CLAS 205 E: Bioscientific Vocabulary Building From Latin and Greek

CLAS 205 - Bioscientific Vocabulary Building From Latin And Greek

Section E | MWF 9:30-10:20 | SMI 309 | Autumn 2025

Course Goals

This course has three primary goals:

1. To improve your understanding of bioscientific vocabulary through pattern recognition and practice with word formation
2. To give you familiarity with Greek and Latin stems and their meanings, so you can identify and interpret unfamiliar terms
3. To introduce you to concepts relating to the Latin and Greek languages, and the role that Ancient Greece and Rome played in shaping modern science.

Required Text

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

Recommended Reference Texts

• Any reputable English dictionary with etymological entries, such as The American Heritage Dictionary (3rded.), or Webster’s New World Dictionary.
• The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is also available free online: go to http://lib.washington.edu and log in → “Start Your Research” → “Articles & Research Databases” → click “Oxford Dictionaries.”

This course will require memorization. However, no knowledge of Latin or Greek is required to succeed in this course, and the vast majority of students come in without any background in classical languages.

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 on silent or off. Similarly, technology such as computers or tablets must be on task. University conduct and scholarly integrity codes should be followed at all times.
• If absence is unavoidable due to illness or other circumstance (e.g. family emergency, religious or cultural obligation, court date, university-sponsored competition, etc.), please contact me via email 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 homework, and to schedule make-ups for any exams.
• You are encouraged to call me by my first name, Anna. I can only guarantee answering class emails on weekdays (M-F), during work hours (9:00-5:00), and will try to get back to you within one business day of you sending your email — after 24 hours (not including weekend hours), feel free to send a follow-up. To ensure that your email goes to the top of my priority list, please include [CLAS205 E] in your subject line!
• When emailing me, remember that any correspondence via public university email is a matter of public record, according to RCW 42.56, the Washington State Public Records Act. This means that anything you send can be shown to any citizen who requests it. In addition, I have the right (and obligation) to share anything I think necessary with my supervisor or state authorities.
• Due to university policy, I am not allowed to discuss grades directly via email. If you need to discuss your grades, please get in touch to schedule a Zoom meeting or drop by office hours.

Grading

This course is evaluated on a point scale, based on a total of 400 points. They are broken down as follows:

Homework (50pts): Five of your regular homework assignments will be graded; these assignments are the ones related to the lessons marked with an asterisk on the schedule (Lesson 1-2, Lesson 9-10, Lesson 19-20, Lesson 29-30, and Lesson 39-40). These are graded for completion, not accuracy, and are each worth 10 points.

Discussion Participation (10pts): Once a week, starting at the end of Week 1, I will post a discussion board on Canvas related to the lectures we had that week. In these discussions, you will have opportunities to ask me or your fellow students questions, reflect on the course material, or share a connection between course material and something from the modern world. These should be short — two to three sentences is plenty. After you post, I might ask a follow-up question or give a comment, depending on the week. There will be eight discussion posts, and you must participate in five of them to gain full credit for participation.

Exams (340pts): There will be four exams given throughout the quarter, each worth 85 points. They are semi-cumulative — Test 2 builds on the vocabulary given for Test 1, and Test 4 does the same with Test 3. The tests will be in-person, in-class, and on paper. You will have 50 minutes per test, and all tests are closed-book and closed-note.

Extra Credit: There will be various opportunities for extra credit given throughout the course, primarily on exams and on the graded homework assignments.

Grading Breakdown

Homework: 5 x 10 = 50 pts

Discussions: 5 x 2 = 10 pts

Exams: 4 x 85 = 340 pts

—————————————

Total = 400 pts

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

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/

Cheating on any course assignment will not be tolerated and may result in receiving a zero on the assignment and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.

Policy on Artificial Intelligence: 

Generative AI is any artificial intelligence software, such as ChatGPT, that is used to generate ideas and content that are not one’s own. Beyond alarming environmental impacts, these programs operate by stealing the art and writing of others, and are on that basis unethical Such programs prevent, and discourage, the development of human beings both into free and critical thinkers and into proficient and creative writers and communicators.

Therefore, the use of these programs to assist in any way with the assignments in this course constitutes a violation of academic integrity and is therefore strictly forbidden. Using such tools will be considered an academic integrity violation and may result in a zero on the assignment and the student being reported to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct.

If you are ever tempted to use AI because you ran out of time and energy to finish an assignment on time, just email me for an extension!

Learning Support: 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 are not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical, or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS on your campus. 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 University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

Religious Accommodations

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. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form.

Further Resources

UW Campus Food Pantry: Provides UW students, staff, and faculty with nonperishable groceries and select fresh produce for no cost.

Counseling Center: Resources for students seeking help in coping with stress or other mental health concerns.

Let’s Talk: Free, confidential, informal drop-in counseling service at UW.

Leadership Without Borders: Resources for undocumented students.

International Student Services Office: Visa and immigration advising for international students on F or J student visas.

Safe Campus: How to report violence or threats to the safety of yourself or others.

Immigration: If you see immigration officers on campus, UW advises immediately calling your campus safety office. Seattle Campus: (206) 685-8973

Deportation Defense Hotline: (844) 724-3737

The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) operates a Deportation Defense Hotline in WA state. Call to report ICE activity anywhere in WA and get connected to immigration resources in Washington.

Schedule

All readings and assignments are due on the day they are listed in the syllabus. Your assignments are listed on the days they are due. Days with an asterisk next to them will have a graded homework assignment due. I reserve the right to modify the schedule as needed.