General Biology - Biology 10 Lab
Home Page - Spring 2020

Instructors : Christine Peters-Stanton     
Biology Department)                                                                                                                                                                Biology Home Page
Office : SM 55G  (Stanton) ;                                                                                                                                                    Instructor Home Page
Office Hours: M 10:45 - 12: 45, W 10:45 - 11:45 (Stanton) 
Email : christine.peters@westvalley.edu      

 
Syllabus
 Lab Schedule Grades
 Pre-labs
(Scroll to bottom of page)

 
Date Posted Message
1/29/20
Welcome to Biology 10 - General Biology Lab!
4 units
Lecture 3 hours; Laboratory 3 hours
Prerequisite: None 
Recommended preparation: Math 902, Library 4 (Information Competency) 
Acceptable for credit: University of California, California State University
Introductory course designed for non-science majors.  Emphasis is placed on the fundamental process of life, including the structure and function of cells, plants, animals, human systems; genetics; evolution; diversity and ecology.

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.
 
1/29/20 Class starts Jan.31:  Be sure to show up the first day of Bio10 Lecture AND LAB (day depends on section). Anyone that misses the first day of class will likely be dropped to allow other students an opportunity to add. 

Things to do to get a head start :

1. Ready over Syllabus : Bio10 Lab Syllabus (downloadable - pdf)

2. Purchase your lab manual from the bookstore

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

1/29/18
 ADDING the Lecture Class: If you would like to ADD show up the first day of class and I will add your name to my wait list but you will only be officially added when you show me your lab add code and I give you a lecture add code to add on line.

Make getting into a lab a priority.  Students can only ADD lecture if they are registered in a lab section.    There is plenty of space in lecture (this is not a problem),  it is the lab which has the constraint on enrollment.

Lab sections, days, times and instructors are listed on the end of the lab schedule

To add a lab you can : 
1. Show up to the lab section you are trying to add to see if there is available space.  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.
 
1/29/20
 Purchasing Course Books: Several options are available to you: 

Required Texts : 

a. Biology 10 General Biology Laboratory  Manual custom Edition. ; West Valley College
b. Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology. 5th ed.  Neil A. Campbell, E.J. Simon, J.L. Dickey, K.A. Hogan & J.B. Reece.  Pearson Education, 2016.  ISBN 978-0-321-96767-1

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 peters@westvalley.edu)

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) 741-2028

PLEASE PURCHASE LAB MANUAL FOR THE SECOND LAB (Lab one will be provided to you in the first weeks lab)
1/31/20

Books for food program:

The Books For Food program was created to assist students in acquiring course material at a significantly reduced cost. Students bring in cans of food to receive their textbooks and calculators. We donate the food to Second Harvest Foodbank.  This semester is no different! We also have over 400 calculators for the Calculators For Food program (Ti-84, Ti-84 Plus), available to all students. 

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!
1/29/20
HELP : Tutoring available through the WVC tutorial services: Chick here for drop in tutoring schedules
1/29/20
Study Tools : Everyone learns differently, it is therefore important to understand how you as an individual can best learn and retain information.  Ultimately your academic success is your responsibility.  If you haven't already done so, you should take the following self assessment test to better understand your specific way of learning.  In addition are some helpful study tips websites. Helpful Study Tips / Hints:

1. Skim your reading assignments prior to class so that you will have baseline understanding of what is going to be covered.  DON”T read and try to commit to memory the information YET.
a. Read the Titles and Bullets
b. Skim the chapter reading
c. Look at the diagrams
d. Skim the lecture handouts; familiarize yourself with the topic to be covered
2. Attend lecture (with this baseline understanding).  Bring your lecture handouts, take good notes using your handouts (or additional paper if you choose).
3. Ask questions when something is unclear
4. Review your lecture notes the same day as the lecture.  You may want to use the following review techniques:
a. Without looking at your notes, write down the overall concept introduced in the lecture.
b. Without looking at your notes, write down all of the detailed information you can remember from the lecture.
c.  Compare what you remember with the actual lecture notes.  Highlight anything that you didn't remember.  This is information that is not yet in you short term memory.
d. Rewrite a complete set of lecture notes.
Remember the goal is to retain the information in your long term memory.  To transition the memories from short term to long term, your best opportunity is to review the information while it is still fresh, the longer you wait the less you will remember and will have to start all over creating new short term memories.  In practice you will actually be saving time!
5. Any questions, which come up during your studying, can be addressed at the next class meeting
6. A few days after the lecture, revisit your notes and repeat the steps a - c above.  If there is significant loss of information, you don't know the material well enough and need to review the lecture again.
7. Read the related information in your textbooks for further clarification.
8. Once you feel you have a good understanding of the material, attempt answering the study questions at the end of the handout.  DO NOT look through your notes to find the answers.  If you do you are only testing how well you can find answers, and remember you will not have the luxury of your study notes on the exam.
9. You can also use the questions in the textbook to help gage your understanding.
10. Read the labs prior to attending class.
11. Participate in all lab activities
12. Answer all lab questions with completeness and accuracy
13. If you have done all of this - then the weekend before the exam will be simply review.
14. Make sure you are getting a good night's sleep prior to the exams

 
1/21/20 Visit Fun Animation : Spoof on Star Wars

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

Journals Sites :  Good Reference Web Sites : 
Great Sites for Study Tips :  Applicable Information : 
  • Red Sox Pitcher injures his Peroneus Longus tendon sheath : Unprecedented surgery saves Game 6 - Article
  • Lecture Question about tendon / ligament adaptation to exercise : Answer YES tendons / ligaments strengthen in response to exercise : Journal of Rehabilitation & Research Development




West Valley College  
Page created by: Christine Peters-Stanton
Updated: Jan. 20,  2018