BIOLOGY 103

HUMAN BIOLOGY

Credit, 3 semester hours; Prerequisite, none

Instructor: Beth Dunigan, Ph. D.

Office: Hederman 104

Telephone: 925-3972 (office)

email:dunigan@mc.edu

Website: http://www.mc.edu/campus/users/dunigan/

Catalog Course Description: A survey of the structure and normal functions of the human organism and an introduction to human ecology and genetics. This course will not count toward a major or minor in biology. It will, however count either as a nonlaboratory core science course for nonscience majors or with BIO 104, which will count as a laboratory core science course. Lecture three hours a week.

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Academic Integrity: Mississippi College students are expected to be scrupulously honest. Dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism, or furnishing false information, including forgery, alteration or misuse of College documents, records or identification, will be regarded as a serious offense subject to severe penalty, including, but not limited to, loss of credit and possible dismissal.

For further information on plagiarism and cheating, see the Mississippi College Bulletin.

Required practices:

1. The notes for each chapter will be posted on my website. It will be your responsibility to download these before each class meeting. These notes are not all inclusive which means I may add to these during the class. It is very important that you have these notes before coming to class.

2. You need to choose one “Vital Signs” article. You will find these in any Discover magazine which is in our library. The questions are found at the end of this syllabus. These are the criteria upon which your grade will be based.

a. You will then answer the assigned questions (in paragraph form) for each article. You will need to turn in the questions in essay form. Sections 2-4 must be in paragraph form (see end of syllabus). Remember that a paragraph should have 4-5 well-written sentences (minimum). Don’t write 5 random sentences. Paragraphs have structure and should flow well. Remember paragraph writing in English class.

b. Recall paragraph writing from English class.

c. The paper should be typed . points will be deducted if the paper is not typesd.

d. While I don’t check for length, it should be about 1 ½ - 2 pages in length when typed.

e. You must use correct grammar and spell words correctly to get full credit. I will count off for incorrect grammar and spelling.

f. In order to receive full credit, the article and its assigned questions must be turned on or before the due date. If the paper is turned in after the due date, 8 points will be lost.

g. 25 points

h. Hint: Find the Discover magazine first and then find the section labeled “Vital Signs.” Do not get the wrong magazine.

3. You and your group will present an ethical issue to class. You must present both sides of the issue and your presentation must be objective. Everyone in your group must participate. You will choose these from your textbook. Each chapter has a Bioethical focus. Make sure you answer each question listed in the section. Refer to the section on “Looking at Both Sides” for more details. There is no written component. Your grade is based on your ability to present both sides of an issue objectively. Do not state your opinion. 25 points

4. You will also complete a case study on the Tuskegee Project.

a. You will find the assignment on the webpage under BIO 103 assignments. This is assignment one.

b. Each question must be answered in paragraph form. Remember a paragraph should at least 5 sentences. Paragraphs have structure and should flow well. Remember paragraph writing in English class. Improper grammar and spelling can cause you to loose points.

c. Points will be lost if the questions are not answered in detail.

d. The answers should be typed. Points will be lost if not typed.

e. In order to receive full credit, the answers must be turned on or before the due date. If the assignment is turned in after the due date, 8 points will be lost.

f. 30 points

5. You will complete discussion questions as assigned.

6. Exams

a. Four lecture tests will be given during the semester. I will drop your lowest test grade. If you are absent, the missed exam will count as your drop grade. Don’t miss two exams or you will be missing a grade. The format of the exams may include, multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, short answer or discussion. There are no make-up exams. If you know you are going to be out ahead of time (sports, music, etc) schedule an appointment with me BEFORE the exam.

b. The final exam is a comprehensive final. It is worth 200 points. This exam grade may NOT be dropped.

7. Quizzes may give at any time during the semester.

8. I reserve the right to add other assignments during the semester.

Instructional Materials:

Human Biology by Sylvia S. Mader

Evaluation Methods:

3 lecture tests	@100 points each	300 points
Comprehensive final	200 points	200 points
1 article summary	@ 20 points	25 points
1 Tuskegee Project		30 points
Ethical issue		25 points
discussion questions		TBA

Grading Scale:

A 90 - 100%

B 80 - 89

C 70 - 79

D 60 - 69

F 0 - 59

DO NOT MISS AN EXAM!!!!! If you know you are going to be out (school function), make arrangements to take the test ahead of time! If you miss an exam other than your final, the grade will become your drop grade.

There are no make-up exams. If you know you are going to be out ahead of time (sports, music, etc) schedule an appointment with me BEFORE the exam.

Attendance and Make-up Policy:

Lecture sessions meet either MWF at 10:00 or 11:00. Attendance in class is expected. The student (not the instructor) is responsible for any instructions, assignments, or work missed during an absence.

Strict adherence to Mississippi College's class attendance policy will be followed. “Any student whose absences, whether excused or unexcused, exceed 25% of the class meetings will receive a grade of "F"in the course.” See The Undergraduate Bulletin.

A student receives a grade of F in any course immediately upon accumulating 12 in semester classes meeting 3 times per week;

Exemptions: Seniors what have a “B” in a given course during the term or semester in which they complete requirements for graduation from MC may be exempted from the final examination in that course and their daily grades are given as the final grade. This only applies to seniors who are graduating in May!.

If you need special accommodations due to learning, physical, psychological or other disabilities, please contact Dr. Buddy Wagner in the Counseling and Career Development Center. He may be reached by phone at (601) 925-3354 or by mail at PO Box 4063, Clinton, MS 39058.

“Vital Signs” questions

1. Place the following information at the beginning of the essay.

Your name

Magazine

Date of Magazine

Article Title

Author

2. In paragraph one, answer these questions

t What is the major theme?

t Which body system(s) were involved?

t What was the final diagnosis for the patient?

t What caused the illness in the patient?

t What difficulty did the doctor have in diagnosing the patient?

3. In paragraph two, answer these questions:

t Did anything in the article catch you attention? Explain (yes or no)

t Did the article strengthen weaken your faith about the medical profession? Explain

t What were your feelings on the topic before and after reading the article?

4. In paragraph three, answer these questions:

t Did you enjoy the article? Why or why not?

t Did this article have any personal meaning for you? Explain.

t Add any other comments you think may be important.

t What did you learn from this article?

Tentative Course Schedule
Jan	14	Chapter 1
Jan	16	Ch 4
Jan	18	Ch 4
Jan	21	Class does not meet.
Jan	23	Ch 4
Jan	25	Ch 5 Tuskegee project due (assignment one on website)
Jan	28	Ch 5
Jan	30	Ch 5
Feb	1	Ch 5
Feb	4	Ch 6
Feb	6	ch 6
Feb	8	Class does not meet
Feb	11	Exam I
Feb	12	Ch 6
Feb	15	Ch 7
Feb	18	Ch 7
Feb	20	Ch 7
Feb	22	Ch 8. vital signs due
Feb	25	Ch 8
Feb	27	Ch 8
Feb	29	Ch 8
Mar	3	Ch 9
Mar	5	Ch 9
Mar	7	Exam 2
Mar	10	Ch 10
Mar	12	Ch 10
Mar	14	Ch 11
Mar	17-21	Spring break
Mar	24	Ch 11;
Mar	26	Ch 12;
Mar	28	Ch 12 LAST DAY TO DROP A CLASS
Mar	31	Ch 13
Apr	2	Ch 13
Apr	4	Exam 3
Apr	6	Ch 14
Apr	7	Ch 14
Apr	9	Ch- 15
Apr	11	Ch 15
Apr	14	Ch 15
Apr	16	Ch 16
Apr	18	Ch 16
Apr	21	Ch 16
Apr	23	Ch 16
Apr	25	Exam 4
May	28	Ch 17
May	30	Ch 17

Final Exams:

Lecture at 10:00 final is Monday, May 5, 11:00

Lecture at 11:00 final is Friday, May 2, 11:00

THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE SYLLABUS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE CLASS.