Madisonville Community College
Syllabus
Fall 2007
COURSE:
CREDIT:
Introduction to Biology
Bio 112 -7501
Monday and Wednesdays
11:00-12:15 AM
JCD 009
3 credit hours
INSTRUCTOR:
Sharon J. Fugate
TELEPHONE:
(270) 821-4250 home
office 824-1832
STUDENT CODE: The Student Code of Conduct is located at www.kctcs.edu/student/code.htm and
contains information about academic rights, academic offenses, and the process for student’s appeal.
TEXTBOOK:
Inquiry Into Life, 12th edition. Sylvia Mader, 2008.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introductory biology: Discussion topics are those relevant to both
plants and animals. Cell structure and function, molecules important
to living things, metabolism, heredity, ecology, plants, animals and their
various systems.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, the student should have a basic understanding of the various topics in biology including cell structure and function,
mitosis, meiosis, heredity, ecology, plants, animals, and their various
systems.
GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES:
All courses which fulfill General Education requirements are required to
contain the following competencies:
I) Communicate Effectively
1. Read and listen with comprehension.
2. Speak and write clearly using standard English.
Writing according to Writing Rules V. 2.33
3. Interact cooperatively with others using verbal means.
4. Demonstrate information processing through basic computer skills.
Assessments: Tests – Essay questions, 2 article assignments (read and summarize), panel discussion,
homework assignments and project or paper.
II) Think Critically
1. Make connections in learning across the disciplines and draw logical conclusions.
2. Demonstrate problem solving through interpreting, analyzing, summarizing, and/or integrating
a variety of materials
Assessments: Tests- Essay questions, 2 article assignments, panel discussion, homework assignments, and
project or paper.
III). Learn Independently
1. Use appropriate search strategies and resources to find, evaluate, and use information.
2. Make choices based upon based upon awareness of ethics and differing perspectives/ideas.
3. Apply learning in academic, personal, and public situations.
4. Think creatively to develop new ideas, processes, or products.
Assessments: Tests – Essay questions, 2 article assignments, homework assignments, biology ethical
discussion panels and project or paper.
IV). Examine Relationships in Diverse and Complex Environments
1. Recognize the relationship of the individual to human heritage and culture.
2. Demonstrate an awareness of the relationship of the individual to the biological and
physical environment.
3. Develop an awareness of self as an individual member of a multicultural global community.
Assessments: discussion panels and forum
ATTENDANCE POLICY: It is expected that students will attend all regularly scheduled classroom
activities. Attendance is important to learning the material. Examinations
cannot be made up unless the excuse for the absence is valid (illness, death in
family).
If a student must miss a test it is the responsibility of that student to inform
the instructor as soon as possible ahead of time to arrange to take the test at
an earlier or later date. If a student is not able to make prior arrangements for
taking a missed test, then it is the student’s responsibility to see me as soon as
possible about taking the test.
Missed work due to unexcused excessive absences cannot be made up at the
end of the semester.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY: A student, at his or her discretion, may officially withdraw from the course
up until midterm and receive a grade of “W”. After midterm; however, if a
student wishes to be able to withdraw and receive a grade of a “W”, he or she
may do so only if a valid reason, known to the administration, is provided
and after the individual confers and discusses the circumstances with the
instructor.
TESTING/
EXAMINATION/
QUIZ POLICY:
Approximately four (4) unit exams will be given during the semester. Each
exam will be worth 100 points. The final examination will be comprehensive
with emphasis on questions asked on previous examinations. Test questions
may be administered in the form of multiple choice, matching, short answer,
fill in the blank, definition, diagrams, true/false, essay and discussion.
Unannounced quizzes may also be expected. Assignments dealing with
course material may be given as a part of regular course work. Assignments
that are counted as part of the grade are: reading and writing a paragraph
summary for two (2) biological articles (25 points each); 50 points for class
participation on panels of ethical issues, and 100 points for project, narrative
or short term paper. The short term paper is to be three (3) typed pages or
five (5) hand-written pages and an additional reference page is required.
CHEATING AND
PLAGIARISM:
Cheating and plagiarism will be not tolerated in any form. If a student is
caught, he or she will receive a failing grade for the class. Additional
punishment may be enforced by the college.
GRADING SCALE:
The grading scale is on a 10% scale as follows:
90 – 100
80 – 89
70 – 79
60 – 69
Below 60
A
B
C
D
E
GRADE
DETERMINATION:
Total points earned divided by the total possible points = %. Scores from
exams, quizzes, assignments, projects, article summaries, panel discussion,
and the final exam are added together to obtain the total points earned.
METHODS OF
INSTRUCTION:
Lecture, demonstration, supplemented by occasional use of audiovisual aids.
Student participation in class discussion is encouraged and recommended.
Handouts and outlines may be presented along with activities relevant to the
lecture topic.
ADA REQUIREMENT: If you have a documented
disability and need any type of
accommodation, you may register with
Valerie Wolfe, Disability Resource
Coordinator, Room 112 LRC, 270-8241708.
SNOW SCHEDULE:
If class is cancelled by college due to inclement weather, students will still be
expected to cover material in the textbook that was scheduled for that class
meeting.
OFFICE HOURS:
Office hours are Monday 1:00-3:00 PM; Wednesday 8:00-11:00 AM.
On Friday by appointment. Office number JCD 113.
Assignments must be turned in on a timely fashion. No assignments will be
accepted later than the final exam date.
.
BIOLOGY 112 Fall 2007 SCHEDULE
DATE
TOPIC
CHAPTER(S)
08/20
08/22
08/27
08/29
The Study of Life
The Molecules of Cells
No Class – Holiday – Labor Day
The Molecules of Cells
09/03
09/05
09/10
No Class – Labor Day
Cell Structure and Function
Membrane Structure and Function
09/12
09/17
09/19
EXAM #1
Cell Division
Patterns of Inheritance
5
23
09/24
Genetic Counseling
26
09/26
10/01
Control of Gene Expression and Cancer
DNA Biology and Technology
25
24
10/03
10/08-10/12
10/15
EXAM # 2
No Class – Fall Break
Metabolism, Energy, and Enzymes
6
10/17
10/22
Cellular Respiration
Cellular Respiration
7
7
10/24
Photosynthesis
8
10/29
10/31
EXAM # 3
Microbiology
28
11/05
11/07
Plants
Animals
29
30
11/12
11/14
Animals
Animals
31
31
11/19
11/21
EXAM # 4
Animal Behavior
Evolution of Life
32
27
11/26
11/28
Population Growth and Regulation
Nature of Ecosystems
33
34
12/03
12/05
12/10
Biosphere
Environmental Concerns
FINAL EXAM
35
36
1
2
3
4