Disclosures:

• COURSE PROCEDURES AND EXPECTATIONS
  • Lecture and lab behavior that is considered disruptive will not be tolerated. Behavior that may be perceived as disruptive include, but not limited to:
    • active cell phones not set on vibrate (therefore rings when receiving calls)
    • laptop computers whose volume is not muted
    • students chattering and whispering while the instructor is lecturing
    • students walking in late
  • The instructor reserves the right to move students from one location in the lecture room or laboratory to another location without notice nor reason. For example, the instructor may request that students occupy seats in the first row before the next row can be occupied.
  • Although the instructor supports science education for all, individuals not registered for the course cannot attend lecture or laboratory.
  • Board of Regents policy 1902 DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR - "Any student, faculty member, administrator, or employee, acting individually or in concert with others, who clearly obstructs or disrupts, or attempts to obstruct or disrupt any teaching, research, administrative, disciplinary, or public service activity, or any other activity authorized to be discharged or held on any campus of the University System is considered by the Board to have committed an act of gross irresponsibility and shall be subject to disciplinary procedures, possibly resulting in dismissal or termination of employment" (BR Minutes, 1968-69, pp. 166-168; 1970-71, p. 98) source: USG Manual
  • Please ask relevant questions. The art of questioning is the greatest tool regarding success in education!
  • Students are responsible for collecting and saving all graded material. If a problem or dilemma arises (e.g. error on an exam or grade miscalculation), students may be asked to provide all graded material handed out during the semester. Therefore, save all graded material handed back! Failure to provide (when requested) any or all graded material handed back may result in a grade of zero for the missing material.
  • Cheating will not be tolerated!!! Any student who cheats on an exam will receive a grade of zero on the exam. Behavior that may be perceived as cheating include, but not limited to:
    • talking immediately before and during the administration of an exam
    • using a cell phone or other electronic devices while taking an exam
      
    • looking in the direction of another student's exam
    • fumbling through a book-bag, knapsack, purse, etc..
    • use of scrap paper that is not blank prior to the administration of an exam
  • In regards to exams, projects and assignments: Any evidence of violating the academic integrity code will result in a grade of zero for that exam, project, or assignment and possible further disciplinary action which may include failure in the course.
  • Students are responsible for all graded material designated in the syllabus. If lecture or laboratory is canceled due to inclement weather or instructor absence students are still responsible for the graded material not covered. If students have questions regarding missed material, the instructor has office hours (and/or will have an extra class period) to answer any questions. Therefore, it is imperative to read at least a chapter ahead of the schedule.
  • Unless other wise noted, students are responsible for all material in the textbook.
  • Students are responsible for any announcements made or handouts distributed in their absence.
  • THE INSTRUCTOR WILL NOT CALCULATE TENTATIVE AVERAGES such as a cummulative course average. If a student requests a tentative course average or any other grade calculation, then the instructor will automatically deduct ten points from a students highest lecture exam grade.
  • WITHDRAWING FROM THE COURSE - The instructor will not give advice as to whether or not a student should withdraw from the course! Only the student is capable of knowing their potential for future success. If a student asks the instructor whether he/she should withdraw, then the instructor will automatically deduct ten points from a students highest lecture exam grade.
  • Extra credit is considered a privilege not a requirement for the course. Failure to follow class procedures as defined by the syllabus or oral instruction by the instructor may result in the loss of such a privilege. The administration of extra credit is done at the instructor's discretion. DO NOT ASK IF EXTRA CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN! If a student asks for extra credit, then the instructor will automatically deduct ten points from a students highest lecture exam grade.
  • Absolutely and positively no tape recorders are to be used to record my lecture or laboratory!!! The instructor provides detailed notes that enable a student to listen to lecture and still have time to make additional notes and ask questions. Exceptions to this rule are those students who have documented reasons and verified by Georgia Highlands College. Any student who feels they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should make an appointment with the College Access Center immediatelty to coordinate reasonable accommodations. HOWEVER, VERIFICATION FROM THE ACCESS CENTER MUST BE GIVEN TO THE INSTRUCTOR NO LATER THAN TWO CLASS PERIODS BEFORE THE FIRST EXAM - NO EXCEPTIONS! AFTER THIS DEADLINE NO ACCOMADATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.
    
  • Students receiving financial aid: Federal regulations state that if a student did not attend classes and received failing grades, then the grades were not earned and financial aid needs to be reduced accordingly. Please be advised that any student receiving a 0.00 GPA will be required to prove that the 0.00 GPA was earned by attending classes or completing requirements for each class. Students who have earned at least one passing grade for the semester will not be affected by this regulation. If a student has properly withdrawn from all classes, the student's financial aid should be adjusted from the time they signed the withdrawal form.
  • In regards to technology:
    • If using computers not associated by the Georgia Highlands College
      • Students must check to see if their computers contain the appropriate programs specified by the college
      • Students must check to see if their computers and programs are working correctly
    • The instructor is not responsible for any technical difficulties a student faces if a student chooses to use technology not provided by Georgia Highlands College
    • Students must use email provided by Georgia Highlands College
• EXAMINATION POLICIES
  • Exam Preparation
    • Receiving high grades is dependent upon the extent of preparation for exams not the manner or format of the exam. Therefore, the instructor reserves the right not to disclose the amount or types of questions on any exam.
  • Exam Attendance and Make-up
    • Unless prior notice was given to and approved by the instructor or a document/verifiable excuse provided, missed exams result in a grade of zero.
    • Excusing students from missed exams is done at the instructor's discretion.
    • Excused absences enable a student to take a missed exam. Missed exams will be taken at the last week of classes unless otherwise noted by the instructor. NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO MAKE UP MORE THAN ONE LECTURE EXAM DURING THE SEMESTER!
    • The instructor reserves the right to choose an alternate format (ex: essay/oral) for missed exams.
    • If a student is 15 or more minutes late to an exam, then the tardiness will be considered an absence. NO EXAM WILL BE ADMINISTERED 15 MINUTES AFTER THE BEGINNING OF ANY EXAM! 
  • Lecture Exams
    • Students are to use #2 pencils for lecture exams and students must bring two or more penscils to an exam. If a student does not have pencils in hand for an exam, then he or she will not be admitted into the exam room!
    • All electronic devices such as a cell phone or laptop computer must be shut off and stored away during an exam. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a 10 point deduction on the exam administered at the time of this violation.
      
    • STUDENTS MUST OBTAIN/PURCHASE SCANTRONS TO BE USED TO RECORD THEIR EXAM ANSWERS! IF A STUDENT DOES NOT HAVE A SCANTRON IN HAND FOR AN EXAM, THEN HE OR SHE WILL NOT BE ADMITTED INTO THE EXAMINATION ROOM! FURTHERMORE, IF A SCANTRON CANNOT BE SCANNED DUE TO CONDITION ISSUES (E.G., CRUMPLED, FOLDED, OR DISCOLORED), THEN THE STUDENT WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A 10 POINT DEDUCTION ON THE EXAM.
      
    • After a lecture exam has been completed, both the exam and answer sheet is to be signed and handed in. Failure to hand in both the exam and the answer sheet may result in a grade of zero. Exams are graded by hand or by machine. Errors may occur! Therefore, students are responsible for checking their answers with the answer sheets/exams after receiving their graded exam.
    • Exams are not returned to the students. Students must make an appointment to review any tests taken during the term. Appointments to review old exams are not available the last week of class - therefore it is suggested to review exams immediately after they are handed back! Furthermore, A student can review an exam only after the exam is taken - BUT before the next scheduled exam is administered. Once the subsequent exam has been administered, students will not be allowed to review old exams. Therefore, it is imperative to make an appointment to review exams during the instructors office hours. 
  • Laboratory Exams
    • Students are to use black or blue PERMANENT ink pens for laboratory exams - no pencils are to be used in lab - no exceptions!
    • Answers on exams cannot be erased!
    • Use one line and cross out the answer that is to be replaced.
    • Unanswered questions will receive the grading comment symbol B or BL representing a blank answer.
    • Correct or incorrect, any answers written in pencil is automatically considered incorrect and will be graded as such.
    • If an answer is illegible to the instructor will be considered incorrect. Therefore, write legibly.
    • Laboratory exams are kept by the instructor. Students must make an appointment to review their laboratory exam.

Lecture Schedule
Biology 2121

Note: This is a tentative lecture schedule! The instructor reserves the right to alter this schedule at his discretion. Any changes in this schedule will be announced to the students as soon as it is possible.

Lab Statement:

"Since this course involves a laboratory component, there are specific safety issues that students need to be aware of (such as use of lab coats and or safety/goggles, or any other such example specifically related to that course).  It is the student's responsibility to be aware of all such issues and act in an extremely cautious manner to avoid any potential causes for accidents in the laboratory.  GHC is not liable for any accident in the lab due to the negligence on the part of any individual."

Note: This is a tentative laboratory schedule! The instructor reserves the right to alter this schedule at his discretion. Any changes in this schedule will be announced to the students as soon as it is possible.