Course Syllabus - Fort Scott Community College

A
COURSE OF STUDY
FOR
General Biology
BIO-1215 330 122S
5 CREDIT HOURS
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
501 SOUTH HOSPITAL
PAOLA, KANSAS 66701
Spring – 2013
1

A. Course Information
COURSE TITLE:
COURSE NUMBER:
Course Syllabus
Spring – 2013
General Biology
BIO-1215 330 122S
CREDIT HOURS: 5
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE HOURS:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
CLASS HOURS:
PREREQUISITES:
Jack Treml, PhD
By Appointment
jtreml.fscc@gmail.com
T/R 12-2:55pm
None
TEXTBOOK: Inquiry into Life, Sylvia Mader 13 th ed , McGraw Hill
I encourage you to read the assigned chapters each week as a complement to our
classroom discussion. All material from assigned chapters has the potential to show
up on quizzes or exams regardless of whether we cover that material in class.
Your Inner Fish, Neil Shubin
We will read this book together, a chapter a week, with discussions at the end of class
every Thursday. It is a well written, entertaining story of one biologist’s work to find
remains of a critical transition species in evolutionary biology, I hope you will enjoy
it. More importantly, it covers a number of topics that we will study this semester and
includes additional information that we will not have time to discuss at length in
class, but that I think will be beneficial to you.
Additional readings may be made available on blackboard, in your course handbook or
distributed in class.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This survey course includes three hours of lecture and two hours of lab. It is an
introduction to the study of living things, including the nature of science, levels of
organization and properties of life, bioenergetics, reproduction, genetics, evolution,
classification and ecological/ environmental principles.
2

B. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:
This is a lecture-based class. However, in addition to attending lecture, success of the
student is dependent upon participation in in-class activities / assignments as well as
completing assigned reading from both the textbook and other sources.
C. COURSE COMPETENCIES/OBJECTIVES:
Students performing at a “C” grade level or higher should be able to:
1.
[These are broad single, specific, one-dimensional behaviors; what we want students
to learn. A competency/objective describes a performance that students should be
able to exhibit before they are considered competent. Ten (10) or fewer are
appropriate. Courses with statewide competencies may use them here.
Competencies/objectives are clearly written, realistic, and learner focused.
Competencies/objectives should state what the learner is to be able to do, under what
conditions, and how well the student is to be able to do it. Course
competencies/objectives should reflect appropriate taxonomy based on course level.
Developmental and freshman level courses should have competencies/objectives that
are at the knowledge and comprehension level. Sophomore or higher level courses
should have competencies/objectives at the application, analysis, synthesis, and
evaluation taxonomy levels.]
D. COURSE TOPICS/UNITS:
Material covered is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.
Unit I: Introduction to the Cell
In this section we will be introduced to the concept of life itself, discuss the ‘cell
theory of life’ and examine how the cell is organized. In the second half of this unit
we will discuss where the energy that fuels life on earth originates and how it is
converted into usable energy. Finally, we will conclude with a discussion of how cells
reproduce themselves to carry on life through the generations.
Chapter 1: The Study of Life
The cell theory of life
What does it mean to be alive?
Chapter 2: The Molecules of Cells
Proteins, Fats and Carbohydrates
Chapter 3: Cell Structure and Function
Mitochondria and Chloroplasts
ER, Golgi and vesicular travel
Chapter 4: Membrane Structure and Function
Chapter 6: Metabolism: Energy and Enzymes
Chapter 8: Photosynthesis
How do cells harness the energy of the sun?
3

Chapter 7: Cellular Respiration
How do cells convert food into usable energy?
Chapter 5: Cell Division
In order to grow, heal and reproduce, cells divide.
Exam # 1
Unit II: Heredity and Evolution
In this unit we will discuss the process of heredity and how genes carry traits from
one generation to the next. We will begin with a study of patterns of inheritance as
elucidated by the work of Gregor Mendel with pea plants in the 19 th century. We’ll
then examine the discovery of DNA as the genetic material and how this provides a
molecular basis for heredity. We’ll explore how genetic information is translated into
the proteins underlying the traits that we see, how these processes are regulated and
the consequence of dysregulation. Finally, we’ll conclude with discussions of natural
selection, evolution and population growth.
Chapter 23: Patterns of Inheritance
Mendelian genetics
Chapter 24: DNA Biology and Technology
DNA structure
Gene expression
Chapter 25: Control of Gene Expression and Cancer
Chapter 26: Genetic Counseling
Chromosomal disorders
Chapter 27: Evolution of Life
The origin of life
Evidence of evolution
Speciation
Excerpts from of the following chapters
Chapter 31: Human Evolution
Chapter 32: Nature vs. nurture
Chapter 33: Population growth
Exam #2
4

E. GRADING PLAN:
Grading is established as a percentage of points earned from a number of sources. These
include weekly quizzes, homework assignments, in class assignments and exams. Your
grade will be determined by dividing the number of points you received on each
assignment (etc.) by the total possible. This will result in a percentage score that
determines your final letter grade
Letter Grades will be determined using the following standard:
90%+ = A
80-90% = B
70-80% = C
60-70% = D
F. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance is required. We will be having regular quizzes throughout the semester. Any
missed quizzes are NOT available for makeup. If you miss more than three classes during
the semester for any reason, you may be dropped from the class.
G. CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT:
I don’t think I need to tell you how to conduct yourselves. We all have the same goals
in this class. Please do your best to meet those goals for yourself and help others to
meet them with you.
H. CELL PHONE USE:
Cellphones, iPods, etc. are to be silenced or turned off upon entering class and left off
while in attendance. If, for some reason, you receive an emergency call, please leave
the classroom to attend to it. During tests I encourage you to leave your electronic
devices at home or in your car.
I. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Academic dishonesty will result in no credit given for the particular assignment, quiz,
or exam, etc. and may result in referral for disciplinary action. Uncited references are
not acceptable in any work – unless stated otherwise, when you put your name on a
paper, it is assumed that ALL the work within is your own.
J. MISCELLANEOUS:
Extra Credit
-Essays
Each chapter poses critical thinking questions at the end of the summary / questions
section. Several of these questions will be selected as extra credit opportunities that can
be answered in the form of written essays. Well-considered essays can earn 1% toward
your final grade.
Extra credit will be added to your score at the end of the semester. At a maximum, you
can improve your grade by only 50pts.
Extra credit essays tend to get graded harder and I like to see very complete answers. You
can always re-edit extra credit essays and re-submit. But please be sure to attach any
previous graded copies with your re-submission so that I can be sure to give you
additional points based on the new work that I ask for.
5

Sign this page, detach from syllabus, and return to instructor.
Semester
Year
Course Title:
Course Number:
General Biology
BIO-1215 330 122S
Credit Hours: 5
Instructor:
Office Hours:
E-Mail Address:
Jack Treml, PhD
By Appt.
jtreml.fscc@gmail.com
Affidavit:
My signature below indicates that I have read and understand this syllabus,
and it has been made available either in hard copy or in an electronic format
through the website and/or Blackboard.
[Instructor may add specific statements related to his/her course.]
______________________________________
Student Signature
_______________
Date
______________________________________
Print Name
______________________________________
Print e-mail address*
_________________________________
Cell phone number*
*Students must provide the Registrar’s Office with updated contact information.
6