CLAS 205 C: Bioscientific Vocabulary Building From Latin and Greek

CLAS 205: Bioscientific Vocabulary Building From Latin And Greek

CLAS 205 – Bioscientific Vocabulary (Autumn 2025)

Section C: MWF 10:30–11:20 AM, DEN 259

Quizlet join link: https://quizlet.com/join/MCWpnMp5M?i=19gpuj&x=1bqt

Knowt join link: https://knowt.com/class/join?classId=tm252q

Instructor: Marie La Fond (she/her)                          Office: Denny Hall 400K

E-mail: melf@uw.edu                                                  Office Hours: Fridays 2:30-3:30 PM

                                                                                     and by appointment via Zoom

Mailbox: Classics Dept. Office, Denny 262               Department Phone: (206) 543-2266

Department Course Coordinator:

Assistant Professor Christopher Waldo

E-mail: cwaldo1@uw.edu

Required Text:

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

(The first several lessons are available via Google Books, but you'll need to purchase or rent a copy of the book eventually!)

Recommended Reference Texts:

• Any reputable English dictionary with etymological entries, such as T​he American Heritage Dictionary (​3​^rd e​d.), W​ebster’s New World Dictionary, or The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) (available free online on the UW Libraries website).
• Online resources:
  Google dictionary (google “define + word”)
  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.

A CAVEAT: 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:

Out of courtesy to your classmates and to me, please come to class on time and prepared to contribute. Participation depends on your willingness to engage with the material during class. I also expect cellphones and other electronic devices to be silent or off. 

If absence is unavoidable due to illness or other legitimate circumstances (e.g. family emergency, religious or cultural obligation, court date, university-sponsored competition or field trip), please do your best to contact me via e-mail to let me know before class. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed in class, to catch up on any missed assignments, and to schedule make-ups for any tests or exams.

University conduct and scholarly integrity codes should be followed at all times. I cannot discuss grades during class or via e-mail due to university policy, only during office hours and by appointment. If you have questions regarding assignments, tests, or any other matter, I am more than happy to meet with you via Zoom (or in my office). Please keep in mind that our e-mail 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 at https://itconnect.uw.edu/work/appropriate-use/public-records-act/).

More information (about, for example, Title IX, disability accommodations, and religious accommodations) can be found on the Course Policies and University Resources page.

E-mail policy: Please allow 24 hours for me to answer e-mails from Monday to Friday. During weekends, I may not be available to answer e-mails.

Grading:

Homework: Your daily assignment is to memorize the vocabulary for that day (as listed on the syllabus) prior to coming to class. 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/book and are each worth 10 points.

Participation: This course includes a participation grade worth 10 points (about 1 point per week). To fulfil this portion of your grade, you should both attend class meetings and be an engaged, active participant in group work.

Tests: There will be three tests, worth 85 points each, given over the course of the quarter (see schedule below for dates). Make-up opportunities will be given only due to a legitimate absence, as defined above, and then only if the absent student e-mails me within 24 hours to reschedule.

Final Exam: The final exam for this course is essentially a fourth test; it is worth 85 points and is NOT cumulative. The final exam will be held on Monday, December 8^th, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM. In accordance with university policy, the final exam will be administered only on this date and at this time. Final Examination Guidelines, including policy on ‘unavoidable absence’: https://www.washington.edu/students/reg/examguide.html

Bonus points/extra credit: Bonus points will be offered on the tests and on the final. Even if a student has achieved the maximum score for a given test or final without the bonus points, any earned bonuses will be ‘banked’ for use towards the student’s overall points total for the course. There may also be extra credit assignment opportunities this quarter.

Grading breakdown:

Homework quizzes: 5 x 10 = 50 points

Participation: 10 points

Tests: 3 x 85 = 255 points

Final Exam: 85 points

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

Total: 400 points

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.

SCHEDULE

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

Final Exam: Monday, December 8^th, 2025 from 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM

*I reserve the right to modify the syllabus.*