SYLLABUS AND ON-LINE ORIENTATION

OFFICE:  Room 820 Pinnacle Campus (PIN)

TELEPHONE:  223-8228

E-mail: smuzos@austincc.edu (always mention BIOL 1308 in the subject line)

WEB PAGE: http://www2.austincc.edu/muzos

FAX:  (512) 223-8900  Be sure to add a cover sheet with Dr. Muzos' name.

OFFICE HOURS:
 May 28 - July 3
  Mon. - Thurs. 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. PIN 820
     4:10  - 5:10 p.m. PIN 820

 July 8 - August 13
 Tuesday and Thursday 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. PIN 820

Other times by appointment only.

Please feel free to drop by or call during these office hours, or make arrangements in advance in order to contact Dr. Muzos at other times.
 

(Notice: To view these video programs, you need to install Free RealOne Player or greater.  RealPlayer 6 & 7 have problems connecting to the Streaming Media server. This free download works just fine.)

• Have and use an e-mail account (available for free).
• Add your email address to the Blackboard (Bb) system. Do that in Bb by clicking on the My ACC tab (upper left of the Bb screen), then click on the Personal information link and proceed from there.
• Have access to the world wide web (available for free from student-accessible computer labs at ACC campuses).
• Use the ACC Blackboard system  as your main source for class announcements and communication.
• Log in to Blackboard at least once every week and, at least, check the announcements (current and past) and read the Discussion Board postings for this course.

This course is offered through the Virtual College of Texas (VCT) (http://www.vct.org ) as well as for students enrolled through ACC. VCT students should be in touch with the local contact person at their local campus for information about facilities and testing for this course. The names of local contacts may be found at the VCT web site http://www.vct.org/ , then click on the Administrative button, click on VCT Contacts, then click on the region for your local college.

Episode (Tape) Number and Title

• from your local ACC campus bookstore location.  If they are sold out, ask the bookstore staff to have a copy transferred to that location for you and one should arrive within 48 hours. Let Dr. Muzos know if there are other problems.
• reserve it online from the ACC Bookstore
• order online from MBS Direct (or call them at 1-800-325-3252), but be careful, since they do not always have the current edition.
• The complete Study Guide for BIOL 1308 also is available online .

The Study Guide includes the objectives for the course.

Although it is out of print and not required, the book Life on Earth: A Natural History, by David Attenborough, which was written to accompany the videos, may be available for purchase at used bookstores or from web-based book vendors. Copies are also on reserve (2-hour, 1-day, or 3-day) in the ACC library at RGC, NRG, and PIN. VCT students may find copies at their local campus library or through interlibrary loan. Be aware that some topics covered in the book are not mentioned in the videos and vice versa.

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.

Exams are available in the ACC Testing Centers at Rio Grande, Northridge, Cypress Creek, Pinnacle, Round Rock, Riverside, Eastview, San Marcos and Fredericksburg. Read the attached handout for the hours of the ACC Testing Centers. For additional information, Testing Center guidelines, locator maps, and hours of operation see the ACC Course Schedule, or the Academic Testing Centers .

For each unit there are two different test versions (Form A and Form B) to choose from. You may take either one of them first and use the other form as an alternate exam.  Each exam is scored as being worth 167 points.  EXAM QUESTIONS ARE BASED ONLY ON MATERIALS IN THE VIDEOS AND STUDY GUIDE.

Form A

The Austin, Texas area
    a. is a natural breeding sites for Northern Mockingbirds.
    b. contains a large, but inactive fault zone.
    c. contains extinct volcanoes.
    d. has several lakes.
    e. All of the above

Since a, b, c, and d are all correct, you would mark answer choice e.

Since b is the only correct answer choice, mark answer choice b.

Since b and c are both correct, mark answer choice e.

Form B

    1.    Answer the following items concerning XXXXXXXXXX.
            a.  Describe the fossils of XXXXXXXXXX, including their unique adaptations.
            b.  Explain why these fossils are important in the study of evolution.
            c.  When did these organisms become extinct?
            d.  In which locations around the world (be specific) have their fossils been found?

You may not repeat the same exam form once you have taken it for a unit.
Dr. Muzos will count the higher score if you take both forms.

Be sure to fill out the Testing Center's request form correctly, and check to see that you receive the correct exam. You do not need a permission slip from Dr. Muzos in order to take the exams.

The Testing Center will grade Form A and give you a receipt with the grade for that exam. Keep that receipt! Form B will be sent Dr. Muzos for grading, and you will receive your score later (again, keep your receipt!). If you are not satisfied with your grade, you may take the other exam form for that unit, but you must wait at least 24 hours before taking the alternate exam for the same unit. You may go back and take the alternate exam form for a unit at any later time during the semester, until the Absolute Exam Deadline.

GRADES AND HELP are available from Dr. Muzos by:

• talking to him when he is in the PIN office . . .  office hour times are in this syllabus and in Blackboard (click the Faculty Information Button).
• posting questions on the Blackboard Discussion ... click the Discussion Board Button, then click on the proper category.
• accessing posted grades at your home page (the My ACC page) in Blackboard, then click on My Grades (look in the Tools section).
• phone, answering machine, or voice mail (if you have given written permission to release your grade), if you call and request specific grades.
• sending him an e-mail message to  smuzos@austincc.edu   requesting specific grades (if you have given written permission to release your grade by e-mail). Please mention BIOL 1308 grades, or questions, etc. in the subject line of the e-mail.

1. There are extra credit GEOGRAPHY/MAP QUIZZES given to you when you take the exams in the Testing Centers.  You will be asked to identify and locate features and places which were mentioned in the study guide and the videos, so keep a list of them as you progress through the unit, and look up their locations as you study the material.  World atlases, and the Attenborough text, are available at various ACC Library locations. The quizzes will use a copy of a blank world map. If you need a copy this map, print a copy from the web version.

If you take an alternate form of the exam, do not complete the extra credit quiz again, even though you may be given one with the test.  Only your extra credit quiz with the first form of the exam will be counted.

2. CHARITABLE WEB DONATIONS (free to you) ---  Visit and "donate" to any or all of the web sites on the clawz and non-clawz pages described below. You may donate to each site only once per day. Each of the sites uses support from sponsors, and each time you "donate" at that site the sponsors actually provide real donations to the cause supported by that web site. These donations are free to you, and do not result in you receiving any junk email or spam in return.

For details, visit the clawz page and the non-clawz page. Contact Dr. Muzos if you have questions or problems.

3.  SUPER EXTRA CREDIT

•  See the end of Dr. Muzos' online Blackboard instructions.
•  Dr. Muzos will announce other ways to get such points periodically by email or on Blackboard.
•  Ask a relevant question on the Blackboard Discussion Board.  (1 point for each posting)
•  Be the first one to post a correct answer to another student's question on the Blackboard Discussion Board.  (1 point for each posting)
• Be the first student to point out any errors (typos. content, etc.) in any of the BIOL 1308 ACC and Bb web materials.  (2 points for each posting)

Assignments may be submitted by any of the following methods.

• Send them by ACC campus mail to Dr. Muzos at PIN, to arrive by the deadline.
• Bring them to Dr. Muzos' office at 820 PIN during office hours, or at other times just slide them under his office door (not under the door to the hallway) by the deadline.
• Send them by U.S. mail to Dr. Muzos (ACC, Biology Department, 7748 Highway 290 W, Austin, TX  78736, to arrive by the deadline.

Send by e-mail to smuzos@austincc.edu in the message of the e-mail, not as an attachment.  You can copy and paste from your word processing program.  Please mention BIOL 1308  Extra Credit in the subject line of the e-mail.

Your points for all of the course activities are totaled at the end of the course.  Scores for this course are not "curved."  The following scale is used to determine your final course grade:

11-Week Session Schedule and Deadlines

Second 5.5 Week Session Schedule and Deadlines

In addition, the following are recommended for each of the six units.

• Read through all of the material in the study guide which corresponds to the video you wish to view, including the INTRODUCTION, OBJECTIVES, and additional information.
• Many students find it useful to watch the entire video once without stopping to answer the questions.
• Watch the video (again) and stop the tape (and rewind) as needed in order to write the answer to each question in the study guide. This usually requires 3-4 hours.
• Watch the tape again and follow along with what you have written to be sure your answers are clear and accurate.
• Follow the same procedure for each video in the unit.
• Study and learn the material in the study guide for that unit.
• LEARN THE DETAILS:

• Use Blackboard Discussion Board to ask questions and get course information.
• Go to one of the Testing Centers and take the exam.
• When writing essay answers, be clear, accurate, very specific (use examples), and complete.  Be sure to answer all parts of  each question which you choose.
• If you are not pleased with your exam score, go to Dr. Muzos' office and look over your exam and the answer key, and ask questions. This is very helpful!

If you need to use the testing center before you receive your ID, go to any Cashier's Office and get a copy of your fee receipt. That receipt and a photo ID will get you into the Testing Center.
 

All students must adhere to the current policies and procedures of ACC. Students should be familiar with the current ACC Student Handbook (also available in the Student Development Office), and the current ACC General Catalog (also available in the Admissions and Records Office). Violations of ACC policies and procedures will be handled according to the Student Discipline Procedures as described in the current ACC Student Handbook.

Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self expression. Academia is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.

If a student plans to withdraw voluntarily from the course, he or she must complete all necessary paperwork at the Admissions and Records office by the withdrawal deadline in the ACC Course Schedule.

Dr. Muzos may withdraw students for not attending an Orientation Session or for lack of progress, however he is not required to do so. It is the responsibility of every student to check their status at all times and to turn in their own withdrawal form if they decide to drop the course. Students not completing all work by the Unit 6 deadline, and who do not withdraw themselves will receive a letter grade unless they qualify for and have requested an Incomplete grade.

1. You have taken exams on a regular basis, according to the recommended schedule.
2. You have taken and passed four out of six exams and have a minimum course average of 70% (including extra credit) by the withdrawal date for the class.
3. You have contacted the instructor no later than the Monday of the last week of class, and requested an "I" in writing.
4. You have supplied written documentation of the EMERGENCY (generally restricted to serious accident, serious illness, or death in the immediate family) which prevents you from completing the course.

For additional LRS services, which are only available to Distance Learning Campus students, including off-site access to ACC reference librarians, see http://library.austincc.edu/services/EXT2/extweb4.htm
 To receive automatic e-mail updates on new LRS services send an e-mail to LISTSERV@austincc.edu and leave the subject line blank. The message should be: subscribe OFF_CAMPUS_LRS_L(your name) Do not include the parentheses around your name.

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Last Updated July 18, 2003 by Steve Muzos
Video production magic by Stevan Sanchez
Technical wizardry by Peg Raiford