Biology of Sex:  BIOL-10210
Spring 2012

Lecture Test 1	20%
Lecture Test 2	20%
Lecture Test 3	20%
Final Exam	20%
Project	15%
BlackBoard assessments	5%

	A = 93.3 – 100%	A- = 90 – 93.2%
B+ = 86.6 – 89.5%	B = 83.3 – 86.5%	B- = 80 – 83.2%
C+ = 76.6 – 79.5%	C  = 73.3 – 76.5%	C-  = 70 – 73.2%
D+ = 66.6 – 69.5%	D = 63.3 – 66.5%	D- = 60 – 63.2%
	F = below 60%

1. Lecture Tests:

 

2. Blackboard Assessments:

These assessments consist of questions posted on the course Blackboard website, typically at the end of each module (approx. 1 / week), and the deadline for completing the assignment is typically one week.  You are not evaluated on your performance on these assessments, but for your participation.

 

     3. Pop Quizzes:

  I may resort to using pop quizzes if a significant proportion of the class does not complete reading assignments before class.  These quizzes could represent a sum total of up to 5% of the course grade, which would be deducted from the alloted percentages of the lecture tests.

 

     4. Project / Paper:

       Each person will research and complete a project on some aspect of sexual biology.  You may use insight that you may have gained from your major, minor, or personal interests, but keep in mind that your paper must represent at least 50% Biology, and directly relate to the course material (i.e., sex, gender, sex determination, medical sexual abnormalities, mate choice, reproductive behavior, pheromones, mating systems, etc.).   The paper may overlap broadly with Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, etc., as long as there is the requisite biological content.  Please be aware that a project written for one course cannot be submitted for grading in another course (past, present or future; see Student Handbook).  Aim at a minimum of 6 pages (and no more than 10 pages; assuming 2,000 words = 8 pages), and at least 5 sources of information.  This is a ballpark estimate: with some topics you may be overwhelmed with information and it would be appropriate to use more sources, whereas with a very specialized topic you may have a hard time finding many sources.  If you are reviewing a book, then a smaller number of sources may be appropriate.  One approach would be to conduct a web survey: choose a topic relevant to the course and search for appropriate websites, and write a summary of the information provided. Remember, this is worth 15% of your grade: you want your effort to reflect this value.  This project  is an assessment of your ability to research, summarize, and organize information into a cohesive synthesis.

 

5. Course Evaluation:

Student input is highly valued and is important to maintain high quality instruction. Course evaluations are mandatory and must be completed by the last day of class.  An incomplete may appear on your transcript  if it is not submitted by that time.  The evaluation will be submitted to Nancy Pierce, Administrative Assistant in Biology, and she will verify that you have submitted the form.  Once that has been checked, your identification will be removed and will not be printed with the comments. Further instructions will be given at the end of the semester.

 

Policy:

1. Attendance:

       The Ithaca College Attendance Policy states that students are expected to attend classes and that they are responsible for all material even when absent.  Acceptable reasons for absence include 1) student illness, requiring the student to be bed-ridden; 2) death or serious illness in immediate family; 3) appearance in court; 4) religious holidays.

       On a practical level, it is essential to attend lecture in order to do well in the course.  Not all of the material presented in lecture is covered in the textbook, and I will make extensive use of video footage, that is not available outside of class. Also, coverage of some topics in the text is detailed and technical: part of the function of lecture is to provide background and guidance that is necessary for required readings.  While I hope that I do not have to enforce attendance, my policy is that you may be penalized conspicuous unexplained absence: a letter-grade for missing more than 10% of your classes, or you may be withdrawn from the class if you continue to miss classes beyond the first penalty.

       An exam missed during an unexcused absence (i.e. oversleeping or not being prepared) will result in a zero grade for that exam.  If you miss a exam, you MUST inform me before the test if at all possible, but if not physically capable, then notify me as soon as possible afterwards.  You can send me e-mail, phone my number (above) or the Biology Department (607-274-3161) to leave a message.  If you don’t have the number, check on the website or phone directory assistance for the college.  Such notification does not guarantee my accepting your reason for absence, but failing to notify me guarantees you will not be excused.

 

2. Readings:

       You are expected to complete the assigned readings BEFORE coming to class, as a background to that day's lecture.  If you have any questions regarding material in the reading, please ask during class.   Remember, if it is evident to me that few students are completing the readings, I may have to resort to pop quizzes to encourage students to prepare for class.

 

3. Questions:

       Please feel free to ask questions in class.  Chances are that if there is something that you don't understand, then others in the class are also confused - don’t hesitate to ask your question.  I may choose to save the question and answer for next class if I want to research the question or use audiovisuals in the explanation.

       You may also visit during office hours, or make an appointment for an alternative time, if you would like to ask questions in person.  Another forum for questions is the Discussions section of Blackboard.  This is especially appropriate for questions that others in the class may also ask, e.g., regarding class content.  Other students in the class can also reply to questions posted in Discussions, or add to your question. I will check the Discussions section at least twice per week.  If you have personal questions (e.g., details regarding your grade) then email or personal contact would be most appropriate.

 

4. Personal Conduct:

       "A student's behavior must not interfere with the activities of the College or with other student's pursuit of educational objectives" (see General Information, Undergraduate Announcements).  Talking during lecture (except for questions or participating in class discussions) is disruptive and is disrespectful to other students and the instructor.  Cell phones, pagers, etc. are to be kept turned off during classes.  Disruptions may result in the student being asked to leave the class and the student will be considered absent without excuse.  If asked to leave class on more than one occasion, the student will be withdrawn from the course. When discussing sex, please do not use slang or phrases that others might find offensive. If someone continued to use inappropriate language after having been warned, it could result in that individual being withdrawn from the course.  Similar procedures will be followed if the appropriateness of language or comments in written form is questionable.  If flagrant offenses occurred, the student could be judicially referred for disciplinary action.

 

5. Academic Honesty:

All the work in this class must be your own, unless stated otherwise.  Please note college policy that material submitted for grades in one course cannot be submitted for credit in another course - your presentation cannot be based on an article used in another class.  Confirmed instances of academic misconduct will result in a zero for that test or assignment and referral to the school judiciary system.  Please refer to the Student Handbook for a detailed description of the policies regarding student academic conduct.

 

6. Accommodations:

       In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be provided to students with documented disabilities on a case by case basis.  Students  must register with the Services Office of Academic Support Services for Students with Disabilities, 322A Smiddy Hall (274-1005, TDD - 274-7319) and provide appropriate documention to the college before any academic adjustment will be provided. 

       Diminished mental health, including significant stress, mood changes, excessive worry, or problems with eating and/or sleeping can interfere with optimal academic performance. The source of symptoms might be strictly related to your course work; if so, please speak with me. However, problems with relationships, family worries, loss, or a personal struggle or crisis can also contribute to decreased academic performance.  Ithaca College provides a Counseling Center to support the academic success of students. The Counseling Center provides cost-free services to help you manage personal challenges that threaten your well-being.

 

7. Plagiarism:

       Please be aware of plagiarism: if you take a sentence from someone else's work and only change one or a couple of words, it is still plagiarism even if you cite the source.  You must rewrite the information or ideas in your own words.  Plagiarism is a serious offense of academic misconduct: check the student handbook and library website  http://www.ithacalibrary.com/sp/subjects/BPR#Plagiarism

for details, but it can lead to judicial proceedings and even expulsion from the college.  Please note that the required assignment in this course may be checked for plagiarism using Turnitin. Each idea has to be referenced (and in the sentence where the idea appears), you cannot simply cite the reference once at the end of a paragraph containing many ideas from the same source.  In such cases, you can avoid referencing each idea yet still indicate your source through careful writing,

 

e.g.:

"Roberts and Janovy (1985) were the first to study this phenomenon.  They found that ..., further, when the ... .  Roberts and Janovy go on to state that ... and their conclusion was... ."

 

Or,

 

"Roberts and Janovy (1985) were the first to study this phenomenon.  In the following paragraph, I will review their work. ....."

 

Additional information regarding how to properly cite sources in scientific writing will be provided when the course project is assigned.