DIVISION OF MATHEMATICS & SCIENCE
COURSE INFORMATION SHEET FOR
BIO101 – GENERAL BIOLOGY I
All members of the Math & Science Division at Clinton Community College use the respective
course template as a basis for their course syllabi. Faculty may, at their discretion, change the
order of the course content or add course content.
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: BIO101 – General Biology I
COURSE SECTION: TBA
CONTACT HOURS: 5
CREDIT HOURS: 4
SEMESTER AND YEAR: TBA
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME, TELEPHONE NUMBER, EMAIL ADDRESS, OFFICE
NUMBER, AND OFFICE HOURS: TBA
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is the first of a two-semester introductory course covering some central biology
concepts, including molecular and cellular bases of life, photosynthesis, cellular respiration,
cellular reproduction, and introductory concepts of genetics, inheritance, and biotechnology.
The laboratory experience emphasizes problem-solving and data analysis using the process of
scientific inquiry and the application of concepts discussed in lecture. The laboratory experience
emphasizes lab documentation and the use of a variety of biological instrumentation. There are
three hours of lecture and one two-hour laboratory per week.
This course meets the SUNY General Education course requirements for natural sciences.
II. PREREQUISITE: Placement into MAT100 or higher; Students receiving credit for BIO101
and/or BIO102 cannot receive credit for BIO100
COREQUISITE: ENG101 – English Composition or equivalent; SCI110 – Foundational Skills
in Science
III. COURSE OBJECTIVES, SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE AREA
LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT:
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
As the result of instructional activities, students will be able to:
1. Compare and contrast the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
· Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
· Compare and contrast plant and animal cell structures and their functions
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2. Demonstrate the proper use of compound and dissecting microscopes.
3. Explain the structure and function of the four major classes of biological molecules.
4. Describe cell membrane structure and function in active, passive, and membrane
assisted transport
5. Describe how the physical and chemical environment affects enzyme activity.
6. Explain the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration and their relationship to
each other.
· Describe how plants modify their environment (photosynthesis)
· Describe the process of cellular respiration
· Explain the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration
· Describe the process of chemiosmotic phosphorylation
7. Explain how genetic information is stored in DNA and translated into protein.
· Compare and contrast the molecular structures of DNA and RNA
· Describe DNA synthesis.
· Describe transcription and translation.
· Describe the structure of chromosomes.
8. Describe the mechanics of mitosis and meiosis and the relationship of these processes to
reproduction and function.
· Describe the beginning and ending products of mitosis, including the relationship of this
process to growth, repair, and chromosome number
· Identify and describe the stages for the cell cycle
· Describe the beginning and ending products of meiosis, including the relationship of this
process to reproduction, heredity, variation, and reduction of chromosome number.
9. Describe the mechanism of operation of the following kinds of receptors: G-protein linked,
tyrosine kinase, ion channel.
10. Explain the role of cAMP, phosphodiesterase, protein kinases, and protein phosphates in
signal transduction.
11. Apply genetic principles to simple Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance problems and
concepts.
· Apply genetic principles to simple inheritance problems/concepts including monohybrid
and dihybrid crosses
· Describe non-Mendelian inheritance including incomplete dominance, codominance,
multiple alleles, pleiotrophy, epistasis, genomic imprinting, polygenetic inheritance
· Compare and contrast the relationship between mutations and genetic disorders
· Use pedigrees/karyotypes to examine the inheritance of genetic disorders.
12. Explain advantages and disadvantages of using genetic engineering techniques today in
plants, humans and other animals and the ethical issues related to biotechnology.
LAB OBJECTIVES:
The laboratory experience will reinforce biological concepts and laboratory skills. Students will:
 Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
 Investigate plant pigments and photosynthetic processes in plants.
 Compare and contrast cellular respiration and photosynthetic processes using a variety of
organisms.
 Investigate environmental effects on enzyme catalysis.
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Investigate mitotic and meiotic cellular processes.
Explore DNA biotechnology, its real world applications, and the use of electrophoresis
and recombinant DNA technology to investigate these applications.
Analyze data from genetic crosses to investigate independent assortment of two genes.
Investigate genes to determine autosomal or sex-linked inheritance.
Demonstrate understanding of operating and using a variety of instrumentation normally
expected to be used in a biology laboratory setting including:
Horizontal Gel Electrophoresis
Compound Microscopes
Micropipets
Vernier software or comparable data collection software
Spectrophotometers
Use lab documentation to record all data and scientific information in a bound notebook.
Problem solve using the process of scientific inquiry during laboratory experimentation
including:
 Developing hypotheses based on the observation of natural phenomena.
 Designing an experiment based on a testable hypothesis.
 Conducting an experiment using an appropriate experimental design.
 Recording and organizing data resulting from quantitative measurement using
tables and graphs.
 Performing appropriate statistical analyses on the data.
 Summarizing the data using graphs, tables, and descriptive statistics.
 Communicating through writing the results of a scientific investigation using
scientific arguments and explanations.
LAB ACTIVITIES:
A complete list of proposed laboratory activities must be submitted with the course syllabus.
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE AREA LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will demonstrate the ability to:
1. understand the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena, including:
 observation
 hypothesis development
 measurement and data collection
 experimentation
 evaluation of evidence
 employment of mathematical analysis
2. apply scientific data, concepts and models in one of the natural sciences
IV. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS:
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Biology, 10th edition; Campbell. Benjamin Cummings
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REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Safety glasses are required for all on-campus sections.
All lab sections require a bound lab notebook.
V. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION/COURSE ORGANIZATION: To be determined by the
respective instructor.
VI. ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE (INCLUDING MAKEUP POLICY): To be determined
by the respective instructor.
VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF READINGS (IF APPLICABLE): To be determined by the
respective instructor.
VIII. METHODS OF EVALUATION (INCLUDING THE CALCULATION OF COURSE
GRADE): To be determined by the respective instructor. The methods of evaluation shall
include tests (test types, length and weight of each), papers (weight of each), projects (weight of
each), and other forms of evaluation (weight of each).
IX. GRADING SCALE: To be determined by the respective instructor. The grading scale shall
indicate what numerical scores correspond to the following grades: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-,
D+, D, and F.
Please Include: If you have, or suspect you may have, any type of disability or learning problem
that may require extra assistance or special accommodations, please speak to me privately after
class or during my office hours as soon as possible so I can help you obtain any assistance you
may need to successfully complete this course. You should also contact Laurie Bethka, Room
420M in the Academic Assistance Center, for further assistance.
X. GENERAL TOPICS OUTLINE:
1. Introduction to the Study of Life
2. What is Science?
3. Chemistry
4. Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry
5. Cells
6. Membranes
7. Energy and Enzymes
8. Photosynthesis
9. Cellular Respiration
10. Mitosis
11. Cancer
12. Meiosis
13. Cell Communication
14. Genetics
15. Human Genetics
16. DNA
17. Protein Synthesis: Transcription and Translation
18. Control of Gene Expression
19. Biotechnology
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XI. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Academic honesty is expected of all Clinton Community
College students. It is academically dishonest, for example, to misrepresent another person’s
work as one’s own, to take credit for someone else’s work or ideas, to accept help on a test, to
obtain advanced information on confidential test materials, or to intentionally harm another
student’s chances for academic success.
XII. COURSE CONTINUITY PLAN: In the case that the college officially closes because of
an emergency which causes a short term disruption of this course, we will utilize e-mail to
continue this course in the short term (1-3 weeks). All students need to utilize their campus email to receive course related information.
XIII. TECHNOLOGY STATEMENT: A CCC student should expect that any class may
require some course activity that uses a computer and the internet. Activities could include but
are not limited to accessing the course syllabus, schedule, or other handouts on a website,
completing homework online, taking quizzes or submitting written work, participating in a
discussion or sending/receiving email.
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