Heartland Community College Math/Science Division
Student Syllabus for BIOL 114.06 Contemporary Biology Spring 2013
Credit Hours: 4
Contact Hours: 5 (Lecture Hours: 3; Lab Hours :2)
Meeting times: Biol 114.06 - T & Th: 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Instructional Commons Building (ICB) 1405
Instructor: Janet Rasmussen, PhD
Phone: Math/Science Office 268-8640 (leave message with secretary)
Office: ICB 2402 E-mail: janet.rasmussen@heartland.edu
Office Hours: Tues: 4:30 – 5:00 pm, Thurs: 9:30 – 10:00 am. Other times by appt.
E-mail is the best way to reach me. I generally check e-mail once a day on weekdays. I will respond only to emails from your @heartland.edu e-mail address. It is the student’s responsibility to check their heartland email address regularly as I will periodically e-mail the class with announcements and reminders.
Catalog Description:
Prerequisite: Completion of Math through Beginning Algebra level or assessment. BIOL 114 will introduce
students to a broad range of biological principles, including organization, structure and function, heredity,
evolution, and ecology. Students will demonstrate how their knowledge in biology is relevant to them, their
community, and their world. Students will use scientific evidence as the basis for their arguments. Students
will improve their skills in relaying biological information to peers and to others. In addition, students will leave
with a better understanding of scientific views that differ from their own. The laboratory component will
emphasize scientific inquiry and use of knowledge in problem solving. This course is intended for students
who are not pursuing a science career.
Required Materials:
Starr, C., Evers, C.A., & Starr, L. 2013. Biology Today and Tomorrow with Physiology (4th ed.). Brooks/Cole
Publishing, Belmont, CA.
Jongky, T., E. Wallace, M. Kishore, & J. Hoekstra. 2012. BIOL 114 Lab Manual. Heartland Community
College, Normal, IL.
Course Learning Outcomes:
1) Students hypothesize, experiment, gather data, and formulate conclusions.
2) Students evaluate the validity of biology-related results and conclusions that are presented in the
media and other settings.
3) Students relate biological concepts to their daily life and to the world around them.
4) Students synthesize information from various sources to generate an essay, poster, oral
presentation, or other product.
5) Students demonstrate awareness of issues related to individual and community health.
6) Students demonstrate awareness of environmental issues related to biology.
HCC General Education Learning Outcomes: Because BIOL 114 is part of HCC’s General Education
Program, assessments will also measure the following four General Education Outcomes:
Critical Thinking 1: Students gather knowledge, apply it to a new situation, and draw reasonable
conclusions in ways that demonstrate understanding.
Critical Thinking 3: Students generate an answer, approach, or solution through an effective synthesis of
diverse sources and arguments and provide a rationale.
Communication 2: Students effectively deliver a message via various channels/modalities.
Diversity 1: Students are receptive to beliefs and values that differ from their own.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer: BIOL 114 fulfills 4 of the semester hours
of credit in Life and Physical Science required for the A.A. or A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part
of the General Education Core Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative 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 information at www.itransfer.org
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
1. Introduction to the science of biology
2. Basics of biochemistry
3. Introduction to cell biology and energy use
4. Genetics
a.
DNA and gene expression.
b.
Inheritance.
5. Animal structure, function and human health
a.
Musculoskeletal system
b.
Circulation and respiration
c.
Digestion, nutrition, and excretion
d.
Nervous and endocrine systems
e.
Reproduction and development
6. Evolution
a.
Evidence for evolution
b.
Processes of evolution
7. Ecology
a.
Population and community ecology
b.
Ecosystem ecology and environmental issues
Incomplete Grade
An Incomplete grade may be justified if a 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 is given. The
student must sign a form requiring him/her to finish the class by next semester.
Important URLS
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/ includes information about library, tutoring and testing services, computing
lab, writing services and disability support services.
myHeartland information:
https://my.heartland.edu includes: access to IRIS, your Heartland student e-mail, your Backpack files, the
library, Class Cancellations, and announcements.
 If you are logging in for FIRST time, use Password Station to create password and change your
security questions after creating password.
Required Writing and Reading:
The student will be expected to read the textbook (about 20-40 pages per week for a 16-week semester). He
or she may also be required to read relevant news or feature articles, web pages, or case studies. The student
will write for many possible assignments, including: answers to lab questions, article summary and analysis
papers, individual or group writing projects or presentations, answers to worksheet questions or assigned
homework, and answers to short answer or essay questions on quizzes or tests.
Assessment of Your Learning / Grading System:
Assessments
% of final
grade
Lecture
The following assessments will be used to assess if students meet the learning outcomes:
Case studies, worksheets and other assignments: (generally worth 5 -10 pts. Each, but
some will be worth 20 pts, 200 pts total possible)
News journal article summaries and analysis:(4 @ 25 pts. each)
Tests: (8 tests will be given, 8 @ 50 pts. each)
Final exam: 1 comprehensive final @100 pts.
Lab
80
20
Quizzes, Exams, and Assignments
Tests will be taken in class at the beginning of the period. You will not be allowed extra time if you arrive late to
class.
For the News Journal you will summarize and analyze current biology-related news reports four times
throughout the semester. Guidelines for this assignment are provided in a separate handout.
Lecture assignments will vary and consist of activities such as analysis of case studies, completion of
worksheets, etc. It is expected that each student will fully and independently participate in the completion of
these assignments. Sharing the work is not acceptable. If a student is observed to not be fully participating in
the completion of an assignment I reserve the right to deny giving that student credit for the assignment.
Lab assignments will come from the required lab manual. Lab activities will generally be conducted with a
partner. However, each person is expected to fully participate in the lab activities and independent completion
of lab assignments. Sharing the work is not acceptable. If a student is observed to not be fully participating in
the completion of a lab activity or assignment I reserve the right to deny giving that student credit for the
assignment.
Grading Scale:
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
Below 60%
A
B
C
D
F
Course Policies:
Make-up policies.
1) Only one test can be made up during the semester. Unless the absence is a well documented severe
illness or other serious matter, a 20% deduction will be taken for each day the test is taken late. The
make-up test must be taken in the testing center before the next scheduled class period.
2) Tests missed due to a college sponsored activity must be taken prior to the scheduled test date. You
must make arrangements with me to take the test in the testing center.
3) There will be no make-ups for lab activities or in-class assignments. Most labs will be completed before
the student leaves class. If the assignment has to be finished outside of class, the assignment is due at
the beginning of the next class day. Only students who attend lab can complete lab assignments.
4) News Journals and other assignments conducted outside of class time are due at the beginning of
class on the assigned due dates. A 10% deduction will be taken for each day the assignment is late.
5) In extreme cases of extended absence beyond the student’s control (such as documented severe
illness, documented accident, military duty, etc) some leniency in make-ups will be considered.
Students should contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss options.
Attendance Policy:
1) Attendance will be taken at each class.
2) Please turn off all electronic devices (cell phone, computers, etc.) at the start of class. If the situation is
such that you are expecting an important call, please inform me in advance. Keep your phone on
vibrate then step outside the class to take the call. Do not text in class. I reserve the right to take a
phone or any other electronic device from a student who is using the device in class without
permission.
3) No food or beverages are allowed during the lab portion of the course.
Student Responsibilities:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Be on time and participate in lecture and lab sessions regularly
Bring your textbook and other materials to class.
Take thorough notes in class.
Complete all assignments, using the required format, and turn them in on time.
Study the required textbook pages and be prepared for class discussion
Review notes, text book, and all materials for exams. (As a general rule of thumb for every hour spent
in class a minimum of two hours should be spent outside of class studying/learning the material. Some
people may need to spend much more time than this outside of class).
7) Contact me if you are having difficulties with any of the material, so that we can develop strategies to
help you learn the material.
8) Take exams as scheduled.
9) Review the corrected tests after they are returned, using the opportunity to more completely understand
the material.
10) Avoid disruptive or abusive behavior. Respect your classmates and instructor.
Academic Integrity (Adapted from the Catalog)
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College and is essential
to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because grading may be competitive,
students who misrepresent academic work violate the right of their fellow students. The College, therefore,
views any act of academic dishonesty as a serious offense requiring disciplinary measures, including course
failure, suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition, an act of academic dishonesty may
have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding in cheating or other acts of
dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data, falsification of academic records or documents and
unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems.
Syllabus Disclaimer:
The instructor reserves the right to change any and all assignments, rules or requirements in this class, as well
as make adjustments to this syllabus as needed. Students will be notified in the event of any such changes at
the earliest possible time.
Week
Jan. 14
Biol 114.06 Spring 2013: Tentative Class Schedule
Due Dates of Labs, Quizzes, Exams, and Select
Assignments
Ch. 1- Intro, Scientific Method
Lab 1: Scientific Method (Th)
Topics
Jan. 21
Ch. 2. Chemistry
Ch. 3 Cell Biology
Lab 2 Microscope (Th),
Test 1 (Th- Ch 1&2)
Jan. 28
Cell Biology cont.,
Ch. 4: Energy & Metabolism
Lab 3 Life (T)
Lab 4: Cells (Th)
Feb. 4
Ch. 6: DNA Structure
Feb. 11
Ch. 7: Gene Expression
News Journal 1 due (T)
Test 2 (T- Ch 3-4)
LAB 5: DNA (Th)
Lab 6: Protein synthesis (Th)
Feb. 18
Ch. 8: Cell Reproduction
Test 3 (T- Ch 6-7)
Lab 7: Mitosis and Meiosis (Th)
Feb. 25
Ch. 9: Inheritance
Lab 9: Genetics (Th)
March 4
Ch. 26: Human Sexual
Reproduction
March 18
March 25
Ch. 20: Movement
Ch. 21: Circulation and
Respiration
Ch. 23: Digestion and Excretion
News Journal 2 Due (T)
Test 4 (T- Ch. 8-9)
Lab 8: Human Sexual Reproduction (Th)
Lab 10: Skeletal System (T),
Lab 11: Circulation (Th)
April 1
Ch. 24: Nervous system
Lab 13: Calories, Calories (T)
April 8
Ch. 25 Endocrine System.
Ch. 11: Evidence for Evolution
April 15
April 22
Ch. 11 cont.
Ch. 12: Processes of Natural
Selection
Ch. 13: Early Life
Lab 14: Senses (T)
Test 6: (Th- Ch. 23-25)
News Journal 3 Due (Th)
Lab 15: Natural Selection (Th)
April 29
Ch. 16: Population Ecology
Lab 20: Food Chain
May 6
Ch. 17: Community Ecology
Test 8 (T- Ch 13, 16),
Lab 21 Siamese Fighting Fish Behavior (Th)
News Journal 4 Due (Th)
Final Exam 4 Tues, May 14 (Ch 17 +
Comprehensive)
May 14
Test 5 (T- Ch. 26, 20, 21)
Lab 12: Nutrition (Th)
Test 7: (T- Ch 11-12)
Lab 16 Bacteria (T&TH)