Heartland Community College
MS Division
Student Syllabus for BIOL 099-02
Biology for Health Careers
Spring 2009
MEETING TIMES:
Wednesday 2:00 – 3:50 PM
CREDIT HOURS: 2
CONTACT HOURS
LECTURE HOURS: _2___ LABORATORY HOURS: __0__
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: (Including course pre-requisites)
Pre-requisite: MATH 087 with a grade of C or better or assessment. Topics reviewed in this course
will include an introduction to scientific methods and terminology, fundamentals of chemistry and
biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics. This course is intended for pre-nursing and allied health
students who need a review of biology prior to entering more advanced life science courses in their
programs. This course may be used as a pre-requisite to BIOL 181 and BIOL 191. It may not be
used to fulfill any part of HCC's general education science requirement for graduation. Students who
have completed BIOL 161 or who plan to major in biology should not enroll in this course.
Instructor Information:
Verona A. Barr, Assoc. Prof.
Office: ICB 2423
Office Hours:
MWF 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
W 1:00 – 2:00 PM
TTh 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Or by appointment.
Phone:
E-mail:
(309) 268-8667 or call June Hargitt, the division secretary, at 268-8640
Verona.Barr@heartland.edu
E-mail directly through WebCT or from your myHeartland e-mail account.
I check these throughout the day when I am on campus, and at least once
per day on weekends or holidays.
Textbook:
Starr/Taggert . Cell Biology and Genetics (11th ed.) Brooks/Cole, 2006
Supplies:
A calculator, used in many of the assignments, is required, and should be brought with you to
each class meeting. A number 2 pencil will be needed to take each lecture exam. Scantron
forms will be provided.
Relationship to Academic Programs and Transfer:
BIOL 099, with a grade of C or better, is a pre-requisite for BIOL 181 for students who have not
taken biology in the last three years. Although students do not receive college credit for the
course, it can be used to fulfill semester credit load requirements, for purposes such as financial
aid and insurance.
Beliefs about Student Learning:
Students must take responsibility for their own learning. Part of that responsibility is attendance
and active participation in all lecture sessions. Taking notes during lecture, asking pertinent
questions, participation in group activities and completion of written assignments, 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.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Attend the lectures on the current topic.
Take thorough notes during lecture.
Study the required textbook pages and diagrams.
Complete assignments and review questions for each unit.
Participate in group discussions and activities.
Take lecture tests as scheduled.
Review the corrected tests in class after they are returned, using the opportunity to
master the material.
Review questions and their answers are provided for each unit on WebCT. Although I will not
collect them, I do adapt questions from them on exams and they also indicate to you what material
I consider should be emphasized but this is by no means all of the information you are responsible
for learning!
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 assignments 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 clarify 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. I will only open e-mail from the my
Heartland portal. Go to http://my.Heartland.edu, and log on. Address it to me using the address I
gave you. You must fill in the subject line. Use BIOL 099-02 as your subject line, or the specific
subject, i.e. Reading report, Exercise #1, etc.
Course Objectives (Outcomes):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
To gain understanding of the chemical processes of life.
To gain knowledge of cell structure and function.
To gain understanding of classical and molecular genetics.
To be able to use a computer as a tool to access information.
To be able to comprehend articles written for health professionals. (CO1)
To develop an understanding of the methods of science used in medical research. (PS2)
TOPIC OUTLINE FOR THE COURSE:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Methods used in the biological sciences and medical research.
Basic chemistry (atoms, molecules, ions, pH)
Introduction to organic compounds and biochemistry.
Cell Structure and function.
Energy and metabolism.
Cell Division, mitosis and meiosis.
Patterns in Human Genetics.
Molecular Genetics.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lecture, discussion and activities. Students should download the PowerPoint slides before each
lecture by going to http://employee.heartland.edu/vbarr01/ and clicking on the link for BIOL 09902.
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Required writing may include short answer questions or short essays on exams and quizzes, and
summaries of readings. In addition to the textbook, the student will read articles written for health
professionals.
METHOD OF EVALUATION:
The final grade for the course will be based on a percentage of a possible 600 points earned in a
combination of quizzes, reading summaries, in class and online activities and exercises. There
will be eight (8) unit quizzes, worth 50 points each, which may combine objective, short answer,
and essay type questions. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped before the final grade is
calculated. In addition, there will be a comprehensive final exam during final’s week worth 100
points.
The specific points and their assigned values are as follows:
Quizzes 7 @ 50 (after lowest is dropped)
Comprehensive Final Exam
Exercises 8 @ 10
Reading Summaries 2 @ 15
In Class Discussions 8 @ 5
350
100
80
30
40
600
**As an Extra Credit option, additional points, up to a maximum of 20, may be earned by
participation in online discussions. Please do not ask me for additional extra credit!
The grading scale will be as follows:
Grade:
A
B
C
D
F
Percent
90 – 100
80 – 89
70 – 79
60 – 69
0 – 59
Points:
540 – 600
480 – 539
420 – 479
360 – 419
0 – 359
Policies on Assignments/Quizzes/Make-ups
All of the exercises are available on WebCT. In addition, there will be class discussion and group
activities each time we meet and if you miss that day, you will miss the points earned for those
activities. Your classmates depend upon your participation in class discussions and activities, so
please be considerate and attend class regularly and perform all assigned tasks. All papers are due
on the assigned dates as listed in the Calendar. 20% of the assignment's point value will be
deducted for each weekday that it is late. That means that if you wait until the following
class period to turn it in you will receive no credit for it.
Policies on Assignments/Exams/Make-ups
If you miss a day in class it is important for you to get handouts from WebCT, as you must hand
assignments in on time. In addition, there will be class discussion and group activities on most
days that we meet and if you miss that day, you will miss the points earned for those activities.
Your classmates depend upon your participation in class discussions and activities, so please be
considerate and attend class regularly and come prepared for class. All papers are due on the
assigned dates as listed in the Calendar. 20% of the assignment's point value will be deducted
for each weekday that it is late. That means that if you wait until the following class period
to turn it in you will receive no credit for it.
If a student misses a quiz, that will be the grade that is dropped. NO MAKE-UP UNIT
QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN AND THERE IS NO MAKE-UP FOR THE FINAL EXAM!
If you require a reader or other special accommodations for taking exams you will need to contact
Anita Moore in Disability Services (309) 268-8249.
Policies on Participation and Attendance:
Attendance will be taken at each class session. Handouts, exercises and returned papers will only
be available in class on the day they are distributed. Otherwise they can be picked up from the
instructor during office hours. Students who come to class late will have points deducted from
that day’s discussion/activity points, and of course, no discussion or activity points can be earned
if the student is absent.
Students are expected to participate in lecture by taking notes, asking questions, and entering into
discussions. No food or drinks, other than water, are allowed in the room.
As a courtesy, students should take care not to disrupt the class or distract the teacher with
inappropriate behavior. Cell phones should be turned off, or in emergencies set on vibrate,
during class time. Students who are disruptive will be asked to leave, and if this type of behavior
is repeated the student will be withdrawn from the course. If it is after the school withdrawal date
the student will receive an “F” for the course. See the “Student Code of Conduct” and “Student
Disciplinary Procedures” in the current HCC catalog
Incompletes:
An incomplete grade may be given to a student who, by the withdrawal date, can reasonably be
expected to pass the course. Incompletes may be granted only when justified by extreme
circumstances (e.g., serious illness, accident, death or serious illness in the immediate family).
Incomplete grades will not be given unless the student has made prior arrangements with the
instructor. A written agreement, outlining the requirements to be met, must be signed by both the
instructor and the student. The agreed upon requirements must be completed no later than the end
of the following semester (spring semester for incompletes granted during the fall, and the
following fall for incompletes given during the spring and summer semesters). By the agreed
upon date, the instructor will assign a grade or the incomplete will be changed to an “F” if the
requirements are not completed. (From HCC Syllabus Guidelines)
Required Writing and Reading:
Students will be required to write short essay questions and summaries of the journal articles they
have read. Other required readings will be in the text as outlined in the Calendar. Each student
will read 2 articles in publications written for the health sciences. Additional readings may also
be required.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
The Heartland Community college policies on academic integrity and/or plagiarism from HCC
syllabus guidelines are quoted below. In this course, violations of the policy will automatically
result in a “0” on the assignment and may result in an “F” for the course.
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 rights of
their fellow students. The College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonesty 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 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 and may take the following forms:
Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own
Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source
Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it were
your own.
Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as if it were
your own.
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism. The penalties for plagiarism
may be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece of work, failure in the course or
expulsion from school in extreme cases. Real or pretended ignorance of what constitutes
plagiarism will not excuse students from the penalties of such conduct.
[Adapted from the Modern Language Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research
Papers. New York: MLA, 1995: 26]
SUPPORT SERVICES:
Heartland Library Information
The Library, located in the Students Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus, provides
Heartland students with a full range of resources including books, online journal databases,
videos, newspapers, periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are available to assist
in locating information.
Tutoring Center
Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at no cost to Heartland students at
the Academic Support Center (ASC) in Normal and at the Pontiac and Lincoln Centers. Tutors are
available at convenient times throughout the week. Study groups and group tutoring facilitated by
a specially trained tutor, are also available by request. 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.
Testing Center
The Testing Center provides a quiet environment to complete exams for students with special
accommodations. For information on hours, contact the Testing Center at (309) 268-8231.
Open Computing Lab
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/computerlab.html
The Open Computing Lab provides free computing for HCC students at convenient times throughout the
week. The computer lab is staffed by trained Lab Assistants and offers the use of approximately 70
computers, a scanner, a laser printer, and an electric typewriter. Some materials from this class are also
posted on WebCT. Use your identification and password located on your official schedule to access these.
CALENDAR
The schedule may change due to instructor’s illness, school closing due to inclement weather, or
other unforeseen circumstances. To learn what classes have been cancelled for that day and the
upcoming week, go to my.heartland.edu, and click on the class cancellations category. If you
find that one of your classes has been cancelled, be sure to check the last column that might
contain a message from the instructor.
BIOL 099-02 SCHEDULE OF STUDY SPRING 2009
DATE
TOPIC (CHAPTER IN TEXT) AND ASSIGNMENT DUE
January 14
SNOW DAY – CLASS CANCELLED
January 21
Unity and Diversity of Life (1) Methods of Research in Biology (1)
Activities: Classification Discussion; Design an Experiment
Unit 1 Quiz (Chapter 1)
Exercise #1 Due
Chemical Principles (2) Carbon Compounds in Cells (3)
Chemical Principles (2) Carbon Compounds in Cells (3)
Exercise #2 Due
Activities: Bonding & Biological Molecules; Protein; pH & You
January 28
February 4
February 11
February 18
February 25
March 4
March 18
March 25
April 1
April 8
April 15
April 22
April 29
May 6
May 13
Unit 2 Quiz (Chapters 2 & 3)
Introduction to Cells (4) Cell Structure and Function (4, 5)
Introduction to Cells (4) Cell Structure and Function (4, 5)
Exercise #3 Due
Activities: Cellular Organelles; Movement Across Membranes
Unit 3 Quiz (Chapters 4 & 5)
Cell Membranes. Energy and Metabolism (6, 8)
Cell Membranes. Energy and Metabolism (6, 8)
Exercise #4 Due
Activities: Energy; Enzymes
Unit 4 Quiz (Chapters 6 & 8)
Cell Division, Mitosis and Meiosis, (9, 10)
Cell Division, Mitosis and Meiosis, (9, 10)
Exercise #5 Due
Activities: Cell Cycle & Cell Division
READING REPORT #1 DUE Unit
5 Quiz (Chapters 9 & 10)
Introduction to Genetics (11) Chromosomes and Genetics (12)
Introduction to Genetics (11) Chromosomes and Genetics (12)
Exercise #6 Due
Activities: Mendelian Genetics; Chromosomes & Inheritance
Unit 6 Quiz (Chapters 11 & 12)
Molecular Genetics (13, 14)
Molecular Genetics (13, 14)
Exercise #7 Due
Activities: Video & Questions – The Double Helix
Unit 7 Quiz (Chapters 13 & 14)
Genetic Controls & Genomics (15, 16)
READING REPORT #2 DUE
Genetic Controls & Genomics (15, 16)
Exercise #8 Due
Activities: Gene Therapy Podcast & Discussion
Unit 8 Quiz (Chapters 15 & 16) – Take Home Quiz or Assignment
Cumulative Final Exam (at the regular time, in our regular room)