BIOL 1408 501 - BIOLOGY FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS I

Introduction

syllabus

Course Title:

BIOL1408 General Biology

Course Prefix & Number: 

BIO 1408

Section Number: 

500/501

Semester/Year:

SP2019

Semester Credit Hours:

4

Lecture Hours:

3

Lab Hours:

1

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):

Required or Recommended Course Materials:

Inquiry Into Life, 15th ed., Mader & Windelspecht (relevancy update)

ISBN  9781259426162

 

 
             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Anne Coltman

Campus/Office Location:

Flower Mound, #222

Telephone Number:

 

E-mail Address:

acoltman@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

8:30-9:30am

8:30-9:30am

8:30-9:30am

8:30-9:30am

 

3:00-4:00pm

 

3:00-4:00pm

 

 

Or by appointment

 

 

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

4 graded practice tests @25 points each

Available in CANVAS; may be taken unlimited times; highest score will be recorded

100 points

Lecture/lab packets 11 @ 20 points each

These will be submitted in lab

(the lowest lab grade will be dropped)

200 points

4 unit exams @ 100 pts each

These exams will be over lecture materials

400 points

3 Lab exams @ 100 points each

These exams will be over material covered in lab

300 points

 

TOTAL points: 1000.  Grades are determined as follows: A= 900+ points; B= 800-899 points; C= 700-799 points; D=600-699 points F=<600 points

NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN. The comprehensive final is optional and maybe taken to replace the lowest grade of the previous four lecture exams.

 

 

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

Unit 1: Cell Biology: cellular chemistry, cell structure and function, cell division and metabolism and respiration

Exam 1: February 14

Exam is worth 100 points.  No makeup will be given. 

See grading criteria above

Unit 2: Plant Biology: photosynthesis and plant organization and function

Exam 2: March 21

Exam is worth 100 points.

No makeup will be given.

See grading criteria above.

Unit 3: Patterns of genetic inheritance: simple inheritance, Mendel’s laws, DNA structure and sequence, chromosomal basis of inheritance, biotechnology

Exam 3: April 18

Exam is worth 100 points.

No makeup will be given.

See grading criteria above

Unit 4: Evolution and microbiology: theory of evolution, processes of evolution, the microbial world

Exam 4: May 9

Exam is worth 100 points.

No makeup will be given.

See grading criteria above

 

 

 

Lab schedule will be given separately in lab.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grades WILL NOT be given out over the phone or via personal email; nor will be grades be discussed with any individual other than the student.  All grades will be recorded in CANVAS, so students can monitor their grades using CANVAS grades.

 

 

Science education should train students to BE  scientists (wonder, question, gather data, draw conclusions) rather than only learn what scientists have discovered in the past; that’s called history-Allison Stuart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 ______April 4, 2019______.

 

 

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.  Academic probation for the rest of the semester
  2. In the case of a 2nd offense, there will be immediate suspension for the semester

 

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of chair/coordinator:

 

Dr. Lisa Bellows

Office Location:

Gainesville Science Building Office 408

Telephone Number:

940-668-4252

E-mail Address:

lbellows@nctc.edu