Cross—BIOL 1114-101
Summer 2015
Syllabus
General Biology for Non-majors
Summer 2015
BIOL 1114—101
Call Number: 30945
Lecture: MW 9:00–11:50am (MC G13)
Lab: M 12:30pm–3:20pm (MC 615)
==============================================
Instructor:
Brian Cross
Office: MC 641 (Mailbox in MC 620)
Phone: 595-7055
Email: brian.cross@tulsacc.edu
Office Hours: By appointment.
Division office:
Science and Mathematics
Dr. Connie Hebert
Office MC 620
Telephone: 595-7334
Normal hours: M-R, 8am-6pm
F, 9am-1pm
======================================================
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION FROM CATALOG (BIOL 1114):
A presentation of selected principles in biological science for the non-science major,
including the cell concept, the organization of multicellular systems, plants and animals
as organized systems and man in relation to his environment. (Lecture: 3 hours.
Laboratory: 3 hrs.) Course Prerequisites: None
II.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
In this course, students will be introduced to the diversity of life and to the
foundational concepts of biology, including genetics, evolution, ecology, and the
hierarchical structure of living things. In addition, this course will highlight some of
the political, social, and ethical questions raised by human interactions with, and
manipulation of, living organisms and the environment.
III.
TEACHING METHODS:
The primary teaching method will be lecture. Important concepts will be reinforced
through lecture assignments and laboratory activities. In both lecture and lab, students
are encouraged to participate through comments and questions. Students are
responsible for all material covered in class unless advised otherwise.
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IV.
V.
Summer 2015
TEXBOOKS, SOFTWARE, AND SUPPLIES
 Campbell Essential Biology (5th edition) by Eric J. Simon, Jean L.
Dickey, and Jane B. Reece with access to Mastering Biology
online materials. (Note that you may purchase the e-text
with online access for a significant discount by going to
www.Masteringbiology.com.)
 Course ID: MBCROSS95626
 Microsoft Office 2013. (You can download a free copy on
Blackboard. See below.)
COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED
You should be comfortable with the following:
 using a word processor
 using email for communication and sending an email attachment
 navigating the Internet and using an Internet search engine
 downloading appropriate plugins
VI.
TCC BLACKBOARD –Course Documents
In this course, we will be using Blackboard for general communication and for the
posting of PowerPoints, study guides, links, and other miscellaneous information. In
addition, all of your scores will be posted in the Blackboard gradebook.
VII.
EVALUATION
Students will be evaluated through a combination of exams, quizzes, assignments, and
laboratory reports. The final grade will be calculated by dividing the total points earned
by the total points possible. The standard grading scale will be used (see below).
 Lecture exams: four lecture exams worth 100 points each (4x100=400 points)
 Final exam: one final exam worth 150 points (1x150=150 points)
 Lecture Quizzes: 10 quizzes worth 10 points each (10x10=100 points)
 Misc. lecture assignments: (60 points) (estimated)
 Bioethics Presentation: (50 points)
 Laboratory Reports: 3 lab reports worth 20 points each (3X20=60 points)
 Lab Assignments: 8 lab assignments worth 10 pts. each (8X10=80 points)
(estimated)
Total points --------------------900 points (estimated)
Grading Scale
90%
80%
70%
60%
0%
- 100% : A
- 89% : B
- 79% : C
- 69% : D
- 59% : F
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Summer 2015
VIII.
GRADE CHALLENGES
In the event of a dispute about the grading of an exam or other assignment, students
may submit a challenge in writing no later than one week after receiving the grade.
Except in the case of simple computational error, no verbal grade challenges will be
considered.
IX.
ATTENDANCE AND MAKEUP POLICY
Regular attendance is strongly encouraged in both lecture and laboratory sessions.
Although no credit is given for attendance per se, your presence and participation are
essential to learning the material and succeeding in this course. In addition, missing
class usually means missing assignments, quizzes, or exams.
The policy with respect to makeup exams and assignments is as follows:
 Exams: Makeup exams will be allowed in extenuating circumstances, such as
family emergency or illness. Students are responsible for contacting the instructor
to make arrangements as soon as possible. If contact is not made in a timely
manner, preferably on or before the exam date, the make-up will not be permitted.
 Take-home Lecture Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted in
extenuating circumstances, such as family emergency or illness. Students are
responsible for notifying the instructor about the situation as soon as possible. In
the absence of extenuating circumstances, assignments will be accepted with a 10%
per day penalty.
 Take-home Lab Reports: Take-home lab reports will be accepted according to
the same policy as above. However, to receive credit for a lab report, you must
have been present for the experiment/activity on which the report is based.
 In-class Assignments: In-class assignments, whether in lecture or in lab, cannot
be made up under any circumstances. An in-class assignment is defined as one
that is completed and turned in during the same class session.
X.
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.
XI.
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. For Summer 2015, the final withdraw
deadline is Thursday, July 9. 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.
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Summer 2015
XII.
COMMUNICATIONS:
 Email communications: All TCC students receive a
designated TCC email address in the format
firstname.lastname@tulsacc.edu . This email can be
accessed through www.outlook.com/tulsacc.edu. All
communications to you about TCC and course
assignments will be sent to this email address, and you
must use this email to send email to, and receive email
from, the instructor regarding this course.
 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).
XIII.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:
 Please give the instructor and your classmates the same respect that you would
wish to receive from them. Such respect is essential for the free and open
communication that underlies all higher learning.
 Please arrive on time.
 Texting or talking on cell phones is not permitted during class. Please turn off all
phones and other cellular devices.
 Food and drink are not allowed in the lab. No children are allowed in lecture or
in lab at any time.
XIV.
ADA POLICY: STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
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 of hearing students
may text (918) 809-1864.
XV.
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. In the case of academic dishonesty a faculty member
may:
 Ask the student to redo an assignment/test or a substitute assignment/test;
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



XVI.
XVII.
Summer 2015
Record a "zero" for the assignment/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.
Request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative
level by submitting 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.
SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUES
Please advise the instructor of pertinent health issues in case an emergency arises.
XVIII.
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.
XIX.
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
XX.
SYLLABUS CHANGES
Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may
be necessary. Students will be notified of
any changes to the syllabus in writing.
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Summer 2015
Tentative Lecture and Lab Schedule
WEEK OF:
CHAPT.
June 1
Ch. 1
June 3
Ch. 18-20
June 8
June 10
June 15
Ch. 18-20
Ch. 18-20
Ch.13
Quizzes/E
xams
LECTURE (M/W)


Syllabus
Science, Biology, and Life
Lab: Scientific Sources

Ecosystem Ecology
Lab: Habitat Choice in
Isopods*
Quiz #2


Community Ecology
Population Ecology
Lab: Ecology of
Oxley Nature Center I
(Field Trip)
Quiz #3


Behavioral Ecology
Review
Lab: Ecology of Oxley
Nature Center II
(Field Trip)
Exam #1
(Ch. 1, 1820)


Exam #1
Organic Evolution I
Lab: Soil Invertebrate
Diversity*
Quiz #1
(Setup: Soil Invertebrates)

June 17
June 22
Ch. 13
Ch. 14
Ch. 15
Ch. 17
LAB (M)

Quiz #4


Quiz #5
Organic Evolution I
(cont.)
Organic Evolution II
(Taxonomy and
Systematics)
Microbrial Life
Animals
Evolution Videos
--What Darwin Never
Knew
--Your Inner Fish
Evolution Labs
--Natural Selection
--Systematics
(Setup for bacteria lab)
*Lab Report
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June 24
Ch. 16
Summer 2015
Quiz #6
June 29
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Exam #2
(Ch. 13-17)
July 1
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Quiz #7
Ch. 6-7
Quiz #8
July 6
July 8
Ch.8
Ch.9
July 13
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Exam #3
(Ch. 2-7)
Quiz #9



Plants



Exam #2
Chemistry
Molecules of Life


Tour of the Cell
Cells, Energy and
Membrane Function
Lab: Enzymes and
Evolution*
Video: Got Lactase?


Photosynthesis and
Respiration
Review
--Lab: The Compound
Microscope
--Lab: What are Cells?



Exam #3
Cell Reproduction
Patterns of Inheritance
Lab: Cell Division

Patterns of Inheritance
(cont.)
Structure and Function
of DNA
Bioethics
Presentations

Fungi
Review
Microbial Life Labs
--Prokaryotes
--Protista
Lab: Kingdom Animalia

July 15
July 20
July 22
Ch. 11
Ch. 12
Control of Gene
Expression
 DNA Technology
Review
Quiz #10
Exam #4
(Ch. 8-12)


Exam #4
Review
FINAL EXAM
7
Lab: Human Genetics
Review
No Lab