BIOL124 Biology I with Lab
T. Becker, Fall 2014
Course title: Biology I with Lab
Course number/section: BIOL 124
Credit hours: 4
Contact hours: 75
Instructor: Ted Becker
Office phone: (207) 831-9616
e-mail:tbecker@smccme.edu
Office location: TBD
Class times: MW 6:00-7:15 (Preble Hall 110); W 4:00-5:50 (HSC 102)
Course description:
This is the first semester of a two-semester Biology sequence intended for biology/science
majors or students looking to transfer laboratory science credits. Biology I lecture concentrates
on living organisms at the cellular level. Specific topics include biochemistry, metabolism,
respiration, photosynthesis, the cell cycle, meiosis, DNA, protein synthesis, gene regulation and
Mendelian genetics. The laboratory stresses hypothesis – based investigation. Students will work
in groups to propose hypotheses, design experiments and analyze data. Prerequisites: ENGL 050,
ENGL 075
Required materials:



Text: Campbell, Reece, Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky and Jackson, 2010. Biology,
10th ed. San Francisco.
A bound laboratory notebook
Scientific calculator and computer with Excel
o NOTE: A cell phone app is NOT a substitute for a calculator. Using the calculator
function on cell phones will not be allowed during quizzes and tests.
Course objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate an understanding
of the following topics:







Biological molecules and their function in the cell
Metabolism including photosynthesis and respiration
Cell theory and the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Structure and replication of DNA
Protein synthesis
Signal transduction and gene regulation
Mendelian genetics
1
BIOL124 Biology I with Lab
T. Becker, Fall 2014
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:






Understand the scientific method
Research the scientific literature
Understand sources of error
Use basic statistics to analyze data
Present data in written, poster and oral formats
Practice standards of lab safety
Course policies:
Material is presented through lecture, class and lab activities, anatomy/physiology educational
websites, and other assignments. PowerPoint slides may be incorporated. Material and some
activities may also be available in Blackboard, as well as supplemental information. Constructive
participation is required throughout the semester in lecture and lab. Questions and discussions
are encouraged all the time, anytime. Do not wait until something becomes a problem to get
help; by then it’s usually too late.
End-of-course evaluation (online):
In order to gain access to final course grades, students must complete evaluations for each course
attended at SMCC. Evaluations are submitted online and can be accessed through the student
portal site. Students can access the course evaluation report beginning two weeks before the end
of classes. The deadline for submission of evaluations occurs 24 hours after the last day of
classes each semester. Instructors will announce when the online course evaluation is available.
ADA policy (Americans with Disabilities Act):
Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and
employer. For more information, please call 207-741-5798. If you have a disabling condition
and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable access to the programs
and services offered by SMCC, you must register with the Disability Services Coordinator,
Sandra Lynham, who can be reached at 741-5923. Further information about services for
students with disabilities and the accommodation process is available upon request at this
number. Course policies about online testing are modified to suit each individual’s
accommodations.
SMCC pay-for-print policy:
This policy identifies the cost per page for black and white as well as color printing in varying
page sizes. Specifics of the policy are outlined below:
2
BIOL124 Biology I with Lab
T. Becker, Fall 2014
Per Page Costs
Each semester students receive a $20 printing credit. The balance resets at the end of the
semester and any remaining credits are removed. The cost varies depending upon page size and
whether printing is done in black and white or color.
a. There is a $0.10 per page fee for standard 8.5” by 11” black and white documents.
b. The reverse sides of duplex (double-sided) documents are free.
c. There is a $.50 per page fee for standard 8.5” by 11” color documents.
d. There is a $.20 per page fee for 8.5” by 14” (legal) or 11” by 17” (tabloid) black
and white documents.
e. There is a $1.00 per page fee for 8.5” by 14” (legal) or 11” by 17” (tabloid) color
documents. Duplex charges (printing on both sides of a page) work in the following
fashion:
One page is $0.10, two pages are $0.10, three pages are $0.20, and
$0.10. Please be aware that a document with any color at all (when
printed to
a color printer) will by default be printed in color. You are responsible for setting the print job
to print black and white if you do not
need color. For directions, please go to the IT Help
tab in My SMCC.
How does it work?
The College’s pay-for-print system monitors printing on all printers (including those in general
access labs, library printers, the Academic Achievement Center, Noisy Lounge and technology
labs). Students can check the number of pages they have printed by using the Printing Balance
tool available on SMCC computers (located in the lower right corner of the screen, near the
clock). Departments with work study students who need to print documents for the department
should contact the HelpDesk at 741-5696 to have a special account set up.
Refunds
Print jobs are eligible for a refund in the event of mechanical or electronic error on the part of the
printer, print server, or software used to submit the job. Jobs are not eligible for a refund in cases
where the job was not set up correctly, was submitted multiple times, or the student is not
satisfied with the result. To request a refund, please bring the offending print to the IT
Department in the basement of the Ross Technology Center. Refunds will be granted in the form
of a credit to the student’s account.
Why is SMCC charging for printing?
3
BIOL124 Biology I with Lab
T. Becker, Fall 2014
The pay-for-print system is an effort to control escalating printing costs. Charging for printing
helps offset the increasing cost of supplies and encourages students to conserve resources. To
find ways to reduce your printing charges, please go to the IT Help tab on My SMCC. If you
have questions about the pay-for-printing policy or your printing charges, please contact the
HelpDesk at 741-5696 or send an email to helpdesk@smccme.edu.
Be sure to log OUT of the system when you’ve finished your printing, to prevent unauthorized
access to your account.
Add-drop policy:
Students who drop a course during the one-week “add/drop” period in the fall and spring
semesters, and the first three days of summer sessions, receive a 100% refund of the tuition and
associated fees for that course. Please note any course that meets for less than the traditional
semester length, i.e., 15 weeks, has a pro-rated add/drop period. There is no refund for nonattendance. Remaining enrolled after Drop/Add week means you understand and accept the
requirements, policies, and instructions spelled out in this syllabus.
Withdrawal policy:
A student may withdraw from a course only during the semester in which s/he is registered for
that course. The withdrawal period is the 2nd through 12th week of the fall and spring semesters
and the 2nd through 9th week of 12-week summer courses. This period is pro-rated for shorterlength courses. To withdraw from a course, a student must complete and submit the appropriate
course withdrawal form, available at the Enrollment Service Center (no phone calls, please). The
designation “W” will appear on the transcript after a student has officially withdrawn. A course
withdrawal is an uncompleted course and may adversely affect financial aid eligibility. Failure to
attend or ceasing to attend class does not constitute withdrawal from the course. There is no
refund associated with a withdrawal.
Plagiarism policy:
Adherence to ethical academic standards is required. Cheating is a serious offense, whether it
consists of taking credit for work done by another person or doing work for which another
person will receive credit. Taking and using the ideas or writings of another person without
clearly and fully crediting the source is plagiarism and violates the academic code as well as the
Student Code of Conduct. If it is suspected that a student in any course in which s/he is enrolled
has knowingly committed such a violation, the faculty member should refer the matter to the
College’s Disciplinary Officer and appropriate action will be taken under the Student Code of
Conduct. Sanctions may include suspension from the course and a failing grade in the course.
4
BIOL124 Biology I with Lab
T. Becker, Fall 2014
Students have the right to appeal these actions to the Disciplinary Committee under the terms
outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
Conduct:
Please be considerate of your fellow classmates and turn off your phones while in class. Any use
of a cell phone or computer during an assessment will result in a O for a grade for that
assessment.
Attendance:
Any student missing 16 total hours of class time will be withdrawn from the course.
Academic failure (grade of “AF”):
1. “Academic failure” is the consequence of three consecutive absences, without notifying
the instructor ahead of time as to the reason.
2. A grade of AF is submitted to the Registrar immediately after the third consecutive
absence. Basically, an AF grade drops the student from the course. The student may then
contact the instructor to request reinstatement in the course. Reinstatement is at the
instructor’s discretion and is generally not granted because too much work has been
missed by that time.
3. An AF student can contact the Registrar and request that the grade be changed to “W”
(withdrawn) if done before the final drop date. Students earning an AF are still
financially responsible for the course.
Early Alert and Academic Alert:
1. The first four weeks of the semester is the “Early Alert” period. Student progress is
monitored closely during this time. The 5th through the 9th week is the “Academic Alert”
period. Student progress continues to be monitored during this time, essentially halfway
through the semester. These alerts raise students’ awareness about their performance.
2. If your overall course grade is below a C at the end of either the Early Alert or Academic
Alert period, you will be assigned a grade of “U” (unsatisfactory) and your advisor will
be notified. Your advisor will notify you about scheduling a meeting to discuss strategies
for improvement. Think about specific ways you can improve your performance and take
these ideas with you to the meeting.
3. If your overall course grade is C or above (satisfactory), no grade will be assigned and
your advisor will not notify you.
4. These alert grades do not change. They do not become part of your permanent record and
no other schools have access to them. They only reflect your performance for those time
frames. However, these grades DO eventually affect your final course grade, of course,
because your course grade continues to change as the semester progresses and you
5
BIOL124 Biology I with Lab
T. Becker, Fall 2014
complete more work. Your final course grade may be different from your Early Alert and
Academic Alert grades, i.e., higher, lower, or the same, depending on your performance.
You should calculate your grade often and know where you stand (see “Figuring out your
own grade at any time during the course,” below).
Policies regarding missed or late work, extra credit, dropped grades, and incompletes:
The coursework for this class consists of weekly quizzes, unit tests and labs. All assessments
will be announced in advance. All labs are due one week after the lab class date. Labs are due at
the beginning of class and must be completed in your laboratory manual. NO PHOTOCOPIES
OF LABS WILL BE ACCEPTED. The lowest two quiz scores will be dropped. If you must
miss a class then you should email me immediately to schedule a make-up for the test or lab.
There are no make-ups for missed quizzes. There is no extra credit for this class.
Course requirements (required work):
You are required to complete all labs and lab reports.
Student evaluation and grading (grade determination):
Quizzes25%
Labs25%
Unit Tests50%
Figuring out your own grade at any time during the course:
Check your grade on the classroom Blackboard site.
Grading scale:
100-93 = A
92-90 = A89-87 = B+
86-83 = B
82-80 = B79-77 = C+
76-73 = C
72-70 = C69-67 = D+
66-63 = D
Below 63 = F
6
BIOL124 Biology I with Lab
T. Becker, Fall 2014
Weekly topic schedule:
Week
Week 1
M 8/25
W 8/27
Week 2
W 9/03
Week 3
M 9/8
W 9/10
Topics
Introduction; Themes: evolution, emergent
properties, structure and function, cell theory,
DNA, feedback; scientific inquiry
No classes Monday, Sept. 1: Labor day
Elements, compounds; molecular structure;
bonding
Monday 9/8 Quiz 1
Carbon; functional groups; carbohydrates,
lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
Week 4
M 9/15
W 9/17
Monday, Sept. 15: Test 1
Cell structure and function, membranes
Week 5
M 9/22
W 9/24
Monday 9/22 Quiz 2
Week 6
M 9/29
W10/01
Week 7
M 10/06
W 10/08
Week 8
W 10/15
Week 9
M 10/20
W 10/22
Week 10
M 10/27
W 10/29
Week 11
M 11/03
W 11/05
Mitochondria, ATP, metabolism, cellular
respiration
Monday 9/29 Quiz 3
Text
Chapters
Labs
1.1-1.4
Introduction
2.1-2.4
3.1-3.3
Microscope use;
plankton
4.1-4.3
5.1-5.5
7.1-7.5
8.1-8.4
9.1-9.6
9.1-9.6
Biochemistry:
Organic
molecules
Enzymes
Metabolism:
Cellular
respiration
Photosynthesis
Data analysis
Respiration – continued; fermentation
Monday 10/6 Quiz 4
10.1-10.4
Chloroplast, photosynthesis
No classes Monday, Oct. 13: Columbus Day
Wednesday, Oct. 16: Test 2
Cell cycle
Monday 10/20 Quiz 5
(Metabolism
continued)
Cell cycle:
Mitosis
12.1-12.3
13.1-13.4
Cell cycle:
Meiosis
14.1-14.4
Genetics:
Fruit flies
Meiosis, life cycles
Monday 10/27 Quiz 6
Mendelian genetics
Monday 11/3 Quiz 7
16.1-16.3
Molecular biology, DNA synthesis, DNA repair
Molecular
Week 12
7
BIOL124 Biology I with Lab
T. Becker, Fall 2014
M 11/10
W 11/12
Wednesday, Nov. 12: Test 3
Molecular biology - continued
16.1-16.3
Week 13 Monday 11/17 Quiz 8
M 11/17
W 11/19 Transcription, tRNA, ribosomes
biology
DNA isolation
PCR
Genomics
17.1-17.6
Week 14
M 11/24 Gene regulation, lac operon
No classes after 3PM Wednesday, Nov. 26Friday, Nov. 28: Thanksgiving recess
Week 15 Monday 12/1 Quiz 9
M 12/01
W 12/03 Viruses
Biotechnology
Week 16 Monday 12/8 Quiz 10
M 12/08
W 12/10 Genomes
Wednesday, Dec. 10: Test 4
8
18.1-18.5
19.1-19.3
20.1-20.4
21.1-21.6
Student
exploration:
Experimental
design,
implementation,
and analysis