Bio 181 syllabus spring 2015

S Y L L A B U S

Your Course Learning Plan

Course: BIO 181 General Biology 1 (CRN# 10009)

Instructor: Dr. Matt Pearcy

Time

Frame: January 12th through May 4th (Spring 2015)

A. Instructor Contact and Communications

Phone: 928-649-5486

E-mail address:

Skype address:

[email protected]

mattpearcy

Office Location: VC.M 208

Student Hours: My job is to help you be successful so please come see me outside of

the classroom if you need to talk about anything at all. The sooner the better! Official student hours will be held on Mondays from 11:00 am

to 12:00 pm, Tuesdays from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Wednesdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and Fridays from 7:00 am to 8:00 am; however, if these times do not 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 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, by OpenStax College. Laboratory Kit for Biology from E-Science Labs.

C. Course Content and Outcomes

Course content: 1. Scientific Method

2. Basic chemistry and biological macromolecules

3. Organization of cells

mailto:[email protected]

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:

14 at 35 pts. apiece……………………………...…...…..490 pts.

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

Total Points 1,400pts.

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 = 1,260 – 1,400 pts. B = 1,120 – 1,259 pts. C = 980 – 1,119 pts. D =

840– 979 pts. F ≤ 839 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 Wednesdays 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 Wednesdays 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 March 8th

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 Spring 2015 Tentative Class Schedule

The 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 January

16th

Chapters 1 and 2

Course Content: Scientific Method and Basic Chemistry

Learning Outcomes: 1, 2

Lab Activity: The Scientific Method

2 Lab Activity #1 is due January

21st

Chapter 3

Course Content: Biological Macromolecules

Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5

Lab Activity: Writing a Lab Report

3 Lecture Quiz #1 is due

January 28th

Lab Activity #2 is due January

28th

Chapter 4

Course Content: Organization of Cells

Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Lab Activity: Data Measurement

4 Exam #1 is due February 7th

Lab Activity #3 is due

February 4th

Lecture Quiz #2 is due

February 4th

Exam #1 covers the material in

chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4 as well as

Lab Activities 1, 2 and 3

Chapters 5

Course Content: Organization of Cells and Energy


Lab Activity: Introduction to the Microscope

5 Lab Activity #4 is due

February 11th

Chapters 6

Course Content: Organization of Cells and Energy


Lab Activity: The Chemistry of Life


February 18th


February 18th

Chapter 7

Course Content: Cellular Respiration


Lab Activity: Diffusion


February 25th

Chapters 8

Course Content: Osmosis


February 25th


Lab Activity: Diffusion

8 Exam #2 is due March 7th

Lab Activity #7 is due March

4th

Lecture Quiz #5 is due March

4th

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 and Chapter 11

Course Content: Cell Division


Lab Activity: Respiration

9 SPRING BREAK!

10 Lecture Quiz #6 is due March

18th


18th

Chapter 14

Course Content. Gene Expression and Regulation


Lab Activity: Mitosis

11 Lecture Quiz #7 is due March

25th


25th

Chapter 15

Course Content: Gene Expression and Regulation


Lab Activity: Meiosis

12 Exam #3 is due April 4th

Lecture Quiz #8 is due April

1st

Lab Activity #10 is due April

1st

Exam #3 will cover the

material in chapters 10, 11, 14

and 15 as well as lab activities

8, 9, and 10

Chapter 16

Course Content: Gene Expression and Regulation


Lab Activity: Enzymes

13 Lab Activity #11 is due April

8th

Chapter 12

Course Content: Genetics


Lab Activity: Mendelian Genetics

14 Lecture Quiz #9 is due April

15th


15th

Chapter 13

Course Content: Genetics


Lab Activity: Mendelian Genetics Continued

15 Lecture Quiz #10 is due April

22nd


22nd

Chapter 17

Course Content: Gene Technology


Lab Activity: DNA and RNA

16 Exam #4 is due May 2nd

Lecture Quiz #11 is due April

29th


29th

No new material

Education

Bio 181 syllabus spring 2015