Bio-Sci-100 - General Biology - Thomas Smith
| Course: | General Biology |
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| Professor: | Thomas Smith |
| Email: | Thomas.Smith@canyons.edu |
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Introduction
Welcome to General Biology!
I thoroughly enjoy teaching basic biology to both non-majors and major students. It will be my pleasure to be your instructor in exploring basic biology with you.
Course Description
Explores the structure, function and development of living systems from cells to ecosystems.
Lecture Student Learning Outcome: Characterize the nature of science and scientific inquiry, and describe and analyze biological concepts from cells to ecosystems on a basic level.
Laboratory Student Learning Outcome: Evaluate and analyze data and observations based on standard methods of scientific inquiry.
What to Expect in this Course
The lab component of this course will be in person and we will meet twice per week during the designated time on campus. The lecture component of this course will be presented in an asynchronous online format.
The main method I will use to communicate with students is through COC email and Canvas notifications and announcements. You should check these every day and set up alerts on your phone for these messages so that you receive communications from me in a timely manner.
If you are in need of special accommodations, you should register with the office of AAC (Academic Accommodation Center) at COC at the beginning of the semester so that they can work with you to identify what accommodations and resources you may need to complete this course. They will provide you with an official accommodation letter for the current semester, which you should send me a copy of by the second week of the semester. That will ensure that your needs are met in a timely manner (see AAC section below for more details).
Types of Assessments
Lecture and lab midterms and final exams will be administered in person during the designated lab meeting times. There will also be lab quizzes given online at the before each lab period. Additional online assessments and activities will consist of weekly lecture and lab quizzes, and discussion board assignments.
Textbook Information
Textbook: Concepts of Biology, from Openstax.
Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/concepts-biology/pages/1-introduction
BioSci 100 Lab Manual: Building Knowledge Through Experiments, 4th ed. Hard copy is only available from the COC bookstore. You can also access a digital copy for free on our class Canvas site.
Other Relevant Course Information
All students are required to attend the lab in person on the first day of class so as not to lose their spot in the class to students on the waitlist.
Attendance is required per college policy, which states, “Any student absent for any reason for more than 10% of the class meetings may be dropped by the instructor prior to 75% of the course.” For this course, regular “attendance” will refer to attending the labs in person every week for the duration of the designated class period, participating in the class activities, and completing the weekly lecture and lab homework assignments. You should communicate with me right away if you anticipate a disruption in your schedule that will impact your ability to attend class and/or complete the assigned coursework by the due date. If you miss two weeks’ worth of course work without contacting me, you may be dropped from the course for “non-attendance.”
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.
Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.
You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Library
The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!
Last updated: 06/10/2022 Sub#: 1404