BSC1005: Life in its Biological Environment Welcome! Welcome and thank you for enrolling in this course! I think you will enjoy our time together! For some, this may be your first online course. If you are not a computer whiz, don’t worry. You don’t need to be. From a computer standpoint, everything is simple to use and easy to navigate. Please take a few minutes to read the syllabus in its entirety. Exploring all the topics in this syllabus and related links will help you succeed in this course. I am looking forward to working with you and having a great semester! Professor Daudi Langat Professor Information Professor: Daudi K. Langat, PhD Virtual Office Hours: Thursday, 8:00 – 10:00 pm ET Virtual Contact Methods Yahoo Instant Messenger (ID is ) GoogleChat Office Location Virtual Office Phone: 1-415-952-6428 Email: daudi.langat@fscj.edu Instructor Response You can anticipate responses to inquiries and questions within 24 - 48 hours of receipt. Campus Information This online course is offered by the Florida State College at Jacksonville Open Campus. For questions or concerns, please feel free to call the Campus Resource Center (904-997-2628). For technical assistance, please contact the Help Desk at 877-572-8895 or (904) 632-3151 or via . Course Description This course is an introduction to biological structure, processes, principles and concepts. This course fulfills the General Education Requirement.
Module 2: Life's Components: Biological Read: Chapter 3 in the text (see Module 2 page for additional readings and resources) Module 2 MasteringBiology Assignment 10 Week 2 Aug 31 - Sept 6 Module 3: The Cell Read: Chapter 4 in the text (see Module 3 page for additional readings and resources) Module 3 MasteringBiology Assignment 10 Sept 14 Module 3 Discussion: Cell Specialization 40 Module 4: The Plasma Membrane Read: Chapter 5 in the text (see Module 4 page for additional readings and resources) Module 4 MasteringBiology Assignment 10 Module 4 Discussion: The Importance of the Plasma Membrane 40 Week 3 Sept 7 - 13 Module 5: Fundamentals of Energy Read: Chapter 6 in the text (see Module 5 page for additional readings and resources) Module 5 MasteringBiology Assignment 10 Sept 13 Natural Science Assessment Artifact 1 20 Module 6: Cellular Respiration Read: Chapter 7 in the text (see Module 6 page for additional readings and resources) Module 6 MasteringBiology Assignment 10 Module 6 Discussion: The Theory of Endosymbiosis 40 Week 4 Sept 14 - 20 Module 7: Photosynthesis Read: Chapter 8 in the text (see Module 7 page for additional readings and resources) Module 7 MasteringBiology Assignment 10 Sept 20 Module 7 Discussion: Guard Cells 40 Module 8: The Cell Cycle, Mitosis, and Meiosis Read: Chapters 9 & 10 in the text (see Module 8 page for additional readings and resources) Module 8 MasteringBiology Assignment 10 Module 8 Discussion: Chromosome Number Abnormalities 40 PROCTORED Midterm Exam 160 Week 5 Module 9: Read: Chapters Module 9 10 Sept 27
Sept 21 - 27 DNA Replication and Gene Expression 13 & 14 in the text (see Module 9 page for additional readings and resources) MasteringBiology Assignment Module 9 Discussion: Mutations 40 Module 9 Quiz 10 Module 10: Genetics Read: Chapters 11 & 12 in the text (see Module 10 page for additional readings and resources) Module 10 MasteringBiology Assignment 10 Module 10 Discussion: Scanning Genomes for Disease Markers 40 Module 10 Quiz 10 Week 6 Sept 28 - Oct 4 Module 11: Biotechnology Read: Chapter 15 in the text (see Module 11 page for additional readings and resources) Module 11 Discussion: Biotechnology and You 40 Oct 4 Module 11 Quiz 10 Module 12: Diversity of Life I Read: Chapters 21 & 22 in the text (see Module 12 page for additional readings and resources) Module 12 Discussion: Viruses, Protists, and Fungi 40 Week 7 Oct 5 - 11 Module 13: Diversity of Life II Resource: Chapters 23 & 24 in the text (see Module 13 page for additional readings and resources) Module 13 Discussion: Plants and Animals 40 Oct 11 Natural Science Assessment Artifact 2 20 Module 14: Evolution Resource: Chapters 16, 17, & 18 in the text (see Module 14 page for additional readings and resources) Module 14 Discussion A: Polyploidy 40 Module 14 Discussion B: Diversity in Bacteria 40 Week 8 Oct 12 - 18 Module 15: Ecology Read: Chapters 34 (Introduction ONLY) & 35 in the text (see Module 15 page for additional readings and resources) Module 15 Discussion: Ecological Communities 40 Oct 18 Natural Science Assessment Artifact 3 20 Module 15 Quiz 10
The Next Step I hope you have found this syllabus useful. Your next step is to become familiar with the Blackboard classroom and begin the assignments for Module One. See you in the online course! Rubrics Discussion Rubric Levels of Achievement Criteria Exemplary Meets Expectations Developing Novice Not Acceptable Quality of Initial Post 12 Points Initial comment fully addresses all aspects of the discussion board question. Comment includes more than 2 personal or professional experiences. Comment also includes at least two credible resources, cited properly within the work AND at the end of the work. Legitimate scientific resources can be in the form of website references. Ask your instructor if you have any questions on how to identify legitimate scientific resources. Demonstrates excellent critical thinking skills through multiple examples and ideas. Excellent discussion of course readings or other resources (if appropriate). Student has 10.5 Points Initial comment addresses most aspects of the discussion board question. Comment includes 1-2 personal or professional experiences. Comment also includes one credible resource, cited properly within the work AND at the end of the work. Demonstrates adequate critical thinking through some examples and ideas. Good discussion of course readings or other resources (if 9.5 Points Initial comment addresses part of the discussion board question or assigned readings. Comment includes minimal personal or professional experience. Comment also includes one credible resource, cited properly within the work OR at the end of the work. Demonstrates minimal critical thinking with minimal examples and ideas. Minimal discussion of course readings or other resources (if appropriate). Student has submitted their work through Turnitin and demonstrated an 8.5 Points Initial comment minimally addresses discussion. Comment does not include personal or professional experience. Comment does not include any credible resources OR resources are not cited properly within the work OR at the end of the work. Does not demonstrate critical thinking. No discussion of course readings or other resources (if appropriate). Student has not submitted their 0 Points No initial posting submitted.