Heartland Community College
Math/Science Division
Student Syllabus for BIOL 114-09
Contemporary Biology
Spring 2011
Meeting times:
 Tuesday & Thursday from 6:30 pm – 8:50 pm [ICB 1405]
Catalog Description:
Prerequisite: MATH 087 with a C or better or assessment
BIOL 114 will introduce students to a broad range of biological principles, including organization,
structure and function, heredity, evolution, and ecology. Students will demonstrate how their
knowledge in biology is relevant to them, their community, and their world. Students will use
scientific evidence as the basis for their arguments. Students will improve their skills in relaying
biological information to peers and to the college. In addition, students will leave with a better
understanding of scientific views that differ from their own. The laboratory component will emphasize
scientific inquiry and use of knowledge in problem solving. This course is intended for students who
are not pursuing a science career.
Instructor Information:
Instructor: Aaron Tomlinson * Email: (aaron.tomlinson@heartland.edu) Put Biol 114-09 in the
subject
 Office hours: By appointment &/or before or after class.
 Departmental Mailbox: Located in the Math/Science Department offices. Go to ICB 2400. Enter
the glass doors, and Politely ask the secretary to place whatever into my mailbox. Also include my
Last Name on anything handed in at the office.
 Math/Science phone number: 268—8640
Required Materials:
 Starr, C., Evers, C.A., & Starr, L. (2010). Biology Today and Tomorrow with Physiology (3rd ed.).
Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
 Jongky, T., & Wallace, E. BIOL 114 Laboratory Manual.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
BIOL 114 fulfills 4 of the semester hours of credit in Life and Physical Science required for the A.A.
or A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum
described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities participating in
the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer information regarding
particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page for information as well at www.itransfer.org
Course Learning Outcomes:
1.
Students hypothesize, experiment, gather data, and formulate conclusions.
2.
Students question validity of results and conclusions that are presented in lab, newspapers,
magazines, TV, or radio.
3.
Students relate concepts (in cellular, organismal, and biodiversity) to their daily life and to the
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world around them.
Students synthesize information from various sources to produce a product.
Students demonstrate responsibility for the community and global, ecological environment.
Students improve independent learning skills.
HCC General Education Learning Outcomes:
Because BIOL 114 is part of HCC’s General Education Program, assessments done to assess the
course learning outcomes will measure also the following four General Education Outcomes:
1.
CT 1: Students gather knowledge, apply it to a new situation, and draw reasonable
conclusions in ways that demonstrate understanding.
2.
CT 3: Students generate an answer, approach, or solution through an effective synthesis of
diverse sources and arguments and provide a rationale.
3.
CO 2: Students effectively deliver a message via various channels/modalities.
4.
DI 1: Students are receptive to beliefs and values that differ from their own.
Method of Evaluation
The final grade will be based on the following grading scale:
 The Lecture component consists of 80% of the total Biol. 114-09 grade. The Lab component
consists of 20% of the total Biol. 114-09 grade.
1. To calculate your classroom percentage:
Your Points in lecture / Possible Points in lecture = 0._____ x 80 =
2. To calculate your lab percentage:
Your Points in lab / Possible Points in lab = 0._____ x 20 =
3. To calculate your TOTAL class percentage: add the two above answers
Total Biol. 114-09 class percentage:
90 % or higher = A
80 % or higher = B
1.
70 % or higher = C
60 % or higher = D
59 % and below = F
Lecture Portion Components of final class grade:
6 Exams Anticipated.
 Each exam will be worth 50 points. (multiple choice). (300 pt. total)
 The instructor reserves the right to include on any exam(s) Matching, Fill in the blank, Short
answer, &/or Essay questions. Some exams may have take home components.
 Students may substitute an optional comprehensive in-class final exam for an exam missed
due to absence or if he or she wishes to replace a low exam grade.
Tips on studying for exams:
 After every class period, go over your notes for 15-30 min. to make sure that you understand
everything. Don’t simply memorize but try to recognize the importance of the concept. If you
don’t understand something, ask the instructor the next class period, e-mail the instructor, or
set up a meeting with the instructor.
 Read the corresponding pages in the textbook to reinforce your understanding.
 NEVER study for the entire exam the night before! We will cover too much information for
the student to study the night before an exam.
 Academic Support Services can set up a tutor, if necessary.
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2.
1 Quiz on Patterns of Inheritance (Ch. 9) worth 30 pt.
3.
3 assignments:
Journal article summaries. (20 pt. each). The assignment will include finding a scientific article
(include copy of article) and typing a 1½ to 2 page, double-spaced summary of a biological
article. Summary due dates are listed on the course schedule. Articles must come from a
published magazine or journal. No web pages, newspapers, pamphlets, etc… If you have any
doubts just ask. Journal article summaries due dates will not change.
6 Exams @ 50 pt. each:
1 Quiz @ 20 pt. each:
Movie Assignment:
4 Journal Reviews @ 20 pt. each:
Total Lecture Points:
300 pt.
030 pt.
010 pt.
080 pt.
420 pt.*
*Additional assignments &/or points possible.
1.
Lab Portion Components of final class grade:
Lab exercises and activities are to be completed during class time. Some portions of some lab
exercises may require that the student complete the exercise outside of class. There are 18 lab
exercises worth 10 pt. each. The lowest lab score will be dropped. No lab make-ups allowed.
 18 Lab Exercises @ 10 pt. each (1 lab is dropped):
170 pt.
Participation/Attendance
1. The student is responsible for attending all classes and participating in the activities each class day.
2. Though attendance will not be taken formally, and participation points are not given formally, both
attendance and participation may be considered when calculating the final grade. Students are
responsible for any missed class material.
Make-up policies
1.
The following policies concern making up exams.
a. If a student is unable to take an exam on the appropriate day, the student is responsible for
contacting the instructor on that day (or as soon as possible if circumstances are extreme) to
arrange for another time to obtain the exam from the instructor. The student must make-up the
exam within the amount of time specified by the instructor (usually 48 hours after exam is
given out). The student will receive 90 % of the grade obtained on the exam.
b. If by chance the same student is unable to take a second exam on the appropriate day, the
student is responsible again for contacting the instructor on that day (or as soon as possible if
circumstances are extreme) to arrange for another time to obtain the exam. With a second
make-up opportunity, the student will receive 80 % of the grade obtained on the exam. Each
subsequent missed exam also receives a penalty of increasing severity.
c. Students may substitute an optional comprehensive in-class final exam for an exam missed
due to absence. A student may also opt to take the comprehensive final if he or she wishes to
replace a low exam grade.
d. Take Home Exams will not be given out early. The exact exam dates will most likely change
during the semester, so regular attendance is important.
2.
There will be assignments (such as lab questions, lab project, or any other miscellaneous
assignments) that must be done outside of class and need to be handed in on a certain date. You
must hand these assignments in at the beginning of class to receive full credit. The student is
responsible for handing in all pertinent parts of the assignment. No late work will be accepted.
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ANY ASSIGNMENT OR HOMEWORK CAN BE HANDED IN EARLY (EITHER TO
INSTRUCTOR OR TO THE ICB 2400 SECRETARY) TO AVOID MISSING POINTS.
Incomplete Grade
An Incomplete grade may be justified to a student if the student encounters extreme circumstances
(e.g., serious illness, accident, death or serious illness in the immediate family) toward the end of the
semester and is unable to complete the semester. The student must be in a position to pass the class if
the Incomplete is given. The student must sign a form requiring him/her to finish the class by next
semester.
Deadlines
The deadlines are discussed under the make-up policies section.
1.
2.
ABSOLUTELY NOT ALLOWED IN CLASS
NO Food and drinks (especially during some lab exercises).
NO Cell phones or pagers that ring. The ringing and your answering such devices disrupt class. If
there is a reason to take calls during class, let the instructor know.
Required Writing and Reading
The student will read the textbook, articles, and possible case studies. The student will write
summaries for articles and possible projects and/or portfolio, and students will write answers for
various worksheets and lab questions.
Important Date
Last day to drop and receive a refund: January 24.
Last day to withdraw and receive a W grade: April 7.
SYLLABUS DISCLAIMER:
The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments to this syllabus and/or schedule as needed.
Dates in schedule are TENTATIVE. Activities, lecture topics, exams, and assignments may be added
or deleted. During class (usually at the beginning) students will be notified in the event any such
changes are made. If absent from class, it is the students responsibility to contact a classmate, or the
instructor, about any changes.
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