GENETICS (BIOL-371, Online Sections S01D and S02D)

3 CREDITS
SPRING 2018
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Instructors Contact Information:

Name: Karly Ackermann, M.S. Biology

Office: (SDS) Dairy Science Building Room 215
Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday 11 AM 1 PM, or by appointment. Distance students can set up online
video meetings through the D2L collaborate feature (those interested should call or email for
more details).
Phone: (605) 695-9778
Email: karly.ackermann@sdstate.edu

Course description: Principles governing the nature, transmission and function of hereditary material with
application to plants, animals, humans, and microorganisms.

Description of instructional methods: PowerPoint lectures will be available on D2L, along with pre-recorded
video lectures of these same presentations. Additional resources will be available on D2L to further student
understanding of some concepts. Weekly assignments and quizzes will encourage understanding of and critical
thinking about assigned reading topics. Students will engage in discussions on relevant genetics topics with the
instructor and with other students in the course to promote both critical thinking and online student interaction.

Course Requirements:
Required textbook (Needed for Week 1): Essentials of Genetics, 9th ed.; Klug, Cummings, Spencer &
Palladino; Pearson, 2015, ISBN 978-0-134-04779-9
Supplementary materials provided: accessed via D2L
Previous Coursework: Biology 101, or 151, or by permission from instructor
D2L Access: All course work will be conducted via D2L. For help with D2L technology, please visit D2L101
Student Support on our Class Homepage.
Key Deadlines: Last day to drop or add and adjust final fees: Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018.
W grade begins: Thursday, Jan. 18, 2017.
Last day to drop a course: Tuesday, Apr. 3, 2017.

Student Learning Outcomes:

To explore concepts of analytical genetic topics, students should: Collect, review and analyze publications
and peer-reviewed articles.
o Assessment: discussions
To explain the scientific basis of emerging concepts in genetics, students should: Apply knowledge of the rich
history of genetics research to problem solving and critical thinking exercises.
o Assessment: quizzes, assignments, and exams
To apply and extend their knowledge of genetics, students should: Use correct terminology and concepts in
their writings, discussions, and assignments.
o Assessment: exams, discussions, and assignments
To develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of genetics, students should: Utilize accepted
theories of genetic research topics to examine and evaluate emerging contemporary gene-technology issues in
society.
o Assessment: discussions, assignments, quizzes, and exams
Evaluation Procedures:
1. Exams: There will be 3 midterm exams throughout the semester (worth 100 points each), and a
comprehensive final exam, which is worth 150 points.
a. You will encounter a mixture of multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and other question
types on exams.
b. Exams are not proctored. Use your resources wisely, but know that you will have the highest
level of success with advanced preparation for exams.
c. All exams are time-limited to encourage your preparation, and students will lose 1 point per
minute after the time is up. Please contact Disability Services if you have a legitimate reason
for needing extra time on exams (contact info is later in this syllabus).
d. You will have only one attempt at each exam, so please do not begin until you are well-prepared.
2. Quizzes will occur each week throughout the semester and will be worth 10 points each.
a. The first quiz is a practice quiz (worth an automatic 4 points of extra credit) to familiarize you
with D2L quizzes and allow you to check that your computer and internet browser are compatible
with the system.
b. Quizzes, like exams, are time-limited. Please be prepared.
c. Your two lowest quiz scores will be dropped.
d. Your quizzes will be available to view after they are graded. You may want to use these as a
study tool. The questions will be listed for you along with your answers, but the right answers
will not be selected for you (look through your resources to determine this a good way to learn).
3. Homework assignments will be given each week to solidify your understanding of chapter concepts and
competencies; these assignments will be 10 points each and must be completed thoroughly to receive full
credit.
a. Assignments must be submitted via the D2L dropbox by the deadline.
b. Your final assignment (for week 15) is a study guide for your final exam. This is an optional
assignment and will be worth 5 points of extra credit for thorough and thoughtful completion.
4. To better facilitate your learning, there will be weekly discussions on the D2L discussion board. All
students are required to take part in these discussions to earn 15 points per topic.
a. You MUST be respectful to others in both your posts and comments, and you are expected to
have read the provided resources before submitting your responses.
b. For each discussion, you must submit one original post and comment on at least 2 other students
discussion posts. Original posts should be around 200 words or more and comments should be at
least 50 words. Please refer to the rubric on D2L for more details.
c. There are 10 discussion topics. Please refer to the course schedule for specific due dates.
d. As your professor, I will try and be active without stifling discussion. I will answer course or
topic questions as they arise and will be posting questions related to your posts.

Review Sessions: There will be a series of scheduled review sessions for this course, on select Monday nights at
8-9 PM (see course schedule). As this is an online course, the sessions will be held on D2L via the Collaborate
Ultra tool. These will feature video, audio, and an online whiteboard available for answering questions and
explaining important concepts. Students are encouraged to bring questions and be ready to discuss and review
course material. For those who join these sessions, 3 points of extra credit will be awarded per session (to a
maximum of 15 points possible) simply for joining in and asking or answering at least one non-trivial question.

Student Responsibilities:
Log into D2L 3-5 times each week to work on class activities, complete all reading assignments, read all
emails.
Apply professional attitudes and standards in all work assignments and discussion postings. Students will
submit only their own work for all class activities.
Submit discussion assignments promptly, prepared in a professional manner (grammar/spelling).
This course is NOT self-paced. Students must log into the course web site 3-5 times/week to complete all
assignments and fully participate in the discussion topics in a timely manner throughout the week.
Late Assignments: Late homework assignments will be accepted, but the student will forfeit an additional 10%
of the total point value per day past the due date. Exceptions to this rule will only be in the case of extreme
conditions (as defined below under the Make-Up Policy).

Make-Up Policy (Exams & Quizzes): The following Biology/Microbiology Department policies ensure fair
treatment for all students. Students are responsible for all posted activities, schedule changes, emails, and other
announcements made on the class D2L pages. Students forfeit all points for each missed assigned activity.
Employment and sports practices must not conflict with the time needed to complete class work. Participation in
the discussions on D2L are necessary for the successful completion of this course. Make-ups will be offered only
under the following conditions:
1) Absence due to extreme conditions (serious student injury/illness, or serious illness, injury/death of an
immediate family member).
2) Out of town trips for activities scheduled and sponsored by university departments. Advance
notification is required.
If you miss an exam without advance notice, contact the instructor as soon as possible - within 24 hours of the
due date of the assignment or exam. Make-up exams will consist of written essay or oral questions (through an
online video application in D2L) covering the material for that exam. Absences for vacations or breaks, personal
interviews or oversight or computer technical problems do not constitute a valid reason for absence. (Work ahead
to avoid these problems!)

Grading scheme:
3 midterm exams (100 pts. each) = 300 points
Final exam = 150 points
14 homework assignments (10 pts. each) = 140 points
13 quizzes (10 pts. each, lowest 2 dropped) = 110 points
10 discussions (15 pts. each) = 150 points
TOTAL= 850 points
Ultimately, the final grade for the course will be determined as follows:
Percent of total points Letter grade
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
below 60 F
I will be making all of your scores available on D2L so that you can keep up to date on where you are at in terms
of your grade.

SDSU Academic Honesty Policy: Academic honesty and anti-plagiarism standards are rigorously upheld at
SDSU. In written papers and other class projects (electronic format, hard copy, or otherwise), it is unethical and
unprofessional to present the work done by others in a manner that indicates that the student is presenting the
material as his/her original ideas or work. Cheating, assisting others, or plagiarizing on tests, quizzes, problems,
research papers, or other assignments will result in written notification to the student involved, the academic
advisor, the department that offers the course, the appropriate College or Administrative Dean, and
parent/guardian (when student is dependent for financial aid purposes). Plagiarizing is submitting uncited
materials as your own work, which was in fact produced by others. Examples include uncited work from
journals, books, work of others, or electronic sources (World Wide Web (www), CD-ROM, video and audio,
graphic materials, etc.). In addition, the penalty for academic dishonesty may be one or more of the following, at
the discretion of the instructor, and based on the seriousness of the situation:
1. A grade of zero on the test, quiz, homework, problem, or other assignment for the student(s) involved.
2. A grade of F for the course.
3. Referral of the matter to the Student Conduct Committee or the Graduate School for disciplinary action.
Student Academic Integrity and Appeals: The University has a clear expectation for academic integrity and
does not tolerate academic dishonesty. Student Code (University Policy 2.4) sets forth the definitions of academic
dishonesty, which includes but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, facilitating academic
dishonesty, misrepresentation, and other forms of dishonesty relating to academics. The Policy and its Procedures
also set forth how charges of academic dishonesty are handled at the University. Academic Dishonesty is strictly
proscribed and if found may result in student discipline up to and including dismissal from the University.
SDSU Attendance Policies: "SDSU is obligated to encourage its primary constituents, the students, to meet their
responsibilities to themselves, their families, classmates, instructors and the taxpayers and donors who support
higher education in South Dakota.
Teaching and learning is a reciprocal process involving faculty and students. Faculty members have an
obligation of holding classes on a regular basis and students have an expectation to attend and participate
in classes on a regular basis.
Online course attendance policy: Attendance policies do apply in the online classroom. Attendance
is demonstrated in an online course by login requirements per week, such as completions of discussion
postings each week, consistent contact with peers and instructor, and/or other assignments as listed in the
syllabus and class calendar. Also, students are expected to login to their class on the first day of the
semester."

ADA statement: Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability
should contact Nancy Hartenoff-Crooks, Coordinator of Disability Services (605-688-4504 or Fax, 605-688-
4987) to privately discuss your specific needs. The Office of Disability Services is located in room 065, the
University Student Union. For more information please check: https://www.sdstate.edu/disability-services

Freedom in Learning Statement: Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in
which they are enrolled. Under Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be
evaluated solely on an academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views
offered in any courses of study. Students who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic
standards but is related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct should first contact the instructor
of the course. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may contact the Department Head, Dean, or both, of
the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.

Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel: Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel with special
circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill requirements, disabilities, and other qualifying needs) are
welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in order to address
attendance requirements or other actions in accordance with SDBOR and University policies and procedures

Technical Support: For other technical support, call the Helpdesk 605-688-6776 or email at:
SDSU.supportdesk@sdstate.edu.
The Tech Support website is at: https://www.sdstate.edu/support-desk
To access additional support: https://www.sdstate.edu/continuing-distance-education

OTHER IMPORTANT COURSE DOCUMENTS (on D2L Course Documents module):

1. Course Schedule
2. Discussion Rubric
3. Welcome Video