Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology, BIOL 190, Great Basin College
Spring, 2015
Sections 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1010, 1013
SYLLABUS
Lecture Instructor: Nick Haertle
Office: Lundberg Hall 128C
Phone: 753-2284
E-mail: nicholas.haertle@gbcnv.edu
Office Hours: M, W, 11:00am-12:00pm; TH 1:00pm-3:00pm; & by appointment.
Lecture Reading Assignments and Exam Dates
Chapter
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
25
26
Topic
Introduction
Water & Carbon
Proteins
Nucleic Acids
Carbohydrates
Lipids & Membranes
Inside the Cell
Energy & Enzymes
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Cell – Cell Interactions
Cell Cycle
Meiosis
Mendelian Genetics
DNA
How Genes Work
Transcription & Translation
Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria
Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes
Natural Selection
Evolutionary Processes
EXAM I: Wednesday, February 18
EXAM II: Wednesday, March 18
EXAM III: Monday, April 20
FINAL EXAM: Monday, May 11
Reading assignments and exam dates are tentative, and may be changed at the discretion of the
instructor. Typically, exams will cover between 4-5 chapters. Any changes will be announced in
class.
Required Texts:
Biological Science. 5th ed. Freeman. ISBN 9780321743619
Laboratory Manual. 6th ed. Perry, Morton, and Perry.
Grading System and Policies:
The grade for this course will be based on two components: performance in lecture; and laboratory.
They will be weighted 75% for the lecture, and 25% for the lab. The lecture grade will be based on
four, one hour exams, worth 100 points each. However, pop quizzes may be given at MY
DISCREDITION. The lab grade will be based on two practical exams worth 50 points each, a written
report worth 50 points and ten weekly quizzes worth 10 points each. The grading scale is as follows:
90 - 100% = A
80 - 89% = B
70 - 79% = C
60 - 69% = D
< 60% = F
Excellent! Your doing super! Keep up the good work. Have you
considered a career in the life sciences?
Superior! Continue what you’re doing, but consider asking
questions on the finer details in the text and lecture material.
Adequate. You’ve got it under control, but don’t get complacent.
Review your notes and the text carefully. Ask questions, either in
class or in my office to clarify important topics.
Danger zone. All is not lost, but you are at risk. You need to
carefully work through the materials and resources available to
you. Attend regularly, and work on your note taking skills. Make
sure to either ask questions in class or come by my office for help.
Failing. Definitely come to my office for a visit where we can
work on a strategy for your improvement.
Note: By GBC policy, I can no longer issue a grade of “W” or withdrawal. Be advised that the last
date for a student to withdraw from a course is 23 March (up to you to double check and keep up to
date).
All exams and lab practicals will be held on the dates listed in the syllabus. Any changes to that
schedule will be announced in class well in advance. Missing an exam due to personal reasons or
illness must be approved in advance if possible, or by contacting me within 24 hours of the exam in the
case of emergency. Make up exams will be allowed and scheduled at my discretion.
Lab practicals are difficult to set up. As a result, make up lab practicals will only be scheduled in
unusual circumstances. In these cases the format of the exam may change. Do not miss lab practicals!
Note: The lab schedule and guidelines will be distributed in your lab section by your lab
instructor.
Attendance will not be taken, but be advised: Regular attendance is the single most
important thing you can do to get and maintain a good grade.
Web Sites Used in This Course:
Two web sites will be used in this course, GBC’s own MyGBC, and WebCampus.
MyGBC:
I will be using the email lists at MyGBC for announcements. Please make sure that your email
address at MyGBC is both current and one that you check regularly.
WebCampus:
I will be using WebCampus in lecture sparingly. However, I may start using it more as the semester
progresses. Your lab instructor will be making heavy use of WebCampus however. For the time
being, do not contact me through WebCampus. If you need to contact me use my regular email or
phone listed on the first page. To log into WebCampus, go to: https://gbcnv.instructure.com/login
Your WebCampus ID is your Great Basin College email address ID. If you don't have a GBC email
address or don't remember your address go to swami.scsr.nevada.edu or the Technology Help Desk
helpdesk@gwmail.gbcnv.edu, or 753-2167. Passwords will be sent by mail to students who register for
their course(s) 5 days before the semester begins. If you register after this time or did not receive a
letter by mail, contact the Help Desk as soon as possible.
Miscellaneous Policies:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: GBC supports providing equal access for
students with disabilities. An advisor is available to discuss appropriate accommodations with students.
Please contact the ADA Officer (Julie Byrnes) at 775-753-2271 at your earliest convenience to request
timely and appropriate accommodations.
Academic Honesty Statement: Great Basin College considers academic honesty one of its highest
values. A student who obtains academic credit for work that is not the product of his or her own effort
is being dishonest and undermining the academic integrity of the college. Students are expected to be
the sole authors of their work. Use of another’s ideas must be accompanied by specific citation and
reference. In addition, a learner may not submit the same work for credit in more than one course.
The disciplinary consequences of plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty include nonacceptance of work submitted, a failing grade in the course, and/or or other disciplinary action as
outlined in Great Basin College’s Student Conduct Policy.
Cell Phone Policy: Cell phones must be turned off or to vibrate before class and left off during class.
Neither phoning nor text messaging is permitted.
Campus Security: GBC is committed to the safety of our students and has a duty to promote
awareness and prevention programs for violence on campus under the Jeanne Clery Act as well as the
Campus SaVE (Sexual Violence Elimination Act) and VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), which
are amendments to Clery. Acts of violence include, but are not limited to, sexual assault, domestic
violence, dating violence, and stalking. Acts of violence can occur on the physical campus or centers
of GBC in addition to field placement sites, clinical practice settings, and other places where college or
class activities occur. As well, the online environment at GBC is considered a GBC site. If you
experience any incidence where your safety has been threatened or violated, or if you feel threatened or
harassed, immediately report this to me, any center director, faculty, or staff member, or directly to the
Director of Environmental Health, Safety & Security(775.753.2115) or the Vice President for Student
Services(775.753.2282).
This syllabus does not in any way represent a contract. It is a reflection of the intent of the instructor,
but do recognize that it is an organic construct that may change as the semester progresses. Any
changes will be announced in class.
Catalog Description:
BIOL 190 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (4)
Structure and function of cells. Major molecules of life; composition and physiology of cellular
organelles; cell metabolism, reproduction, motility, and gene function of both plant and animal cells.
Required for biology majors. Concurrent enrollment in a corresponding lab section is required for this
course. Prerequisite: Must have completed MATH 96, MATH 97, MATH 120 or higher, or attained
satisfactory score for placement into MATH 120 in ACT, SAT or placement tests.
Learning Outcomes and Measurements:
Learning Outcomes
Molecules of Life
Solve problems involving the identification and functions
of the 4 classes of biologically relevant carbon compounds
Cellular Metabolism
Describe common biochemical pathways (including
glycolysis, Krebs cycle, chemiosmosis, fermentation and
photosynthesis) and solve problems involving integrated
cellular metabolism.
Measurement
Lecture exam, laboratory quizzes
Lecture exam, laboratory quizzes
Genetics
Apply concepts of transmission and molecular genetics
Lecture exam, laboratory quizzes
Evolution/Natural Selection
Describe how natural selection leads to evolution, and how
this process is tested with the tools of quantitative genetics
Lecture exam, laboratory quizzes
together with discussion, written
response to video, with
quantitative genetics problems in
lecture and lab
Course Objectives and Outcomes:
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Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology is a four credit, freshman level laboratory science
course designed for the science major. For biology majors, it is intended as the first semester of a
two semester sequence that continues with BIOL 191. Additionally, it can fulfill the science
requirement for most associate degrees at Great Basin College.
This is a survey course designed for the student intending to major in biology or another science.
Such fundamental topics as cell biology, biomolecules, photosynthesis, respiration, genetics (both
Mendelian and molecular), and evolution will be introduced.
The GBC General Education Objectives (at end of syllabus) are addressed in this class.
Measurement of Objectives:
Learning and general education objectives will be assessed with three distinct tools. Lecture
exams will consist of multiple choice questions that will test three types of knowledge: recall of factual
information; definitions of terminology; and conceptual and integrative thinking. Laboratory practicals
will emphasize recall of the various manipulative and study objects used in the exercises, as well as
testing that the students understand the concepts and principles that were generated with these devices.
The written laboratory report will asses there written communication skills, as well as their conceptual
understanding of a critical lab experiment. This last experiment has been chosen for its mix of
conceptual, numeric, and technical skills. Further details on the measurement of the GBC General
Education Objectives can be found at the end of this syllabus.
Method of Instruction: Live lecture and laboratory, with assigned readings and online enhancements.
General Education Objectives and Measurement:
Communications Skills Objective
Students will have several opportunities to exercise written and oral communication skills
throughout this course. They will complete laboratory reports and written assignments accessing
scientific information as well as written exams. Oral communication skills will also be utilized during
discussions involved in completing laboratory assignments.
Measurement of this objective: lecture exams (students will be able to read and answer exam
questions in written form), lab practical exams (students will read and answer exam questions in
written form), written lab report (students will clearly communicate scientific information in written
form, see “lab reports” above for grading rubric), class discussions (students will be able to
communicate scientific ideas orally, ungraded)
Critical Thinking Objective
Quantitative Ability- Students will use mathematical principles and quantitative methods to
complete the laboratory assignments. They will also learn how to quantitatively measure molecularbiological and cellular characteristics.
Reasoning and Independent Thought- Students will use reasoning and independent thought to
complete laboratory experiments and answer exam questions.
Scientific Understanding- Students will comprehend workings of molecular-biological and
cellular systems and the process by which the scientific knowledge is discovered. They will also
develop the ability to understand molecular-biological and cellular information and how it relates to
them.
Measurement of this objective: lecture exams (students will be able to answer quantitative
questions related to cell and molecular biology on exams, many questions on the exams will require
the student to examine data and make an independent conclusion), lab practical exams (students will be
able to answer quantitative questions related to cell and molecular biology on exams), written lab
report (students will calculate and present quantitative results clearly in the lab reports), class
discussions (ungraded)
Personal and Cultural Awareness Objective
Sense of the Individual in Society- Students will gain an understanding of molecular and
cellular biology and how this affects them and society.
Sense of the Past- Students will gain an understanding of how biological knowledge was
discovered and how this knowledge has changed society and their lives.
Sense of Accountability- Students will comprehend the consequences of human discoveries in
molecular and cellular biology and their implications.
Appreciation of Fine Arts- Students will develop an understanding of the value of biological
diversity and individual curiosity and creative thought.
Measurement of this objective: lecture exams (students will be able to answer exam questions
on the importance and place of cell and molecular biology in society, on the history of biological
research, and how their actions affect them and their environment), lab practical exams (students will
be able to answer lab practical exam questions on the importance and place of cell and molecular
biology in society, on the history of biological research, and how their actions affect them and their
environment), class discussions (students will be able to discuss the importance and place of cell and
molecular biology in society and how their actions affect them and their environment ungraded)
Personal Wellness Objective
Students will develop skills in determining the consequences of their actions in relation to the
environment and their personal health. They will gain knowledge needed to make important decisions
involving personal health.
Measurement of this objective: lecture exams (students will be able to answer exam questions
on the molecular basis of human health), lab practical exams (students will be able to answer lab
practical exam questions on the molecular basis of human health), class discussions (students will
discuss the molecular basis of human health, ungraded)
Technological Understanding
Students will gain knowledge of how advancing technology in the field of biology will affect
their lives and their personal health.
Measurement of this objective: lecture exams (students will be able to answer exam questions
on technology in cell and molecular biology, and human health), lab practical exams (students will
demonstrate the ability to use technological lab equipment used in biology and relate the use of this
equipment to cell and molecular biology and human health), written lab report (students will present,
in written form, the use of technology to discover knowledge in the area of cell and molecular biology
– the “procedures” section of their lab reports)
Summary of the Assessment of Objectives:
Learning and general education objectives will be assessed with three distinct tools. Lecture
exams will consist of multiple choice questions that will test three types of knowledge: recall of factual
information; definitions of terminology; and conceptual and integrative thinking. Laboratory practicals
will emphasize recall of the various manipulative and study objects used in the exercises, as well as
testing that the students understand the concepts and principles that were generated with these devices.
The written laboratory report will asses their written communication skills, as well as their conceptual
understanding of a critical lab experiment. This last experiment has been chosen for its mix of
conceptual, numeric, and technical skills.