MIAMI DADE COLLEGEDepartment of Biology/Health and Wellness

Kendall CampusBSC 1005

General Education BiologyBSC1005

Spring 2014-2

Faculty: Babatunde Amole, Ph.D.

Office: Room 3265

Phone: (305) 237-2494

Office Hours: Tentative-M, W 10A-10:50A T, R 9; 50A-11:05A Email: bamole@mdc.edu

Required Text: What Is LIFE?A Guide To Biology

By Jay Phelan2nd Edition

2013

The following are guidelines that the students should adhere to at all times to obtainmaximum benefit from the course.

Attendance:

1

Students should try to attend all lectures sessions promptly. If for any reasons youcannot attend a class, or will be late you should call and leave a message at the

faculty's extension and state the nature of the circumstance. 5 absences or more maylead to reduction in credit points

There are no make-up exams for students who miss an exam without a legitimatereason.

No-shows will be purged by January 20, 2015

Academic Misconduct:Cheating in any form will not be tolerated and will be dealt with to the fullest extent.

Students who cheat on examinations, quizzes or share homework assignments will bepenalized.

Please, refer to the Students Rights and Responsibilities at the website below:

http://www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf

Grading Criteria:There will be a total of four examinations, of which the average of the best twoexaminations and the final examination will be used to determine the final grade.Criteria for letter grades are indicated below:

A 90-100%B 80-89%C 70-79%D 60-69%F <60%

Final Exam ScheduleApril 25-May 1, 2015.

Assignments: Assignments could be required for the class, and these should behanded in on the due dates. Points will be deducted from assignments that are late.

Extra Credits

Service learning-volunteering hours at different agencies working with the college are available. Arrangements must be made early during the semester to accommodate the student. The student can obtain a maximum of 10 points in their lowest test for 15 hours of volunteer work and a

2

reflection. Students must show proper documentation from site to obtain credit. No arrangements will be made at the last minute. Students interested in completing service learning hours must notify instructor no later than the second week of class. Volunteer hours must be completed during the first 10 weeks of the semester to be counted and reflective assignment submitted the week following the completion of the hour.

Other assignments may be given for extra credits.

General Education Biology – BSC 1005

Course Description:This general education biology course covers basic biological concepts, concentratingon selected principles that help explain molecular biology, evolution, genetics, growth,disease, and the problems of humans in the environment. It is designed to stimulate

interest in the variety of life that exists on our planet, help students recognize the factorsthat provide order in this variety, and involve students in the processes of inquiry,

observation, and analysis of biological organization in order to give them a foundationfor intelligently interpreting and evaluating biological topics.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites and Co-requisites: none

Course Competencies:

Competency 1: The student will understand the nature of science, the scientific method,and the field of biology.The student will be able to:A. describes and/or illustrates the scientific method as presented in the literature.Differentiate between science and biology.C. compare the characteristics of life common to a simple cell andmulticellular organisms.

Competency 2: The student will become familiar with the basic principles of matter and energy, and understand how they relate to living organisms.The student will be able to:A. define energy and matter, and their laws, and explain how theyare used in biological systems.B. explain the basic structure of atoms and molecules andRecognize examples of covalent, hydrogen, and ionic bonding.C. explain the importance of water to life and the concept of acidityAs well as its expression as pH.D. identify the four major groups of organic compounds(Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) andUnderstand their functions in living systems.E. describe the roles of enzymes in the synthesis and

3

Decomposition of biological compounds.F. describe the processes of photosynthesis and cellularrespiration.

Competency 3: The student will become familiar with cell structure and function and their interrelationships.The student will be able to:A. describes the structure of a typical cell and explains the functionof the sub cellular organelles.B. differentiate between plant and animal cells with respect toStructure and function.C. identifies and explains methods of cell transport such as diffusion,osmosis and active transport.

Competency 4: The student will understand how life perpetuates itself.The student will be able to:A. explains the function and significance of cell division and organismic reproduction.B. compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis and describe thesignificant events that occur in each stage of these processes.C. understand the principles of heredity, as illustrated by the workof Gregor Mendel, and their application to humans.D. describes the structure of DNA and understands how it functions toControl a cell's activity and acts as the molecule of heredity.E. explain the processes of DNA replication, transcription andtranslation.

Competency 5: The Student will understand and appreciate the nature of evolutionary theory.The student will be able to:A. explain the theory of evolution of life on Earth favored by modernscientists.B. describes and explain Darwin's basic concept of natural selectionand how it relates to the theory of evolution.C. list and explain the several categories of evidence that supportthe theory of evolution.D. describe how scientists group living organisms into hierarchical

Groups based on their shared characteristics, and name and characterize the major systematic taxa.

Competency 6: The student will understand how living organisms carry out basic biological processes by becoming familiar with the structure and function of the organ systems. (Optional)The student will be able to:A. describe the basic body plan of humans, including the

4

integumentary, muscular and skeletal systems.B. understand how the human body coordinates activities through

Means of the endocrine and nervous systems and defends against disease by means of the immune system.

C. explain digestion and absorption of food and elimination ofWaste (including both the digestive and urinary systems.)Explain the structure and function of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.E. explains the structure and function of the reproductive system.

Competency 7: The student will understand the relationship between organisms and theenvironment as well as how the environment is affected by population growth and consumption of resources.The student will be able to:A. identify and explain the ways in which the abiotic environmentaffects living systems.B. describe the factors that control population growth and theMechanisms involved.C. discuss the various relationships existing among individuals andpopulations in communities.

Explain the nature of ecosystems with particular reference to their sustainability.E. list and describe the major biomes of the world.F. discuss the major impact humans have on their environment

Miami Dade CollegeDepartment of Biology/Health and Wellness

Kendall CampusBSC1005

Schedule of Lessons

Lessons Topics Read Chapters:

Lesson 1 Science 1Lesson 2 Chemistry 2Lesson 3 Cells 3 Lesson 4 Energy

Lesson 5 Chromosomes and Cell Division 6Lesson 6 DNA, Gene Expression, and Protein Synthesis 5

5

Lesson 7 Evolution and Natural Selection 8 Lesson 8 The Origin and Diversification of Life on Earth 10 Lesson 9 Species, Micro, Macroevolution and Diversity 10

Lesson 10 Evolution and Diversity among Microbes 13

Lesson 11 Fungi and Plants 12Lesson 12 Animal Diversity 11

Lesson 13 Population Ecology 14 Lesson 14 Communities 15 Lesson 15 Ecosystems 15

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Students who have a disability that might affect their performance in the class are encouraged to contact Access Services, in confidence, as soon as possible. The office will aid in appropriate accommodations for the student. This is in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Important links:

6