BIOL&160: General Biology
Walla Walla Community College – Spring 2011
Lecture: MTThF
8:30 – 9:20 (room 218)
Instructor: Dr. Jeanine Kay-Shoemake
Lab: F 8:30 – 10:20 (room 217)
Office: 217D
Phone: (509) 524-4799
e-mail: jeanine.kay-shoemake@wwcc.edu
Course Code: 0232
Science Division
Required Texts: Custom book in Bookstore or Biology, by Mader, 12th edition
Office hours: M and W 11:30-12:20, F 10:30-11:30; and by appointment
Official Course Description
An introduction to the study of the cell, the basic component of all living organisms. This
class is intended to provide a solid background for students planning to take advanced
biology courses in order to enter pre-professional programs in biology. Emphasis is on cell
chemistry, structure, metabolism, energetics, cell division and genetic principles. The basics
of DNA technology are also covered. This course is a prerequisite for Microbiology and
Anatomy & Physiology. Four hours of lecture and two hours of lab each week.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, each student should be able to…
1. explain how the concept of homeostasis applies to cellular biology,
2. explain basic principles of inorganic and organic chemistry as they apply to cellular
processes,
3. describe basic cell structure,
4. recognize the significance of the relationship between cellular structure and function
5. describe basic metabolic processes that occur in cells,
6. understand what genetic mutation is and how it ultimately impacts the cell,
7. be able to solve problems using concepts of Mendelian genetics.
Note students regarding disabilities: If you have a disability and need accommodations,
please see the instructor after class or contact Claudia Angus, Coordinator of Disability
Support Services at 527-4262 or 527-4543.
THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THIS SYLLABUS AT ANY TIME
LECTURE AND LABORATORY CONTENT
The sequence of topics may not exactly follow the sequence they are presented in the
textbook, and you may have to read all or part of several different chapters in the course of
working on one major topic. Although the lecture and the laboratory deal with different
aspects of the major topics, the material investigated in the laboratory is meant to support
and clarify lecture topics. In general, the lecture exams will contain material from the lecture
and the laboratory quizzes will contain material discussed in lab – unless otherwise
indicated.
GRADING
Your final grade will be calculated based on the percentage of the total points you have
earned out the total possible points applied to the grading scale below:
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
GPA
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0
Percentage range
93.00 100 %
90.00 92.99 %
87.00 89.99 %
83.00 86.99 %
80.00 82.99 %
77.00 79.99 %
73.00 76.99 %
70.00 72.99 %
67.00 69.99 %
60.00 66.99 %
0 59.99 %
Percentages will be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of a percentage point for assignment of
grades. There will be 4 unit exams and a comprehensive final. The lowest unit exam
score will be dropped, but you can not drop your final exam score . The laboratory portion
of the course is worth 20% of the total points, and will consist of quizzes and assignments
given in the laboratory on laboratory topics, and a laboratory final exam.
Graded things
Points possible
Unit Exams (3 @ 100 pts. ea.) ....
300 points
Final Exam....................................................
100 points
Assignments/Group work/End-questions ……… 100 points
Laboratory assignments. ...……….......
Laboratory quizzes(2 @ 15 pts. ea.)...………....
Laboratory Final Practical Exam …………..
Lab Participation and Attitude
Total points possible
55 points
30 points
30 points
10 points
625 points
THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THIS SYLLABUS AT ANY TIME
POLICY ON MAKE UP EXAMS/QUIZZES
There are no make up Lecture exams given – There will be 4 lecture exams given in the
quarter, however only 3 scores will be used to calculate your grade. If you miss an exam
due to an emergency or illness, that will count as your exam to be dropped. DO NOT use
your “exam to be dropped” early in the quarter without necessity – you may get sick later in
the quarter and really need that option. If at the end of the quarter, you have been lucky
enough to taken all of the exams – then your lowest exam score will be dropped from the
grade calculation.
Lab quizzes can and must be made up – if you miss lab on the day of a quiz, you must let
me know ahead of the lab meeting time – and we will arrange a time to make up the quiz
within a week. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of the lab period and will last a limited
amount of time, so if you are late to lab, you will not have the full time allowed for the quiz.
ATTENDANCE
I expect you to attend every lecture and laboratory session for the full amount of time that it
is scheduled. (Do not schedule doctor’s appointments or anything else during
scheduled class time!) Since you are adults, I will not dock you points for missing a
lecture session. You will, however, be held responsible for all of the material covered in the
course and any due dates for assignments, regardless of whether or not you were in
attendance or not. If you ever have to miss a class, get a copy of a fellow student’s notes
and any handouts given. I do not allow students to copy my lecture notes.
In Laboratory, attendance is required and is part of your grade – to earn the full points for a
lab assignment you must attend – even if you have told me ahead of time that you will not
be in lab.
REMEMBER - NOT KNOWING THAT I ASSIGNED SOMETHING IS NOT A VALID
EXCUSE FOR IT BEING LATE.
LATE WORK POLICY
Late assignments will be penalized 10% of the total possible points for the assignment.
Example: If an assignment is due on a Monday, you have until Wednesday to turn it in for
credit. Assignments turned in more than 2 class days after the designated due date will be
accepted, but will be given for significantly fewer points. Turning an assignment late is
still better than not turning it in at all.
WITHDRAWAL
The last day that you can drop this course is May 13th. To drop a course, you must
complete the proper forms at the Admissions Office. It is your responsibility to initiate a
drop. Failure to officially drop a class or withdraw from school in a timely manner may
disqualify you from receiving a refund of tuition and fees and cause you to receive a failing
grade.
THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THIS SYLLABUS AT ANY TIME
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated in this course. If you are caught cheating or
plagiarizing, reactions on my part can range from giving you an F for the assignment or
exam in question to recommending expulsion from the Community College. The following
excerpt is from “Code of Conduct” in the Student Handbook:
PLAGIARISM/CHEATING
(1) Plagiarism is defined as the buying, borrowing, or stealing of written material for the
purpose of fulfilling or partially fulfilling any assignment or task required as part of the
student’s program of instruction at the college. Any student who plagiarizes shall be
subject to disciplinary action.
(2) Any student who aids or abets the accomplishment of such activity as defined in
subsection (1) above shall also be subject to disciplinary action.
(3) An instructor may take any and all reasonable action against any student who is
deemed to have been guilty of plagiarism or cheating. Course of action might include,
but not be limited to:
(a) student dropped from course without recourse;
(b) student suspended or dismissed from the college;
(c) case referred to civil action.
(4) An instructor taking action against any student for an act of academic misconduct shall
report such action to the Dean of Instruction and the Dean of Students as soon as
possible, but no later than five working days after the incident. Any student subject to
action of an instructor for a violation of this section may seek review of that action by the
Dean of Students, if such a request is submitted in writing within five working days from
the date of the complained-of action.
WHAT I EXPECT FROM YOU
As a student in my class, I expect that you will…
1. Show due respect to your fellow students and to me –
I require that Cell phones be turned off or on vibrate, but
 NO checking the phone though the class period and
 NO text messaging during class.
Arrive to class on-time, routinely tardy individuals will be penalized.
2. Frequently review course material (daily is best – but at least weekly).
3. Do all of the reading in the text and lab handouts which supports what we discuss
in lecture and lab.
4. Keep track of your progress. In other words, if you are doing poorly, you should
realize it early and come to see me before it is too late.
5. Enjoy yourself. Cell Biology can be a really interesting subject, if you keep up on
the material and allow your self time to understand the concepts.
THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THIS SYLLABUS AT ANY TIME
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF TOPICS / EXAMS
I have not attached exact dates to the topics below so we are free to adjust the amount of
time we spend on each. The test dates are firm, and will include all topics covered in lecture
and laboratory up to the exam. The text book for this course is excellent, and you should
rely heavily on it for studying. I will not usually test you on subjects I have not presented in
class, but time limits the amount of detail I can present. I will expect you to fill in the gaps
with your reading. THE MOST RELIABLE THING YOU CAN DO TO ENSURE YOUR
SUCCESS IS TO DO ALL OF YOUR READING.
Topic
Text Chapter(s)
Introduction / Syllabus review / Group Demo
N/A
A View of Life (Characteristics of life)
1
Basic Chemistry
2
Chemistry of Organic Molecules
3
Cell Structure and Function
4
Membrane Structure and Function
5
Metabolism: Energy and Enzymes
6
Cellular Respiration
8
The Cell Cycle and Cellular Reproduction
9
Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction
10
Mendelian Patterns of Inheritance
11
Molecular Biology of the Gene
12
Lecture Exams:
 Exam 1: Mon. April 11 (2 weeks)
 Exam 2: Mon. April25 (4 weeks)
 Exam 3: Mon.May 16 (7 weeks)
 Exam 4: Tues. May 31 (9 weeks)
Final Lecture Exam:
 Tuesday 6/7 8:30 – 10:30
No class:
May 18 – Advising Day
May 30 – Memorial Day
THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THIS SYLLABUS AT ANY TIME
Laboratory Schedule
Spring 2011
Date
Topic / Activity
4/1
Intro / Lab safety / Handling of
Microscopes/techniques for measuring liquids
4/8
Standard Curve determination/ analysis
4/15
Microscopes 1- focusing, microscope parts,
human tissues
4/22
Microscopes 2- Survey of Kingdoms / Cell
types / Wet Mounts
4/29
Lab Quiz 1
Organelles Review Activity
5/6
Liver and Hydrogen peroxideEnzyme Catalysis
5/13
Yeast Fermentation Experiment
5/20
Human Genetics and Inheritance
Lab Quiz 2
5/27
Forensic DNA, Molecular Genetics
6/3
Lab Practical Exam
THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THIS SYLLABUS AT ANY TIME