Syllabus
Post Baccalaureate in Pre-Health
BIOL 1010: Biology I – Accelerated – 8 Week – Spring 2 2023
Credits - 4
Description
Biology I is a four credit course incorporating an at-home laboratory component. This course is designed for individuals with a baccalaureate degree who need Biology as a prerequisite to apply for admission to various health professions’ programs, such as, but not limited to, graduate programs in dietetics, nursing, physical therapy, physician assistant, nurse anesthesia, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, dental medicine and medicine. Biology I can be both a standalone course or a precursor to Biology II (BIO 1011) with an emphasis on providing a conceptual framework for understanding the basics of modern biology, the scientific method, the chemical basis of life, cell biology and reproduction, and genetics so that the student will be well equipped to apply this knowledge in his or her further studies.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Program Outcomes
In lecture courses, students should be able to:
- Communicate scientific concepts and information clearly.
- Illustrate fundamental laws, theories, and principles of scientific disciplines.
- Apply knowledge and critical thinking skills to scientific problems.
In lab courses, students should be able to:
- Ask a question or define a problem that can be tested.
- Hypothesize possible result(s).
- Plan and/or conduct an investigation individually and/or collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence.
- Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (i.e. computational, mathematical, graphical, etc.) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution.
- Communicate the results by constructing an explanation based on multiple pieces of valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
- Apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence gained from various experiments, as well as other observations and/or research, to provide an explanation of phenomena and solve design problems, taking into account possible unanticipated effects.
Course Objectives
After completing the lecture section, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic content of the discipline
- Discuss and demonstrate how scientists solve problems in the discipline
- Evaluate the validity of scientific arguments
- Apply knowledge to scientific problems
- Ask a question and develop a hypothesis that can be tested
- Plan and conduct an investigation to test a hypothesis
- Analyze data and apply scientific ideas to evaluate the strength of a hypothesis
- Communicate results of scientific experiments by basing conclusions on valid and reliable evidence
Assignments
Lectures and Laboratories
Lectures
For the lecture portion of the course, Biology I is divided up into 4 units that cover 8 weeks work of coursework. Each week you will start by completing the reading assignment and finishing the homework associated with the reading. Then you need to view several mini-lectures, complete a laboratory experiment with laboratory assessment, and then complete the module quiz. Once you have completed these, you can then move on to the next module’s material. (if you are waiting for the lab materials to arrive, you can move ahead with the next module’s material and come back to complete the labs if necessary).
Laboratories
For the laboratory portion of the course, most modules will also have an assigned laboratory exercise. Assessment for each lab lesson will be the questions that are listed throughout each lesson. These will be graded as soon as you complete them but it may take a few days for the grade to appear in your grades, as the instructor will be reviewing your lab data and then transferring the grades over. If you appear to only be taking the quizzes and not actually conducting the labs (i.e., you have no data or photos), a grade of zero will be entered for the lab. So, be sure to conduct the experiments, collect and record the data and then take the lab assessment.
In addition to conducting the laboratory exercises and taking the assessment, you will also need to write a lab report. This lab report will be based on the data you collect in the Cellular Respiration lab and is due by the end of Unit 3. There are additional guidelines for writing the lab report that will be found in the course.
Examination and Grading Information
Homework Assignments
Each unit contains a homework assignment associated with the textbook. You can find these by clicking on the homework links in the modules and then answering the “practice” questions in the text. These are LearnSmart assignments designed to help you understand the material. If you answer the questions correctly, you will move on to the next topic. If you struggle with the material, the software will continue to test you until you have a better understanding. It will also point you to sections of the text for additional clarification. The grade for the homework is based on the completion of the assignment, such that if you answer all of the questions, you will receive a grade of 100%.
Discussion Board Posts
Discussion questions cover interesting current events or materials that contribute to a deeper understanding of key concepts and allow you to interact with your classmates and the instructor. Most of the discussion questions are designed to accompany particular chapters (see specific discussion questions for more information). Each question will require you to conduct internet research, read additional materials (a short journal or magazine article), visit a specific webpage, OR view a short video. Then you will write a response following the guidelines in the assignment.
To earn full credit you will need to post a response, respond to the original posts of at least two other students, and then contribute to an ongoing discussion. For special cases where one or two students are accelerating faster through the course, the instructor will participate in the discussion so that everyone has the opportunity to interact.
Discussion Question Guidelines
- Read the assignment carefully so that you are familiar with the materials that you need to cover and how to craft your post.
- Respect each other’s ideas, feelings, and experience. Some of the questions involve areas of disagreement. Expect your classmates to have different opinions.
- Use proper writing style. Correct spelling and sentence structure are expected just as if you were writing a regular paper. Use spell check and grammar check before you submit.
- Write your posting in a word document! That way you can save a copy and use spell check and grammar check.
- Cite the sources that you use to write your response. Follow the AMA guidelines.
- Avoid posting large blocks of text. Break your writing into paragraphs and use a space between paragraphs to make your posting easier to read online.
- Use the “reply” button rather than the “compose” button when responding to someone else’s post.
- When responding to a classmate, address them by name.
- Do not use postings such as “I agree,” “I don’t know either,” or “ditto.” They do not add to the discussion, take up space on the Discussions, and will not be counted.
- Everyone benefits from an active discussion. Check back in frequently to see what others are saying.
- Plan your time carefully. You will need to give your classmates time to respond to your postings. This is an asynchronous class where students will be in different points of the class.
- Contact your instructor if there are schedule problems or other issues that need to be resolved.
Laboratory Assignments
Most of the modules include a laboratory assessment. The laboratory assessments for each module can be found in the course outline portion of this syllabus. You will perform all laboratory assessments in a non-laboratory setting, such as your kitchen. There will be 13 laboratory assessments distributed throughout the course. As you work your way through the laboratory exercise, be sure to record your data and answer the questions. Once you have completed the experiment and questions, these will be graded in the HOL software but it may take a few days for the grade to appear in the course, as the instructor will be reviewing your lab data and then transferring the grades over. If you appear to only be taking the quizzes and not actually conducting the labs (i.e. you have no data or photos) a grade of zero will be entered for the lab. So, be sure to conduct the experiments, collect and record the data and then take the lab assessment.
In addition to conducting the laboratory exercises and taking the quiz, you will also need to write a lab report, due by the end of Unit 3. This lab report will be based on the data you collect in the Cellular Respiration lab.
Quizzes & Lab Assessments
All quizzes & lab assessments are open book and open notes and are not timed. The quizzes and lab assessments will be taken online through the course or the HOL site for the lab questions. Doing well on the quizzes and lab assessments will help prepare you for the midterm and final exams.
Final Exam
The final exam should be taken until you have completed all of the assignments for the course, including the quizzes, labs, discussion boards and the lab report. The final will be a timed-proctored cumulative exam.
This is a closed-book and closed-notes exam. You may have a single UNE-authorized whiteboard to use while taking this exam. You must show your proctor that your whiteboard is clear at the beginning of your testing session, and you must erase your whiteboard in front of the proctor before disconnecting from your session. If you do not do this, your exam will not be credited.
While a calculator is not necessary for this or any of the course assessments, you may bring a four-function calculator if you choose. Scientific and programmable calculators are not allowed.
You will not have access to any material saved on your or any other computer. No access to the internet or other communication devices is allowed during this exam.
You will need to arrange to take your final exam with Proctor U. Information on the proctoring process is available below. Review the Proctored Examinations information and requirements in the Policies section of this syllabus.
A maximum of two attempts will be allowed for proctored exams.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Category | Points Available |
|---|---|
| Lab Assessments | 20% |
| Lab Report | 5% |
| Homework | 19% |
| Discussion | 11% |
| Quizzes | 19% |
| Final Exam | 26% |
| Total | 100% |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course Dates:
Unit 1: March 15 – March 28
Unit 2: March 29 – April 11
Unit 3: April 12 – April 25
Unit 4: April 26 – May 9
| Unit | Content | Due Dates |
| 1 (Each Unit is two weeks) |
|
Introduction Discussion Post due Sunday, 11:59 PM. Initial class discussion post due Tuesday of the first week at 11:59 PM. Responses due Tuesday of the second week by 11:59 PM. All other assignments due Tuesday at 11:59 PM. |
| 2 |
|
Initial discussion post due Tuesday of the first week at 11:59 PM. Responses due Tuesday of the second week by 11:59 PM. All other assignments due Tuesday at 11:59 PM. |
| 3 |
|
Initial discussion post due Tuesday of the first week at 11:59 PM. Responses due Tuesday of the second week by 11:59 PM. All other assignments due Tuesday at 11:59 PM. |
| 4 |
|
Initial discussion post due Tuesday of the first week at 11:59 PM. Responses due Tuesday of the second week by 11:59 PM. Unit 4 Quiz due Friday by 11:59 PM. All other assignments due Tuesday at 11:59 PM. |
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies. Questions? Email: prehealth@une.edu.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Instructor and Support Contact Information
Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.
UNE Libraries
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Further Assistance
Your student service advisor monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.
Policies
Attendance Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.
Assignments
Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted. Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Proctored Examinations
Your course may have proctored exams. Please see your course for full details, access, testing requirements, and guidelines.
Students must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.
Exam Attempts Policy
Students will receive two attempts at all proctored examinations. The higher score of the two attempts will be calculated into the final grade.
All students are encouraged to use a second attempt on their exams in order to improve their overall performance in the course.
Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Length
A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.
Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 8 weeks.
- Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the Student Success Portal.
- Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.
Withdrawal and Refund Policies
Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact PreHealth@une.edu with any questions.
Grade Policy
Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. Contact support with any questions.
Transcripts
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.