BIO 103 - Hergert

Introductory Life Science - BIO103
Hergert

General Course Information:

	Course Description: Introductory Life Science (BIO 103INT) is designed as an introductory life science course for liberal arts majors or other students interested in a survey of biological principles. Students review classical biological concepts and hypotheses and new developments in biology. Topics covered range from the cell and the theory of evolution to genetic engineering. 3 credits. (PCS Code: 1.1, IAI: L1900)
	Method of Instruction: Traditional lecture will be used during the course, with the occasional addition of films. Small group activities will occasionally be incorporated into the class sessions. Students are expected to participate fully in these activities.
	Required Text Book:

You will need the course text book, which is currently the third edition of Essential Biology, by Campbell, Reece and Simon (2007). It is published by Benjamin Cummings, and the ISBN is 0-8053-6842-6. It is available in the RVC bookstore.

Assignments/Assessment:

Quizzes/Exams: There will be 6 unit quizzes (worth around 50 points each) and a comprehensive final exam. Quizzes will be mostly multiple choice, true/false and matching, with a small number of short-answer questions/problems. The final exam, which will be given during finals week, will cover both material from previous units as well as the material from unit 7. It will be approximately two and a half times the length of a normal unit quiz. Quizzes and exams will count for about 85% of the overall class grade.

Other: There will be many small in-class group work or out-of-class assignments given throughout the semester. These will count for about 15% of the overall class grade. Students are expected to participate in the group work. Students will not receive full credit for work if they do not participate.

Tips and Suggestions to help you do well in BIO 103:

	Read your text book – preferably before the lecture on that material. After you've read: 1. Do the checkpoint questions at the end of each section and work the problems at the back of the chapters. 2. Work through these chapters on the CD-ROM that goes with your text. 3. View the PowerPoint presentations that summarize the text. These are posted on the course EdNet conference.
	Make flash cards from your lecture notes and/or text.
	Work through and study the study guide, practice quiz and review sheets that are on EdNet.
	View the animations on the EdNet conference to help you visualize concepts.
	Visit some or all of the web sites listed on the EdNet conference to give you more information, tutorials, etc.
	Listen/watch the lecture podcasts available on the EdNet conference.
	Start studying several days before the exam.
	Ask someone to quiz you over your notes and study guide to help you identify your weak areas.
	Ask your instructor for help with concepts that you found difficult or confusing.
	Visit a tutor in the Success Center for help preparing for the exam.
	Other things to consider: 1. Do you need to enhance your note-taking skills so you can write notes and listen at the same time, as well as getting down all relevant information? The Success Center offers study skills sessions on note-taking. 2. Would bringing in a tape-recorder to tape the lectures be useful, so you could go back and listen again at your leisure? 3. Would a weekly appointment with a tutor be helpful?

Instructor Contact Information:

	Name: Deena Hergert
	Department/Office Location: Life Science Department, CLII, G09
	Email address: dhergert@ednet.rvc.cc.il.us
	Office Phone Number: 815-921-3484

This page created by Deena Hergert
This page last updated February 2009