Course Syllabus
STEM 1000
STEM Exemplar Course
Course Details
Instructor: Linda Cook, PhD
Email:
IMPORTANT: Visit the course "More Information" page to review details about textbooks, course materials, media, proctor requirements, and any fees associated with this course.
Recommended text:
Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology, 6th ed., by Simon, Dickey & Reece. Pearson publishing (2019). ISBN 978-0-134-71175-1
OR
Biology Now, 4th edition, with physiology. Houtman, Scudellari, & Malone (2024). Norton & Co. Paperback ISBN 978-1-324-06078-9. Ebook ISBN 978-1-324-06091-8.
NO electronic access code will be needed; students may purchase the books used or rent them.
Lab materials:
This course will require students to obtain materials to complete the physical labs. Approximate cost of $100.00.
Here is the supplies list. Many of these things you may already have on hand. Note that in some cases you will want to purchase supplies as you are ready to complete each lab, since many of the supplies include fresh materials which will not keep.
Course Overview
Welcome to this sample STEM course online!
The overall goal of this course is to showcase some of the ways in which science can be taught and learned in an online environment. The course focuses on biology, but many of the kinds of activities and assessments in this course are the kinds of things you might see in any STEM course offered through WSU’s Global Campus.
This sample course only includes detailed activities for the first unit, which would take students through the first midterm exam. The topics included were selected to present a sample of the topics you might cover in an introductory biology course, and to give you a chance to experience something of an online science course. The remaining units are not active in this course, though they are outlined; this gives some sense of how a semester-long online biology class might be laid out, and what kind of workload and time commitment may be associated with it. Likewise, the following learning objectives would be the kinds of things you would be expected to learn over the semester if you were completing a biology course through the Global Campus.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Once you successfully complete the course you will be able to:
- Explore the science of biology
- Practice the scientific method
- Describe the similarities which unite the different forms of life
- Explore the diversity of organisms on our planet and their evolutionary relationships
- Explain how populations of organisms interact and form communities
- Define ecosystems – what they are, how they function and the role of conservation
- Examine how populations of organisms evolve and adapt to environments
- Model how replication of cells is a way for organisms to grow, replace damaged cells and reproduce
- Investigate how traits are passed from one generation to the next
- Illustrate how genetic material is expressed
- Examine the growth and development of cancer
- Investigate the powerful impact of DNA sequences
- Research controversial issues surrounding DNA technology
- Determine how food is processed in the body
- Identify nutritional requirements to maintain a healthy body
- Explore how the cardiovascular system works and development of heart disease
- Model how the nervous system and its components function
- Investigate how the body defends itself against invaders
- Choose and explore medical disorders associated with the immune system
Course Content and Primary Learning Goals specific to UCORE Requirements
- LG1: Demonstrate scientific literacy as it relates to the knowledge and understanding of fundamental scientific concepts and processes related to biology. (University Learning Goal)
- LG2: Apply critical and creative thinking skills to evaluate (1) current theories and concepts in biology and (2) new emerging information and how it relates to current theories. (University Learning Goal)
- LG3: Apply fundamental mathematical concepts and skills to solve real-life problems related to biology (quantitative reasoning); specifically understand means, ratios and percentages and have the ability to understand and evaluate information presented as charts, graphs or tables. (University Learning Goal)
- LG4: Demonstrate information literacy in terms of (1) being able to articulate what information is needed to answer a biology related question, (2) identifying, locating and accessing appropriate sources of information and (3) effectively using and evaluating this information. (University Learning Goal)
- LG5: Demonstrate a basic understanding that science is a specific process.
- LG6: Contextualize biology as the scientific study of life; define life within this context.
- LG7: Assess evidence demonstrating how biology is intertwined in society.
- LG8: Present the diversity of life and introduce evolution as a unifying theme; assess evidence as to how evolution plays a role in everyday life.
Course Work
Exams
There are three online exams which offer you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of various topics covered throughout the course. You will not be permitted to access notes or books of any kind during your exam. Exams may consist of multiple choice, matching and fill in the blank questions. Exams are not cumulative. Dates that exams are available to students are posted in the Course Schedule.
Quizzes
There are a total of 14 chapter quizzes, plus a syllabus quiz, each consisting of 10 multiple choice questions. Ten quizzes will count toward your grade; the five lowest quiz scores will be dropped. You are welcome to use your textbook and personal notes to respond to quiz questions. However, these are timed quizzes and the best strategy is to study ahead of time and be prepared. You have 15 minutes to complete each online quiz. You will only be allowed one attempt at each quiz. Chapter quizzes are only available for the week of a given lesson so be sure to check the Course Schedule in the course space for due dates.
Exercises & Other Assignments
Each week you have assigned reading. In addition, you have weekly exercises designed to help you better understand the material presented in each lesson. Most exercises involve an activity followed by a short quiz. Exercises are located as posted in each lesson. Description of individual exercises are posted under each lesson. Due dates are posted in the Course Schedule.
Laboratory Investigations
You will need to provide some supplies for experiments that are easily obtainable (see information above in this syllabus); you may have these items around the house, in your yard, or you can purchase from a local store.
Grading
Midterm grades for this course will use the full range of letter grades, A through F.
The assessment should not be interpreted as a formal grade, but rather as an indication of the student’s progress to date. Midterm grades are advisory and do not appear on the student’s permanent record, the WSU transcript.
| Assignment | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | 300 | 35.3% |
| Quizzes (10 @ 10 pts each) | 100 | 11.8% |
| Exercises & Assignments | 150 | 17.6% |
| Labs (6 @ 50 pts each) | 300 | 35.3% |
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 94 - 100 | C | 73 - 76 |
| A- | 90 - 93 | C- | 70 - 72 |
| B+ | 87 - 89 | D+ | 67 - 69 |
| B | 83 - 86 | D | 60 - 66 |
| B- | 80 - 82 | F | 0 - 59 |
| C+ | 77 - 79 |
Instructor Interaction
The instructor will make every effort to be in the course space at least once per day (Mon-Fri), reply to student questions within 24 hours (Mon-Fri), and grade assignments within 10 days of the due date.
If you need live support, you can attend a Student Hour, available Thursdays at 5:00 pm PST; or schedule a meeting with me. For either of these opportunities, please email me and I will provide you a Zoom link.
Please be sure to check Announcements at least once per week so you are aware of any changes or updates in the course.
Academic Integrity Instructor Statement
While Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an exciting innovation and a potentially useful learning tool, it is not a substitute for your own, original work. When completing assignments, including labs, assignments, quizzes and exams, you are expected to refrain from using AI-generated content in your responses. This includes AI-generated images. Submission of such material constitutes a violation of course policies on academic integrity and is a form of cheating. Submissions determined to be AI-generated will not be given credit in this course.
Late Work Policy
STEM 1000 has specific due dates for assignments and quizzes. Completed assignments may be submitted before or on the due date as listed in the course schedule. Late laboratory assignments will be accepted during the two-week time frame following the listed due date with a 5 point late penalty. Quizzes will not be re-opened after they close. No exceptions! If you have a medical or family emergency please contact the instructor.
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