General Biology I (BIOL 1110) Syllabus

Fall 2012 - RoaneStateCommunity College (Mathematics and Science Division)

COURSE INFORMATION

  • Course Type: Dual-credit RSCC/OHS science class
  • Day and Time: M – F (8:15 – 9:50 AM)
  • Credit Hours: 3 (lecture), 1.5 (lab)
  • Course objectives (description/goal): General Biology I focuses on the study of biology, biological chemistry, cell structure and function, cell reproduction, genetics and inheritance. This course provides a basic background and understanding in the principles regarding the study of life.
  • Learning outcomes:

Introduction:

Chapter 1 - Exploring Life (Properties of Life, Homeostasis, Levels of Organization)

The Chemistry of Life:

Chapter 2 - The Chemical Context of Life (Elements and Atoms, Compounds and Molecules)

Chapter 3 – Water and the Fitness of the Environment

Chapter 4 – Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

Chapter 5 – The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules (Carbohydrates)

The Cell:

Chapter 6 – A Tour of the Cell (Types of Cells, Cell Organelles, Extracellular Components)

Chapter 7 – Membrane Structure and Function (Membrane Permeability, Passive and Active Transport)

Cellular Metabolism:

Chapter 8 – An Introduction to Metabolism (Metabolism, Energy, Enzymes)

Chapter 9 – Cellular Respiration: Harvesting Chemical Energy (Glycolysis, Citric Acid Cycle, Electron Transport, Fermentation)

Chapter 10 – Photosynthesis (Light and Dark Reactions – Calvin Cycle)

Cell Division:

Chapter 12 – The Cell Cycle and Mitosis

Chapter 13 – Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Genetics:

Chapter 14 – Mendel and the Gene Idea (Mendelian and Nonmedelian Genetics, Pedigree Analysis)

Chapter 15 – The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance (Genes, Chromosomes, Karyotypes)

Chapter 16 – The Molecular Basis of Inheritance (DNA Structure and Replication)

Chapter 17 – From Gene to Protein (Transcription, Translation, Mutations)

  • Prerequisites for the course: English ACT score 19 or higher; Math ACT score 19 or higher
  • Course Topics: Exploring Life, The Chemistry of Life, The Cell, Cellular Metabolism, Cell Division, Genetics
  • Specific Course Requirements: Lab and Lecture must be taken during the same semester in order to receive credit for the course.

REQUIRED TEXT

Biology, 8th edition, by Neil A. Campbell and Jane B. Reece, Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc., 2009 (This book is provided for you via O.H.S.)

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor: Tasha Walker

Office/Office Hours:

Phone: O.H.S. (423) 569-8818R.S.C.C. (Huntsville) (423) 663-3878

Email:

INSTRUCTIONAL PHILOSOPHY and STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Accept responsibility for your own learning. Students are expected to come prepared to each lecture by reading the assigned pages in the textbook, bringing your textbook to class and any lecture handouts/study guides (hard copies or those posted on Momentum).

Learning is not a spectator sport, meaning I do not expect you to just sit in lecture and listen to what I have to say. Students should think critically about the topics being discussed in class, listen attentively and take notes on your powerpoint slides. I take the time to prepare my lectures for you and I expect you to take the time to study and come prepared to class. In class ask questions when you do not understand the material being presented. I will continuously encourage you to do this because it will not only help you in the long run, it will benefit your classmates as well. If I ask you questions in class and you do not know the answer, I expect you to be able to reference your textbook.

Do not rely on instructor notes as your only source of study material!! There is a CD that comes with your textbook. Working through the CD for each assigned chapter is highly recommended. You should also read the assigned chapters in your text, utilize study guides, past quizzes, and past homework assignments. This will help you on your exams.

  • Make attendance a priority; you are expected to arrive on time.
  • Participate in classroom discussions.
  • Keep up with the material learned in class and review lecture notes, homework, assigned reading after the lecture period. I expect you to comprehend, donot memorize the material.
  • Check the course Momentum Web Site (elearn.roanestate.edu)for class announcements, lecture notes and assignments. The best way to contact me is through email, I check it constantly ().
  • Complete and turn in all homework assignments on time.

Attendance

  • Each student is expected to participate in all lab exercises.
  • Lab attendance is mandatory. Every absence from lab will result in a 5 point deduction from your total lab grade.
  • An absence from a lab does not excuse a student from any assignments given on that day or from submitting assignments due on that day. There is no make-upfor assigned work. Work is to be submitted on the due date at the beginning of class when I ask for it. Any work submitted later than your designated starting class time is considered late. If work is submitted later that same day you will receive a 5 point deduction. If homework is 1 day late it receives a 10 point deduction. Any assignment more than 1 day late will not be accepted and you will receive 0 points for the assignment.

GRADING PROCEDURE AND GRADING SCALE

ASSESSMENT

Your final course grade is determined as follows:Grading Scale

Exam average55%89.5-100A

Quiz/Hmwk average20%79.5-89.4B

Lab average25%69.5-79.4C

59.5-69.4D

0-59.4F

Your final course grade will be calculated by using the following formula; you can also use this formula to keep a running tab on your current grade. I will also record your grades in Momentum as the semester progresses so you will be able to keep track as well.

Grade = [0.55 x Exam Ave] + [0.20 x Quiz/Hmwk Ave.] + [0.25 x Lab Ave.]

Final course grades are not curved. What you earn for this course is the grade you receive. No extra credit is given in calculating the final course grade. Extra credit assignments for individual students will not be given.

Exams

  • All of your exam scores will be averaged and this average will count 55% towards your final grade.
  • Lowest exam grades will not be dropped.
  • Students will haveextra credit opportunities on exams and these points will be included in the exam score.
  • Exam grades will not be curved.
  • Any assigned/posted material is testable. Keep a well organized notebook to supplement your studying.
  • If you arrive late for an exam you will not be given extra time to complete the exam. Whatever time is left in the lecture period is the time you have to complete the exam.
  • It is important to not miss a scheduled exam. Make-up exams will only be given if the student produces a valid excuse, and it is up to my discretion to determine whether or not the excuse is sufficient and if a make-up exam will be provided. If you are going to miss an exam I must be notified in advance or the day of the exam (depending on the circumstance). If a make-up exam is given, it will be harder than the scheduled exam missed and extra credit opportunities will not be awarded.

Quizzes and Homework

  • Announced and unannounced quizzes will be given throughout the semester to make sure that you are keeping up with the assigned reading and materials. If you arrive late and a quiz is in progress, you will not be given extra time to complete the quiz. Whatever time is left in the allotted time I have given for the quiz is the time you have to complete it.
  • Make-up quizzes are not given. If you miss a quiz you will receive 0 points.
  • Extra credit opportunitiesare awarded on quizzes.
  • Quizzes may have material that was covered in previous lectures or it may cover material that you were supposed to have read for that day.
  • No quiz grades will be dropped.
  • Occasionally homework will be assigned. I will also announce in class when I assign homework activities as well as the instructions and the due date for each homework.
  • There is no make-upfor assigned homework. Homework is to be submitted on the due date at the beginning of class when I ask for it. Any homework submitted later than your designated starting class time is considered late. If homework is submitted later that same day you will receive a 5 point deduction. If homework is 1 day late it receives a 10 point deduction. Any assignment more than 1 day late will not be accepted and you will receive 0 points for the assignment.
  • Lowest homework grades will not be dropped.
  • Quizzes and homework grades will be averaged and will count 20% towards the course grade.

Labs

  • Requirements for the laboratory section of this course will be addressed in a separate document.
  • Your total lab grade will count 25% toward the course grade.

PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Academic Misconduct

  • All students are expected to do their own work. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are strictly prohibited. Students who appear to be seeking assistance or providing assistance to another student on individual quizzes/exams is in direct violation of Roane State Community College’s Academic and Classroom Misconduct Policy;“Academic Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, Plagiarism, Cheating, Fabrication and Facilitation.Academic misconduct is prohibited. Upon identification of misconduct, an instructor has the authority to assign an “F” or a zero for the exercise, the examination, or the entire course. Students guilty of academic misconduct that would typically result in the grade of “F” for the course will not be permitted to drop the class in which the academic misconduct occurred. The instructor will contact the appropriate Division Dean who will then contact Records and request that an administrative hold be placed on the course in question. The instructor will notify the student of the appropriate due process/appeal procedure. The administrative hold will remain in place until the academic misconduct matter is concluded.

Classroom Misconduct

  • Roane State Community College students are recognized as adults and are expect to conduct themselves in accordance with the rules and regulations of the college as set forth in the Student Code of Conduct (see Student Handbook).
  • “The instructor has the primary responsibility for control over the classroom behavior and maintenance of academic integrity and can order the temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of any student engaged in disruptive conduct or conduct that violates the general rules and regulations of the institution.”
  • Disruptive behavior is defined as but not limited to behavior that disrupts the learning environment. This can include offensive language (written and oral), harassment of students/faculty, and physical or verbal outbursts that disrupt the flow of information or prevents concentration on the subject being taught, and failure to cooperate in maintaining classroom decorum.
  • Disruptive conduct also includes the use of electronic or other noise-or-light emitting devices such as beepers, pagers, cell phones, palm pilots, laptop computers, gameboys, CD players, and the like that disturb others. Use of such items is prohibited in the classroom. Any student observed using such a device of ANY reason will be immediately dismissed from class. Cell phone/other electronic devices need to be PLACED ON SILENT MODE, OFF (O.H.S. rule), put away (kept out of sight for the duration of the class).
  • Disruptive conduct will lead to exclusion from the class for the remainder of the class period, and the student will be held responsible for any material covered during that class period. If excluded during a test, the student will receive a zero score/F for the test and will not be allowed to improve the score. In addition, any student leaving during an exam or quiz will not be allowed to complete the exam/quiz and may be excluded from the remainder of the class period.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

  • Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services office staff. Prior to granting disability accommodations in the course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services office staff. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with the disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND STUDENT RESOURCES

  • CTAT (Center for Teaching Arts and Technology):
  • SAILS (Students Achieving Improved Learning Strategies):
  • Help Desk:
  • Tutoring (The Learning Center):
    Roane State provides subject tutoring and writing help for FREE! You can meet with our tutors one on one, as a group, or visit us on-line. The types of subject help we can offer you include everything from algebra to A& P to Comp I & II. Many of our tutors are students at RSCC who have succeeded inthe same courses they offer help in now. The atmosphere is friendly and casual, a great place to study alone or in a group! Visit our website: more information on subjects tutored, locations, and hours. Can’t make it in?The Learning Center Online Momentum page offers online writing help, math study resources, study skills and test-taking help! The LCO is available to all currently enrolled Roane State students and is accessible from the Momentum home page. The Learning Center also provides access toSMARTHINKING.comonline tutoring. Simply visit login with username:nd password: R########, where the email address is your Roane State email address, and R######## is your R number.
  • Library: The librarians can help you find the books, articles, videos, databases and websites you need to succeed in this class. They can also help you learn how to do research. Roane State has libraries at the Harriman, Oak Ridge, and Scott campuses. They can send books from these three locations to any other Roane State teaching location. The libraries also offer eBooks, eJournals, online videos and other online resources to support students wherever they need to learn. Using the library can make your life a lot easier.

Visit the library website:

Ask the library for help:

Explore your library with research guides:

Discover new books at your libraries:

SYLLABUS CHANGES: The Instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus as long as the students are notified.

General Biology I (BIOL 1110) Tentative Lecture and Exam Schedule

Roane State Community College – Instructor Walker

Fall 2012

WEEKREADING ASSIGNMENTEXAM______

Aug 7Introduction to Course Syllabus & Chapter 1

Aug 13Chapter 2

Aug 20Chapter 3

Aug 27Chapter 4Exam 1: Chapters 1,2,3

Sep 4Chapter 5

Sep 10Chapter 6Exam 2: Chapters 4,5

Sep 17Chapter 7

Sep 24Chapter 8

Oct 1Chapter 9Exam 3: Chapters 6, 7, 8

Oct 8Chapter 10

Oct 22Chapter 12Exam 4: Chapters 9, 10

Oct 29Chapter 13

Nov 5Chapter 14

Nov 12Chapter 15Exam 5: Chapters 12, 13, 14

Nov 26Chapter 16

Dec 3Chapter 17

Dec 10 FINAL EXAMExam 6: Chapters 15, 16, 17

Dec 17

BIOL 1110 (Lecture/Lab) R.S.C.C./O.H.S. Parent and Student Contract

I, ______, have read, understand, and will abide by the BIOL 1110 Lecture and Lab

(Print Student Name)

syllabi. In addition, I understand that I must score an overall 80% or better in BIOL 1110 if I desire to maintain my Lottery

Scholarship. In addition, I understand that I must earn an A; I am not guaranteed an A or to pass this class. I understand that

BIOL 1110 is not a high school course; rather, it is a rigorous college class. I will familiarize myself with and check Momentum as

needed.

______

(Student signature) (Date)

______

(Parent/Guardian signature) (Date)

** Please return this contract (pg. 7) no later than Friday, August 10, 2012.

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