How to contact your professor between classes (clarification of the information in the green box above):
Try to ask up "office hour questions/class questions" on the Blackboard Study Group / Help Desk (or via Blackboard e-mail if you don't want all students to read your message). If you are in a class with classroom meetings you can also use the first few minutes of class, or at the end of a class meeting.
Be aware that I (like many other STC faculty) teach overloads and I travel to various campuses. (I teach at both the Starr County Campus and the Pecan Campus.)
The best way to contact me is via Blackboard. You need an Blackboard ID and password. All students registered at STC have a Blackboard ID and password. If you don't know these you may obtain the information online or from the Distance Learning Help Desk. If you need an answer to something before the next class period, your chances of reaching me are best via the Blackboard Bulletin Board called "Class Help Desk". I try to answer all urgent e-mail, but I claim the right to decide if a message needs an immediate response.
Office hours are posted above or is announced in class during the first class meeting.
For additional information see the green table above.
 2. LOCATION & TIMES
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Lecture: _______________, Laboratory: _______________
The class uses the European system of "academic quarter". The first 15 minutes can be used by the students for review, study group discussion, or to print out pertinent documents at the student success center -- or to find parking space at the STC campus. 
You registered for the class -- you must make arrangements to be in class ON TIME! A "beginning of the class" attendance roster will be handed out for signatures when the formal lecture/lab starts immediately after the "academic quarter". A pop-quiz may also be given at this time to reward students who are never tardy. These pop-quizzes cover material that may be on your exams. (In other words your biology grade may suffer if you are repeatedly tardy.) An "end of the class" roster may also be handed out, for signatures when the formal lecture/lab ends.
This class is web enhanced, which means that as noted in the Semester Calendar the class sometimes meet online rather than in the classroom. It is the student's responsibility to pay attention to the Semester Calendar and be familiar with when the class meets in the classroom. When the class meets online students do NOT have to be online during the scheduled class hours, but must log in sometime during that day -- AND at other times as required to finish assignments.
3. TEXTS
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You must obtain two text books for this course:
1. Lecture Text: Sylvia S. Mader. 2010. Biology. 10th ed. WCB/McGraw-Hill, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
2. Laboratory Text: Darrel S. Vodopich, and Randy Moore. 2008. Biol 1409 Biology Laboratory Manual -- South Texas College. 8th ed. WCB / McGraw-Hill, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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You should bring the LABORATORY TEXT to ALL class meetings since the lectures and laboratories are integrated. Many students also bring the lecture text, however, you will get the most use of the lecture text when you study OUTSIDE of class.
 Students are required to read the textbook for the instructor to be able to teach the concepts the course encompasses. (From FOUNDATION SKILLS in the Biology Department Master Syllabus.) To succeed in this class -- at least if you wish to have a high grade, you MUST use your textbook as a LEARNING TOOL! The textbook -- especially the figures, will help clarify things you did not understand in class or from reading the lecture notes.
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More textbook information CLICK HERE
4. COURSE DESCRIPTION
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This course is a continuation of Biology 1408. Topics include biodiversity, animal structures, plant structures, ecology, and animal behavior. Prerequisites: BIOL 1408 (General Biology I) with a grade of "C" or better. (From South Texas College Course Catalog.)
Students are required to read the textbook for the instructor to be able to teach the concepts the course encompasses. (From FOUNDATION SKILLS in the Biology Department Master Syllabus.) To succeed in this class -- at least if you wish to have a high grade, you MUST use your textbook as a LEARNING TOOL! The textbook -- especially the figures, will help clarify things you did not understand in class or from reading the lecture notes.
5. COURSE OUTLINE
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The LECTURE TOPICS follow the parts and chapters found on the textbook. Most of the lecture material is part of the web enhanced part of the class and will be online.
The semester is divided into the three major units outlined below. For each unit there is an online open book exam. Semester Calendar. There will be one online lecture exam during the first Unit, one online lecture exam during the second Unit, and one online lecture exam during the third Unit. At the end of the semester there will be a comprehensive final exam. In addition there will be a midterm lab practicum, an endterm "final" lab practicum, and memorization quizzes.
Click on the links below for more outline details!
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The
follows the course outline below.
In addition to the link above, there is a direct link to this important document on the General Biology Hub.
UNIT I: Comparative Animal Biology (Organism structures)
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Unit I details 
UNIT II: Evolution and Diversity (Classification)
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Unit II details
UNIT III: Ecology (Environmental Aspects)
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Unit III details
The
Semester Calendar follows the course outline above, and for each unit the student must pass the unit exam. The unit exam is not really an exam, but rather a WORKSHEET, which will help the students learn the material..
6. COURSE OUTCOME
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GENERAL GOAL SET BY THE INSTRUCTOR:
To provide students with knowledge about biological principles, in regard to ourselves and the world we live in. We will be able to PARTICIPATE MORE EFFECTIVELY IN A DEMOCRACY IF WE HAVE GAINED KNOWLEDGE WHICH ENABLES US TO MAKE BETTER JUDGMENTS - for example, writing, speaking out and voting intelligently on questions that involve both biological principles and human welfare.
EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES SET BY THE TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD:
In Texas each higher education institution's core curriculum must be designed to satisfy "exemplary educational objectives" specified for the component areas of the ''Core Curriculum" adopted by the TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD.
Since it is difficult to define exemplary educational objectives for a core curriculum outside of some framework of the general areas of content, the objectives and outcomes described below are suggested as those that meet the intent of the Texas Senate. "Colleges and universities across the state have specific missions and different roles and scope. The way in which colleges and universities achieve these outcomes will thus vary. These outlines are not intended in any way to impose restrictions on the creativity of the classroom instructor or to dictate pedagogical methods."
The objective of the study of a natural sciences component of a core curriculum is to enable the student to understand, construct, and evaluate relationships in the natural sciences, and to enable the student to understand how science works.
The Exemplary Educational Objectives for the Natural Sciences:
1. To understand and apply method and appropriate technology to the study of
natural sciences.
2. To recognize scientific and quantitative methods and the differences between
these approaches and other methods of inquiry and to communicate findings,
analyses, and interpretation both orally and in writing.
3. To identify and recognize the differences among competing scientific theories.
4. To demonstrate knowledge of the major issues and problems facing modern
science, including issues that touch upon ethics, values, and public policies.
5. To demonstrate knowledge of the interdependence of science and technology and
their influence on, and contribution to, modern culture.
COURSE COMPETENCIES SET BY THE STC BIOLOGY FACULTY:
The course competencies explains what you should be able to do and understand in biology after you have taken this course.
List of Course Competencies CLICK HERE
BASIC INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCIES SET BY THE TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD:
In Texas 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. These competencies are essential to the learning process. "Although students can be expected to come to college with some experience in exercising these competencies, they often need further instruction and practice to meet college standards and, later, to succeed in both their major field of academic study and their chosen career or profession." (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board)
Exerts from the Lower-Division Academic Course Guide Manual by the TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD:
READING: Reading at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret a
variety of printed materials - books, articles, and documents. A core curriculum
should offer students the opportunity to master both general methods of analyzing
printed materials and specific methods for analyzing the subject matter of individual
disciplines.
WRITING: Competency in writing is the ability to produce clear, correct, and
coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. Although correct
grammar, spelling, and punctuation are each a sine qua non in any composition, they
do not automatically ensure that the composition itself makes sense or that the writer
has much of anything to say. Students need to be familiar with the writing process
including how to discover a topic and how to develop and organize it, how to phrase
it effectively for their audience. These abilities can be acquired only through practice
and reflection.
SPEAKING: Competence in speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear,
coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience.
Developing this competency includes acquiring poise and developing control of the
language through experience in making presentations to small groups, to large
groups, and through the media.
LISTENING: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret
various forms of spoken communication.
CRITICAL THINKING: Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both
qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order
to evaluate arguments and to construct alternative strategies. Problem solving is one
of the applications of critical thinking, used to address an identified task.
COMPUTER LITERACY: Computer literacy at the college level means the ability
to use computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and
acquiring information. Core-educated students should have an understanding of the
limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of technology, and should
have the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become
available.
Some of theses intellectual competencies have traditionally been tied to specific
courses required of all students during their first two years of college. For example,
courses in college composition, together with mathematics have long been the
cornerstone experience of the freshman year. But a single course or two-course
sequence in college composition can do little more than introduce students to the
principles and practices of good writing. Within the boundary of three to six semester
credit hours of course work, neither of theses sequences can guarantee proficiency.
Moreover, in most curricula there are no required courses specifically dedicated to
reading or to critical thinking. Thus, if a core curriculum is to prepare students effectively, it is imperative that, insofar as possible, these intellectual competencies be included among the objectives of many individual core courses and reflected in
their course content.
7. ATTENDANCE POLICY
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Attendance in this class is important! Students registered for the course must be registered simultaneously in lecture and lab classes. You are expected to:
1. attend all scheduled classes, and participate in all online activities.
2. be on time,
3. actively participate in class activities, including logging into Blackboard on a regular basis throughout the semester.
4. remain in class meetings until the class is dismissed.
Late students will not be allowed to sign the beginning-of-the-class-roster, and students leaving early will not be allowed to sign the end-of-the-class-roster. Students repeatedly tardy, or repeatedly leaving early, without permission from the instructor may be dropped from the course.
If you do not attend a scheduled class, if you are not ON TIME, if you do not actively participate in class activities (i.e., if you are physically present but "mentally absent"), and if you do not remain in class until the class is dismissed you will be marked absent.
The attendance record is part of a students education attitude and poor attendance and tardiness will be reflected in the course grade.
The definition of ABSENCE.
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Do NOT ask anyone to sign your name on an attendance roster. Each and all students must sign their own name on the attendance rosters. The person signing for another person, and the person asking, may be disciplined according to the rules of academic integrity.
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8. WITHDRAWAL
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The official biology department policy allows for dropping students with 6 or more absences -- based on 6, 50 minutes, MWF classes. I recommend that you inform me in class ahead of time or at least the same day, send me an e-mail message, or leave a telephone message with the college, if you need to be absent.
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However, I do not necessarily drop students, so if you are unable to complete the course it is YOUR responsibility to complete the necessary paperwork for the withdrawal. Withdrawing is a formal procedure which YOU must initiate. If you don't your name will remain on the roster and you will receive a grade at the end of the semester, usually an F.
If I determine a student should be dropped from the course because of excessive absences an attendance warning will first be given -- IN CLASS. (If the student receiving the warning is absent the day the warning is given it is the students responsibility.)
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Withdrawal? CLICK HERE
9. LECTURES
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The lecture schedule (see the Semester Calendar) is subject to change with notice at the discretion of the instructor. Except for a few class meetings, attendance will the submission of the lecture exams on Blackboard, and the definition of absence is the failure to submit the online exams with the required scores before the deadline noted in the Semester Calendar. (See the Grading Criteria for details.).
10. LABORATORIES
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The laboratories are integrated with the lectures and meet in the classroom (laboratory) as indicated in the Semester Calendar. Labs cannot be re-scheduled or made up due to material logistics. Attendance will be taken and short lectures may be integrated, usually at the beginning of the laboratory class meeting. Again, the definition of absence is a failure to sign the attendance rosters by the time they are collected by the instructor.
What do you do if you complete a lab assignment faster than other students before the end of a lab? 
11. GRADING (Assessment of Learning)
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Please note: Instructors do NOT give grades, students EARN them.
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While ideally you are here for the love of life science, reality mandates that grades must be assigned. (Your learning must be assessed.)
Even though your instructor is a very friendly person 
do not expect to receive a grade higher than that earned by your scored work. The final course grade will reflect how much you have learned in this class. You learn and you earn! Grading procedures are administered equally to all students in the course. The grade will be based on a straight percentage basis from total points earned in Exams and Assignments outlined below.
(The grading criteria is subject to change with notice at the discretion of the instructor.)
Scored work? CLICK HERE
Extra Credit? CLICK HERE
Grading (Assessment ) Criteria:
In addition to the link below, there is a direct link to this important document on the General Biology Hub.
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Performance Scoring:
What does it mean to get an A, a B, a C, etc.? CLICK HERE
12. EXAMS
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As stated above, while ideally you are here for the love of life science, reality mandates that grades must be assigned. I must be able to assess if a student has learned something. The exams used to assess learning are as follows:
Regular Lecture Exams are online on Blackboard. The format of the Blackboard lecture exams will mainly be a combination of multiple choice, true/false, and short answers. (See the Grading Criteria for details.)
The Final Exam consists of two parts: (i) a comprehensive, open book, unlimited time Blackboard exam, and (ii) comprehensive, closed book (no references allowed) in-class exam. You are expected to show that you remember concepts learned earlier in the semester. The format of the Final Exam is mostly multiple choice questions. The in-class exam must be taken in the classroom at the time and date indicated in the Semester Calendar. (See the Grading Criteria for details.)
Laboratory practicums consist of an open book midterm lab practicum and an open book endterm "final" lab practicum. The practicums consists mostly of short answer questions. NOTE: You may be penalized for poor spelling and poor handwriting. Mistakes happen, but there is a difference between occasional mistakes and consistent errors or sloppiness. (Make-Up policy see below.)
All lab practicum scores will be counted toward the final grade. (Make-Up policy see below.)
(Also see note about INCOMPLETES below.)
Make-Up Policy:
There are under normal circumstances NO make-up assignments. All exams are to be taken at the scheduled examination date. All your work is due on time.
There are normally NO make-up exams. If you miss the Final "in-class" Exam a score of zero (0) will be recorded and you MAY qualify for an incomplete. The Final online "take-home" Exam cannot be made up, and if you miss it a grade of zero (0) will be recorded. Missing the Final online "take-home" Exam does not qualify you for an incomplete. Students not submitting the Final online "take-home" Exam will NOT be allowed to take the Final "in-class" Exam.
Lab Practicums CANNOT be made up (due to material logistics). If you miss the Midterm Lab Practicum the Enterm Lab Practicum will count twice minus 15% (a letter grade and 1/2). If you don't want to take a 15% deduction you may qualify for an Incomplete. If you miss the Endterm Lab Practicum a score of zero (0) will be recorded and you MAY qualify for an incomplete. If you miss both lab practicums exams you should drop the course.
There is no make-up for non-exam assignments. Since these are on-going semester assignments on Blackboard, missing these do not qualify you for an incomplete. You have "all the time in the world" for these assignments, but you must pay attention to the deadlines. Assignments CANNOT be submitted late. NO EXCEPTIONS. (See the Semester Calendar.)
Also see note about INCOMPLETES below. If you qualify, you may make arrangements for an 'incomplete'. Special rules applies for "incomplete" work -- the grade "I". See the "incompletes" below, the STC catalog or your instructor for further explanation.
As already stated, there are under normal circumstances NO make-up assignments. All exams are to be taken on schedule. All your work is due on time. However, if special circumstances exist make-up LECTURE exams are available. Note: these make-up exams are, however, in a DIFFERENT FORMAT (not multiple choice) and given at the instructors discretion. And, again, there are NO make-up lab practicums.
13. READING ASSIGNMENTS
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In addition to exams, you have the opportunity to EARN a grade for Class Discussions with Reading Assignments. This satisfies the reading requirement of the
BASIC INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCIES as required by the
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
See separate document for further information
Also see note by Author Richard Peck.
Cartoon © Wiley Miller
14. DEADLINES
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Deadlines are real! Students are expected to learn the material and stay on schedule. All assignments are due by the due date indicated. Late work will not be accepted unless you have permission from the instructor due to an emergency.
(You have to have a really good reason to receive permission.)
So, what is your best strategy? CLICK HERE
Cartoon © Wiley Miller
15. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY (Statement on Cheating and Plagiarism)
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Cheating will not be tolerated CLICK HERE
Plagiarism is a special form of cheating CLICK HERE
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Your work in class is expected to be your own! You may talk to others and discuss a topic with others, but you are required to complete the
assignment itself on your own. Except for assignments that are considered group work, where collaboration is allowed, it is best not to compare assignments with each other until after all of you have submitted them. Non-group work assignments that are so
similar so that there is no doubt that you have collaborated with each other will be considered under the rules of academic integrity.
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In addition, do NOT ask anyone to sign your name on an attendance roster. Each and all students must sign their own name on the attendance rosters. The person signing for another person, and the person asking, may be disciplined according to the rules of academic integrity.
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16. STUDY HINTS
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A regular fall/spring semester extends a period of over more than three months. Do not let this lead you into a false security that you have "all the time in the world" to finish your assignments. Summer semesters, on the other hand, move along fast. Regular semester or Summer semester, make sure that you budget your time wisely. Do not attempt to short-cut the work, and do not delay your studies until just before exams or other deadlines.
Here are some hints that may be helpful:
Study time: Study every day. As a rule of thumb you should (depending on previous knowledge, study techniques, and grade desired) study
2-3 hours per week per credit hour.
here to see what STCC Math Instructor Merrie Van Loy thinks about this.
An opinion!? CLICK HERE
Another opinion!? CLICK HERE
In class, if you have questions, try to bring up all questions during the first few minutes of class, or at the end of a class meeting.
You may also want to form study groups and ask other students for help. There is a Blackboard Bulletin Board for this purpose, which functions as a combined "Study Group / Help desk".
17. COMPUTER USE
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This class is web enhanced. Blackboard assignments and helpful course learning tools require the use of a computer. This satisfies the computer literacy requirement of the BASIC INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCIES as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Computer use? CLICK HERE
18. GENERAL INFORMATION
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Click on the links to read about some general and common sense rules you are responsible to know about.
Lab safety: CLICK HERE
Negative and/or dangerous environment: CLICK HERE
Disruptive behavior: CLICK HERE
Withdrawal: CLICK HERE
Beepers, cell phones, tape recorders: CLICK HERE
TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE BEFORE YOU ENTER THE CLASS ROOM! DO NOT USE THE CELL PHONE IN THE CLASS ROOM! IF YOU NEED TO USE THE CELL PHONE DURING A BREAK -- LEAVE THE ROOM!
Visitors: CLICK HERE
STUDENTS NOT REGISTERED FOR THE COURSE -- NO MATTER WHO IS RESPONSIBLE, MUST AS PER STC REGULATION LEAVE THE CLASS ROOM!
ADA Students with Disabilities Statement (from the Biology Department Master Syllabus):Ý Reasonable accommodations may be made that allow disabled students to be successful at STCC.Ý Accommodations may be provided for those students who submit the appropriate documentation by an outside/independent professional evaluator or agency.Ý Contact an STCC ADA/DSS Counselor in the Annex (Pecan) or call (956) 688-2006.Ý Students may volunteer to inform the Instructor about their disability and associated classroom limitations, if applicable.
Developmental Studies Policy Statement (from the Biology Department Master Syllabus):
Failure to remain in at least one Developmental Studies course for students who have not met the passing standard on an approved assessment instrument in reading, writing, and/or mathematics may result in the student's withdrawal from ALL college courses.
All developmental courses including the College Success course will be included in the Semester Grade Point Average (GPA) for all students at STCC.
Students in Developmental Studies will be limited to a maximum of 13 credit hours of course work per semester and 7 credit hours per summer session.
Students taking 12 or more credit hours per semester who have not met the passing standard on an approved assessment instrument will be required to take two or more developmental courses every semester if they are deficient in more than one academic skill (reading, writing, and mathematics).
This document is available in an alternative format upon request.
19. INCOMPLETES
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If you qualify, you may make arrangements for an 'incomplete'. Special rules applies for "incomplete" work -- the grade "I". See the "incompletes" below, the STC catalog or your instructor for further explanation. From Spring 2010 semester STC will charge a fee for incompletes.
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An "incomplete" is NOT a way of making up missed assignments. An "incomplete" is NOT the same as a "make-up".
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Under NORMAL circumstances the only assignments you may qualify for an incomplete (the grade "i") are assignments late during the semester, i. e., the Endsemester (Final) Lab Practicum, and the Final Exam.
At the discretion of the instructor, and following the STCC policy, an "I" can be given to a student who is passing the course, for extreme emergencies late in the semester (documented illness and other documented unavoidable circumstances). (See the STC catalog for further details.) An "I" must be completed the semester following the semester the "I" was given.
Some of the rules for an incomplete:
i. Your must have a passing grade, calculated from the other assignments, when you ask for an incomplete.
ii. An incomplete must be completed the following semester. If not completed the "i" reported to the college by the instructor will automatically be changed to an F by the college grade computer.
iii. An incomplete can usually only be given for emergencies and official STC college excuses, e.g., you are representing STCC in some event that collide with an assignment that cannot be made up.
iv. Unless circumstances are unusual, to be considered for an incomplete you can, usually, only miss one assignment.
20. STUDENT CONTRACT
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Before you will be able to continue with the course you must acknowledge that you have read this syllabus information. You do so by answering ONE true or false question on the Blackboard "Student Contract Quiz" (also sometimes just called Student Contract) on or before the due date listed in the Semester Calendar. Students who do not submit the "Student Contract Quiz" with the correct answer on or before the due date will be removed from the class roster.
... some final words:
The course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of a particular class, and the schedule may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances. The instructor therefore reserves the right to alter (add, delete, or revise) any items of the course, syllabus and course calendar, online or via verbal instructions in class. The student is responsible for taking note of any such changes and acting accordingly. Also notice the following: If the instructor and the textbook disagree on factual material, the instructor is correct!!!
Thank you for reading the syllabus! Your General Biology Professor
Web page layout and design © and intellectual property Jan A. Nilsson, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. Page created 08.VIII.1999, last updated 15.I.2010, most likely during the wee hours of the morning on a G3 PowerBook owned by Jan A. Nilsson.
-- Disclaimer: "Dr. Nilsson's CyberOffice", at the time of writing located as a file under the South Texas Community College's (STCC) web server with the general URL http://stcc.cc.tx.us/, is the intellectual property of Dr. Jan A. Nilsson, member of STCC biology faculty. The content of Dr. Nilsson's CyberOffice does not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of the STCC faculty, staff, administration, and Board of Trustees.
After being located at the Starr County campus for over 10 years, my faculty office is now at the Pecan Campus. 
