BIOL 116
GENES: THE FOUNDATIONS OF LIFE
Course Syllabus Spring 2003
Section 116-03
T/R 2:00 pm-3:15pm
Room: ICB 2705
This course is an introduction to technological advances in genetics. Scientific principles are emphasized,
as well as current and possible future applications. Ethical analyses are included due to the controversial
nature and far-reaching effects these technologies have on the individual and society.
Catalog Description:
3 semester hours. Introduction to genetics. Scientific principles, applications, and ethical implications
of DNA fingerprinting, genetic engineering, and the human genome project are emphasized. Life
science lab credit can be obtained by current or subsequent enrollment in BIOL 117.
Instructor: Aaron Tomlinson
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* Email: (Aaront@hcc.cc.il.us)
Office hours: By appointment and/or after class.
Departmental Mailbox: Located in the Math/Science Department offices. Go to SCB 2400. Enter the
glass doors, and Politely ask Dee Armstrong (Right desk) to place whatever into my mailbox.
Math/Science phone number: 241—8672
 LAST RESORT: My Home phone # : (309) 661—2329
116 Website:
http://hcc.cc.il.us/staff/StacieC. Then click on the BIOL 116 link. OR
Students can go through the HCC main website (http://www.hcc.cc.il.us ) - click
on Employees - Stacie R. Chismark – BIOL 116 link.
Course Materials:
(Optional text) Human Genetics Concepts and Applications, 4th Ed. 2001. Ricki Lewis. WCB McGrawHill Publ.
(Required) BIOL 116 Lecture Guide: Located on the BIOL 116 Lecture Guide website above.
BIOL 116 Study Guide.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
The course fulfills general education IAI life science lecture credit toward the A.A. and A.S.
degrees. IAI Life science lab credit can be obtained by enrollment in BIOL 117.
FYI: BIOL 117 is a separate course providing the student with life science lab credit. Students may enroll
in BIOL 117 during the same semester as BIOL 116 or any semester after successful completion of BIOL
116. BIOL 117 is offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The summer session is
particularly useful for students who plan to take other regular summer school courses. It is a condensed
mini-mester scheduled the two weeks between the spring and summer sessions. It is concentrated into two
weeks rather than the usual 16.
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Course Objectives
1. To understand cellular structures, functions, and biological organization.
2. To obtain basic knowledge of the structure and functions of proteins and nucleic acids.
3. To understand scientific principles of DNA typing and case studies.
4. To gain knowledge of complex traits, including behavior, and the dynamic relationship between genes
and environment.
5. To attain knowledge of selected genetic disorders.
6. To obtain knowledge of genetic engineering techniques and applications, including gene therapy and
cloning.
7. To gain knowledge of the Human Genome Project, and its implications concerning ethics and public
policy.
Course Outline:
I.
Mendelian Genetics
II.
Cells
III.
The Structure of DNA
IV.
The Functions of DNA
V.
The Human Genome Project
VI.
DNA Fingerprinting
VII.
Complex Traits
VIII. The Genetics of Sex
IX.
Viruses and Bacteria
X.
Genetic Engineering
XI.
Gene Therapy
XII.
Cloning
Student Responsibilities:
1. Students must take responsibility for their own learning. Part of that responsibility is
attendance and active participation in all lecture and group sessions. Remaining alert, taking
notes during lecture, asking pertinent questions, and completion of assignments are a part of that
participation. The student must read and spend enough time in independent study to master the
material. If the student is having difficulty with a particular topic, it is his or her responsibility to
ask questions or consult with the teacher. Tutors may be available at the ASC.
2. Students must review the syllabus periodically to refresh their memory concerning information
provided therein.
3. Students must exhibit courtesy and respect for their fellow students, as well as the instructor.
Inappropriate talking or behavior during class will not be tolerated. This is disruptive to the
instructor and other students. ONE warning may be given, but is not required. Thereafter, the
student(s) will be asked to leave the class.
4. Students must access the BIOL 116 website for required readings and materials. Students are
required to print Lecture Guide outline documents and bring them to pertinent lectures.
HCC Open Computing Lab is in the library.
5. Students should complete the Study activities prior to exams. This will help with testing your
understanding of the material. But, this is just a guide.
6. It is your responsibility to attend lectures or, if absent, get notes from a classmate. I will not
give out my lecture notes.
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Course Policies
1. To ensure fair and equal evaluation, students are required to read the syllabus and sign a contract stating
that they understand and will abide by the syllabus policies. If for some reason a student cannot abide by
these policies, he/she should not sign the contract and must contact the instructor immediately.
2. Policies on Exams:
Accommodations for emergencies: If you miss one exam because you are sick, attending a funeral, in a
coma, have been kidnapped, going on a trip, miss your bus, your car breaks down, etc., the exam grade will
be dropped without penalty. ONLY USE THIS OPTION IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. A poor
grade on a previous exam is not an excuse to make up a missed exam. No makeup exams will be given. A
comprehensive, essay, final exam may be substituted for a second missed exam. A zero will be recorded
for any further missed exams. Exception to the above policy: The last regular exam cannot be dropped
without penalty. If the last regular exam is missed, it can only be made up with the comprehensive final. If
the last regular exam is your lowest grade (anything over a Zero percent), It will become the exam that is
dropped.
If you are able to take all 5 regular exams, your lowest exam grade will be dropped. If you miss an exam, it
is a zero percent and is therefore your lowest exam grade… ANY QUESTIONS???
Cheating will result in an automatic “F” in the course, no exceptions.
3. Policies on Assignments:
Some assignments may be group projects, and therefore requiring attendance and participation. These
assignments may involve several lecture periods. If a student does not attend all applicable lecture periods,
75% of the project grade will be deducted. The remaining 25% only will be awarded if the appropriate
material is turned in on time.
4. Policies on Attendance:
Regular attendance is important for academic success. This is especially true in science where one
lecture builds upon information from previous lectures. You should plan to attend every lecture. Don’t
schedule appointments during class time; do not take vacations during scheduled class days of the semester.
Work towards the goal of getting an “A” in this class. If you need to miss class, it is your responsibility to
get the notes from a classmate. I do not give out my notes.
5. Policies on Tardies:
Scheduled class times reflect the start of the lecture, not when students should walk through the door.
Tardies are disruptive. Please let the instructor know if there are extenuating circumstances which would
cause regular lateness or absences.
Also, Attendance and tardies may be used to evaluate borderline grades.
6. Syllabus disclaimer
This syllabus is subject to change. It is your responsibility to attend lectures or, if absent, contact the
instructor for any verbal or written changes. These changes may include dates of lectures, projects or
exams, due dates of assignments, and the addition of assignments or quizzes.
Student Evaluation
Grading scale:
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
below 59.5%
A
B
C
D
F
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Assignments and Exams
Total Points Possible
6 regular Exams
(100pt. each, one dropped)
Assignment on the Human Genome Project
Total:
500pt.
60pt.
560pt.
Following these steps will assist the student in achieving success:
1. Attend every lecture, and take exams as scheduled.
2. Bring appropriate materials to lecture.
3. Take thorough notes in lecture. If absent, obtain copies of the notes from another student; the
instructor will never give out lecture notes.
4. Complete assignments, using the required format, and turn them in on time.
5. Study often and early for exams. Complete the Study Guides.
6. Write down questions to ask before the lectures and exams.
7. Attend and participate equally in group-projects.
8. Do not procrastinate.
9. Get a minimum of 6 hours sleep every night (especially before an exam)!
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College and is
essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because grading may be
competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work violate the right of their fellow students. The
College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonest as a serious offense requiring disciplinary
measures, including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition, an act of
academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or suborning
cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data, falsification of
academic records or documents and unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative
records or systems. Definitions of these violations may be found in the college catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a paper, create a
project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work, except for that which
is attributed to another author or creator, is your own. Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense.
 Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism.
 Many plagiarism problems can be remedied by citing the sources of the original work.
 When in doubt, cite the source according to the style your instructor directs. Usually this is
APA or MLA Style.
 Don’t be daunted by citing sources which are not books. You can cite everything – including
pamphlets, maps, cereal boxes, telephone conversations, movies, television shows, Internet
and world-wide web sites.
 Most cases of plagiarism arise from carelessness or haste. Violators often attempt to excuse
themselves by saying that they were not told of the nature of plagiarism. You have been told.
You must not include either the phrases or ideas of another writer in your papers without
acknowledgment. Otherwise, you are stealing. Plagiarism is dishonest. It is cheating and is
subject to severe penalties. It may endanger your whole career. Don’t do it.
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Support Services:
Heartland Library Information
www.hcc.cc.il.us/library
Tutoring and Academic Support
Heartland Community College offers learning assistance in various forms at no cost to Heartland students
at the Academic Support Center (ASC) in Bloomington and at the Pontiac and Lincoln Centers. Tutors are
available at convenient times throughout the week. Study groups, group tutoring facilitated by a speciallytrained tutor, are also available by request. Help is also provided through instructional materials, study
skills workshops, open computing, and the Library.
Tentative Lecture Calendar
On-line readings should be accessed through http://hcc.cc.il.us/staff/StacieC. Then click on the BIOL 116
link.
Text references below refer to Human Genetics Concepts and Applications.
Date
Week 1
1/14, 1/16
Week 2
1/21, 1/23
Week 3
1/28, 1/30
Readings & Assignments
Lecture Topic
 Introduction to Course.
 Mendelian Genetics
 Lecture Guide: The Cell.
Text: Chap. 1, 2.
Contract Due.
 Lecture Guide: The Cell.
Gregor Mendel
Cells: the smallest life.
EXAM 1 (Mendel & Cells).

Structure determines function! To
understand what DNA does, we have to
know what it is.
Lecture Guide: Structure of
DNA.
Text: Chap. 8.
Week 4
2/4, 2/6

Week 5
2/11, 2/13
Lecture Guide: Structure of
DNA
Video: Basic Chemistry for
Biology
 Lecture Guide Functions of
DNA.
Text: Chap. 9.
 Lecture Guide Functions of
DNA.
Week 6
2/18, 2/20
EXAM 2 (Structure & Functions
of DNA).
What does DNA do? 1) DNA is copied
for future generations through DNA
replication.
2) Genes in the DNA determine what
proteins are produced through protein
synthesis.
 Lecture Guide: Meiosis
Text: Chap. 3
Week 7
2/25, 2/27
Every individual's DNA is unique:
Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction.
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
Lecture Guide: Meiosis
Lecture Guide: DNA
Typing Introduction.
Text: Chap. 12 (DNA
Polymorphisms).
DNA Typing History.
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Week 8
3/4, 3/6

Lecture Guide: DNA
Typing Introduction.
EXAM 3 (Meiosis & DNA
Typing Introduction).
3/11-3/15
Midterm Break
Week 9
3/18, 3/20

Lecture Guide: DNA
Typing Procedures.
DNA Typing:
PCR – Dot Blot and STRs
Week 10
3/25, 3/27

Lecture Guide: DNA
Typing Procedures
Lecture Guide: Interpreting
DNA Typing
DNA Typing:
PCR –STRs;
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Week 11
4/1, 4/3
EXAM 4 (Procedures &
Interpreting of DNA Typing).

Week 12
4/8, 4/10
Week 13
4/15, 4/17
Week 14
4/22, 4/24
Lecture Guide: Applications
of DNA Typing
Case studies.

Lecture Guide: Applications
of DNA Typing
 Lecture Guide Complex
Traits
Text: Chap. 7.
 Lecture Guide: Genetics of
Sex.
Text: Chap. 6.
Interplay between the genes and the
environment.
EXAM 5 (Applications of DNA
Typing, Complex Traits, &
Genetics of Sex).
Inserting genes into plants and animals,
applications of genetic engineering.
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Week 15
4/29, 5/1
Week 16
5/6, (5/8)
Lecture Guide: Genetic
Engineering.
 Lecture Guide: Gene
Therapy.
 Lecture Guide: Gene
Therapy.
 Lecture Guide: Cloning.
EXAM 6 (Genetic Engineering,
Gene Therapy, & Cloning).
Replacing bad genes with good.
Cloning animals and humans.
Final Exam:
Tuesday, May 13; 2:00pm.
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BIOL 116 Genes: The Foundations of Life
Spring 2002, 116-02
Student Contract
You must sign this form before the instructor will record any grades.
I, (print your name)
,
read, understand, and will abide by the policies listed below as stated in the lecture and laboratory syllabi.
Signature:
Date:
1.
Student Responsibilities
2.
Course Policies concerning…
a.
Regular Exams
b.
Accommodations for missed exams
b.
Cheating and Academic Integrity
c.
Attendance & Participation for HGP Projects
d.
Regular Attendance and Tardies
3.
Instructor Option of Withdrawl after Four Absences
4.
Required Course Materials: Reading Material and Lecture and Study Guides
5.
Syllabus disclaimer
6.
Course Objectives
7.
Student Evaluation
8.
Steps will assist the student in achieving success.
9.
Support Services
10.
Lecture Calendar and Due Dates
11.
BIOL 116 website
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