General Biology I (BIOL 1110) Syllabus
Fall 2012 - Roane State Community College (Mathematics and Science Division)
COURSE INFORMATION
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Course Type:
Dual-credit RSCC/OHS science class
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Day and Time:
M – F (8:15 – 9:50 AM)
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Credit Hours:
3 (lecture), 1.5 (lab)
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Course objectives (description/goal): General Biology I focuses on the study of biology, biological chemistry, cell structure
and function, cell reproduction, genetics and inheritance. This course provides a basic background and understanding in
the principles regarding the study of life.
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Learning outcomes:
Introduction:
Chapter 1 - Exploring Life (Properties of Life, Homeostasis, Levels of Organization)
The Chemistry of Life:
Chapter 2 - The Chemical Context of Life (Elements and Atoms, Compounds and Molecules)
Chapter 3 – Water and the Fitness of the Environment
Chapter 4 – Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life
Chapter 5 – The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules (Carbohydrates)
The Cell:
Chapter 6 – A Tour of the Cell (Types of Cells, Cell Organelles, Extracellular Components)
Chapter 7 – Membrane Structure and Function (Membrane Permeability, Passive and Active Transport)
Cellular Metabolism:
Chapter 8 – An Introduction to Metabolism (Metabolism, Energy, Enzymes)
Chapter 9 – Cellular Respiration: Harvesting Chemical Energy (Glycolysis, Citric Acid Cycle, Electron
Fermentation)
Transport,
Chapter 10 – Photosynthesis (Light and Dark Reactions – Calvin Cycle)
Cell Division:
Chapter 12 – The Cell Cycle and Mitosis
Chapter 13 – Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles
Genetics:
Chapter 14 – Mendel and the Gene Idea (Mendelian and Nonmedelian Genetics, Pedigree Analysis)
Chapter 15 – The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance (Genes, Chromosomes, Karyotypes)
Chapter 16 – The Molecular Basis of Inheritance (DNA Structure and Replication)
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Chapter 17 – From Gene to Protein (Transcription, Translation, Mutations)
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Prerequisites for the course: English ACT score 19 or higher; Math ACT score 19 or higher
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Course Topics: Exploring Life, The Chemistry of Life, The Cell, Cellular Metabolism, Cell Division, Genetics
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Specific Course Requirements: Lab and Lecture must be taken during the same semester in order to receive credit for the
course.
REQUIRED TEXT
Biology, 8th edition, by Neil A. Campbell and Jane B. Reece, Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc., 2009 (This book is
provided for you via O.H.S.)
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Instructor:
Tasha Walker
Office/Office Hours:
Phone:
O.H.S. (423) 569-8818
R.S.C.C. (Huntsville) (423) 663-3878
Email:
twalker@oneidaschools.org
walkertg@roanestate.edu
INSTRUCTIONAL PHILOSOPHY and STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
Accept responsibility for your own learning. Students are expected to come prepared to each lecture by reading the
assigned pages in the textbook, bringing your textbook to class and any lecture handouts/study guides (hard copies or those posted
on Momentum).
Learning is not a spectator sport, meaning I do not expect you to just sit in lecture and listen to what I have to say. Students
should think critically about the topics being discussed in class, listen attentively and take notes on your powerpoint slides. I take the
time to prepare my lectures for you and I expect you to take the time to study and come prepared to class. In class ask questions
when you do not understand the material being presented. I will continuously encourage you to do this because it will not only help
you in the long run, it will benefit your classmates as well. If I ask you questions in class and you do not know the answer, I expect
you to be able to reference your textbook.
Do not rely on instructor notes as your only source of study material!! There is a CD that comes with your textbook.
Working through the CD for each assigned chapter is highly recommended. You should also read the assigned chapters in your text,
utilize study guides, past quizzes, and past homework assignments. This will help you on your exams.
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Make attendance a priority; you are expected to arrive on time.
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Participate in classroom discussions.
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Keep up with the material learned in class and review lecture notes, homework, assigned reading after the lecture period. I
expect you to comprehend, do not memorize the material.
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Check the course Momentum Web Site (elearn.roanestate.edu) for class announcements, lecture notes and assignments.
The best way to contact me is through email, I check it constantly (walkertg@roanestate.edu).
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Complete and turn in all homework assignments on time.
Attendance
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Each student is expected to participate in all lab exercises.
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Lab attendance is mandatory. Every absence from lab will result in a 5 point deduction from your total lab grade.
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An absence from a lab does not excuse a student from any assignments given on that day or from submitting assignments
due on that day. There is no make-up for assigned work. Work is to be submitted on the due date at the beginning of
class when I ask for it. Any work submitted later than your designated starting class time is considered late. If work is
submitted later that same day you will receive a 5 point deduction. If homework is 1 day late it receives a 10 point
deduction. Any assignment more than 1 day late will not be accepted and you will receive 0 points for the assignment.
GRADING PROCEDURE AND GRADING SCALE
ASSESSMENT
Your final course grade is determined as follows:
Grading Scale
Exam average
55%
89.5-100
A
Quiz/Hmwk average
20%
79.5-89.4
B
Lab average
25%
69.5-79.4
C
59.5-69.4
D
0-59.4
F
Your final course grade will be calculated by using the following formula; you can also use this formula to keep a running tab on your
current grade. I will also record your grades in Momentum as the semester progresses so you will be able to keep track as well.
Grade = [0.55 x Exam Ave] + [0.20 x Quiz/Hmwk Ave.] + [0.25 x Lab Ave.]
Final course grades are not curved. What you earn for this course is the grade you receive. No extra credit is given in calculating
the final course grade. Extra credit assignments for individual students will not be given.
Exams
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All of your exam scores will be averaged and this average will count 55% towards your final grade.
Lowest exam grades will not be dropped.
Students will have extra credit opportunities on exams and these points will be included in the exam score.
Exam grades will not be curved.
Any assigned/posted material is testable. Keep a well organized notebook to supplement your studying.
If you arrive late for an exam you will not be given extra time to complete the exam. Whatever time is left in the lecture
period is the time you have to complete the exam.
It is important to not miss a scheduled exam. Make-up exams will only be given if the student produces a valid excuse,
and it is up to my discretion to determine whether or not the excuse is sufficient and if a make-up exam will be provided.
If you are going to miss an exam I must be notified in advance or the day of the exam (depending on the circumstance). If
a make-up exam is given, it will be harder than the scheduled exam missed and extra credit opportunities will not be
awarded.
Quizzes and Homework
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Announced and unannounced quizzes will be given throughout the semester to make sure that you are keeping up with
the assigned reading and materials. If you arrive late and a quiz is in progress, you will not be given extra time to complete
the quiz. Whatever time is left in the allotted time I have given for the quiz is the time you have to complete it.
Make-up quizzes are not given. If you miss a quiz you will receive 0 points.
Extra credit opportunities are awarded on quizzes.
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Quizzes may have material that was covered in previous lectures or it may cover material that you were supposed to have
read for that day.
No quiz grades will be dropped.
Occasionally homework will be assigned. I will also announce in class when I assign homework activities as well as the
instructions and the due date for each homework.
There is no make-up for assigned homework. Homework is to be submitted on the due date at the beginning of class
when I ask for it. Any homework submitted later than your designated starting class time is considered late. If
homework is submitted later that same day you will receive a 5 point deduction. If homework is 1 day late it receives a
10 point deduction. Any assignment more than 1 day late will not be accepted and you will receive 0 points for the
assignment.
Lowest homework grades will not be dropped.
Quizzes and homework grades will be averaged and will count 20% towards the course grade.
Labs
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Requirements for the laboratory section of this course will be addressed in a separate document.
Your total lab grade will count 25% toward the course grade.
PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic Misconduct
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All students are expected to do their own work. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are strictly
prohibited. Students who appear to be seeking assistance or providing assistance to another student on individual
quizzes/exams is in direct violation of Roane State Community College’s Academic and Classroom Misconduct Policy;
“Academic Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, Plagiarism, Cheating, Fabrication and Facilitation. Academic
misconduct is prohibited. Upon identification of misconduct, an instructor has the authority to assign an “F” or a
zero for the exercise, the examination, or the entire course. Students guilty of academic misconduct that would
typically result in the grade of “F” for the course will not be permitted to drop the class in which the academic
misconduct occurred. The instructor will contact the appropriate Division Dean who will then contact Records and
request that an administrative hold be placed on the course in question. The instructor will notify the student of
the appropriate due process/appeal procedure. The administrative hold will remain in place until the academic
misconduct matter is concluded.
Classroom Misconduct
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Roane State Community College students are recognized as adults and are expect to conduct themselves in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the college as set forth in the Student Code of Conduct (see Student Handbook).
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“The instructor has the primary responsibility for control over the classroom behavior and maintenance of academic
integrity and can order the temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of any student engaged in disruptive
conduct or conduct that violates the general rules and regulations of the institution.”
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Disruptive behavior is defined as but not limited to behavior that disrupts the learning environment. This can include
offensive language (written and oral), harassment of students/faculty, and physical or verbal outbursts that disrupt the flow
of information or prevents concentration on the subject being taught, and failure to cooperate in maintaining classroom
decorum.
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Disruptive conduct also includes the use of electronic or other noise-or-light emitting devices such as beepers, pagers, cell
phones, palm pilots, laptop computers, gameboys, CD players, and the like that disturb others. Use of such items is
prohibited in the classroom. Any student observed using such a device of ANY reason will be immediately dismissed from
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class. Cell phone/other electronic devices need to be PLACED ON SILENT MODE, OFF (O.H.S. rule), put away (kept out of
sight for the duration of the class).
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Disruptive conduct will lead to exclusion from the class for the remainder of the class period, and the student will be held
responsible for any material covered during that class period. If excluded during a test, the student will receive a zero
score/F for the test and will not be allowed to improve the score. In addition, any student leaving during an exam or quiz
will not be allowed to complete the exam/quiz and may be excluded from the remainder of the class period.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
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Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined
eligible by the appropriate disability services office staff. Prior to granting disability accommodations in the course, the
instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services
office staff. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with the disability services staff and to follow the established
procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND STUDENT RESOURCES
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CTAT (Center for Teaching Arts and Technology): http://www.roanestate.edu/?114-CTAT
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SAILS (Students Achieving Improved Learning Strategies): http://www.roanestate.edu/sails/
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Help Desk: http://www.roanestate.edu/?250-Help-Desk
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Tutoring (The Learning Center):
Roane State provides subject tutoring and writing help for FREE! You can meet with our tutors one on one, as a group, or
visit us on-line. The types of subject help we can offer you include everything from algebra to A& P to Comp I & II. Many of
our tutors are students at RSCC who have succeeded in the same courses they offer help in now. The atmosphere is friendly
and casual, a great place to study alone or in a group! Visit our website:www.roanestate.edu/learningcenter for more
information on subjects tutored, locations, and hours. Can’t make it in? The Learning Center Online Momentum page offers
online writing help, math study resources, study skills and test-taking help! The LCO is available to all currently enrolled
Roane State students and is accessible from the Momentum home page. The Learning Center also provides access
toSMARTHINKING.com online tutoring. Simply visithttp://learning.smarthinking.com and login with
username:email@roanestate.edu and password: R########, where the email address is your Roane State email address,
and R######## is your R number.
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Library: The librarians can help you find the books, articles, videos, databases and websites you need to succeed in this
class. They can also help you learn how to do research. Roane State has libraries at the Harriman, Oak Ridge, and Scott
campuses. They can send books from these three locations to any other Roane State teaching location. The libraries also
offer eBooks, eJournals, online videos and other online resources to support students wherever they need to learn. Using
the library can make your life a lot easier.
Visit the library website: http://www.roanestate.edu/library/
Ask the library for help: http://www.roanestate.edu/library/ask.htm
Explore your library with research guides: http://libguides.roanestate.edu/
Discover new books at your libraries: http://libguides.roanestate.edu/newbooks
SYLLABUS CHANGES:
The Instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus as long as the students are notified.
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General Biology I (BIOL 1110) Tentative Lecture and Exam Schedule
Roane State Community College – Instructor Walker
Fall 2012
WEEK
READING ASSIGNMENT
Aug 7
Introduction to Course Syllabus & Chapter 1
Aug 13
Chapter 2
Aug 20
Chapter 3
Aug 27
Chapter 4
Sep 4
Chapter 5
Sep 10
Chapter 6
Sep 17
Chapter 7
Sep 24
Chapter 8
Oct 1
Chapter 9
Oct 8
Chapter 10
Oct 22
Chapter 12
Oct 29
Chapter 13
Nov 5
Chapter 14
Nov 12
Chapter 15
Nov 26
Chapter 16
Dec 3
Chapter 17
Dec 10
FINAL EXAM
EXAM___________
Exam 1: Chapters 1,2,3
Exam 2: Chapters 4,5
Exam 3: Chapters 6, 7, 8
Exam 4: Chapters 9, 10
Exam 5: Chapters 12, 13, 14
Exam 6: Chapters 15, 16, 17
Dec 17
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BIOL 1110 (Lecture/Lab) R.S.C.C./O.H.S. Parent and Student Contract
I, _______________________________________, have read, understand, and will abide by the BIOL 1110 Lecture and Lab
(Print Student Name)
syllabi. In addition, I understand that I must score an overall 80% or better in BIOL 1110 if I desire to maintain my Lottery
Scholarship. In addition, I understand that I must earn an A; I am not guaranteed an A or to pass this class. I understand that
BIOL 1110 is not a high school course; rather, it is a rigorous college class. I will familiarize myself with and check Momentum as
needed.
____________________________________________
______________________
(Student signature)
____________________________________________
(Date)
_______________________
(Parent/Guardian signature)
(Date)
** Please return this contract (pg. 7) no later than Friday, August 10, 2012.
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