CLAS 205 D: Bioscientific Vocabulary Building From Latin and Greek

Course Information

CLAS 205 - Bioscientific Vocabulary Building from Latin and Greek

Instructor: Catherine Chase (Cat)

Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Email: cechase@uw.edu
Office Hour via Zoom: by appointment

Department Course Coordinator: Professor Clauss

Email: jjc@uw.edu

Download full syllabus.

About the Course

Required Text:

• Donald M. Ayers, Bioscientific Terminology: Words from Latin and Greek Stems (The University of Arizona Press). Either the physical or digital copy is acceptable, and both are available through the University Bookstore.

Recommended Reference Texts:

• Any reputable English dictionary with etymological entries, such as T​he American Heritage Dictionary (​3​^rd e​d.), or ​Webster’s New World Dictionary.​
• Online resources:
  • Google dictionary (google “define + word”)
  • Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com)
  • The American Heritage Dictionary (https://ahdictionary.com/)
  • Merriam-Webster Dictionary (https://www.merriam-webster.com)
• You might also find it useful to have access to a good medical dictionary. Examples: Dorland’s, Steadman’s, Taber’s, Mosby. You can find these via the UW Libraries website or online.

Note: References may have variations of the word elements you will learn. In that case, defer to the textbook. 

Course Aims:

The primary goal of this course is to improve your understanding of technical vocabulary used in the biological sciences. You will learn to assess the meaning of words by breaking them down into component parts that derive from Latin and ancient Greek. By the end of the quarter you should be at ease in identifying rare medical or scientific terminology. No knowledge of Latin or Greek is required.

Successful completion of this class requires a great deal of memorization. Students must keep up with the assignments and review the contents of each lesson regularly.

Class Conduct:

Out of courtesy to your classmates and to me, please come to class on time and prepared to contribute. Cellphones and other such electronics must be silent or off or will result in a lowered participation grade. Technology such as computers or tablets are allowed but must be on task. University conduct and scholarly integrity codes (linked below) should be followed at all times.

Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to: cheating/unauthorized collaboration (working collaboratively on assignments, sharing answers); and plagiarism (representing others’ work as your own without proper citation). Misconduct may result in no credit for an assignment or exam; failing the course; and being reported to the University. If you are unsure if something is academic misconduct, ask me!

You are responsible for keeping up with all email and Canvas communication. I will answer class-related emails Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PST. All email correspondence should be polite and professional. I cannot discuss grades during class or via e-mail due to university policy, but rather during office hours or by appointment only. If you have questions regarding assignments, tests, homework or any other matter, I would be happy to discuss during my office hours. Please keep in mind that our email correspondence is a public record according to RCW 42.56, the Washington State Public Records Act, and I have the right to share it with my supervisor or other authorities if I think it is necessary (more information can be found here.).

Make-ups and Extensions:

If missing a due date for an assignment or quiz is unavoidable due to illness or other legitimate circumstance (e.g. family emergency, religious or cultural obligation, court date, university-sponsored competition or field trip, etc.), please contact me via e-mail to let me know before the due date. If you miss a due date because of an unavoidable circumstance, it is your responsibility to email me in a timely fashion about potential make-up options. Make-up tests should ideally be completed before the subsequent test.

Important UW Policies:

UW’s Religious Accommodations Policy: “Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/ , the Religious Accommodations Request form.”

UW’s Student Conduct Code: “The University of Washington Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-121) defines prohibited academic and behavioral conduct and describes how the University holds students accountable as they pursue their academic goals. Allegations of misconduct by students may be referred to the appropriate campus office for investigation and resolution. More information can be found online at https://www.washington.edu/studentconduct/” 

UW Disability Resources and Access and Accommodations:

Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course.

If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-543-8924 or uwdrs@uw.edu or disability.uw.edu. DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DRS.  It is the policy and practice of the UW to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

Academic Integrity: University of Washington students are expected to practice high standards of academic and professional honesty and integrity as outlined here: http://depts.washington.edu/grading/pdf/AcademicResponsibility.pdf

UW Policy on Face Coverings in the Classroom (COVID-19): 

To ensure the health and safety of the University campus community, face coverings are recommended when COVID-19 community levels are low and strongly recommended when community levels are medium (for King and/or Pierce counties). This recommendation is in accordance with UW’s COVID-19 Face Covering Policy: 

https://www.ehs.washington.edu/system/files/resources/COVID-19-face-cover-policy.pdf

University face covering requirements will be re-evaluated due to changes in COVID-19 community levels, changes in campus transmission patterns, and/or due to the emergence of more virulent variants of concern. Any changes are made in accordance with the CDC, state, and local public health and occupational safety agency guidance and requirements. The current status of the University’s face covering recommendations and requirements will be maintained on the UW Face Covering Policy website.

The University continues to implement a multi-layered COVID-19 Prevention Plan. Being vaccinated against COVID-19 (including being up to date on vaccine boosters) is the most critical element of this plan. Face coverings continue to be an important element, along with staying home if you are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, practicing good hygiene, getting tested and reporting a positive rest result, cleaning and disinfection, and communication and education.

For the purposes of this policy, a face covering must: Fit snugly against the sides of the face; completely cover the nose and mouth; be secured with ties, ear loops, elastic bands, or another equally effective method; include at least two layers of material; allow for breathing without restriction; be free of holes, tears or valves that have the potential to release respiratory droplets. A face covering that provides a higher level of protection than a cloth face covering alone, such as a medical procedure/surgical mask, a KF94 mask, a KN95 mask, or an N95 respirator is preferred. If a cloth face covering is utilized, it must be capable of being laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. (June 15, 2022) 

Grading:

Homework: To help you stay on track with memorization, there are 5 homework assignments in the format of Canvas quizzes that consist of vocabulary items from recent reading. They are open-note and are each worth 10 points.

Participation: Consistent participation in class counts for 10 points. Consistent participation in class counts for 10 points. This means asking and answering questions in class, doing the worksheets, and generally being engaged.

Tests: There will be four tests, worth 85 points each, given over the course of the quarter. The last test will be held on the last day of class (Friday, August 19). Test 4 is not cumulative and is designed to be completed in 50 minutes like the previous tests.   

Extra Credit: There will be two extra credit assignments worth a total of 15 points due the last Monday of the quarter. I will post it on Canvas halfway through the quarter. There will also be questions at the end of each test worth 5 extra credit points.

Grading Breakdown:

Homework: 5 x 10 = 50 points

Tests: 4 x 85 = 340 points

Participation: 10 points

----------------------------                                                                                                                                                                                         

Total: 400 points

Grading Scale:

* Note: in order to pass this class, you must receive 87 points or greater.

Course Schedule

Monday classes will be held asynchronously online through Panopto recordings. I will upload recordings and materials by noon on those days. In the event of COVID cases in our class, we will temporarily move online and follow the Monday model.

All readings and assignments are due on the day they are listed on the syllabus.

*I reserve the right to modify the syllabus at any time.*

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