Biology 1110 – General Biology I
Course Syllabus Fall 2013
Course Information
Course Description:
This course offers an introduction to the biological sciences for students who plan to major or minor in
biology for pre-professional studies or to fulfill the laboratory science requirement of other majors.
This course utilizes an integrated approach with emphasis on chemical, molecular, and cellular biology,
genetics, evolution and ecology. It will include a survey of the Kingdoms Archaea, Bacteria, Protista,
and Fungi with emphasis on morphological and reproductive aspects of these organisms.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Test a scientific hypothesis; conduct an experiment, collect and analyze data, and interpret
results, in a laboratory setting.
2. Use basic scientific terminology to describe processes common to all life, including
organization, metabolism, reproduction, genetics, and adaptation.
3. Identify unifying principles and repeatable patterns in biology, including evolution,
ecological relationships and biological diversity
4. List and describe the 4 steps of the “scientific method.”
5. Recognize and describe aspects of basic chemistry including atoms, subatomic particles,
atomic numbers, weights and mass of common elements used to build complex organic
compounds and the types of bonds found within.
6. Recognize and describe compounds of organic chemistry including hydrocarbons,
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
7. Understand basic biochemical processes as they apply to the cell structure and function.
8. Identify various cell organelles and their functions, the difference between eukaryotic and
prokaryotic cells, and plant and animal cells.
9. Diagram cellular respiration, photosynthesis and the metabolic pathways involved.
10. Identify the 5 stages of mitosis and meiosis I & II.
11. Describe the genetic basis of DNA, inheritance of traits, and protein synthesis.
12. List the characteristics of the Kingdoms Archaea. Bacteria, Protista and Fungi and be able
to identify species belonging to each.
13. Describe the evidence for evolution, the theory of natural selection and the processes that
drive it.
14. Define the terms: species, genus, family, order, class, phylum kingdom and domain and be
able to describe their taxonomic hierarchy.
15. Define the terms: ecology, including population, community, ecosystem and biosphere and
the relationships found within (e.g. autotroph, heterotroph, carrying capacity, predatorprey, etc.)
Prerequisites:
Course Topics:
MATH 1005, ENGL 0810, READ 0810, or equivalent documented skill levels
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Describe the levels of organization important to biological processes, from atoms to
ecosystems.
Identify the position of various groupings within the taxonomic hierarchy
Categorize organic molecules according to their structure and function
Describe the structure and functions of Eukaryotic cells and their organelles
Characterize processes important to cells, such as Mitosis, Meiosis, DNA replication,
RNA transcription and Protein Synthesis.
Relate details of the metabolic pathways of photosynthesis and cellular respiration to
the needs of organisms and the transfer of energy within ecosystems
Describe the process of natural selection and its relationship to biological evolution
Identify the place of viruses relative to living things
9.
10.
Specific Course
Requirements:
Describe characteristics of organisms in the Domains Bacteria and Archaea, and the
Eukaryotes within the Kingdoms Protista and Fungi
Identify 10 of the earth’s major aquatic and terrestrial biomes and their relative
productivity.
Access to MS Office suite of programs, including Word and PowerPoint. Internet access, either in the
Learning Resource Center or some other location.
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Required
Textbooks/
Courseware:
Supplementary
Materials:
Biology, S. Mader, 7th, 8th , 9th, 10th, 11th or later editions:
Edition 11
ISBN 978-0-07-352550-1
Visit the DSCC Bookstore at http://www.dscc.edu/bookstore to purchase your textbook.
Laboratory Manual and Lecture Supplements, Mader companion lab manual 11th edition
ISBN 0-07-747971-8
.
Software
Requirements:
NA
Instructor Information
Instructor Name:
Ken Jones
Instructor Contact
Information:
Office Phone: 731-286-3367 Office: Glover Building Room 245, Email: kjones@dscc.edu
To access your instructor’s information online:
Visit www.dscc.edu
1. Click Current Students on the top navigation bar.
2. Click Faculty Profile link located on the left-hand navigation bar.
3. Choose your instructor’s name from the drop-down list.
4. Click the Submit button.
Office Hours/Virtual
Office Hours:
To access your instructor’s information online:
Instructor Response
Time:
I will make every attempt to respond to course email within 24 or 36 hours during the work week,
though it may not be possible in all cases. I will notify you when I will not be able to meet the stated
response time.
Visit www.dscc.edu
1. Click Current Students on the top navigation bar.
2. Click Faculty Profile link located on the left-hand navigation bar.
3. Choose your instructor’s name from the drop-down list.
4. Click the Submit button.
Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures:
Four lecture Exams, one laboratory practical exam
Biology Department Policy is that: Lecture = 75% and Lab = 25% of grade
Grading Procedures:

Four lecture Exams
75%

Lab Practical Exam(s)
25%

Optional Assignments 10% added to above grades

Project
10% added to final avg.
Grading Scale:
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
D
60-69
F
<60
Grades awarded do not include a plus or minus (+/-) designation.
Assignments and Participation
Assignments and
Projects:
Due Date
Assignment
Week 1
Chapter 1:
A View of Life
Lab: The Scientific Method
A sequenced list of
assignments and
projects arranged by
course section or
module with due
dates if applicable.
A generic weekly
schedule is
applicable.
Week 2
Chapter 2:
Lab:
Week 3
Basic Chemistry
Microscopy
Chapter 3: The Chemistry of Organic Molecules
Lab:
Chemical Composition
Week 4
Review and TEST I
Lab: Chemical Composition
Week 5
Chapter 4: Cell Structure and Function
Chapters 5 & 6: Cell Membranes & Metabolism
Lab: Cell Structure and Function
Week 6
Chapters 7 & 8: Respiration, Mitosis & Meiosis
Lab: Mitosis & Meiosis
Week 7
Review and TEST II
Lab:
Week 8
Chapter 15: Darwin & Evolution
DNA Structure
Lab: Evidence of Evolution
Week 9
Chapter 20: Viruses and Bacteria
Lab: Bacteria & Protists
Week 10
Chapter 21: Protist Evolution & Diversity
Lab: Bacteria & Protists
Week 11
Chapter 21: Protist Evolution & Diversity
Chapter 22: Fungi
Lab: Fungi
Week 12
Review and Test III
Lab: Evidence of Evolution
Week 13
Chapter 43: Behavioral Ecology
Lab: Sampling Ecosystems
Week 14
Chapter 44 & 45: Population & Ecosystem
Ecology
Lab: Review for Lab Practical Exam
Week 15
Chapter 46 &47: Ecosystems & Conservation
Review for Test IV
Lab Practical Exam
Week 16
Final Exam Test IV
Punctuality:
Make-up work for missed assignments, labs, and tests will only be considered due to documented
illness or death in the family. Upon prior permission to miss class, or an excused absence, make-ups
can be arranged.
Attendance Policy:
View the DSCC Attendance Policy at http://www.dscc.edu/attendance_policy/.
http://www.dscc.edu/attendance_policy.
Class Participation:
Students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource, check the course
bulletin board frequently for announcements, and must actively participate in threaded discussion
events.
Course Ground Rules
General:
A reiteration and emphasis of certain rules and course expectations. For example:
1. Participation is required
2. Communication with other students in team projects is expected
3. Learn how to navigate within the course management system
4. Keep abreast of course announcements
5. Use the assigned college email address as opposed to a personal email address
6. Address technical problems immediately
7. Observe course netiquette at all times. Instructor guidelines for communication by
email, discussion groups, chat, and the use of web resources are necessary.
Email:
1. Always include a subject line.
2. Remember that without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong
way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some
cases.
3. Use standard fonts.
4. Do not send large attachments without permission.
5. Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc., should be
avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
6. Respect the privacy of other class members.
Discussions:
1. Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker,
then a discussant.
2. Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather than starting a new topic.
3. Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the
discussion group. Be respectful of others’ ideas.
4. Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before
entering your remarks.
5. Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
6. Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
7. Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Web Resources:
1. www.jonesken.com
2. D2L
Other Important Information
Library Resources
For the DSCC library or help desk visit www.dscc.edu/lrc.
To ask a question about books, interlibrary loans or other LRC information,
call the LRC at 731-286-3361.
For the Tennessee Virtual Library go to www.tn.regentsdegrees.org and click on TBR Virtual Library.
Reporting Fraud,
Waste, or Abuse
Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse at http://www.dscc.edu/fraud.
Technical
Assistance/Help
Desk:
For technical assistance, contact the DSCC Help Desk.
Dyersburg Campus
- (731) 288-7780
Jimmy Naifeh Center (JNC) - (901) 475-3177
Gibson County Center (GCC) - (731) 222 -5180
Visit the Help Desk on the web at www.dscc.edu/helpdesk for tutorials and other how to guides.
You may also contact the Help Desk by email at helpdesk@dscc.edu.
Students With
Disabilities:
Dyersburg State Community College is committed to providing a discrimination free environment for
all students. Students with disabilities are encouraged to inform the College of any assistance they
may need. Please notify the ADA Coordinator at (731) 286-3242.
Syllabus Changes:
From time to time during the semester, it may be necessary to make changes to the material in the
course syllabus. Any necessary changes to the course syllabus will be sent to you by email and posted
within the online course material.
Server Outage
Disclaimer:
The server on which DSCC’s web supported/online courses are hosted will be occasionally unavailable
due to upgrades and/or maintenance. Regularly scheduled outages will occur during the early
morning hours of the second Sunday and third Tuesday of each month. There may also be unplanned
downtime due to failures of one kind or another. Because the server is not located at DSCC, the
College cannot directly correct these situations. You will need to contact your instructor(s) directly to
make accommodations should an unplanned outage prevent you from taking a quiz or submitting an
assignment.
Safety / Security
Dyersburg State makes crime statistic information available to the public through the Annual Security
Report. This report can be found at www.dscc.edu/security.
DSCC has an emergency preparedness plan and periodically conducts tests of this plan. To sign up for
emergency notifications, Login to Rave at https://www.getrave.com/login/DSCC and add your
contact information. Notice: Standard carrier message and data rates may apply
Implementation
date approved by
Instructional
Council:
Provide the date of the semester for which Instructional Council approved implementation of the last
changes to the syllabus (course description and/or learning outcomes).