Fall 2014 M. DeGear
General Biology 1224 for Majors
Fall 2014 Syllabus
Instructor: Adjunct Professor Michelle DeGear
Cell: (918) 633-2256
email: degear@okstate.edu
COURSE: BIO1224
CRN: 12338, 12341
Lecture (Attend both days): MW 5:30 pm – 6:50 pm in Room 8256
Lab (attend one day):
Section 322: M 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm in Room 8182
Section 323: W 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm in Room 8182
DIVISION DEAN: Lyn Kent
Science and Mathematics Division Office:
Phone: (918) 595-7744
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
BIO 1224 - Introduction to Biology for Majors 4 Credits
Introductory biology course for majors with lab. This course includes an in-depth study of
fundamental biological concepts, including metabolism, homeostasis, heredity, evolution, and
ecology at the subcellular, cellular and organismal levels. It provides the foundation for other
advanced courses in the biological sciences.
Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours
BIOLOGY GOALS
1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the scientific process in the biological world
as it is implemented by the Scientific Method. The student will further understand the need for
continued biological research in a dynamic environment.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic life processes, such as cell
structure, obtaining and using of energy, and the processes of reproduction, heredity and
evolution.
3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the diversity, complexity and inter-relatedness of life.
4. Students in our laboratory classes will demonstrate proficiency in measurement and in using
various techniques and equipment (including their strengths and weaknesses) as they apply to
solving problems in the biological sciences.
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Fall 2014 M. DeGear
TEXBOOKS, SOFTWARE, AND SUPPLIES available from The Campus Bookstore.
TEXTBOOKS REQUIRED
1.
Understanding Biology by Kenneth Mason (1st ed.).
a. The TCC bookstore has the most economical package with softcover textbook
and Connect Plus package.
b. Connect Plus includes LearnSmart, ebook, and student resources, quizzes, etc.
LABORATORY MANUAL REQUIRED
1. Introduction to General Biology Laboratory Manual for Majors, 8th ed. by Phillips et al.
ISBN 007804507X / 9780078045073
SUPPLIES REQUIRED: Supplies needed for the course may be purchased at the bookstore:
 Goggles (safety glasses), gloves, microscope slides and coverslips, color pencils.
Required software: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
COMPUTER ACCESS
It is highly recommended that you have regular (daily) computer access, preferably at home
with broadband Internet access. This course can be completed using public computers at TCC
or other public access areas. However, using public computers may create a hardship and
course requirements remain the same whether your computer access is public or private.
TECHNICAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS
You should be comfortable with the following:
 using a word processor (changing font, spell check)
 using email for communication
 sending an email attachment
 navigating the Internet and using a search engine
 downloading appropriate plugins
TCC BLACKBOARD (Bb) –Course Documents
Students are expected to use the TCC Blackboard site to obtain course information: Syllabus,
PowerPoint lectures, Assignments, and Announcements. Check your grades on Bb often.
The course syllabus contains information regarding reading assignments, laboratory
session assignments, due dates of assignments, class exam dates, course attendance
policies and how you will be evaluated in this course. Be sure check your syllabus often.
You will find the online materials by clicking on the various tabs on the Bb site: Start Here,
Announcements, Faculty Profile, Course Goals, Content, Discussions, My Grades, Web
Resources, On-line Lab Questions, Quizzes and Exams.
LABORATORY SESSION: The laboratory session will reinforce concepts and principles
learned in the lecture section of the course. Students will become familiar with the broad range
of methods and technologies/instrumentation used in modern biology research. Several
fieldtrips are scheduled and are part of the laboratory experience. The laboratory session will
meet once a week for 3 hours. Missing a laboratory session constitutes a zero.
Attendance to laboratory sessions is mandatory. Lab sessions cannot be made up!
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ATTENDANCE POLICY. Attendance and participation are required in both lecture and
laboratory sessions. Only in extenuating circumstances, such as family crisis, illness, birth, etc.,
will makeup examinations be provided and late assignments be accepted. Advise your
instructor in advance of an absence as a result of such matters. Missed examinations and
assignments cannot be made up unless justification for being absent is provided before
the assignment is due. If a student is permitted to makeup an assignment, the
assignment must be completed within one week of the due date, or the student receives
a zero on the assignment. In addition, any makeup examinations will not receive curve or
extra credit points! All makeup examinations will be taken at the Math Lab Testing Center
(Building 8).
Lecture and laboratory attendance and participation are essential! Attendance follows TCC
policies. The instructor may automatically withdraw (AW) a student from the course as a result
of excessive absences (2 or more absences) from lecture (or online participation), and/or
laboratory sessions. Please do not make a habit of coming to laboratory sessions late.
Attendance (regular participation in the online classroom) is essential for maintaining the best
learning environment. Learning occurs in relationship not only between student and course
materials, but, just as importantly, peer to peer, professor to student, and student to professor.
SYLLABUS CHANGES: Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students
will be notified of any changes to the syllabus. Changes will be posted on Bb, announced in
class and/or the laboratory session. It is the student’s responsibility to check Bb.
EVALUATION
Your grade will be determined as follows:
4 Class Exams = 400
Laboratory Assignments and Field trips =140-150 points
Homework: 100 points
Extra credit opportunities - TBA =15 points
90%-100% = A
80%-89% = B
70%-79% = C
60%-69% = D
Total points range from 650-700. Your grade will be calculated as a percentage of the
total points.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
A complete list of student support services can be found in the Resources section of the
Blackboard course site. This includes information about college services, free tutoring services,
software support, and online tutorials related to course concepts.
DISABILITY RESOURCES
It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community College to create inclusive learning
environments. Accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are available. To request
accommodations, contact the Education Access Center (EAC) at eac@tulsacc.edu or call (918)
595-7115 (Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing students may text (918) 809-1864.
TOBACCO FREE COLLEGE
Tulsa Community College is a Tobacco Free college in accordance with the Governor’s
Executive Order 2012-01 and Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Section 1-1523 which prohibits
smoking or the use of any tobacco products in all public places, in any indoor workplace, and all
vehicles owned by the State of Oklahoma and all of its agencies and instrumentalities. This
Order includes property leased, rented, or owned by TCC including, but not limited to, all
grounds, buildings, facilities, and parking lots. Tulsa Community College’s policy includes a
tobacco free environment on all campus and off-campus locations conducting TCC credit or
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non-credit classes. The TCC Campus Police is responsible for ensuring compliance with the
Tobacco-Free Environment Policy. Violations of the policy may be addressed through issuance
of campus or state citations.
COURSE WITHDRAWAL
The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration of any class. Check
the TCC Academic Calendar for the deadline that applies to the course(s). Begin the process
with a discussion with the faculty member assigned to the course. Contact the Advisement
Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course ('W' grade) or to change from
Credit to Audit. Withdrawal and/or change to an audit from a course after the drop/add period
can alter the financial aid award for the current and future semesters. Students may receive an
outstanding bill from TCC if the recalculation leaves a balance due to TCC. Students who stop
participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,” which may
have financial aid consequences for the student.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Required email address: All TCC students receive a designated “MyTCC” email address
(ex: jane.doe@mail.tulsacc.edu).
Contacting your instructor: if you have an emergency, please call or text your instructor
using the number at the top of the syllabus.
Inclement Weather: TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or emergency
situations arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations.
This information is also posted on the TCC website (www.tulsacc.edu). You can sign up to
receive TCC Alerts!
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS: General Education courses at TCC ensure that our
graduates gain skills, knowledge, and abilities that comprise a common foundation for their
higher education and a backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General Education
goals are: Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological
Proficiency.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions,
beliefs, and perspectives during classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange
of ideas that is essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each other.
Safety goggles and gloves must be worn when working with glass or liquids. Absolutely no
food or drink in the lab rooms.
ADA POLICY: STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: It is the policy and practice of Tulsa
Community College to create inclusive learning environments. Accommodations for qualifying
students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act are available. To request accommodations, contact the Education Access
Center (EAC) at eac@tulsacc.edu or call (918) 595-7115 (Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing
students may text (918) 809-1864.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of
others about one’s own work or about the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct
is not condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa
Community College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action
to the faculty. Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to,
the dismissal of disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic
dishonesty a faculty member may:
 Record a "zero" for the assignment or test in question;
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
Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or
administratively withdraw the student from the class;

Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester. Faculty may
request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level
by submitting such a request to the Dean of Student Services.
INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information
contained in the TCC Catalog, TCC Student Handbook, Student Code of Conduct Policy
Handbook, and semester information listed in the class schedule. All information may be viewed
on the TCC website: www.tulsacc.edu
COMPUTER SERVICES ACCEPTABLE USE
Access to computing resources is a privilege granted to all TCC faculty, staff, and students.
Use of TCC computing resources is limited to purposes related to the College’s mission of
education, research, and community service. See TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy
Handbook
SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUES
Please advise the instructor of pertinent health issues or medications you may be taking in case
an emergency arises. Should you become ill or suffer an injury while in class or in lab, please
notify the instructor immediately. Southeast campus has a Student Health Office (staffed with
an RN) located in room 2116 (ext.7769).
SCHEDULE:
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Date
Tentative
Schedule
Majors Lab BIOL 1224
Lecture
Week 1
August 18
Lab #1 Doing real Science or Selling 21st
century Snake Oil
Connect/Bb resources
Syllabus
Chapter 1, 2
Week 2
August 25
Lab #3: Metric System for Biologists
Chapter 2, 3
Week 3
September 1
Labor Day – No class or Lab on
Monday only! TBA
Lab #2 Science, Politics and Civic
Engagement
Labor Day – No class or Lab on
Monday only!
Chapter 4
Week 4
September 8
Week 5
September 15
Week 6
September 22
Week 7
September 29
Week 8
October 6
Week 9
October 13
Week 10
October 20
Week 11
October 27
Week 12
November 3
Week 13
November 10
Week 14
November 17
Week 15
November 24
Lab #4: Understanding Biochemical Tests in
Science and Medicine
Lab #5: Microscopy Skills and Technology:
Cell Structure and Function
Lab #6: How do Water and Other Molecules
Enter and Leave the Cell?
Lab # 7: Enzymes, Genes, and Evolution
Lab # 8 Cellular Respiration -
Lab #9 Understanding Climate change
Lab #10: Understanding Cell Division, Stem
Cells, and Cancer
Lab #11: DNA Science and Biotechnology:
DNA Isolation to DNA Chips and
Personalized Medicine
Lab # 13: Gel Electrophoresis
Exam 1
Chapter 5
Chapter 6, 7
Chapter 8
Exam 2
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 16
Exam 3
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Lab #14: What is Evolution and How Does it
Occur?
Chapter 14
Lab #15 Bacteria, Fungi, Protistans
Prokaryotes
Lab #16: Biodiversity, Ecology, and World
Biomes: A Visit to the Zoo
Viruses
Thanksgiving Break Begins Nov. 26th
Week 16
December 1
December 814 Finals
Week
TBA
TBA
NO LAB
Exam 4
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