GENERAL BIOLOGY I

SPRING, 2006

 

BIOL 1010       4 credits            Section 40                     MW 4:30-6:45               Cody Center

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

Instructor: Dr. Elise Kimble        Office:  SM 253, Phone 6018     Cody Hours: TBA

email: elise.kimble@northwestcollege.edu     Powell 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 15 for Exams I and II and

April 19 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:

Your grade will be based on

• four unit exams, covering lecture and lab, each worth 100 points
• the final exam, covering lecture and lab for the last unit plus some cumulative material, which will be worth 150 points
• class assignments worth a total of 100 points.
• lab hand-ins worth 5 each for a total of 50 points

 

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 + labs

 

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 + labs

 

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 + labs

 

Chapter 12:  Sexual Reproduction and Meiosis

Chapter 13:  Patterns of Inheritance

Chapter 14: DNA

Chapter 15: Genes

EXAM IV:  Chapters 12-15 + labs

 

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 + labs, student choice chapters, and cumulative material