ENROLLMENT: Bio 207 is a course for non-science majors intended for use in the GER to satisfy the IIIB1 or IIIB2 requirement. Bio 507 is a parallel graduate course for teachers.

OBJECTIVES: In this course the basic principles of life will be stressed. These include cellular structure, metabolism, growth, reproduction, adaptation, and evolution. This course approaches these basic principles of biology using two examples: plants and humans. We will stress plants, so you will learn about the form and function of plants, how to optimize environmental factors to maximize the growth and health of plants both in the home and in the garden, field, or orchard. In laboratory, you will become intimately familiar with the seven-step scientific method and will be able to distinguish experimental science from descriptive science. You will begin to learn critical thinking skills and develop analytical logic in approaching solutions to simple problems. You will learn how to apply simple math and statistical testing of hypotheses to everyday questions. In short, you will develop some basic skills in the discipline of science. These experiences qualify this course for use in the GER.

TEXT: A recommended text: Brian Capon, Botany for Gardeners, Timber Press, 1992, is available for $18 in paperback at the bookstore in the Student Center. The website (URL above) is a bettter-organized resource. The laboratory manual will consist of individual exercises handed out as needed. Buy a pencil, mechanical preferred, with eraser; all work in ink receives a 10% penalty! You will want a 3-ring binder to organize all course material. You should bring a simple calculator (+-x/=) to class each day.

QUIZZES: There will be daily quizzes this semester. None of the quizzes will be cumulative, but this course does do some "building" during the term. You can expect a variety of question types: multiple choice, matching, diagrams to draw and/or label, charts, structured essays, etc. Quizzes provide 50% of the course grade.

LABORATORY: For each exercise you must bring the laboratory exercise worksheets. The completed worksheets will be due as announced. Late papers will receive a penalty of 10% per day late. There are no make-up laboratory sessions and absence from a laboratory session can only be excused by justification IN WRITING. The laboratory exercises constitute 50% of the grade.

PARTICIPATION: My estimate of your participation in the course may provide leverage or barrier should your earned grade fall near a grade border. Attendance, attitude, and attention are three strong components to this factor in the final grade. Attendance is particularly important based upon past student performance in this course. Staying on-task, remaining engaged in class discussion, and performing as an effective team-member is the second-most important criterion. You will receive substantial penalties for relying upon data that you did not help to collect. As an adult, you are expected to bring all required materials to class, to be on time, etc. Missing a day in this session is like missing a week of a regular semester!

ACCOMMODATIONS: If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact the Office of AccessAbility Services at (860) 465-5573. To avoid any delay in the receipt of accommodations, you should contact the Office of AccessAbility Services as soon as possible. Please understand that I cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until I have received an accommodation letter from the Office of AccessAbility Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.

GRADING: Quiz scores will be determined by modified straight scale: Best score = 100%, then 90%=A, 80%=B, 70%=C, 60%=D. Lab exercises are graded on a straight scale (no best-score modification).

EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS: Extra credit assignments will not be given to anyone for any reason.

CHEATING: Copying or plagiarism will not be tolerated. While you will work together to obtain data in the laboratory, your own observations and calculations must be shown on the worksheets and exams. Joint efforts will receive a single score to be divided equally among the participants.

This page © Ross E. Koning 1994.

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Send comments and bug reports to Ross Koning at rkoning@snet.net.