Biology 100 – General Biology for Non Majors (3 credits)
Great Basin College
Course Syllabus – Fall 2014
PLEASE READ THIS SYLLABUS CAREFULLY!!
Welcome to the General Biology for Non Majors class! I am looking forward to a wonderful, productive, and enriching semester. To make sure the class runs smoothly, please read this syllabus carefully.
Instructor: Kara Coates
Email: (use this email to get faster response)
Office: Lundberg Hall 128E
Phone: 775-753-2145 (use email to get faster response)
Office Hours:
Monday, 9:00 am – 12 pm; Thursday, 3:00pm – 5:00 pm, or by appointment.
Course Description:Basic biological concepts, interpretation and application of scientific methods, and effects of biological advances on society. Core curriculum science course; cannot be used for credit toward field of concentration in biology.
Course pre-requisite:Must have completed MATH 96 or higher or attained satisfactory score for placement into MATH 120 in ACT, SAT or placement tests.
General course goals: The goal of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to explore the central ideas of science of biology. Topics will include chemistry as relevant to biology, the cell theory, homeostasis, genetics, evolution, ecology, and human population. Many biological topics of current importance to humans will be introduced with the goal of enriching the students’ civic and personal lives.The GBC General Education Objectives (see below) are addressed in this class.
Required materials:
Lecture text: Goodenough, J and McGuire B. Biology of Humans, 5th edition, Pearson.
Addition material: Mastering Biology – the online system included with the new texts – contains online homework – can be purchased separately online if you have a used text book.
Method of Instruction:Reading assignments from text book each week. Lectures and online enhancements. Important course announcements and documents, including “skeletons” of lecture PowerPoints will be made available to you via WebCampus, available online at Please contact GBC Helpdesk for WebCampus accessibility issues. You bear the responsibility for getting the technical aspects of the course to function properly so that you can participate fully.
Learning Outcomes and Measurements:
Learning outcomes / MeasurementsRecognize the chemical basis of living organisms / Class discussion, exams, online homework
Describe the structure and function of cellular components and explain the cell division process with diagram / Class discussion, exams, online homework
Explain the structure and function of human organ systems such as nervous, circulatory, digestive, endocrine, and reproductive systems. / Class discussion, exams, online homework
Explain the fundamental concepts of genes, heredity, and evolution / Class discussion, exams, online homework, written response essay
Explain the basic relationship among plants, animals (including humans), and environment. / Class discussion, exams, online homework
Describe the consequences of current human population growth trend / Class discussion, exams, online homework
E-mail and WebCampus: Instructors often find it convenient or necessary to e-mail individual students, or the class as a whole. Therefore, it is necessary for the students to frequently check their e-mail account (the email account you have provided to GBC) to insure receiving messages in a timely fashion. Messages may also be posted on WebCampus.
GBC ID's: All students are issued a GBC photo ID card. Please carry this with you, especially during exams, as it may be necessary for instructor to verify each student's identification.
Attendance and classroom behavior: Regular attendance in lecture is crucial to successful completion of this course. Studies have shown that students who attend each class perform far better than those whose attendance is irregular. Many important, interesting and subtle points can be made by instructors which may not be presented in the textbook. Instructor may also make announcements regarding changes in scheduling or material to be covered. Therefore, students are expected to attend every lecture, to arrive on time, and to remain until class is dismissed.Students are responsible for being aware of all information and announcements presented in class, whether or not they are present.
If something is not clear to you, by all means ask questions! A well-timed question can help everyone in class, even the instructor. Students are also expected to be respectful and considerate of one another as well as their instructors. To that end, please listen when someone else is talking, and turn off all cell phones or other noise-makers while in class. If it is necessary to carry on activities that are not directly related to the material being presented in class, please conduct these activities elsewhere. In order to make the most effective use of both students' and instructor's time and energy, disruptive students may be required to leave the classroom.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and may result in a failing grade and/or reporting to GBC Administration. Students are expected to read and adhere to the GBC’s Student Conduct Policy.Ignorance of the Student Conduct Policy is no excuse for infractions thereof. All work done in lecture (exams, assignments, quizzes, etc.) must be the sole work of the student.Any form of academic dishonesty including copying data, falsifying data, cheating on exams and quizzes, failing to credit the work of others will be dealt with most seriously.
Canceled classes: If an examination is scheduled for a day on which classes are canceled due to weather or any other reason, the examination will be given during the next scheduled class.
Grading:
You are in complete control of your grade in this class. I firmly believe that you all possess the ability to do well in this class. Think positively, believe in yourself, set high expectations, work hard, and you will do well in this class. Remember, you are the one who decides what grade you will receive in this class.
Lecture exams and online homework: Four lecture exams will be given, each worth 100 points.Fifteen weekly online homework assignments (see more on online homework below) is required for this course, each worth 10 points. For the lecture exams, students will be required to bring with them one or two sharpened pencils with good erasers. The use by students of electronic devices of any type is prohibited during exams.
Student writing assignment: Each student will be required to write a paper worth 50 points. For this assignment you will watch and write a response to a video: Intelligent Design on Trial.
The video is available online at:
Your response to the video will use the format given below. In the paper I will be looking for evidence that you understand the subject and controversy, and can clearly communicate your understanding. Your demonstration of knowledge of natural selection and the evidence and issues surrounding it will be subject to grading, not your personal opinion. The report must be typed, double spaced, and no longer than 2 pages.
The report should follow the following outline:
Introduction: Give the background to the topic or problem. Briefly explain why it is important.
Discussion: Explain the details of the situation, show that you understand what is being described. What do you recommend doing in this situation?
Conclusion: Briefly reiterate both the problem and your conclusion.
Grading criteria for the report are similar to those used by the English department:
1.Focuses and develops ideas effectively, showing creativity and insight.
2.Organizes ideas in a purposeful and logical manner, moving the reader (listener) smoothly through the text (subject).
3.Uses sentence structure and word choice effectively with a sense of control.
4.Commits few, if any, errors in grammar usage and mechanics.
This assignment must be turned in via WebCampus to the appropriate assignment dropbox, on or prior to the due date (Monday, Dec 1, 11 pm), in Word Format. Assignments will not be accepted via snail mail, email, fax or other means. Technical problems with WebCampus need to be addressed to the GBC Helpdesk.
The point breakdown is as follows
GRADED MATERIAL / PointsLecture Exams (4 @ 100 pts each) / 400
Lecture Online Homework (15@10 pts each) / 150
Student written response to video / 50
Total / 600
Your course grade will be based on the following scale:
A ≥ 90%
B 80-89.99%
C 70-79.99
D 60-69.99%
F less than 60%
Drop deadline: A student will receive a “W” grade only if withdrawal occurs before 60% of the course has elapsed (October 27). Anyone who does not formally withdraw by October 27 and does not complete the course will receive an ‘F’ grade.
Final course grades are usually available via MyGBC Self-Service Center within 48 hours of the final exam. If you wish to have additional information regarding your grade, please see me in person after the grading period. Exam or final course grades will not be emailed!
Extra credit: There is no extra credit given in this course.
Lecture exam makeup policy:In order to be fair to students taking the exams on the assigned days, no make-up exams will be given to any student under any circumstances, except if you present a written approved excuse for an unavoidable emergency before the next time the class meets. Please read the previous statement once more – it applies to YOU. You must take the makeup exam before the exam is passed back to the rest of the class, which is usually the next class meeting.
Online homework: Completion of online homework is required for this course. In order to access the online homework system for this class, follow the directions in “more on online homework” below. Assignments will be based on the topics covered in lecture and some additional topics we did not cover in lecture. You will be required to look up the information for this additional subject matter in order to complete the assignments. The first assignment is due the first week of class. You are responsible for having access to a functioning computer and for completing and turning in of the assignments on time. Late work is not accepted.
The online homework system is provided and maintained by the textbook publisher (Pearson). I am only able to set up the assignments – this means that I cannot help with technical issues. You must get help from the publisher if you think that there is something wrong.
More on online homework: Online homework assignments will be assigned each week. They will be made available on Monday morning and they are due following Sunday (1 week) at 11:00 PM. The homework assignments will focus on what we have covered in lecture for the week. Some of the problems will be based on material that we have not covered in lecture. This will require you to read the textbook yourself in order to figure out those problems.
Instructions for access (for those with a brand new book): If you purchased a new book that is shrink-wrapped with an access kit (a small cardboard fold-out), follow the directions in the access kit. When prompted to do so you should enter our course section’s code: KCOATESBIOL100FALL2014. If you do everything correctly you should see a welcome message identifying the course as KCOATESBIOL100FALL2014 with my name Kara Coates.
Instructions for access (for those with a used book or book without an access kit): go to the website and click on Register StudentsNo, I need to purchase access online now. Select our textbook. Say no to the virtual labs and eText (unless you want to pay extra) Accept the Privacy statement and EULA Create a login and pay $60.50 (Credit/Debit Card) for access. When prompted to do so you should enter our course section’s code: KCOATESBIOL100FALL2014. If you do everything correctly you should see a welcome message identifying the course as KCOATESBIOL100FALL2014with my name Kara Coates.
Lecture Schedule – Fall 2014*
Week of / Lecture Topic / Chapters inText
8/25 / Introduction, Syllabus, Humans in the world of biology / 1
9/1 / Chemistry of life / 2
9/8 / Cells / 3
9/15 / Body organization and Homeostasis / 4
9/22 / Exam 1 (Sept 23, Tuesday)
Digestive system / 15
9/29 / Neurons
Nervous system / 7, 8
10/6 / Endocrine system, Skeletal system / 10, 5
10/13 / Exam 2 (Oct 14, Tuesday)
Blood / 11
10/20 / Cardiovascular system / 12
10/27 / Reproduction / 17
11/3 / Chromosomes and cell division / 19
11/10 / Exam 3 (Nov 13, Tuesday)
Genetics / 20
11/17 / DNA, Evolution / 21, 22
11/24 / Thanksgiving Holiday (Nov 27, Thursday)
Ecology / 23
12/1 / Human Population / 24
12/8 / Exam 4 (Dec 9, Tuesday)
* This schedule is tentative for the semester. It will be followed as closely as possible. However, unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather or school closings may necessitate changing the schedule. Students are responsible for being aware of all date changes.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (Julie G. Byrnes) will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services. For more information or further assistance, please call 775.753.2271.
Where to get help:
If you encounter any difficulties in this course, first see your instructor, immediately! Do not wait until the end of the semester to ask for help in understanding the material in order to improve your grade - by then, it may be too late! Know your instructor's name, office hours, and e-mail address; then use them! Do not "be afraid" to ask your instructor for help - that is our job! Make use of the many rich academic and personal opportunities available at GBC!
General Education Objectives:
Objective 1: Communication Skills
Students will have several opportunities to exercise written essay and text discussion communication skills throughout this course.
Learning outcomes / MeasurementsUnderstand the chemical and cellular basis of life / Class discussion, exam scores (students will be able to read and answer exam questions in written form), written response essay (students will clearly communicate scientific information in written form, see “Written Response” above for grading rubric)
Describe the fundamental concepts of genes, heredity, and evolution / Class discussion, exam scores, written response essay
Understand the structure and function of human organ systems / Class discussion, exam scores, online assignments
Objective 2: Critical Thinking
There will be a strong emphasis on reasoning, independent thought, scientific methods
Learner outcomes / MeasurementsUse mathematical and quantitative methods to solve problems / Answer lecture exam questions, complete online assignments
Use reasoning and independent thought to identify current issues in biology / Assigned readings, class discussion, answer exam questions, independent research of current issues, written response essay
Comprehend workings of molecular and cellular systems and the process by which the scientific knowledge is discovered / Assigned readings, class discussion, exam scores, complete online assignments
Objective 3: Personal and cultural awareness
Understand the role of individuals in advancing technology and knowledge in the field of biology.
Learner outcomes / MeasurementsIdentify and relate significance of human creativity in advancing technology and knowledge in biological fields such as genetics and Evolution / Assigned readings, class discussion, video responses
Objective 4: Personal wellness
Examine advancement in biological field and how it relates to personal health and well-being. Understand the consequences of personal actions on the environment and personal health.
Learner outcomes / MeasurementsUnderstand how technology and knowledge in the field of biology relates to our lives and personal health / Assigned readings, class discussion, video responses
Understand the consequences of human population growth and the value of biological diversity / Assigned readings, class discussion, exam scores
Objective 5: Technological Understanding:
Learn to use technology to enhance human experience
Learner outcomes / MeasurementsIdentify significance of technological advancement and how it affects our daily lives / Use of computers, online resources, video for homework assignments and independent research
Note that this syllabus is not a contract and is subject to change, without warning or notification, at any time.