Instructors:           Dr. Wendy Hood

                            Office: 206B, 349-2208; Email: wrhood@coastal.edu

                            Dr. Robert Peterson

                            Office: 206C 349-4130; Email: repeterson@coastal.edu

Course objectives:  This course is geared toward MAT students who will be teaching biology in high school, and as such it has two major objectives.  The first objective is to prepare the MAT students for the Biology portion of the PRAXIS exam, which all teachers must successfully complete. Additionally, this course will use reproduction as a model for how critical links can be made between biological disciplines. Students often find it difficult to link related concepts when biological disciplines are presented independently. This course will discuss how anatomy, genetics, evolution, physiology, and cellular biology are related to reproduction in both humans and other animals.

Course format:  Lecture and lab for this class will not be considered two distinct entities.  Some days we will spend the entire 4 hours course period in lecture, some days will be spent in the laboratory, and others will combine both lecture and laboratory material.  This organization will allow us to examine and discuss the form, function and evolution of structures simultaneously.  Since we are not making a clear distinction between lecture and laboratory, your final grade will reflect this.  You will be given this same grade for lecture and laboratory. 

Instructor Expectations:  The instructors expect the students to perform as graduate students.  As graduate students, you should be self-motivated.  Your motivation will be seen in the preparation you put in for each class, and in your willingness to initiate and participate in classroom discussion.

Student Expectations:  MAT students should have certain expectations of their professors.  You will need to learn or review material required for your successful completion of the PRAXIS exam.  You should be able to discuss with your professors how to integrate what you are learning into your high-school curriculum.  Most importantly, you should expect that when you are finished with this course you will have the level of knowledge necessary to instruct others in this area.

Resources:

      WebCT:

      WebCT is an online course management tool that we will utilize to post assignments, reading, and scores on your assignments so you can keep track of your progress.  You should check WebCT regularly for updates.

      Required Reading:

·         Customized Text:  Reproduction, Integrating Biology Disciplines, McGraw-Hill Co.  This is available at the CCU bookstore.

·         Additional reading, articles or texts, will occasionally be placed on reserve at the library. 

·         On occasion we will also ask you to review webpages.  These addresses will be given to you in class or posted on webCT.

Attendance and Participation:

      Attendance and participation is expected.  In accordance with University policy, if you miss > 25% of classes (5 days) you will be given a failing grade.  You are expected to be an active participate in class discussions.  You final score for participation will reflect both your attendance record and your overall contribution to class discussions.

Evaluation of your performance:

You will be evaluated based on your performance on 4 quizzes, laboratory assignments, your lesson plans, presentation, and participation.

• QUIZZES:  Quizzes will be given on each Monday to cover the previous weeks material.

• LABORATORY ASSIGNMENTS:  The laboratory grade will be based on participation and completion of a laboratory handout.  The labs will teach basic methodology, reiterate and integrate subjects covered in lecture.  Laboratory assignments will generally be due two days following the completion of the lab. 

• PRESENTATION:  Students will work together in groups of three to prepare a lesson plan and deliver a one-hour presentation.  This presentation will be taught at a high-school level using information from the course.  A lesson plan (more information will be made available) will be due on June 25^th and the presentations will take place the following week on June 28^th and 29^th.  Students will earn the same grade for the lesson plan and an individual grade for their portion of the presentation.  Topics for the presentation can include:
  • Previously covered material presented based on local high-school texts.
  • New material presented based on local high-school texts.
  • Inquiry or theme based lesson plans.

• PARTICIPATION: The participation grade will be determined by the instructors.

Your final grade will be broken down as follows:

                                                                                                    Total points 

            4 Quizzes (50 pts each)                                                             200

            Laboratory Assignments (50 pts each)                                         150

Lesson Plans (25 pts each)                                                          75

Presentation                                                                              100

            Participation                                                                                50

            Total points possible:                                                                 575

Grading scale:

A 100-90%

B+ 89-86%

B 85-80%

C+ 79-76%

C 75-70%

D+ 69-66%

D 65-60%

F < 59%