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General Biology I Biol. 1408.W02 (Face-to-Face, Web-enhanced)
(Spring 2012, as taught by Dr. Jan A. Nilsson.)
To reduce the length of this page it contains "overlib links" for comments and additional information in boxes hidden until you move your mouse over the link. It is your responsibility to read the information on these "overlib links". It is possible to read this page without "clicking" on the "overlib links", but you might not understand some parts until you read the text in the "overlib link" box. You open the link by moving your mouse over the link, and closing it by removing the mouse. To separate the "overlib links" from regular links the text in an "overlib link" is colored blue, and has a small colorful arrow in front of it. Regular links, which takes you to another page, are NOT blue. I have found one "draw-back" so far with these links, in that one cannot use " signs and ' signs in the posted text -- since these characters, " and ', are part of the overlib code. Oh, well...
Here is the first "overlib link". Try it!
This class is web-enhanced, here is why:
Noticed that Texas was mentioned?
Definitions:
Source: http://www.dll.org/HBCUs/DistanceLearning_Feb2007/2_DefinitionsAndMethods.asp
This is the Grading Criteria, the standards used for how and what you will be graded for in this class. It is part of the Syllabus. Read this page with care. It is a rather long reading, but that is because care has been taken to attempt to help you understand the class requirements. Students who know and understand the grading criteria usually do better in college classes. Serve yourself a big cup of strong coffee and start reading! 
A word of caution: When surfing the web you will leave the web pages for this class. You might end up on a web page for a college class in a different part of the world. Sometimes I have had students in this class asking to submit assignments they have found on web pages in Europe or Asia. One time I had a student asking how she could make a snowman without any snow in the Rio Grande Valley. She had navigated to a web page in Alaska and thought that she had to make a snowman as one of the assignments in this class. (This is a true story, apparently it was an art class -- this is a biology class...) Unless you see an assignment to make a snowman listed -- below -- on this page, it is not a required assignment for this class. Go to this page when you are not sure what to do. This page lists ALL assignments, and if you want a 100 you must do them ALL...
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Before you will be able to start submitting class assignments you must acknowledge that you have read the syllabus information. You do so by answering the Blackboard "Student Contract Quiz" (also sometimes called the "Syllabus Acknowledgment Quiz") on or before the due date listed in the Semester Calendar. If you have not yet submitted the Student Contract Quiz you must log in to Blackboard and do so. |
Student Contract Note
Letter Grades: You EARN your grade in this class (the instructor does NOT give grades). You collect as many points as you feel is necessary to EARN the letter grade you desire (see below). As per the main document of the Syllabus, there are normally no make-ups. You miss an assignment -- you do not collect the points. If you wish to EARN the letter grade C you must collect a minimum of 70 points (70 percent). Highest possible point is 100 (100 percent) -- which is letter grade A.A: 90 (90%) -- 100 points
B: 80 (80%) -- 89.9 points
C: 70 (70%) -- 79.9 points
D: 60 (60%) -- 69.9 points
F: 0 -- 59.9 points
Assignments Overview: NOTE Overview list of assignments that will EARN you a grade in this class. 
For a more detailed description -- SCROLL DOWN! 
Category I: 13 points
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Introduction and Reading Assignments |
--- Student Contract (Regular Course Shell Assignment)|
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--- Introduction Post (Syllabus Acknowledgment Quiz, Regular Course Shell Assignment)|
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--- Textbook Figure Discussions and Help Desk Collaboration posts (Regular Course Shell Assignment)|
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--- Evolution Worksheet Quiz (Town Hall Course Shell Assignment, minimum 90 required for points)|
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Password required for the Evolution Worksheet Quiz. 
Alternative assignment for religious students who do not want to participate in the evolution discussion: Students may elect to submit a 6000-word essays about the topic of "evolution". This will replace both the Town Hall Meeting discussion and the Evolution worksheet quiz.
(Scroll down for details about the alternative to the evolution discussion.)
--- Class Discussion Key Quiz (Town Hall Course Shell Assignment, 100 required for points)|
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Category II: 15 points
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Exams (submitted in the classroom) |
--- Worksheet Exam 1 (open book, 100 Q)|
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--- Worksheet Exam 2 (open book, 100 Q)|
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--- Worksheet Exam 3 (open book, 30 Q)|
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--- Lab Practicum in class -- Test (Microscope focusing, naming of microscope parts, and identification of mitosis cell division phase), lab attendance, microscope drawings, and homework / pop quizzes. |
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Category III: 8 points
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Investigations (Virtual Online Labs, submitted on Blackboard) |
Microscope Investigations (Blackboard Project)
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Password required.
Category IV: 10 points
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Selected Field Lab Project (One Semester Project, submitted on Blackboard, done outside) |
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Alternative for students in face-to-face (webenhanced) classes: Students may elect to submit the DOG WALK project in the classroom in a CLEAN, UNUSED plastic sheet protector (as specified in online instructions). The Environmental Detective project and the Wildlife refuge project can be submitted in the classroom as a PowerPoint or KeyNote Presentations on a USB (the USB will be retained by the instructor for record keeping) -- and with the presentation printed on paper submitted in a CLEAN, UNUSED plastic sheet protector (as specified in online instructions). When submitting in the classroom the student must sign a roster indicating that the assignment was submitted in the classroom.
Category V: 10 points
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Memorization Quizzes (Submitted on Blackboard) |
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The memorization quizzes are done in the lab.
Category VI: 11 points
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General Class Discussions (Climate change related discussions on the Blackboard TOWN HALL course shell) --- Variable number of discussion bulletin boards |
Class Discussion Key Quiz (score 100) required for access to the bulletin boards. Please read the instructions in the Town Hall, when it opens up. NO Password required this semester. 
Some of the discussion topics may also have a "key quiz" to open up the topic. No password required. --- Minimum Postings Category I (Posting in ALL bulletin boards)|
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--- Minimum Postings Category II - midsession (minimum 10 posts) + opening day post|
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--- Minimum Postings Category II - endsession (minimum 25 posts)|
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Category VII: 11 points
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Town Hall Meeting (Evolution related discussions on the Blackboard TOWN HALL course shell) |
Class Discussion Key Quiz (score 100) required for access to the bulletin boards. Please read the instructions in the Town Hall, when it opens up. NO Password required this semester. Evolution Worksheet Quiz (minimum score 90) required for access to the bulletin boards. Password required for the Evolution Worksheet Quiz.
--- Minimum Postings Category I (Posting in ALL bulletin boards)|
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--- Minimum Postings Category II - midsession (minimum 10 posts) + opening day post|
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--- Minimum Postings Category II - endsession (minimum 25 posts)|
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Alternative assignment for religious students who do not want to participate in the evolution discussion: Students may elect to submit a 6000-word essays about the topic of "evolution". This will replace both the Town Hall Meeting discussion and the Evolution worksheet quiz.
(Scroll down for details about the alternative to the evolution discussion.)
Category VIII: 12 points
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Endterm Exam (Also called Final Exam) |
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The Endterm Exam is done in the classroom.
Category IX: 10 points
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Learning Self-Assessment (Blackboard) |
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--- Tell the instructor/class mates what you learned in the class this semester. Alternative non-Blackboard "Learning Self-Assessment" assignment for students in face-to-face (webenhanced) classes: Students may elect to submit the same Learning Self-Assessment as students electing to do it on Blackboard (following the online instructions), but in the classroom to the instructor -- at the last class meeting in an STC classroom. This will replace the Blackboard submission. The alternative "Learning Self-Assessment" must be submitted in a CLEAN, UNUSED plastic sheet protector (as specified in online instructions). When submitting in the classroom the student must sign a roster indicating that the assignment was submitted in the classroom.
--- TOTAL: 100p ---
Assignments Details (100p): NOTE This is the same list as above, but a more detailed list of assignments that will EARN you a grade in this class. (Again, it is the same as above, but with more details and with hyperlinks to some instructions.)Selective Release Criteria What is Selective Release Criteria? (GREEN COLOR).Category I
: Introduction and Reading Assignments (13p)
Student Contract (Syllabus Acknowledgment Quiz, Regular Course Shell Assignment)|
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Introduction Post (Syllabus Acknowledgment Quiz, Regular Course Shell Assignment)|
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Textbook Figure Discussions and Help Desk Collaboration Posts. Submitted on Blackboard bulletin boards, Regular Course Shell-- minimum 2 posts (1 original + 1 reply) for each figure (3p) (Variable number of figures. At least one post per figure must be minimum 50 words.)
-- minimum 5 posts in the regular help desk, to help or to ask for help (1p)
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Evolution "Worksheet" Quiz. (Blackboard Quiz located on the TOWN HALL course shell.) For points the EARNED grade must be minimum 90. |
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Password required.
You may start the navigation to the Evolution instructions
and the reading assignments here. This link is also available
on the Class Hub page by clicking on "Class Discussions" or "Town Hall Meeting".
The worksheet quiz is located on the extra Town Hall course shell.
(Scroll down for alternative to the evolution discussion for religious reasons.)
Class Discussion Key Quiz Submitted on Blackboard bulletin boards, Town Hall Course Shell|
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Category II
: EXAMS (submitted in the classroom) (17p)|
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Exams (submitted in the classroom) |
--- Worksheet Exam 1 (open book)|
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--- Worksheet Exam 2 (open book)|
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--- Worksheet Exam 3 (open book)|
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--- Lab Practicum (in class) |
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Category III
: Virtual Lab (Investigations) ( 8p.) Due to problems with the Blackboard platform transfer the microscope virtual lab has been replaced with the Enzyme virtual lab (ignore the text below about the canceled virtual microscope lab), to be conducted in part in the classroom and due IN CLASS as per the Semester calendar.
Grade will be sent to student via Blackboard e-mail.
Required submissions/participation:
1. Collaboration Bulletin Board
2. Enzyme Table
3. Enzyme Graph
4. Journal questions
Grading:
Students submitting everything/posted in the collaboration bulletin board earned an A (=100). (For possible minor deductions see below.)
First non-submisson/non-participation: -11 (highest grade possible B [=89]
Second non-submisson/non-participation: additional -10 (highest grade possible C [=79]
Third non-submisson/non-participation: additional -10 (highest grade possible D [=69]
Possible additional deductions:
Optimal pH incorrect: -5
Journal questions not answered: -2
Table / Graph incomplete: -2
Homework not submitted during the virtual lab class meeting: -2
Virtual lab classmeeting not attended (but lab submitted): -3
Students who did not submit anything, but participated in the virtual lab class meeting and submitted the home work before that class meeting earned 40.
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Virtual labs have started to replace classroom labs in today's online world. They don't do exactly the same things, but they are intended to replace labs in online classes or complement the classroom labs in web-enhanced or hybrid (blended) classes. In this class you will do one online lab projects. The virtual labs for this class is still "in progress", and will not be finished until the Blackboard transition is complete and the virtual campus straightens out its teaching policies. The "Microscope Investigations" is intended to introduce or refresh the student to the microscope. I will of course not be the same as practicing using a microscope "hands on" in a lab, but it is enough to help the student to understand the microscope, how to handle it, and later how to use it if needed in the classroom or in a future class. Pending textbook selection procedures in the STC Biology Department and the initial preliminary set-ups of this particular class, the online Investigations have been scheduled on a trial basis to last slightly longer than what probably (?) is necessary (no stress?). The lab has been scheduled as indicated in the Semester Calendar.Virtual Lab (Investigations) Microscope Investigations (Blackboard)
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After each lab exercise -- click on the Microscope Investigations link -- you must submit a quiz (see below). You must also participate in a collaboration bulletin board.1.
(25 p -- required minimum grade: 100)2.
(25 p -- required minimum grade: 100)3.
(25 p -- required minimum grade: 100)4.
(25 p -- required minimum posts: 5)
Password required for the virtual lab quizzes. Same password as for all "tests" in class. Respondus LockDown Browser IS required. Click on the link if you don't remember the password, or if you wish to read the information about Respondus LockDown Browser.
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Category IV
: Field Lab Project ( 10p.) |
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Select one (1) lab project from the three listed below:To read more click on this link.
Environmental Detective For this project you must go out in the (hopefully) fresh air, use your eyes, nose and other senses, and look for things in your neighborhood that concerns you. You are supposed to spot things that are WRONG. If you spot things that are good for the environment that is fine too, but it does not qualify for the project. Your final project is a slide presentation (PowerPoint or Keynote) of several "bad things" or one "bad thing" if you want to specialize and go into depth, which includes information (caption) about how and where you snapped each picture, and a minimum 200 words paragraph describing your experience. . If you don't know how to submit slide presentations on Blackboard -- it will also be part of the project to learn how to do that. (If you don't want to do a slide presentation you may select the Dog Walk project where you only need to submit individual photos.) The alternative method for submitting in a mailbox -- mentioned for the dog walk project below -- is not available for this project. The Environmental Detective project MUST be submitted as a PowerPoint or KeyNote Presentation online on Blackboard. Wildlife Refuge Visit For this project you must go out in the (hopefully) fresh air, use your eyes, nose and other senses, and look and enjoy the nature in the wildlife refuge. If you spot things that are not good (as in the environmental destective project) for the environment that is fine too, but it is not the intent of the project. Your final project is a slide presentation (PowerPoint or Keynote) about the wildlife refuge, which includes information (caption) about where you snapped each picture, and a minimum 200 words paragraph describing your experience. . If you don't know how to submit slide presentations on Blackboard -- it will also be part of the project to learn how to do that. (If you don't want to do a slide presentation you may select the Dog Walk project where you only need to submit individual photos.) The alternative method for submitting in a mailbox -- mentioned for the dog walk project below -- is not available for this project. The Wildlife Refuge Visit project MUST be submitted as a PowerPoint or KeyNote Presentation online on Blackboard. Dog Walk For students who think some of these project are too complex and time consuming, students have the opportunity to do a rather quick and rewarding Humane Society Donation and Dog Walk. Visit the Humane Society (Palm Valley Animal Center), donate a 16lbs bag dry dog food, walk a dog, and take 2 QUALITY photos of activity for display (one with dog food, one with dog). Then ask the Humane Society for a receipt stating that you have donated a 16lbs bag of dog food. (Believe it or not, there have been students who cheat by taking a picture of themselves with someone else's bag of dog food -- and then do not donate anything.) Submit the following in the Blackboard folder designated: two photos (one with you and the dog you walked; one with you and the dogfood), the receipt obtained from the Palm Valley Animal Center (you must scan the copy or take a digital photo of it with the same camera you used for the other pictures you are submitting), and a minimum 200 words paragraph describing your experience at the shelter. Everything can be submitted as a slide presentation (PowerPoint or Keynote), but this is not necessary. You may just submit individual photos with your 200 word paragraph. If you don't know how to submit photos/presentations on Blackboard -- it will also be part of the project to learn how to do that. An alternative mailbox method for submission is available and described on the instruction page. However, use this online Blackboard method if you don't want to mess with "picky" mailbox sumission details required by the instructor, and if you wish to have a record of your submission.
Note: I have been doing this since 1998 with my students. The Palm Valley Animal Center also has a volunteer program -- this is NOT part of this project. For this DOG WALK project you simply donate dog food, and spend some time with an often-lonely dog at the center by walking it -- and document it with pictures. For how long? I guess you will have to ask your conscience for the answer to that question...
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Category V
: Memorization Quizzes ( 10p.)
Variable number of Blackboard repetition quizzes, which in the "face-to-face class" is taken in the classroom to demonstrate successful memorization. In the online class, since this is done on blackboard the regular handouts may not be useful to you (it depends perhaps on your study technique?) -- but are provided on the same page where the quiz information and the answer keys are located. Not all quizzes are required each semester. The quizzes required this semester will be found on Blackboard in the Memorization Quizzes folder for the online class, and handed out by the instructor in the face-to-face class. For Memorization Quizzes schedule see the Semester Calendar.
Memorization Quizzes -- brain exercise quizzes -- are assessments where terms and names are committed to memory or "learned by heart" to assist the student understanding of certain biological concepts. A successful memorization is when everything has been committed to memory -- 100 percent memorized -- all or nothing -- including correct spelling. (If less it is not really "memorized", is it?). So how do you learn this stuff using Blackboard -- where you can sit at home in front of the computer and look at the key or the textbook? Answer: By repeating, repeating, and repeating -- spending considerable time saying and writing all terms and names until they are "learned by heart". In the online and the hybrid classes this is also in addition accomplished by using repeated Blackboard worksheet quizzes. For points to be EARNED, and to progress to the next memorization quiz, the grade must be 100 (all answers must be correct). All memorization quizzes MUST be completed to receive any points. No partial credit for some quizzes. In the online class you may attempt each quiz as many times needed to earn 100 (within the dates indicated in the Semester Calendar), in the face-to-face class you have three attempts for each quiz (if 100 is not earned after the third attempt one minor error is accepted for the grade of 100).One memorization quiz will be included on the final exam.
Category VI
: General Class Discussions to Reading Assignments with Blackboard Bulletin Board (BB) postings ( 11p.) 
The General Class Discussions are located on the extra Town Hall course shell, pending the set-up by the Blackboard people, and participants will be students in ALL Biology classes taught by Dr. Nilsson. All postings as Blackboard bulletin board discussion messages and the required Class Discussion Key Quiz are to be submitted on this extra Town Hall course shell, that will open up before the start of the discussions.
Class Discussion Key Quiz (score 100) required for access to the bulletin boards. NO Password required this semester. Some of the discussion topics MAY also have a "key quiz" to open up the topic. No password required.
These class discussion assignments, submitted via Blackboard bulletin boards in the Town Hall course shell, are "all or nothing assignments". You post the minimum postings required (or more) and EARN a 100, or you post less than the minimum and earn a ZERO. Note that you are not graded on your opinion, you are graded on whether you post an opinion or not. Also note that the Town Hall Meeting discussion postings do NOT count towards the General Class Discussion assignment grade, but towards the Town Hall Meeting assignment.Selective Release Criteria General Class Discussions Selective Release Criteria . Link to the Class Discussion Philosophy, Scope, and Instructions page. Class Discussion Key Quiz? What is a key quiz? Unlike the Town Hall Meeting discussion (see Category 6 below), the instructor does not participate in -- only oversees -- the General Class Discussions. GRADING CRITERIA: The rules are simple -- you participate you EARN a 100. You don't participate you EARN a zero. You are not graded on your opinion, you are graded on whether you participate or not. The minimum requirements are very simple to fulfill -- but the line must be drawn somewhere -- most students post more than the minimum. Don't take any chances, post more than the minimum. A Blackboard server statistics software tracks these criteria. As an instructor I have to do very little to assign a class discussion grade. I know exactly how much, where and when you posted, read, and/or visited. There are no secrets in Blackboard... Class Discussion Minimum Postings Category I, Endsemester --- Participation in All Class Discussion Bulletin Boards with a minimum 100 word posting on the topic for that bulletin board (and minimum 25 postings at the end of the session)|
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For points you MUST post a "composed" message or a "reply" consisting of minimum 100 words in 
ALL bulletin boards with a minimum 100 word posting on the topic for that bulletin board . (ONLY STUDENTS WHO HAVE POSTED THE BOTH THE MINIMUM 10 MIDSESSION AND THE MINIMUM 25 ENDSESSION REQUIRED POSTINGS WILL EARN A GRADE IN THIS CATEGORY. Grading this category is more time consuming than the other categories, and the instructor will not spend his time grading a student in this category if that student has not taken his/her time to post the minimum postings required. One or two (maybe more) bulletin boards will be selected. If a students has not posted in those, a zero will be recorded as the grade in this category.) Class Discussion Minimum Postings Category II, Midsession---Participation with 10 Minimum Posts by midsession (3p) (see semester calendar) + opening day post (1p). In this category a "reply" also counts|
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Student not posting a minimum of 10 messages -- in this category a "reply" also counts -- the combined number in ALL bulletin boards TOGETHER -- will lose ALL points and receive a zero in this category. The grade reading will be at the midsession point: Posted at least 10 messages (no minimum number of words) - 3 points. Did not post at least 10 messages - 0 (ZERO). Partial credit will NOT be given. Class Discussion Minimum Postings Category II, Endsemester---Participation with 25 Minimum Posts at the end of the session (from the first day of the session to the due date at the end of the session). Note: At least 10 postings must be done during the second part of the session. Three (3) points will be deducted if a student not has a minimum of 10 postings during the second part of the session. In this category a "reply" also counts|
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Student not posting a minimum of 25 messages -- in this category a "reply" also counts -- the combined number in ALL bulletin boards TOGETHER -- will lose ALL points and receive a zero in this category. The grade reading will be at the endsession point: Posted at least 25 messages (minimum ONE message must be 100 words) - 5 points. Did not post at least 25 messages - 0 (ZERO). Partial credit will NOT be given. Again note: At least 10 postings must be done during the second part of the session. Three (3) points will be deducted if a student not has a minimum of 10 postings during the second part of the session. Students must participate on a regular basis throughout the session. The minimum number 25 is from ALL bulletin boards TOGETHER. In other words, since there are usually are around 12- 15 bulletin boards (the number vary from semester to semester) 2 - 3 postings per bulletin board is required. Many students post MUCH more than the required minimum. Only 1 message needs to be 100 words -- and not necessarily the first message. Start with a few shorter postings if you are shy or unsure about what to say. CLARIFICATIONS:
Reading Assignments:
Spell-checking Requirement:
Midsession Posting Grade:
For more information go to Class Discussion Philosophy, Scope, and Instructions page.
Complicated? Not really! But if you don't understand, just start posting -- and keep posting actively throughout the session!
Category VII
: Town Hall Meeting Intellectual discussion/debate with Reading Assignments and Blackboard Bulletin Board (BB) postings ( 11p.)The General Class Discussions are located on the extra Town Hall course shell, pending the set-up by the Blackboard people, and participants will be students in ALL Biology classes taught by Dr. Nilsson. All postings as Blackboard bulletin board discussion messages and the required Evolution Worksheet Quiz and Town Hall Key Quiz are to be submitted on this extra Town Hall course shell, that will open up before the start of the discussions.
Class Discussion Key Quiz (score 100) and Evolution Worksheet Quiz (minimum 90) required for access to the Town Hall bulletin boards. Password required for the evolution worksheet quiz. The Town Hall discussion is a discussion about Evolution and other topics related to the concept of evolution. There is a midsession grade reading to assure that students participate in the Town Hall throughout the session. As the general class discussions, these are "all or nothing assignments". You post the minimum postings required (or more) and EARN a 100, or you post less than the minimum and earn a ZERO. Note that you are not graded on your opinion, you are graded on whether you post an opinion or not. Also note that the Town Hall discussion postings do NOT count towards the genetral class discussions grade, but towards the Town Hall assignment. Unlike the general class discussions, the instructor participates in the Town Hall as an EQUAL participant. In addition the -- The Preface (to the serve) and The (Tennis) Serve -- are the instructor's participation/contribution to the discussion. For the reading assignment, and further Town Hall discussion information, click the Town Hall button below. 
You may start the navigation to the Evolution instructions
and the reading assignments here. This link is also available
on the Class Hub page by clicking on "Class Discussions" or "Town Hall Meeting".
The discussion bulletin boards are located on the extra Town Hall course shell.
GRADING CRITERIA: The rules are simple -- you participate you EARN a 100. The grading criteria are, as you will note, similar to the General Class Discussions. You don't participate you EARN a zero. You must participate during the whole discussion period, and post a minimum of ten postings before the discussion midsession, and a minimum of 10 postings after the midsession. You are not graded on your opinion, you are graded on whether you participate or not. The minimum requirements are very simple to fulfill -- but the line must be drawn somewhere -- most students post more than the minimum. Don't take any chances, post more than the minimum. A Blackboard server statistics software tracks these criteria. As an instructor I have to do very little to assign a Town Hall discussion grade. I know exactly how much, where and when you posted, read, and/or visited. There are no secrets in Blackboard... Town Hall Minimum Postings Category I, Endsession--- Participation in All Dinosaur Town Hall Discussion Bulletin Boards with a minimum 100 word posting on the topic for that bulletin board (and minimum 25 postings at the end of the session)|
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For points you MUST post a "composed" message or a "reply" consisting of minimum 100 words in ALL Dinosaur Town Hall bulletin boards with a minimum 100 word posting on the topic for that bulletin board . "Cramming" at the end of the session will not be allowed, so for that reason TWO bulletin boards will be removed at the midsession. Make sure you have posted in all by the midsession. (ONLY STUDENTS WHO HAVE POSTED THE BOTH THE MINIMUM 10 MIDSESSION AND THE MINIMUM 25 ENDSESSION REQUIRED POSTINGS WILL EARN A GRADE IN THIS CATEGORY. Grading this category is more time consuming than the other categories, and the instructor will not spend his time grading a student in this category if that student has not taken his/her time to post the minimum postings required. One or two bulletin boards will be selected. If a students has not posted in those, a zero will be recorded as the grade in this category.) Town Hall Minimum Postings Category II, Midsession---Participation with 10 Minimum Posts by midsession (3p) (see semester calendar) + opening day post (1p). |
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Student not posting a minimum of 10 messages -- in this category a "reply" also counts -- the combined number in ALL Dinosaur Town Hall bulletin boards TOGETHER -- will lose ALL points and receive a zero in this category. The grade reading will be at the midsession point: Posted at least 10 messages (no minimum number of words, but at least one message must be minimum 100 words during the complete session -- so if not done during the first part of the session it must be done during the second part). Did not post at least 10 messages - 0 (ZERO). Partial credit will NOT be given. Town Hall Minimum Postings Category II, Endsession---Participation with 25 Minimum Posts at the end of the discussion period. Note: At least 10 postings must be done during the second part of the semester (at least one message must be minimum 100 words during the complete session). Three (3) points will be deducted if a student not has a minimum of 10 postings during the second part of the semester.|
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Student not posting a minimum of 25 messages -- in this category a "reply" also counts -- the combined number in ALL Dinosaur Town Hall bulletin boards TOGETHER -- will lose ALL points and receive a zero in this category. Partial credit will NOT be given. You must participate during the whole discussion period. Again note: At least 10 postings must be done during the second part of the session. Three (3) points will be deducted if a student not has a minimum of 10 postings during the second part of the session. 
Selective release criteria for the Town Hall Meeting. Read this note!
For an alternative assignment to reading the reading assignment for the evolution WORKSHEET QUIZ and participating in the discussion, see Addendum at the bottom of the page for a term paper alternative. The term paper topic is EVOLUTION. This is a biology class and evolution is an integral part of biology, but the WORKSHEET QUIZ and the discussion can be replace by a term paper arguing for or against EVOLUTION. (Technically you will be doing exactly the same thing in the discussion, but if you are uncomfortable about arguing about your religion or about humankind's common ancestry with apes, you can select the alternative term paper instead.)
Unfortunately, every semester one or two religious students are offended by what is said in the evolution discussion. The discussion is NOT about God, but about EVOLUTION. It is, however, hard to avoid not mentioning God, and it is impossible not to mention religion. Why? Because scientists are forced to defend QUALITY BIOLOGY EDUCATION -- which includes evolution -- against ignorant and reactionary forces that are trying to remove the teaching of evolution from the curriculum, or changing textbooks to include "creation" in biology/science classes. It therefore MUST be discussed. Since STC is a public college, and this is a science class -- it WILL be discussed. However, you are only required to post 1 message in each bulletin board if offended. If you participate further in the discussion and therefore will be offended by what is said -- it is SELF-INFLICTED since you could have left the discussion thread after one posting.
If what is said is making you upset and if you have posted the required minimum for a bulletin board that upsets you -- such as the "Primate discussion" (which includes discussing Adam an Eve), I recommend that you spend your time in other bulletin boards with a subject that will not upset you -- like "the Sun discussion", or the "Dinosaur discussion" where students sometimes even discuss the Flintstones...
(Scroll down for alternative to the evolution discussion.)
Complicated? Not really! But if you don't understand, just start posting -- and keep posting actively throughout the semester!
Category VIII
: Endterm Exam (also called Final exam) ( 10p.) In the classroom, no references allowed. 40 questions / 40 minutes|
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Category IX
: Learning Self-Assessment ( 10 p.) Submitted on a Blackboard bulletin board. To think about and analyze your learning attempts, to see if you have learned -- or not, is an important part in the learning process. Learning is NOT a spectator sport. It is important to talk about it, to write about it, and to relate to previous experiences, so that you can make learning an integral part of yourself. You will assess YOURSELF, not the class or the instructor. You will be graded on if you take your learning analysis seriously by thinking about what you have done this semester as per each aspect required. If you are shy about doing this because other students can read the posting, keep it simple without going into personal details (like grades). Taking responsibility for your learning and discussing it with your peers is a good method to better yourself as a student. Remember to spell check the writing! (It is best if you write your assessment in a word processor. Then post it in the Learning Assessment folder on Blackboard Plaza (or submit it in the classroom as per the alternative below).Alternative non-Blackboard "Learning Self-Assessment" assignment for students in face-to-face (webenhanced) classes: Students may elect to submit the same Learning Self-Assessment as students electing to do it on Blackboard (following the online instructions), but in the classroom to the instructor -- at the last class meeting in an STC classroom. This will replace the Blackboard submission. The alternative "Learning Self-Assessment" must be submitted in a CLEAN, UNUSED plastic sheet protector (as specified in online instructions). When submitting in the classroom the student must sign a roster indicating that the assignment was submitted in the classroom.
The Learning Self-Assessment will open when the Final Exam has been submitted. All students must do the Learning Self-Assessment, ON TIME, online in the correct bulletin board -- or face-to-face students have the options to submit it during the last class meeting. Late Learning Self-Assessment will not be accepted because the bulletin board will be closed. -----------------------
100p
Extra points ("extra credit"): Participation throughout the semester in "reactions" to BIOETHICAL issues selected by the instructor from your textbook, as bulletin board postings on Blackboard. (Further explanation will be given in class.)
The grading criteria for a particular class 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.
The grading criteria for the class occasionally change from one semester to another. The online class documents are updated to reflect the current criteria. However, if a grading criterion discrepancy is present -- if by accident a grading criterion has not been updated on a class document -- the grading criterion posted on this page is the correct grading criterion. The student is responsible for reading this page and referring to it for the grading criteria for the current semester.
Addendum --- will not be discussed in class ---
Alternative to Evolution Blackboard Class Discussion:
There are normally no alternative assignments, but students who so wish can read the text below, and later ask for clarification if needed. Due to some problems with sensitive religious students during previous semesters, a religious student may select to do a essay (term paper) option, replacing the Town Hall Discussions -- on the topic evolution, AND the Evolution "Open Book" Worksheet Quiz. Students participating in the class discussion will automatically EARN an A on the assignment if posting the required minimum -- regardless of opinion religious/science opinion. The instructor also like to remind students "prone" to making instruction delivery suggestions, with these words from Patrick Allitt, that:I'm the Teacher, You're the Student
"The title refers to my belief that the teacher should take control in the classroom. The students come there not to be my friend but to learn history. I know it; they don't, so it's my responsibility to create conditions in which they can learn it. It is not a democratic or egalitarian situation. If they query my rules and regulations I sometimes say: "Ah well, I'm the teacher, you're the student, so you must put up with it." I've found that students are well-behaved and work hard if you make it clear to them right from the beginning that you have high expectations and high standards. They're very eager (at least here at Emory) to get good grades, and will strive to meet my expectations so long as I'm not unreasonable."
Patrick Allitt (Professor of U.S. History at Emory University) in: Rosen, Christine. 2004. I'm the Teacher, You're the Student. National Review Online. (http://www.nationalreview.com)
(Search URL: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODVlMTllNDIwNjRhZjdkYTZkNjRiNDJjNTljOWE1ZDg=)
I also like to remind students who don't understand why they have to use computers and critical thinking (such as about evolution/religion) in this class that Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board requires that each higher education institution's core curriculum must be designed to satisfy a series of "basic intellectual competencies" - reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking, and computer literacy. The Blackboard discussion part of this course is very important, and is designed to help students overcome fear of using computers and fear of speaking out (after using critical thinking). Both the field of science and religion are integral parts of Environmental Science. Both are often interpreted as being in conflict with each other, and therefore seriously affect the world we live in, and one cannot select to ignore one and only pay attention to the other. Are they in conflict? As the instructor of the class I prefer that you remain a participant in the discussion and answer that question, and defend your faith -- if that is what you feel you must do. Or is your faith that weak so you think you cannot defend it against scientific arguments? You might realize after participating that this discussion is NOT about God. Perhaps you will come to the conclusion -- as many students have -- that the only thing you have to do instead of loosing your faith, is to keep an open mind, learn and update your knowledge about the REAL world to the year 2009 (or whatever year it is when you read this). That is why you are here taking college classes -- to LEARN! Don't your religion stop you from learning about new things in the exciting field of science/biology. However, if you don't want to participate in the Town Hall evolution class discussion, and the Evolution Open Book Worksheet Quiz, these assignments can be replaced with a minimum 6,000 words essay based on a minimum of 20 DOCUMENTED ONLINE REFERENSES (sources). (This number of words is significantly lower than the number of words students participating in class as intended must read for the evolution reading assignments.) A minimum of 10 references must be on the topic evolution (not religion, faith, intelligent design, creationism, or creation science) from a SCIENCE source that is PRO evolution -- AND minimum 8 figures discussed in the essay, and a minimum of 10 references must be on the topics intelligent design, creationism, or creation science opposing evolution -- AND minimum 8 figures discussed in the essay. The essay must clearly be arguing for or against evolution and clear arguments must be presented using CRITICAL THINKING why the 10 science (evolution) sources selected are incorrect or correct, and the religious (creationism / intelligent design sources or whatever religious view you argue for) are a incorrect or correct description for how life began on Earth. In other words, as intended with the class discussions you must use critical thinking and show that you have been thinking about this enough to come up with an opinion. Read this note
ARRANGEMENTS for the alternative delivery method must be made with the instructor at the beginning of the semester, or no later than the TWO WEEKS BEFORE the Town Hall discussion about evolution starts (See the Semester Calendar ). Students who have not made such arrangements have the option to participate in the Town Hall Meeting as intended by the instructor or lose the grade points. A near completion draft (see below) or the final essay is due in two copies, one ONLINE, in a bulletin board that will be assigned, and one PRINTED COPY in a NEW HARD-BACK BINDER with 1/2 - 1 inch back purchased specially by the student for the essay, submitted to the instructors STC mailbox, or in class if the class have classroom meetings, the first day of Town Hall Meeting for the students participating in the Town Hall Meeting. (Printed copies from online students must be delivered to the STC mailbox and will NOT be accepted in the classroom for another class.) If a draft was handed in the final copy (online and printed copy) is due the last day of the Town Hall discussion (See Semester Calendar semester calendar). For record keeping the instructor will keep the essays, including the binder(s). Near Completion Draft?
Again note the following: While students participating in the class discussion will automatically EARN an A on the assignment if posting the required minimum, there is by no means any guarantee that a students electing this alternative method will EARN an A on the essay (term paper). Grading an essay is SUBJECTIVE, and this instructor has always been a picky grader when grading essays (term papers). If the essay is not a serious, acceptable quality attempt -- clearly arguing for your opinion with the 20 ONLINE sources included (10 sources supporting your opinion -- e.g., a religious viewpoint, and 10 sources arguing another opinion -- e.g., a scientific viewpoint), the grade will be lower. If judged by the instructor to be a serious, acceptable quality attempt, the essay will EARN the student a replacement grade for the Town Hall Evolution Discussion and the Evolution Open Book Worksheet Quiz (replacing the grades for these two assignments). (It does not have to be an A attempt -- then you will earn a lower grade, but it must be a "serious, acceptable quality attempt".) A student PLAGIARIZING will EARN a zero on both assignments and will be blocked from continued participation in the regular class discussion, and will also be blocked from posting in the Learning Self-Assessment at the end of the semester -- as a consequence for cheating. If a zero is recorded for these assignments due to plagiarism, the highest grade the student can earn in class is letter grade D. Students participating in the Town Hall, as intended by the instructor, cannot EARN an intermediate grade -- will always earn a 100 if participating as intended. The Town Hall Evolution Discussion grade and the Evolution Open Book Worksheet grade both are "all or nothing" -- 100 or 0 (zero). The grade based on PARTICIPATION, not on opinions given in the postings. All students participating in the Town Hall discussions, according to instructions, ALWAYS earn 100 -- REGARDLESS OF OPINION.
If you don't like what you must do for the alternative method -- then participate in the discussion as intended by the instructor. There are no alternative methods for any other Blackboard discussions. If there is a chance that you will decide not to participate in the evolution discussion and defend your viewpoint of the world (and therefore not read the reading assignment and the instructions for the assignment), I have posted two statements made by students who at first hesitated to participate. (These messages are also posted on the Evolution Hub Page.)|
As I began with this course, I was not so sure if it was ok for me to be exposed to the theory of evolution. Being raised to only believe in the bible was something the caused such fear in me. I feared that I would be sinning if I began to believe in this theory. I was scared that this idea would drive me away from God, yet, now I comprehend that the theory of evolution was not invented so that people could stray away from God's word but only to inform us, educating us about our origins and for a better understanding of our surroundings. Evolution is defined as change over time and that is what it is. There is nothing wicked or evil about it. This course has not only helped me accept new ideas but has also educated me on this subject. I now know that there is nothing wrong with accepting the theory of evolution and that fearing this subject seems so ridiculous. Sanjuanita Environmental Biology student, Spring 2009 |
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How could I have been so blind all this time? Why didn't my father, who has a degree in Biology and a Master's in Education, ever bother to teach me about the Theory of Evolution? What was he thinking he'd protect me from? Why does the government continue to choose to leave it out of our curriculum? I can't exactly answer these questions, but I know that religion has had something to do with it. It is no wonder that our world is in much danger. We don't take the time to educate ourselves about the real world. A quote from The Serve states, "But the message is that like an opium drug addict, religious believers are "blinded" by the "drug" and cannot deal with the real world." Disaster strikes and all we can do is sit back and pray? We need to take action. Part of taking action is educating ourselves on real-world issues and a real-world issue today is knowing where we actually come from...how we came to be. Acquiring knowledge in Environmental Science is like acquiring knowledge in a bundle of topics such as nature, culture and technology. If it were not for these, we would not be able to prove our existence. It is up to us (this class and our generation) to teach our children everything that we have learned in this class and more. I have learned that it is ok to have religion a part of your life and accept Evolution. I have also accepted that the Adam and Eve story, the talking serpent, the forbidden fruit, etc., are not actual occurrences but symbols of religion. Sure there are verses in the bible that can relate to real-life situations, but when it comes down to it, the bible is not a scientific textbook and it can only do so much for you, spiritually. Mentally, it takes an education to understand the REAL WORLD and everything that occurs in it. I now accept Evolution and all it took was getting EDUCATED on the FACTS! Vilma Environmental Biology student, Spring 2009. |
Hope to see you in the discussion!
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