FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOLOGY
303-11900
FALL 2004
Course Policies:
1. ATTENDANCE:
The Undergraduate Handbook states the general policy that students are expected
to attend classes and that they are responsible for all material even when absent.
From experience, students who skip classes only hurt themselves through lower
marks on tests and exams.
The laboratory is an integral and essential part of the course. You must attend each lab session. If for some reason, you cannot attend your scheduled section of lab (i.e. due to medical reasons), you must make it up in another section during that week. If yours is the last section of the week, contact your instructor as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements to make up the missed material. To make up a lab you must discuss it with your instructor and obtain permission from the instructor of the session you plan to attend. Three unexcused absences from laboratory and you will be dropped from the course. An unexcused absence is failure to attend class without extenuating circumstances. Please see the undergraduate announcements regarding unexcused absences.
2. STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC CONDUCT:
These are outlined clearly in the 2004-2005 Student Handbook which is available on-line (see link below).
"Academic honesty is a cornerstone of the mission of the College. Unless it is otherwise stipulated, students may submit for evaluation only work that is their own and that is submitted originally for a specific course*."
"Whether intended or not, plagiarism is a serious offense against academic honesty. Under any circumstances, it is deceitful to represent as one's own work writing or ideas that belong to another person*."
*Reference: http://www.ithaca.edu/attorney/policies/vol7/Volume_7-70102.htm&source=handbook
3. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Quoting from the Ithaca College Policy Manual:
"The director of academic support services for students with disabilities oversees the provision of services to students with disabilities. Services are provided on a case-by-case basis. Students may identify themselves in a number of ways. First the director sends a letter to all incoming students inviting them to disclose information related to disability. Second, the Supplemental Data form, the Health Certification form and the Housing Preference form contain optional questions about disabilities requiring accommodations. If a student discloses a disability on any of these forms, the director is notified and contacts the student. Third, faculty may refer students whom they suspect have a disability to the director. Faculty members generally make such referrals when there is a significant discrepancy between the student's apparent knowledge of the course materials, and his/her ability to demonstrate that knowledge. All students receiving academic adjustments/ auxiliary aids and services are required to meet with the director at the beginning of each academic term.*"
*Please refer to the Policy Manual at: http://www.ithaca.edu/attorney/policies/vol7/Volume_7-70103.htm#TopofPage
Students requiring special accomodation should meet with Kit Muma and their lab instructor as soon as possible to discuss their needs.
4. READING ASSIGNMENTS:
You are expected to complete the assigned readings before coming to class.
This will give you the background necessary to follow the lectures. It is also
important to review the lab material before attending the lab sessions so that
you are familiar with the procedures you will be asked to perform.
5. MISSED TESTS:
A test (lecture or lab) missed during an unexcused absence will result in a
zero grade for that test. For an unexpected absence (illness, death in
the immediate family, accident), you MUST inform us BEFORE the test if
at all possible, but if not physically capable, then notify us within 24 hours
of the start of the test. You can phone the Biology Department (607-274-3161)
to leave a message, and if you do not have the number with you, phone directory
assistance and get the number for the main switchboard of the College (they
will either transfer your call, or provide the correct number). Such notification
does not guarantee our accepting your reason for absence, but failing to notify
us guarantees you will not be excused. Oversleeping or lack of preparedness
for a test do not constitute valid excuses. Makeup tests will not necessarily
be the same format as the other tests (they may include short answer and essay
questions).
COURSE EVALUATION:
Lecture Exams. Three exams (each worth 60 points) will be
given during the scheduled lecture period. The final lecture exam (100 points)
will be comprehensive (covering the entire semester) and is given during the final
exam period in the gym.
Lab Mark. There will be quizzes given during the lab period approximately
every other week. The lab quizzes may be written or practical depending on the
material covered. During several labs you will be asked to hand in a short assignment
(i.e. a drawing, graph, or table). The lab final will be a practical test based
on the last few labs with an emphasis on anatomy and physiology.
Total Points.
Final Lecture Exam (Comprehensive): Friday, December 17 at 1:30 pm
in the gymnasium (Hill Center)
(Note: There are no "extra credit" assignments and students are not allowed to write tests early. Makeup exams are given at the discretion of the instructor)
Last modified August 9, 2004