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General Biology II
Biol. 1409.G01
Spring 2012, Tentative Calendar (as taught by Dr. Nilsson)

This is a face-to-face, web-enhanced class. Some assignments and activities are online using the Internet and Blackboard Class Management System.





Course Setup
This class is a Face-to-Face, web-enhanced class. Classrooms: Starr County Campus, E2-514 and E2-516. The class use a lab manual. The Final Lab Exam is "open lab manual". The class uses web pages located on the STC regular server, called the "General Biology Hub" -- where you can find much class information, and web pages located on the STC Blackboard server, called Blackboard Plaza -- where you find additional information and where you will submit SOME assignments. Since this is a web-enhanced, face-to-face class, alternative non-Blackboard assignment is provided for students who do not wish to use Blackboard. However, before you consider a non-Blackboard assignment, please read the article and the YouTube video below.


Click on the article thumbnail to read it...







Additional Blackboard course shell
The course has an additional course shell. This is a shell in addition to the regular Blackboard course shell, and it is called the "Town Hall". The Town Hall course shell involves the two class discussion assignments and is explained in the Grading Criteria of the class. The Town Hall course shell will not be available at the beginning of the semester -- not until the Blackboard people have set it up after a week or two of the semester. All biology classes taught by this instructor (not just students in this class) will participate in the Town Hall.




Calendar Chapter Overview Course Outline
x The course follows the textbook chapters as close as possible in the order given below. The progress of the chapters covered is tentative and therefore not included in the calendar details with assignment deadline below.


Unit Ia: Comparative Animal Biology

Week 1. Jan 15 - 21. Chapter 31 (Animal Organization and Homeostasis) and Chapters 32 - 42 (Selected text)

Week 2. Jan 22 - 28. Chapter 31 (Animal Organization and Homeostasis) and Chapters 32 - 42 (Selected text)

Unit Ib: Evolution and Classification

Week 3. Jan 29 - Feb 04. Systematics and Phylogeny, chapter 19

Week 4. Feb 05 - 11. Viruses, Bacteria, and Archaea, chapter 20

Worksheet Exam 1 1 Chapter 31 and Chapters 32 - 42 (Selected text), Chapter 19, Chapter 20

Week 5. Feb 12 - 18. Protist Evolution, chapter 21

Week 6. Feb 19 - 25. Fungi Evolution, chapter 22

Week 7. Feb 26 - Mar 03. Plant Evolution, Chapter 23 and Chapters 24 - 27 (Selected text)

Week 8. Mar 04 - 10. Invertebrate Evolution, chapter 28

Week 9. Mar 11 - 17. SPRING BREAK

Week 10. Mar 18 - 24. Vertebrate Evolution, chapter 29

Week 11. Mar 25 - 31. Origin and History of Life, chapter 18

Week 12. Apr 01 - 07. Human Evolution I, chapter 30

Week 13. Apr 08 - 14. Human Evolution I, chapter 30 (+ video)

Worksheet Exam 1 2 Chapter 21 - 28, Chapter 18

Unit II: Ecology and Environmental Concerns

Week 14. Apr 15 - 21. Ecology, Chapter 44 - 47 (Selected text)

Week 15. Apr 22 - 28. Ecology, Chapter 44 - 47 (Selected text)

Worksheet Exam 1 3 Chapter 44 - 47 (Selected text)

Week 16. Apr 29 - May 05. Endterm Exam (comprehensive from Exam, 1, 2, and 3).

Week 17. May 06 - 12. Final week (Learning Self-Assessment)



Calendar Details
x The course follows the textbook chapters as close as possible the order given above. The calendar is dynamic, so there MAY be a few minor modifications during the semester (updated and changed as needed). If this happens it will be announced in class.



x All DUE DATES are flagged with a blue and yellow arrow x




The assignments (Class Discussion Key Quiz, Evolution Worksheet Quiz, General Class Discussion, and the Town Hall Meeting) in the extra course shell called the TOWN HALL are pending the setup by the Blackboard people and therefore not yet included in the Semester Calendar. Due to time concern and Blackboard platform transfer problems, the longer Evolution Worksheet Quiz, will this semester be replaced with a shorter quiz. STAY TUNED!




x Week 1. Jan 15 - 21
"Familiarize yourself with the course week"
x
CLASS MEETING: Monday and Wednesday.

Read the information message and view the video(s) on the first page when logging in to the class (Blackboard Content "Home" page).

Take the Student Contract Quiz (deadline January 29, 2012, 10:59PM). If you read this you have probably already submitted the quiz. (However, it is posted here since it is possible to reach this calendar from the Syllabus, without first submitting the quiz.)

After passing the student contact quiz with 100 (can be taken unlimited times), become familiar with the textbook and the class web pages (Dr. Nilsson's CyberClassroom -- on the Blackboard server, and the Class Hub page -- on the STC server). Pay special attention to the Grading Criteria, the Grade Recorder, and the Semester Calendar (this document). Visit "Blackboard Plaza" and read the information message and listen to the YouTube from the instructor.

Post an Introductory posting message (deadline January 30, 2012, 10:59PM), introducing yourself and say hello to the class, in the "class help desk" (in the bulletin board for introductions).

Figure Discussions opens, Friday, January 20, 2011, 8:00AM.

Continue familiarize yourself with the textbook, class pages, read online instructions, and online reading assignments located on the class hub.


x Week 2. Jan 23 - 29
"Continue to familiarize yourself with the course week" 		x
CLASS MEETING: Monday and Wednesday.

Continue to familiarize yourself with the course. Read messages in the Introduction bulletin board and the Study Group / Collaboration bulletin board (in the help desk).

Look through your textbook for textbook figures, read and post in the "Figure Discussions".


x Week 3. Jan 30 - Feb 05
"The introduction and familiarization period is over -- "real" start of the class" 		x
CLASS MEETING: Monday and Wednesday.

Monday, January 30: Memorization Quiz 1 may be attempted for the first time (out of three attempts during lab hours; last time to attempt this memorization quiz is Monday, March 05.

x FIRST CRITICAL DEADLINE: Student Contract Quiz due on or before Sunday, January 29, 2012, 10:59PM. This contract should normally have been submitted over a week ago. Student who has not submitted the Student Contract Quiz by the deadline will be considered a non-participating student and will be removed from the class roster. Student, who has not submitted the Student Contract Quiz will be blocked (automatically -- not by the instructor) by the Blackboard settings and cannot submit class assignments on Blackboard after this date.

Worksheet Exam 1, and Semester Project (Field Lab Project) submission folders on Blackboard OPEN -- Monday, January 30, 2012, 8:00AM. (See the Grading Criteria and the Grade Recorder for details.)

x Introductory Posting in the Introduction bulletin board in the class help desk due on or before Monday, January 30, 2011, 10:59PM. Last chance to place an "introduction" message and say hello to the class. It doesn't really make any sense to say hello to the class mates after more than 2 weeks have passed -- does it? Since this is part of your grade, and since this is a method by the instructor to see which students are working in the class and which students may have problems, a student who has not introduced himself/herself to the class will lose 1 grade point.

Wednesday, February 01, 2011-- 12th Class Day.


x Week 4. Feb 05 - 11 x
CLASS MEETING: Monday (Animal Structures) and Wednesday (Classification).


x Week 5. Feb 12 - 18
"Valentine's Day week" 		x
CLASS MEETING: Monday (Classification) and Wednesday (Classification) .


x Week 6. Feb 19 - 25
"President's Day week" 		x
CLASS MEETING: Monday (Classification) and Wednesday (Classification) .


x Week 7. Feb 26 - Mar 03 x
CLASS MEETING: Monday (Classification) and Wednesday (Classification) .

General Class Discussion begins, Friday, March 02, 2012, 08.00AM. (Blackboard, Town Hall Course Shell.)


x Week 8. Mar 04 - 10 x
CLASS MEETING: Monday (Classification) and Wednesday (Classification) .


x Memorization Quiz 1 (last attempt), Monday, March 05.


x Worksheet Exam 1 due, Wednesday, March 07.


x Week 9. Mar 11 - 17
"Spring break week" 		x

x Class Discussion Key Quiz. Sunday, March 11, 2012, 10:59pm. Student who has not submitted the quiz with a 100 by the deadline will NOT be able to participate in the General Class Discussion, and will EARN a ZERO for the assignment. (The assignment is worth 11 percent -- MORE than a letter grade. DON'T MISS THE DEADLINE!!!)

S p r i n g b r e a k



x Week 10. Mar 18 - 24 x Back to school, refreshed with new energy, ready for the second half of the semester!


CLASS MEETING: Monday (Classification) and Wednesday (Video in the Auditorium. Original day -- pending permission.).

x General Class Discussion Midsession. Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 10:59pm. Minimum 10 General Class Discussion postings TOTAL (in the Town Hall course shell) due when the instructor checks the Blackboard tracking system.

Class Discussion Key Quiz re-opens for students who has not submitted the quiz AND has e-mailed the instructor and asked to have it re-opened, Thursday, March 22, 2012, 08.00AM. (Blackboard, Town Hall Course Shell.)


x Week 11. Mar 25 - 31 x


CLASS MEETING: Monday and Wednesday (Virtual Lab -- class meets online) .

Online Microscope Virtual Lab OPENS, Monday, March 26, 2012, 08.00am. (See the Grading Criteria and the Grade Recorder for details.)


x General Class Discussion ends. Friday, March 30, 2012, 10:59pm. Minimum 25 General Class Discussion postings TOTAL (in the Town Hall course shell) due when the instructor checks the Blackboard tracking system. Students with 24 or fewer postings will lose the endsession discussion grade points (see the Grading Criteria for the class).



x Week 12. Apr 01 - 07 x
CLASS MEETING: Monday and Wednesday (Virtual Lab -- class meets online) .

Town Hall Meeting begins, Monday, April 02, 2012, 08.00AM. (Blackboard, Town Hall Course Shell.) Evolution Worksheet Quiz opens, Monday, April 02, 2012, 08.00AM. (Blackboard, Town Hall Course Shell.) Evolution Worksheet Quiz due next week.

Online Microscope Virtual Lab continues. (See the Grading Criteria and the Grade Recorder for details.)


x Semester Project due submitted on Blackboard due ONLINE on or before Wednesday, April 04, 2012, 10:59PM. The Dog Walk Project has an extended deadline and may also be turned in on Blackboard on or before April 14, 2012, 10.59PM. (The other two projects must be submitted ONLINE no later than April 04.) Face-to-face students may submit the Dog Walk in the classroom on April 11.

S e m e s t e r b r e a k Thursday, April 05 - Sunday, April 08, College Closed


x Week 13. Apr 08 - 14 x
CLASS MEETING: Monday (Virtual Lab Conclusion IN THE CLASSROOM.) CLASSIFICATION REVIEW LAB.) and Wednesday (Ecology) .

Evolution Worksheet Quiz closes, Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 10.59PM. (Blackboard, Town Hall Course Shell.) Student who has not submitted the quiz with a minimum 100 CANNOT participate in the Town Hall Meeting -- and will EARN a ZERO for the assignment at the end of the semester. THERE WILL BE NO SECOND WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY.

x Online Microscope Virtual Lab Conclusion, lab due Monday, April 09, 2012, 1.00pm. NOTE TIME!!!(See the Grading Criteria and the Grade Recorder for details.)



x Worksheet Exam 2 due, Wednesday, April 11. x Dog Walk (Extended CLASSROOM deadline for Face-to-Face students) due in the class Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

x Dog Walk (Extended ONLINE deadline) due ONLINE April 14, 2012.

x Town Hall Meeting Midsession. Saturday, April 14, 2012, 10:59pm. Minimum 10 Town Hall meeting postings postings TOTAL (in the Town Hall course shell) due when the instructor checks the Blackboard tracking system.




x Week 14. Apr 15 - 21 x
CLASS MEETING: Monday (Lab Practicum) and Wednesday (Ecology -- or Catch-up Day.)


x Lab Practicum (open book), Monday, April 16.


x Week 15. Apr 22 - 28 x
CLASS MEETING: Monday (Ecology ECOSYSTEMS) and Wednesday (Ecology -- REVIEW inc. Worksheet exam 3).


x Lab Practicum(closed book -- for students who signed up for the open book practicum and missed it) due, Monday, April 23. x Memorization Quiz 2 and 3 (last attempt), Wednesday, April 25. NOTE DAY -- WEDNESDAY


x Worksheet Exam 3 due, Wednesday, April 25.

x NOTE: All ecology questions on worksheet exam 3 will be done in the classroom NEXT WEEK! Don't miss the class meetings! Both the Monday lab and the Wednesday lecture will be devoted to ecology...

x Town Hall Meeting ends. Friday, April 27, 2012, 10:59pm. Minimum 25 General Class Discussion postings TOTAL (in the Town Hall course shell) due when the instructor checks the Blackboard tracking system. Students with 24 or fewer postings will lose the endsession discussion grade points (see the Grading Criteria for the class).



x Week 16. Apr 29 - May 05 x
CLASS MEETING: Monday (Catch-Up Day / Endterm Final Exam discussion) and Wednesday (Endterm "Final" Exam).


x Monday is the LAST class meeting before the Endterm Final Exam!!!

x All open semester blackboard assignments close Tuesday, May 01, 2012, 10.59pm (Figure Discussions, readings will disappear and can no longer be used to study for the final exam.) Some assignments, listed earlier in the calendar, have already closed.


x Endterm Final Exam, Wednesday, May 02.

Learning Self-Assessment opens Thursday, May 03, 2012, 8:00PM. Must be submitted on Blackboard...


x Week 17. May 06 - 12 x x Learning Self-Assessment closes Wednesday, May 09, 2012, 10:59PM.

GRADUATION, Saturday May 12, 2011.

This is it -- class is over! Grades are due by STC on Monday afternoon next week. You will get your grades from STC, not posted on Blackboard and not from the instructor.





Comment: The calendar may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances to meet the needs of a particular class. The instructor therefore reserves the right to alter (add, delete, or revise) any items of the above, online or via verbal instructions in class. The student is responsible for taking note of any such changes and acting accordingly.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Let's have an interesting semester!