FA19 Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

General Biology for Non-Science Majors I

Course Prefix & Number: 

BIOL1408

Section Number: 

340/341

Semester/Year:

FA19

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:

Connect with LearnSmart and LearnSmart Labs for Mader: Inquiry into Life, 15e., Mader & Windelspecht  ISBN  9781259688577

 

             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Robert Fenton

Campus/Office Location:

Gainesville/Online   (Available to meet at Corinth or FM locations)

Telephone Number:

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

E-mail Address:

rfenton@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Online

Online

Online

Online

Online

 

 

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 Unit material

50%

13 Online Labs

Questions answered online

25%

 

 

 

 

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

Unit 1:

Exam, Connect Assignments

Unit Exam taken online

  Ch 1: Study of Life

and Labs due by 9/13

  No Make-ups

  Ch 2: Molecules of Cells

 

 

  Ch 3: Cell Str. and Func.

 

 

  Ch 4: Memb. Str. and Func.

 

 

Unit 2:

Exam, Connect Assignments

Unit Exam taken online

  Ch 6: Metabolism

and Labs due by 9/27

  No Make-ups

  Ch 7: Cellular Respiration

 

 

  Ch 8: Photosynthesis

 

 

Unit 3:

Exam, Connect Assignments

Unit Exam taken online

  Ch 9: Plant Organization

And lab due by 10/11

No Make-ups

  Ch 10: Plant Reproduction

 

 

 

 

Unit 4:                       

 

 

Exams, Connect Assignments

 

 

Unit Exam taken online

  Ch 5: Cell Division

and Labs due by 11/1

  No Make-ups

  Ch 23: Patterns of Gene

 

 

  Ch 24: Chrom. Basis of …

 

 

Unit 5:

Exam, Connect Assignments

Unit Exam taken online

  Ch 25: DNA Str. and Gene …

And Labs due by 11/22

  No Make-ups

  Ch 26: Biotech. and Geno.

 

 

  Ch 27: Evolution

 

 

Unit6:

Exam, Connect Assignments

Unit Exam taken online

  Ch 11: Human Organization

And Lab due by 12/13

 No Make-ups

  Ch 12: Cardiovascular Sys.

 

 

  Ch 13: Lymph. and Immun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXAMS/GRADING POLICY

Unit exams will be taken online using Respondus Lockdown Browser.  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: Labs will be due the Sunday after the Unit Exam except for the final lab which is due the date of the last exam.

 

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 Fri., Nov. 1.

 

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.

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