BIOL 116



GENES: THE FOUNDATIONS OF LIFE (Lecture only)
Course Syllabus Fall 2006
This course is an introduction to biological principles, biotechnology, and
applications related to genetics. Ethical analyses are included due to the farreaching effects on the individual and society. Online reading is required due
to the frequent changes that occur in this type of subject matter. There is NO
traditional textbook.
BIOL 116 is a 3 credit hour lecture only course. Life science lab credit can be
obtained by concurrent or subsequent enrollment in BIOL 117. The BIOL 117
lab is offered as 1) a traditional fall and spring laboratory course, 2) a two week
mini-mester between the spring and summer semesters, or 3) a hybrid online/oncampus laboratory course.
If absent, students may attend any of the scheduled times for BIOL 116 Sections
02 or 03. Check with the instructor for the other sections’ scheduled activities.
Section 02 MWF
10:00am-10:50
ICB 1302
Section 03 TR
12:30pm-1:45
ICB 1302
Instructor: Stacie Chismark


Phone: (309) 268-8644
Office: ICB 2406 (in the hall behind the ICB 2400 glass doors)
Office Hours
Mon. 9:00am-10:00, 12:00pm-12:30
Tue. 11:00am-12:30, 2:00pm-2:30
Wed. 9:30am-10:00, 12:00pm-12:30
Thurs. 12:00pm-12:30
 BIOL 116 Website: http://www.heartland.edu/staff/StacieC/BIOL116.htm
OR go the HCC homepage: http://www.heartland.edu and
Scroll down to Quick Links – Click on Personnel – Click on my
name (Stacie Chismark; NOT my email address) – Click on BIOL
116
Course Materials:
 BIOL 116 Lecture Guides: Students are REQUIRED to BRING ‘Lecture Guides’
to the lectures. Lecture Guides can be obtained by printing them directly from the
website. A three-ring binder should be used to organize these documents.
 Course Readings* are located on the above BIOL 116 website under in the righthand ‘Supplements’ column. Instructions and Questions for these online readings
also are located here.
*
Other course readings may include journal articles, and online readings linked from the Lecture Guides.
1
Student Responsibilities:
1. Students must review the syllabus periodically to refresh their memory concerning
information provided therein. Bring the syllabus to each class.
2. Attendance is critical. Always remember to bring Lecture Guides to class.
3. Take thorough notes in lecture; write down everything the instructor writes and says.
It is the student’s responsibility to ask the instructor for clarification. If absent, students
must obtain copies of the notes from another student or hand copy the instructor’s notes
during office hours. The instructor will not give out xeroxed lecture notes.
FIVE Student Contacts:
4. Students must read and spend enough time in independent study to master the
material. Complete assignments, Self-Tests, and online reading questions. If the student
is having difficulty with a particular topic, he or she should contact the instructor. Tutors
may be available at the Academic Support Center (ASC) in the library area.
5. Do not procrastinate. Study often and early for quizzes/exams, and take them as
scheduled. Students should follow the instructions in the Self-Tests found at the end of
the Lecture Guides. They are an invaluable resource for exams. Write down questions to
ask before the lectures and exams.
6. Students must exhibit courtesy and respect for their fellow students. According to the
Heartland Community College Student Code of Conduct:
UPON ENROLLING IN THE COLLEGE, EACH STUDENT ASSUMES AN OBLIGATION TO
ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF RESPONSIBLE
ADULT BEHAVIOR, WHICH INCLUDES RESPECT OF FELLOW STUDENTS AND OTHER
MEMBERS OF THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY. IF THIS OBLIGATION IS IGNORED, THE
COLLEGE MUST TAKE APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION IN ORDER TO CONTINUE
TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY.
Turn off your cell phones or set them on vibrate. The instructor reserves the right to
answer all cell phone calls!
7. Students are responsible for recording their grades and determining their final course
grade.
2
Course Policies
1. FLEXIBLE
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR EMERGENCIES AND DIFFERING PRIORITIES ARE
AVAILABLE IN THE COURSE POLICIES. These accommodations will not be altered. Special
privileges will not be secretly given to any student. This assures that all receive fair and
equal treatment. 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.
Contract due date:
2. EXAMS: FOUR REGULAR EXAMS
Accommodations for emergencies:
 1) The student may take any exam with SECTION 02 or 03, but check with the
instructor as soon as possible for the dates other sections will take the exam. 2)
An exam make-up day (TBA) will be given at the end of the semester (only one
exam may be made up). Make-up exams will not be given on any other dates. 3)
With the exception of exam 4, one missed exam grade will be dropped without
penalty. ONLY USE THIS OPTION IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. If exams
1, 2, and 3 all are taken, the lowest of these will be dropped. EXAM 4 CANNOT
BE DROPPED! If you miss exam 4 and make it up on the exam make up date, 10
points will be deducted from the score. Students must contact the instructor by
email if they wish to take any makeup exam.
 Exam grades are returned at the following lecture session. Grades will NOT be
emailed to students.
3. QUIZZES: TWO 15PT. QUIZZES
Attendance is mandatory for the quizzes. 10pt. out of the 15pt. of one missed quiz can be
made up by turning in the completed Self-Test(s) before the ‘exam’. Incomplete SelfTests will not be receive any points. One point will be deducted from the 10 possible
points for each incorrect Self-Test answer. If a student misses a second quiz, a grade of
zero will be recorded for that quiz.
4. ASSIGNMENTS:
GROUP DEBATE-One assignment is a group debate requiring class attendance and
participation. This assignment will involve several lecture periods. Attendance is
mandatory for the debate sessions. You may attend another section’s debates (ALL
sessions must be attended with the other section). If a student misses even one of the
debate lecture periods, a 10 page paper can make up a maximum of 15pt. out of the 20pts.
possible for the debate.
VIDEOS-Students are required to go to the HCC library and watch two reserved videos.
Students must sign an attendance sheet with library staff. It is your responsibility to be
sure that the attendance sheet is signed.
3
5. ATTENDANCE: Other than those days described above, attendance it is not included as
part of your grade. College students are adults with priorities, and these may involve
missing class. However, your grade in the course will reflect the priority given it.
6. TARDIES: If you are late: TAKE A SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR WITHOUT
DISRUPTING THE LECTURE. Please let the instructor know if there are extenuating
circumstances that may cause tardies.
Course Objectives
1. To examine prevailing philosophical concepts applied in the study of science.
2. To associate relationships between cells, cellular organelles, their functions, and
biological organization.
3. To relate the structure and functions of proteins and nucleic acids.
4. To understand scientific principles of DNA typing and examine case studies.
5. To correlate human traits with the dynamic relationship between genes and
environment.
6. To attain knowledge of selected genetic disorders and relate this information to
genetic principles.
7. To understand the scientific basis of genetic engineering, gene therapy and cloningwhile evaluating concerns and goals.
8. To gain knowledge of the Human Genome Project and related programs- including
their implications concerning ethics and public policy.
Student Evaluation
Assignments, Exams, Quizzes
4 Exams
(100pt. each, lowest of 1-3 dropped)
2 quizzes
(15pt. Each)
Debate
4 Videos
(5pt. Each)
Grading scale:
333-370 pt.
296-332 pt.
259-295 pt.
222-258 pt.
0-221 pt.
A
B
C
D
F
Total Points Possible
300
30
20
20
370pt.
Because of 1) the liberal exam makeup
policies, 2) the lowest score drop, and 3)
video assignments, points will not be
rounded and extra credit is not given.
4
Record all of your scores here.
Exam 1
Exam 2
Drop lowest exam score1-3.
Exam 3
Exam 4
HGP
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4
Total=
Services and Support
The Academic Support Center Computer Lab: general info
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/computerlab.html
Important! Click here for HCC Computer lab Rules concerning Printing. IMPORTANT!
Heartland Library Information;
http://www.heartland.edu/library/index.html
Tutoring Center:
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/tutor.html Normal (309) 268-8231;
Pontiac Center (815) 842-6777; Lincoln Center (217) 735-1731.
SYLLABUS DISCLAIMER
This syllabus is subject to change. Students must attend lectures or, if absent,
communicate with student contacts or the instructor for any verbal or written changes.
5
Tentative Lecture Outline
The following schedule is only an approximation of the dates when material is covered
during the semester. Depending on student needs, section pace, class cancellations, and
college closings, course sections may proceed through the material at different rates.
Therefore, lecture topics/exams/quizzes/group project dates are not definite until the
instructor has made a final announcement.
August 17-18 (R and F)
Syllabus/Policies/Evaluation/Schedule/Contract
Website- Lecture Guides/Self-Tests/Online readings
Week 1 – Aug. 21-25
Video: Huntington disease
Lecture Guide: The Cell
Aug. 30-Last day to
withdraw and
receive a refund.
Week 2 – Aug. 28-Sept. 1
Lecture Guide: The Cell
Week 3 – Sept. 5-8 (No class Monday Sept. 4- Labor Day)
Lecture Guide: The Cell
Go to the library and watch the video “The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off” before the first
class following the discussion of “epithelial tissue” during the cell lecture. You must
sign in at the library to receive points.
Lecture Guide: Structure of DNA
Go to the library and watch the video “Basic Chemistry for Biology Students” before
the first class next week. You must sign in at the library to receive points.
Week 4 – Sept. 11-15
Lecture Guide: Structure of DNA
Lecture Guide: Functions of DNA
Week 5 – Sept. 18-22
Lecture Guide: Functions of DNA
Exam 1 (The Cell, Structure of DNA, Functions of DNA)
6
Week 6 – Sept. 25-29
Human Genome-Introductory lecture
Human Genome Project Debate
Week 7 – Oct. 2-6
Human Genome Project Debate
Lecture Guide: DNA Typing: Introduction and Procedures
Week 8 – Oct. 9-12 (No class Fri. Oct. 13-Midterm Break)
Lecture Guide: DNA Typing: Introduction and Procedures
Quiz 1
Week 9 – Oct. 16-20
Lecture Guide: DNA Typing: Introduction and Procedures
Week 10 – Oct. 23-27
Lecture Guide: DNA Typing: Introduction and Procedures
Quiz 2
Exam 2 (Human Genome and related programs, DNA Typing: Introduction and
Procedures)
Exam 2 will be
held during
Week 11– Oct. 30-Nov. 3
Week 10 or 11.
Lecture Guide: Interpreting DNA Typing Data
Lecture Guide: DNA Typing Applications
Lecture Guide: Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction
Go to the library and watch the video “Murder, Rape and DNA” before the first class
next week. You must sign in at the library to receive points.
Week 12 – Nov. 6-10
Lecture Guide: Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction
Lecture Guide: Complex Traits
Lecture Guide: Genetics and Race
Go to the library and watch the video “Race Power of an Illusion Part I” before the
first class next week. You must sign in at the library to receive points.
7
Week 13 – Nov. 13-17
Lecture Guide: Genetics and Race
Exam 3 (Interpreting DNA Typing Data, DNA Typing Applications, Meiosis &
Sexual Reproduction, Complex Traits, Genetics and Race)
Week 14 – Nov. 20-21 (No class Nov. 22-24 – Thanksgiving)
Lecture Guide: Genetics of Sex
Lecture Guide: Genetic Engineering
Week 15 – Nov. 27-Dec. 1
Lecture Guide: Genetic Engineering
Lecture Guide: Gene Therapy
Week 16 – Dec. 4-8
Lecture Guide: Cloning
Exam 4 (Genetics of Sex, Genetic Engineering, Gene Therapy, Cloning)
Makeup exams - You MUST email the instructor during Week 16 stating your name,
the BIOL 116 section you are enrolled in, and the exam you need to makeup. Exact dates
and times to make up the exam will be determined at that time.
8
BIOL 116 Genes: The Foundations of Life
Student Contract
116 Section
Date:
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
syllabi.
Signature:
Date:
1.
Student Responsibilities
2.
Course Policies Concerning…
a.
Exam and Quiz Policies and Accommodations for Missed Exams &
Quizzes
b.
Cheating and Academic Integrity
c.
Attendance & Group Project Participation
d.
Student Code of Conduct
3.
BIOL 116 Course Website- Lecture Guides, Self-Tests, Online Readings &
Questions
4.
HCC Computer Printing Policies
5.
Syllabus Disclaimer
6.
Course Objectives
7.
Grade Reporting, Grade Calculations & Student Evaluation
8.
Support Services: HCC Computing and Tutoring
9.
Tentative Lecture Schedule
10.
Video Assignments
9