Course Syllabus
Syllabus for BIOL 190 – Intro. to Cell and Molecular Biology Lab
College Information: Great Basin College, Ely Campus, 2115 Bobcat Dr., Ely, NV 89301
Phone:775.289-3589
http://www.gbcnv.edu (Links to an external site.)
Instructor: Lelsy Stewart
Office: GBC Ely Campus
Phone: 775.293-0644
Email: lelsystewart5@gmail.com
Office hours: By appointment only
Lab Meets: Section 1012-Lab Monday 7-9:45pm
Course description:
Structure and function of cells. Major molecules of life; composition and physiology of cellular organelles;
cell metabolism, reproduction, motility, and gene function of both plant and animal cells. Required for
biology majors.
Prerequisite:
Must have completed MATH 096, MATH 097, MATH 120 or higher, or attained satisfactory score for
placement into MATH 120 in ACT, SAT or placement tests.
Texts: Lab manual – Perry, Laboratory Manual for General Biology, 6th edition. ISBN 0-534-38025-5
(required).
Method of instruction: Laboratory, with online enhancements. Important course announcements and
documents will be made available to you via WebCampus, available
at http://gbcnv.instructure.com/login. Please contact GBC Helpdesk for WebCampus accessibility
issues. You bear the responsibility for getting the technical aspects of the course to function properly so
that you can participate fully.
Goals of this course: Students taking this course will have an understanding of cells, biomolecules,
composition and physiology of cellular organelles, cell metabolism, reproduction, motility, and gene
function in both plants and animals. The GBC General Education Objectives are addressed at the end of
this syllabus.
Grading system: The grade for the lab portion of the class will be based on two practical exams worth 50
points each, two writing assignments worth 25 points each, and ten weekly pre- lab quizzes worth 10
points each.
At the end of the semester, after receiving your lab grade from your lab instructor, your lecture
instructor will incorporate the lab grade into your final grade for the course. Your final grade for the course
will be weighted so that it is 75% from lecture and 25% from lab.
Extra Credit: There is no extra credit given in this course.
Attendance policy: Attendance is not mandatory, however attendance correlates positively with passing
the course.
Lab practical exam makeup policy: Makeup exams will only be given in exceptional circumstances with
an approved written excuse, at the instructor’s discretion.
Pre-Lab quizzes: A pre-lab quiz will be given via WebCampus each week. Quizzes will be based on
upcoming topics being covered that week. This will require you to read the lab manual and or any other
supplemental information given in order to complete the quiz. The first quiz is due Sept. 6th by
11:00pm. Remaining quizzes will become available on Monday mornings at 6:00am and are due the
following Sunday (1 week) at 11:00pm. Late work will not be accepted.
Lab report: Effect of Solute Concentration on Osmosis will be written up as a report and turned in
via WebCampus to the appropriate dropbox. It is due the next lab class period (1 week) in Word Format.
Assignments will not accepted via snail mail, email, fax, or other means. Technical problems with
WebCampus need to be addressed to the GBC Helpdesk. The report should follow the following outline:
Introduction Give the background to the topic. Why is it important? Briefly tell what you are going to do
in the experiment.
Procedures Explain what organisms, materials and methods were used in the experiments. How did
you do it?
Results Present the results. Point out key or unexpected results.
Conclusion What was the significance of your results? Explain the importance of the experiment, and
whether or not your outcome was consistent or inconsistent with what was expected.
Tables, graphs, etc. may be helpful. Grading criteria for the report are identical to those used by the
English department:
1. Focuses and develops ideas effectively, showing creativity and insight.
2. Organizes ideas in a purposeful and logical manner, moving the reader (listener) smoothly through
the text (subject).
3. Uses sentence structure and word choice effectively with a sense of control.
4. Commits few, if any, errors in grammar/usage and mechanics.
Video Response Paper: Each student will be required to write a response to a video: Intelligent Design
on Trial. Your response to the video will use the format given below. In the paper I will be looking for
evidence that you understand the subject and controversy, and can clearly communicate your
understanding. Your demonstration of knowledge of natural selection and the evidence and issues
surrounding it will be subject to grading, not your personal opinion. The paper must be typed, double
spaced, and no longer than 2 pages.
The paper should follow the following outline:
Introduction: Give the background to the topic or problem. Briefly explain why it is important.
Discussion: Explain the details of the situation, show that you understand what is being
described. What do you recommend doing in this situation?
Conclusion: Briefly reiterate both the problem and your conclusion.
Grading criteria for the report are similar to those used by the English department:
1. Focuses and develops ideas effectively, showing creativity and insight.
2. Organizes ideas in a purposeful and logical manner, moving the reader (listener) smoothly
through the text (subject).
3. Uses sentence structure and word choice effectively with a sense of control.
4. Commits few, if any, errors in grammar usage and mechanics.
Other policies: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and may result in a failing grade and/or
reporting to GBC Administration. The students conduct policy in the current GBC catalog will be enforced.
This syllabus is not a contract and is subject to change, without warning or notification, at any time.
Lab Schedule: This is a preliminary schedule. I reserve the right to change any part of it.
Week of
(Date)
Lab we are doing this week
Lab safety introduction
8/31
Macromolecules and functional groups lab (this handout will be given
to you in class)
9/7
No Lab-- Labor Day Holiday
9/14
…continuing Macromolecules lab
9/21
#8 Enzymes
9/28
#14 DNA
Watson and Crick’s original papers as an illustration of scientific
method (Download these articles from WebCampus and read them
before you come to class)
10/5
#7 Diffusion and Osmosis
10/12
#3 Microscopy and #6 Cells
10/19
#10 Respiration
10/26
Lab Midterm Exam
Photosynthesis Lab
11/2
Download this lab from WebCampus and read it before coming to
clas
11/9
#11 Mitosis and #12 Meiosis
11/16
#13 Heredity
11/23
Evolution movie (at home) Thanksgiving
11/30
#16 Evolutionary agents
12/7
Lab Practical Final
finals week
NO LAB THIS WEEK
Student Outcomes (Some of this is for lecture and lab)
Communications Skills Objective
Students will have several opportunities to exercise written and oral communication skills
throughout this course. They will complete laboratory reports and written assignments accessing scientific
information as well as written exams. Oral communication skills will also be utilized during discussions
involved in completing laboratory assignments.
Measurement of this objective: lab practical exams (students will read and answer exam questions in
written form), written lab report (students will clearly communicate scientific information in written form,
see “lab reports” above for grading rubric), class discussions (students will be able to communicate
scientific ideas orally, ungraded).
Critical Thinking Objective
Quantitative Ability- Students will use mathematical principles and quantitative methods to
complete the laboratory assignments. They will also learn how to quantitatively measure molecularbiological and cellular characteristics.
Reasoning and Independent Thought- Students will use reasoning and independent thought to
complete laboratory experiments and answer exam questions.
Scientific Understanding- Students will comprehend workings of molecular-biological and
cellular systems and the process by which the scientific knowledge is discovered. They will also develop
the ability to understand molecular-biological and cellular information and how it relates to them.
Measurement of this objective: lab practical exams (students will be able to answer quantitative questions
related to cell and molecular biology on exams), written lab report (students will calculate and present
quantitative results clearly in the lab reports), class discussions (ungraded).
Personal and Cultural Awareness Objective
Sense of the Individual in Society- Students will gain an understanding of molecular and cellular
biology and how this affects them and society.
Sense of the Past- Students will gain an understanding of how biological knowledge was
discovered and how this knowledge has changed society and their lives.
Sense of Accountability- Students will comprehend the consequences of human discoveries in
molecular and cellular biology and their implications.
Appreciation of Fine Arts- Students will develop an understanding of the value of biological
diversity and individual curiosity and creative thought.
Measurement of this objective: lab practical exams (students will be able to answer lab practical exam
questions on the importance and place of cell and molecular biology in society, on the history of biological
research, and how their actions affect them and their environment), class discussions (students will be
able to discuss the importance and place of cell and molecular biology in society and how their actions
affect them and their environment ungraded).
Personal Wellness Objective
Students will develop skills in determining the consequences of their actions in relation to the
environment and their personal health. They will gain knowledge needed to make important decisions
involving personal health.
Measurement of this objective: lab practical exams (students will be able to answer lab practical exam
questions on the molecular basis of human health), class discussions (students will discuss the molecular
basis of human health, ungraded).
Technological Understanding
Students will gain knowledge of how advancing technology in the field of biology will affect their
lives and their personal health.
Measurement of this objective: lab practical exams (students will demonstrate the ability to use
technological lab equipment used in biology and relate the use of this equipment to cell and molecular
biology and human health), written lab report (students will present, in written form, the use of technology
to discover knowledge in the area of cell and molecular biology – the “procedures” section of their lab
reports).
Summary of the Assessment of Objectives:
Learning and general education objectives will be assessed with two distinct tools. Laboratory practicals
will emphasize recall of the various manipulative and study objects used in the exercises, as well as
testing that the students understand the concepts and principles that were generated with these
devices. The written laboratory report will asses their written communication skills, as well as their
conceptual understanding of a critical lab experiment. This last experiment has been chosen for its mix of
conceptual, numeric, and technical skills.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA Services for Students with Disabilities
Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with
disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish
current verification of disability. The Students with Disabilities Office, located in Berg Hall, will assist
qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary
aids, and services. For more information or further assistance, please call 775.753.2271.
From the 2009-2010 GBC Catalog, page 37