Western Nevada College Course Syllabus
BIOL 190 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology --- Fall 12 (rev. 8-14-12)
Instructor: Holly O’Toole
E-mail: Instructor: otooleh@wnc.edu Division Chair: bdillet@wnc.edu
Phone: (office) 423-8330 ext 2231
Cell:
_____________________
Website: http://www.wnc.edu/~otooleh/
Office: #3 Piñon (or Sage 104)
Office Hours
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
2:00 - 4:00 pm
4 – 5 pm
11:00 – 1:00 pm
By appt.
By appt.
Communication:
Office hours, WNC email, and phone. Make sure that your email and phone number on file with
WNC are accurate. I cannot contact you if this information is incorrect. For quicker response
time, email me at otooleh@wnc.edu and not through WNC online.
Cancelled Class Hotline: 775-445-3030 or 1-866-532-5118 or
http://www.wnc.edu/academics/hotline/
Lecture:
4-6:45 am (Th) PINH 202
Laboratory:
7-9:45 pm (Th) Sage 104
Lecture Text: Campbell’s Biology 9th ed. w/ Mastering Biology Access, Benjamin Cummings, ISBN:
9780321558145
Transfer Information: Courses with an 'L' Designator after the number: This is a laboratory
course is designed to apply toward a WNC degree and/or transfer to other schools within the Nevada
System of Higher Education, depending on the degree chosen and other courses completed. It may
transfer to colleges and universities outside Nevada. For information about how this course can
transfer and apply to your program of study, please contact a counselor.
Course Description: Covers the structure and function of cells. Included will be the major molecules
of life, composition and physiology of cellular organelles, cellular metabolism, reproduction, motility,
gene function and related topics. Students must enroll in both lecture and lab to receive credit. Note:
BIOL 190/190L plus BIOL 191/191L transfer to UNR as fulfilling BIOL 190, 191 and 192 requirements.
Course Objectives:
Gain factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends) about Cell and Molecular
Biology.
Learn fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories of Cell and Molecular Biology.
Learn to apply course material (to improve thinking, problem-solving, and decisions) to Cell and
Molecular Biology.
Develop specific skills, competencies and points of view needed by professionals in the field most
closely related to Cell and Molecular Biology.
Acquire an interest in learning more by asking questions and seeking answers about Cell and
Molecular Biology.
Course Prerequisite: CHEM 121
Course Corequisites: CHEM 121 and BIOL 190L
General Education Mission: BIOL 190/190L is a general education class that promotes the
development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will benefit students in their personal and
professional endeavors. General Education Student Learning Outcome: Students who successfully
complete BIOL 190/190L satisfy the general education learning outcome of understanding the
methods of science and the role of science and technology in the modern world; have problem solving,
creative, and critical thinking skills; have effective and efficient learning skills, including the location
and evaluation of information. Program Mission for AA/AS degree: BIOL 190 satisfies the A.A./A.S.
degree mission by providing academic knowledge and skills for successful transfer to meet higher
educational goals. Program Student Learning Outcomes for AA/AS degree: Students who
successfully complete Biol 190 will know the subject matter appropriate to the emphasis of the degree.
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Programs of Study: Biology Sciences (A.S.), Chemistry (A.S.) and Geoscience (A.S.)
Student Evaluation:
BIOL 190L Lab Grade:
Grades Based on:
Quizzes, Labs, and Assignments 75% (drop lowest 2 quizzes)
Final Paper 25%
BIOL 190 Lecture Grade:
Grades based on:
(4) Exams (total 400pts)
80%
(3) Writing Assignment (Total 300 points) 9%
(11)Reading Quiz(Total 1100 points) 11%
Grading Scale
90-100% A- 90-92, A 93-100
80-89 % B- 80-82, B 83-86, B+ 87-89
70-79% C- 70-72, C 73-76, C+ 77-79
60-69% D
<60%
F
Examination, Quiz, and Assignment Information:
1. The pedagogy of this class will include lecture, discussion, and laboratory exercises.
2. Exams will be based on lecture, discussion, and the text. Exams will not be cumulative, but
information from previous material may be needed to answer questions.
3. Exam questions may consist of multiple choice, true/false, calculations, fill-in, and matching,
short answer, and essay. Short answer and essay should be answered concisely and
accurately for full credit.
4. The laboratory quizzes will cover materials presented in the laboratory. They will not be
cumulative, but information from the previous material may be needed to answer questions.
5. Lab quizzes will be given at the beginning of each lab class period. The two lowest lab quiz
scores will be dropped. No makeup quizzes will be given. If you are more than 10 minutes tardy
you will not be given a quiz.
6. READING QUIZZES will be weekly through Mastering Biology online. See Mastering
Biology sheet for more details. The two lowest reading quizzes will be dropped.
7. Writing Assignment: One-page article synopsis written concerning an article selected by
the instructor. The student is to read the article and prepare a one page overview of the
article typed in Arial Font 11 with 1 inch margins. The student will complete 3 such
assignments. Late assignments will not be accepted.
8. Objectives and grades will be posted on WNC online. My lecture notes will not be posted. Any
posted power points are to be printed by the students. Check WNC online often.
9. You must take all exams to pass the course. Exams will be given at the times noted in the course
schedule. Once exams begin, you will not be permitted to leave the room without turning in your
exam. Once turned in, the exam will be considered complete and will not be returned.
10. There are no provisions made for missing an exam, therefore, 0 points will be averaged into the
grade for exams missed. Makeup exams may be permitted, at the discretion of the instructor,
when clear, documented reasons are provided. Make up exams will not be given for full credit.
11. I will not withdraw failing students. Student who are failing or earning a grade that they are not
satisfied with may withdraw themselves by the withdraw date.
12. Be sure and take advantage of the Companion website that comes with your text.
13. Points, up to100% of the total points from that week’s quiz, may be deducted for habitual
tardies, early departures, or disruptive behavior.
14. Grades and quiz/test scoring concerns/disagreements/rescoring are issues to be dealt during
my office hours. Please do so.
Further Information:
Presentation, lab and additional assignments are part of the course. The class schedule is
tentative and will be updated as needed. To do well in a college course demands that your work,
personal life, and health allow for you to make your coursework a priority.
Attendance:
Attendance is required and I will record it. A student is permitted to miss 3 classes. However,
more than three absences may result in a grade reduction.
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Student Classroom Conduct:
WNC is committed to providing a safe effective learning environment for students, faculty, and
staff. Disruptive student conduct is subject to strict disciplinary action.
This is a college classroom. You are expected to arrive on time and stay for the entire class
period. Late arrivals and early departures are disruptive for the entire class. Three late arrivals/early
departures will count as one absence. No children or pets are allowed in class or in the lab. Turn
pagers to silent and cellular phones off when you come to class.
Behavior that impedes the teaching/learning process including: private conversations; leaving
during a guest lecture; late arrivals and early departures; texting, phone, or pager calls; and behaviors
that do not contribute to the course learning environment is unacceptable. I reserve the right to
administratively fail or withdraw any student who presents behavioral issues that impede the learning
environment. Use of any conduct or harassment that threatens the quality of this learning environment
will result in immediate removal from the class.
Dishonesty/Cheating:
Any student determined to be cheating or assisting or participating with another student in
dishonest behavior will be immediately withdrawn from the course or receive a grade penalty. The
penalty for cheating at WNC is outlined on the WNC website. An Honor Code is inherent in ethical
societal behavior: “I will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do”. Come to me if
students are violating that code.
Laboratory Safety Guidelines:
1. No eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lens, or applying cosmetics in the laboratory.
2. Lab space is tight. Backpacks are to be placed in a designated area of the lab, not on or under
lab tables.
3. Restrain long hair and remove dangling jewelry during dissections.
4. Work surfaces will be washed at the beginning and end of class and whenever a spill occurs.
5. Safety glasses must be worn. You may provide your own.
6. Personal protective equipment (aprons and gloves) will be worn when doing experiments where
contamination is possible. All protective equipment will be removed when leaving the
laboratory.
7. When working with human blood and other body fluid samples, you are to handle only
your own sample.
8. Laboratory work areas will be cleaned up at the end of class and all equipment and materials
returned to the proper location.
9. Report all spills or accidents, no matter how minor to the instructor.
10. Hands will be washed after cleaning work surfaces, when hands become contaminated, and
when leaving the laboratory.
11. WNC does not have insurance to cover students on campus. All students should carry personal
medical insurance.
12. Dissections may not be videoed or photographed or posted on any online site.
Lab Study Tips:
1. Read labs ahead of time, do questions on labs before lab when possible.
2. Know your lab objectives for the weekly lab quiz.
3. Know assigned diagrams for that week’s lab quiz.
4. Use lab time to do lab exercises: concentrating on lab objectives.
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Writing Assignment: One-page article synopsis written concerning an article selected by the
instructor. The student is to read the article and prepare a one page overview of the article
typed in Arial Font 11 with 1 inch margins. The student will complete 3 such assignments. Late
assignments will not be accepted.
a. Antibiotic Resistance
September 27
b. Immortal Cells of Henrietta Lack
November 1
c.
December 6
Animal Models
Study Tips and Techniques: You should plan to spend at least ten to twelve hours outside class
each week to pass the course. Higher grades will require more study time. It will help you to read
the assigned material before class. I suggest you download and read the study tips posted on
WNC online. If you are having difficulty please consider one or more of the following:
1. Meet with me during my office hours.
2. Read the chapter, do the online quizzes, rewrite answers to the objectives.
3. Start a study group with some of your classmates and study, study, study!!
4. Take responsibility for your own grade.
5. Log your study time. Be honest about how much time you are actually studying.
Extra Credit
Perfect attendance is worth 10 points which will be averaged into your reading quiz grade.
You may have no absences, no tardies, and no instances where you leave class early to earn
perfect attendance.
Assistance:
Qualified, self-identified students with documented disabilities have the right to free
accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at WNC. For assistance contact
Disability Support Services on the Carson Campus in the Bristlecone Bld. Room 103 or call 775-4453267 or 775-445-3266.
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BIOL 190/L Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology --- Fall 12
(rev. 8-14-12)
Week Date
Lecture
Lab
1
8-30
Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life:
Chemical Context of Life: Chapter 2
2
9-6
Carbon and Molecular Diversity of Life
Chapter 4
Reading Quiz Chapter 1
Water and Life
Chapter 3
3
9-13
The Structure and Function of Large Biological
Reading Quiz Molecules: Chapter 5
Biomolecules
4
9-20
Exam #1 Themes, Chemistry, Water, Molecules
Tour of the Cell
Reading Quiz Cell Chapter 6
Cells and the Microscope
5
9-27
Antibiotic Resistance Paper #1 due
Plasma Membrane
Reading Quiz Membrane Structure and
Function: Chapter 7
Membrane Transport: Diffusion and
Osmosis
6
10-4
Bioenergetics
Reading Quiz Metabolism: Chapter 8
Enzymes
7
10-11 Cellular Respiration & Fermentation
Reading Quiz Cellular Respiration &
Fermentation Chapter 9
Cellular Respiration
8
10-18 Exam #2 Cell, Membrane, Respiration and
Fermentation
Photosynthesis
Reading Quiz Photosynthesis: Chapter 10
Photosynthesis
9
10-25 Cell Communication
Reading Quiz Cell Communication
Chapter 11
Eight Week Research Project
Biotechnoloy VRGH 310
10
11-1
Immortal Cells of Henrietta Lack Paper #2 due
Cell Cycle
Reading Quiz Cell Cycle: Chapter 12
Abstract
11
11-8
Exam #3 Photosynthesis, Cell Communication,
and Cell Cycle
Meiosis & Sexual Life Cycles
Reading Quiz Meiosis & Sexual Life Cycles:
Chapter 13
Methods and Materials
12
11-15 Molecular Basis of Inheritance
Reading Quiz Molecular Basis of Inheritance:
Chapter 16
13
11-22 HOLIDAY
14
11-29 From Gene to Protein
Reading Quiz From Gene to Protein: Chapter
17
15
12-6
16
12-13 Exam #4 Genomics
Rough Draft of Paper
Animal Models Paper #3 due
Gene Expression
Reading Quiz Regulation of Gene Expression:
Chapter 18
Final Draft of Paper
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