Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

General Biology for Non-Science Majors I

Course Prefix & Number: 

BIOL1408

Section Number: 

402/403

Semester/Year:

FA 18

Semester Credit Hours:

4

Lecture Hours:

48

Lab Hours:

48

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

Provides a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction.        

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Required or Recommended Course Materials:

Inquiry Into Life, 15.1 ed., Mader & Windelspecht

ISBN  9781260177671

Biology 1408 Lab Manual, Susan S. Decker

 

             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Robert Fenton

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth/Rm 201, 331

Telephone Number:

940-668-4252 (Wendy Perkins; department assistant)

E-mail Address:

rfenton@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Rm 331, 1-2pm

Rm 201, After Lab

 

Rm 331, 1-2pm

Rm 201, After Lab

 

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

 

Lecture Learning Outcomes

1. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures.

2. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.

3. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.

4. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.

5. Describe karyotyping, pedigrees, and biotechnology and provide an example of the uses of each.

6. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.

7. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.

 

Lab Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

  1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions, and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
  2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory.
  3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations.
  4. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures.
  5. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.
  6. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
  7. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.
  8. Identify the importance of karyotypes, pedigrees, and biotechnology.
  9. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.
  10. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

18 Chapter Assignments

Chapter Assignments available on Connect

25%

6 Lecture Unit Exams

Exams over Lecture Material

In class

50%

11 Lab Response Sheets

Taken at end of each lab period

10%

3 Lab Practicals

Taken in Lab over Materials Covered in Labs

15%

 

 

 

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

Unit 1:

Tentative Exam 9/17

Unit Exam taken in class

  Ch 1: Study of Life

Connect Assignments due by

  No Make-ups

  Ch 2: Molecules of Cells

Exam date.

 

  Ch 3: Cell Str. and Func.

 

 

  Ch 4: Memb. Str. and Func.

 

 

Unit 2:

Tentative Exam 10/3

Unit Exam taken in class

  Ch 6: Metabolism

Connect Assignments due by

  No Make-ups

  Ch 7: Cellular Respiration

Exam date.

 

  Ch 8: Photosynthesis

 

 

Unit 3:

Tentative Exam 10/22

Unit Exam taken in class

  Ch 5: Cell Division

Connect Assignment due by

  No Make-ups

  Ch 23: Patterns of Gene …

Exam date

 

  Ch 24: Chrom. Basis of …

 

 

Unit 4:

Tentative Exam 11/5

Unit Exam taken in class

  Ch 25: DNA Str. and Gene …

Connect Assignments due by

  No Make-ups

  Ch 26: Biotech. and Geno.

Exam date.

 

Unit 5:

Tentative Exam 11/15

Unit Exam taken in class

  Ch 11: Human Organization

Connect Assignments due by

  No Make-ups

  Ch 12: Cardiovascular Sys.

Exam date.

 

  Ch 13: Lymph. and Immun.

 

 

Unit 6:

Tentative Exam 12/12

Unit Exam taken in class

  Ch 14: Dig. Sys. and Nut.

Connect Assignments due by

 No Make-ups

  Ch 15: Respiratory System

Exam date.

 

  Ch 17: Nervous System

 

 

 

EXAMS/GRADING POLICY

Unit exams will be taken in class using student-provided Scantrons.  In the interest of being fair to all students, NO MAKE-UP EXAMS will be given.  Connect Chapter Assignments are due the date of the Unit Exam and access will close.  Labs: Late Lab Response Sheets will not be accepted and NO MAKE-UP LABS OR LAB PRACTICALS will be given.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Thu., Nov. 8, 2018.

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-3300.  Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 111 in Gainesville.

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)________   


          Communication

          Mathematics              

          Life and Physical Science

          Language, Philosophy & Culture

          Creative Arts

          American History

 

          Government/Political Science

          Social and Behavioral Sciences

          Component Area Option

 


REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)


             Critical Thinking

             Communication

            Empirical and Quantitative

 

             Teamwork

             Personal Responsibility

             Social Responsibility


COURSE TYPE

            Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

          Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

          WECM Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

  1.  Loss of grade for the assignment of exam   
  2.  Grade of “F” for the course and removal from class

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Dr. Lisa Bellows

Office Location:

Gainesville Science Building Office 403A

Telephone Number:

940-668-4252

E-mail Address:

lbellows@nctc.edu

 

THIS SYLLABUS MAY BE AMMENDED AT ANY TIME.