Introduction/Life Science > Syllabus | Concourse (2023)

Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) aims to provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge and skills across the various academic disciplines and programs. A “learning outcome” is defined as the knowledge, skills, attitudes, or habits of mind that students take with them beyond the learning experience.

The following learning outcomes will be assessed in this course:

• Describe and identify components, assess and discuss results, as well as design (and/or implement) scientific experiments.
• Critically evaluate qualitative and quantitative data, applying inductive reasoning to arrive at scientifically rational conclusions.
• Demonstrate competency with the principles of the scientific method, as well as an appreciation for its purpose in obtaining results from a collection of carefully recorded objectively based observations representing the current level of knowledge as accepted by the scientific community.
• Integrate basic concepts of chemical, physical, and biological processes into a cohesive awareness of the interrelationships that exist between them.

As a result of completing courses as part of the Natural Science General Education Area, like this one, students will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes:

1. Apply the scientific process as it relates to experimental design.
2. Evaluate qualitative and quantitative data, applying inductive and deductive reasoning to arrive at scientifically rational conclusions.
3. Justify the validity of objectively collected data and the synthesis of results-driven by current
practices in the scientific community.
4. Describe and explain natural phenomena through the application of foundational scientific theories and laws.

Achievement of Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLOs) contributes to your success as a citizen and member of the workforce. The ISLOs include Analytical Thinking, Communication, Information Fluency, and Social Responsibility. In this course, we will address:

Analytical Thinking - Analyze and evaluate data; draw rational and warranted conclusions by integrating quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning.

This course and section participates in the campus-wide assessment process. Existing assignment(s) for this course were chosen for this purpose. This assignment/assessment will be graded by your instructor as explained in the syllabus. The separate reporting/scoring of the assignment/assessment for the purposes of LSSC’s assessment efforts WILL NOT affect your grade in the course, or any other course work at the College. It will, however, help the College support the advancement and improvement of student learning in general. Your confidentiality will be maintained during the assessment processes.

Click the link below for information about your course textbook:

You will need the campus location, and either your XID or the class information (ex. Spring 2022, ENC 1101, CRN 10111) to find the textbook for your class.

https://www.lssc.edu/current-students/bookstore/

Free version of the textbook can be found here:

Concepts of Biology - OpenStax

The book is available in a variety of FREE online formats via the website listed above. You can use the book in whichever format(s) you want; I recommend that you download the entire .pdf so that you always have access to your book. A print version is available at a very low cost (<$75), if you would like a hardbound or paperback version.

Canvas is a required component of this course. Students unfamiliar with Canvas are expected to complete the Student Orientation course located in Canvas within the first week of classes.

See theLSSC Student Technology Help Desk web pagefor more information on how to obtain Microsoft Office 365 as an LSSC student.

Kaltura is used to host some of our lecture content. Lecture recordings are embedded in each Weekly Content Module and are close captioned. You can learn more about Kalturahereat the Kaltura Home Page.

YouTube is used to host some of our video content. Links to video content are posted in each Weekly Content Module. Video content is close captioned. You can learn more about YouTubehereat the YouTube Home Page.

Course materials are accessed in a file format that is compatible with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. If using a processing program other than Word and PowerPoint, it is the student’s responsibility to adhere to all formatting and submission requirements.

Major writing assignments need to be created and saved in a file format that is compatible with Microsoft Word.If using a word processing program other than Word, it is the student’s responsibility to adhere to all formatting and submission requirements.Please ask for help if you are unsure how to save a file in a Word-compatible format.

Calculating your grade:Grades can be accessed on the Canvas website. I will try to upload grades no later than 7 (seven) days after an assessment is completed or submitted. If you wish to calculate your grade, add up all the points you’ve earned, including bonus, and divide by the number of possible points. If you click on the overall percentage in the grade book it will show you how many points you’ve earned. Please contact me as soon as possible, if you have questions about your grade.

Grades: Students are responsible for keeping track of their graded material. If a discrepancy is found the student must bring the graded assignment to the instructor for grade to be corrected. All graded material should be kept until after the final grade has been posted.

Grading Scale:

A 90-100%

B 80-89%

C 70-79%

D 60-69%

F 59% and below

ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is monitored according to contributions to scheduled meetings, timely access of
our Canvas course, Canvas Inbox and Lakehawk mail, and submission of activities and
assessments. Students must complete the scheduled activity or assessment to record and
receive credit for attendance.

All activities and assessments must be completed during the scheduled periods according to
the Course Calendar or as revised during the course per the Syllabus Disclaimer.
Absences are not excused except under extenuating, documented emergencies at the
discretion of the instructor.

Attendance credit and/or class points may be withheld, reduced or removed for poor quality
work and/or disruptive, disrespectful, or dishonest behavior as described in the student
handbook.

In the event of an emergency, as determined by the instructor and institution, a make-up
activities and assessments made be schedule and must occur as soon as reasonably possible.
Personal technical difficulties are not considered to be valid emergencies for missing any due
dates or a portion of the course.

Students may be required to make-up an activity or assessment proctored by an alternate
instructor, with an alternate section, on an alternate campus or online, or in the Center for
Teaching and Learning.

It is the student’s responsibility to document an emergency with the instructor and institution
and collaborate with the scheduling of any make-up activities or assessments.

• All LSSC students will be exposed to a learning environment promoting the open exchange of ideas.
• LSSC course content is presented on an adult level and classroom discussions require a mature understanding of divergent viewpoints and the ability to think analytically. Courses will not be modified to accommodate variations in student age and/or maturity.
• This course will be presented objectively and is not presented to espouse, promote, advance, inculcate, or compel any individual to adopt as a belief any of the subjects of the discussion that may be construed as concepts constituting discrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin as provided by Florida law. Please note that I do not endorse such concepts but present them for academic discussion and consideration. The law does not prohibit discussion of such concepts in an objective manner and without endorsement. Should a student feel uncomfortable with how course content is presented or discussed, please contact the instructor for further conversation.

Lake-Sumter State College values the safety of all campus community members. If you have an emergency, call 911. Otherwise, to report a concern, suspicious activity, or to request a courtesy escort, call Campus Safety:

(352) 516-3795 Leesburg

(352) 536-2143 South Lake

(352) 303-7296 Sumter

LSSC also has a free safety app, Lake-Sumter Safe that is available for download. You will receive important emergency alerts and safety messages regarding campus safety via LSSC Alert. You are opted into this system when you become an LSSC student. For more information regarding safety and to view available resources, visit the Campus Safety web page.