Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Summer 2015
Course Information
TITLE: Biology with Lab for Non-Majors
CREDIT HOURS: 3 Lecture/1 Lab (4.00 total)
CATALOG LISTING: BIOL 100 01
LECTURE: HILD 101 (Monday/Wednesday 8:00am-9:45am)
LAB: HILD 102 (Monday 10:00am – 12:35pm)
Instructor Information
INSTRUCTOR: Matt Simon, M.S.
EMAIL: msimon@smccme.edu
PHONE: 207-646-9282, ext. 5157
OFFICE HOURS: Available by appointment
Course Description
BIOL 100 is a four-credit hour, one-semester survey course, designed to give students who are nonscience majors a solid foundation in the basic principles and unifying concepts of biology. Students
develop an understanding of science, the nature of scientific inquiry, and how evolution explains the unity
and diversity of all life on Earth. The course focuses on common features that all organisms (living
things) share, as well as their unique characteristics. The “basics” of living things are explored: their
biochemistry, structure, classification, ecological role, genetics, and evolution.
Pre-requisite(s): ENGL 050, ENGL 075
Co-requisite(s): MATH 050
Required Texts
Lecture Text:
Krogh, D. 2011. Biology: A Guide to the Natural World. 3rd Custom Edition for Southern Maine
Community College. Pearson Custom Publishing. San Francisco, CA.
Lab Text:
Tarbox, B. and Willink, W. 2005. General Biology Lab Manual. SMCC.
Course outline (topics)
1. Characteristics and basic classifications of life (domains of life, kingdoms of Eukarya, organizational
levels of life, virus, definition/explanation of “science,” science’s impact on society, Darwin’s ideas and
evolutionary theory)
2. Biochemistry and its importance in understanding biology (atomic structure, periodic table,
compounds, water and pH, DNA structure, macromolecules [biomolecules])
3. Metabolism in living things (active transport, energy transference, cellular respiration, DNA
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Summer 2015
replication, cell cycle, meiosis, protein synthesis, photosynthesis, evolutionary theory)
4. Characteristics and functions of cells (cell theory, cell structure and function, cell types, cell cycle,
meiosis, biotechnology, virus, evolutionary theory)
5. Genetics (DNA structure, chromosome structure, chromosome abnormalities, Mendel’s work, trait
inheritance [dominant and recessive traits], evolutionary theory)
6. How ecology explains the biodiversity in our environment (populations, communities, ecosystems,
biomes, evolutionary theory).
Course Objectives
After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Apply the scientific method of inquiry.
2. Communicate the relevance of science in society.
3. Describe evolution as a theory that works to explain the unity and diversity of life.
4. Perform hands-on and interactive lab experiments/activities, using selected biology lab equipment and
proper safety practices.
5. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the following topics: characteristics and basic classifications of
life, biochemistry, metabolism, cells, genetics, and ecology.
Course Policies/Student Responsibilities
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Students should read the assigned material in the text before attending lecture on that topic and
the assigned material in the lab manual before doing the lab activities.
Students are responsible for all material covered during lectures and laboratory activities as well
as for all arrangements to make up any work or material missed.
Makeup exams will not be offered. An absence on an exam day will result in a grade of 0 for that
exam.
Lab activities missed for any reason cannot be made up. The student should be aware that lab
content and procedures will be assessed as part of the scheduled exams.
Lab reports that are not handed in during lab are due at the beginning of the next lab period. Lab
reports not handed in at that time will not be accepted for full credit.
Lab reports for a lab may only be submitted if the student actively participated in lab that day.
Answering a cell phone, talking on the cell phone, checking text messages, or sending text
messages while a class or lab is in session is considered to be disrespectful and should not be
done. Conduct these activities when class is not in session or in between class and lab.
Cheating of any kind will result in the recommendation to the administration that the student be
expelled from the class.
Specific policies of this course follow those stated in the SMCC Student Handbook. Students are
expected to become familiar with these policies prior to beginning this course.
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Summer 2015
Attendance/Late Work Policies
Attendance
Because of the nature of summer classes, your attendance at each class is very important. The amount of
material we will cover in each class/lab period will be an onerous task to make up outside of class. As
such, more than four missed lectures and/or more than three missed labs for any reason over the
course of the semester will result in failure to pass the course. Extreme circumstances – and a
willingness by both the student and instructor to devise appropriate make-up methods – may be cause for
some slight wiggle room on this policy. However, please keep in mind that any absence requires an
appropriate note in order for your grade to remain unaffected. That is, an unexcused absence will result
in a grade of 0 for whatever you missed that class.
Late Work
Any work completed outside of class and turned in for a grade is expected to be handed in on the due date
(see schedule) at the beginning of the lecture or lab period. Late work will be penalized as follows:
Same day (but not at the start of class class) – -5% from grade
Next day – -10%
Two days late – -20%
Three days late – -30%
More than 3 days late – Grade of 0
If you need to hand in an assignment late (beyond the due date), please send it to me via email.
Final-Week School Closings
If the scheduled final exam is missed due to a weather-related (or any other reason) school closing, a
required take-home exam will be electronically distributed to all students via email and blackboard. The
details for this exam will be given at the time of distribution.
Grades
Exam 1 – 20%
Exam 2 – 20%
Exam 3 – 20%
Lab Reports – 20%
Quizzes – 5%
Discussions – 15%
EXAMS 1-2 – Each of these exams will cover the material since the previous exam (they will not be
cumulative exams). Exams will consist of multiple choice questions and a few short answers. Exams
will be graded out of 100.
EXAM 3 – This exam will focus most heavily on the material covered after Exam 2. However, it will have
a cumulative aspect to it. Expect a greater proportion of short answer questions on this exam. This exam
will be graded out of 100.
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Summer 2015
LAB REPORTS – The lab reports will be submitted directly from the handouts supplied in the lab manual.
QUIZZES – Each week there will be one short multiple choice quiz (5-10 questions) covering the material
from the previous lecture.
DISCUSSIONS – The format of these assignments will vary but will often include written homework and
in-class discussion components.
Grades will be posted online prior to assignments being returned in class. To calculate your class grade at
any time, use the following equation:
(Average Exam 1-3 grade * 0.60) + (Average Lab Report grade * 0.20) + (Average Quiz grade * 0.05) +
(Average Discussion grade * 0.15)
Grading scale
100-93 = A
92-90 = A89-87 = B+
86-83 = B
82-80 = B79-77 = C+
76-73 = C
72-70 = C69-67 = D+
66-63 = D
Below 63 = F
End-of-course evaluation (online)
In order to gain access to final course grades, students must complete evaluations for each course attended
at SMCC. Evaluations are submitted online and can be accessed through the student portal site. Students
can access the course evaluation report beginning two weeks before the end of classes. The deadline for
submission of evaluations occurs 24 hours after the last day of classes each semester. Instructors will
announce when the online course evaluation is available.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer.
For more information, please call 207-741-5798. If you have a disabling condition and wish to request
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Summer 2015
accommodations in order to have reasonable access to the programs and services offered by SMCC,
you must register with the Disability Services Coordinator, Sandra Lynham, who can be reached at
741-5923. Further information about services for students with disabilities and the accommodation
process is available upon request at this number. Course policies about online testing are modified to suit
each individual’s accommodations.
Student printing policy (new)
This policy identifies the cost per page for black and white as well as color printing in varying page sizes.
Specifics of the policy are outlined below:
Per Page Costs
Each semester students receive a $20 printing credit. The balance resets at the end of the semester
and any remaining credits are removed. The cost varies depending upon page size and whether
printing is done in black and white or color.
a. There is a $0.10 per page fee for standard 8.5” by 11” black and white documents.
b. The reverse sides of duplex (double-sided) documents are free.
c. There is a $.50 per page fee for standard 8.5” by 11” color documents.
d. There is a $.20 per page fee for 8.5” by 14” (legal) or 11” by 17” (tabloid) black and
white documents.
e. There is a $1.00 per page fee for 8.5” by 14” (legal) or 11” by 17” (tabloid) color
documents.
Duplex charges (printing on both sides of a page) work in the following fashion: One page is
$0.10, two pages are $0.10, three pages are $0.20, and four pages are $0.20, etc. The flipsides are
free, but another sheet of paper is $0.10. Please be aware that a document with any color at all
(when printed to a color printer) will by default be printed in color. You are responsible for
setting the print job to print black and white if you do not need color. For directions, please go to
the IT Help tab in My SMCC.
How does it work?
The College’s pay-for-print system monitors printing on all printers (including those in general
access labs, library printers, the Academic Achievement Center, Noisy Lounge and technology
labs). Students can check the number of pages they have printed by using the Printing Balance
tool available on SMCC computers (located in the lower right corner of the screen, near the
clock). Departments with work study students who need to print documents for the department
should contact the HelpDesk at 741-5696 to have a special account set up.
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Summer 2015
Refunds
Print jobs are eligible for a refund in the event of mechanical or electronic error on the part of the
printer, print server, or software used to submit the job. Jobs are not eligible for a refund in cases
where the job was not set up correctly, was submitted multiple times, or the student is not
satisfied with the result. To request a refund, please bring the offending print to the IT
Department in the basement of the Ross Technology Center. Refunds will be granted in the form
of a credit to the student’s account.
Why is SMCC charging for printing?
The pay-for-print system is an effort to control escalating printing costs. Charging for printing
helps offset the increasing cost of supplies and encourages students to conserve resources. To find
ways to reduce your printing charges, please go to the IT Help tab on My SMCC. If you have
questions about the pay-for-printing policy or your printing charges, please contact the HelpDesk
at 741-5696 or send an email to helpdesk@smccme.edu.
Be sure to log OUT of the system when you’ve finished your printing, to prevent unauthorized
access to your account.
Late Start policy
In the event of a late start due to adverse weather, etc., classes scheduled to begin earlier than the late start
time but which run past that time will start late but will meet. For example if the College has a 10:00 a.m.
late start, a class scheduled to meet from 8 AM until noon will now meet from 10 AM to noon.
Add-drop policy
Students who drop a course during the one-week “add/drop” period in the fall and spring semesters, and
the first three days of summer sessions, receive a 100% refund of the tuition and associated fees for that
course. Please note any course that meets for less than the traditional semester length, i.e., 15 weeks, has a
pro-rated add/drop period. There is no refund for non-attendance. Remaining enrolled after Drop/Add
week means you understand and accept the requirements, policies, and instructions spelled out in this
syllabus.
Withdrawal policy
A student may withdraw from a course only during the semester in which s/he is registered for that
course. The withdrawal period is the 2nd through 12th week of the fall and spring semesters and the 2nd
through 9th week of 12-week summer courses. This period is pro-rated for shorter-length courses. To
withdraw from a course, a student must complete and submit the appropriate course withdrawal form,
available at the Enrollment Service Center (no phone calls, please). The designation “W” will appear on
the transcript after a student has officially withdrawn. A course withdrawal is an uncompleted course and
may adversely affect financial aid eligibility. Failure to attend or ceasing to attend class does not
constitute withdrawal from the course. There is no refund associated with a withdrawal.
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Summer 2015
Plagiarism policy
Adherence to ethical academic standards is required. Cheating is a serious offense, whether it consists of
taking credit for work done by another person or doing work for which another person will receive credit.
Taking and using the ideas or writings of another person without clearly and fully crediting the source is
plagiarism and violates the academic code as well as the Student Code of Conduct. If it is suspected that a
student in any course in which s/he is enrolled has knowingly committed such a violation, the faculty
member should refer the matter to the College’s Disciplinary Officer and appropriate action will be taken
under the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions may include suspension from the course and a failing
grade in the course. Students have the right to appeal these actions to the Disciplinary Committee under
the terms outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
Administrative failure (grade of “AF”)
1. “Administrative failure” is the consequence of three consecutive absences, without notifying the
instructor ahead of time as to the reason.
2. A grade of AF is submitted to the Registrar immediately after the third consecutive absence. Basically,
an AF grade drops the student from the course. The student may then contact the instructor to request
reinstatement in the course. Reinstatement is at the instructor’s discretion and is generally not granted
because too much work has been missed by that time.
3. An AF student can contact the Registrar and request that the grade be changed to “W” (withdrawn) if
done before the final drop date. Students earning an AF are still financially responsible for the course.
Early Alert and Academic Alert
1. The first four weeks of the semester is the “Early Alert” period. Student progress is monitored closely
during this time. The 5th through the 9th week is the “Academic Alert” period. Student progress continues
to be monitored during this time, essentially halfway through the semester. These alerts raise students’
awareness about their performance.
2. If your overall course grade is below a C at the end of either the Early Alert or Academic Alert period,
you will be assigned a grade of “U” (unsatisfactory) and your advisor will be notified. Your advisor will
notify you about scheduling a meeting to discuss strategies for improvement. Think about specific ways
you can improve your performance and take these ideas with you to the meeting.
3. If your overall course grade is C or above (satisfactory), no grade will be assigned and your advisor
will not notify you.
4. These alert grades do not change. They do not become part of your permanent record and no other
schools have access to them. They only reflect your performance for those time frames. However, these
grades DO eventually affect your final course grade, of course, because your course grade continues to
change as the semester progresses and you complete more work. Your final course grade may be different
from your Early Alert and Academic Alert grades, i.e., higher, lower, or the same, depending on your
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Summer 2015
performance. You should calculate your grade often and know where you stand (see how to calculate
your grade at any time in the course syllabus above).
Course Schedule
Date
LECTURE SCHEDULE
Topic
Readings
5/27
Introduction, Fundamentals of Science
Chapter 1
6/1
Basics of Biology
Chapter 1
6/3
Foundations of Chemistry
Chapter 2.1-2.5
6/8
Biochemistry
Chapter 3
6/10
Cell Structure/Function
Chapter 4.1-4.7
6/15
Cell Structure/Function, Membranes
Chapter 5.1-5.2
6/17
EXAM 1
6/22
Viruses, Prokaryotes, Protists
Chapter 21.1-21.10
6/24
Fungi
Chapter 22
6/29
Cellular Respiration
Chapter 7
7/1
Plants
Chapter 24.1-24.3
7/6
Photosynthesis
Chapter 8
7/8
Cell Cycle: Mitosis
Chapter 9.1-9.5
7/13
DNA and RNA
Chapter 13
7/15
EXAM 2
7/20
Protein Synthesis
Chapter 14.1-14.4
7/22
Genetics
Chapter 11.1-11.4, Chapter 12
7/27
Taxonomy
Chapter 18
7/29
Invertebrate/Vertebrates
Chapter 23
8/3
Invertebrates/Vertebrates
Chapter 23
8/5
Ecology
TBD
8/10
Ecology/Evolutionary Biology
TBD
8/12
EXAM 3
*This schedule is subject to minor changes over the course of the semester. Any alterations in due dates or
reading assignments will be made with an appropriate amount of notice.
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Summer 2015
LAB SCHEDULE
Week
Topic
Assignments Due___
6/1
Scientific Method (Lab 1, Lab 2)
6/8
Chemistry of Life (Lab A1)
Lab 1
6/15
Microscopes (Lab 3)
Lab 2, Lab A1
6/22
Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes, Protists (Lab 4)
Lab 3
6/29
Cellular Respiration (Lab 6)
Lab 4
7/6
Photosynthesis (Lab 5)
Lab 6
7/13
Cell Cycle/Fungus (Lab 7, Lab A4)
Lab 5
7/20
Protein Synthesis (Lab A2)
Lab 7, Lab A4
7/27
Genetics, Taxonomy (Lab 8, Lab A3)
Lab A2
8/3
Invert/Vert Anatomy (Lab A6, Lab A9)
Lab 8, A3
8/10
Ecology/Evolution (Lab A8, Outside)
Lab A6, Lab A9
*This schedule is subject to minor changes over the course of the semester. Any alterations in due dates or
reading assignments will be made with an appropriate amount of notice.