NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: General Biology Non Science Majors

Course prefix, number, and section number: BIOL1408 0342 or 0343

Semester/Year of course: Fall 2023

Semester start and end dates: August 28, 2023 – December 14, 2023

Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Asynchronous Online

Class meeting location, days, and times: Online on Canvas Monday Through Thursday

Lab meeting location, days, and times: Online on Canvas Monday Through Thursday

Semester credit hours: 4

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

Course prerequisites: None

Required course materials: Inquiry Into Life, 17^th ed., Mader & Windelspecht  OLC(On Line Compatible) version. You can click on virtual lab assignments and it should link you to McGraw Hill site and prompt you to buy the book.  You can rent or buy it for various amounts of time.

Name of instructor: Wendy Roush

Office location: Online by appointment

Telephone number:

E-mail address: wroush@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: by Appointment anytime

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments: 4 - 100 point Online Lecture Exams, 3 - 100 point Online Lab Exams, 12 - 10 point Labs, 4  - 25 point review quizzes, 1 - 20 point intro quiz, 1 - 50 point project, 10 point exit quiz

Final grade scale:  1000 points

Late work policy: All work is due on date listed on calendar and summary of assignments on canvas. Late work will be accepted with a documented medical excuse or other documented reason. All exams must be taken on Monday and Tuesday of the week the exam is scheduled.

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL. IT WILL ALSO SHOW HOW YOUR GRADE IS CALCULATED.

There are also multiple addendums to this syllabus located under the “ files” tab on the left side of canvas.  Please review all of those. There are 6 parts in all to the syllabus.

COURSE POLICIES

Academic Integrity Policy: 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)]”. 

Attendance Policy: Class is online and work for the week should be completed by Friday

Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to drop without getting a “W” is: Sept. 10, 2023

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” not an “F” is: Nov. 6, 2023

Student Learning Outcomes:

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.

Core Objectives:

Critical Thinking

Communication

Teamwork

Empirical and Quantitative Analysis

COLLEGE POLICIES

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.

STUDENT SERVICES

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS