Required Texts & Materials:

• Simon, Dickey, & Reece Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology 6^th edition. Pearson Education, Inc. 2019. ISBN 978-0134711751 (Note loose leaf OR etext are also acceptable)

           

General Description: Biol 10- General Biology is a non-majors 3-unit course that fulfills the Biological Science requirement accepted by both UC (area 5B) & Cal State University Systems (area B2).  This course is a general introduction to the world of biology that will introduce you to fundamental concepts in biology. The basic knowledge of biology gained in this course will allow you to make educated decisions about environmental & health related issues, as well as, a variety of other biological issues that will likely come up during your life.  The class consists of both lecture and laboratory components. The Lectures will introduce you to the principles of biology while labs are designed to reinforce lecture material by using interactive experiments. The Lecture and lab are co-requisites and should be taken concurrently.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Demonstrate knowledge of the process of science.
Assess processes that support life.
Evaluate factors that demonstrate the connectedness of life.

Course Expectations: This biology course meets for 3 hours per week. In addition to the scheduled class meetings, plan on spending additional study and homework time. To get the most out of this class you should expect to devote study time outside of class. The amount of time you spend in and outside of class will, in a large part, determine how well you do in the course. Students are expected to attend and participate in all lectures. Any student absent from 4 or more class sessions may be dropped from the course by the instructor. Students are encouraged to remain active participants in class. Class involvement will not only make the course more interesting, but will also facilitate student understanding, learning and retention. All students are expected to arrive to class on time, having reviewed the related material relevant to lectures.

Conduct: Our course is a safe and respectful space for everyone. Please be respectful of the environment and of your classmates and instructor. Disruptive conduct in class will not be supported. In this spirit, please arrive on time, avoid disruptive or disrespectful talk, ringing cell phones, pagers and ipod use while in class. Please be sure to mute your audio during Zoom sessions unless you are actively asking a question or participating in an activity. Disruptive students will be asked to leave and will lose participation points. Continued disruptive behavior will result in disciplinary action. Students violating conduct or academic integrity policies will lose any extra credit points offered/earned. Thank you for being respectful of our course community.

COVID-19 Safety

Part of creating a respectful and safe environment is to contribute and respect everyone’s health and safety. We will practice all West Valley College and Santa Clara County COVID-19 safety protocols in our classroom. Please review the COVID safety guidelines in the course module “WVC Biology Department COVID Information and Guidelines.” 

Land Acknowledgment: We pause to acknowledge that West Valley College sits on the lnd of the Muwekma Ohlone. For thousands of years, these natives occupied this land and used this beautiful location as their home. Let us give an enormous debt of gratitude to the Muwekma Ohlone tribes. By offering this Land Acknowledgment, we remember that the Muwekma Ohlone people are still connected to this region.

WVC Non-discrimination Statement: The district, and each individual who represents the District, shall provide access to its services, courses, and programs without regard to national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, race, ethnicity, color, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, or military and veteran status, or because he/she/they is perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Health/ Stress Management:  All of us benefit from support during times of struggle. You are not alone. There are helpful resources available on campus and an important part of the college experience is learning how to ask for help. Asking for help is a smart and courageous, albeit sometimes difficult, thing to do- for yourself and for those who care about you. If you or anyone you know is experiencing any academic stress, difficult life events, or feelings like anxiety or depression, I strongly encourage you to seek support. You may reach out to your instructor for guidance to campus resources or contact West Valley College Health Services for free confidential personal counseling. Call 408-741-2027, drop by the Health Services office M-Th 9:00 am- 4:30 pm. http://www.westvalley.edu/services/counselingAdditionally, the Office of Student Needs offers student support in the form of the Computer Loan, Emergency Loans, Free Lunch & the Food Bank Programs. https://www.westvalley.edu/services/student-needs/

Special Accommodations: If you have a learning or physical need that will require special accommodations in this class you will need to notify me in writing of your accommodation needs. Please notify me following the first class if you require any special accommodations for learning or physical impairments. This will allow me to best meet your needs and allow us ample opportunity to provide suitable accommodations. West Valley College makes reasonableaccommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students with DESP accommodations must adhere to guidelines set by their specified accommodation, which includes discussing and scheduling any accommodation with the instructor in advance (minimum of 48hrs). Depending on accommodation exams may be proctored live on Zoom with DESP personnel and should be scheduled at the same time as scheduled for the class. DESP Rescheduling of exams and assignments remains in the purview of the instructor. College materials will be available in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic format, or large print) upon request. Please contact the Disability and Educational Support Program at (408) 741-2010 (voice) or (408) 741-2658 (TTY) for assistance.

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory for student success. State & district policy mandates that students missing more than 10% of class hours without a district approved documented absence will be dropped- this is roughly equivalent to 4 class periods. Missing this much class is very detrimental to success in the course, so it is not advised to miss this much class time if you would like to be successful. It is the student’s responsibility to attend ALL classes. Classes will start on time and will run the entire time. schedule doctor appointments, dental appointments, baby sitters etc. accordingly. If you are absent for any reason, please notify me as soon as possible. If a student misses a lecture, it is his/her/their responsibility to obtain any handouts and information provided. Again, if a student is absent from more than four class sessions he/she/they will be DROPPED from the course. A portion of your grade will be determined by your in-class participation, so it is important that you attend all class sessions to earn all possible points. Students repeatedly missing class forfeit any and all extra credit points.

Students report feeling like they have less time with a combination of online and in person courses due to transitioning to a variety of course modalities. Please be forewarned- on average, students need to spend 3 hours of class time weekly in person, as well as, time to participate in class discussions, assignments, reviewing Powerpoints, study guides, and the text, in addition to studying. Students repeatedly missing class forfeit any and all extra credit points.

Withdrawing from the Course: Anyone not present in the beginning of the semester will be dropped. After the first class it is the responsibility of the student who registered to withdraw, even if he/she/they has stopped attending class.  Do not assume that if you stop coming to class that you will automatically be dropped. Students who fail to attend but do not inform the instructor and officially drop the course will receive a failing grade.

Websites: This course will have active website pages which can be used to review lecture schedule and general class policies throughout the semester. This section has an instructor webpage designed to provide students information relevant to the course. Instructor’s syllabus with polices and lecture PowerPoint presentations will be made available to students weekly. These materials are highly beneficial to focusing your study time and if used properly will aid in your success in this course. Please keep in mind these resources are a privilege and not a right and may be discontinued at the instructor’s discretion. Students are also responsible for logging into the Canvas webpage daily to complete any homework assignments and check for course announcements or email updates. You will need to login to Canvas using your username and password. Instructions for logging on are provided on the following webpage. https://wvm.instructure.com/login/canvas  Supplemental course materials will be available on the instruct webpage http://instruct.westvalley.edu/leticia-gallardo/

Canvas: Students are also responsible for logging into the course learning management system- Canvas webpage to submit homework/ assignments, take exams, check announcements and email updates relevant to the course. It is advised that students check this webpage daily. You will need to login to Canvas using your username and password. Instructions for logging on are provided on the following webpage. https://wvm.instructure.com/login/canvas

 

Study Time: For each hour spent in class, students should expect to spend at least 2 to 3 hours outside of class studying in order to achieve an average grade (C). (Note this estimate is for the average student to earn an average grade for this class is 6 – 9 hours per week!) You should find yourself studying, reviewing and preparing for class and lab each day of the week!

Note: Be careful not to confuse quantity studying with quality study. Simply spending time with

your books and materials will not earn you a better grade. Only hours of directed, motivated

studying will work toward earning you a better grade! As you instructor, I am here to facilitate

your learning by presenting the material and assisting in your understanding. I will do as much

as I can to help you, but ultimately it is you who will earn your final grade!

Don’t forget that as your instructor, I am here to help you navigate through the course. Come to office hours or visit the tutoring center to get help. You are not alone, we are here to help you succeed! Please ask for help as soon as you begin struggling or are feeling overwhelmed so that we are best able to help you overcome the challenges you are facing before it becomes too daunting.

AI Policy:
Communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills are important elements of this course, and developing competencies in these areas will help prepare you for future coursework and in the workplace. Therefore, AI-generated submissions are not permitted and will be treated as a violation of the  West Valley College Dishonesty Policy.  
In submitting assignments, the student confirms that the work submitted is entirely their own work. As the instructor, I may follow up with a student on their submission of an assignment to verify authenticity.

Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is MANDATORY. The college policy on cheating is clearly spelled out in the college catalogue and will be strictly enforced. Use of any method other than your knowledge and memory (such as notes, looking on other student papers, communication between students, using internet browsing or AI software, etc.) to answer questions on an assignment/assessment/quiz constitutes cheating and will result in failure of the assignment/assessment/quiz. Dishonest behavior also includes: all forms of cheating, tampering, fabrication, plagiarism, and assisting on any assignment/assessment/quiz. This means that ALL YOUR WORK MUST BE IN YOUR OWN WORDS AND BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE. Using artificial intelligence software or copying from Google, other students, textbooks, sites like Chegg or other internet or published sources are all considered dishonest behavior. Any student caught exhibiting dishonest behavior will be appropriately reprimanded. Therefore, be proactive; keep your work to yourself and be sure that all work is your own, and in your own words. This includes any assigned group activities, while you may be working as a team, you must all participate and summaries or reports must be completed individually, in your own words. Any students caught or implicated in dishonest behavior will be appropriately reprimanded. Students will receive an AUTOMATIC ZERO on that assignment/assessment/quiz and all dishonest behavior will be reported to the Vice President of Student Services and will undergo review by the Disciplinary Action/ CSSO Committee. Resulting disciplinary action may include one or more of the following: academic probation, suspension, expulsion from the district colleges, and academic dishonesty transcript notation.  Testing procedures & policies are detailed below. Students violating conduct or academic integrity policies will lose any extra credit points offered/earned. Students caught cheating will also forfeit any and all extra credit points.

 

Due to several incidents of cheating very strict testing procedures will be enforced!

1. Students will NOT be allowed to leave the testing “room” for any reason once the exam has been administered. This includes: using the restroom, answering cell phones, searching web browsers, etc.
2. If you must leave the room you must turn in your exam and forfeit your remaining time. I will only grade the portion of the exam that you have completed.
3. Be on time! Once the first person leaves the exam room, no one arriving late will be allowed to start the exam.
4. All notes, books, and personal belongings will be either left outside the room. Internet browser/windows other than the exam page must be closed
5. Cell phones/pagers must be turned off during the exam and placed in backpacks or purses. Ringing cell phones and/or pagers during exams may result in failure of the exam. If, for any reason, you answer a cell phone or pager during an exam you must turn in your exam and forfeit your remaining time.
6. Absolutely no papers (other than those provided by the instructor) are allowed on or around the student’s workspace.
7. Cheating will result in a zero on the exam and probable expulsion from the class. All extra credit points will be forfeited.

If circumstance precludes you from adhering to these policies you must speak to your instructor PRIOR to the exams.

 

Lecture Format: Lectures will be used to present, clarify, and expand on information which is presented in your text and assigned articles and homework. Although we will follow a typical lecture format, class participation and involvement are encouraged. If, during lecture, you have a question raise your hand and I will try to answer when appropriate.

 

Evaluation:

Participation: 5% Participation will be evaluated through attendance records and participation & performance in class meetings. Some ways in which to earn participation points are: 1) completing class activities; 2) attending class; 3) participation in discussions; 4) being preparation for in-class activities; 5) constructive behavior in class.

 

Practice Activities & quizzes: 30% A variety of assignments and lecture quizzes given throughout the course to reinforce concepts covered in lecture. The goal of these assignments is to enhance the student learning experience and promote scientific literacy and responsible citizenship.You will be responsible for completing assignments independently according to the instructions provided during class meetings. Assignments and quizzes will be accessible on Canvas. You may be completing assignments directly on Canvas or write your responses on a document which you will submit on Canvas. Once completed you will be responsible for scanning any written assignments as a single document and submitting it through Canvas.  You may need a scanning app such as “notes” or “genius scan” to scan hand written or drawn assignments. Note: For written work please write legibly, coherently, and in your own words- my standard policy is if I can’t read it, I can’t assign points! It is your role as a student to convey what you have learned and show that you understand the concepts, this should be clear in your responses.

 

COMPUTER PROBLEMS ARE NOT A REASONABLE EXCUSE for not submitting assignments on time. You should use a reliable computer and Wifi when completing your assignments. Contact the office of student needs for assistance with obtaining reliable computer or internet access. https://www.westvalley.edu/library/textbooks-and-technology.html

 

Exams: Exams will comprise 65% of the student’s lecture points. Exams will be administered on Canvas.

Students are responsible for all material presented in lecture. The exams may consist of a combination of multiple choice, matching, short answer, and labeling questions. Attendance of scheduled exams is mandatory. There are NOmake-up exams so please be mindful of due dates and times. Missing an exam will result in a zero grade for the exam. Exams scores will not be dropped or substituted. Exams will begin promptly at the beginning of lecture. Please arrive on time and note that you will not receive extra time to compensate a late arrival. All students must take the final exam during the assigned time period. Periodically I will post your grades. This gives you the opportunity to confirm where you stand in the course, if you are missing any work or if I have made any errors recording your grades. Be sure to look it over. If you have any questions regarding any grade you receive and/or the grading method please feel free to talk to me.

 

COMPUTER PROBLEMS ARE NOT A REASONABLE EXCUSE for not submitting assignments on time You should use a reliable computer and Wifi when completing your exams. Contact the office of student needs for assistance with obtaining reliable computer or internet access. https://www.westvalley.edu/library/textbooks-and-technology.html

 

Grade Calculations:

A single 3- unit grade will be given for the lecture course. All points earned in lecture section will be converted into a percentage score (pts earned ÷ pts possible).

Lecture

Exams ………………………………………..…………………….…………………………….65%

Homework & Quizzes………………………………………………………..…………….30%

Participation………………………………………………………………………………….....5%

Total Lecture %                                                                                              100%

*If complications in projects cause assignments to be discontinued or if additional assignments are given, the percent scale of the adjusted points will be used to calculate grades.

      Your final course grade will be based on the following scale:

      A (90-100%),  B (80-89%),  C (65-79%),  D (55-65%),  F (below 55%)

  

Places to seek Additional Help:

Office Hours: M 1:00-2:00pm (Zoom); T 12:20-1:40pm (SM55); W 12:00-1:30pm (Zoom); by appointment

Form study groups: your fellow classmates are a valuable resource

Support Services: Please take advantage of the support services on campus- They are here to help you! Services contact information is listed below

Tutoring: Tutorial Services: All students are eligible for free on campus tutoring. If you wish to get help you MUST make the commitment to attend any scheduled tutorial sessions. If any student misses 2 non-cancelled tutorial sessions they will be dropped from the program. https://www.westvalley.edu/services/success-center/

 

Important Phone Numbers:

Life threatening emergency- Campus phone…………………..9-911           Counseling Center…………………741-2009

Student Health Services on campus……… ……………………….741-2027     Bookstore………………………………741-2015

Safety Escort Service (Campus Police) ……………………….…741-2092        Technology Center……………….741-2666

Science and Math Division office ……………………………………741-2018     Success Center………..……….….741-2038

Extended Opportunity Programs & Service (EOPS)…….741-2023

Disability & Educational Support Program (DESP)……….741-2010                  

 

Important Dates:                                                                          Holidays:
Last day to Add……………………………….Feb 11                             President’s Day………….. Feb 16-19
Last day to drop without a “W” ……. Feb 11                              Ceasar Chavez Day………Apr 1 
Last day to drop with a “W”………….. Apr 26                              Spring Break………………. Apr 1- 6

 

 

Lecture Schedule

 

Unit 1

• Scientific literacy
• Scientific inquiry
• Chemistry of life
• Molecules of life- water & organic molecules

 

Unit 2

• Cell structure & function
• Metabolism
• Cellular respiration & photosynthesis
• Cell reproduction- Mitosis & meiosis
• DNA structure & function

 

Unit 2

• Inheritance
• Reproductive system
• Digestive system
• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory system

 

Unit 4

• Darwin & evolution
• Natural Selection
• Population ecology
• Community ecology
• Ecosystem ecology
• Climate change