BIOL 116
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GENES: THE FOUNDATIONS OF LIFE (Lecture only)
Course Syllabus Spring 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
01, 02, 03 or 04. Check with the instructor for the other sections’ scheduled
activities.
Section 01 TR
9:30am-10:45
ICB 1302
Section 02 MWF
10:00am-10:50
ICB 1302
Section 03 TR
2:00pm-3:15
ICB 2707
Section 04 M
5:00pm-7:50
ICB 1302
Instructor: Stacie Chismark
 Phone: (309) 268-8644
 Office: ICB 2406 (in the hall behind the ICB 2400 glass doors)
 BIOL 116 Website: http://www.heartland.edu/staff/StacieC/BIOL116.htm
OR there also are routes from the HCC homepage:
1) Access the HCC main website http://www.heartland.edu and
click on Employees – Stacie R. Chismark – BIOL 116
2) Or access the HCC main website http://www.heartland.edu and
click on Academic Departments – Biology- BIOL 116 – Fall 2006.
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.
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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.
FOUR 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.
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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 any other section this instructor teaches,
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 in writing if they wish to take a makeup.
 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. of one missed quiz can be made up by
turning in the completed Self-Test(s) before the ‘exam’. Incomplete Self-Tests 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: 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. If a student misses one of these lecture periods, 100%
of the project grade will be deducted. Other than attending a different BIOL 116 section,
there are no make-ups for missing the debate sessions.
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.
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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
Grading scale:
315-350 pt.
280-314 pt.
245-279 pt.
210-244 pt.
0-209 pt.
A
B
C
D
F
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Exam 4
HGP
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Total:
Total Points Possible
300
30
20p
350pt.
Drop lowest exam score.
1-3
Total the remaining.
Divide by 350.
/ 350=
Services and Support
Important! Click here for HCC Computer lab (located in the library area) Printing instructions.
IMPORTANT! \\Web\WWWROOT\Heartland\Staff\StacieC\Printing.htm
The Academic Support Center Computer Lab: general info
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/computerlab.html
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.
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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.
Week 1 – Jan. 17-20
Syllabus/Website/Lecture Guides/Self-Tests/Online readings
Lecture Guide: Strong Inference -The Way of Science
Possibly Begin Lecture Guide: The Cell
Week 2 – Jan. 23-27
Lecture Guide: The Cell
Note: Section 04, Mon.
5:00p.m. -7:50pm. Lecture
topics may have to be
adjusted.
Week 3 – Jan. 30-Feb. 3
Lecture Guide: The Cell
Lecture Guide: Structure of DNA
Week 4 – Feb. 6-10
Lecture Guide: Functions of DNA
Week 5 – Feb. 13-17
Exam 1 (Strong Inference The Way of Science, The Cell, Structure of DNA,
Functions of DNA)
Week 6 – Feb. 20-24
Human Genome-Introductory lecture
Human Genome Project Debate Preparation
Week 7 – Feb. 27-Mar. 3
Human Genome Project Debate
Lecture Guide: DNA Typing: Introduction and Procedures
Week 8 – Mar. 6-10
Lecture Guide: DNA Typing: Introduction and Procedures
Quiz 1
March 13-17: No ClassesMidterm Break
Week 9 – Mar. 20-24
Quiz 2
Exam 2 (Human Genome and related projects, DNA Typing: Introduction and
Procedures)
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Week 10 – Mar. 27-31
Lecture Guide: Interpreting DNA Typing Data
Lecture Guide: DNA Typing Applications
Lecture Guide: Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction
Week 11 – April 3-7
Lecture Guide: Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction
Lecture Guide: Complex Traits
Lecture Guide: Genetics and Race
Week 12 – April 10-14
Lecture Guide: Genetics and Race
Week 13 – April 17-21
Exam 3 (Interpreting DNA Typing Data, DNA Typing Applications, Meiosis &
Sexual Reproduction, Complex Traits, Genetics and Race)
Lecture Guide: Genetics of Sex
Week 14 – April 24-28
Lecture Guide: Genetics of Sex
Week 15 – May 1-5
Lecture Guide: Genetic Engineering
Lecture Guide: Gene Therapy
Week 16 – May 8-11
Lecture Guide: Cloning
Exam 4 (Genetics of Sex, Genetic Engineering, Gene Therapy, Cloning)
Final exam dates/times:
BIOL 116-01 Thurs. May 18, 8:00am
BIOL 116-02 Wed. May 17, 10:00am
BIOL 116-03 Tue. May 16, 2:00pm
BIOL 116-04 Monday, May 15, 5:00pm
SYLLABUS DISCLAIMER
This syllabus is subject to change. It is your responsibility to attend lectures or, if absent,
communicate with student contacts or the instructor for any verbal or written changes.
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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 Schedules 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
4.
Lecture Guides, Self-Tests, Online Readings & Questions
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.
Policies Concerning the Comprehensive Final Exam
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