BIOLOGY 1010
General Biology (BIO 1010) is a four credit Biological Science course developed for non-science majors.
The course consists of a lecture component (three hours each week) and a laboratory session (three hours
each week). The time commitment on your part, therefore, is the same as if you had enrolled in TWO three
credit courses. At the end of the semester, you'll receive one grade based on your performance in both
lecture and laboratory.
Please read through the following basic information about the course and don't hesitate to contact me if I can
provide any additional information of if you just want to "reach out and touch" someone.
Best wishes,
Dr. M. Bres
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BIO 1010
BIO 1010 will give you an overview of the major areas of science that you must understand to become a
functioning citizen of today's technological world.
Students of introductory biology courses often feel that biology has no relevance to their own lives. One of
the goals of this course is to show them that the opposite is true. Human beings are biological organisms.
We depend on other biological organisms for a place to live, the air we breathe, and the food we eat. It is
important, therefore, for you to have a working knowledge of the environment and the various life forms
that share it with them. You'll also learn details of anatomy and physiology that will be important later, as
you deal with health problems that affect you and your family.
The skills of science can greatly benefit your life. Science and good thinking go hand in hand. The
scientific method can be viewed as a way of using critical and creative thinking to learn about the world.
These same thinking skills are important to the study of all subject areas. Developing your skills in this
course should also enhance your success in other courses.
As this class progresses, you'll gain confidence and expertise in logical thinking, the ability to work with
others, analyzing what you learn, and communicating your ideas to others. All of these are skills highly
sought after in today's competitive employment marketplace.
2
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of BIO 1010, you'll be able to:

apply the fundamental principles of ecology to real-world situations, including transfer of energy
and cycling of materials through ecosystems

list and explain factors that impact human population growth and evaluate the impacts of human
population dynamics on ecosystems

explain how various human activities affect the global and local environments

demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry by application to nutrition and other
functions within the human body

demonstrate detailed knowledge of the working of each body system explored during the course, as
specific in the course instructional objectives

demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between structure and function within each body
system and during system interactions by evaluating the relationships between organ functions and
health problems

apply genetic principles to problems related to inheritance, genetic diseases, and current issues in
molecular biology

use the scientific method to solve problems
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
For success in the lecture portion of this course:

BEFORE we go over the material in class, complete the assigned readings in the textbook.

WHILE we are going over the material in class, fill in all the blanks in the Bio 101 study guide
(Human Biology: Condensed) and take comprehensive notes on three-hole punched paper.

REVIEW all the above assigned materials and rewrite your notes in your own words, after we have
covered each topic in class.

INSERT your rewritten notes into the appropriate location in the BIO 101 study guide. When
preparing for an exam, concentrate on the information in the study guide and your class notes.

GET HELP! The Blackboard classroom has links that provide additional help with all of the main
course concepts. If you have trouble with something you read in the textbook or heard in class, try
visiting these sites for a different explanation and more examples. If you still aren't clear, ask me for
help right away. Help is much more effective the sooner you ask.
3
For success in the laboratory portion of this course:

BEFORE you come to lab, read the assigned laboratory exercise (Thinking About Biology).

Plan to spend the entire three hours in lab. At the end of each laboratory period, we'll have a class
discussion summarizing the main points covered that day.

WHILE we're in lab, get checked off for all activities and take comprehensive notes. Make sure you
let me know if you don't understand the reasons why we're doing a particular activity or have trouble
understanding your experimental results.

COMPLETE the Self Test and review the above materials at home, after you have completed each
lab exercise. When preparing for a lab quiz, concentrate on the information presented in the lab
manual and what we did in class.

Attending lab every week is critical to your success in the course. If you have a scheduling problem
for a particular week and you know you'll have to miss lab, let me know as far in advance as
possible. I can usually arrange for you to attend a makeup lab that same week so you won't miss the
information you need for the quiz.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
There will be graded homework assignments, class discussions, and non-graded, optional homework
assignments. To be successful, you must keep up with the assigned readings and be prepared to discuss
them in class.
If you allow yourself to fall behind, it will be very difficult to catch up again. You are expected to read the
assigned lecture AND laboratory material BEFORE the class meets!
Plan to spend the entire three hours in lab. At the end of each laboratory period, we will have a class
discussion summarizing the main points covered that day.
THE BLACKBOARD CLASSROOM
This course is supported by an online Blackboard classroom that provides additional help. The classroom is
divided into weeks, just like our weekly schedule in the syllabus. Each week has links that direct you to
additional help with all of the main course concepts. If you have trouble with something you read in the
textbook or heard in class, try visiting these sites for a different explanation and more examples.
Here's another Blackboard benefit: You can use Blackboard to communicate with fellow students by email
or in a live "chat" room. You can get help from your classmates or even work on group homework
assignments without being physically on campus. Cool!
4
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS ON EXAMS AND QUIZZES
In order to be successful in this course, you must be able to demonstrate your comprehension by explaining
course concepts in your own words and apply your knowledge to new situations. IT ISN'T ENOUGH TO
SIMPLY MEMORIZE FACTS AND DEFINITIONS.
You'll be expected to explain course concepts in your own words and solve new problems similar to those
covered in class and on homework assignments.
The course material is cumulative in that comprehension of subjects later in the course hinges on your
understanding of earlier, foundation concepts.
LECTURE EXAMS (400 POINTS)
There will be four lecture exams, each worth 100 points. Each exam will include several essay questions.
For example, you will be required to explain basic concepts, define terms, read and draw graphs, and
demonstrate your expertise in data analysis and interpretation.
Since additional time is needed to formulate answers to problem solving and concept based questions, all
lecture exams (except the final exam) will be administered by the Campus Assessment Center located in
Bladen Hall, Room 100.
Lecture exams aren't given during class time. You aren't excused from regularly scheduled classes to take
exams at the testing center.
Each exam will be at the Testing Center for several days. The dates for all exams will be announced well in
advance.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS = 80 POINTS
Throughout the semester you will turn in eight lecture homework assignments to be graded. The
assignments MUST be done cooperatively (by small groups of students) and you can earn a total of 10
points per assignment.
No individual papers will be accepted! Assignments must be neat, clearly legible, and stapled.
Each person in your group should keep a copy of the completed homework assignment (and be ready to turn
it in if necessary).
Homework is due at the beginning of the class period. Papers won't be accepted more than five minutes
after the class period begins. No exceptions will be made for traffic, car breakdowns, etc. To avoid late
papers due to last minute problems, one option is to turn in homework before the due date. Give me the
papers or deliver them to my mailbox in Chesapeake Hall, room 100.
5
LAB QUIZZES = 300 POINTS
Eight 50 point quizzes will be given during regularly scheduled laboratory sessions. Your lowest two quiz
grades will be dropped.
Note: There are no make-ups for missed lab quizzes.
In-class quizzes will be given at the beginning of each scheduled laboratory period, so be on time. If you're
late for lab, you won't be able to make up the quiz.
There will be some "take home" laboratory quizzes. You won't be allowed to submit a take home quiz if
you didn't attend the relevant labs.
If you know a take home quiz is coming up and you have to miss lab on your scheduled day, you can
arrange with me to make up the lab period in another section. (Note: The quiz dates, topics, and formats are
all listed in the course schedule.)
Lab quizzes will cover all aspects of laboratory exercises, including equipment and methods used, practical
demonstrations of knowledge (such as locating and identifying body organs), and comprehension of basic
concepts (such as being able to explain the function of each organ, or how a microscope works).
COMPLETED ASSIGNMENTS
All completed assignments (except the final exam) will be returned to you. It's YOUR responsibility to
SAVE all your graded papers until you receive your final grade in the course. In case of a discrepancy
between my recorded grades and your recollection of your grade, you MUST be able to show me the graded
paper before I can correct any errors in my records.
CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic dishonesty won't be tolerated. Any act of cheating will result in a GRADE OF ZERO for that
work.

COPYING DIRECTLY OUT OF A BOOK, CLASS HANDOUT, OFF THE INTERNET, FROM
OTHER REFERENCES, OR FROM OTHER STUDENTS ISN'T ACCEPTABLE! This includes
slightly rearranging the words so that they're a little different than the source.

Academic dishonesty includes putting someone's name on a group assignment when that person hasn't
fully participated in the group work.

No papers turned in by separate students or separate groups should EVER have the exact same essay
answers (or even very similar answers).

Think the material over, then write the answer in your own words!
6
EXTRA CREDIT
I can't grant requests for extra credit assignments that aren't available to the entire class, so please don't
ask. I'm required by the College to treat all students equally and make sure that all students have the same
opportunities. This policy is undertaken to ensure fairness to all students.