5011 BIOL& 100-A Survey of Biology
Spring 2012
LECTURE: MWF 8:30 AM-9:40 AM Location: 15-203
Lab: T 8:30 AM-10:20 AM Location: 15-128L
Instructor
Shaun Henderson
Contact Information
Email: sdhenderson@tacomacc.edu
Telephone: 460 4348 (messages only)
Office Hours
MWF 7:45-8:15; 9:40-10:30 am
TTH 7:45-8:15; 10:30-11:00 am
Or by appointment
Description: A one-quarter introduction to biological principles for non-majors or students
starting in life sciences. Topics include: diversity of life; basic cellular anatomy and
biochemical processes; evolution and genetics; and ecology and environmental issues.
Laboratory included.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of ENGL 095 and READ 095 with a minimum grade of C or
ENGL/ 095 with a minimum grade of C and completion of MATH 090 or MATH 093 with a
minimum grade of C- or equivalent assessment in these areas
Note: BIOLOGY 100 DOES NOT SATISFY ANY PRE-REQUISITE FOR UPPER LEVEL
BIOLOGY COURSES.
Requirements:
 Text: “What is life; a guide to Biology” by Jay Phelan
 Access to online resources: TCC email, the text’s website, and the “Canvas”
classroom on TCC’s Portal
Syllabus is subject to change with prior notice
COLLEGE-WIDE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Tacoma Community College has established five “college-wide learning outcomes” which we
take in to account when planning all curricula. Any student who obtains an Associate’s
degree from TCC should have opportunity to improve themselves in all of these areas: 1)
Communication skills (COM); 2) critical thinking (CRT) 3) responsibility & ethics (RES); 4)
information technology (IIT); 5) living and working cooperatively (LWC). To one degree or
another, the curriculum of this course will present you multiple opportunities to
strengthen your skills in all learning outcomes, however the main areas are listed below.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Natural Sciences
Upon successful completion of the Natural Sciences distribution requirements for the
AAS Option A or B, or the Associate in Biology, or the Associate of Sciences degrees,
students will:
 1. Explain the importance of observation and hypothesis testing in the scientific
process, and distinguish between the scientific process and other human endeavors
(COK, COM, CRT).
 2. Communicate the primary principles and processes underlying at least one natural
system (for example: atoms and molecules, cells and organisms, the oceans and
atmosphere, the solid earth, or the cosmos) (COK, COM, CRT).
 3. Perform and effectively communicate the results of scientific investigations, and
explain how research is done in science (COK, COM, CRT, ITT, LWC).
 4. Evaluate information scientifically in the context of his/her own life (COK, COM,
CRT, RES, ITT).
 5. Demonstrate the safe and proper use of scientific instrumentation, measuring
devices, chemical reagents, media, and/or other tools of science in a laboratory or
field setting relevant to specific disciplines of science (COK, COM, CRT, ITT, LWC).
Detailed Course Outcomes
1. Understand and participate in the scientific method. (COM,CRT)
2. Know the major taxonomic groups and their evolutionary relationships. (CRT)
3. Think about biological issues across a relevant size spectrum from subatomic particles
to the ecosphere. (CRT)
4. Understand and utilize basic chemistry and elementary biochemistry. (CRT)
5. Understand cell structure, organelle function, and the basics of metabolic activities
such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis. (CRT)
6. Comprehend genetics topics such as DNA replication, mitosis, genetic engineering,
viruses, cancer, inheritance, sex, and evolution. (CRT, RSP, LWC)
7. Understand basic ecological processes such as nutrient cycling and symbiosis. (CRT, RSP)
8. Recognize and understand more of the biological events occurring around and within
them. (CRT, RSP, LWC)
9. More competently research, interpret, critique, and present biological information.
(COM, RSP, IIT, LWC)
Syllabus is subject to change with prior notice
Course Components
Text Book: The text book is your guide through the course. You will not be responsible for
reading it cover-to-cover. Sometimes you will be responsible for reading an entire chapter,
and other times we will focus on some sections and not others.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given weekly, every Monday. They are worth 10% of final
grade. Quizzes will be given over material in the text, lectures, lab, and any other
material we covered since the last quiz. They are closed book, notes and each other. They
will consist of multiple choice, sketches, short answer or matching type questions.
You will have one quiz per week, however, only the top scoring 8 of your quizzes will be
kept and count towards your final grade. In all likelihood, we will have 10-11 quizzes,
meaning that 2-3 of your lowest quiz grades will be dropped. Since you are given the
opportunity to drop quizzes, they cannot be made up. Please do not ask.
Labs: Laboratory and field activities allow you to become engaged in “hands-on" activities
while working in small groups. Field-trips occur during normal lab times, including transit.
Your attendance in labs and fieldtrips is imperative to your success and you are expected
to attend all scheduled labs. When on field-trips, class officially begins at the field-trip
site and you are responsible for getting there yourself. Each week's lab will usually be
related to the lecture topics but may present new concepts. As labs are labor intensive, no
lab make-ups are allowed. If you know that for some reason you will miss a lab and make
arrangements prior, I MAY be able to work something out, but do not count on this or
assume that it is a possibility.
Prelabs: Each lab will have a prelab assignment associated with it to ensure that you have
read the material prior to arriving. The point value will be posted on each prelab. You must
arrive having already read the laboratory and be prepared to begin. If I find that
students have not read the lab prior to the beginning of class, I will enact prelab quizzes
to be given to both lab sections. Prelabs will be due in the first 15 minutes of class. After
that time, they will be considered late.
Post-labs: Post- lab assignments are due the day before your next week’s lab. I will put
point value for each lab at the top of the paper when it is handed out. The point
assignment of each lab varies depending on the complexity and intensity of each lab. They
are due at the start of the class period. After that time, they are considered late.
Outdoor labs will take place regardless of weather conditions. Please always come
prepared for the worst and wear appropriate clothing. Labs will only be cancelled in
the event of extreme or unsafe conditions and I will notify you as soon as possible. I
will notify you in advance of the location of any off-site labs and if you may need
any special gear such as boots.
Syllabus is subject to change with prior notice
Additional work: In addition to the graded lab reports, there will be a variety of graded
assignments in addition to the graded weekly quizzes. These will most likely include:
Discussion forums, worksheets, thought topics, videos, or other assignments. Point values
and due dates will be posted on the assignment.
Extra credit: Every so often, I will offer an extra credit opportunity. This may come in
the form of additional questions on an exam or an outside assignment. Everyone will be
given the same extra credit opportunities and it will not count for more than 3% of your
final grade. Extra credit will be calculated at the end of the quarter.
Project: The project is worth 15% of your final grade. Further details are forthcoming.
Exams: I will give 3 exams during the quarter that will each cover approximately 1/3 of
the course material. Each exam is equally weighted and in total they are worth 40% of the
final grade. The third exam will take place during finals week and is NOT CUMULATIVE
Make-up exams will only be given with prior arrangement or extenuating circumstances
with evidence (i.e. you are deathly ill and have a doctor’s note stating as such).
Grade breakdown:
3 Exams
Project
Quizzes
Labs
Homework and other assignments
Bonus (extra credit)
40%
15%
10%
30%
5%
max of 3%
Tutoring: The Writing and Tutoring Center is located on the second floor of the Learning
Resources Center (Building 7). Also, science faculty and tutors are often available in the
Active Learning Lab (the ALL) located on the first floor of the science building (Bldg 29).
Check the posted schedule as to their availability. Students enrolled at Tacoma
Community College are entitled to up to two hours/week of tutoring per subject. Tutoring
center information is found at:
http://www.tacomacc.edu/academics/studentlearningcenter/writingtutoringcenter.aspx
COURSE GRADES:
Your grade will be based upon the percentage of points you earned relative to the
total number of points possible. It is YOUR responsibility to check your scores and keep a
copy of all materials that were turned in should there be a problem. The grade scale is (in
percentages):
B+ 88- 89.9
C+ 78-79.9
D+ 68-69.9
A 92 - 100 B 82 - 87
C 72-77
D 60-67
A- 90- 91
B- 80-81
C- 70-71.9
Syllabus is subject to change with prior notice
Student Requirements & Shaun’s Policies
As stated in the TCC Catalog, ‘Students are expected to be honest and forthright in their
academic endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication or other forms of academic
dishonesty corrupt the learning process and threaten the educational environment for all
students” (pg. 31).
In this course, sanctions for academic dishonesty will be as follows:
 No dishonorable conduct will be tolerated. The first offence of any form of
academic dishonesty on quizzes / assignments will result in a 0 grade for that
assignment / quiz. Other forms of dishonesty or misconduct will also result in a 0
grade. Second offenses of any type of academic dishonesty will result in an E for
the course, referral to the dean and the student will be asked to not return to
class. Dishonorable conduct includes:
 Cheating (to violate rules): Honesty is expected in all endeavors.
 Plagiarism (to present the ideas or words of another as one’s own or to not properly
cite a source when using adapted words or ideas): Tables, figures and words should
never be copied directly from a book, Internet, another student’s paper or any
other works.
 Lying (to be untruthful or false): There is no reason to lie to an instructor. Be
truthful and take responsibility for your own actions.
 Stealing (to take and carry away without permission): Permission is required to
borrow any materials from the classroom.
 Other violations: A student that is in violation of any college policies or other
forms of dishonesty/conduct will be asked to leave the class upon the first
offense, will lose all points for that period and will be reported to the Associate
Vice President for disciplinary proceedings. The complete Administrative Procedure
for Academic Dishonesty is available on the TCC website at:
http://www.tacomacc.edu/resourcesforstudents/studentpolicies/administrativepro
cedureforacademicdishonesty.aspx
All assignments are to be completed on your own, in your own words. While I encourage you
to study with other people, your work must be yours and yours alone. Each student is to
turn in their own assignment, unless otherwise stated. Turning in work that closely
resembles another student’s work (i.e., you took their work and modified it slightly) is
considered cheating and will be treated as such. It is also your responsibility to prevent
others from cheating off of you. Cover your paper during quizzes and exams, do not allow
other students to copy your homework or lab assignments and do not give you work to
another student to take home and use as a “guide”.
Syllabus is subject to change with prior notice
QUESTIONABLE or UNACCEPTABLE WORK: I may ask you to re-do an assignment or
test, perhaps using a different but comparable set of criteria/questions. You may or may
not earn fewer points than were originally possible. This may be because you
misunderstood directions or worked too closely with someone or appeared to plagiarize or
may have used unauthorized information or have a very suspicious-looking test answer
sheet, or behaved suspiciously during an exam or quiz, or for any other reason I deem
legitimate and believe other reasonable persons would agree is legitimate.
LABORATORY SAFETY: There are special rules that we must all adhere to in the
laboratories. The rules are posted in the lab room and will be discussed. You are
responsible for knowing the rules which include wearing closed shoes, and not eating or
drinking in biology lab rooms.
“All students must follow the biological science lab safety procedures and standard
operating procedures established by Tacoma Community College, the Science & Engineering
Department, and the instructor. Students who repeatedly or willfully violate these
procedures may face sanctions, including removal from the course, a failing grade, and
referral to the college for action under the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.”
If you violate these rules the first time, I will remind you of them. After that, I reserve
the right to remove you from the lab. You must ALWAYS conduct yourself in a safe and
appropriate manner. I take lab safety very seriously and will not hesitate to remove anyone
who is jeopardizing the safety of themselves, others or the lab equipment.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: To ensure a positive, effective learning environment face to
face and online, you must always act, write, and speak respectfully to one another and to
me. This includes coming to class on time, no engaging in disruptive behavior, and
participating in activities.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR: Behavior that persistently or grossly interferes with classroom
activities is considered disruptive behavior and may be subject to disciplinary action. Such
behavior inhibits other students ability to learn and the instructors ability to teach. A
student responsible for disruptive behavior may be asked to leave the class pending
discussion and resolution of the problem, and may be reported to the Student Conduct
Administrator for further action.
Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to incessant talking, loud and frequent
interruptions that disrupt the flow of the class, aggressive or belligerent response to
faculty or students who confront said behavior.
Syllabus is subject to change with prior notice
CELLPHONES/TEXTING: All cellphones must be either off or in airplane mode during
class/labs/or exams. Vibrate mode is not one of the options. Anyone is seen with a phone
out during an exam or quiz will be treated as a cheating offence. Any student caught using
a phone in class or if the phone vibrates/buzzes/or rings during class will result in that
student having to turn in their phone at the start of class.
AUDIO OR VIDEO RECORDING IN THE CLASSROOM: Due to personal privacy
requirements (and etiquette) there shall be no recording in class without the permission of
the other class members and the instructor.
ATTENDANCE: There is no attendance policy (unless you are required to attend for some
reason). However, there is a direct correlation with attendance and academic success and
I may have graded discussions at any time, which you must be present to get credit for. If
you know you are going to miss a class then let me know prior to the class starting. Turn in
any due work before the start of class, even if you are going to miss a class, if you want
credit for that work.
LATE WORK: Unless otherwise stated, assignments are due at the beginning of class. You
can turn in late work but it is another 5% off for every hour which it is late.
FIELD TRIPS: When we are scheduled on a field trip, that site is officially where class
begins. I am not responsible for how you get to the meeting site. You may need to sign an
assumption of risk.
CORRESPONDANCE: All correspondence will be through your TCC email or portal account.
I will not send anything to personal emails. It is easy for you to set up forwarding to a
personal email if you want to do that.
GRADES: Grades will be entered on ANGEL’s Grade Book. Though I try to record the
scores accurately, mistakes are occasionally made. It is YOUR responsibility to check your
scores and keep all of your graded materials for "proof" of your true scores. You must help
me fix any errors before the end of finals week. Also, you are responsible for checking
your course grade and informing me of any errors within 3 weeks after grades were
available online. If I accidently give you more points than you earned, or did not mark a
question wrong that was actually incorrect, please correct our mistake for your own
learning, but I will not lower your grade. I will not “punish” a student’s grade for my error.
INCOMPLETES: Incompletes ("I" grades) are granted to people who experience a severe
crisis at the end of a quarter preventing them from completing the final test and last
report(s). Incompletes are only agreed to if 75% of the graded material has been
completed and if earning at least a C-. We must draw up a contract outlining your
Syllabus is subject to change with prior notice
completion plan and consequences of not finishing. Course work must be completed within
one year.
WITHDRAWALS: Follow the withdrawal schedule outlined in TCC’s class schedule. After
the last “drop” day, it is my prerogative whether or not to grant a WI (“Instructor’s
Withdrawal”) after you initiate a discussion with me about your situation. If you wish to
withdraw for medical reasons, you may obtain special forms from the Registration Office.
ALTERNATIVES TO GRADES: Rules regarding satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading,
auditing, and repeat procedures are outlined in the catalog. You must decide right away
and register as such.
DISAPPEARING: If, to the best of my knowledge, you have either never attended you will
earn a “Z”. If you show up and earn less than two scores, I will give you a "V" grade. If you
start attending, and have earned at least three scores, and then disappear without
communicating with me, you will receive the letter grade earned (most likely an E).
BORROWING BOOKS AND EQUIPMENT: If you are allowed to check out any books or
equipment from me, you must understand that if these things are not returned by the time
grades are due, you will not receive a grade for the course. If not returned within 2
weeks after the grades are due, unless you notify me with arrangements for their return,
I will consider them stolen and will change your grade to an “E” (see “dishonesty”). The
same applies to books or equipment you borrowed without permission.
DISHONESTY: No dishonorable conduct will be tolerated (cheating, plagiarism, lying,
stealing, etc.) Your punishment will vary depending on the act committed. If you cheat on
an assignment or exam, you will receive a 0. If caught again committing any academically
dishonest activity, you will be given an E for the course and asked not to attend the
remaining classes. The College’s Administrative Process for Academic Dishonesty is
available at:
http://www.tacoma.ctc.edu/stuonline/policies/Academic_Dishonesty_Final_Feb_04.shtm
ACCOMODATIONS: Anyone who is unable to participate fully in class or fulfill
assignments must speak to me immediately to discuss possible accommodations. To receive
guaranteed accommodation you must be officially registered with TCC's Access Services
office in Building 7 (253-566-5328; TTY/TDD 253-566-5319). The disability
accommodation documentation prepared by Access Services must be given to me before
the accommodation is needed so that appropriate arrangements can be made. See:
http://www.tacomacc.edu/resourcesforstudents/counselingandadvisingcenter/accessservi
ces.aspx
Syllabus is subject to change with prior notice
COUNSELING CENTER: The Counseling Center staff in Building 7 can help you address
personal difficulties that interfere with your studies. This includes things like test
anxiety. Call 253.566.5122 to make an appointment.
WHO TO GO TO IF UPSET ABOUT COURSE: You must first speak to me and try to
resolve the issue. If you and I recognize that the problem cannot be solved without
further help, you may make an appointment with the Science Program Chair, Rebecca
Sliger.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS:
1) DECIDE TO LEARN (attitude matters):
The text is good, I love teaching biology, and the assignments are designed to get you
personally involved with the material so you should be able to enjoy this class and learn a
substantial amount.
If you don’t understand something, seek help. Besides me, there are tutors (upstairs in the
library) and other instructors who would love to help you.
2) KEEP HEALTHY: It is a fact that if you are sleepy, stressed, eating poorly, and not
exercising then your brain will not function properly.
3) GO TO CLASS: A significant portion of the material will be learned through hands-on
activities in lab or demonstrations during lecture. Extra information may be presented
which is not in the book. If you are absent, you are responsible for obtaining all
information missed by coming in during office hours and/or from a classmate.
.
4) SCHEDULE ENOUGH HIGH-QUALITY STUDY & PROJECT TIME: assertively schedule
a time and place for uninterrupted, effective study. Consider your personal needs for
space, comfort, lighting, sounds, resources, etc. Studying whenever you find time between
other tasks is not as effective.
Doing a little work every day is best (reading, integrating lecture and text notes, doing
projects). Most people will need about 10-12 hours of homework per week to earn a decent
grade in this course.
Syllabus is subject to change with prior notice
5) TRY DIFFERENT ACTIVE STUDY TECHNIQUES: Each person’s brain is unique so each
person must find their own suite of effective learning techniques. Try what others have
found effective: skimming the material before class; taking really complete lecture notes;
continually writing notes while reading; studying a little bit everyday; filling out study
guides and labs in your own words; summarizing whole topics in your own words; writing
fake exam questions and swapping them with study partners; asking study partners and the
instructor about confusing points; reorganizing the material into charts, etc.
6) BE ORGANIZED. Keep all of your notes and handouts together and easily accessible.
Syllabus is subject to change with prior notice