Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division: Math and Science
Course Prefix and number: BIOL 114
Course Title: Contemporary Biology
DATE PREPARED:
January 2, 1995; September 2009
DATE REVISED:
February 2012
PCS/CIP/ID NO:
1.1-260101
IAI NO. (if available):
L1 900L
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: August 2012
CREDIT HOURS: 4
CONTACT HOURS: 5
LECTURE HOURS: 3
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
LABORATORY HOURS: 2
Prerequisite: Completion of Math through Beginning Algebra level or assessment. BIOL 114
will introduce students to a broad range of biological principles, including organization, structure
and function, heredity, evolution, and ecology. Students will demonstrate how their knowledge
in biology is relevant to them, their community, and their world. Students will use scientific
evidence as the basis for their arguments. Students will improve their skills in relaying
biological information to peers and to others. In addition, students will leave with a better
understanding of scientific views that differ from their own. The laboratory component will
emphasize scientific inquiry and use of knowledge in problem solving. This course is intended
for students who are not pursuing a science career.
TEXTBOOK(S):
Starr, C., Evers, C.A., & Starr, L. (2010). Biology Today and Tomorrow with Physiology (3rd
ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Jongky, T., E. Wallace, and M. Kishore (2011). BIOL 114 Contemporary Biology Lab
Manual. Normal, Illinois, USA.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
BIOL 114 fulfills 4 of the semester hours of credit in Life and Physical Science required for the A.A.
or A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum
described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities participating
in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer information regarding
particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page for information as well at www.itransfer.org
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
Course Outcomes
HCC General Education
Outcomes
Range of Assessment
Methods
1. Students hypothesize,
experiment, gather data,
and formulate conclusions.
2. Students evaluate the
validity of biology-related
results and conclusions
that are presented in the
media and other settings.
3. Students relate biological
concepts to their daily life
and to the world around
them.
4. Students synthesize
information from various
sources to generate an
essay, poster, oral
presentation, or other
product.
5. Students demonstrate
awareness of issues related
to individual and
community health.
6. Students demonstrate
awareness of
environmental issues
related to biology.
Throughout the semester,
students will achieve the
following Gen Ed
outcomes. A specific course
outcome may correlate to one
or more of the following Gen
Ed outcomes:
CT 1: Students gather
knowledge, apply it to a new
situation, and draw reasonable
conclusions in ways that
demonstrate understanding.
CT 3: Students generate an
answer, approach, or solution
through an effective synthesis
of diverse sources and
arguments and provide a
rationale.
CO 2: Students effectively
deliver a message via various
channels/modalities.
DI 1: Students are receptive to
beliefs and values that differ
from their own.
The following are summative
assessments that an instructor
may use to assess if students
have met the learning
outcomes:
labs, individual or
group projects,
portfolio of work done
in class, case studies,
concept maps, service
learning, debates,
presentations, current
news article summary
and analysis papers,
worksheets, quizzes,
and exams.
Individual instructors may use
other summative assessments.
The following are formative
assessments that an instructor
may use to help students meet
the learning outcomes and to
monitor student progress:
case studies, concept
maps, service learning,
debates, worksheets,
group discussions, peer
instruction, and
videos/animations
followed by
discussion.
Individual instructors may use
other formative assessments.
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
1.
Introduction to the science of biology
2.
Basics of biochemistry
3.
Introduction to cell biology and energy use
4.
Genetics
a. DNA and gene expression.
b. Inheritance.
Animal structure, function and human health
a. Musculoskeletal system
b. Circulation and respiration
c. Digestion, nutrition, and excretion
d. Nervous and endocrine systems
e. Reproduction and development
Evolution
a. Evidence for evolution
b. Processes of evolution
Ecology
a. Population and community ecology
b. Ecosystem ecology and environmental issues
5.
6.
7.
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Summative Assessments
Any combination of the following assessments may be used to assess if students
meet the learning outcomes:
individual projects, group projects, portfolio of work done in class, case
studies, concept maps, service learning, debates, presentations, current news
article summaries and analysis, worksheets, quizzes, and exams
An instructor may add additional assessments.
Lab activities
Grading Scale:
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
Below 60%
A
B
C
D
F
% of final
grade
80
20
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
The student will be expected to read the textbook (about 20-40 pages per week for a 16-week
semester). He or she may also be required to read relevant news or feature articles, web pages,
or case studies. The student will write for many possible assignments, including: answers to lab
questions, article summary and analysis papers, individual or group writing projects or
presentations, answers to worksheet questions or assigned homework, and answers to short
answer or essay questions on quizzes or tests.