Zoology I         BIO 2414

 

Credit Hours:     4

 

Text:                 Integrated Principles of Zoology,  13th edition, by Hickman et al.

 

                        Zoology Laboratory Workbook, 9th Edition, by Schumacher and Cherry

 

Attendance:  Please read carefully the official attendance policy in the college catalog. Absences due to school sponsored trips are not counted and all work must be made up. All other absences including sickness, doctor’s appointments, court, etc. ARE counted.  The maximum number of absences is 7. If you are missing from the class for 10 minutes of the class period, YOU ARE ABSENT.  Students with excessive absences will be cut out of the class and unless a withdrawal form is signed will received a grade of F.  Reinstatement to the class will only be allowed after the proper paperwork has been completed and approved.  Withdrawal from the class can be completed through your instructor after the 9th week of class.  You must have the signature of each instructor from whose class you are withdrawing.  Remember absences are counted until your withdrawal form is actually signed.  If you missed a scheduled test, be prepared to take a retest in the form of all written or verbal discussion questions.  All makeup tests are given at the end of the term during the last week of classes. 

Objectives:  The student will learn and understand the basic facts and principles required for the scientific study of animals, with emphasis on animal diversity and adaptations, enhanced by studies of cellular processes, metabolism, and a survey of the Animal Kingdom.  The student will learn the characteristics and features used to distinguish the living from the nonliving, as well as how these characteristics differ between plants and animals.  The student will also observe microscopically and macroscopically representative specimens of the Animal Kingdom.

 

Methods for Measuring Objectives:     The student will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the scientific data included in the objectives of this course by scoring at least 70% on teach-made tests including both objective and subjective questions.  Lecture exams, lab practical, and a final comprehensive exam will be given.  Zoology I students are also expected to complete a Zoology project (instructions are given on a separate handout).  Grades will be calculated as follows:

 

60% - Lecture exams plus quizzes, homework, and classwork

30% - Lab grade (Final Lab Practical and Zoology project)

10% - Comprehensive Final

 

Grades will be determined as follows:

            A  -  90 – 100%

            B  -  80 – 89%

            C  -  70 – 79%

            D  -  65 – 69%

            F  -  64% or below

 

You will receive 1 final grade for both lab and lecture.

 

Students will need to purchase scantron forms from the college bookstore for taking the multiple choice tests mention above.  You will need 7 of the “100-question scantron form # 106173”.   Bring one form and a #2 pencil on test day.  Any student who forgets or neglects to bring a form will be counted as absent and may only make-up the test at the end of the semester during the last week of classes.  Make sure your scantron form is the proper kind!!! An example is posted in the laboratory on the bulletin board.

 

You will need a dissection kit or the equivalent and your lab manual.  Gloves are recommended.  I DO NOT SUPPLY GLOVES. On dissections days, your group must show me your dissected specimen and identify the dissected parts before you may leave the lab. 

 

If you feel you have an acceptable excuse for missing lab, see me beforehand or very soon afterwards and I will decide if you will be allowed to make up the work.  All excused absences must be made up BEFORE the major lab test covering that material.  If your absence is unexcused, I will allow you to work on your own to cover whatever you missed, but you will NOT receive credit.

 

THERE ARE NO DROP GRADES

 

Office hours:  I will be available in my office McCoy 307 or my lab McCoy 330 shortly before or after classes.  In you need to reach me by phone, the direct number to my office in 720-7258.  Please leave all messages for me on my voice mail.  If you miss more than one class for unavoidable reasons, and especially if you miss a scheduled test, you should speak to me or leave a message as soon as possible.

 

My email address is mabaragona@nemcc.edu

 

My web page can be access either from the faculty pages on www.nemcc.edu or at www2.nemcc.edu/faculty/MBaragona/Baragona.htm   You will be required to go to this site to download lab instructions before certain labs.  I will announce several days before if instructions must be downloaded.  However, class announcements, lecture notes, and study guides may be found on this page as well. 

 

FOOD AND DRINKS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM OR LAB.

PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES AND BEEPERS BEFORE STARTING CLASS. These are an annoyance not only to me but to your classmates as well.  If you cell phones rings during a test, you will be asked to leave and receive a 0 for that test.  Each lecture test will have bonus questions.  If your cell phone rings during class, you will not get the opportunity to answer the bonus questions on the test.  If the instructor cannot identify whose cell phone is ringing, then no one in the class will receive bonus questions.

 

Working on material for other classes is not tolerated during lab or lecture.  Work from other classes may be taken up and points deducted from test scores.

 

You are adults and I expect you to act as such.  Excessive misbehavior will result in you being kicked out of class and lab.  Treat this class like you would treat a job.  Show up on time and do your work.  Try your best.  Slackers and cheaters get their own reward of a failing grade when it comes test time.