Biology Course Notes: Syllabus, Study Practices, and Student Resources

Orientation and Study Mindset

• Biology is taught as a stepwise, system-based subject rather than just memorization; be prepared for a high volume and fast pace.
• Study biology like you would study a language: engage with the terms, roots, and vocabulary to understand the natural world.
• Root words (Latin/Greek) are essential across biology, environmental sciences, premed, PA, kinesiology, etc. They help build vocabulary and decipher unfamiliar terms.
• Pearson has a useful feature called root words to aid word-building; use the dynamic study modules to strengthen vocabulary. If you have questions about access, the instructor can show you how to get there, but it is optional if you’re pressed for time.
• The goal is to build vocabulary so you can focus on application and processes during class.

Language of Biology: Root Words and Vocabulary

• Root words help you identify meanings of unfamiliar terms in context.
• Build familiarity with the word parts to interpret new terms quickly.
• Dynamic study modules and group word activities can significantly improve your vocabulary.

Syllabus Overview and Grading Structure

• Four graded parts of the course: ext{Participation}, ext{Quizzes}, ext{Exams}, ext{File (assignment/component)}}
• Participation is mandatory and tracked via learning analytics through Mastering Biology.
• Each day/login is worth one point; you must use your LSU email for login and registration.
• The gradebook maps via your LSU ID; without the LSU ID in the system you won’t receive credit.
• If you miss a week, email the instructor with a screenshot to verify participation.
• The instructor drops the three lowest grades for participation and/or quizzes as appropriate.

Attendance, Absences, and Communication

• Absences policy: up to three unexcused absences can be missed with zero; more than three absences require a meeting with the instructor (even if excused) to catch up.
• If excused, you must email the instructor to schedule a catch-up meeting and review missed items.
• The instructor offers flexibility for in-person or virtual meetings.
• In cases of emergencies (hospitalization, serious illness), contact the instructor to discuss arrangements.

Quizzes: Vocabulary and Concept Quizzes

• Vocabulary quizzes and concept quizzes are part of the course assessment.
• Vocabulary quizzes:
  • Open from the first day of class (or the first Monday after exams) until the day of the exam.
  • Open-note, open-book, and untimed; no extensions; three or more attempts until the unit’s exam window closes.
  • Quizzes are verbatim from the glossary and are designed to expose you to vocabulary prior to in-class application.
  • Ideally complete a chapter’s vocabulary before starting the chapter in class.
• Concept quizzes:
  • Based on in-class content; cover approximately two chapters per week (sometimes two and a half).
  • Open Friday at 9:00 AM and close the following Friday at 9:00 AM; online, open-note, open-book, untimed.
  • No extensions except for extenuating circumstances (e.g., extended absence).
• All quizzes and questions use Pearson as the platform.
• Homework is present on Pearson but is not graded toward the final grade; there is an additional set of instructor-curated Mastering Biology assignments.

Exams: Structure, Strategy, and Weighting

• Exams are taken in the testing center and are typically one hour long (with exceptions for special circumstances like finals).
• First exam covers chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
• Second exam covers chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 (chapter 11 is skipped; material builds on earlier content).
• The material in later exams relies on concepts learned in earlier units; practice builds on a cumulative understanding.
• Practice tests are available on Pearson; work through harder word problems, dissect questions, and identify keywords that can guide answers.
• Exams and the final together account for $62.5\%$ of your total grade; the final includes both unit-four content and a cumulative portion, with a dedicated study guide and PowerPoint available.
• Practice and preparation are crucial; the first exam is the easiest but often the most challenging without practice.
• If you encounter a question not explicitly covered in class, attempt an answer anyway based on your understanding of the topic.
• The final is heavily weighted and requires thorough preparation across multiple units.

Final Exam and Study Guides

• The final exam covers unit four and includes cumulative material.
• A specific PowerPoint and a dedicated study guide outline the material for the final and specify the key topics to study.
• Students are expected to perform well on the cumulative portion of the final.

Mastering Biology Homework and Extra Credit Opportunities

• There is homework on Mastering Biology, but it does not count toward your grade.
• The instructor curates Mastering Biology questions to align with what is being studied and uses them as part of study guides.
• If you are close to the next grade threshold, you can request consideration for extra credit based on:
  • Completion of quizzes on time (prequizzes) for a chapter,
  • Consistent performance on homework (high average), and
  • Maintaining no more than three unexcused absences and completing all required participation tasks.
• The instructor may round up your grade by up to one letter if you meet all conditions and are within $0.25\%$ of the next grade.
• The policy emphasizes effort and engagement rather than easy points.

Academic Support, Counseling, and Resources

• LSU Cares is the primary on-campus support for personal or academic challenges. An advocate can listen to your story, collect documentation, and request accommodations from instructors.
• If LSU Cares contacts the instructor, accommodations are provided according to university policy; the instructor’s ability to adapt is guided by university rules.
• The Office of Disability Services (ODS) handles formal disability accommodations (e.g., extended time, reduced-distraction testing environments). Examinations requiring accommodations are scheduled through ODS.
  • Exams through ODS must be scheduled at least 5 business days in advance for regular exams and 10 business days for finals.
• The instructor can implement accommodations within LSU policy if provided with appropriate documentation from ODS.

Other Support and Contingency Plans

• Academic continuity/remote learning plan: If the school closes due to weather or other disruptions, class proceeds online; if there is no internet, classes do not meet as scheduled.
• Makeup exams: If you miss an exam for a university-accepted reason (e.g., illness, military obligation, death in the immediate family), you may schedule a makeup; documentation may be required (e.g., obituary or official notification).

Office Hours, Contact, and Accessibility

• Office location: 270 LSB, Life Sciences Building, second floor; instructor is available Tuesdays 10:30–11:45 (in-person) and by advance appointment via email.
• Email policy: Use your LSU email address; the instructor cannot reply to non-LSU accounts.
• If you cannot meet during office hours, the instructor offers flexible meeting times via Zoom or alternative arrangements.
• The syllabus includes additional guidance on Moodle navigation, structure of course materials, and where to find study guides and PowerPoints.

Time Management and Study Strategy

• Course is 3 credits; recommended study load: $2\text{ to }3\text{ hours per credit per week}$.
  • Minimum weekly minimum: $6\text{ hours per week}$ for coursework alone, not including actual studying.
• Plan to allocate two to three study hours on multiple days per week (not all at once).
• Participation, quizzes, exams, and final are designed to incentivize consistent engagement rather than last-minute cramming.
• If you’re struggling, seek help early: supplemental instructors, tutoring, classmates, RA resources, and mental health supports.

Quick Reference: Key Points to Remember

• Chapters 2–5 form the foundational knowledge; these concepts are used across later chapters.
• The summary slide highlights the top five to six concepts per chapter and reinforces vocabulary and core ideas.
• Example concept from the summary slide: a compound is made of atoms joined by bonds; an atom's identity is determined by the number of protons; electron distribution influences bonding; a compound’s properties depend on its chemical nature; a hydrogen bond is a key property.
• Core study approach: use the glossary to prepare vocabulary for quizzes; engage with the material in class by applying terms to real-world scenarios.
• Expect a high workload with significant emphasis on practice tests, vocabulary mastery, and consistent attendance.

Final Reminder: What to Do Today

• Review your chapter two PowerPoints and begin building a study plan for chapters two through five.
• Identify core vocabulary terms and ensure you can explain their roles (e.g., what proton count determines identity; how electron distribution affects bond formation).
• Make a plan for weekly study blocks (ideally 2–3 sessions per week) and set reminders for quiz and exam windows.
• If you anticipate any barriers (absences, scheduling, accommodations), contact the instructor early to discuss options.

Note on Lecture Pace and Communication

• The instructor can adjust pace if needed; raising a hand to request repetition or slowing down is welcome.
• At the end of each class, a study guide with a summary slide and a few key concepts will be posted on Google Drive for review.
• The study guide emphasizes connecting vocabulary to broader concepts rather than isolated definitions, encouraging full-sentence explanations that show relationships (e.g., explaining how protons determine identity and how electrons influence bonding).