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Kara Weigand

Instructors have provided the following information to generally describe what to expect in their classes.

Biology

Class Format

Face-to-Face: BIOL 121 Introductory Biology for Non-Majors is a face-to-face lecture and lab. Lecture time includes PowerPoint presentation, video clips, and small group activities. Lab exercises are conducted in small groups. All students must actively participate.

Face-to-Face: BIOL 230 Microbiology is a face-to-face class. This course utilizes PowerPoint presentation, video clips, small group activities, and independent research projects.

Face-to-Face: BIOL 231 Microbiology Lab is a face-to-face lab course. This is a hands-on course in which students will work both independently and in small groups, depending on the exercise. All students must actively participate.

Resource Use

Textbooks for BIOL 121: The Biology Lecture textbook and Biology Lab manual are required. Both contain content and questions vital for a student’s success. Additionally, all lab exercises in the manual are customized for JCCC and must be brought to each lab.

Textbooks for BIOL 230: The Microbiology Lecture textbook is required. It contains content and study questions vital for a student’s success.

Textbooks for BIOL 231: The Microbiology Lab manual is the source for lab exercises and is required. The Microbiology Lecture textbook is not necessary, but may be a helpful resource.

I use D2L extensively for all of my classes. I post class materials, news articles, links to YouTube videos, and a variety of other helpful resources. Most quizzes and assignment submissions are done through D2L. I also maintain my gradebook and attendance records in D2L so students can easily keep track of their progress.

Assessment

Students will be assessed through exams, quizzes, pre-lab assignments, lab exercise write-ups and lab reports.

Homework Policy

All assignments must be submitted by the due date/time. Late work is not accepted, unless prior arrangements have been made. Quizzes cannot be made up.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required for all courses. If a student is absent, he or she is responsible for obtaining notes, handouts, etc. from another student in the class.

BIOL 121: Labs cannot be made up, but arrangements may be made to attend a different lab with my permission. This is allowed ONE TIME.

BIOL 231: Due to the nature of a Microbiology lab and the necessity to incubate organisms, lab exercises may span several lab sessions. Even a single absence may result in missing out on more than one exercise, and may significantly impact a student’s grade.

Availability

I check my email several times throughout the day. I encourage students to email with any questions they have and I will respond within 24 hours. If a student wishes to meet in person, I am available before and after class, by appointment.