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Foundations In Science
for Health Careers
BIO 095 Online Course Syllabus
Important notes:The syllabus page and attached pages posted on the web
make up the OFFICIAL syllabus document for this course.
Check it often for changes or updates. Your main learning guide is the set of
Review Outlines found at |
Overview
This course is intended as a quick "refresher" course to prepare you for successful entry in to an anatomy and physiology course (BIO 240). Although there is no academic credit given for this course, successful completion of BIO 095 is a sufficient prerequisite for entry into BIO 240 at SCC.
BIO 095 is for students who have already learned all or most of this material in their prior learning. This course therefore QUICKLY reviews the concepts that you'll need to "bring with you" into A&P and get a good start in that course.
The course is a "self-directed" distance learning course which means that you are "on your own" to review the material and take your tests and exam at your own pace. The course is entirely online.
Please review all the material below before beginning the course to learn the details of how BIO 095 works.
Before going any further, please go to Distance Education Readiness to make sure you are prepared for the format of this course! If you are not ready, please consider enrolling in a different course, such as Human Biology.
Please participate in the Online Orientation for this course for an overview of what to expect.
Note: BIO 095 is a PASS/FAIL course that is not for academic degree credit. It does, however, satisfy SCC's prerequisite requirement for entry to A&P courses.
Course Director
Kevin Patton, Ph.D.
Office: ADM 2442 R
Phone: 636-922-8338 (campus) 636-486-4185 (off campus)
Email: kpatton@stchas.edu
(ALWAYS include a subject line in your email identifying you as a student —so my spam filter won't think it's junk mail)
Office Hours: Posted at 2442 ADM, and on the web schedule map
(My office is always closed on weekends for mental repairs)For detailed contact information: http://www.lionden.com/student.htm
Course materials
Suggested textbook You may not need a book at all! Anatomy & Physiology 7th edition. 2010. (Includes Brief Atlas of the Human Body, |
Copies of this book are available for use in the SCC Library. |
Objectives
When you are finished with this course, you should be able to
explain the basic body plan of the human organism
apply basic concepts of physical science to human biology
describe the structure and function of various cell structures
name the four basic tissue types in the body
interpret scientific graphs, tables, diagrams, and charts
- explain the scientific method
How the Course Works
In a nutshell, you work your way through TEN online modules, then take a comprehensive final exam that covers all ten major topics:
- Science Basics
- Introductory Chemistry
- Biological Chemistry
- Introduction to Cells
- Cell Transport
- Getting Energy
- Making Proteins
- Introductory Genetics
- Tissues
- The Human Body
Each module consists of an online test. If you feel confident, you can take the test right away and hopefully you'll pass it.
If don't feel all that confident, or you don't pass it the first time, then you may want to review the Review Outline provided in the module. Each review outline summarizes some of the main points and helps you find what you need in a textbook to get ready for the test.
After looking at the Review Outline, you may want to listen to the audio summary, which is an audio version of related sections of chapter summaries found in the suggested A&P textbook. If you are hearing impaired, or simple don't want to listen, that's ok—the exact content is found in the recommended textbook's chapter summaries!
When you pass the test in the first module, the test in the second module is "unlocked" and you can now take that test. You cannot skip ahead . . . you must pass each module test to get to the next one. When you pass the last module test, the final exam will be "unlocked" and you are ready to finish the course!
If you fail to reach the final exam and pass it, then you have failed the course and must re-enroll.
You can go at our own pace, of course. The final exam cannot be taken earlier than the midpoint of the semester or session in which you are enrolled. So the soonest you can finish the course is the "half-way" point on the academic calendar.
If you get stuck, or need any kind of help, you can contact the course director any time.
Course Web Sites
There are two primary websites you will need to access in this course:
- Lion Den
- URL: lionden.com
- This is my own (off-campus) website
- Most items that do not require password security are located here
- Any pages you might want to use in the Lion Den are accessible from within the course platform on Moodle
Moodle
- URL: moodle.stchas.edu
- This is the learning management system (LMS) used by SCC
- All items that do require password security are located here
- Any pages you might want to use in the Lion Den are accessible from within the course platform on Moodle
This online syllabus, which serves as the OFFICIAL document for this course, will occasionally be updated if necessary. Review Outlines and other required information is also located only on the course website. Online Tests and the Grade Roster are available on Moodle (see below). Therefore, all students must have access to the internet and an internet browser. Your friendly and helpful SCC library reference specialist will help you with this, as will the science specialist in the ACE Center.
Moodle is a separate website that allows us to post online tests, individual grade records, Preview presentations, and other resources on the internet. To login to your course go to moodle.stchas.edu and you will be prompted to enter your user name and password. Find and click on the course title.
If you have any problems with logging on or accessing a Moodle course or online test, call 636-922-8555 for assistance or go to the Computer Help Desk in the SCC Library.
For help in preparing for and taking online tests click here.
- For Moodle hints and troubleshooting help click here.
Optional Websites
SCC website
The college website is www.stchas.edu and includes many helpful resources, including college cancellation notices (inclement weather). If you need to check course cancellations from home, go to Class Cancellation Information. from the college home page.
Evolve website
The recommended textbook comes with a bunch of included online resources, many of which you should try using. You can access these from the Evolve website at evolve.elselvier.com/Patton/AP/
Resources of particular interest for this review course . . .
- Audio chapter summaries can be heard online or downloaded for your portable device (cell phone, iPod, etc.)—these are great to use both as a preview and review of each chapter
- Edited versions of selected chapter summaries are also available in this course's Moodle modules
- Online tutoring by expert A&P instructors helps you "get it"
You can also enroll in a self-study A&P Online web course at the Evolve site. Just use the access code that comes with your textbook (or purchase it online if you have a used book without a valid code). Be sure to sign up for the "self study" version, not the version led by an instructor.
 Computers with high-speed internet access are available to ALL students in the ACE Center and LRC. Laptops with wireless access may also be checked out and used in the LRC. If you do not have home access to these resources, please make time to be on campus to use them. |
Tests
Objective online tests will be given on Moodle (computerized online testing) ten times during the semester. In addition, their is a comprehensive online final exam that is also completely online.
Online Tests are done on Moodle, a program that allows you to take your test on the internet and receive immediate scoring. You may take each online test or exam as many times as you need to in order to pass it.
When taking an Online Test you may use your notes, textbook, online resources, discussions with other students, and previous attempts, but your answers must be your own and entered into the program only by you (you may receive direct help using the computer or Moodle program if you need it).
Each online test presents questions one at a time, just as with professional licensing exams and college-level testing services. That is, you must answer each item and save the answer before moving to the next item. You may "go back" to any previously answered item. BUT MAKE SURE YOU SAVE EACH ITEM and DO NOT SKIP ANY!
When the test is finished and you have "submitted" the test for grading, you will know your score immediately and you can go back and look at the entire test. Items are marked as to whether they are correct or incorrect, but correct answers are not given (you must find those yourself).
You must earn a score of 75% or better to pass.
Each test on a single topic is generated individually from a large test bank and thus each attempt is different. Online tests are available only during the scheduled semester/session dates. Any attempts to take an online test after the designated time will be unsuccessful. Therefore, do not wait until the last minute to take your tests and final exam! If you don't finish by the last day of the semester/session, then you will fail the course and you'll have to re-enroll and start over.
The BEST way to improve your performance from test to test is to regularly perform a test analysis when you review each test after taking it. You may challenge any question/answer by contacting the course director with a copy of the item, including the test and item number and documented reasons why you think it was scored incorrectly.
General advice about preparing for and taking online tests is found at http://lionden.com/online_tests.htm
Additional advice about using Moodle and troubleshooting Moodle is available at http://lionden.com/moodle.htm
It is your responsibility to keep track of you progress in the course. Grades will be posted in the gradebook at the Moodle site for this course. Grades cannot be given out over the phone or by email in most circumstances. The official course grades are posted by the Registrar at SCC Connection (http://www.stchas.edu/scc-connection.php). Please check SCC Connection and investigate any possible errors or discrepancies immediately.
Tests & Exam page.
Critical Thinking
The science faculty strives to facilitate each learner's development of critical thinking skills in the context of each science course. Critical thinking skills include "higher order" types of thinking abilities such as synthesis, evaluation, problem-solving, application, and so on. That is, using both new and old knowledge beyond simple memorization of facts. In this course, expect this kind of thinking to be evaluated in the form of test items that ask you to apply these skills.
Extra Help
If you need extra help with the concepts of this course, then you may seek the help of your course director. Office hours for each faculty member are available from the department secretary (Vicki) in Room 2442 or on the doors of individual faculty offices. In addition my office hours (for each regular semester) are available at this link Kevin's Schedule. Other instructors in the Life Science department may also be able to help you. The science specialist and others in the ACE Center can often help you. For help in general study habits and test taking, we strongly recommend that you seek help from the regular staff of the ACE Center —especially their handouts and lunchtime seminars on study skills. I also have some study tips available online.
If you have any problems with the course or the instructor, SCC policy dictates that you must seek help from your instructor/course director first. If the problem is still not resolved, then you can bring your problem to the Dean for Math, Science, and Health (Chris Breitmeyer, ADM 1442) for final disposition.
If you decide to drop the course, you must officially withdraw at the registration office by the posted drop date to receive a "W" grade. If you never participate or just stop participating without officially withdrawing, you will receive the "F" grade.
Notes:
All kinds of things happen in our lives, and it is best to seek help before things get too far out of hand. If you would like to speak confidentially to a mental health counselor, SCC offers this as a free service. Simply call 636-288-6533 for more information or to make an appointment.
St. Charles Community College makes every effort to accommodate students with disabilities. If a student had a need for special accommodations, please contact the Office of Accessibility 636-922-8247. Requests for accommodations must first be processed through this office located in Room 133 of the Student Center.
If English is not your first language, click here for helpful tips.
Be sure to check your CougarMail email account frequently for important information sent to you by SCC! (click button to access CougarMail)
Attendance & Student Behavior
For reporting purposes, attendance in this course is determined by your participation in the online tests, which are stamped with the time and date. I will not officially verify your attendance in this course unless you are actually attempting online tests.
For those of you on any sort of grant, scholarship, or other program that requires verification of your attendance or participation, be aware that we are usually given only a brief reporting window some time during first two weeks of the term. If there is a substantial gap in your participation prior to/during that window, then you will be reported as "not attending."
Academic Integrity
This course is founded on the principle that all who participate will do so with the honesty befitting adult, professional studies. Without integrity of all students, the integrity of the course, this school, and your own credentials all suffer. This means that all students are expected to submit only their own work on online tests or any other component of this course. Thus, students may not receive inappropriate help nor give inappropriate help to other students.
SCC academic integrity policy outlined in the SCC Student Handbook stipulates a variety of possible outcomes of violation of principles of basic academic integrity. In this course, receiving or giving inappropriate help in online tests will ordinarily result in receiving "F" for the course. Inappropriate help may include having someone do all or or part of the work for you or copying someone else's work and submitting it as your own. Students who witness or have reason to suspect violations of academic integrity in this course and do not report it promptly, thus further enabling the dishonestly, will themselves also be subject to disciplinary action.
I strongly suggest that you read the brief article Why be honest?
Student Understanding
You are required to complete the Student Understanding, which outlines your responsibilities as a learner, on Moodle (under "Geting Started") as soon as possible. You will not be allowed to take the Moodle online tests until you complete the Student Understanding by checking "I understand" for each of the items. Click here for a list of the items in the Student Understanding.
Please PACE YOURSELF Be sure to double-check the deadline posted in the Moodle course for the final exam. (I always state this in my "welcome message" in the Course News forum.) It's always a good idea to attempt an EARLY finish—just in case problems or distractions arise at the last minute. Extensions are not ordinarily given, so if you don't finish by the deadline you must re-enroll in a new session of this course. |
You may email the course director at this address kpatton@stchas.edu
