FINLANDIA UNIVERSITY
BIO 111 Concepts in Biology
4 Credits
PLEASE NOTE: The Guidelines/Standards of the Michigan State Board of Education that are met in
this course are listed under course objectives.
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
Professor:
Office:
Phone:
email:
Office Hours:
Prerequisites:
Course Meeting Times:
Dr. Jason K. Oyadomari; Dr. Judith W. Budd
Wargelin 200; Mannerheim 411
487-7522; 487-7243
jason.oyadomari@finlandia.edu, judith.budd@finlandia.edu
T 12:00-3:30, W and F 1:30-3:30, Th 12:30-3:30, or by appointment
None
Lecture/Recitation: MWF 11:15-12:10 a.m. W203
Lab: M 2:30-4:30 p.m. W203
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will assist students in developing an appreciation of modern biology. Biology is a
life science. It applies observation, description, and experimentation to promote a better
understanding of living things, and their association with the non-living world. As a science,
an important aspect is the development of theories to explain observed biological phenomena.
Thus we have theories relating to the origin of life, evolution of all living things, and the
mechanisms of inheritance, among others. The goal is to introduce the student to what the
scientist does by the practice of science itself-- to test the scientific method by devising
experimental situations, asking questions that have not been answered, and to generate ideas
and test them in various activities.
This course is designed to meet the needs of students enrolled in a general biology course,
and to provide a basis for understanding related problems that are of value to the major and
non-major. The course focuses on concepts and communicates the scientific process in
understanding the major themes of modern biology, beginning with basic life characteristics,
inheritance, and evolution, with an emphasis on cell biology.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
General objectives relating to Finlandia University’s learning outcomes:
• Understands and expresses biology concepts and vocabulary in oral and written formats. Read,
•
write, and talk about biology concepts using the appropriate language (Communication).
Interprets data and information and makes reasonable inferences about biology concepts and
problems. Analyze and explain biology concepts that affect everyday activities (Analytical
Thinking).
BIO 111 Concepts in Biology Page 1
•
Identifies and applies appropriate problem solving methods to define and solve biology problems.
(Creative and Critical Thinking).
Course specific objectives: Students who complete this course you should be able to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Develop a concept of the nature of scientific inquiry and distinguish it from non-scientific
approaches. (not explicitly addressed in standards/guidelines)
Describe the characteristics of typical living things. (Content Guidelines/Standards
Matrix 1.1.1, 1.3.2)
Explain what is meant by the term diversity and speculate what causes the great diversity
of life forms on earth. (CG/SM 1.3.2, 1.3.5)
Describe the organelles associated with eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and locate each
in electron micrographs in their texts and lab manuals. (CG/SM 1.1.2, 1.1.3)
Know various intrinsic structures of atoms, chemical bonds associated with molecules
forming compounds. (CG/SM 1.8.1.1, 1.8.1.6)
Compare and contrast the macromolecules, carbohydrates, liquids, proteins, and nucleic
acid by stating their biological importance, function, and identifying subunits. (CG/SM
1.3.4, 1.6.3.)
Distinguish between forces that cause water and solutes to move across membranes
passively and against concentration gradients. (CG/SM 1.1.3)
Distinguish how cells acquire and release energy. (CG/SM 1.2.6, 1.2.7)
Scrutinize the figures of mitosis and meiosis in the text and manual and compare each as
to what was achieved in the various phases. (CG/SM 1.1.5)
Successfully perform mono-hybrid and di-hybrid crosses, by constructing a punnet square
to demonstrate various ratios. (CG/SM 1.3.1)
Name some ordinary and extraordinary chromosomal events that create new phenotypes.
(CG/SM 1.6.1, 1.6.2)
List the particular contributions resulting from the Genome Project. (CG/SM 1.2.5, 1.3.4,
1.6.2)
COURSE MATERIALS
•
•
•
•
Biology: the Unity and Diversity of Life, 9th Edition, Text by Starr and Taggart.
Laboratory Manual for Starr/Taggart’s Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life James W.
Perry, David Morton, Joy B. Perry.
Study Guide for Text (optional).
Supplementary readings, additional resources, and general references are available in the
Lab or from the professor.
BIO 111 Concepts in Biology Page 2
GENERAL INFORMATION
Class Meeting Times: The course will meet three times/week (MWF 11:15-12:10) for
discussion and problem solving sessions. There will be one three-hour laboratory session per
week (M 2:30-4:30). Attendance is mandatory.
Exams and Quizzes: Hourly exams and quizzes, in addition to a final, will be given during the
semester. Make-up exams will be allowed only for medical reasons. Quizzes may be
scheduled in advance or unannounced. No make-up quizzes will be given. Students missing an
exam or quiz will receive a grade of zero. If you will be traveling on college-sponsored events
and know you will miss class, you should see the professor before you leave to make
arrangements to make up your work and/or assignments.
Academic Honesty: While you are encouraged to discuss your problems/laboratory results
with your classmates and/or the teacher, you should write your own responses and not copy
another’s answers. Expressing a concept in your own words will help you to better understand
the concept. Copying another's work is considered cheating; so is making up lab data. You
should always report what you observe, even if it is unexpected.
Cooperation is encouraged during the laboratory and study sessions, but is not acceptable
during tests or quizzes. Anyone caught looking at another test or quiz, or at a cheat sheet
will get a zero for that paper. A second offense will result in a grade of F for the course.
Disability-related Accommodations or Services: If you have need for disability-related
accommodations or services, please inform your professor. Reasonable and effective
accommodations and services will be provided to students if requests are made in a timely
manner with appropriate documentation and in accordance with federal, state, and University
guidelines.
GRADING POLICY
Your final grade will be 75% determined by your class grade and 25% by your laboratory
grade. Your class grade will be based upon your test and quiz scores, homework and
participation in class discussions. In the laboratory, you will be graded on your technique, as
well as the completeness and accuracy of your lab reports.
Final grades will be assigned as follows:
100-94A
93-90 A82-80 B79-77 C+
69-67 D+
66-63 D
89-86 B+
76-73 C
62-60 D-
85-83 B
72-70 C<60
F
BIO 111 Concepts in Biology Page 3
COURSE SCHEDULE (subject to change depending on students’ progress):
In a semester course, the completion of all of the following units may be beyond the scope
for all students to complete. Please review carefully those that require mastery for the
satisfactory completion of the course. Some units may become optional to interested
students.
Jan. 14-16
Jan. 19-23
Jan. 26-30
Jan. 27-31
Feb. 2-6
Feb. 9-13
Feb. 16-20
Feb. 23-27
Mar. 1-5
Mar. 8-12
Mar. 15-19
Mar. 22-26
Mar. 29–Apr. 2
Apr. 5-9
Apr. 12-16
Apr. 19-23
April 26-30
Introductions, Ch. 1 - Concepts and Methodology in Biology
finish Ch. 1, begin Ch. 2 - Chemical Foundations of Cells
Ch. 3 – Carbon Compounds in Cells
Ch. 4 – Cell Structure and Function
Laskiainen Day, Ch. 5 - Cell Membranes
Ch. 6 – Ground Rules of Metabolism
Ch. 7 – How Cells Acquire Energy
Finish Ch. 7, Ch. 8 – How Cells Release Stored Energy
Spring Break
Finish Ch. 8
Ch. 9 - Cell Division and Mitosis
Ch. 10 – Meiosis
Ch. 11 - Observable Patterns of Inheritance
Finish Ch.11 Good Friday Break at 12:30
Ch. 12 - Chromosomes and Human Genetics,
Ch. 13 - DNA Structure and Function
Final Exam Week
LAB:
Laboratory attendance is mandatory. Prepare for labs in advance by reading over the
experiment. Observations and data should be recorded on your data sheet while completing
the experiment. Answer the questions after completing the activity. Lab reports will be
collected regularly. There will be no lab make-ups.
Laboratory safety is an important factor in all lab situations. You must obey all safety rules
and follow all instructions regarding the handling and disposal of chemicals. If you are unsure
about the safety of any procedure, ask!
Laboratory Schedule
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 6
Week 4
The Scientific Method
Measurement
Microscopy
Structure and Function of Living Cells
Homeostasis
BIO 111 Concepts in Biology Page 4
Week 7
Week 5
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Diffusion, Osmosis, and the Functional Significance of Biological
Membranes
Macromolecules and You: Food and Diet Analysis
Enzymes: Catalysts of Life
Photosynthesis: Capture of Light Energy
Respiration: Energy Conversion
Mitosis and Cytokinesis: Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Division
Meiosis: Basis of Sexual reproduction
Heredity
BIO 111 Concepts in Biology Page 5