CLAS 205 A: Bioscientific Vocabulary Building From Latin and Greek

CLAS 205 Section A Syllabus - Bioscientific Vocabulary

Autumn 2023, M/W/F 08:30-09:20am, DEN 258, SLN: 12815

Instructor: Haoyang Dai                                                 Email: dhy0620@uw.edu                                              

Office: Denny Hall 400K

Office Hours: M/W/F, 10:30-11:30 & by appointment

Department Course Coordinator:

Professor James Clauss

Email: jjc@uw.edu

Department Website: https://classics.washington.edu 

Office Hours Sign Up Sheet: CLAS 205 Office Hour Sign-up Sheet

Required Text:​

Donald M. Ayers, Bioscientific Terminology: Words from Latin and Greek Stems (The University of Arizona Press)

Reference Text:

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is available free online on the UW Libraries website.

Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com)

Merriam-Webster Dictionary (https://www.merriam-webster.com) 

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.

Course Conduct:

As adults and university students, proper behavior in class is expected, including coming to class on time and being prepared to participate. In any case, please respect yourself and all other students in class.

If an absence is unavoidable due to illness or other legitimate circumstances (e.g.family emergency, religious or cultural obligation, court date, and university-sponsored competition), please contact me to let me know at least 12 hrs earlier before class unless it is an emergency. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed in class, catch up on any missed homework, and schedule make-up for any quizzes or exams. Make-up exams and make-up homework are only available in reasonable and rational circumstances. 

Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to: cheating/unauthorized collaboration; 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.

I cannot discuss grades during class or via email due to university policy, but only during office hours and by appointment. If a student has questions regarding assignments, tests, homework or any other matter, I will be more than happy to discuss that in my office.

Grading:

Quizzes: There will be 4 non-cumulative quizzes, each quiz will be worth 50 points. Quizzes are close-note, and the student will have the whole class period to finish the quiz. Make-up tests will only be given in the case of a significant medical issue or unavoidable schedule conflict about which the student has contacted me and get my approval before the test date.

Exercises: There will be 8 exercises, worth 10 points each. The student is expected to finish their exercises as homeworks, uploading them on canvas, and bring them to the class for discussion.

Final Exam: The final exam for this course is worth 120 points and is cumulative. The final exam will be held on: Tue, Dec 12, 08:30-10:20am at DEN 258. The final will only be administered at this time as per university policy.

Grading Breakdown: 

Quizzes (4x50): 200 points 

Exercises (8x10): 80 points

Participation: 20 points

Final Exam: 100 points

Total Points: 400 points

Grading Scale:

4.0: 400-381      3.0: 320-312      2.0: 230-221      1.0: 139-120

3.9: 380-371      2.9: 311-302      1.9: 220-211      0.9: 119-109

3.8: 370-366      2.8: 301-293      1.8: 210-201      0.8: 108-98

3.7: 365-361      2.7: 292-284      1.7: 200-191      0.7: 97-87

3.6: 360-356      2.6: 283-275      1.6: 190-181      0.0: 86 or fewer*

3.5: 355-351      2.5: 274-266      1.5: 180-171

3.4: 350-345      2.4: 265-257      1.4: 170-161

3.3: 344-337      2.3: 256-248      1.3: 160-151

3.2: 336-329      2.2: 247-239      1.2: 150-141

3.1: 328-321      2.1: 238-231      1.1: 140-131

NOTE: In order to pass this class, you must receive 87 points or greater.

*You have to have the textbook in order to accomplish the class, but it's fine to have an electronic verson,  an old one, or a shared book with your friend.
**Please write your name and approximate show-up time on the sign-up google document, in case if I was not in my office. Email Prof. Clauss ONLY IF you have a severe emergency or a big question, in other cases, email me.

***Final Exam: Tuesday, Dec 12, 08:30 – 10:20 AM, DEN 258***

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

Important UW policy-related things to know:

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: 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:

https://www.washington.edu/cssc/for-students/academic-misconduct/

UW Language on Face Covering in the Classroom (COVID): The University continues to

review its policies regularly in response to the public health picture. Here is the current UW

COVID-19 Face Covering Policy:

https://www.ehs.washington.edu/covid-19-prevention-and-response/face-covering-policy