ACADEMIC related matters (Sakai)

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FALL SEMESTER:  I will be teaching Biology 3, and 23 in the fall semester.

    In Biology 3, the textbook we will be using is Biology:  Concepts and Connections by Campbell et al, 6th ed. AND a Biology 3 lab manual by multiple authors.  The former can be purchased new or used . . . from wherever (Bookstore, A&R, Amazon.com, etc).  Although the online bookstore says it sells used copies of the lab manual, normally you can only purchase a new copy (it is shrunk-wrapped, loose-leaf).  If you wish to save $17.50 plus tax, I will give you a CD with the lab manual as a PDF file(s) for free.  The lab manual is also available for free on the campus mainframe.  The caveat is that you must access the lab manual from a network computer on campus, and you must print from campus.  All of this also means you will have to print the appropriate pages for each lab and will be required to be a responsible student.

     In Biology 23, I will be using Campbell & Reece, 8th edition .  That said, you are welcome (but not encouraged) to use the 7th edition.  Beware that there are changes between editions, although they are not major.  I will not sit down with you and go over each and every change.  You are also welcome (but even less encouraged) to use other most recent editions of majors textbooks.  Again, the overall material is the same, but the chapters and examples will be different.  I will be even less inclined to go over differences.  BUT these alternatives may save you a bit of cash.  Other options include Amazon.com.  I have heard but not explored the fact that the "European" editions are much cheaper.
     LAB MANUAL - I will NOT have a lab manual for sale in the book store.  Instead, I will give you a CD on the first day of class, which will have the lab manual on PDF.  The CD will also have the Powerpoint lectures, assorted handouts, and other materials to help you pass the class.  Note that I say "pass" only... not get an A :).  I had bad experiences with  e-companion in its early years, so I have never been fond of it and do not use it.
  
 OTHER REQUIRED TEXTS - A Guide to Biology Lab by T. Rust.  1983.  (Sorry I don't have an ISBN#, but the hyperlink should take you to Amazon.com to see the manual)
          A Photographic Atlas for the Botany Laboratory, 3rd ed. by K.M. Van De Graaff, S.M. Rushforth & J. L. Crawley.  1998.Morton Publishing Co., Englewood, CO.  ISBN:  0-89582-383-7.  I have seen a 5th edition, but have not seen it loose-leaf.
          A Dictionary of Root Words and Combining Forms by D. Borror.  1960.  Mayfield Publishing Co., Mountain View, CA.  This little book was out of print for a while, but it looks like it is in circulation again.  Many students have said that this book was one of the most important purchases they made in their academic careers.  The realization of its value often came several years after taking Biology 23.

MAJOR CHANGE in BIOLOGY 23 - I will be teaching Biology 23 solo in the fall.

    PRE-REQUISITES for Biology 23.  The Schedule of Classes, etc. states that the pre-requisite for this class is Bio22 (and thus Bio21).  It does NOT say concurrent enrollment of Bio22 & 23.  I would like to enforce those pre-requisites; however, there are issues that have not been resolved with legality, the state of California, the administration, etc.  In fact, it seems that you can  take Bio23 without having taken any biology.  The legal opinion is that you have legal right to flunk any class!
    My rationale based on experience is that the more experience you have in biology, the better your outcome will be in Bio23.  If you are a solid "A" student in Bio21 and overall, it probably does not matter.  You can take Bio23 before Bio22, or even concurrently and still get A's.  If you are a solid "B" student in Bio21 and overall, it might make a difference between you earning an A or a B.  If you are a solid "C" student in Bio21 and overall, or your Bio21 professor gave you "mercy C," it is better to take Bio22 first to get more biology under your belt, as there are lots of words to describe Bio23.  "Easy" is not one of them.

SUMMER SESSION:  I will not be teaching during the summer.

 

 


   

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Last Updated on 24 Mar 2009 by Walter H. Sakai