S Y L L A B U SYour Course Learning Plan

Course: BIO 181 General Biology 1 (CRN# 35521)

Instructor: Dr. Matt Pearcy

Time Frame:

August 19th through December 9th (Fall 2013)

     

A. Instructor Contact and Communications

Phone: 928-649-5486

E-mail address:

Skype address:

Matt.Pearcy@yc.edu

mattpearcy

Office Location: VC.M 208

Office Hours: My job is to help you be successful so please contact me if you need to talk about anything at all. The sooner the better! Official inperson student hours will be held on Mondays from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, Tuesdays from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm and Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 10:00 am; however, if these times don’t work for you let me know and we’ll figure out an alternative time to meet. Since the class is online many of you may live far away from Clarkdale so email or call me if you need to talk to me.

Classroom location: Online

B. General Course Information

Credit hours: 4.0

Course description: The class covers biological principles; emphasizing structure and function at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels of biological systems.

Prerequisite/Co-requisite: Secondary school chemistry strongly recommended. Primarily for biology majors and preprofessional students in health-related fields. Prerequisite: Reading Proficiency. Three lecture. Three lab.

Textbooks, software, supplies, equipment and

tools:

Biology, Foundations of Life (10th edition) by R. Raven, and G. Johnson.

C. Course Content and Outcomes

Course content: 1. Scientific Method

2. Basic chemistry and biological macromolecules

3. Organization of cells

4. Energy and Enzymes

5. Photosynthesis

6. Cellular respiration

7. Cell division

8. Genetics

9. Gene expression and regulation

10. Gene technology

11. Data collection and analysis

Learning outcomes: 1. Apply the scientific method in problem solving (1) (PBS 1,3)

2. Describe the basic chemistry and chemical interactions of life (2)

3. Describe the structure and function of the four main types of biological macromolecules (2)

4. Identify and describe the structure and function of the parts of typical prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (3)

5. Describe the properties of enzymes and their relation to cellular metabolism (4)

6. Explain and diagram the fundamental processes of photosynthesis (5)

7. Explain and diagram the fundamental processes of cellular respiration (6)

8. Describe the biological processes of cell division including the cell cycle, mitosis, and meiosis (7)

9. Solve mendelian and nonmendelian genetics problems (8) (PBS 2)

10. Describe the fundamental processes of gene expression and control of gene expression (9)

11. Describe basic genetic engineering techniques and tools including recombinant DNA techniques and Polymerase Chain Reaction (10)

12. Conduct experiments, observe biological phenomena, and record information in a laboratory notebook (11)

Assessments: Assessments for this course will include weekly online quizzes and four proctored exams. The four exams must be taken at a Testing Center so that they can be proctored. The exams will be closed book. Early in the semester we will work out where you are going to take the proctored exams. If you take the exams at any of Yavapai College’s Testing Centers the proctoring will be free. If you are in a location that requires a non Yavapai College affiliated Testing Center you may have to pay a small fee to take the exams. (Usually about 15 – 30 dollars) You are responsible for this fee to take the exams. Every effort will be made to

find a free testing center. There will be 11 online quizzes covering the lecture and lab material. The questions on the quizzes will be similar, but not identical, to those found on the exams. The point of the quizzes is to prepare you for the types of questions you will see on the exams. There will be weekly online labs. At the beginning of the semester students will be required to complete a quiz covering the syllabus for the class.

Grading (credit) criteria: Exams:

4 proctored exams at 125 pts apiece………………...…...500 pts.

Quizzes:

11 online quizzes at 35 pts. apiece .……………….……..385 pts.

Labs:

15 at 35 pts. apiece……………………………...…...…..525 pts.

Syllabus Quiz……………………………………….....……..25 pts.

Total Points 1,435pts.

Letter Grades: The first criterion to pass the class is to achieve a 70% average on the proctored exams. Once that criterion is met the letter grades will be assigned as follow:

A = 1,291 – 1,435 pts. B = 1,148 – 1,290 pts. C = 1,004 – 1,147 pts. D = 861– 1,003 pts. F ≤ 860 pts.

Labs: Labs will be graded for quality and completeness. Each lab is worth 35 points. Labs will be assigned weekly and will be due on Tuesdays at 5 pm. The lab material will be on the proctored exams so when you’re completing the labs you’re studying for the proctored exams!

Quizzes: Quizzes will be given online about once a week. Each quiz will be worth 35 points and will be due on Tuesdays at 5 pm. The quiz questions will be on the proctored exams so when you’re completing the quizzes you’re studying for the proctored exams!

Exams:

Grading Policy:

There will be four closed book comprehensive proctored exams during the semester. Each exam will be worth 125 points. The average score for the four exams must be a 70% in order to pass the class.

My official grading policy is that all assignments will be graded and returned one week after they are due (or one week after I receive them in the mail for proctored exams). However, most of the time it will be much sooner than that.

Absences: No late work will be accepted. All assignments will be posted one week before they are due so that students can fit the assignment into their particular schedule. All assignments must be completed by their due date to receive credit. No extra credit will be assigned.

Student Resources (as applicable)

Library services: Library services are available at the Prescott Campus and the Verde Valley Campus libraries. Both libraries are members of a countywide library network, which provides access to a wide-range of information and resources at libraries throughout Yavapai County. Possession of a College library card entitles students to access materials housed at member libraries. Instructors may place required course materials on reserve in the library or make assignments that require the use of library resources.

Learning Centers: A Learning Center is available on the Prescott and Verde Valley Campuses. These centers provide a variety of learning support for students including tutoring, adaptive computer and equipment for students with disabilities, and a networked general computer lab.

Tutoring: Call for details: Prescott 776-2085 or Verde Valley 634-6562

Online resources and services:

Online writing tutoring for any academic subject is available at www2.yc.edu/content/learningcenters

Instructor Procedures and Institution Policies

Attendance: Students are expected to attend and participate in all class meetings, laboratories, and field trips. A student who expects to be absent due to another school-sponsored activity or compelling personal reason must make prior arrangements with the instructor. All course work must be made up as directed by the instructor. A student who does not adhere to instructor and College attendance requirements may be dropped from the course as defined in the Yavapai College General Catalog.

Course withdrawal: After the drop/add period closes, students may withdraw until the deadline for student-initiated withdrawals. Withdrawals result in a "W" on the permanent transcript.

For semester-length classes 14 weeks in length or longer, the withdrawal deadline is October 15th

For classes of 4 days to 14 weeks in length, withdrawals are permitted until the class is 50 percent completed.

For classes of 1-3 days in length, withdrawals are permitted until the class is 50 percent completed.

A "Y" is noted on the permanent transcript for an administrative withdrawal. More information can be obtained from the Admissions & Registration Office.

Academic integrity: Honesty in academic work is a central element of the learning environment. The presentation of another individual’s work as one’s own or the act of seeking unfair academic advantage through cheating, plagiarism or other dishonest means are violations of the College’s “Student Code of Conduct.” Definitions of plagiarism, cheating, and

violation of copyright and penalties for violation are available in the Yavapai College General Catalog. All cell phones must be stowed before beginning an assessment. The presence of a cell phone on a student’s desk during an assessment will be construed as cheating and the student will receive an F for the class. Any incident of cheating or plagiarism on any assignment in the class will result in the student receiving an F as their letter grade for the class.

Student code of conduct: Respect for the rights of others and for the College and its property are fundamental expectations for every student. The “Student Code of Conduct” outlines behavioral expectations, and explains the process for responding to allegations of student misconduct.

Disability support services: Yavapai College is committed to providing educational support services to students with documented disabilities. Academic support services or accommodations for mobility impaired students must be arranged through the ADA Coordinator (Prescott Campus: 928.776.2079 or Verde Valley Campus: (928.634.6563).

Cell phone and pager: Yavapai College is committed to providing a quality learning environment. All cell phones and pagers must be placed in a non-audible mode while in classrooms, computer labs, the library, the learning center, and testing areas. Cell phones and pagers must be used outside these facilities.

Preventing Harassment: Students are expected to respond and write in a professional and appropriate manner when activities are assigned to create scenarios, discuss opinions, present on a selected subject, or post to a web board or email. Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintain an appropriate learning environment. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance and nationalities. All correspondence between instructor and students and between individual students must be of a professional nature. Any inappropriate language (profanity) or correspondence of a threatening or harassing nature will result in the student being immediately dropped from the class.

BIO 181 Fall 2013 Tentative Class ScheduleThe general course content and learning outcomes addressed for each class are listed below. The topics covered will include, but are not limited to, the content listed below. I reserved the right to change the contents listed below. The following learning outcome will be addressed every week: conduct experiments, observe biological phenomena, and record information in a laboratory notebook.

Week Date Topic

1 Syllabus Quiz is due August 23rd

Chapters 1 and 2

Course Content: Scientific Method and Basic Chemistry

Learning Outcomes: 1, 2

Lab Activity: The Scientific Method

2 Lecture Quiz #1 is due August 27th

Lab Activity #1 is due August 27th

Chapter 3

Course Content: Biological Macromolecules

Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5

Lab Activity: Writing a Lab Report

3 Lecture Quiz #2 is due September 3rd

Lab Activity #2 is due September 3rd

Chapter 4

Course Content: Organization of Cells

Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Lab Activity: Data Measurement

4 Exam #1 is due September 13th

Lab Activity #3 is due September 10th

Exam #1 covers the material in chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4 as well as

Lab Activities 1, 2 and 3

Chapters 5 and 6

Course Content: Organization of Cells and Energy

Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 5

Lab Activity: Introduction to the Microscope

5 Lecture Quiz #3 is due September 17th

Lab Activity #4 is due September 17th

Chapter 7

Course Content: Cellular Respiration

Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 5, 7

Lab Activity: The Chemistry of Life

6 Lecture Quiz #4 is due September 24th

Lab Activity #5 is due September 24th

Chapters 8

Course Content: Photosynthesis

Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 5, 6

Lab Activity: Diffusion

7 Lecture Quiz #5 is due Chapter 9

October 1st

Lab Activity #6 is due October 1st

Course Content: Organization of Cells

Learning Outcomes: 1, 4, 8

Lab Activity: Osmosis

8 Exam #2 is due October 11th

Lab Activity #7 is due October 8th

Exam #2 covers the material in chapters 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 as well

as lab activities 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Chapter 10

Course Content: Cell Division

Learning Outcomes: 1, 8

Lab Activity: Respiration

9 Lecture Quiz #6 is due October 15th

Lab Activity #8 is due October 15th

Chapter 11

Course Content: Cell Division

Learning Outcomes: 1, 8

Lab Activity: Enzymes

10 Lecture Quiz #7 is due October 22nd

Lab Activity #9 is due October 22nd

Chapter 12

Course Content: Genetics

Learning Outcomes: 1, 9

Lab Activity: Cell Structure and Function

11 Lecture Quiz #8 is due October 29th

Lab Activity #10 is due October 29th

Chapter 13

Course Content: Genetics

Learning Outcomes: 1, 9

Lab Activity: Mitosis

12 Exam #3 is due November 8th

Lab Activity #11 is due November 5th

Exam #3 will cover the material in chapters 10, 11, 12 and 13 as well as lab activities

8, 9, 10 and 11

Chapter 14

Course Content. Gene Expression and Regulation

Learning Outcomes: 1, 10

Lab Activity: Meiosis

13 Lecture Quiz #9 is due November 12th

Lab Activity #12 is due November 12th

Chapter 15

Course Content: Gene Expression and Regulation

Learning Outcomes: 1, 10

Lab Activity: DNA and RNA

14 Lecture Quiz #10 is due Chapter 16

November 19th

Lab Activity # 13 is due November 19th

Course Content: Gene Expression and Regulation

Learning Outcomes: 1, 10

Lab Activity: Mendelian Genetics

15 Lecture Quiz #11 is due November 26th

Lab Activity # 14 is due November 26th

Chapter 17

Course Content: Gene Technology

Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 11

Lab Activity: Population Genetics

16 Exam #4 is due December 6th

Lab Activity #15 is due December 3rd

Exam #4 covers the material in chapters 14, 15, 16, and 17 as well as lab activities 12, 13, 14

and 15.