Notice: This syllabus may change daily - students are held responsible for checking the syllabus to keep current with the class

Instructor: Thomas Harnden, Ph. D

Office: Marietta, D-169

Office hours: Listed on Dr. Harnden's Main Page http://www.highlands.edu/site/faculty-tom-harnden

Email: tharnden@highlands.edu

Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in either BIOL 2121 or BIOL 1010

Course Delivery: This course will be delivered using a course management tool called Georgia View Vista. Students are responsible for obtaining their username and password. To log into Georgia View Vista, click on the following link: Georgia View Vista. Once you logged into Georgia View Vista you should see a list of links for courses that you are registered for the semester. If you do not see a link for the course you are trying to enter, then contact the registrars office. If you do see the course link, then click on it and you will be directed to the course main page. Using the email option in Vista, please email me no later than the third day of class and indicate that you have read, understand, and comply with the syllabus for this course. If you do not, then you will be considered a no show for the course and administratively withdrawn.

If you have trouble accessing the course please go to: http://help8.view.usg.edu

Course Description: This is an Internet-based distance learning course which involves minimal contact with the instructor. This course covers the fundamental principles of human nutrition from a biological perspective. Included will be the study of the major nutrient classes, nutrition and related diseases, role of major nutrients, consumer concerns about foods, and the requirements of various groups of individuals.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

1. BIOL 2190 students will be able to define a nutrient and will be able to describe the commonly employed nutrient reference values such as DRI, ERA, RDA, AI, UL, and DV.

2. BIOL 2190 students will be able to identify and describe the anatomical structures and physiological processes associated with the breakdown, absorption and metabolism of nutrients within the human body.

3. BIOL 2190 students will be able to identify and describe the six classes of nutrients utilized by humans as well as the deficiencies and excesses associated with each.

4. BIOL 2190 students will be able to identify and describe the process of alcohol production as well as the metabolism, benefits, and health problems associated with the consumption of alcohol.

5. BIOL 2190 students will be able to identify the various types of eating disorders and describe the risk factors, common symptom, physiological and psychological effects, and treatments of each.

6. BIOL 2190 students will be able to discuss the relationship between exercise and weight control and nutrient consumption and metabolism.

7. BIOL 2190 students will be able to identify and describe the changing nutrient requirements during pregnancy, infancy, adolescence, and adulthood.

8. BIOL 2190 students will be able to identify and describe both the basic principles of food safety and the organisms associated with food borne illnesses.

9. BIOL 2190 students will be able to identify and describe the basic principles of food production, food preservation, and food labeling.

10. BIOL 2190 students will be able to identify, analyze, and discuss their own dietary requirements and health status.

Text (Required): Perspectives of Nutrition by Byrd et. Al, 8th Edition.

CD (Required): NutrientCalc 3.2 (or higher) - it is a windows based program and therefor you cannot run it on a MAC!

Grading Policy: The final grade for the course is based on performance on online exams, participation, a diet analysis project and a comprehensive final exam. The final exam will be worth 30% of the final grade, participation will be worth 15% of the final grade, the diet analysis project will be worth 15%, and the average of 8 online exams will be worth 40% of the final grade. Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

• A: 90 -100
• B: 80 - 89
• C: 70 - 79
• D: 60 - 69
• F: below 60

Class Participation:

Using Georgia View Vista, students will participate in threaded discussions. Dialog is asynchronous and students will participate in this discussion by "posting" a response to questions or comments posed to the class. There will be several threaded discussion topics related to material covered during the semester. Students will be graded based on the frequency and quality of participation:

Frequency: Students must participate or "post" a minimum of four times in each and every threaded discussion forum (also known as discussion topics). There will be anywhere from 6-9 discussion forums. Click on the discussions link to participate. NOTE: A student cannot post the minimum all on the same day nor all in the same week. Therefore, it is suggested that students post a minimum of two posts in each week of the two week duration that the forum is available. Students cannot post in a forum beyond the dates established for that discussion forum!

Quality: Students SHOULD provide additional information regarding a topic; find relevance to the information/discussion and why; present alternative explanations; and/or elaborate on ideas already discussed. Students SHOULD NOT post offensive comments; agree or disagree without elaborating why; duplicate information already presented; cut and paste other's responses; plagiarize information; and participate in "flaming" or online arguing and name-calling.

NOTE: If a student does not satisfy the frequency and quality criteria will not receive credit for participation. Additionally, the forums are only available during a specific time frame listed below. If a student adds a post before or after the time duration, then that post will be deleted.

Diet Analysis Project:

The diet analysis is composed of eight assignments. The grade for each assignment is determined by dividing the number of correctly completed questions by the total number of questions for that assignment. Furthermore, each assignment has equal weight and the grade for the project is based on the average of all eight assignments. Due dates for each assignment are listed below. NOTE: Due to the fact that students have ample time to work on the assignments, the instructor will NOT accept late assignments (no exceptions). Therefore, be judicious with your time and proactive regarding completing assignments (i.e., you may hand them in early). Lastly, assignments are handed in via email in Vista, NOT GHC email. With the exception of the first assignment, assignments (questions plus answers) must be typed into the body of an email NOT attached to an email. The email subject line must have your NAME and ASSIGNMENT NUMBER. The professor will not accept assignments unless it is correctly delivered.

Testing Policy: The exams MAY be comprised of short answer,  multiple choice, and/or matching questions. Note: The final exam WILL CONTAIN NEW QUESTIONS but will reflect the material covered during the course. A tentative schedule of exams is listed on the course outline.

Course Policies:

• 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.
• Possession of a copy of an exam or possession of questions and answers from any exam is considered cheating.
• You may not collaborate during an exam. Any evidence of collaboration, group work or community answers will be considered cheating.
• Any evidence of plagiarism will result in a grade of zero for that assignment or exam and possible further disciplinary action which may include failure in the course.
• Plagiarism is the use of another person’s ideas or thoughts without referencing. Thus includes the use of another student’s materials, copying of web pages without referencing or any other action which is not does not reflect your original work.

Make-Up Policy: A make-up exam will be allowed if the following two criteria are met:

(1). The instructor is notified 24-48  hours prior to the exam time that a problem exists. If the instructor can not be reached in person then a message should be left at the division of science, Marietta site office, or email prior to the exam time. The student must supply a phone number and times that they can be reached.

(2). The absence must be excusable and documented. Examples of excused absences are illnesses with a doctor's excuse, death in the family, military deployment, etc. Employment conflicts, vacations and personal activities are not acceptable excuses. The instructor reserves the right to determine the type of documentation required and if an absence is excusable.

Note: If either of the above conditions are not met, the student forfeits their right to a make-up exam. Unexcused absences will result in a grade of zero for that exam. If the Instructor excuses an absence, the instructor reserves the right to (1) administer an alternative exam, (2) administer the exam in an alternative format (i.e. written, essay, oral, etc...) and (3)  administer the exam IN PERSON at a time and location convenient to the instructor - NO EXCEPTIONS! No student will be allowed to make up more than one exam during the semester!

In regards to technology:

• General Policies:
  • It is the responsibility of the student to be familiar with the use of Georgia Highlands College student email and Georgia View Vista
  • Students must check to see if their computers contain the appropriate programs required by the college and the course enrolled.
  • 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. RECOMMENDATION: use the computers at Georgia Highlands college! If a problem arises with the computer or server it is easier for me to verify such technical difficulties.
  • The course will be delivered through the internet using Vista. Students must attend the orientation in order to become familiar with Georgia View Vista.
  • 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 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 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 exam grade.
    
• Email Policies
  • There is an email option in Georgia View Vista. Students are encouraged to use Vista email rather than GHC email to communicate to one another.
  • In general, all email will be answered in a timely manner. If you have a question, please indicate that with a "?" in the subject line of the email.
  • The instructor will NOT accept ANY email from other sources other than Vista email or Georgia Highlands College!
• Testing and Graded Material
  • Exam dates are listed on the course schedule below. Exam dates are subject to change at instructor's discretion. Students will be notifed through Vista of any changes.
  • On the course (Georgia View Vista) homepage there is a link to exams. To take an exam, click on the link to each exam and proceed with the exam.
  • An exam can only be taken once! The instructor has the capability of monitoring students and exams (who takes them, time and date taken, number of questions answered, length of time spent, etc...). If a student clicks on the link of an exam, the exam will immediately start and is timed. Therefore, do not attempt to look at or take an exam and then "click out" or "back out" of the exam - this will be counted as your first and only attempt and will be recorded as such.
  • Be sure to check the maintenance schedule of Georgia View Vista - it changes frequently. Maintenance may occur during the time frame of an exam. Immediately contact the instructor if this occurs.
  • The instructor will give an appropriate length of time to take online exams. Do not attempt to take the exam at the last minute. The program is designed to shut off on a specific day and at a specific time.
  • If you attempt to take an exam and you have been disconnected from the internet your exam will still count down the time - therefore you must try to reconnect immediately and finish the exam.
  • If a student wishes to review an exam taken, then a student must make an appointment with the instructor during his office ours at the Marietta campus. 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. 
  • Missed exams without a reasonable and documented/verifiable excuse results in a zero for that exam.
  • 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.

   

  Exams	Exam Availability
  Test I - chapters 1-2	Test will be available online from 9am 1/23 until 9am 1/25 Diet analysis assignment 1 due no later than midnight ET 1/25 Threaded discussion one is available from 1/9 until 1/25
  Test II - chapter 3-4	Test will be available online from 9am 2/6 until 9am 2/8 Diet analysis assignment 2 due no later than midnight ET 2/8 Threaded discussion two is available from 1/26 until 2/8
  Test III - chapters 5-6	Test will be available online from 9am 2/20 until 9am 2/22 Diet analysis assignment 3 due no later than midnight ET 2/22 Threaded discussion three is available from 2/8 until 2/22
  Test IV - chapters 7-8	Test will be available online from 9am 3/12 until 9am 3/14 Diet analysis assignment 4 due no later than midnight ET 3/14 Threaded discussion four is available from 2/22 until 3/14
  Test V - chapters 9-10	Test will be available online from 9am 3/26 until 9am 3/28 Diet analysis assignment 5 due no later than midnight ET 3/28 Threaded discussion five is available from 3/14 until 3/28
  Test VI - chapters 12-13	Test will be available online from 9am 4/9 until 9am 4/11 Diet analysis assignment 6 due no later than midnight ET 4/11 Threaded discussion six is available from 3/28 until 4/11
  Test VII - chapters 14-15	Test will be available online from 9am 4/23 until 9am 4/25 Diet analysis assignment 7 due no later than midnight ET 4/25 Threaded discussion seven is available from 4/11 until 4/25
  Test VIII - chapters 17-18	Test will be available online from 9am 5/2 until 9am 5/4 Diet analysis assignment 8 due no later than midnight ET 5/4 The are no discussions after 4/25!
  Final Exam (comprehensive and composed of new questions)	The final exam is online BUT will be administered at a GHC TESTING CENTER. Students will have to make appointments to take the final exam. If a student fails to make an appointment and take the final, then that student will receive a grade of zero. To make an appointment, please click on the following link: Making an appointment for the final exam

The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus at his discretion. Students will be notified as soon as possible of any changes made.