Maui Community College
Course Outline
1. Alpha & Number:
BIOL171L
Course Title:
Introductory Biology Laboratory
Credit:
1
Date of Outline:
October 2002
2. Course Description:
Laboratory to accompany Biology 171.
3. Contact Hours/Type:
3 hours/Laboratory
4. Prerequisites:
CHEM 151 or 161, or concurrent enrollment,
or consent
Co-requisites:
BIOL 171, or consent
Recommended Preparation:
Approved by _____________________________________ Date__________________
2
5. General Course Objectives
Biology 171L provides life science majors with comprehensive laboratory
experiences necessary for a background in the concepts of biology and the skills
necessary for exploring living systems.
Biology 171L fulfills the Maui Community College Natural Science laboratory
requirement for the A.A. and A.S, degrees. It fulfills University of Hawai‘i at Manoa,
General Education Requirements for Diversification, Natural Sciences, Biological
Sciences, Laboratory Credit (D/Y; 1 credit).
This course satisfies the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa hallmarks for a Biological
Natural Science laboratory course by
 using the laboratory methods of the biological or physical sciences;
 involving processes and issues of design, testing, and measurement;
 demonstrating the strengths and limitations of the scientific method.
 using the terminology of the biological sciences;
 involving knowledge and theories relating to processes in the biological sciences;
and
 demonstrating inquiry that is guided by observation/experiment and
reasoning/mathematics.
6. Student Learning Outcomes
For assessment purposes, these are linked to #7. Recommended Course Content.
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
a. demonstrate how the scientific method of problem solving is used to answer
questions by setting up and carrying out laboratory activities and experiments;
b. demonstrate safety procedures in the biology laboratory;
c. demonstrate skills in the use of standard laboratory equipment and procedures
including dissecting microscope, compound microscope, scientific illustration,
electrophoresis, oxygen meter, and spectrophotometer;
d. explain the basic concepts of chemistry that relate to biological systems including
atoms, molecules, isotopes, ions, and chemical reactions;
e. describe the molecular structures and functions of including carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins, and nucleic acids;
f. describe and demonstrate methods for testing for the presence of biochemical
molecules;
g. explain the basis of biological classification and identify and give examples of the
different levels of biological organization;
h. identify and record observations of eukaryotic cells (protist, fungi, plant, and
animal) and prokaryotic cells (bacterial);
i. explain how viruses differ from most living things;
3
j. compare and contrast the characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells;
k. identify eukaryotic cellular organelles and explain functions of each;
l. explain why polar, covalent water molecule water is a essential molecule of life
and how it functions in living systems;
m. explain properties and specialized functions of cell membranes;
n. demonstrate and explain the effect of various materials on cell membranes;
o. compare and contrast the various ways that materials move in and out a cell
membrane;
p. explain the characteristics, structure, and function of enzymes;
q. demonstrate the effects of a series of variables on enzyme function;
r. explain the effects of environmental variables on the rate of oxygen production
and consumption in living systems;
s. explain how cells containing chlorophyll convert light energy to chemical-bond
energy through the process of photosynthesis;
t. demonstrate the effects of different wavelengths of light and other variables on the
rate of photosynthesis;
u. explain asexual and sexual reproductive patterns in cells;
v. identify the stages in the cell cycle including mitosis, meiosis, and cytokinesis;
w. explain and give examples of the effects of variations in chromosome number on
development;
x. define and give examples of the functions of chromosomes, autosomal and sexlinked genes;
y. explain and give examples of a variety of different genetic patterns of inheritance;
z. solve monohybrid, dihybrid, and sex-linked genetics problems;
aa. explain the causes and effects of different types of genetic mutations;
bb. distinguish between different prokaryotic cells using a variety of different
laboratory techniques;
cc. demonstrate aseptic procedures in the biology laboratory;
dd. describe different types of gene interactions and operons;
ee. demonstrate laboratory techniques used in biotechnology including PCR, RFLP,
recombinant DNA, and electrophoresis;
ff. analyze and interpret DNA sequences; and
gg. calculate gene frequencies in a population and explain causes for variations in
gene frequencies.
7. Recommended Course Content and Approximate Time Spent
1 week
Scientific method of problem solving, experimental design (a, b, c)
1 week
Biological molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins (a, b, c, d, e, f)
1 week
Cell structure and organelles (a, b, c, g, h, i, j, k,)
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
4
1 week
Structure and function of cell membranes (a, b, c, l, m, n, o, p)
1 week
Enzyme activity (a, b, c, q, r)
1 week
Respiration: glycolysis, TCA pathway, and electron transport chain (a, b,
c, s)
1 week
Photosynthesis (a, b, c, t, u)
1 week
Mitosis, meiosis, asexual and sexual reproduction (a, b, c, v, w, x)
1 week
Genetics: autosomal and sex-linked genes (a, b, c, y, z, aa, bb)
1 week
Molecular genetics: DNA & RNA, replication, translation, recombination,
mutations, gene interactions, and biotechnology (a, b, c, ee, ff, gg,)
1 week
Population Genetics (a, b, c, hh)
1 week
Characteristics of prokaryotic cells (a, b, c, h, j, cc, dd)
1 week
Characteristics of eukaryotic cells: flagellates, ciliates, slime molds,
diatoms, euglenoids, algae, trypanosomes, symbiosis, fungi, and lichens (a,
b, c, h, j, k)
8. Text and Materials, Reference Materials, Auxiliary Materials and Content
Text and laboratory manuals will be selected from the best and most up-to-date
materials available, such as

Morgan, Judith G, and M. Eloise Brown Carter. Investigating Biology, 4th edition,
Benjamin Cummings (lab manual)
Many books and videos are available for reference in the Biology office and in the
MCC Library. Other resources materials include videos, reference books, periodicals,
internet sites, biological specimens, posters, brochures, CD-ROMs, and DVDs.
9. Recommended Course Requirements and Evaluation
Specific course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor at the time the
course is being offered. Suggested requirements might include, but are not limited to
0-8%
10-50%
Attendance
Lab notebook
5
0-50%
0-50%
10-50%
Individual experiments and lab activities
Group work
Quizzes and tests
10. Methods of Instruction
Instructional methods will vary considerably with instructors. Specific methods will
be at the discretion of the instructor teaching the course and might include, but are not
limited to
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
quizzes and tests with feedback and discussion;
lab practical exams on techniques and skills;
demonstrations and class discussions;
experimental design and problem solving;
narrated 35-mm slide and/or PowerPoint presentations;
videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs with detailed viewing guide and discussion questions;
lab activities including experiments, lab skill lessons, data analysis, and other
activities;
small group activities;
oral reports and other student presentations;
homework assignments such as
 preparation for laboratory activities,
 web-based activities,
 reading text and reference material and answering discussion questions,
group and/ or individual research projects and reports;
study logs and study groups;
writing assignments include laboratory reports, reaction papers, observations, and
research notes;
service-learning, community service, and/or civic engagement projects; and
other contemporary learning techniques (such as problem-based learning,
investigative case-based learning, co-op, internships, self-paced programs, etc.)