Biol 202 – Online Sections (4 and XW)

Principles of Biology

Spring 2005

Instructors:	Dr. Tom Ingebritsen 640 Science II 515-294-9432 tsingebr@iastate.edu	Dr. David Vleck 536 Science II 515-294-4243 dvleck@iastate.edu
Office Hours:	Mondays, 11-noon Thursdays, 11-noon And by appointment	Tuesdays, 10-12 And by appointment

Location:	The course is conducted entirely on-line. Online lectures and other course materials may be accessed via WebCT. The Course Content link takes you to the Table of Contents page where you can access on-line lectures, assignments, quizzes and exams. You will find the Course Content link on the Homepage and on the Course Menu. You will also find links to additional information about how the course works on the page.
Meeting Times:	There is no set meeting day or time. All course materials are available online via WebCT 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week.
Textbook:	Biology, 6th Edition, 2002 Authors: Neil A. Campbell and Jane B. Reece Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company ISBN 0-3211-3712-4
Assignments:	Homework Assignments Each unit has one or more homework assignments worth 10 points/unit. An additional assignment called “Biology in the News” is worth 20 points. Total value for the homework assignments is 70 points. You will find a link the assignment instructions on the Table of Contents page. The deadline for completing each assignment is given on the course "Calendar" and is also shown next to the link to the exam on the Table of Contents page. See the assignment instructions for information about the due dates for the Biology in the News assignment. Extra Credit Assignments Each unit has one extra credit assignments worth 1-2 points/unit. You will find a link the assignment instructions on the Table of Contents page. The deadline for completing each assignment is given on the course "Calendar" and is also shown next to the link to the exam on the Table of Contents page.

Exams:

Practice Exams

There will be one or more practice exams associated with each unit. The practice exams are meant to be study aids and should help you prepare for the exams. All practice exams will be taken on-line using WebCT. They can be accessed from the Table of Contents page using links at the end of each set of lectures. They can also be accessed by clicking on the Exams/Surveys link on the Course Menu.

Practice exams are open book and you do not need a proctor to access them. The practice exams are worth a total of 10 points for each unit. The point value for each practice exam will be shown next to the link to that exam. The points for each practice exam will be calculated by multiplying your percentage score on each practice exam by the total points available for that particular practice exam. You make take the practice exams as many times as you like. Your highest score on each practice exam will be used for your grade.

Exams

There will be an exam at the end of each unit worth 40 points. There will also be a comprehensive final exam worth 50 points. The deadline for completing each exam is given on the course "Calendar" and is also shown next to the link to the exam on the Table of Contents page. You will not be allowed to take the exam after the deadline without the permission of the instructors.

How To Take An Exam

All exams will be done on-line using the Quiz/Exam function of WebCT. You should allow 30-60 minutes to take the test. You will find links to individual exams on the Table of Contents Page (Course Content). You can also access a page listing all of the quizzes and exams in the course using the "Exams/Surveys" link on the "Course Menu".

Once you get to the "Exams" page click on the link to the exam you want to take. You will then be prompted to enter a password. The proctor will enter this password so you can access the exam. When you are finished with the test click on the "Finish" button.

On-campus students

Exams will be taken in the Center for On-Line Learning Online Testing Facility (3354 Gilman). When you enter the room you will need to check in with the proctor and show a picture ID (ISU Card or driver's license).

Below are the regularly scheduled hours for the Online Testing Facility:

Mondays: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesdays: 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Wednesdays: 8 a.m. -8 p.m.
Thursdays: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Fridays: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Off-campus students

You must identify a proctor in your local community and have that individual complete the Proctor Agreement Form. You need to do this at least a week before you take your first exam so we can send your proctor information needed about the exam. Your proctor must be physically present when you take the exam. This individual will verify your identity and monitor the exam. The exams will be given on-line, so you will need to be at a computer that is connected to the internet.

Grading:

Unit	Homework Assignments	Practice Exams	Exam	Unit Total	Extra Credit
Orientation	5			5
1	5	10	40	55	2
2	10	10	40	60	2
3	10	10	40	60	2
4	10	10	40	60	2
5	10	10	40	60	2
Final Exam			50
Biology in the News	20
Course Totals	70	50	250	370	10

Here is how we will establish grades for the course. We guarantee 90 and above is an A, 80 and above is a B, and 65 and above is a C, with the proviso that we may be more generous (i.e. grade on a curve), but not less generous (you may all get A’s). Anyone with less than 50% of the possible points is guaranteed an F.

Course
Overview:

Unit	Topic	Textbook	Instructor	Dates
1	The Cell	Chs. 2, 3, 5, 7 & 8	Ingebritsen	Jan. 10 – Jan. 28
2	Molecular biology & metabolism	Chs. 6, 9, 16 & 17	Ingebritsen	Jan. 31 – Feb. 18
3	Plant structure & function	Chs. 10, 35 - 38	Ingebritsen	Feb. 21 – Mar. 11
4	Animals: Structure, command & control	Chs. 40, 43, 45, 47 & 48	Vleck	Mar. 21 – Apr. 8
5	Animal Homeostasis: Inputs and outputs	Chs. 41, 42, 44, 46 & 49	Vleck	Apr. 11 – Apr. 29
Final Exam				May 2 – May 4