Heartland Community College
Math/Science Division
Student Syllabus for BIOL 161-01
Principles of Biology I
Fall 2011
Meeting times
 Class: T and R, 9:30 am - 10:45 am [ICB 1103]
 Lab: T or R (depending on what student registered for)
11:00 am – 12:50 pm [ICB 1005]
Catalog Description:
Prerequisite: Completion of Math through Intermediate Algebra Level 1. A first course in biology
for those students who are concentrating in the sciences. General principles of biology with emphasis on
molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biodiversity, and evolution. The laboratory component will
emphasize scientific inquiry and use of knowledge in problem solving. Students will not receive science
credit toward their graduation requirements for both BIOL 114 and BIOL 161.
Instructor Information:
Thuong Jongky
Phone: 268-8659; Fax: 268-7964
Office: ICB 2415
e-mail: Thuong.Jongky@heartland.edu
Important URL’s
http://employee.heartland.edu/tjongky/ includes: link to class website and my semester
schedule, with office hours
http://employee.heartland.edu/tjongky/biol161.html includes: syllabus, labs, up-to-date class
schedule, chapter handouts, and class handouts
myHeartland information:
https://my.heartland.edu includes: BlackBoard, IRIS, your Heartland student e-mail, the library,
Class Cancellations, your Backpack files, and announcements
 If you are logging in for FIRST time, use Password Station to create password and
change your security questions after creating password.
 IMPORTANT: If you e-mail me, I will only read and respond to your e-mail if your email extension is my.heartland.edu. Also, I will e-mail the entire class through
myHeartland.
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Required Materials:
Mader, S. S. (2010). Biology (10th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Labs should be printed from the BIOL 161 website
http://employee.heartland.edu/tjongky/biol161.html
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
BIOL 161 fulfills 4 of the 7 (A.A.) or 8 (A.S.) semester hours of credit in the Life/Physical Sciences
required for the A.A. or A.S. degree. BIOL 161 also satisfies the laboratory requirement for the A.A.
degree. BIOL 161 should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum described in the
Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) 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 more information: www.itransfer.org
Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
connect concepts in a chapter and between chapters using concept maps.
2.
determine how the scientific method is used to solve everyday problems as well as scientific
research problems.
3.
describe how the body uses the four major biological organic molecules (i.e., carbohydrates,
proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids).
4.
identify the structure and function of organelles within eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
5.
illustrate energy utilization mechanisms, especially cellular respiration and photosynthesis, in
living systems.
6.
differentiate between the importance of mitosis and meiosis.
7.
trace the history of DNA discovery and why gene expression is important.
8.
solve genetic problems.
9.
describe basic mechanisms of evolution.
10.
apply information learned to medical, environmental, and bioethical issues.
11.
provide examples of the relatedness of biology and chemistry.
12.
apply research skills and data collection techniques to complete laboratory exercises.
13.
use a computer to access information and to analyze data gathered during lab.
Method of Evaluation
The final grade will be based on the following requirements:
Classroom Components
Exams (44 %)
One cumulative final (15 %)
Ch quizzes (7 %)
Lab Components
Labs (20 %)
Ch prequizzes (5 %)
Concept maps, worksheets, other (9 %)
80 % of final grade
Total final grade %
Final Grade
90+
A
20 % of final grade
80+
B
70+
C
60+
D
<60
F
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Make-up policies
1. Each student may use three make-up opportunities for the semester. The student has the
responsibility of choosing when to use the make-ups. The student may use the make-ups for
exams (one only), quizzes, or homework. The make-up opportunity must be completed
before the next class session that the student attends.
a. A student may only use one of the three make-up opportunities for an exam. The student
is responsible for asking the instructor to place the make-up exam in the Testing Center.
b. If a quiz needs to be made-up, the student is responsible for asking the instructor to place
the make-up quiz in the Testing Center.
2. There are NO make-ups for prequizzes.
3. There are NO make-ups for activities done in and handed in during class.
4. There are NO make-ups for missed labs.
5. A student arriving to lab at 11:15 am or after will NOT be able to complete that lab. Because
the student works with a lab partner, respecting the lab partner means that both complete the
entire lab together.
6. Any student who does not take the final exam will receive an F for the class.
Incomplete Grade
An Incomplete grade may be justified to a student if the student encounters extreme
circumstances (e.g., serious illness, accident, death or serious illness in the immediate family)
toward the end of the semester and is unable to complete the semester. The student must be in a
position to pass the class if the Incomplete grade is given. The student must sign a form
requiring him/her to finish the class by next semester.
Required Writing and Reading
Students must read the textbook and lab manual. Students will write answers to lab questions
and short answer questions on exams.
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People learn 10 % of what they read, 20 % of what they hear, 30 % of what they see, 50 % of
what they see and hear, 70 % of what they discuss, 80 % of what they experience, and 95 % of
what they teach to someone else.
The following sheet helps you keep track of grades for various activities.
Exams
Quizzes
Concept
maps
Worksheets
Prequizzes
Clicker
activities
Other
Labs
To calculate your classroom components percentage:
Your Points on exams / Possible Pts for exams =
Your Points on final / Possible Pts for final =
Your Points on quizzes/ Possible Pts for quizzes =
Your Points on prequizzes / Possible Pts for prequizzes =
Your Points on cmaps, worksheets/ Possible Pts for activities =
0.______ x 44 = _______
0.______ x 15 = _______
0.______ x 7 = _______
0.______ x 5 = _______
0.______ x 9 = _______
To calculate your lab components percentage:
Your Points on lab exercises / Possible Points for lab exercises =
0.______ x 20 = _______
Add all values to calculate your TOTAL CLASS PERCENTAGE:
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BIOLOGY 161-01 Fall 2011
TENTATIVE COURSE AND LAB SCHEDULE
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
FINAL
Topics
Welcome; Life; Classification
Scientific Method; Basic Chemistry
Basic Chemistry; Organic Molecules
Organic Molecules
Cell Structure and Function
Membrane Structure and Function
Review
Metabolism: Energy and Enzymes
Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis
Mitosis
Meiosis
DNA
Gene Expression
Genetics
Catch up
FINAL EXAM
Chapter
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
7
9
10
12
12
11
Lab
8: Photosynthesis
1: Basic Microscopy
2: Life Characteristics
3: Microbes
4: Chemistry of Life
5: Homeostasis
6: Cellular Pathology
7: Cellular Respiration
9: Mitosis/Meiosis
10: Blueprint of Life
11: Mendelian Genetics
12: Human Genetic Disorders
13: DNA Detective
14: Natural Selection
The website http://employee.heartland.edu/tjongky/biol161.html provides a more up-to-date schedule as well as exam days.
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