Temporary “in person course” suspension

Hello to all of my students,

With the growing risk of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) spreading, West Valley College has decided to suspend all in person teaching starting March 11 through April 5th.  As a result the college is proceeding to move the majority of instruction to an online format.  For lecture content, this will likely take the form of lectures with an audio component and video links that can be viewed at home.  The college is currently discussing how lab courses and other classes that cannot easily moved into an online format will be taught.  The biology department is planning on meeting this Thursday to discuss how to proceed in lab courses.  Although not ideal, we are all committed to providing the best possible instruction. 

I am not yet sure how course content will be pushed out to my students, but it will likely be through either Canvas and or our course website.  I will try to keep all of my students informed through my website and Canvas. 

The college is anticipating courses that need to be moved online to do so between March 16 – 23^rd.  I am hoping to start pushing out content prior to the 16^th. 

Please stay alert for updates, as we are continuing to learn more from the Chancellor’s Office as well as federal, state and local officials. 

I hope to see all of you soon! 

Christine

In the meantime the college is providing the following services to WVC students:

·         In the Canvas course shell, Net Tutor is a free online tutoring platform.  Tutors are available for many subject areas.

·         Counseling is planning to use Cranium Café for online counseling to the degree possible. Please see https://www.westvalley.edu/services/counseling/ and updates on when that is available.

·         Library resources are still available through the library website https://www.westvalley.edu/library/.

·         The library, Math Resource Center, and Success Center will still be open for student use

·         Computer labs on campus will be made available for students who have no access to computers or wifi at their home

·         Student services will still offer services in person on campus

Biology 10 : Lecture Homework #1 : Due Day of 1st Exam (2/26)

For each youtube clip please provide the URL with your homework

1. Find a youtube or other video clip covering the characteristics that are used to define life. 
     After watching the clip:
          A. list or describe the qualities that define living organisms. 
          B. Explain why the virus is not considered to be alive (just yet).

2. Find a youtube or other video clip covering atomic structure.
     After watching the clip :
         A. Draw the Bohr diagram for nitrogen (atomic structure).

        B. Label the Subatomic particles

        C. How many bonds will Nitrogen likely form

3. Find a youtube or other video clip covering the structure and properties of water.  After watching the clip :

A. draw a water molecules: indicate it’s slight positive and negative charges

B. explain why water is described as a polar molecule

C. draw a diagram sowing how water would dissolve and separate salt (NaCl) into Na+ and Cl- ions.

4. Find a youtube or other video clip covering kinetic and potential energy: After watching the clip :
        A. Define energy
   
        B. Describe the difference between kinetic and potential energy

5. Find a youtube or other video clip covering diffusion and osmosis.

A. Define diffusion

B. Define osmosis

C. Give an example of each occurring.

6. Find a youtube or other video clip on cell structure: After viewing the clip :

        A. Draw a general Eukaryote and a general Prokaryote cell with the main organelles. (2 cells total)

         B. Label the organelles.

        C. List the general functions of each of the cell parts (organelles).

Books for food program:

Please check the Books For Food website and see if your course(s) are supported by our program. Our software system is in transition and the amounts/titles might not be completely accurate – we’ve added a considerable amount of materials during Winter.

The students need to bring their student ID card, their class schedule to show they are enrolled in the course(s), and 10 cans per course and/or calculator. The student receive the books and/or calculator and has it for the entire semester. The return date is the last day of the semester.

The library opens its doors at 8:00 AM the first day of class (Monday, 01/26); we’re open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Fridays 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and Saturdays 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. The books and calculators are first come, first serve, so encourage your students to come as soon as they can!

Note : Bio10 is NOT open to students who have completed Bio11 (Human Biology) with a C or better.  Bio 10 and Bio11 meet the same educational requirements.  Students will receive only unit but not grade credit if they have already taken Bio11.
 

Things to do to get a head start :

1. Ready over Syllabus : You can down load a printable version of the Syllabus (pdf.).

2. Read over the Lab Safety Information at the beginning of lab manual.

3. Take the Syllabus Quiz : Down load the quiz (Syllabus Quiz (pdf)and answer the questions on a separate scantron (882) after reading the syllabus.  The syllabus quiz scantron is due Wednesday Feb. 5th at the beginning of class.
 

Make getting into a lab a priority.I will only ADD students that are registered in a lab section (or have previously taken and successfully passed lab.    There is plenty of space in lecture (this is not a problem),  it is the lab which may have a constraint on enrollment.

To add a lab you can : 
1. Show up to the beginning of any  available lab section.  any open seats can be assigned to prospective students
2. Contact the instructor ahead of time.  They may be willing to add you to their role sheet is space is available.
 

Required Texts : 

 
a. Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology, Pearson

1. Viking Bookstore  : West Valley Campus Bookstore: You can Purchase all of the books listed in the syllabus directly from the bookstore located  on West Valley campus. The bookstore also provides an online service (http://westvalley.bkstore.com/) so that you can reserve books & pick them up later or make arrangements for home delivery.   Unfortunately the laboratory manual can only be ordered from the campus bookstore.  It should be available one week before classes start.

2. Online Ordering : For ordering all materials except the laboratory manual.  Since the prices of texts books is definitely a concern you may want to look into purchasing textbooks from a less expensive internet vendor.  The only concern is how long it will take to deliver the text.  If you choose to order from an internet site and your text does not arrive when classes start you can keep up with the required reading by using the text on reserve in the library. 
       Amazon.com   or  Half.com
 If you have knowledge of any other sources please let me know (email: Christine [email protected])

3. WVC Library (Reserve Desk) : The Library's reserve desk will have one copy of the current text book which can be checked out for 2 hour blocks of time.  Do not wait until the last minute to do your reading since others may also be relying on the reserve text for their reading.  The library is open M - Th 8:00am - 7:30pm , F 8:00 - 12 noon, Sat noon - 4:00   (408) 741-2029

PLEASE PURCHASE LAB MANUAL FOR THE SECOND LAB (Lab one will be provided to you in the first weeks lab)

     Store Wars with Cuke Skywalker, Obi Wan Cannoli, Chewbroccoli  and Lord Tator