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Biology Department
Class Information Sheet
Core Biology - Biology 1, Fall 2001
San Joaquin Delta College
Instructor: J. Scott Bender
| Office: C224 | Office Hours: TBA | Office Phone: 209-954-5367 | Internet Address: sbender@sjdccd.cc.ca.us |
I. Course Description
A. Title: Biology 1 - Core Biology
B. Prerequisites - None
C. Catalog Description - This course covers the basic biological phenomena common to all living organisms. The areas covered include cellular and molecular levels of organization, genetics and mechanisms of heredity in organic evolution, reproduction and development, and introductory concepts of taxonomy and ecology. This is a 4 unit course with approximately 3 lecture hours and 3 lab hours each week. Biology 1 is also a prerequisite for many advanced science courses.
D. Aims & Objectives
General Aims:
To provide a background of information and knowledge to the Biology major in the following areas:
1. Basic biological concepts, including the use of the scientific method.
2. Basic biological chemistry
3. Basic cellular physiology
4. Basic evolutionary concepts and the origin of life
5. Basic Taxonomy and diversity of living organisms
6. Basic ecological relationships among species
7. To experience in the laboratory the proper problem solving techniques one uses in arriving at scientific conclusions.Specific Objectives:
1. Analyze how one arrives at scientific conclusions through the construction and evaluation of lab experiments
2. Use of the scientific method
3. To compare and evaluate the principles and processes involved in the interrelationships of organisms and their environments.
4. Compare and contrast the life processes in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
5. Relate the principles of Mendelian genetics to sample problems
6. Compare and contrast the five kingdoms of organisms and criteria used to assign species to each kingdom.
7. Analyze the various theories of, and evidences for, the origin of life and evolution.E. General Course Content:
A. Fundamental Concepts in Biology
a. scientific thinking
b. metric system
c. definition of life
B. Biological Chemistry
a. lipids or fats
b. carbohydrates and sugars
c. protein
d. nucleic acids
e. enzymes activityC. Cells
a. prokaryotic and eukaryotic
b. membranes structure and function
c. organelles function and structure
d. reproduction
e. metabolism, photosynthesis, cellular respiration
D. Genetics
a. structure of DNA and RNA
b. protein synthesis
c. Mendelian genetics
E. Classification of Organisms
a. binomial nomenclature
b. the five kingdoms
F. Evolution - Basic introduction to evolution.
G. Ecology - Basic introduction to evolution.
II. Required Materials
A. Lecture Text: Biology 5th ed. By Neil A. Campbell,
Jane Reece, and Lawrence Mitchell.
B. Lab Hand-outs: Core Biology Lab Hand-outs. It is available
at the bookstore in a shrink-wrapped plastic enclosure. Located
right next to the Lecture Text.
Both can be purchased at the bookstore.
C. Three Ring Binder For organization of your lab hand
outs and other assignments.
D. Quad Ruled Composition Book for lab Here are the three
acceptable notebooks:
5x5 Quad Ruled Composition Book (under the heading L1
in our bookstore)
4x4 Quad Ruled Spiral Notebook (under the heading G1 in our bookstore)
5x5 Quad Ruled Spiral Notebook (under the heading G7 in our bookstore)
E. Optional: Study Guide by Taylor (5th ed.)
III. Exams and Evaluations
A. Tentative Grading
| Description | Points Possible |
| Lab Assignments and Lab Quizzes | 125 |
| 2 Lab Exams (100 pts. ea.) | 200 |
| Oral Report | 25 |
| Lab Book Checks #1 and #2 | 60 |
| 1 Article Summary (25 ea.) | 25 |
| Lab Total | 435 pts. |
| 3 Lecture Exams (100 pts. ea.) | 300 |
| Up to 9 Lecture Quizzes (10 pts. ea.): One of your lowest lecture quizzes will be dropped. | 90 |
| Comprehensive Lecture Final (200) | 200 |
Total Approximate Points for lab and lecture ->>>>
1025
B. Approximate Grading Scale.
A student's overall grade is determined by adding together all
points accumulated (Both lab and lecture assignments)
during the semester and dividing by the total points possible
in the class.
Grades will be assigned based on the following scale:
90% - 100% of total points in class = A
79.5% - 89% of total points in class = B
67% - 79% of total points in class = C
66% - 56% of total points in class = D
55% and below of total points in class = F
*Example: If the total points accumulated for a student is 775 pts, then that student's percentage score is (775/102577) x 100 = 75.6%. Thus the student would receive a letter grade of C overall for the class.
*NOTE THAT IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP RECORD OF YOUR GRADE AS THE SEMESTER PROGRESSES. SIMPLY DIVIDE YOUR POINT TOTAL IN CLASS BY THE TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE IN THE CLASS TO DETERMINE YOUR PERCENTAGE.
C. Lab Assignments and Lab Quizzes
Lab quizzes will test you on specific material covered in the
laboratory. These quizzes may be at the beginning or at the end
of lab, and they may be unannounced. Lab Assignments (see
lab schedule) format will be discussed further in lab as they
are assigned.
D. Lab Exams -
There will usually be a written portion & a practical portion
of these exams. The practical portion will test you in a "hands
on" fashion for work done in the laboratory. Format will
be discussed further in Lab.
E. Lab Book Checks
Lab books will be turned in twice during the semester for evaluation.
They will be examined for completeness, content and understanding,
organization, and neatness.
F. Oral Report - 25 points
You and a fellow student, or independently if you wish, must
present an oral presentation about 10 minutes long on a topic
related to Biology. The topic must be of a current nature, not
dating prior to 1998. The article may be from any of the journals
discussed on your article summary guide line hand-out, or may
be from another journal of your choice (must be pre-approved
by me). You must decide on your oral presentation by ____________.
G. Scientific Research Paper(s)
You will submit a scientific paper(s) discussing the results
& conclusions of one or more of the labs completed during
the semester. Which lab(s) that will be written up will be announced
in lab at a later date.
H. Lecture Exams (3) -
These will consist of multiple choice questions, T/F, fill-in,
and usually 5-8 short answer essay questions. About 85% of the
exam will come from lecture material; the remaining 15% will
come from your textbook readings.
I. Lecture Quizzes -
May be unannounced and be worth 10 points each. They will
usually cover recent material. Missed lecture quizzes may
not be made-up for any reason. Quizzes may be given at the
beginning or at the end of lecture. You will not be
given extra time to complete a quiz if you are late.
J. 1 Article Summary -
Will come from library periodicals. More information will follow
(SEE PROVIDED HAND-OUT)
K. Lecture final -
The Lecture final is comprehensive. This will keep you current
throughout the semester and will better prepare you for your
next class. Remember, this is a prerequisite for many other science
courses and thus one of the major goals is to have you adequately
prepared. About 1/2 the exam will be "new" material
(previously not tested), and the other 1/2 will be comprehensive.
IV. Policies and Regulations
Cheating and Plagiarism will not be sanctioned
A. Cheating - Cheating is the practice of fraudulent or
deceptive acts for the purpose of improving a grade or obtaining
course credit. This definition includes any and all actions by
a student that are intended to gain an unearned academic advantage
by fraudulent or deceptive means.
B. Plagiarism - Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating
that consists of the misuse of the published and/or unpublished
works of another by representing the material so used, as one's
own work.
C. Withdrawal Policy - Last day to withdraw without
a "W" on record = 9/14/2001; Last day to withdraw with
a "W" on record = 11/19/2001.
D. Missed Exams and assignments.
Lecture Exams --
You are expected to take all lecture exams at the times
and dates specified. You know what these dates are and you are
expected to make the necessary work, i.e., arrangements to meet
these obligations (including the final exam). Should you miss
any lecture exam due to extenuating circumstances, you will be
allowed to complete a make-up for the missed exam. Make sure
to let me know prior to the start of the scheduled exam
why you cannot take the exam. Make-up exams will be scheduled
about a week and a half prior to the Final Exam date. You can
only make-up one lecture exam. Make-up exams are usually
short answer essay in format, but may be multiple choice, oral,
etc. All other missed exams will receive a zero. There is absolutely
no way to make up the Final Exam. You may, should the need arise,
arrange to take an exam early (except final). Talk to me to arrange
a time and location.
Lab Exams --
No make-up exams allowed.
Lecture Quizzes and Lab Quizzes --
No make-ups allowed.
Other Assignments --
1/2 points off if turned in within one week of the announced
due date. Zero points will be given for assignments submitted
after 1 week of the given due date to assure quality work and
fairness to the instructor as well as to the other students.
**Note it is your responsibility to make arrangements concerning a missed exam, and or assignments with me.
E. Attendance and the Drop Policy.
1. Any student who fails to attend any class session during the
first three sessions of the class at the beginning of a term
may be dropped from that class unless the student has
advised and obtained an absence approval from the faculty member.
2. Within the first four weeks, should a student be absent from
lecture/lab for more than 12 hours, he/she will be
dropped. After four weeks but before the 14th week, should a
student miss more than 18 hours of class time, he/she
may be dropped. No drops will be allowed after the
last day of the 14th week of the semester. State law mandates
that a grade must be issued after the 14th week (11/19/01) of
the semester.
3. Attendance and Extra Credit. The chance for extra credit (25
pts maximum) is reserved for students with no more than 6 hours
of missed class time. More than 6 hours of missed class
voids ones chances of receiving extra credit.
4. It is your responsibility to drop a class that you stop
attending. Do not assume that the Instructor will automatically
drop you from the class. Protect yourself from receiving an "F"
for a class that you stopped attending at some point in the semester!
V. HELP!
If you should experience difficulty grasping the material presented
in the course be sure to see me ASAP. Many times a few
minutes can clear up many problems! If you are having trouble
studying, than perhaps you need a few study hints! Come in for
help during office hours or you are welcome any time!
Send me an email, call my office, or whatever, I will be more
than happy to try to clear things up.
Please Note:
The schedule and procedures for this course are subject to change
in the event of extenuating circumstances. Changes in this syllabus
will be announced in lecture and possibly laboratories. In addition,
revised syllabuses will be distributed for any large-scale changes.