Heartland Community College
Student Syllabus for BIOL 114-01
Contemporary Biology
Spring 2007
Credit Hours 4
Lecture: 3
Lab: 1
Meeting Times
Lecture: TR 8:30am – 10:50am
Lab: Incorporated
Instructor Information
Amreen Khan
Office Hours: By Appointment
Contact: (309)287-6161
amreen.khan@heartland.edu
Prerequisites Math 087 with a "C" or higher or assessment
Degree and Checklist Applicability Science and Mathematics Credit, AA, AS Degrees
Catalog Description An introduction to biological principles including organization,
function, heredity, evolution, and ecology, with emphasis on the importance of biology to
the individual and society. The laboratory component will emphasize scientific inquiry
and use of knowledge in problem solving. This course is not intended for students
planning a science major, nor will it fulfill the prerequisite for BIOL 181 or BIOL 191.
Students will not receive science credit toward their graduation requirements for both
BIOL 114 and BIOL 161.
Course Overview This course covers basic concepts of biological systems in nature and
the gaps and connections between living organisms and environment.
Required Text Biology: Today and Tomorrow With Physiology, 2nd Edition, Starr,
Cecie, Evers, Christine A., Starr, Lisa. Brooks/Cole Publishing. 2007.
Required Lab Manual Biology 114, Contemporary Biology, Jongky, Thuong &
Wallace, Edie, Heartland Community College, Spring and Summer 2007
Student Learning Objectives
-Awareness of relationships between plants and animals in the natural world
-Appreciation and respect for plants and animals
-Understanding of physiological processes of plants and animals
-A testable understanding of basic biological concepts
-Basic understanding of introductory human biology concepts
Educational Beliefs
Beliefs about the Discipline This course is a subdiscipline of the field of Biology, "the
study of life". In this course we focus on the maintenance of human life and health. While
it is designed for students interested in the health sciences, the information gained will
also be beneficial to individuals as they make decisions that affect their own health and
quality of life.
Beliefs about Student Learning Students must take responsibility for their own
learning. Part of that responsibility is attendance and active participation in all lecture and
lab sessions. Taking notes during lecture, asking pertinent questions, and completion of
written lab reports, when required are a part of that participation. The student must read
the assigned text, 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 to gain additional help in that topic.
The following activities will help you in learning the material:
A. Attend the lectures on the current topic.
B. Take thorough notes during lecture and lab.
C. Study the required textbook pages and biological/anatomical diagrams.
D. Attend lab and complete any lab assignments given.
E. Review material for lecture and lab quizzes.
F. Take lecture and lab quizzes as scheduled.
G. Review the corrected quizzes in class after they are returned, using the
opportunity to master the material for future topics, assignments and quizzes.
Beliefs About Teacher's Role It is the teacher's responsibility to facilitate the student's
learning. This is accomplished by conducting lectures and discussions in an organized
manner and preparing labs, which enhance that learning. The teacher also is responsible
for clearly stating course objectives, and evaluation of student progress based on those
objectives. While some class time should be taken to answer questions and clarifying
lecture material, the teacher must move on to other topics in a timely fashion in order to
be fair to students who are ready to move on as well. However, the teacher must be
available outside of the classroom to aid individuals who need more help on a particular
topic, or to direct them to tutorial assistance.
Methods of Instruction Instruction will take the form of lecture, discussion, and subject
work. Visual aids and models will be employed during lectures to aid student learning.
Lecture outlines will be provided for each topic to aide students in note-taking, and as
compiled packets, will be study guides for quizzes.
Method of Evaluation (grading system) Three-fourths of the final grade will be based
on the lecture percentage, and one-fourth on the lab percentage. A combined percentage
will be calculated and a final grade will be assigned based on the following scale:
A: 90% - 100% B: 80% - 89% C: 70% - 79% D: 60% - 69% F: 0% - 59%
Extra Credit opportunities may or may not apply in this course.
Policies on Assignments/Labs/Quizzes/Makeup’s/Attendance
Lecture The lecture grade will count as three-fourths of the final course grade and will
include attendance, assignments, and quizzes.
A student may make-up a lecture unit assignment or quiz if all four of the following
conditions are met:
1. The student has an illness or emergency that can be documented.
2. The student makes arrangements with the instructor before or on the scheduled
day of the assignment/quiz to complete the assignment or make-up the quiz.
3. The assignment is completed or the quiz is made up prior to the next class
meeting.
4. If any of these 4 conditions are not met, there will be no make-up on any missed
material.
Attendance Policies Attendance will be taken daily throughout the semester. An
excused absence is only applicable if the student notifies the instructor prior to the class
period to be missed. If a student shall miss a class, the student is responsible for getting
any missed lecture notes, announcements, or handouts (with the exception of in-class
assignments) from either the instructor or a fellow classmate. Attendance can be part of a
student’s overall grade. The student’s attendance may result in receiving the higher grade
if he/she is on the borderline of two letter grades and has attended 94% of the classes.
Simply put, three absences will eliminate this benefit. Any missed assignments, labs, or
quizzes due to an absence cannot be made up, unless the student obtains and excused
absence as described above.
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will
be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings in the A-Z Index and under Academic
Information in the Current Students page on the HCC Web site. Go to the following link
provided, http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/, to learn what classes have been
cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which
might contain a message from the instructor.
Reading Requirements Reading tasks will be assigned throughout every lecture and/or
on the lecture outlines. Some independent reading tasks may be assigned for which the
student is responsible for on a quiz; these will be emphasized during the lecture.
Assignments There will be periodic assignments which will be announced in class, and
handouts will be given, including expectations and due dates. There will also be in-class
assignments which must be completed and handed in before the end of the class period
on the day of receiving the assignment. These assignments may include independent
handouts, group work, and impromptu mini-lectures.
Quizzes There will be quizzes based on each topic following completion of subject
material; these are Concept Building Quizzes that may incorporate questions from
previous topics. Quiz dates will be announced at the beginning and end of each topic
discussion and can be predicted with unit. Quizzes will take place at the beginning of the
scheduled class period. There will be review and discussion on quiz material one class
session preceding quiz date.
Services and Support
Computer Lab: http://www.heartland.edu/asc/computerlab.html
Tutoring Center: http://www.heartland.edu/asc/tutor.html
For more information about services available at each location, please call the ASC in
Normal (309) 268-8231; the Pontiac Center (815) 842-6777; the Lincoln Center (217)
735-1731.Final Student Evaluation: Lecture and Lab