CONTACT HOURS: 3

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This ecology laboratory experience consists of discussions, demonstrations, experiments, films and field trips pertaining to the relationships of man to the biosphere, human ecology, resource use and environmental impact.

REQUIRED TEXT:

No Text Required

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Students will be allowed to miss twice the number of times a lecture or laboratory section meets per week. The laboratory meets once a week, so 2 absences are allowed.

If the student misses more than 10 minutes of class by either arriving late or leaving early, then the student will be counted as absent, missing fewer than 10 minutes is a tardy. Three tardies count as one absence.

Students adding courses after classes begin are responsible for work covered from the first day of classes. All classes missed are counted as absences.

When a student exceeds the maximum allowable absences, a grade of "W" will be assigned if the student is passing the course or "WF" if the student is failing after midterm. A "WF" is calculated into the grade point average as an "F."

ASSIGNMENTS AND MISSED TESTS:

Students who are absent from a class are responsible for all of the work that was done during that class period and for all assignments made during the missed class period. See instructor for further information.

GRADING:

The final grade for this course will be determined as follows:

A (90-100) B (80-89) C (70-79) D (60-69) F (<60)

A grade of zero will be recorded for any announced exam (or assignment) which is missed.

The Science Department Chair, Coordinators, and faculty are here to help you. If you are having problems, in your classes, please contact the people who can help. If we don=t know you are having problems, we can=t help you. Dr. Perry Carter, Department Chair-822-3443/Dr. Gerry Lopez, Airport Coordinator-822-3788/Bert Knesel, Beltline Coordinator-738-7660.

CHANGES:

The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the lecture and laboratory schedule as deemed necessary.

LABORATORY POLICIES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

The laboratory experience is designed to supplement and complement material covered in lecture, and is an integral part of the course. Material may be presented in greater detail in lab than in lecture. The laboratory experience may include dissections, films, demonstrations, experiments, workbook exercises, research and writing assignments, and field trips. The day, time, and location of approved field trips will be held during regularly scheduled lab times. Students will provide their own transportation. The laboratory instructors will give a sufficient amount of information and guidance to allow student to complete each lab, but success in lab primarily involves the individual effort of each student. To maximize learning and to minimize the risk of accidents or injury, the following policies and rules will be observed in science labs:

1. Laboratory exercises must be completed during the assigned lab period unless otherwise designated by your instructor. All work completed should be kept in a notebook for grading and/or for future study and reference.

2. Students should read laboratory exercises before coming to class.

3. Apply yourself in lab. The exercises are designed to reinforce and expand upon material presented in the lecture.

4. Follow directions carefully.

5. Do not hesitate to ask your lab instructor for clarification of any instructions you don’t understand. However, do not expect your lab instructor to

simply give you answers to information you should be obtaining through the completion of the various lab exercises.

6. Do not bring any food or drinks into lab.

7. No visitors are allowed in lab or lecture.

8. YOU are responsible for providing your own transportation to and from field trips. It is a good idea to carpool.

9. Field trips are an important part of this course. You are expected to take these opportunities seriously and conduct yourself in a professional

manner.

10. Always bring a pen and paper to lab. You will be required to turn in a written laboratory exercise for most of the field trips.

11. There will be no opportunities to make up laboratory or field trip exercises. The two lowest exercise scores will be dropped before the final laboratory exercise grade is calculated.

12. The final laboratory grade will be determined as follows:

Laboratory and field trip exercises 25%

Laboratory examinations 75%

13. Weather, unavailability of guest speakers or other factors may result in changes to the laboratory schedule.

Ecology Laboratory

In accordance with the Science Department regulations you may miss two laboratory sessions. Tardies will be counted toward absences. (See Attendance Policy on page 1 of this course syllabus for further information).

You are responsible for providing your own transportation to and from field trips. It is a good idea to car pool.

Field trips are an important part of this course. You are expected to take these opportunities seriously and conduct yourself in a professional manner.

There will be no opportunities to make up laboratory or field trip exercises.

The final laboratory grade will be determined as follows:

Quizzes (3) 60%

Research Project 30%

Research Discussion (5 min) 10%

Weather, unavailability of guest speakers or other factors may result in changes to the laboratory schedule.

Instructor will hand out tentative weekly lab schedule.

MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Student rights and responsibilities are outlined in the Student Handbook. We are extremely proud of the quality of students in the Science Department, however, there have been occasions where disciplinary action is necessary to prevent disruptive and dishonest behavior. The following items are specific violations and consequences supported by the Science Department. Your instructor will circulate a form for your signature stating that you understand the Science Department Course Syllabus, which includes this document.
1.	Any student who exhibits behavior that is disruptive to the learning process such as talking, discourtesy to faculty or fellow students to include obscene language or gestures, or uncooperative actions will be asked to leave the classroom. The student will be counted absent for this class. Depending upon the nature of the offense or if it occurs during an exam the instructor may require that the student see the Science Coordinator, Chair of the Science Department, or the Director of Campus Life before returning to class. Campus Security will be called for any threatening or violent behavior.

2.	Beepers, cell phones, personal stereos, and similar devices are not permitted in class. Permission must be obtained from the Science Coordinator or Instructor for students who are emergency personnel or where there are extenuating circumstances. Campus Security can locate a student and will interrupt a class if there is a situation that needs immediate attention.
3.	Any student proven to have engaged in academic dishonesty will be given a grade of zero on the exam or assignment. This includes, but is not limited to, giving or receiving information during an exam, use of unauthorized materials during an exam or assignment, plagiarism, or changing answers after a grade has been assigned. An instructor must have reasonable proof that dishonesty has occurred. Until an incident is verified, the student will be assigned a grade of “I” for the work. Witnesses of cheating should report this immediately to the instructor. The grade will be discussed confidentially with the student. If the student denies that academic dishonesty occurred, the Chair of the Science Department or Science Coordinator will meet with the instructor and student. The instructor will be supported if departmental guidelines for handling cheating incidences were followed. However, the student is referred to the Student Handbook for the policy on filing a grievance. In any incident involving academic dishonesty, a report will be filed with the Director of Campus Life.

4.	Students with complaints about instructors should follow the appropriate chain of command as outlined in the "Science Department Conflict Resolution" form. A form can be obtained from the Science Department. Signatures must be obtained at each level before the complaint will be validated. There may be some circumstances where the first contact is with the Science Coordinator who will discuss the problem with the instructor. All efforts possible will be made to resolve conflicts internally. However students should remember that matters can also be handled through the Academic Appeal/Grievance process detailed in the Student Handbook.