GENERAL INFORMATION FOR BIOLOGY 1441

PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY II

Fall 2012

Purpose and content of course: This course is designed to review principles of evolution, diversity, anatomy, physiology, ecology and behavior at an introductory level. A focus of this course will be to teach students about the science of biology with an emphasis on the scientific method and quantitative thinking. Students will also become acquainted with the natural history of Arkansas flora and fauna.

Prerequisite: Biology 1440, Principles of Biology I (a C or better grade is required to enroll in Biology 1441)

Text: Reece, J. et al., 2011. Campbell Biology, 9th Edition, Benjamin Cummings

Instructor: Dr. John Choinski, Professor of Biology

Lewis Science Center (LSC) 019 or LSC 026 (Research laboratory)

Office hours: 930-1130a M, W and by appointment.

Phone: 450-5918 

E-mail: johnc@uca.edu; Internet: http://faculty.uca.edu/johnc/index.htm

Class meetings: 1215-130p T, TH (lecture: LSC 100); 200-450p W; 240-520p TH (labs in LSC 127) (CRN 12459, 12465)

Grading: There will be three (3) exams during the semester each worth 100 points. A comprehensive final exam will be given during finals week also worth 100 points. The laboratory grade will be determined from a combination of quizzes and reports totaling 200 points. The final grade will be computed based upon the percentage of the possible points achieved. For example, 90-100% or 540-600 points will result in an "A" letter grade.

Assignment of 'WP' grades: A student may officially withdraw from a course or the university so long as the withdrawal is within the dates specified in the academic calendar for the semester. If a student withdraws from a course or the university during the change-of-course period, no grade will be recorded.

After the change-of-course period, a withdrawal grade (W - Withdrawn, WP - Withdrawn Passing, or WF - Withdrawn Failing) will be recorded according to the deadlines specified in the academic calendar for the semester and, when applicable, at the discretion of the course instructor, so long as the course instructor has not already dropped the student for non-attendance.

If a student discontinues attendance without officially withdrawing, an instructor may drop the student for non-attendance and report a withdrawal grade of WF, but must do so by the deadline date for a student to officially withdraw with a WP or WF specified in the academic calendar for the semester.

For those students who are eligible for a 'WP' or "WF' grade, you will not be assigned a 'WP' unless your grades indicate you would have had a reasonable chance of passing the course at the time you officially drop.

Makeup exams: MAKEUP EXAMS WILL NOT NORMALLY BE GIVEN. Note: You may petition to take a makeup exam under extraordinary circumstances, but you will need to substantiate why you missed (e.g. bring a note from a physician regarding a serious illness, etc.) If you have to miss an exam because of attendance at a recognized university activity, notice of your absence must be given before the exam.

Attendance: Lecture attendance will not be monitored, although experience has shown that students who regularly attend class get higher grades and learn more biology than students who skip class. Laboratory attendance is mandatory. TWO MISSED LABORATORIES CAN RESULT IN BEING DROPPED FROM THE COURSE.

Academic Integrity & Conduct: Students are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. Incidences of academic dishonesty such as cheating on exams/quizzes or plagiarism on lab reports will be dealt with according to the policies and procedures outlined in the student handbook. Incidences of sexual harassment will be dealt with based upon policies outlined in the student handbook. You are responsible for being familiar with this document.  Students found in violation will be dismissed from the class with a WF and a report filed with the appropriate academic advisor. Students are expected to show respect for the instructor and their fellow students while in class and (other than asking relevant questions) refrain from talking or disrupting the class. Should you be asked to leave the class for any conduct violation, you will be dropped with a WF grade. NOTE: Cell phones must be turned off during lecture. 

UCA Academic Integrity Policy: The University of Central Arkansas affirms its commitment to academic integrity and expects all members of the university community to accept shared responsibility for maintaining academic integrity. Students in this course are subject to the provisions of the university's Academic Integrity Policy, approved by the Board of Trustees as Board Policy No. 709 on February 10, 2010, and published in the Student Handbook. Penalties for academic misconduct in this course may include a failing grade on an assignment, a failing grade in the course, or any other course-related sanction the instructor determines to be appropriate. Continued enrollment in this course affirms a student's acceptance of this university policy.

Evaluations: Student evaluations of a course and its professor are a crucial element in helping faculty to achieve excellence in the classroom and the institution in demonstrating that students are gaining knowledge. Students may evaluate courses starting on the Monday of the twelfth week of instruction through the end of finals week by logging on to ‘myUCA’ and clicking on the ‘Evals’ button on the top right.

Disclaimer: Every attempt will be made to keep within the schedules set by this syllabus, although from time to time changes may be made. The instructor will endeavor to inform the class of these changes as soon as possible.

Disability: UCA adheres to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need accommodation under this Act because of a disability, contact the UCA Office of Disability Services (450-3613) at the beginning of the semester.

Advice: Many students, particularly entering freshman, have a hard time with this class. The major source of difficulty is that they postpone studying until the very last minute and avoid seeking help from the professor or the graduate assistants in those areas that they do not understand. This strategy almost always leads to disappointment and the possible retaking of this class at a later date. REMEMBER: KEEP UP WITH THE MATERIAL. READ AND STUDY EVERY WEEK, NOT JUST THE FEW DAYS BEFORE AN EXAM.