College Biology: Biology 211.09
Syllabus - Fall 2008
Instructor: Katie Barndt
Meeting Time:
TTh 6:00 – 9:20 pm
Classroom:
AS 1617
Office: IB 2423C #14
Office phone: 527-5665
Email: kbarndt@sccd.ctc.edu
Office hours: By appointment
Course Website: https://frontpage.northseattle.edu/kbarndt/BIOL211_Home.htm
Instructor Website: https://frontpage.northseattle.edu/kbarndt/
Course Description: This is the first in a series of majors' biology classes covering the principles of
biology. We will cover topics concerning cell structure and function, metabolism, genetics, and
chemistry. I encourage students to participate through questions and shared experiences to enrich the
class.
Required Text:Biology 8th edition: Campbell and Reece; Benjamin Cummins Pub.
Lab Handouts for Biology 211 available at course website.
Recommended Text: Photo Atlas for General Biology. Strete and Vodopich.
Course Prerequisite: Chemistry 101 (minimum); a base level of chemistry (Chemistry 101) is assumed
for this course. A base level of English 101 is also assumed for this course.
Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated as follows:
Exams (4)
60%
Lab Quizzes (4)
16%
Lab Exercises
12%
In-class Activities
12%
Total
100%
Your grades will be calculated based on the
following scale
4.0
95-100%
1.0
65%
3.5
90%
0.9
64%
3.0
85%
0.8
63-61%
2.5
80%
0.7
60%
2.0
75%
0
59-0%
1.5
70%
*Note that each percentage point ~ .1 decimal grade
Critical Dates
Date
Thursday,
Oct. 9
Tuesday,
Oct. 28
Tuesday,
Nov. 18
Tuesday,
Dec. 9
Exams
Topics
Exam #1: Introduction, Cell
Structure & Function,
Membranes, Cell
Communication
Exam #2: Metabolism, Cellular
Respiration, Photosynthesis
Exam #3: DNA Structure, Cell
Division, Inheritance
Exam #4: Protein Synthesis,
Gene Regulation, Viruses,
Genomes
Date
Thursday,
Oct. 9
Tuesday,
Oct. 28
Tuesday,
Nov. 18
Tuesday,
Dec. 9
Lab Quizzes
Topics
Labs 1-3 (Microscopes; Cells;
Osmosis & Diffusion)
Labs 4-5 (Enzymes; Respiration
& Photosynthesis)
Labs 6 (Mitosis & Meiosis) &
Movie
Labs 7-8 (GMO, pGLO)
Exams & Lab Quizzes: Examinations are not cumulative. Exam questions are typically short answer or
essay. Make up examinations & lab quizzes are given due to illness or extreme hardship and only when
prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. If prior arrangements are not made a 0% will be
assigned for the missed exam/lab quiz.
Laboratory Exercises: Lab handouts will be made available on the course website throughout the
quarter. It is your responsibility to print and read these exercises before attending lab. Handouts will not
be available in lab. Prelabs must be completed before each lab and are due at the beginning of the lab
period. No credit will be given for late prelabs. Lab questions will be due in class on the specified due
dates. Late lab questions will only be accepted in the case of illness or extreme hardship and only when
prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. No emailed assignments will be accepted. There
will be no make-ups for missed labs.
In-class Activities: In-class activities will vary, but may include the types listed below. You must be
present and actively participating to receive points.
Biology in the News: Students will be assigned a week to monitor the news for stories relevant to the
topics covered in class. Each student will find several news stories, provide a brief summary of each,
post their summaries to the discussion board and present their summaries in class. Assignment details
will be distributed separately. No late summaries/postings will be accepted.
Review & Reading Quizzes: Short quizzes which cover either the previous lecture(s) or the assigned
text readings may be given randomly during the quarter. I have given you a detailed reading schedule,
so it is in your best interest to keep up with the readings.
Other activities: These will vary but most will require working in a group. Some activities will require
homework or reading assignments that need to be completed before class and turned in during class.
No emailed assignments will be accepted. No late homework assignments will be accepted.
Lecture Content and Testable Material: I expect students to read the appropriate text and/or lab
chapters before the corresponding lecture or laboratory. I will try to cover the majority of material
presented in the texts, but time is always against the instructor. Therefore, lecture content will most likely
not cover all the material presented in the textbook; however, students are responsible for material
presented in both the lecture and the textbooks. Material not covered in the lecture, but presented in the
textbook is testable material.
Attendance: Students should attend every class session. It is the student's responsibility to obtain lecture
notes, handouts, or other materials in case of an absence. I will do all I can to help students who must
miss class due to illness or other emergencies, but I must know as soon as possible. A student who
stops attending class without an official withdrawal will be assigned a grade based on the work completed
up to that point.
Commitment: This is a course that requires a great deal of individual effort by each student. I have
given you a detailed schedule of the quarter for a reason. With this schedule you will be able to stay on
top of the material and should not be pressed for time. Attendance, attentiveness and effort are essential
for success in the class.
Academic dishonesty: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in a zero for that exam,
quiz or assignment. A second offense will result in a withdrawal from the class for the remainder of the
quarter.
Feedback: If you have questions about your grade on a particular assignment or about the class in
general, please make an appointment to see me.
Americans with Disabilities Act: If you need course adaptations or accommodation because of a
disability; if you have emergency medical information to share with your instructor; or if you need special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated; please speak with me as soon as possible.
Classroom Conduct:
Guidelines for Student Conduct: Students are expected to comply with student conduct policies and
procedures. Information on student responsibilities and rights is available at the following website:
http://www.seattlecolleges.com/studentrules.aspx
Cell Phone/Electronic Devices Etiquette in the Classroom: To avoid disruption of the learning
environment, students are expected to turn off or silence cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices
during class. Please do not answer cell phones during class.
Fragrance-Free Policy: Many people suffer from allergies and/or chemical sensitivities. As NSCC is
officially a “fragrance-free’ campus, please minimize your use of perfumes, colognes, and other heavily
scented products.
Student Resources:
The Loft (http://www.northseattle.edu/services/loft/)
The Loft Writing Center Plus offers individualized, one-on-one English and World Languages tutoring.
Students can get help to improve their reading, writing, grammar, and pronunciation skills from qualified
tutors.
Math/Science Learning Center (http://northstar.northseattle.edu/MLC/)
There will be a biology tutoring schedule available shortly after the start of the quarter.
Advising Center (http://www.northseattle.edu/enroll/advise/)
Join the Advising Center Listserv to receive information on college transfer and advising events.
Course Outcomes/Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
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Explain what is meant by the statement "life is chemistry".
Explain what is meant by the statement "the cell is the basic unit of life".
Explain basic cellular structure and processes.
Explain basic biochemical reactions.
Explain how enzymes catalyze biological reactions, and what regulates enzymatic activity.
Explain the processes and outcomes of photosynthesis and respiration, and how they are linked.
Explain the genetic code and how it is translated into proteins.
Explain how genetic information is stored and passed on from generation to generation.
Explain what genetic variation is, why it is important, and how it is created.
Correctly use a microscope.
Describe the basic methodology of doing science, including hypothesis testing.
Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to critique writings in the field of cellular biology
Biology 211 Schedule – Fall 2008
Schedule subject to change
Week 1
Tues. Sept. 23
Thurs. Sept. 25
A Tour of the Cell (cont.)
Readings
Introduction
A Tour of the Cell
Lab #1: Microscopes
Ch. 1 & Ch. 6 (p. 94-101)
Week 2
Tues. Sept. 30
Thurs. Oct. 2
Readings
Membrane Structure & Function
Lab #2: Cells
Ch. 3 ( p. 46-52); Ch. 5 ( p.74-77); Ch. 7
Membrane Structure & Function (cont)
Cell Communication
Ch. 11
Week 3
Tues. Oct. 7
Thurs. Oct. 9
Cell Communication (cont)
Lab #3: Osmosis & Diffusion
Exam #1
Intro. to Metabolism
Ch. 5 (p. 77-86); Ch. 8
Tues. Oct. 14
Thurs. Oct. 16
Metabolism (cont.)
Lab #4: Enzymes
Overview of Cellular Respiration &
Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration
Ch. 9; Ch. 10 (p. 185-189)
Week 5
Tues. Oct. 21
Thurs. Oct. 23
Photosynthesis (cont.)
Readings
Photosynthesis
Lab #5: Respiration & Photosynthesis
Ch. 10
Week 6
Tues. Oct. 28
Thurs. Oct. 30
Exam #2
Movie: The Race for the Double Helix
Ch. 5 (p. 86-89)
DNA Structure & Replication
Cell Cycle & Mitosis
Ch. 16; Ch. 12
Week 7
Tues. Nov. 4
Thurs. Nov. 6
Readings
Meiosis & Sexual Life Cycles
Lab #6: Mitosis & Meiosis
Ch. 13
Introduction to Inheritance
The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance
Ch. 14; Ch. 15
Week 8
Tues. Nov. 11
Thurs. Nov. 13
No class
Inheritance (cont.)
Tues. Nov. 18
Thurs. Nov. 20
Exam #3
Lab #7: GMO Investigator, Part 1
From Gene to Protein
Lab #7: GMO Investigator, Part 2
Ch. 17
Week 10
Tues. Nov. 25
Thurs. Nov. 27
No class
Readings
From Gene to Protein (cont.)
Regulation of Gene Expression
Lab #8: pGLO, part 1
Ch. 18
Week 11
Tues. Dec. 2
Thurs. Dec. 4
Genomes & Their Evolution
Readings
Viruses
Lab #8: pGLO, part 2
Ch. 19
Week 12
Tues. Dec. 9
Readings
Week 4
Readings
Ch. 5 ( p. 68-74); Ch. 6 ( p. 102-122)
Readings
Week 9
Readings
Exam #4
Ch. 21