Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus

So You Think You Are Alone? Fall 2009
HONS 1302-H02
T-Th 12:30 – 1:50 AD 243

Instructors
Dr. Mark McGinley Dr. Michael San Francisco
Room 215 McClellan Hall Room 210 McClellan Hall
mark.mcginley@ttu.edu michael.sanfrancisco@ttu.edu
Office Hours- MWF 11- 12 Office hours-Friday 9-11
or by appointment

We encourage you to make an appointment to meet with us if you need to see us. The easiest ways to do this are (1) to talk to us either before or after class or (2) to send an email listing times when you are available to meet.

Course Outline
Did you know ….. That there are more cells that do not belong to you on your body? There are more bacteria on the planet than all other organisms combined? That you cannot survive “normally” without microorganisms? This interactive course will focus on the interactions between microorganisms and the environment. Topics that will be covered include microbes on the human body; microbes in soils/oceans; microbes and medicine; microbes and agriculture; microbes and disease; microbes and climate. We will discuss these topics from microbial and ecological perspectives. This course is writing-intensive.

THIS COURSE FULFILLS THE CORE CURRICULUM TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED SCIENCE REQUIREMENT.

Students graduating from Texas Tech University should be able to demonstrate understanding of how technology and applied science affect society and the environment and to demonstrate understanding of the relationship between ethics and technology.

Student Absence for Observation of Religious Holy Days
A student who is absent from classes for the observation of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence if, not later than the fifteenth day after the first day of the semester, the student had notified the instructor of each scheduled class that the student would be absent for a religious holy day.



Academic IntegrityTexas Tech University faculty strive to foster a spirit of complete honesty and high standards of integrity. Any attempt by students to present as their own work any work not honestly performed is regarded by faculty and administration as a most serious offence and renders offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension from the university. “Scholastic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give an unfair academic advantage to a student. A detailed list of offenses is available in the Code of Student Conduct, found in Part IX, pp. 20-21 in the current Student Handbook, available on line at:
http://www.studentaffairs.ttu.edu?publications/SA_handbook_2005-2006.pdf.

Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office hours. Please note instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until
appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, you may contact the Student Disability Services office at 335 West Hall or 806-742-2405.

Expected Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, a fully-engaged student will be able to:

1. “Think critically” about scientific issues related to microbiology. assessed by performance in class discussions, midterm exam, and written papers

2. Define and apply basic concepts in microbiology, evolutionary biology, and ecology. assessed by performance on exams and written papers

3. Demonstrate understanding of how rapid pace of technology and applied science may have good and bad outcomes. assessed by performance on class discussion and written paper
4. Discuss the role of microbes in the ecosystem and organismal biology. assessed by performance exams and written papers
5. Write effectively about scientific issues related to microbiology. assessed by performance on exams and written papers





Grading
Midterm exam 10%
Final exam 15%
Meaningful participation in workshops, online, and discussion 15%
Writing assignments 60%
#1 = 10%, 2 & 3 = 15%, 4 = 20%

It is extremely important that all assignments be turned in on time!!!

Midterm and Final Exam
The written midterm and final exams will cover material discussed in lectures and discussions.

Writing Assignments
These papers will be three pages maximum double spaced.
You will turn in a draft of this paper that will be critiqued by your classmates and the instructors during a “Workshop” class period.
You can revise your paper and turn in a final copy of paper to be graded!

Course Blog
We have created a blog for this course. This blog will be an important means of communication between us so I encourage you to check the blog early and often. The blog is located at http://soyouthinkyouarealone.blogspot.com/. Hopefully, most of your questions about the details of the class will be answered somewhere on the blog.

Blog posts will include your reading assignments and occasionally practice questions to check your learning. In addition, we will list specific “expected learning outcomes” for each lesson to help you focus your study efforts.

Required Reading
There is no required textbook for this course. We will assign readings throughout the semester on the course blog http://soyouthinkyouarealone.blogspot.com/.

Books About Writing
Writing well is important for effective communication. Thus, improving your writing skills is an important component of this course. Here are a couple of references that would be useful for you to have on your shelf (and use) throughout your college career. (these books are not required).

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White.

Eats, Shoots & Leaves. The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation. By Lynne Truss.




Important Dates
Week 1. (August 27)

Week 2. (September 1 - 4)

Week 3. (September 8 - 10)
First Writing Assignment- Due September 10

Week 4. (September 15 - 17)
Tuesday- workshop papers
First Writing Assignment- Final Draft Due September 22

Week 5. (September 22 - 24)

Week 6. (September 29 - October 2)

Week 7. (October 6 - 8) Midterm Exam- Friday October 9th

Week 8. (October 13 - 15)
Second Writing Assignment- Due October 15

Week 9. (October 20 - 22)
Tuesday- workshop papers

Week 10. (October 27 - 30)
Second Writing Assignment- Final Draft Due October 27

Week 11. (November 3 - 5)
Third Writing Assignment- Due November 5

Week 12. (November 10 - 12)
Tuesday- Workshop Papers

Week 13. (November 17 - 19)
Third Writing Assignment- Final Draft Due November 17

Week 14. (November 24)
Fourth Writing Assignment- Due November 24

Week 15. (December 1 - 3)
Thursday- Workshop Papers

Week 16. (December 8)
Fourth Writing Assignment- Due December 8

Final Exam- Saturday December 12th- 1:30 to 4:00 PM.