MASTER COURSE OUTLINE
Big Bend Community College
Date: March 2008
DEPT: BIOL&
NO: 100
(Formerly: BIO 101)
COURSE TITLE: Survey of Biology
CIP Code:
Intent Code:
Program Code:
26.0101
11
N/A
Distribution Designation: Math/Science Lab.
CREDITS:
Total Contact Hours Per Qtr:
Lecture Hours Per Qtr:
Lab Hours Per Qtr:
Other Hours Per Qtr:
5
66
44
22
PREPARED BY: Kathleen Duvall
COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of basic biological principles common to all organisms. This
course is intended for non-majors who desire a lab science requirement. Topics of study include: basic
chemistry of cells, cell structure and function, membrane transport, cell metabolism and division, genetics
and gene function, evolution, and ecology. Related investigations take place in a required two-hour lab
period each week. There will be no required dissections in the laboratory.
PREREQUISITE(S): None
TEXT: A recent edition of a non-majors biology text such as Essential Biology with Physiology by
Campbell, Reece, and Simon, 2nd Edition, Benjamin Cummings Publishing, 2007.
COURSE GOALS: To provide students with a general knowledge of basic biological principles showing
how these principles relate to our natural world. To explore and encourage student interest in current
biologically-related social and environmental issues, increasing students’ awareness of at least two
viewpoints. To provide lab experiences that promote problem-solving and critical thinking skills and that
reinforce general biology concepts.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
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Apply the scientific method to a hypothetical biological problem.
Explain the theory of evolution by natural selection and use an appropriate example to illustrate the
process.
Describe the basic structure and nature of atoms as well as explain ionic, covalent, and hydrogen
bonding.
Identify and describe the general structure and functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and
nucleic acids.
Compare and contrast prokaryotic cells with eukaryotic cells, and also animal cell structure with
plant cell structure.
Identify, list, and state the structure and function of organelles found within eukaryotic cells.
Identify, name, and explain the processes that move substances in and out of cells.
Describe how enzymes work and name several enzymes.
Generally describe the roles of energy within living systems and explain how ATP is involved.
State and then compare and contrast the generalized equations for cellular respiration and
photosynthesis.
Describe what occurs during glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and electron transport chains; account for CO2
and ATP production.
Describe what occurs during the light reactions and the Calvin cycle; state the substance(s) formed
and the substance(s) used during each process.
List the events that occur during each phase of mitosis and during each phase of meiosis. Compare
and contrast the purposes, the events, and the outcomes of mitosis and meiosis.
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14.
15.
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18.
State and give examples of Mendel’s principle of segregation and principle of independent
assortment; explain how these principles apply to monohybrid and dihybrid crosses.
Use a Punnett square to solve simple genetic problems involving up to two genetic traits at once.
Explain the inheritance patterns of incomplete dominance, codominance, and sex-linked
inheritance; solve genetic problems involving these inheritance types.
Describe the structure of DNA in detail, and compare its structure to that of RNA.
Use a sequence of DNA to illustrate what occurs during the processes of replication, transcription,
and translation.
COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE:
General Introduction
Organization of Life
Introduction to Evolutionary Theory
The Nature of Science and the Scientific Method
Evolution and Natural Selection
Historical Influences to Evolutionary Theory – Darwin
Evidences of Evolution and the Fossil Record
How Natural Selection Works
Microevolution and Its Mechanisms
General Outcomes of Natural Selection
Macroevolution, Speciation, and Mass Extinction
Taxonomy and Phylogeny
General and Organic Chemistry
Atoms, Elements, Isotopes, and Ions
Using the Periodic Table
Ionic, Covalent, and Hydrogen Bonding
Aqueous Solutions, pH, Acids and Bases
Polymers, Monomers, and Functional Groups
Dehydration Synthesis and Hydrolysis
Carbohydrates and Lipids
Proteins and Nucleic Acids
Cells– Their Structures and Functions
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Organelles of Animal and Plant Cells
Cell Membrane, Cytoskeleton, and Cell Junctions
Energy, Enzymes, and Membrane Transport
Types of Energy
Endergonic and Exergonic Reactions
ATP and Phosphate Transfer
How Enzymes Work and Are Regulated
Diffusion, Osmosis, Facilitated Diffusion, and Active Transport
Endocytosis and Exocytosis
Cell Metabolism
Cellular Respiration
Glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, and Electron Transport Chains
Fermentation
Photosynthesis
Light Reactions and the Calvin Cycle
Effect of Photosynthesis on the Greenhouse Effect
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Reproduction, Genetics, and DNA
Sexual and Asexual Reproduction
The Cell Cycle, Mitosis, and Cytokinesis
Meiosis, Crossing Over, and Independent Assortment
Mendel and His Principles
Vocabulary and Tools of Genetics
Monohybrid and Dihybrid Crosses
Dominant Traits, Recessive Traits, and Other Patterns of Inheritance
Gender and Sex-Linked Inheritance
Structure of DNA and RNA
Replication, Transcription, and Translation
Upon completion of the above core material, additional areas of biology may be explored as time permits,
including one or more of the following topics:
Gene Regulation and DNA Technology
Ecology of Organisms and Populations
Communities and Ecosystems
Human Impact on the Environment
Diversity of Living Organisms
Animal Structure and Function
Plant Structure and Function
EVALUATION METHODS/GRADING PROCEDURES:
Evaluation will be accomplished by exams, quizzes, assignments, projects, and reports. The overall
course grade is based on the following weighted categories. Any slight adjustments to these category
percentages will be printed and distributed to students at the beginning of each quarter.
Lecture Exams
Homework, Projects, In-Class Quizzes, and In-Class Assignments
Lab Quizzes, Lab Reports, Lab Mid-Term, and Lab Final
60%
20%
20%
The final grade will be based on an overall course percentage according to the approximate schedule
below. The instructor may adjust the grade scale slightly as deemed necessary.
100 - 96%
95 - 90%
89 - 84%
83 - 77%
4.0
3.9 - 3.5
3.4 - 3.0
2.9 - 2.5
76 - 70%
69 - 64%
63 - 57%
56 - 0%
2.4 - 2.0
1.9 - 1.5
1.4 - 0.7
0.0
Lab is an essential part of this class and is required for credit. Students missing more than two labs or
missing the mandatory lab final will not be given credit for this course. All lab exams are practical exams in
which students rotate through stations that each contain two questions and usually present a hands-on
exhibit. Diagrams, models, 35mm slides, and microscope slides are all commonly used. Lab exam question
types include identification, analysis, and prediction of results.
PLANNED TEACHING METHODS/LEARNING STRATEGIES:
X Lecture
X Laboratory
Supervised Clinical
X Small Group Discussion
X Audiovisual
Individualized Instruction
X Special Project
Other (List)
Division Chair Approval
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