Allegany College of Maryland

Biology 101 Web Hybrid

General Biology I, Lecture Online

 

Course Information

 

General:  This is an introductory 4 credit hour laboratory science general elective course.  There are no prerequisites. 

 

Format:  The lecture portion of this course will be delivered via the Web using Blackboard software (provided).  You must also register for a laboratory section at one of the three campuses’ (Cumberland, Bedford or Somerset).  The laboratory class is a traditionally face-to-face class that meets weekly. 

 

Course Policy: The final grade will be issued at the end of the semester on the date required by the college.  All rules and academic regulation of the college are applicable to distance learners. 

 

Purpose of the Course: To present a study of the general characteristics and basic concepts of living organisms, which include the cell, physical aspects, chemical aspects, energy flow, homeostasis, and genetics.

 

Course Objectives:

 

1.   To present a basic vocabulary in biology.

2.   To give the student a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of nature and its beauty on earth.

3.   To present an unprejudiced observation of nature, both critically and logically.

4.   To give the biological foundation necessary for further specialized study.

5.   To prepare the student for a more healthful, socially adjusted, and economically independent life through knowledge of biology.

6.   To develop the habits and methods of biological investigation.

7.   To challenge interest in current scientific advancements and help students to become aware of the variety of approaches to the field molecular, physiological, biochemical, evolutionary, and ecological.

8.      To emphasize the importance of science in today’s world.

 

Areas of Concentration

 

1.   Scientific method.

2.   Scientific tools and techniques.

3.   Inorganic and organic chemistry.

4.   Organization of life.

5.   Energy conversion and flow in life.

                                 6.   Reproduction and heredity.

 

Special requirements for this course:

           

Student

-When you register for this course you must send me an email.  My address is pandrews@allegany.edu put ‘101 Web’ in the subject line.  Provide your email address and mailing address.

Academic

-College reading level and very good comprehension skills.  Your primary source of information for this course is reading your Biology textbook, Web pages and laboratory manual.

 

Technical

-Access to a computer with Internet connection, an email account, and a Web browser (Netscape 3.0 or higher, or Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher).   If using a modem, 28.8 bps or higher is strongly recommended.

 

-Basic computer and Internet literacy skills. This includes the ability to work comfortably in a Web browser, send and receive email with attachments, use a search engine, download and install plug-ins via the Internet. 

 

-Read, create and manipulate documents in MS Word®.

 

-This course will be conducted using Blackboard® software.  You do not need to purchase software to use Blackboard, however, you will need a login and password to access it.  At the beginning of the course you will be provided with this login and password.

 

-You may also want to take the online assessment located at:          

http://www.ac.cc.md.us/dl/index.shtml 

click on  “Is Distance Learning Right For You?”

 

 

How the course is conducted:

 

Since there will be no face-to-face class lecture, it is imperative that you are conscientious, motivated and self-disciplined.  While the course is very flexible in terms of when you put in the time, you can expect to average about the same amount of study time as a normal lecture course—three to five hours total a week per credit. This comes out to about twelve to twenty hours per week. Note also that the course is NOT self-paced. Assignments are due by specific dates.  You may work ahead if you like, but you may not “work behind”.

 

            For each chapter you may be required to submit homework electronically and/or take on-line quizzes.  You will be required to take four tests in a supervised testing center on specific dates and times.

 

You will have opportunities to interact with other students enrolled in the course.  You are encouraged to communicate with other students in the course by email, by use of the discussion board, or by phone.  Interacting with other students in the course will enhance your learning experience. You will meet classmates (not necessarily taking the online lecture) weekly in the laboratory session.

 

            You must also attend every laboratory session.  There is a quiz weekly.

Disclaimer:

 

            This information is for general information purposes only.  Each instructor determines the requirements for their course section.  The specific requirements for the course will be stated in the syllabus, which is distributed at the beginning of the course.