attendance records will be used in the final analysis of grades to determine student effort in the case of borderline grades.  If a student accumulates 3 or fewer unexcused absences, he or she can expect to receive up to 13 points (2%) toward their final grade in the course.

Code of Student Conduct: All rules and regulations set forth in the current edition of the Student Rights & Responsibilities will be followed in this course.  It is the student’s responsibility to obtain a copy of this document from the Admission’s Office (OB 211).

BIO 102 – Course Outline

Final Exam: