COLLIN COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Information
Course Number: Biology 1408
Course Title: Biology for Non-Science Majors I
Course Description:
Lecture: Provides a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells,
structure, function, and reproduction.
Lab: Laboratory activities will reinforce a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including
chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction.
Course Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours:
Lab Hours:
4
3
3
Corequisite: Biology 1408 Laboratory
Student Learning Outcomes: State-mandated Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
Lecture
1. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures.
2. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.
3. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes,
photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
4. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.
5. Describe karyotyping, pedigrees, and biotechnology and provide an example of the uses of each.
6. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.
7. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.
Lab
1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions, and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and
laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data. (Teamwork)
2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory.
(Critical Thinking Skills)
3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations. (Communication Skills)
4. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures.
5. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.
6. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes,
photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
7. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.
(Empirical and Quantitative Skills)
8. Identify the importance of karyotypes, pedigrees, and biotechnology.
9. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.
10. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.
Withdrawal Policy: See the current Collin Registration Guide for last day to withdraw.
Collin College Academic Policies: See the current Collin Student Handbook.
Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws,
regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational
opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-D140 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD:
972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin Student Handbook for additional
information.
INSTRUCTOR’S INFORMATION
Instructor’s Name: Sukanya Subramanian
Office Number: F213
Office Hours: MW 11.00 am –1.00 pm, T 10.00 - 11.30 am & 2.15- 2.45 pm, or you can make an appointment
Phone Number: 972-377-1583
Email: ssubramanian@collin.edu
web page: http://iws.collin.edu/ssubramanian
CLASS INFORMATION
Section Number: 1408 P1L
Meeting Times: M 2.30 am- 5.20 pm
Meeting Location: F227
Course Resources: Online Biology Laboratory Manual - http://iws.collin.edu/mgarcia/lab/
Supplies - REQUIRED
Safety Goggles and gloves are required (mandatory) during lab. These can be purchased from the bookstore.
Printed lab unit. Loose-leaf notebook to keep lab reports and handouts
Shoes covering the whole foot is mandatory (Please read
http://iws.collin.edu/ssubramanian/1408/1408%20lab%20subheadings.htm regarding Lab safety)
Recommended
Labcoat or apron, if desired, for some labs
LAB POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
No eating or drinking of any kind is allowed in the lab. Proper dress is required at all times. This includes no open
toed shoes. An instructor has the right to ask a student that is improperly dressed or not following safety rules to
leave the lab or modify how they are dressed.
Attendance Policy: Laboratory attendance is mandatory. If a student misses a lab or one of the practical exams,
they can make-up the exam only after approval of the lab instructor (see details in the next paragraphs). Instructors
cannot count one practical exam grade twice. Contact your instructor immediately if you miss a class or a practical.
Students who stop attending class and do not officially withdraw from the course will be assigned a grade of “F”.
Missing the first lab meeting
Students that miss the first day of the lab are required to view the “Starting with Safety” DVD in the Science Den
prior to being permitted to attend the next lab. The Science Den staff will supply the student with the DVD to watch
and with a confirmation note to return to their instructor to verify completion.
Lab Make-ups: If you need to miss a lab for an appropriate and documented reason (for example: illness
requiring a doctor’s visit, death in the family, College related athletics and activities) you must contact the instructor
as soon as possible. You may only make-up the lab during the same week by attending another section in the same
campus with prior approval from both the instructor of the lab you will be attending and your original lab instructor
(arrangements can be made ONLY by the lab instructors once the student has given the original instructor
the information about the make-up lab that they want to attend.). If you miss a lab and do not contact the
instructor in an appropriate timeframe in order to attend a make-up lab you will receive a zero for all quizzes and
assignments missed and/or not turned in on time.
Practical Exam Make-ups: For any practical exam make-up to be approved, students must provide their instructor
with documentation verifying that the nature of their absence was for an acceptable reason. Please note: a practical
make-up will be approved ONLY for legitimate reasons. Every request for a make-up should be accompanied by
appropriate documentation. Arriving late or unprepared for the exam will not qualify for a make-up approval. The
make-up practical will be a comprehensive practical exam that will be administered during the final exam week.
IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTIES
First contact your instructor. If you are unable to resolve the problem, contact the divisional secretary on your
campus.
Method of Evaluation:
Overall Course Grade:
Lecture 70%, Lab 30%
2 major practical exams – 40% each
Lab:
Quizzes – 30% of lab grade
Lab reports – 30% of lab grade
Details of quizzes and lab reports will be given during lab class. There are no make up
labs. Please contact instructor if there is a problem. Attendance Policy: Laboratory attendance is
mandatory. If a student misses one of the practical exams, they must make-up the exam only after approval of the lab
instructor (arrangements for the make-up can be done ONLY by the instructor). Instructors cannot count one
practical exam grade twice. Practical make-up exams may only be granted in the event of extenuating circumstances
(e.g. hospitalization of the student, death in the family, etc.) that are supported by documentation. The instructor
reserves the right to make the determination of whether a particular situation merits a make-up exam. Contact your
instructor immediately if you fail to take one of the practical exams. Students who stop attending class and do not
officially withdraw from the course will be assigned a grade of “F”.
Percentage
(100%)
Assignment
3%
1
Quiz
3%
2
Quiz
3%
3
Quiz
3%
4
Quiz
3%
5
Quiz
3%
6
Quiz
3%
7
Quiz
3%
8
Quiz
2%
LR
Unit
1
2%
10%
LR
Unit
4
LR
Unit7
(title
and
intro)
4%
LR
Unit 7
(Mateials
and
methods)
Grade
Keep track of your lab grades here: Out of 10 quiz scores, 2 lowest scores will be dropped
6% of quiz grade will be from pre-lab quizzes
10.0%
LR
Unit 7
(Results &
discussion)
2.00
%
20.0%
20.00%
LR
Unit
9
Practical
I
Practical
II
BIOLOGY 1408 - GENERAL BIOLOGY I LABORATORY
TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR
WEEK
LABORATORY TOPICS
EXERCISES
1
Introduction to Laboratory Safety
Handouts
Measurement
Unit 1
2
Spectrophotometry and Acids, Bases, pH
Unit 2 and Unit 3
3
***Labor Day Holiday Monday 9/7***
***Fall Census Date (drop with no grade) 9/8***
4
Macromolecules
Unit 4
5
Microscopy and Cytology
Unit 5
6
Prokaryotes
Unit 6
7
Lab Practical I
8
Osmosis and Diffusion
Unit 7
***Last Day to Withdraw 10/16***
9
Enzymes
Unit 8
10
Cellular Respiration
Unit 9
11
Photosynthesis
Unit 10
12
Cell Division
Unit 11
13
Biotechnology
Unit 12
14
***Labs do not meet***
Thanksgiving holiday 11/25-11/29
15
Lab Practical II
4