Spring 2015
A.Mankins BIO 1224
General Biology 1224 for Majors
Spring 2015 Syllabus
Instructor: Alisa Mankins
Phone: 918-724-5948
E-mail: alisa.mankins@tulsacc.edu
COURSE: BIO1224
CALL NUMBER: 324
SECTION: 21059
Lab: 9:00a-11:50a
Lecture: 12:30p-3:20p
COURSE PREREQUISTE
None
DIVISION DEAN: Lyn Kent
Science and Mathematics Division Office:
Phone: 918-595-7744
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
BIO 1224 - Introduction to Biology for Majors-- 4 Credits
Introductory biology course for majors with lab. This course includes an in-depth study of
fundamental biological concepts, including metabolism, homeostasis, heredity, evolution, and
ecology at the subcellular, cellular and organism levels. It provides the foundation for other
advanced courses in the biological sciences.
Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours
BIOLOGY GOALS
1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the scientific process in the biological world
as it is implemented by the Scientific Method. The student will further understand the need for
continued biological research in a dynamic environment.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic life processes, such as cell
structure, obtaining and using of energy, and the processes of reproduction, heredity and
evolution.
3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the diversity, complexity and inter-relatedness of life.
4. Students in our laboratory classes will demonstrate proficiency in measurement and in using
various techniques and equipment (including their strengths and weaknesses) as they apply to
solving problems in the biological sciences.
TEXTBOOKS, SOFTWARE, AND SUPPLIES
The Campus Bookstore will have textbooks and supplies available.
1
Spring 2015
A.Mankins BIO 1224
TEXTBOOK REQUIRED
Mason, Understanding Biology, 1st Edition, by Mason, et al., ISBN-978-0-07-353229-5
LABORATORY MANUAL REQUIRED
1. Introduction to General Biology Laboratory Manual for Majors, 8th ed. by Phillips
et al. ISBN-13:978-0-07-804507-3.
SUPPLIES REQUIRED: Supplies needed for the course may be purchased at the bookstore:
 Goggles (safety glasses), nitrile gloves, microscope slides and coverslips, colored
pencils.
Required software: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
If you do not have Office, you can download it from Blackboard free.
-- Go to the Organization tab
-- Search for: software
-- Enroll in the organization
-- Follow the on-screen instructions
COMPUTER ACCESS
It is highly recommended that you have regular (daily) computer access, preferably a
home computer with broadband Internet access. This course can be completed using
public computers at TCC or other public access areas. However, be aware that using
public computers may create a hardship. All course requirements remain the same
whether your computer access is public or private (home).
TECHNICAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS
You should be comfortable with the following:
 using a word processor (changing font, spell check)
 using email for communication
 sending an email attachment
 navigating the Internet
 downloading appropriate plugins
 using an Internet search engine
TCC BLACKBOARD (Bb) –Course Documents
Students are expected to use the TCC Blackboard site to obtain
course information: Syllabus, PowerPoint lectures, Assignments,
and Announcements. Check your grades on Bb.
2
Spring 2015
A.Mankins BIO 1224
The course syllabus contains information regarding course attendance policies and how
you will be evaluated in this course.
You will find the online materials by clicking on the various tabs on the Bb site: Start Here,
Announcements, Meet Instructor, Course Goals, Content, Discussions, My Grades, Web
Resources, On-line Lab Questions, Quizzes and Exams.
You will communicate with your instructor and colleagues via TCC email and Discussion
Boards.
LABORATORY SESSION: The laboratory session will reinforce concepts and principles
learned in the lecture section of the course. Students will become familiar with the broad range
of methods and technologies/instrumentation used in modern biology research. Several
fieldtrips are scheduled and are part of the laboratory experience. The laboratory session will
meet once a week for 3 hours. Missing a laboratory session constitutes a zero.
Attendance to laboratory sessions is mandatory. Lab sessions cannot be made up!
ATTENDANCE POLICY. Attendance and participation are required in both lecture and
laboratory sessions. Only in extenuating circumstances, such as family crisis, illness, birth, etc.,
will makeup examinations be provided and late assignments be accepted. Advise your
instructor in advance of an absence as a result of such matters. Missed examinations and
assignments cannot be made up unless justification for being absent is provided before
the assignment is due. If a student is permitted to makeup an assignment, the
assignment must be completed within one week of the due date, or the student receives
a zero on the assignment. In addition, any makeup examinations will not receive curve or
extra credit points! All makeup examinations will be taken at the Math Lab Testing Center
(Building 8).
Lecture and laboratory attendance and participation are essential! Attendance follows TCC
policies. The instructor may automatically withdraw (AW) a student from the course as a result
of excessive absences (2 or more absences) from lecture (or online participation), and/or
laboratory sessions. Please do not make a habit of coming to laboratory sessions late.
Attendance (regular participation in the online classroom) is essential for maintaining the best
learning environment. Learning occurs in relationship not only between student and course
materials, but, just as importantly, peer to peer, professor to student, and student to professor.
DISCUSSION BOARD: Discussion Board is restricted to academic discussion of this course
(majors biology) only. If a student exhibits inappropriate online communication, the student will
be excluded from participation in the Discussion Board. Also, any and all inappropriate behavior
will be documented and reported to the Dean of Student Services.
SYLLABUS CHANGES: Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students
will be notified of any changes to the syllabus. Changes will be posted on Bb, announced in
class and/or the laboratory session. It is the student’s responsibility to check Bb.
EVALUATION
3
Spring 2015
A.Mankins BIO 1224
Your grade will be determined as follows:
3 Class Exams = 300 points
Final =100 points
Laboratory Assignments =120-130 points
Class participation/presentation: TBA
90%-100% = A
80%-89% = B
70%-79% = C
60%-69% = D
Total points range from 500 -600 points. Your grade will be calculated as a percentage of
the total points.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
A complete list of student support services can be found in the Resources section of the
Blackboard course site. This includes information about college services, free tutoring services,
software support, and online tutorials related to course concepts.
COURSE WITHDRAWAL
The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration of any class. Contact
the Counseling Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course ('W' grade) or to
change from Credit to Audit. Check the TCC Academic Calendar for deadlines. Students who
stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,” which
may have financial aid consequences for the student.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Required email address: All TCC students receive a designated “MyTCC” email address
(ex: jane.doe@tulsacc.edu). All communications to you about TCC and course
assignments will be sent to your MyTCC email address; and you may use MyTCC email to
send email to, and receive email from, the instructor regarding this course. You access
MyTCC at https://portal.tulsacc.edu
Inclement Weather: TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or emergency
situations arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations.
This information is also posted on the TCC website (www.tulsacc.edu). You can sign up to
receive TCC Alerts!
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS: General Education courses at TCC ensure that our
graduates gain skills, knowledge, and abilities that comprise a common foundation for their
higher education and a backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General Education
goals are: Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological
Proficiency.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions,
beliefs, and perspectives during classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange
of ideas that is essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each other. Use of
any electronic device is at the discretion of the instructor.
ADA POLICY: STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: TCC provides accommodations for qualifying
students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For information, students may
4
Spring 2015
A.Mankins BIO 1224
contact the disabled Student Resource Center, 918-595-7115, or the Resource Center for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 918-595-7428V, 918-595-7434TTY.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of
others about one’s own work or about the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct
is not condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa
Community College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action
to the faculty. Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to,
the dismissal of disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic
dishonesty a faculty member may:

Require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete
a substitute assignment or test;

Record a "zero" for the assignment or test in question;

Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or
administratively withdraw the student from the class;

Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester. Faculty may
request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level
by submitting such a request to the Dean of Student Services.
INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information
contained in the TCC Catalog, TCC Student Handbook, Student Code of Conduct Policy
Handbook, and semester information listed in the class schedule. All information may be viewed
on the TCC website: www.tulsacc.edu
COMPUTER SERVICES ACCEPTABLE USE
Access to computing resources is a privilege granted to all TCC faculty, staff, and students.
Use of TCC computing resources is limited to purposes related to the College’s mission of
education, research, and community service. See TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy
Handbook
CELLULAR DEVICES
Be sure to TURN OFF phones and other cellular devices when entering the class.
SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUES Please advice instructor of pertinent health issues or
medications you may be taking in case an emergency arises.
ADA Statement for Class Syllabi
DISABILITY RESOURCES: It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community College to
create inclusive learning environments. Accommodations for qualifying students in
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act are available. To request accommodations, contact the Education
Access Center (EAC) at eac@tulsacc.edu or call (918) 595-7115 (Voice). Deaf and hard
5
Spring 2015
A.Mankins BIO 1224
of hearing students may text (918)809-1864.
6
Spring 2015
A.Mankins BIO 1224
Tobacco-Free Environment
Tulsa Community College actively promotes the health and well-being of its students,
faculty, staff, and administrators. Numerous Federal studies demonstrate a correlation
between tobacco use and health concerns.
Therefore, in compliance with Executive Order 2012-01 by the Governor of the State of
Oklahoma, Tulsa Community College prohibits the use of any tobacco products on all
college-owned, leased, or contracted property, including but not limited to all buildings,
land and vehicles owned, leased or contracted for use by Tulsa Community College.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Tulsa Community College or his/her
designee is directed to develop, maintain, and facilitate procedures that will provide for
the health and safety of its students, faculty, staff, and administrators on all property
owned, leased, or contracted by the College as it relates to prohibiting the use of any
tobacco products and developing appropriate sanctions.
Legal Reference: Oklahoma State Statute, Title 21, Section 1247
Oklahoma Governor Executive Order 2012-01
Oklahoma State Statute, Title 63, Section 1-1523
7
Spring 2015
A.Mankins BIO 1224
8