BIO115A/B/C/D GENERAL BIOLOGY
COURSE SYLLABUS
FALL 2006
Nancy Petersen, Instructor
Number of credits: 5 hours Dept. Chair: Dr. Rhonda Gamble
Office Hours: 12:00 M-F Office #: 33 e-mail:
Meeting times: Phone: 518-2227
A/B Lecture MWF 8:00 – 8:50 C/D Lecture MWF 9:00 – 9:50
A Lab MW 1:00 – 2:50 C Lab TR 10:00 – 11:50
B Lab TR 8:00 – 9:50 D Lab TR 1:00 – 2:50
Required Text: Sylvia S. Mader; Biology, 9th Ed. McGraw-Hill, Boston, MA, 2007
Required Laboratory Manual: Sylvia S. Mader; Customized Biology Laboratory Manual, 3rd Ed. McGraw-Hill, 1997
Required supplemental material: Strete/Vodopich; Photo Altas for General Biology; McGraw-Hill, 2002
Headphones for computer lab
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. To introduce the student to the nature of science and its limitations.
2. To give the student an introduction to the characteristics of living things, including their cellular structures and functions.
3. To give the student a knowledge of the diversity in the types of reproduction at the cellular and organismic level.
4. To establish some basic principles of genetics for the students.
LEARNING EXPERIENCES:
1. Students are expected to participate in lectures and discussions. In order to do so, students shall complete reading assignments prior to class time.
2. Students will become familiar with the nature of science and the scientific method.
3. Students will participate in laboratory activities that will reinforce the lecture.
4. Students will have the opportunity to develop an awareness of the interrelationships between living organisms and their environment.
STUDENT EVALUATION AND CONDUCT:
In an effort to minimize class disruptions and in respect for your peers, please turn off all beepers and cell phones during class.
During the semester, there will be four one hour exams in lecture and one final exam.
Laboratory evaluations consist of three or four lab practicals over the lab material only, involving identification of terms, slides, or other material covered.
The lecture tests, lab practicals and assignments will be totaled together to represent a single grade for the course. Labs cannot be made up if missed because of absence. Make-up lecture tests are discouraged. They may be administered to students who contact the teacher in advance with a valid reason, but must be made up within a one week period following the administration of the missed exam. There will be assignments during the semester worth 10 or 20 points each. Assignments and Lab practicals, due to their nature of testing, cannot be made up.
Sample grading system 5 lecture exams 100 pts. each 500 pts
3 or 4 lab practicals 100 pts. each 300-400 pts.
Assignments 50 pts
Total points 850 - 950 pts
The lecture final exam will be comprehensive covering material from the entire semester.
ATTENDANCE:
It is college policy that a student will be dropped for non-attendance after two weeks of consecutive absence. A student may also be dropped for “excessive absences”. Six absences or tardies other than excused school activities at any time during the semester will be considered excessive. The instructor will have the final authority to drop any student for excessive absence, tardiness or conduct disruptive to the class. Students are expected to arrive to class/lab on time.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Cheating on tests will result in the student receiving an F on that test. Plagiarism is the intentional use of someone else’s work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students caught plagiarizing will receive an F in the course and may be subject to college disciplinary proceedings.
HONORS OPTION:
This class may be taken with an honors option with instructor approval. Any interested student should speak with the instructor no later than the end of the second week of class. Topic of option contract will be determined by the student and the instructor.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:
If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and need any test or course materials provided in an alternative format, notify your instructor immediately. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your special needs.
COURSE OUTLINE:
WEEK TOPIC TEXT LAB ASSIGNMENT
1 The characteristics of life and Ch.1 EX. 1 Use of the Light the
scientific method. Microscope.
2 Chemistry of Life and Ch. 2, 3, EX. 2 Chemical Properties
Chemical Bonds. of Cells.
3 Cell Structure and Function, Ch. 4 EX. 3 Cell Structure and
DNA Function.
TEST I
4 Membrane Structure and Function Ch. 5 Diffusion and Osmosis
5 Energy Transformations Ch. 6, 7, 8 EX. 4 Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration
TEST II
6 Metabolism and Enzymes Ch. 6 EX. 5 Enzymes
7 Mitosis, Ch. 9, 13 EX. 6 Mitosis & Meiosis
8 Meiosis, DNA, RNA Ch. 9, 14 EX. 6 Mitosis & Meiosis
TEST III
9 Genetics Ch. 11 EX. 7 Genetics
DNA
10 Genetics Ch. 12, 13 EX. 8 Human Genetic
Disorders.
11 Gene Activity, its regulation and Ch. 14, 15 EX. 9 Molecular Genetics
Recombinant DNA.
TEST IV
12 Reproduction Male and Female Ch. 43 EX. 10 Gene Cloning.
13 Community Ecology Ch. 47 EX. 31 Symbiotic
Relationships.
14 Ecosystems Ch. 48 EX. 32 Analysis of a
simple ecosystem.
15 Human Impact of the Global Ch. 49, 50 EX. 33 Effects of Environment. Pollution.
16 Identification of local flora and fauna Review
FINAL