Onondaga Community College SCI 112:  Bio/Geo Elem Ed

Syracuse, NY                          Section: 001  Spring 2009

Course Information:

Room: Ferrante 359 Textbook; Integrated Science, 4^th Ed., by

F359 (Mon, Wed & Fri 8:00-8:55 am Tillery, et. al., McGraw-Hill

Lab Fri 2:00-4:50 pm) 3^rd edition accepted as well.

Instructors: phone: (315) 498-2722 & 498-2412

Mr. Brian McAninch & Mr. Phil Andon-McLane                          http://myhome.sunyocc.edu/~mcanincb/

Offices: Ferrante 369 & 242, respectively                             E-mail: mcanincb@sunyocc.edu &

Office Hours BMc: Mon/Wed 3:00-4:00, T/Th 9:00-9:30  andonmcp@sunyocc.edu

Wed 12:00-12:30; Tutoring Mon 11:00-12:30

PA-Mc: Mon/Wed T/Th

Course Objectives: This course is designed to be an introductory course in geology and biology for education majors. It is assumed that students may only have a high school back ground in these two disciplines and are not planning to pursue a science curriculum. Topics covered in the course include; the scientific method, basic mineralogy and the rock cycle, basic ecology, photosynthesis, hydrology, evolutionary principles, geological history, and major animal and plant types. It is also the purpose of this course that students:

· understand the scientific method and how it allows scientists to investigate natural phenomena

· understand how to relate chemistry to both geology and biology

· be able to relate mineralogy to various rock types, and learn to identify various rocks and minerals

· understand how evolution works at both a molecular and organismal level

· understand how the chemistry of water controls its interactions on Earth

· be able to relate various plant & animal types to their life cycles.

This course satisfies the science elective requirements of the Childhood Education (Teacher Education Transfer) major, and can also in-part satisfy the major concentration requirement, which require science. This course consists of three (3), one-hour lecture periods and one (1) 3-hour laboratory period.

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. You are expected to attend all classes, arrive on time, and remain until class is completed. Tardiness will be counted as an absence. Make-up times for exams will ONLY be allowed if you have given the instructor prior notification of your absence and have arranged to complete the missed exam or quiz. Make-up work must be completed within one (1) week of the original exam or quiz. Frequent absences will lower your course grade.

Academic Honesty: Students are allowed to work together on any exercises handed out in class; however, written class work that is turned in must be in your own words. Students who hand in identical answers will be subject to disciplinary action. All work performed on quizzes & exams are to be performed by you alone, no outside aides will be allowed, except for the use of a ruler or simple mathematical calculator. Any student violating these rules for the exams, quiz & research paper will automatically fail the entire course.

Evaluation: Your final grade will be determined as follows: 1) 30% laboratory assignments 2) 20% homework assignments; and 3) 50% exams the average of three (3) exams (including the final which will be comprehensive).

Weekly Course Schedule (4^th Edition)

Week	Activity	Reading/Assign.
Jan 26, 2009	Introduction and the scientific method (3)	Chpt. 1, pp. 12-23
Feb 2, 2009	Chemistry for Geology (3) (In-class Quiz on Feb 6^th– on Chpt 1 material)	Chpt. 9, pp. 200-216 Chpt. 15, pp. 334-339 Chpt 1 questions due
Feb 9, 2009	Chemistry for Biology (4)	Chpt. 10, pp. 234-237 Chpt. 19, pp. 436-459 Chpt 9 questions due
Feb 16, 2009	cont. Chemistry for Biology & Rock Cycle (5)	Chpt. 15, pp. 339-352 Chpt 19 questions due
Feb 23, 2009	cont. Rock Cycle	Chpt 15 questions due
Mar 2, 2009	Biochemical (5) First Exam March 6^th	Chpt. 23, pp. 560-586
Mar 9, 2009	cont. Biochemical & Hydrologic Cycle (5)	Chpt. 10, pp. 226-229 Chpt. 18, pp. 416-426 Chpt 23 questions due
Mar 16, 2009	Spring Break
Mar 23, 2009	cont. Hydrologic Cycle	Chpt 18 questions due
Mar 30, 2009	cont. Hydrologic Cycle & Evolution (5)	Chpt. 21, pp. 498-522
Apr 6, 2009	cont. Evolution	Chpt 21 questions due
Apr 13, 2009	Geologic Time & Historical Geology (5) Second Exam April 17^th	Chpt. 22, pp. 526-539
Apr 20, 2009	cont. Historical Geology & Survey of Life (5)	Chpt. 22, pp. 542-556 Chpt 22 questions due
Apr 27, 2009	Cont. Survey of Life
May 4, 2009	Special Topic: Global Climate Change & Biomes Review Session	Hand-outs
May 11-16, 2009	Final Exam (to be scheduled)

Weekly Course Schedule (3^rd Edition)

Week	Activity	Reading/Assign.
Jan 26, 2009	Introduction and the scientific method (3)	Chpt. 1, pp. 13-20
Feb 2, 2009	Chemistry for Geology (3) (In-class Quiz on Feb 6^th– on Chpt 1 material)	Chpt. 9, pp. 192-208 Chpt. 15, pp. 322-326 Chpt 1 questions due
Feb 9, 2009	Chemistry for Biology (4)	Chpt. 10, pp. 224-228 Chpt. 19, pp. 426-447 Chpt 9 questions due
Feb 16, 2009	cont. Chemistry for Biology & Rock Cycle (5)	Chpt. 15, pp. 327-341 Chpt 19 questions due
Feb 23, 2009	cont. Rock Cycle	Chpt 15 questions due
Mar 2, 2009	Biochemical (5) First Exam March 6^th	Chpt. 23, pp. 548-576
Mar 9, 2009	cont. Biochemical & Hydrologic Cycle (5)	Chpt. 10, pp. 216-220 Chpt. 18, pp. 406-416 Chpt 23 questions due
Mar 16, 2009	Spring Break
Mar 23, 2009	cont. Hydrologic Cycle	Chpt 18 questions due
Mar 30, 2009	cont. Hydrologic Cycle & Evolution (5)	Chpt. 21, pp. 488-512
Apr 6, 2009	cont. Evolution	Chpt 21 questions due
Apr 13, 2009	Geologic Time & Historical Geology (5) Second Exam April 17^th	Chpt. 22, pp. 516-528
Apr 20, 2009	cont. Historical Geology & Survey of Life (5)	Chpt. 22, pp. 531-544 Chpt 22 questions due
Apr 27, 2009	Cont. Survey of Life
May 4, 2009	Special Topic: Global Climate Change & Biomes Review Session	Hand-outs
May 11-16, 2009	Final Exam (to be scheduled)

Onondaga Community College SCI/BIO 112: Bio/Geo Elem Ed

Syracuse, NY Spring 2009

Assignment

Homework Questions

Introduction: To increase retention for reading, we are assigning two (2) questions at the end of each chapter of assigned reading; one ‘question for thought’ & one ‘for further analysis’ question (located at the end of each chapter) for Chapters 1, 9, 15, 18, 19, 21 & 22. You choose which questions to answer. So for each chapter, pick one of each and turn them in to us the week following scheduled reading assignment for that chapter (see your syllabus for the week questions are due for each chapter). To this end:

· The ‘questions for thought’ are generally a short 1-2 paragraph answer; the ‘further analysis’ questions should have longer answers (more than half a page).

· Each assignment will be neatly written or typewritten, and will be properly titled (with chapter number & date) and have your name at the top. We will discount for poor legibility.

· Questions will be written out with the answers (I repeat write out the question). We will discount if we need to look up the question you’re answering.

· All answers must be written in complete sentences, and must provide a clear answer. Poor grammar, spelling, and unclear writing will be discounted.

· Late assignments will not be accepted without valid excuse.

· These grades are then averaged with your quiz grade to determine 20% of your overall grade.

Laboratory Assignments

Lab Day	Activity	Reading/Assign.
Jan 27, 2009	Scientific method
Feb 3, 2009	Chemistry & Cell Structure
Feb 10, 2009	Rock & Mineral Identification	Topic Due, presentation
Feb 17, 2009	Rock Identification Field Trip ^*
Feb 24, 2009	Photosynthesis
Mar 3, 2009	Groundwater Field Trip ^* #
Mar 10, 2009	Stream Flow Field Trip ^* #	References Due presentation
Mar 17, 2009	Spring Break
Mar 24, 2009	Genetics
Mar 31, 2009	Measuring Time
Apr 7, 2009	Plate Tectonics	Outline Due presentation
Apr 14, 2009	Life Classification
Apr 21, 2009	Ecology Field Trip ^* #*
Apr 28, 2009	Presentations
May 5, 2009	Presentations
May 11-16, 2009	Final Exam (to be scheduled)

* These field trips require you bring appropriate foot ware (closed-toed shoes at a minimum, boots are recommended) & clothing, and you should bring paper & pencil along as well.

^# These field trips will go down into in Furnace Brook on-campus and will involve some climbing up and down.

Onondaga Community College BIO/GEO 112L

Syracuse, NY Spring 2009

Laboratory Oral Presentations

You are required to give a 10-15 minute presentation to the class on any topic of your choice that pertains to our course. Try utilizing your textbook or talk to me for ideas if you are having trouble with deciding on a topic. We can go over a number of subject areas that could be of interest.

The presentation will take place during the last two (2) sessions of the semester. Your presentation will be 10-15 minutes in length. I recommend that you use visual aids that are appropriate (examples include posters, PowerPoint presentations, handouts for class, and actual examples for other students to handle), and within reason. Your grade will depend on the information presented as well as upon the clarity and organization of your talk. Since this is a chance for you to practice talking in front of others, I will not be grading on how well you spoke. This will be a ‘safe’ environment to speak in and we will work together to make each other comfortable.

You will turn in a typed:

· Presentation topic, on February 10, 2009 (5 pts)

· Reference list on March 10, 2009 (This will include 5 references, your text book, if appropriate may be used as one of these references) (5 pts)

· Outline on April 7, 2009 (5 pts)

You may not read your talk to the class. You are to talk to the laboratory about your topic using your outline as a reference/guide.

· The presentations will take place on April 28^th and May 5^th, 2009 (15 pts)

30 pts Total

IMPORTANT

NOTE: If you miss either of these last two sessions you will forfeit 10 pts regardless of whether

you have already presented or not.