GENERAL BIOLOGY I

SPRING, 2006

 

BIOL 1010       4 credits            Section 10                     MWF 11:00-11:50          SM 231

Text: Biology, Raven & Johnson,  7^th ed; McGraw Hill Pub.

Instructor: Dr. Elise Kimble                    Office:SM 253             Phone 6018

email: elise.kimble@northwestcollege.edu           Office Hours:  MWF 10-11, Th 9:30-11:30

                

Course Description:  Students study the following topics: ecology, evolution, genetics, the chemistry of life, cell structure and function, respiration and photosynthesis.  This introductory biology course is designed for students specializing in the biological or physical sciences or health and physical education

 

Learning Outcomes:  A student who successfully completes this class is expected to achieve the following Biology Department outcomes:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the major principles of biology.

This outcome will be evaluated through exams. The lab component of the course grade is also a measure of  this outcome.

• Demonstrate sound scientific reasoning.

            Exams and in-class activities will indicate the student’s ability to analyze biological

phenomena using a scientific approach.  The lab component of the grade is an important

part of evaluation of this outcome.

• Be able to organize, analyze and interpret data.

Homework questions will measure this outcome; analysis of data gathered in lab exercises will also demonstrate the ability of the student to meet this outcome

• Demonstrate oral and written communication skills.

            Written communication will be evaluated in essay portions of exams. Some short oral

            reports in class will also be required. The student should be able to communicate

biological concepts clearly and accurately and use biological terms correctly.

• Meet the Lab Sciences General Education Outcomes; see page 28 of the 05-06 NWC Catalog

 

In addition, the student should be able to acknowledge that multiple points of view exist in class discussions in which students are asked to apply knowledge of biology in evaluating social issues that have a biological dimension.  The student should also recognize that different interpretations of data are legitimate outcomes of individual scientific studies.

 

Students with Special Needs

Students who qualify for specific accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should inform the instructor within the first week of class to ensure that their needs are met in a timely manner.  It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor of his/her needs and to provide the necessary documentation to the Student Success Center before any classroom accommodations can be made.  To contact the Director of the Student Success Center call 754-6204 or stop by the Center located in the basement of Colter Hall.

 

Classroom Behavior:  Students are expected to treat all students, instructors and guests in a respectful manner.  Please refer to the Student Handbook for specific policies and procedures.

 

Cell Phones: Please turn off and put away cell phones when you enter lab.  If you are anticipating an urgent message, please inform the instructor.

 

Absence Policy: Consistent attendance is important in science class; students who regularly miss class rarely do well in this course. If you know you will be gone, talk to me so we can make arrangements to prevent falling behind.  See Due Dates for Assignments and Missed Exams below.

 

Due Dates for Assignments:

Assignments are late if they are not handed in by the end of the day upon which they are due.  Late assignments are assessed a penalty of two points for each day they are late (weekends excluded).  Extensions are granted for excused absences (school activities, significant illness).

 

Missed Exams:

• Absences for school activities, significant illness or true emergencies are adequate excuses.
• All college sponsored activities must be excused in advance.
• If illness or emergency or other factors prevent you from taking an exam, you must, before the exam, give me a written note (so I don’t forget and count you unexcused), telephone me at my office (6018), email me or phone the science secretary (6410).  Absences not dealt with in the above manner may result in a 10 point penalty i.e 10 points will be deducted from the score you earn on a makeup exam.
• There will be two dates for makeup exams:  March 17 for Exams I and II and

April 21 for Exams III and IV.

• Makeup exams may be different in form from the missed exam. 

 

Academic Integrity:  You are expected to strictly observe NWC rules regarding academic honesty:

·         refrain from cheating on exams

·         properly reference published material. Take note: this is a very serious matter in academic circles!

·         submit only work that is your own

·         don’t let others submit your work as their own. 

A grade of zero may be received for the assignment or, for particularly egregious violations, for the entire course.  See the Student Handbook Academic Policies for more details.

 

Grading Policy:

Lecture = 75% of the total course grade.  Your lecture grade will be based on

• four unit exams, each worth 100 points
• the final which will be worth 150 points
• class assignments worth a total of 100 points.

Your lab grade will be determined by your laboratory instructor and is worth 25% of the total course grade.  You must have a lab grade of some sort to pass this course.

 

The grading scale is:

90-100% of the total possible points = A,  80-89% =B, 70-79% =C, 60-69% =D, 59% or lower=F

Plus and minus grades are given for averages on the borderline; for example, 79% is a C+ and 80% is a B-.

 

To contact me:

• If you have any questions, need clarifications, or need to tell me something you may
• see me before or after class
• visit me during office hours
• stop by my office during non-office hours and see if I am in, or set up an appointment.
• call me in my office at 754-6018 or at home at 754-4180
• email me at mailto:kimblee@northwestcollege.edu

Success Tips:

Pay attention to the course schedule for assignment due dates!

Look over the material before class.

Make sure you can meet the learning goals for each chapter.

Ask questions – either in class or after class.

Use learning aids that help you: matrices, rhymes, pictures, anything to make learning easier.

The Student Success Center provides tutoring and help with study skills.

Some people find study groups to be helpful.  There is a study room (SM 243) which you can use;

            students also use the second floor atrium.

Free online help is available via Smarthinking.

 

COURSE OUTLINE

 

Chapter 1: Science and its methods

Chapter 53: Population Ecology

Chapter 54: Community Ecology

Chapter 55: Dynamics of Ecosystems

Chapter 56: The Biosphere

Chapter 57: Conservation Biology

EXAM I: Chapters 1, 53-57

 

Chapter 2: Nature of Molecules

Chapter 3: Building Blocks of Life

Chapter 4:  Origin and Early History of Life

Chapter 5: Cell Structure

Chapter 6: Membranes

Chapter 7: Cell-Cell Interactions

EXAM II: Chapters 2-7

 

Chapter 8: Energy and Metabolism (enzymes)

Chapter 9: How Cells Harvest Energy (cellular respiration)

Chapter 10:  Photosynthesis

Chapter 11:  How Cells Divide

EXAM III: Chapters 8-11

 

Chapter 12:  Sexual Reproduction and Meiosis

Chapter 13:  Patterns of Inheritance

Chapter 14: DNA

Chapter 15: Genes

EXAM IV:  Chapters 12-15

 

Chapter 21:  Genes Within Populations

Chapter 22:  The Evidence for Evolution

Chapter 23:  The Origin of Species

Student’s Choice:  Choose from Chapter 16: Gene Technology, Chapter 20: Cancer Biology,

                            Chapter 52: Behavioral Biology

 

FINAL EXAM:  Wednesday, May 10 – 1:00-2:50 PM

Chapters 21-24, student choice chapters, and cumulative material

 

 

BIOLOGY 1010 LECTURE SCHEDULE – SPRING, 2006

This schedule may change as the semester progresses.

 

 

Wed, Jan 11      Introductions, Syllabus, Text, Lecture on Chap 1

                        Assignment: Read Chapter 1

 

Fri Jan 13          Lecture: Chap 53

                        Assignment: Read Chap 53 and 54

 

 

Mon Jan 16 – Equality Day – no class

 

Wed Jan 18       Lecture: Chap 53

Assignment:  Reading in popular literature – paper + oral presentation

                        Paper due Fri, Jan 27 – 30 points 

Oral Presentations Jan 30  & Feb 1– 20 points

 

Fri Jan 20          Lecture Chap 54

(last day to add full term classes)

 

 

Mon Jan 23       Lecture Chap 54

                        Read Chapters 55 and 56

 

Wed Jan 25       Lecture Chap 55

 

Fri Jan 27          Lecture Chap 56

                        Read Chapter 57

                        Hand in Paper

 

 

Mon Jan 30       Oral Presentations: evaluated by rubric – 20 points,  Lecture Chap 57

 

Wed Feb 1        Oral Presentations: evaluated by rubric – 20 points

 

Fri Feb 3           Lecture Chap 2

                        Assignment: Read Chap 2 pp 25-32

 

 

Mon Feb 6        Exam I:  Chapters 1, 53-57

                        Assignment: Read Chap 3

 

Wed Feb 8        Lecture Chap 3

 

Fri Feb 10         Chap 3 cont 

Assignment:  Read chapters 4-7

 

 

 

 

Mon Feb 13      Lecture Chap 4

 

Wed Feb 15      Lecture Chap 5

                        Assignment:  Model of Cell – due Wed

 

Fri Feb 17         Lecture Chap 6

 

 

Mon Feb 20 – Scholarship Day – only evening classes meet

 

Wed Feb 22      Chap 6 cont

                       

(Lab Exam is Thursday)

 

Fri Feb 24         Lecture Chap 7

 

 

Mon Feb 27      EXAM II: Chapters 2-7

 

Wed Mar 1       Lecture Chap 8

 

Fri Mar 3          Chap 8 cont.

 

 

Sat Mar 4 – Sun Mar 12 – Spring Break

 

 

Mon Mar 13      Lecture Chap 9

 

Wed Mar 15     Chap 9 cont

 

Fri Mar 17        Lecture Chap 10

 

 

Mon Mar 20      Lecture Chap 11

 

(Mar 21 is last day to withdraw from full-term classes)

 

Wed Mar 22     Chap 11 cont

 

Fri Mar 24        EXAM III:  Chapters 8-11

 

 

Mon Mar 27      Lecture Chap 12

 

Wed Mar 29     Lecture Chap 13

                        Assignment:  Genetics Problems, Due Fri – 15 points

 

Fri Mar 31        Chap 13 cont

                        Review genetics problems handed in

                        Assignment: Genetics Problems, Due Mon – 15 points

Mon Apr 3        Chap 13 cont

                        Review genetics problems handed in

 

Wed Apr 5 – Advising Day – evening classes only

 

Fri Apr 7           Lecture Chap 14

 

 

Mon Apr 10      Lecture Chap 14

 

Wed Apr 12      Lecture Chap    15

 

Thur Apr 13 – follow Monday Schedule – EXAM IV: Chapters 12-15

 

Fri Apr 14 – Holiday – no class

 

 

Mon Apr 17 – Holiday – no class

 

Wed Apr 19      Lecture Chap 21

 

Fri Apr 21         Chap 21 cont

 

 

Mon Apr 24      Lecture Chap 22

 

Wed Apr 26      Chap 22 cont

 

Fri Apr 28         Lecture Chap 23

 

 

Mon May 1            

 

Wed May 3         Last Week:  Choice of:  gene technology (Chap 16),  cancer biology

                                    (Chap 20), behavioral biology (Chap 52)

Fri May 5

 

 

Mon May 8 – last day of classes – review for final

 

 

FINAL EXAM:  WED, MAY 10 – 1:00-2:50 PM

 

Finals are May 9 – 12

Graduation is May 12