COURSE SYLLABUS – APPROVED FORMAT
General Information
 Northern Arizona University- Yuma; Department of Arts and Sciences
 BSC 344, Cellular and Molecular Biology
 Spring 2015
 3 hrs. Lecture, 3 credit hours
 Dr. Francisco Villa
 Science and Research building, Office 112
 Office hours: Monday/Wednesday 8:00am to 9:00am and 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Course prerequisites
BIO 181, BIO 182 and CHM 152L
Course Corequisite
BSC 349L
Recommended
BSC 350
Course description:
Organization and function of biological molecules, cell diversity, cell structure and function, and
cell interaction and differentiation.
Student Learning Expectations/Outcomes for this Course
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe the molecular basis of cellular function
2. Explain why there is molecular specificity of structure and function for certain
cellular/tissue systems
3. Explain why the living process requires a significant amount of energy in a biologically
usable form
4. Describe how biologically usable forms of energy are used and recycled
5. Determine the molecular consequences of errors in metabolism, gene structure or
function
6. Describe how molecules and macromolecules interact in cells and eukaryotic systems to
7. Describe the basic techniques to study macromolecule structure, function and interactions
in cells and organelles
8. Describe how gene expression and cellular functions are regulated in cells.
Course structure/approach:
Revised 04/22/03
The course may involve one or more of the following approaches: lecture and discussion;
application exercises; scheduled activities; case analysis; team projects; field trips, speakers with
relevant expertise, and/or other activities as appropriate to achieve learning outcomes.
Textbook and required materials: Student learning is facilitated with textbooks, readings,
audio-visual content, software, and/or other materials
Recommended optional materials/references (attach reading list): None
Course outline:
Week 1: Review of the Cell, Introduction
Week 2: Cell membranes
Week 3: Vesicles
Week 4: Golgi Apparatus
Week 5: Endoplasmic Reticulum
Week 6: Nucleus
Week 7: Cellular Movement
Week 8: Extracellular Matrix
Week 9: Cell Cycle
Week 10: Signal Transduction
Week 11: DNA Replication
Week 12: Transcription
Week 13: Translation
Week 14: Cancer Cells
Week 15: Cell Signaling
Week 16: Membrane Potentials, pH, and Energetics
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
 Methods of Assessment: In-class exams, homework, in-class activities, research paper,
and/or presentations.
 Timeline for Assessment: Over the course of the semester
Grading System:
Letter grades for the course will be determined based on the percentage of the total points as
follows:
90-100%
A Excellent
80-89%
B Good
70-79%
C Average
60-69%
D Lowest passing
<60%
F Failure
Revised 04/22/03
Course policy:
Retests/makeup tests:
No make-up exams or re-tests except for what the instructor may deem as extenuating
circumstances.
Attendance Policy:
Under NAU Policy, students are expected to attend every session of the class in which they are
enrolled.
Statement on plagiarism and cheating:
DON’T CHEAT!
Please refer to the NAU Student Handbook policy statement on Academic Integrity. Academic
honesty does not allow "plagiarism — knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as
one's own" (2005, Undergraduate General Academic and Graduation Policies).
If your instructor determines that you are guilty of plagiarism he deserves the right to give you a
zero on the alleged assignment up to failing the course in question. All incidents regardless will
be reported to the university.
University policies
Attach the Safe Working and Learning Environment, Students with Disabilities, Institutional
Review Board, and Academic Integrity policies or reference them on the syllabus. See the
following document for policy statements:
http://www4.nau.edu/avpaa/UCCPolicy/plcystmt.html.
Your instructor reserves the right to make any changes to the course policies, schedule, or any
other aspect of the class as he sees fit.
Revised 04/22/03