HEARTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Math/Science Division
Student Syllabus for BIOL 114
Contemporary Biology
SPRING SEMESTER 2010
Meeting time: Biol 114-05: Monday & Wednesday
1:30 PM - 3:50 PM
Biol 114-07: Monday & Wednesday
4:00 PM – 6:20PM
Catalog Description:
An introduction to biological principles, including organization, function,
heredity, evolution, and ecology, with emphasis on the importance of
Biology to the individual and society. The laboratory component will
emphasize scientific inquiry and use of knowledge in problem solving. This
course is not intended for students planning science major, nor will it fulfill
the prerequisite for BIOL 181 or BIOL 191. Students will not receive
science credit toward their graduation for both BIOL 114 and BIOL 161.
Instructor information:
David Bowman, Adjunct faculty
Office: 2402
Cell Phone: 217 620 6001
Division Office Phone: 309 268 8640
e-mail: david.bowman@heartland.edu
Office hours: 12:30 – 1:20 PM Monday & Wednesday
If these times are not convenient for you, we can arrange for
another time.
Lab Assistant:
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Starr, C. Biology Today and Tomorrow. 2nd ed.
Belmont, Ca: Thomson Learning, Inc., 2007.
Jongky, T., and E. Wallace. Biol 114 Laboratory Manual
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
This course counts as a four credit lab science course for partial completion
of the IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) requirements for either the A.A or
A.S Degree. However, it may not count toward a major in Biology.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Determine how the scientific method is used to solve everyday problems
as well as scientific research problems.
2. Differentiate between the importance of mitosis and meiosis.
3. Solve genetic problems.
4. Identify DNA structure and function.
5. Outline how major body systems work, including reproductive,
circulatory, digestive, nervous and skeletal.
6. Differentiate between mechanisms of microevolution and
macroevolution.
7. Describe biodiversity, including bacteria, fungi, protests, animals, and
plants.
8. Relate how all living things are interconnected with each other.
9. Apply all information learned to medical, environmental, or bioethical
issues.
10. Apply research skills and data collection techniques to complete
laboratory exercises.
11. Criticize scientific articles and news for content and scientific validity.
12. Formulate a hypothesis, devise a procedure, test the hypothesis, record
results, draw conclusions, and present then in a written report.
METHOD OF EVALUATION:
The final grade will be based on the total number of points earned.
Components of final grade:
1, Quizzes (Tests) (about every three/four weeks)
2. Cumulative final exam
3. Biological news journals
4. Class assignments (homework, projects)
5. Lab exercises and projects
Grading scale: 91%-100%
81%-90%
71%-80%
61%-70%
Below 61%
A
B
C
D
F
Make-up/Late work policies:
1. No late work will be accepted.
2. No make-up (including tests) will be allowed.
If a student has to miss class for a legitimate reason (such as
documented illness, documented accident, family emergency,
court, military duties, and weather conditions), he/she will be
allowed to make up the work if the student notifies me before class,
not after class. Claiming to be too sick to notify me will not be
accepted. Vacations are not a legitimate reason to miss class.
If a student is allowed to make up a test, the test will be placed
in the test center. The test must be completed before the next
class meeting. If this can not be done, I must be notified!
david.bowman@heartland.edu
cell 217 620 6001
division office 309 268 8640
If proper notification is not given, a zero (0) will be given!
3. The student will complete most labs before leaving class. If a lab
assignment has to be finished outside of class, the lab assignment is
due the next class meeting. Make sure you turn in the entire lab. If
you fail to turn in the entire lab, you will be graded on what was
turned in.
4. Biological news articles are due every Wednesday.
5. In order to receive credit for any in-class, non-lab assignment,
The student must be present in class on the date the assignment
is done. There will be no make-ups!!
Incomplete Grade:
An incomplete grade may be justified for a student if the student encounters
extreme circumstances towards 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.
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions:
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled
Class Meetings on the opening page of the My Heartland portal. Log in to
My Heartland using your Heartland username an ID number to learn what
classes have been cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to
check the last column, which might contain message from the instructor.
Required writing and reading:
Students must read the assignments before class to prepare for the classroom
activities that will be taking place. The students will write about biological
news, answer questions on labs/test and will write at least two projects.
Academic integrity:
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When
you write a paper, create an project, do a presentation or create anything
original, it is assumed that all the work is your own except for that which is
attribute to another person. Plagiarism is considered a serious academic
offense and may take the following forms:
Copying word-for-word from another source and not given source credit.
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving source credit.
Using an image or a copy of an image with giving source credit.
Paraphrasing other thoughts.
Receiving excessive help/using another’s project or paper.
[Adapted from the Modern Language Association’s MLA Handbook for
Writers of Research Papers. New York: MLA, 1995:26]
The penalties for plagiarism may range from failure for that piece of work,
failure of course or expulsion from school in very extreme cases.
Services within the Academic Support Center (inside Student Commons
Building) http://www.heartland.edu/asc/index.html
1. The library, located in the Students Commons Building at the Raab Road
Campus, provides Heartland students with a full range of resources
including books, online journal databases, videos, newspapers,
periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are available to
assist in locating information.
For more information call the library 309 268 8200/ 309 268 8292
http://www.heartland.edu/LIBRARY/index.html
2. Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at no cost
to the student at the Academic Support Center (ASC) in Normal and at
the Pontiac and Lincoln Centers. Tutors are available at convenient times
throughout the week. Study groups, group tutoring facilitated by a
specially-trained tutor, are also available by request. For more
information about services available at each location, call
ASC in Normal 309 268 8230; Pontiac Center 815 842 6777; the
Lincoln Center 217 735 1731
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/tutor.html
3. The Testing Center provides a quiet place for student to complete
make-up exams, online exams, and exams for students with special
accommodations. Students may be able to complete exams in the
Testing Center if arrangements are made with their instructor. For
more information, contact the Test Center at 309 268 8230.
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/testing.html
4. A computer lab is available for student use.
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/computerlab.html
Disability Support Services:
If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic
accommodation, contact Anita Moore at 309 268 8249 or
anita.moore@heartland.edu.
What is excepted of the student:
1. Be in class and on time. Attendance will be taken.
2. If you are absent 6 or more times (that equals a month of classes)
you may be in danger of being dropped from the class.
3. If you can’t be class because of illness/family situations,
you need to notify me before class so these don’t count against
you.
If you are ill, I don’t want you in class making everyone ill.
If the winter driving condition are bad and classes have not been
canceled, use your best judgment about driving. I would rather have
you safe and warm at home instead in a ditch or worst.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Have the appropriate materials read and ready.
Take an active part in class discussion.
Take notes on lecture material.
Be prepared for test.
Take tests and hand in assignments on time.
9. Labs will be turned in before you leave class.
Other information:
1. Water is the only beverage allowed in classroom. Water if spilled is
easier to clean up than pop or other drinks.
2. No food is allowed in the classroom.
3. All materials used during lab will be put away properly and lab area
cleaned.
4. All pagers and cell phones must be turned off before entering classroom.
5. No headphones will be allowed in the classroom.
6. Laptops are to be used for Biology 114 class and lab activities only. No
checking e-mail, writing papers, or browsing websites other than
those necessary for obtaining Biology 114 information will be allowed.
Act like young ladies and gentlemen and everything will be fine. Hope you
enjoy the class.