Biology 10 Lab - Syllabus - General

Instructor: Mr. Nathan Norris
Office: SM 55E
Phone: (408) 741-2634
E-mail: Nathan Norris Click to Contact

As your instructor I am here to facilitate your education by (1) presenting you with the material that you need to learn, and (2) by assisting you in your learning of the material. I will try to make it fun and I will do everything I can to help you, however, I cannot learn it for you - that is your responsibility. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask. With effort you will learn and be successful - the effort, however, is up to you.

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General Course Information (return to top of page)

Welcome to the Biology 10 Laboratory. This lab is designed to allow you hands-on exposure to many of the topics discussed in the lecture. Each week the laboratory explores one or more key topics from your lectures through observations and experiments. The activities in lab are designed to reinforce what you have learned in lecture. You will be expected to answer the questions in your laboratory manual based on what you have learned from your reading and lectures, what you have observed in lab, and from your own experience. In the course of the semester you will find that biology is a science based on observation, a skill that you will develop during this lab. Our understanding of biology is continually growing and changing as new observations are made. Science may be thought of as a process and as such there is often no single right answer to a question! What is thought to be understood today may be shown to be incomplete tomorrow. As such biology requires you to keep an open mind, to think and ask questions, as you will see in many of the labs that follow.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course. However, students are expected to read and write at the college level and know enough mathematics to use and understand graphs and charts.

Note: 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. West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should notify the Disability and Educational Support Program (DESP) at 741-2010 or (TTY 741-2658) of any special needs.

Texts and Support Materials (return to top of page)

Required:

Lab Manual: Biology Department. Biology 10 - Laboratory Manual., Wiley Custom Services.

Course textbook: Sylvia S. Mader. Biology. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, New York, NY.

Optional:   

Griffin, Robert D. Biology Coloring Book. HarperResource, New York, NY.
      ISBN: 0-064-60307-5

Borror, Donald. Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms. Mayfield Publishing Co.
Palo Alto, CA.  ISBN: 0-874-84053-8

Web Pages :   

In addition to the lab manual you will need a copy of the text (Mader). The text will be an important reference for the material covered in both the lecture and the lab. It is important that you read the assignments prior to coming to class and I suggest that you bring your textbook to lab each day.

Purchasing Course Books: West Valley Campus Bookstore: You can Purchase all of the books listed in the greensheet directly from the bookstore located on West Valley campus. The bookstore also provides an online service in case you do not want to go there in person (WVC bookstore). You can reserve the books to pick them up later or make arrangements for home delivery. Note: bookstore profits help fund the campus center - purchasing your books from the campus bookstore will help support the campus center. Ordering online (new or used): I am aware that book prices are high and that this can place an undue burden on student budgets. One option to save money is to order books online from discount suppliers. The down side to this option is that, depending on the vendor, it can take several days, or possibly weeks, for your books to arrive, and you will need the "required books" on the first day of class. Consequently, unless you have ordered your books several weeks in advance, this option may better serve you for the purchase of the "recommended and optional books" listed in your syllabus.  The following online vendors may prove to be good resources:   Other Local Bookstores: A less commonly successful but useful alternate is to search the local new and used bookstores in the area (including other campus bookstores) for the books you need. I have periodically found useful resource books at a significant discount at used bookstores. Several options are available to you.

Nature of the Lab (return to top of page)

It is expected that you read through the lab activities and any assigned reading prior to the lab. You will then need to complete a pre-lab assignment due at the start of each lab. Preparing ahead of time will enable you to get the most out of the lab (and possibly finish sooner). You can even start to answer some of the questions in the lab report before coming to lab.

At the beginning of each lab I will give a short introduction to the key concepts being demonstrated by the lab, the objectives of the lab, and the materials you will use in conducting the lab. Following the introduction you will spend the majority of the lab period making observations and answering questions based on what you observe. I strongly suggest that you read through the lab prior to coming to class. This will enable you to get the most out of the lab (you can even start to answer some of the questions). Working as a group with the other students at your table is encouraged, however, the lab report that you turn in is an individual effort. You will be expected to answer the questions in your laboratory manual based on what you learn from your reading and lectures, what you observe and record in lab, and from your own experience. The lab reports will be graded and you will be quizzed on that material at the start of lab the following week.

For more information about the laboratory see the biology departments Biology 10 Laboratory web page.

Note: Eating, drinking, and smoking within the lab room is strictly prohibited. No visitors in the lab.

Lab Evaluation (return to top of page)

The points you earn in lab will account for 25% of your final Biology 10 course grade.

Pre-lab Exercises (3 pts):
Several days prior to lab you should access the pre-lab webpage and download the pre-lab worksheet for the next lab. You should review the upcoming lab and the appropriate sections of the textbook and complete the pre-lab. This will also help you complete the lab faster. The pre-lab exercises must be turned in to the instructor at the beginning of the lab.

Lab Reports (7 pts):
You are expected to turn in a completed lab report from every lab at the beginning of the next lab. The report will be spot checked for accuracy and completeness. These lab reports are intended to serve as your notes so it is to your advantage to be as thorough as possible and make the effort to understand the material. You can use the lab report to prepare for the quiz. Note: you must attend the lab to earn report points. All lab reports will count towards your grade, no lab reports will be thrown out.

Grading (return to top of page)

You are not entitled to a passing grade, you must earn it. You will be graded based on how well you do, not on how hard you work. Effort is expected, not rewarded. Your lab grade will be based lab points earned (actual point values may vary).

Lab Point Breakdown (example):	Points:	%	Note: exact point values may vary
Quizzes (best 12 @ 15 points each)  . . . . . . . . . . .	180	50
Lab Reports (14 @ 7 pts each) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	98	25	Points earned will be converted
Prelab Assignments (13 @ 3 pts each) . . . . . . . . . .	39	10	to a percentage score as follows:
Biology Hot Topics Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	50	15	(pts. earned / pts. possible) x 100 = %
Total Lab Points Possible: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	367	100%

Academic Dishonesty (return to top of page)

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 students papers, communication between students etc...) to answer questions on an exam or quiz constitutes cheating and will result in failure of that exam or quiz and/or failure of the course. Such behavior is disrespectful of other students and more importantly, of yourself. No dictionaries of any kind may be used during the exams or quizzes.

Dropping (return to top of page)

If you decide to drop the course it is up to you to fill out the appropriate paperwork and inform the instructor. 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.

Miscellaneous Notes (return to top of page)

CELL PHONES: Due to the disruptive nature of cell phones and pagers all cell phones and pagers should be turned off while in class. If for some reason you must leave your cell phone on please switch it to silent mode and leave the room before answering it. Note: ringing cell phones and/or pagers may result in failure of quizzes or exams. Cell phones must be off during quizzes and exams. If, for any reason, you answer a cell phone during a quiz or exam you must turn in your quiz and forfeit your remaining time.

NON-SMOKING POLICY: It is the policy of the District to provide a safe learning and working environment for students and employees. It is the intent of the District to provide a smoke-free environment to the greatest extent possible. Smoking is prohibited in all indoor locations within the District. Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the Mission and West Valley campuses except in parking lot areas that are at least twenty five (25) feet away from buildings and pathways.

UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION / SEXUAL HARASSMENT: If you have a complaint or someone has shared information with you as a student or employee that is unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment, contact the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at West Valley-Mission Community College District, Human Resources Department, (408-741-2060).  If the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources is not available, contact the President of the college in which you attend or are employed.  For West Valley College, contact the office of Dr. Lori Gaskin at 408-741-2668.

Tips For Success (return to top of page)

Everyone can succeed in this course. To do so you must make the effort. You must be willing to work hard. This includes attending regularly, coming to class prepared, asking questions when you don't understand, taking good notes... in general, developing good study habits. These skills can be developed. If you don't have these skills the instructor may be able to help.

Remember - if you prepare, attend each class, do the work, and study there is no reason why you cannot earn a good grade. Please do not hesitate to talk to me if you have any questions or comments. I am here to help. I want you to be successful in this course.