Arkansas State University – Newport
Course Syllabus
2014 – 2015
BIOL 1003: Biological ScienceCatalog description: A study of the similarity
and diversity of life on earth. This course is a prerequisite for most other BIOL
and ZOOL courses (ACTS Course ID: BIOL 1004)
Type of Course:
Credit Hours:
Prerequisites:
Class Time:
Theory
3
None
M – F; 8:00 am -8:45 am
INSTRUCTORS INFORMATION
Instructor Name: Jaimie Teel Instructor Phone Number: 870.237.4328
Office Hours: 9:40 – 10:45 daily
Instructor Email: Jaimie.teel@riverside.k12.ar.us
REQUIRED TEXT, REFERENCES, AND MATERIALS
Text: Reece, J., Urry, L., Cain, M., Wasserman, S., Minorsky, P., and Jackson, R.
Campbell Biology. 10thed. 2014. ISBN: 10: 0-13-344700-6
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Every student graduating from ASU-Newport with any Associate Degree will be
proficient in the following competencies:
 Communication Skills (oral and written)
 Math Skills
 Critical Thinking Skills
 Technology Skills
COURSE COMPETENCIES ASSESSMENT
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. List and identify the steps of the scientific method. ………Science Fair Project
2. List and identify the characteristics typical of all living
things………………………………………………………………..Homework, Lab, and Exam
3. Name the four groups of organic molecules associated with living
things………………………………………………………………..Homework, Lab, and Exam
4. Describe each of the functions of the organelles found in eukaryotic
cells…………………………………………………………………...Homework, Lab, and Exam
5. Explain the relationship between DNA replication and cell
division………………………………………………………………Homework, Lab, and Exam
6. List each of the stages of mitosis and meiosis in their proper
order………………………………………………………………….Homework, Lab, and Exam
7. Describe how the concepts of evolution and natural selection are
related………………………………………………………………Homework, Lab, and Exam
8. Analyze the different relationships found in nature, demonstrating an
9. understanding of the connections between and among the biotic and
abiotic factors…………………………………………………….Homework, Lab, and Exam
10.Demonstrate the use of the scientific method for naming
organisms………………………………………………………….Homework, Lab, and Exam
COURSE ACTIVITIES
In this course students will:
 Participate in a Science Fair Project
 Compose and write complete lab reports
 Be able to organize effective arguments
GRADING CRITERIA AND SCALE:
This class will be graded on a point system. Grading scale follows high school
recommended scale which also follows ASU-Newport grading assignment
A = 90-100
B = 80 – 89
C = 70 – 79
D = 60 – 69
F = Anything below 60
MISSION STATEMENT
Arkansas State University – Newport’s mission it to provide:
 Integrity of programs and services
 Affordable lifelong learning, and
 Enhanced quality of life in the diverse community we serve.
AMERICANS WITH DISABLILTIES ACT (ADA)
The Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs has been designated as ASUN compliance
coordinator for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans
with Disabilities Act. (ADA). If you need specific course accommodations for any
disability, you should contact the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, currently Dr.
Jacqueline Faulkner, or Dr. Ashley Buchman for further assistance. The direct link
to Disability Services can be found at the following website:
http://www.asun.edu/disabilityservices/
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Dishonesty in any form-including plagiarism, turning in assignments prepared by
others, sharing assignment answers, and/or unauthorized possession of exams,
may result in the student receiving an “F” and/or being suspended from the
university.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Students should attend every session of every course in which they are enrolled.
For online courses, students should log in regularly and complete all scheduled
assignments on time. Students are responsible for all material and information
given out in class or provided through the Portal. In the case of online courses,
students are responsible for keeping up with dates as set in the course schedule
in the syllabus, unless otherwise notified, for quizzes and other course
components. Proper “netiquette” is expected in emails, discussions, photos, etc.
INSTRUCTORS POLICY ON ABSCENCES
It is the responsibility of the student to make up any work missed due to
absences.
INSTRUCTOR’S LATE WORK POLICY
Late work will have a grade reduction of 33% for the first day. After the second
day it will not be accepted.
COURSE OUTLINE
Quarter
1
Big Idea 2
Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks
to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis
Section 1
Homeostasis of the external environment
Organelles, Cells, internal balance of cells
Life requires energy and matter
C.R., Photosynthesis, exchange of energy
Feed back mechanisms of homeostasis
external mechanisms
Environmental influence of homeostasis
adaptations and disruptions
Homeostasis, temporal regulation and coordination
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Mechanisms and behavior
Big Idea 3
Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and
respond to information essential to life processes
Section 1
Heritable traits
DNA, RNA, Genetics and problems
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of genetics
Gene expression and pathways
Processing information is imperfect
Genotype / phenotype, problems and viral complications
Cellular communication
Protein building and problems
Information transfer in biological systems
Section 2
Quarter
2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Behavior and mechanisms
Winter Break
Quarter
Big Idea 3
The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.
3
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Role of genetics in evolution
Selective processes such as natural selection
Linkage by ancestor
Evidence
Life is still evolving
Speciation and examples
The origin of life is explainable
Origin of the earth and life
Quarter
4
Big Idea 3
Biological systems interact, and these systems
and their interactions possess complex properties.
Section 1
Interaction are complex
Chemical and molecular interactions
Competition in systems
Chemical signals and human impact
Diversity affects the environment
Section 2
Section 3
Chemical signals and problems