COLLIN COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Information
Course Number: Biology 1408
Course Title: Biology for Non-Science Majors I
Course Description:
Lecture: Provides a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life,
cells, structure, function, and reproduction.
Lab: Laboratory activities will reinforce a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans,
including chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction.
Course Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours:
Lab Hours:
4
3
3
Core requisite: Biology 1408 Laboratory
Student Learning Outcomes: State-mandated Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course,
students will:
Lecture
1. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell
structures.
2. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.
3. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes,
enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
4. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze
results.
5. Describe karyotyping, pedigrees, and biotechnology and provide an example of the uses of
each.
6. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.
7. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.
Lab
1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions, and utilize scientific tools such as
microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data. (Teamwork)
2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the
laboratory. (Critical Thinking Skills)
3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations. (Communication Skills)
4. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell
structures.
5. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.
6. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes,
enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
7. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze
results. (Empirical and Quantitative Skills)
8. Identify the importance of karyotypes, pedigrees, and biotechnology.
9. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.
10. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.
Withdrawal Policy: See the current Collin Registration Guide for last day to withdraw.
Collin College Academic Policies: See the current Collin Student Handbook.
Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and
local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to
afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCCD140 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current
Collin Student Handbook for additional information.
INSTRUCTOR’S INFORMATION
Instructor’s Name: Elizabeth Felker
Office Number: F229
Office Hours: By appointment only –Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Phone Number: 972-377-1581.
Email: efelker@collin.edu This is the best way to communicate with me
CLASS INFORMATION
Section Number: P2L
Meeting Times: 8:30-11:30
Meeting Location: F220
Course Resources: Online Biology Laboratory Manual - http://iws.collin.edu/biopage/biopage.html
(under “Biology lab”)
Supplies - REQUIRED
Safety Goggles and gloves are required during lab. These can be purchased from the bookstore.
Loose-leaf notebook to keep lab reports and handouts
Recommended
Labcoat or apron, if desired, for some labs
Attendance Policy: Laboratory attendance is mandatory. If a student misses a lab or one of the practical
exams, they can make-up the exam only after approval of the lab instructor (see details in the next
paragraphs). Instructors cannot count one practical exam grade twice. Contact your instructor immediately
if you miss a class or a practical. Students who stop attending class and do not officially withdraw from the
course will be assigned a grade of “F”. The lab doors are locked for security reasons and they will only be
opened for the first 5 minutes of class. Class will start on time. If you are late you will miss whatever
activity that takes place at the beginning of class (review before quiz, quiz, bonus activities or introduction
to lab activity). If you are late you can join the class only when the activity we started is over.
Come prepared to class. You have the course syllabus – use it to review the exercise we are going to
discuss. Students who will miss lab due to an illness, emergency, or previously scheduled engagement
must email me ASAP. If you miss lab, and do not email me, I will not allow you to attend another later lab
sessions. If you miss lab due to illness a note from your doctor must be presented.
Missing the first lab meeting: Students that miss the first day of the lab are required to view the
“Starting with Safety” DVD in the Science Den prior to being permitted to attend the next lab.
The Science Den staff will supply the student with the DVD to watch and with a confirmation note to
return to their instructor to verify completion.
Lab Make-ups: If you need to miss a lab for an appropriate and documented reason (for example: illness
requiring a doctor’s visit, death in the family, College related athletics and activities) you must contact the
instructor as soon as possible. You may only make-up the lab during the same week by attending another
section with prior approval from both the instructor of the lab you will be attending and your original lab
instructor (arrangements can be made ONLY by the lab instructors). If you miss a lab and do not
contact the instructor in an appropriate timeframe in order to attend a make-up lab you will receive a zero
for all quizzes and assignments missed and/or not turned in on time.
Practical Exam Make-ups: For any practical exam make-up to be approved, students must provide their
instructor with documentation verifying that the nature of their absence was for an acceptable reason.
Please note: a practical make-up will be approved ONLY for legitimate reasons. Every request for a makeup should be accompanied by appropriate documentation. Arriving late or unprepared for the exam will
not qualify for a make-up approval. The make-up practical will be a comprehensive practical at the end of
the semester (during final exam week).
LATERAL TRANSFER POLICY
Lateral transfers will not be granted after the 4th week of class or after the first exam, whichever comes
first. Exceptions to this are for documented changes in work schedule or family emergencies. If a student
does transfer to another section, all previous grades will accompany the student. However, the new
instructor can require the student to retake any exam or quiz. For questions concerning this policy, contact
the Biology Department Chair.
Scholastic Dishonesty
Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic
integrity. Collin College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of scholastic
dishonesty. For more details on Academic Dishonesty - Please see section 7-2.2 of the Collin Student
Handbook".
Plagiarism
The use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were one’s own without giving credit to the
source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Cheating
The willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination;
collaborating with another student during an examination without authority; using, buying, selling,
soliciting, stealing, or otherwise obtaining course assignments and/or examination questions in advance;
copying computer or Internet files; using someone else’s work for assignments as if it were one’s own; or
any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.
Collusion
The intentionally or unintentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic
dishonesty, including but not limited to, failing to secure academic work; providing a paper or project to
another student; providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate
about an examination or any other course assignment; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site; and
allowing a classmate to copy answers.
Method of Evaluation:
Overall course grade: Lecture 70%, lab 30%
Lab:
2 practical exams - 20% each
Quizzes - 30% of lab grade
Lab reports - 30% of lab grade
Lab Reports –will be due throughout the semester. Guidelines are outlined in the lab manual,
and in handouts provided by the instructor. Reports must be written using college-level writing, and are
due at the beginning of the class period on the date they are due. If lab reports are not turned in at the
BEGINNING of class on the day they are due, they are considered late, and I will not accept late work.
Weekly Quizzes –will be given daily and will usually involve material that has been covered in
any previous lab session or the lab being covered that day. Quizzes will be administered at the beginning
of class, 5 minutes after class officially begins. Missed quizzes due to documented reasons may be madeup. However, being late to the quiz will result in a zero.
Practical Exams – (2) are hands-on, and will involve questions covering topics discussed in the
lab. Being late constitutes missing the practical, which cannot be made up due to tardiness. If you
miss a practical due to illness a note from your doctor must be presented. In order to attend lab closed toe
shoes must be worn at all times, included practical exams.
General Lab Policies: No food or drink is ever allowed in the lab. In addition, all students must
dress appropriately for a laboratory setting. No open-toed shoes are ever allowed. Hard, closed-toed
shoes are REQUIRED. Anyone coming to class with open-toed shoes will be asked to leave, and will be
considered absent. Goggles and gloves are required for certain labs. Clothing must also cover as much of
the body as possible, to prevent injury. It is also expected that students treat the lab equipment, facility,
and fellow classmates/instructors with respect at all times.
BIOLOGY 1408 - GENERAL BIOLOGY I LABORATORY
TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR
WEEK
LABORATORY TOPICS
EXERCISES
1
Introduction to Laboratory Safety
Handouts
Measurement
Unit 1
Spectrophotometry
Unit 2
2
***Labor Day Holiday Monday 9/1***
3
Acids, Bases, pH
Unit 3
***Fall Census Date (drop with no grade) 9/8***
4
Macromolecules
Unit 4
5
Microscopy and Cytology
Unit 5
6
Prokaryotes
Unit 6
7
Lab Practical I
8
Osmosis and Diffusion
Unit 7
***Last Day to Withdraw 10/17***
9
Enzymes
Unit 8
10
Cellular Respiration
Unit 9
11
Photosynthesis
Unit 10
12
Cell Division
Unit 11
13
Biotechnology
Unit 12
14
***Labs do not meet***
Thanksgiving holiday 11/26-11/30
15
Lab Practical II
5