Course Information Sheet for Biol 1406 Section C-1

Spring-2009 - Blinn College – Bryan

Instructor: Olga Johnson, Ph.D.                                                 Tel No:   (979) 823-1390 / 492-4626

C1: Lecture: M/W, 2:50-4:05; Rm S225                    Lab: M/W, 4:15-5:30; Rm S224

D6: Lecture: T/Th, 4:15-5:30; Rm S225                         Lab: T/Th, 5:40-6:50; Rm S224

Off Hrs: M 5:40-6:10 pm; T, 7:00-9:00 pm                         Office: S-117

Class Web page: e campus                                        e-mail:  through e campus

Alternate email: olga.johnson@blinn.edu

Course Description        

General Biology I is an introductory survey of contemporary biology that is designed to provide the fundamentals of biological science.  This course is designed for biology majors, pre-health professionals, or those needing an in-depth biological sequence.  The units covered include the chemical basis of life, structure

and function of cells, energy transformation, and genetics.

Core Curriculum Course:

This is a course in the 42-hour Core Curriculum of Blinn College.  As such, students will develop proficiency in appropriate intellectual competencies, exemplary educational objectives and general perspectives. For more

information on the Blinn College core curriculum, visit our web site at: www.blinn.edu/corecurriculum.htm

Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes:

After successfully completing Biology 1406, the student should have a working knowledge of:

·   Factors which distinguish biology from other sciences, and science from other fields of knowledge

·   The role of evolution in the history of life on earth

·   Atomic and molecular structures relevant to the construction of living organisms

·   Chemical processes underlying oxidative metabolism and photosynthesis

·   The structure and functions of cells and their organelles

·   Mechanisms through which cells communicate with each other and their environment

·   The mechanisms of inheritance

·   The processes of replication, transcription, and translation

The following skills will be demonstrated:

·   Operation of compound and dissecting microscopes

·   Preparing microscope slides of fresh specimens (wet mount)

·   The use of various tools used for measurement in scientific studies

Textbooks (required reading) and other materials:

·   Biology, Life on Earth, Audesirk, Audesirk, and Byers, Pearson Prentice Hall, 8th Edition, 0-1323-8061-7

·   Biology 1406 Laboratory Manual, Rajan and Richardson, Hayden McNeil, 2nd Ed, 978-0-7380-3131-6

·   CPS e-instruction response pad (clicker) and its registration code

 

Ecampus (Angel):

·   You can access the class website by clicking the “e campus” link of the Blinn home page or by going directly to ecampus.blinn.edu

·   On “e campus” you will find the “Spring 2009-Biol 1406 C1 & D6” web page, which is specific to my classes.  It will contain this course information sheet (CIS) and the outlines for lecture – both of which you MUST print and bring to class; these will be found in the “Lessons” tab.  On e campus, you will also find exam reviews and handouts (in the “Lessons” tab), announcements (on the opening page “Course” tab), and your grades (in the “Manage” tab).

Wk

Tentative LECTURE Schedule

tentative LAB schedule

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

Introduction

Lab Safety & Pre-test

 

 

 

2

Ch1-Introduction to Life

Lab 1: Nature of Science & Scientific Method

 

Ch 2- Atoms, Molecules, and Life

Lab 2: The Scientific Method

 

 

 

3

Ch 2- Atoms, Molecules, and Life

Lab 3: Metric Measurement

 

Ch 3-Biological Molecules

Metric Conversions

 

 

 

4

Ch 3-Biological Molecules

Group Activity #1 – Organic Molecules

 

EXAM 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3)

Lab 6: Testing For Organic Molecules

 

 

 

5

Ch 4-Cell Structure and Function

Lab 4: Microscopy; Ex 1 Re-take

 

Ch 4-Cell Structure and Function

Lab 5 & 7: Observation of Cells

 

 

 

6

Ch 5-Membrane Struct & Funct

Lab 9: Diffusion & Osmosis

 

Ch 5-Membrane Structure & Function

Lab 10: Osmosis & Dialysis

 

 

 

7

Ch 6-Energy Flow in the Life of a Cell

Spectrophotometry

 

Ch 6-Energy Flow in the Life of a Cell

Lab 11: Enzyme Action & Kinetics

 

 

 

8

EXAM 2 (Chapters 4, 5, 6)

Presenting & Analyzing Data; Ex 2 Re-take

 

Ch 7-Photosynthesis

LAB EXAM I

 

 

 

9

SPRING BREAK

Monday, March 16th

 

SPRING BREAK

Friday, March 20th

 

 

 

10

Ch 7-Photosynthesis

Lab 12: Spinach Pigments  

 

Ch 8-Harvesting Energy

Lab 13: Photosynthesis

 

 

 

11

Ch 8-Harvesting Energy

Reporting & Analyzing Data (with Lab 13)

 

EXAM 3 (Chapters 7, 8)

Group Activity #2 – Cellular Respiration; Ex 3 Re-take

 

 

 

12

Ch 9.1—9.4-DNA: Molecule of Heredity

Lab 15: DNA Isolation; Intro to DNA Analysis

 

Ch 10-Gene Expression & Regulation

Gel Electrophoresis (demo); DNA Analysis Wk Sheets

 

 

 

13

Ch 10-Gene Expression & Regulation

Group Activity #3 – Protein Synthesis

 

Ch11-Cellular Reproduction

Lab 18: Mitosis

 

Friday, April 17th:

Last Day to drop with a “W”

1 4

Ch11-Cellular Reproduction

Lab 18 & 19: Meiosis

 

Ch 12-Patterns of Inheritance

Genetics Worksheet; Human Traits Activity

 

 

 

15

Ch 12-Patterns of Inheritance

Lab 20: Mendelian Genetics & Chi Square Analysis

 

EXAM 4 (Ch 9, 10, 11)

LAB EXAM II

 

 

 

16

Ch 12 Quiz; Ch 13-Biotechnology

Re-take; Ch 13-Biotechnology

 

Review

Review

 

 

 

 

Section C1 (M/W 2:50)

Final Exam: Wed, May 13th from 3:15-5:15

 

 

 

 

Time

Thurs, May 7

Mon, May 11

Tues, May 12

Wed, May 13

7:45-9:45

MWF  9:00

TR  9:10

TR  7:45

MWF  8:00

10:15-12:15

MWF  11:00

TR  12:00

TR  10:35

MWF  10:00

12:45-2:45

MW  1:25

TR  2:50

TR  1:25

MW  12:00

3:15-5:15

MW  4:15

TR  4:15

TR  5:40

MW  2:50

5:30-7:30*

M  7:05* *

T  7:05*

W  7:05*

MW  5:40

7:45-9:45*

R  7:05*

 

 

 

 

 

Course Requirements:

Quizzes            Most quizzes will be taken with the einstruction rensponse pad, though a few will be on paper.  Quizzes can be unannounced, and given during the lecture or lab period.  The quizzes can cover material already

                presented in lecture,  assigned readings from the textbook or specified lab material.

Examinations    You will need a No. 882-ES scantron and # 2 pencil for each Lecture Exam, including the final.  There will be 4 lecture exams, which can include both objective (multiple choice) and short answer questions.  There will be 2 lab exams, which can include analyzing and presenting of scientific data, identifications, and

objective questions.  More will be specified in class and in the reviews.  A comprehensive final covering all

13 chapters will be given at the end of the semester. 

Lab Work         Lab work (Pre Labs and Post Labs) will be assigned during Lab and will be due at the next lab period, unless otherwise specified.  In-lab assignments will be due at the end of lab.  Lab homework can be turned in up to a week late, but a late penalty of 25% will be deducted.  Only those who attend lab and sign the “Lab Attendance Sheet”, can turn in either type of lab assignment for a grade.

 

Grading Criteria:                                                        Grading Scale:

                    4 Lecture Exams                        (40%)                                                                A = 90 – 100

                        Quizzes                                    (10%)                                                                 B = 80 –   89

                        Final Exam                     (20%)                                                                C = 70 –   79

                        2 Lab Exams                  (20%)                                                                D = 60 –   69

                        Lab Work                      (10%)                                                                 F = less than 59

           

            50-80 Bonus Points will be announced as they become available throughout the semester 

 

Class Policies:

Make-ups    Students can make up exams if they have an excuse, considered legitimate by the instructor, for the day of the exam.  Written documentation must be presented and the exam must be made up, within 1 week of the end of the excused period.  It is the responsibility of the student to approach the instructor about the absences.  Neither quizzes nor labs can be made up; instead, at least 2 lab and quiz grades will be dropped.

 

Attendance   The College District believes that class attendance is essential for student success; therefore, students are required to promptly and regularly attend all their classes. Each class meeting builds the foundation for subsequent class meetings. Without full participation and regular class attendance, students shall find themselves at a severe disadvantage for achieving success in college. Class participation shall constitute at least ten percent of the final course grade. It is the responsibility of each faculty member, in consultation with the division chair, to determine how participation is achieved in his or her class. Faculty will require students to regularly attend class and will keep a record of attendance from the first day of class and/or the first day the student’s name appears on the roster through final examinations. If a student has one week’s worth of absences during the semester, he/she will be sent an e-mail by the College requiring the student to contact his/her instructor and schedule a conference immediately to discuss his/her attendance issues. If the student subsequently accumulates two weeks worth of absences, he/she will be

              administratively withdrawn from class.

                     There are three forms of excused absence officially designated by Blinn College:  (1)  Observance of religious holy days:  The student should notify his/her instructor(s) not later than the 15th day of the semester concerning the specific date(s) that the student will be absent for any religious holy day(s); and (2)  Representing Blinn College at an official institutional function and (3) official involvement in a high school activity for “dual credit” students.  Other excuses may be considered excusable at the instructor’s

                     discretion, with documentation.  Missing either lecture or lab or both, will count as one absence.

                     If a student feels s/he needs to appeal being withdrawn from a non-developmental course for excessive unexcused absences, that student may appeal by notifying the respective division chair in writing [see "Blinn College Reinstatement Form" in Appendix I] within five business days of being administratively withdrawn.  The student should be prepared during the appeal, to present any petitionable reasons and/or documents.  The appeal decision is with the respective division chair, and that decision is final. The student will be notified of the appeal decision within two business days of the appeal appointment date.

 

Dropping        If a student chooses to drop the course, it is that student’s responsibility to complete a drop order at the Office of Enrollment Services.  Failure to do so could result in a grade of F in the course.  The last day to withdraw with a “W” is Friday, April 17th.

              New legislation has been passed which limits the number of drops a student can have during their entire college career to 6.  After the student accumulates 6 drops, any additional drop will register as an “F”

 

Eating and drinking are not allowed in classrooms or laboratories.

Dishonesty Blinn College does not tolerate cheating, plagiarism or other acts of dishonesty.  Definitions of these acts and procedures for dealing with them are described under “Scholastic Dishonesty” in the Blinn College Student

            Handbook, copies of which are available at the information desk in the administration building.

Civility       Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff, and students, are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life.  Blinn College holds all members accountable for their actions and words.  Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedom of every member of the College community, including respect for College property and the physical and intellectual property of others.  Civility applies to attire as well as language and behavior.  Please dress appropriately for the academic

classroom and laboratory.

If a student is asked to leave the classroom because of disruptive or uncivil behavior, they may not return to class until they arrange a conference with the instructor:  It is the student’s responsibility to arrange for this conference. 

 

ADA       Students with physical or learning disabilities must present documentation from the Office of Disability Services (room 157, Science Bldg) to receive accommodation on exams and assignments.  Accommodation is not retroactive.

 

The above requirements and policies are discussed more fully in the Blinn College Student Handbook which, by reference, is incorporated into this information.  Please obtain and read it.