Lancraft BSC 2085L Syllabus

Instructor/homepage: Professor Thomas M. Lancraft
Office: SC 211 B, Natural Science Dept., St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, St. Petersburg College
Email: lancraft.tom@spcollege.edu (I prefer that you contact me via ANGEL)
Phone/FAX:727-341-4797
Office and course schedule/contact page!
Tentative course schedule

Prerequisites/Course Description:
Corequisite: BSC 2085. This course is a laboratory study of the specific structure and function of the human body beginning with the cell and stressing the physical and chemical processes important in maintenance of homeostasis. The systems studied include integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous. 45 contact hours.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Textbook requirements:
Required: Laboratory workbook (provided via ANGEL or in class)
Required co-requisite lecture course textbook:Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 12th Edition
Tortora and Derrickson, ISBN-10: 978-0-470-27987-7 (ISBN-13: 978-0-470-27987-8)
This Binder version of the text comes with a subscription to WileyPlus-a website that contains important content (in the Read, Study and Practice area). Go to WileyPlus and follow directions to register for the website using the registration code provided in the white envelope that came with text. This will take only about 5 minutes-you will need your email address and a password, as well as the code.
Recommended: Interactions: Exploring the Functions of the HumanBody, 3.0 - DVD
Lancraft, et.al. (See a full description), ISBN: 978-0-470-27661-7

Technical requirements:
This course is a modern science course and will use internet technologies for content delivery, communication and some assessment. Students who do not have computer or internet access at home should allow extra time on campus, or other locations, to complete assignments requiring that equipment/access. There is free computer access in all SPC campus libraries, as well as other sites on SPC Campuses. Having a personal technical problem is NOT a reason to finish assignments late. However, if you do have technical problems during online assignments it is important to report them to the instructor, immediately. Check to make sure that your technical requirements are met by your present computer system. Professional technical help can be obtained at the college's Helpdesk (call 727-341-4357 or email onlinehelp@spcollege.edu)

Curriculum requirements:
The material taught during this course forms the foundation for your future courses and programs. It is to your advantage to master the information in this fundamental course to avoid having to learn the material in the future. Read the BSC 2085L learning objectives agreed upon by instructors at all SPC campuses.

Time requirements:
The minimum amount of study time usually required to excel in a science course is about 2hours of outside study, for each hour of credit. However, laboratory study may take more time than lecture study so this equates to about an hour of effective studying, per day.

POLICIES
Grading policies:
Assignment types and weights: Assessment consists of weekly prelab assignments (10% of final grade) in-laboratory practical quizzes (30% of final grade) and three practical exams (60% of final grade).
Prelab assignments: The prelab assignments must be done BEFORE the related laboratory session and will be delivered online at ANGEL. These assignments consist of 10 multiple choice questions, with generous time limits. Up to three attempts are allowed and the highest score is used for grade calculations. You are allowed to use lecture notes for this assignment.
Practical quizzes: The laboratory quizzes will be taken in the laboratory classroom. Quizzes will consist of 10 fill-in-the-blank questions about a physical structure (model or microscope slide). You may only take them once and they are not timed. You are NOT allowed to use lecture notes for this assignment.
The lowest scores for each weekly prelab assignment and quiz, of the semester, will be dropped.
Practical exams: The three practical exams will consist of 50 fill-in-the-blank questions and will NOT be cumulative-these are section exams covering only the preceeding lab sessions. They consist of a timed and a limited non-timed component. They cannot be dropped. You are NOT allowed to use lecture notes for this assignment.
Grading scale: The following scale will be used. 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, below 60% = F. All grades will be posted in ANGEL gradebook.
Perceived grading errors: Potential grading errors will be addressed during office hours or by appointment, not during class time. They will be corrected if the instructor actually made an error but not if the student’s answer is wrong, unclear, incomplete, vague, illegible or improperly marked or erased. The textbook will be used as sole evidence for this discussion.Spelling is important and credit may be lost if spelling is not deemed adequate.
Extra credit/grading curves: The instructor reserves the right to adjust the final course average by a few additional points, but is NOT obligated to do so. No "extra credits" are given. The best way to earn a good grade is to spend "extra effort" and "extra time" on study from the very beginning.

Testing policies (duration and deadlines):
Students are required to finish all assignments BEFORE the deadlines. Late assignments will NOT be accepted unless with permission of instructor. Violating this policy may result in the assignment NOT being accepted, and therefore assigned a score of zero.

Attendance policies:
You must actively participate during the first two weeks or you will be automatically dropped by the college.
Dropping the course is your responsibility and you may drop from the course at any time during the semester. Check the calendar/schedule for the drop date. Go to MySPC (www.spcollege.edu) and log in to withdraw. If you withdraw before the drop date (60% of the course) you will be assigned a Withdrawal grade (W) indicating one attempt at the course. If you withdraw after the drop date the college will assign a withdrawing/failing grade (WF) indicating that you did NOT complete the course.
You must remain actively participating in the course through the semester until the drop date or the college willl automatically assign a failing grade (WF). Active participation requires that you NOT miss more than two consequtive weekly assignments (or one practical exam). You may earn a F (indicating that you did complete the course) only if you continue to attend the course through the entire semester.
BSC 2085 and BSC 2085L are corequisites -which means that you must be enrolled in the laboratory course along with the lecture course. If you are dropped from lab, college policys state that you will also be dropped from lecture!

STRATEGIES
Study strategies:
In order to be successful in this course, you should become proficient in: studying; organizing time; taking tests; thinking critically; expressing yourself critically; organizing your new knowledge; and, relating your new information to old knowledge. Building these skills will be the foundation of your educational and professional career. These are skills that you must work to develop within yourself-others can only advise you. As such, I will try to help you develop your skills to further your success. I can advise you on using your best thinking and learning styles, efficient use of time, testing skills and overcoming test anxiety. I can also guide you on how to organize the material so it easier to learn and retain. Reading, alone, is not considered effective studying so you may need to learn more effective study strategies necessary to master the material.

Testing strategies:
Test and quiz questions will examine more than your ability to memorize. Strive to understand how to actually use or apply the newly learned information, rather then simple recall. This requires a different (higher) level of thinking. Some memorization will be required, of course, but memorization alone will not assure you of good examination grades. Test preparation requires many intensive study sessions, over a considerable time, to be effective.

ACADEMIC CONDUCT, HONESTY AND EXPECTATIONS
Academic conduct:
Any conduct that “violates students’ rights and freedoms” is subject to disciplinary action. Examples include, but are not limited to:
• Plagiarizing, cheating, or helping someone else violate reasonable standards of academic behavior. Students who engage in such behavior are subject to both disciplinary action and academic consequences, as determined by the instructor.
• Engaging in any disruptive behavior which negatively affects or impedes the teacher's ability to teach or, the student's ability to learn (regardless of the mode of educational delivery or class setting), or disrupts the general operation of the college.
The instructor has the authority to ask a disruptive student to leave the classroom, lab, or Web course and to file disciplinary charges if disruptive behavior continues.

Academic honesty:
Students are expected to uphold the school's standard of conduct relating to academic honesty. Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the academic work they submit. The guiding principle of academic integrity shall be that a student's submitted work; examinations, reports, and projects must be that of the student's own work. Students shall be guilty of violating the honor code if they:
• Represent the work of others as their own.
• Use or obtain unauthorized assistance in any academic work.
• Give unauthorized assistance to other students.
• Modify, without instructor approval, an examination, paper, record, or report for the purpose of obtaining additional credit.
• Misrepresent the content of submitted work.
Using content sources other than your own mind (other people, webpages, lecture notes or textbook) while doing the quiz and practical exam assignments is considered cheating and is subject to disciplinary action (loss of some or all points of an assignment).
The penalty for violating the honor code is severe. Any student violating the honor code is subject to receive a failing grade for the course and will be reported to the college. Please read the college's student Academic Honesty Policy

My Expectations of You
• Be open to new information and ways of learning!
• Read all of the course information carefully.
• Check for new announcements via ANGEL on a regular basis (at least once every 2 days).
• Keep up with the course schedule and deadlines. Submit all graded assignments on time.
• Participate in classroom activities and discussions.
• Do not disappear: you may contact me via the course discussion, e-mail, voice-mail, and fax.
• Monitor your grades throughout the course and notify me of any dispute in a timely manner via e-mail.
• Maintain honesty and respect toward your classmates and instructor.

What You Can Expect of Me
• Quick responses to your e-mail inquiries.
• Help in understanding course material and assignments.
• Timely feedback. Assignments will be graded, and scores posted in ANGEL, within 7 days of the due date.
• Concern for your success in this course and a willingness to work with you within the requirements of the course.
• Respect for you and your ideas

EMERGENCY, SPECIAL NEEDS and SAFETY
Emergency:
In the event that a hurricane, or other natural disaster, causes significant damage to SPC facilities, you may be provided the opportunity to complete your course work online. Following the event, please visit the college website (www.spcollege.edu) for an announcement to resume operations. Login to ANGEL (angel.spcollege.edu) to confirm access.

Disabilities:
If you have any special needs or requirements pertaining to the course please contact your professor. If you wish to receive accommodations as a student with a documented disability, please make an appointment at the Disabilities Office ( OSSD ) with the Learning Specialist (341-4758 at SPG campus). If you have a documented hearing loss, please contact the Program for the Deaf (791-2628). If you will need assistance during an emergency classroom evacuation, it is imperative that you speak with your professor immediately about arrangements for your safety.

Campus Safety and Security
For information on campus safety and security policies please contact 791-2560. You should familiarize yourself with the emergency procedures and evacuation routes located in the buildings you use frequently. Located in each classroom is an Emergency Response Guide (flip-chart) that contains information for proper actions in response to emergencies. You should be prepared to assess situations quickly and use good judgment in determining a course of action. You should evacuate to assembly areas in an orderly manner when an alarm sounds or when directed to do so by college faculty or staff or emergency services personnel. If there are questions or concerns regarding personal safety, please contact the Provost or Associate Provost on your campus. http://www.spcollege.edu/central/campussecurity/

Sexual Predator Information
Federal and state laws require a person designated as a “sexual predator or offender” to register with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE is then required to notify the local law enforcement agency where the registrant resides, attends, or is employed by an institution of higher learning. Information regarding sexual predators or offenders attending or employed by an institution of higher learning may be obtained from the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for the particular campus by calling the FDLE hotline (1-888-FL-PREDATOR) or (1-888-357-7332), or by visiting the FDLE website at http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/homepage.do