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Department of Biology
Miami Dade College
BSC 1005
Ref# ______________
Time ______________
Days ______________
Room #_____________
Last 4 digits_________
Prof. Van Brakel
Office Hours:
MWF 10:00-10:30a.m.
Email:
jvanbrak@mdc.edu
Emergency:jvb79@tmomail.net
Course Number BSC1005
Course Title General Education Biology
Course Description:
Textbook:
A Guide to the Natural World, 4th Ed. By David Krogh.
. Class Rules / Guidelines:
1. ABSENCES: Roll is taken at the beginning of every class meeting. It is your
responsibility to attend class meetings and to arrive on time to be counted on the
roll.
NOTICE: IF YOU MISS MORE THAN THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
ALLOWABLE ABSENCES, YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE CLASS
BY THE INSTRUCTOR WITHOUT NOTICE.
2. CELL PHONES/PAGERS/TEXT MESSAGING: All cell phones,
pagers or text messaging devices should be muted or turned off during class.
Please do not answer your phone in class or repeatedly leave class to answer your
phone/send a text message. You may be asked to leave by the instructor if you
interrupt class.
3. IF YOU ARE DROPPED FROM THE CLASS: If you are dropped
from this class by the instructor or for non-payment of student fees, you will no
longer be allowed to attend the class. You will also not receive a grade for the
class and the instructor will not accept your assignments, papers, or tests.
If you are dropped from the class and wish to re-enroll, you must do so BEFORE
YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO CLASS. You must provide
proof of registration and payment of fees from the Registration Office before the
instructor will let you attend the class.
TO RECEIVE A GRADE IN THE CLASS, YOU MUST BE PROPERLY
ENROLLED BY NO LATER THAN THE END OF THE TERM.
4. PLAGIARISM/CHEATING:
Cheating is the deliberate act of receiving unfair assistance or help on a test or
assignment or the submission of someone else’s work as your own. Should an
instructor determine that a student has plagiarized or cheated on an assignment,
you will receive a grade of zero for the work and not be allowed to make-up the
grade. The student may also be referred to the Dean of Student’s Office for
disciplinary action.
5. INCOMPLETE GRADE FOR THE COURSE: Instructors and the
department will only consider issuing a grade of “I” or incomplete if the student
has satisfied the majority of required work in the class, has faithfully attended the
class, and has an extremely extenuating circumstance. An Incomplete Agreement
Form must be completed by the student and signed by the instructor if the
incomplete is deemed valid. Students who are past due on
assignments/tests/papers or who have exceeded the allowable number of absences
are usually not granted the opportunity to do an incomplete.
NOTICE: A STUDENT HAS ONE SEMESTER TO SETTLE THE
INCOMPLETE OR THE FINAL GRADE ASSIGNED WILL BE AN “F.” The
instructor is not responsible for reminding the student about the incomplete.
6. EXTRA CREDIT: The instructor may only grant extra credit opportunities
to the entire class. No student will be allowed an extra credit opportunity any
different than what has been offered to the entire class. Please do not ask for
special exceptions.
7. REQUEST FOR CHANGING A FINAL GRADE: Final course
grades are only changed for two reasons:
Changing from an incomplete or “I” to a final grade, or
Due to a grade calculation error by the instructor.
Remember, the instructor cannot curve or adjust a student’s grade for any
personal reasons. Nor can the instructor accept work submitted after a term has
ended unless the student has received permission to do an incomplete and the
proper paperwork has been filed in advance with the department.
8. DISRUPTING CLASS: Any student who intentionally disrupts the
teaching/learning process or who acts in a disrespectful, threatening, or
intimidating way toward the instructor will be asked to leave the class. Campus
Security will be called if the student refuses to leave. The student will be referred
to the Dean of Students and must receive his approval before returning to class.
Any student who deliberately causes a class to be cancelled due to his/her
inappropriate actions will be immediately reported to the Dean of Students for
disciplinary action. An inquiry may be made by the academic department and the
responsible student may face suspension or expulsion.
9. INSTRUCTOR COMPLAINT PROCESS: Should a student have an academic
grievance against the instructor, he/she should follow these steps:
Try to address and resolve the problem with the instructor first.
Make an appointment with the Chair of Social Sciences, Michelle Armand
to try and resolve the issue. The Chair will consult with the faculty
member, the student, and the Dean of Academic Affairs in reaching a
decision.
If the student feels that his/her problem has not been addressed adequately
by the instructor or department, he/she may contact the Dean of Academic
Affairs.
EVALUATION:
1. EXAMS (100pts X 3= 300)
Three exams will be administered.
No restroom breaks during a test. Please use the restroom before the
exam.
The exams will consist of multiple choice, short answer, fill in the
blank, short essay, matching, flow charts, T/F etc.
You are expected to bring a scantron and pencil for every exam.
After the first student has left the class during the exam NO LATE
STUDENTS will be admitted into the classroom.
MAKE-UP Exams
i. Will be allowed under extreme circumstances. If a student has
to miss an exam due to an emergency, notify the instructor
within 24 hours of the exam date.
ii. Any unexcused exam will result in a zero or a cumulative essay
final.
2. Worksheets25 pts x3=75
The worksheets must be completely filled out and present them on the
day of the upcoming exam for full credit
3. Movie Notes 25 pts x 2=50
One a movie day, you need to take notes and present them on the day
of the upcoming exam for full credit
4. Review Sheets 25pts X 3 =75)
Students will receive a copy of the review sheet on the scheduled
review date.
The review sheet is to be completed by the end of class. Students may
work in groups.
The instructor will check off the review sheet on the EXAM DAY!!!!
i. 1`1If the review sheet is not turned in on the day of the exam
the student will receive a ZERO!!!!
5. VERY IMPORTANT
Any assignment given in class will be collected the day of the
upcoming exam
You must have everything on that day stapled together and
completely filled out for full credit
No documents will be graded via e-mail or after the exam
date…You WILL receive a ZERO
The assignments will be looked over on the day of the exam and
will be immediately handed back to the student.
It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of their grades in the
table provided in the syllabus and learn how to average their
grade in class.
If you missed class and did not receive your grade you will need to
wait till next class to obtain it.
Tentative Lecture Schedule
webhome.broward.edu/~jvanbrak/
Points Total Points
Exam1 100
Review Sheet 1 25
Video 1 “Evolutionary Arms Race” 25
Exam 2 100
Review Sheet 2 25
Video 2 “Why Sex” 25
Exam 3 100
Review Sheet 3 25
Protein Synthesis Worksheet 25
Genetics of Parenthood Worksheet 25
X-linked worksheet 25
Total points 500
Website
webhome.broward.edu/~jvanbrak/
*** The instructor reserves the right to revise the syllabus. ***
MDC Learning Outcomes
Purpose: Through the academic disciplines and co-curricular activities, General
Education provides multiple, varied, and intentional learning experiences to facilitate the
acquisition of fundamental knowledge and skills and the development of attitudes that
foster effective citizenship and life-long learning.
As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to:
1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing
skills.
In this course, the communication outcome will be reinforced by a PowerPoint
presentation.
2. Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
While quantitative analysis is not emphasized heavily in this course, it will be
necessary for the student to analyze, charts, graphs and interpret the information.
Other quantitave analysis will be used when measuring population growth in the
Ecology portion of the text book.
3. Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
In all sciences, critical thinking is an essential skill. Above all scientific reasoning
must be applied in order to ensure that the proper steps were taken to achieve the
highest probability of certainty. Critical thinking and scientific reasoning are
heavily reinforced in this course throughout lectures and discussion..
4. Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
The PowerPoint presentation will satisfy this outcome by finding supplementary
information to support their findings.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical
perspectives.
Many examples of global impacts by different cultures will be discussed
throughout the course.
6. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social
responsibilities.
In order to help preserve our environment, students will fulfill personal, civic, and
social responsibilities by creating a project that can be applied to the
environment. The project will promote the continuation and awareness of species
in our ecosystem.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in
society.
Many examples of ethical thinking will be discussed and applied to a variety of
species throughout the course.
8. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
The PowerPoint presentation will satisfy this outcome.
9. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
Creative activities will be applied for the project.
10. Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans
on the environment.
The majority of the lecture will be directed to fulfilling this outcome
Course Competencies:
