Instructor:  Ms. Linda McNally
Office:   288 Watson
Phone: 704-894-2886
E-mail: limcnally@davidson.edu
Office hours:  You are welcome to stop by any time my door is open or to make an appointment to fit your schedule.  My "scheduled" office hours are Mondays & Tuesdays from 2:00-3:30 PM, I will make every effort to be in my office during these times.

Class Meeting Times:   

Course Description:  Human Biology is a non-majors course designed to give you an introduction to the science of biology by exploring human health, physiology, and disease. My goal is to provide you with information to enable you to understand the functioning of your body, the effects of disease, risk factors for disease, and disease prevention. We will also examine human genetics and genetic diseases and we'll explore how humans develop in the womb, from conception to birth. During the semester, we will focus on many of the issues that you are likely to encounter at some time in your life. This course will provide you with a solid information base on which to make informed and intelligent decisions concerning the various issues you may face in the future.

Textbook:  Human Biology by Sylvia Mader, 10th edition (available at the bookstore)

Blackboard:  Students enrolled in this course will receive announcements and can access assignments through the Blackboard course web site (http://blackboard.davidson.edu). This site will also provide access to PowerPoint lectures, the course syllabus, and other course materials.  I may also periodically send email announcments so you should check your email regularly too!

Laboratory Fee:  Students are required to pay a laboratory fee of $10.00 to cover the cost of laboratory handouts (which take the place of a "lab manual") and supplies. Payment will be collected during the first week of classes and can be made by cash or check made out to Davidson College.  Laboratory handouts for each exercise will be distributed one week prior to the meeting of lab.

Grades:  Your final grade in this course will be calculated as follows:

3 lecture reviews (100 pts. each)	45%
Cumulative Final Exam	20%
2 lab tests (100 pts. each)	20%
Lab & Homework Assignments	8%
Participation/Clicker Questions	7%

Grade Scale:

A   92-100	A-   90-91	B+   88-89	B   82-87
B-   80-81	C+   78-79	C   72-77	C-   70-71
D+   68-69	D   60-67	F   < 60

Clickers:   Your class participation grade will be determined using a wireless student response system ("clickers") that allows you to send answers in response to questions that I will pose during class. Why use clickers?

- Clickers greatly improve class participation & lead to higher grades

- You will get immediate feedback on what you do & don't understand

- I will be able to adjust my teaching based on clicker feedback

- We can get interesting information through class surveys to generate discussion

Early in the semester, you will be assigned a numbered student response pad (clicker). You should pick up your clicker at the beginning of each class. I will ask several questions during each class. Some of the questions will come from previously covered topics or assigned reading. Some will be designed to get you to think through problems. Some questions will simply poll the class for opinions or information.

Unless otherwise specified, you will receive 1 pt. for answering a question (even if incorrect), and an additional point for giving the correct answer. (Thus, you will receive 50% credit just for participating.) You will receive full credit (2 pts.) for questions that are surveys (where there is no correct answer). Your lowest 2 clicker days will be dropped. Clicker questions cannot be made up if you are absent, so absences will count toward the scores that are dropped. This also applies to late arrivals - if you come to class late, you cannot receive credit for missed questions.

NEVER send clicker answers for another student - doing so is an Honor Code violation and will result in failure of the course. The only time that using another person's clicker will be allowed is when I instruct you to "switch clicker" for an anonymous survey.

*If your clicker does not appear to be working properly, please let me know ASAP so that I can give you another - I will have a few extras in case of emergency.

Attendance Policy:     You are expected to attend all lectures and labs. Attendance in lecture will be based on your clicker participation and, as already stated, absences will count toward the 2 lowest clicker days that are dropped.  In keeping with College policy, missing more than 25% of scheduled lectures may result in failure of the course. If it is necessary to miss a lecture, it is your responsibility to make sure you get any missed material or assignments.

Attendance in lab is mandatory.  Do not schedule other activities during lab time. Missed labs can only be made up if you have a valid excuse (illness requiring medical care, accident involving injury, death in the family, etc.) AND notify me PRIOR to your scheduled lab time or as soon as physically possible.

A Note About Tardiness:  You are also expected to be ON TIME to all lectures and labs. Coming to class late is disruptive and disrespectful of others - DO NOT MAKE IT A HABIT. Excessive tardiness will be noted and will reduce your overall course grade accordingly.

Scheduled Lecture Reviews & Lab Tests:    You must be present for ALL scheduled lecture reviews and lab tests. These tests will be given in class or lab during the scheduled meeting times on the dates in the syllabus. No make-up tests will be allowed except in cases of emergency (illness requiring medical care, accident involving injury, or death in the family) and if I am notified in advance or as soon as physically possible.  Note: Papers due, exams in other classes, social or sporting events, theatrical productions or similar events are not acceptable reasons for postponing tests!

Final Exam:  The final exam will be cumulative and will be given during the self-scheduled exam period.

NOTE: I do not allow students to use "spots" (old tests) for studying.  It is considered an Honor Code violation to use old tests from this course in your studies.  I will provide information on my testing style (and examples/study questions) to make you feel comfortable with the types of questions that will be asked.  If you have questions or concerns regarding what to expect from my tests, please ask me - I will gladly discuss these matters in more detail.

Honor Code:  Unless otherwise noted, all of your work in this course is covered under the College Honor Code and must be pledged with your signature.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Full accommodations are the legal right of students with all kinds of disabilities, whether learning disabilities or physical disabilities. I am happy to provide these accommodations. If you are a student with a learning disability documented by Davidson College who might need accommodations, please identify yourself to me within the first week or two of class so that I can learn from you as early as possible how to best work with your learning style. Students with other disabilities are also encouraged to self-identify if there is any way in which I can make accommodations that will enhance your learning experience. All such discussions will be fully confidential unless you otherwise stipulate.

Lecture Review/Exam Dates: (see lab schedule for dates of lab practicals)

Review 1	Tuesday, Feb. 10
Review 2	Tuesday, Mar. 17
Review 3	Tuesday, Apr. 21
Self-Scheduled Final Exam	May 8-13 (Seniors: May 8-11)

Lecture Topics: The following is an outline of topics we will cover this semester in the order shown. I did not set a time schedule for lectures so we can remain flexible according to class interests. I will keep you informed of reading assignments throughout the semester and will provide detailed outlines to accompany those chapters we cover as an "overview." Additional reading assignments (from the text or on the web) that are relevent to the topics we are covering will be included as needed.

TOPIC	READING
Chemistry of Life	Ch. 2
Cell Structure and Function	Ch. 3
Organization and Regulation of Body Systems	Ch. 4 - Sect. 4.1-4.5 (p. 61-69), Sect. 4.8 (p. 74-75), and Sect. 4.9 (p. 78-81)
Diabetes & Its Effects on the Body	Sect. 15.5, p. 308-310 (include Health Focus)
The Digestive System & Nutrition	Ch. 8
Cardiovascular System: Heart and Blood Vessels	Ch. 5
Cardiovascular System: Blood	Ch. 6 (overview, omit 6.5)
The Respiratory System	Ch. 9
Reproductive System	Ch. 16, p. 319-334
Development	Ch. 17, p. 353-369
Patterns of Chromosome Inheritance	Ch. 18, p. 377-398
DNA Biology (DNA, RNA & Protein Synthesis)	Ch. 21, p. 444-452
Patterns of Genetic Inheritance	Ch. 20
Cancer	Ch. 19 (overview)

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