5064, 5065 BIOL& 160 General Cell Biology
WINTER 2011 5 credits
Class times & locations:
Section E: MTuThF 11:30AM-12:20PM in 15-001, Wed 11:30AM-1:20PM in 29-125L
Section F: MTuThF 11:30AM-12:20PM in 15-001, Wed 1:30 PM-3:20 PM in 29-125L
Mrs. Kristen Harrison
Office hours: Building 29-Room132. Tu & Th 9:45AM
– 11:15AM
Phone number: 566-5060
Email: kharrison@tacomacc.edu
Class website: http://www.tacomacc.edu/academics/facultyinformation/kristenharrison/
An introductory cell biology course for students preparing for health professions. Major concepts of cell biology will be introduced, including the chemistry of life, the structure, reproduction, and metabolism of cells, genetics, and evolutionary biology. Lab included.
Note: students who have taken BIOL 100 in the past may not need to take BIOL 160. Contact your advisor.
Completion of ENGL-095 and READ-095 with a grade of "C" or higher; completion of MATH-
090 with a "C-" or higher; or equivalent assessment in these areas.
All degree recipients will achieve measurable learning in the following five areas:
Communication (COM) To listen, speak, read, write and use nonverbal and technological means to make connections between self and others. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
(CRT) To define tasks and resolve problems by gathering, organizing, analyzing, and evaluating information and ideas. Information and Information Technology (IIT) To recognize when information is needed, to locate, evaluate, and use the needed information, and to use information technology to support learning. Living and Working Cooperatively/Valuing
Differences (LWC) To develop an understanding of the uniqueness of self and others, demonstrate openness toward diverse points of view, and draw upon the knowledge and experience of others to function as a team member in a multicultural world. Responsibility &
Ethics (RES) To accept responsibility for learning, and to recognize and understand the importance of responsible and ethical behavior toward individuals, the community, and the environment
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Understand and participate in the scientific method. (COM,CRT, LWC)

Explain the levels of organization from the molecular level to the ecosystem level (COM,
CRT, LWC)

Understand what atoms are and how they combine to form molecules (CRT)

Understand the different kinds of chemical bonds. (CRT)
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Comprehend how atoms combine to form carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. (CRT)
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Understand the relationship between monomers and polymers. (CRT)

Understand the chemical properties of water. (CRT)

Visualize prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells using a light microscope.(LWC)

Understand the evolutionary connection between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
(CRT)

Understand the structure and functions of cell organelles. (CRT)

Understand and explain the structure and functions of the plasma membrane. (COM)

Explain what enzymes are and what they do. (CRT)

Understand the basics of metabolic activities such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis. (CRT)

Comprehend the cellular basis of reproduction and inheritance. (CRT, RSP,LWC)

Understand the chromosomal basis of inheritance. (CRT, RSP)

Explain mitosis and meiosis (CRT)

Recognize and understand the structure and function of DNA and RNA, including replication, transcription and translation. (CRT)

More competently research, interpret, critique, and present biological information.
(COM, RSP, IIT, LWC)

Understand the concepts of gene expression and DNA technology. (CRT, COM)

Understand some basic concepts of evolution. (CRT)
This course includes a combination of lectures, labs, discussions, and small group activities.
Students will need access to a computer with internet access to complete weekly homework assignments.
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Biology: Concepts and Connections, Custom (6 th ) Edition by Campbell

BIOL 160 Lab manual

Three-ring binder
Quizzes
There will be a 10 point quiz when class begins each Monday, covering material that was presented in the previous week, including information from lecture, lab, and discussions.
Quizzes will be a mixture of multiple choice, short answer, essay, matching, labeling, and true/false questions. Quizzes cannot be taken late or re-taken. After the last quiz, I will replace your lowest quiz score with your highest quiz score
Exams
There will be two exams: a mid-term and a final exam. The mid-term will cover all material from the first 5 weeks of lecture and lab. It will consist of 75 multiple choice questions, for a total of 150 points. The final exam will be comprehensive, and it is mandatory. It will consist of
100 multiple choice questions for a total of 200 points.
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Laboratory
For in-class labs, there will be a pre-lab and an in-lab assignment. Prelabs are worth 5 points and are due at the beginning of class on lab day. At the beginning of the lab period I will come around and stamp your pre-lab assignment (if it is complete). If you arrive after I have stamped the pre-labs, then you will not receive credit for the assignment. The in-lab assignments are worth 20 points each and are due at the end of the lab period. Both the pre-lab and in-lab must be handed in before you leave class. Laboratory exercises will be performed in groups of four students as assigned by the instructor. Each person in the group must complete the lab questions and turn them in. I will randomly choose one paper from the group to grade, and all four students will receive that grade. Prelabs will be graded individually. There will be one lab which will require a formal lab write-up (manuscript), worth 100 points. The instructions will be handed out separately.
Labs cannot be made up if they are missed, and you must attend only the lab section in which you are enrolled!!
Mastering Biology Online homework assignments
These are weekly homework assignments that complement the lecture notes and reading assignments. These assignments are found online at the Mastering Biology website: http://www.masteringbio.com/ . You will first need to register, using the access code under the pull-tab that comes with your textbook. Then you need to “enroll in a course.” Our course code is KHARRISONTCC160. The assignments will be due by 11am on Thursday of almost every week (see schedule). Each assignment is worth approximately 20 points. There will also be practice quizzes at this website for you to take at your leisure (not graded).
Discussion and Participation
This class requires active participation on your part, especially during lecture & discussions.
Each week we will have either a formal or informal discussion. Everyone has something to add to our understanding of the various topics discussed in this class. What will class discussions look like? During this time we will discuss any questions you have regarding any of the material presented in class that week (or previous weeks). I may assign specific questions to ponder before coming to class. We may also discuss topics related to specific lessons. This is the time for you (the student) to do most of the talking! Not only will you be asking questions, but you will also be answering them. Be prepared and willing to discuss ideas and raise questions by completing the required reading and writing beforehand. Listen attentively to what is said by others and take notes on the general discussion. Speak in turn and allow others to finish their thoughts; do not interrupt another person. Don’t break down into one–on–one conversations or be distracted with whispering side conversations. Keep the whole group focused on the one central point.
Participation will be worth a total of 10 points per week, excluding the first week. How will your points be determined? 5 points will be based on your preparation effort for the current week’s discussion. The other five points will be based on your in-class participation (during lecture, discussion, and lab). You will assess your own participation points based on your behavior and contributions, according to the following guidelines. I will also keep track of your participation and assign/deduct points as needed. Each week, you will fill out the following slip of paper:
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Name_________________________ Self-evaluation for the week of ____________
On a scale of one to five, please rate yourself for the following. Feel free to use decimal points!!
(5= the ideal student, 4= good, but could be better, 3 = average, 2 = needs improvement, 1 = needs serious improvement)
Your preparation for class this week (assignments, reading, etc…)______
Your participation in lab or any other group activities_______
Your behavior/body language______
Circle yes or no for following questions:
Were you present and on time for each class this week? Yes or No
Did you contribute to class out-loud in some way: by asking a question, answering a question, or making a comment, during lecture or discussion? Yes or No
Please explain/justify the grades you gave yourself :
Quizzes (8 @ 10pts)
Labs (8 @ 20pts)
Pre-labs (7 @ 5 pts)
Participation
80 points
160 points
35 points
90 points
Online assignments (10 @ 20pts) 200 points
Formal lab manuscript 100 points
Mid-Term Exam 150 points
Final Exam (comprehensive)
Total points
200 points
1015 points
A
92-100 = A
90-91 = A-
B
88-89 = B+
82-87 = B
80-81 = B-
C
78-79 = C+
72-77 = C
70-71 = C-
D
68-69 = D+
62-67 = D
60-61 = D-
E
0 – 59 = E
1) Attendance is essential for success in this class, since anything discussed during class time
(lectures, labs, ALE’s, discussions) is fair game for exams. Although you will typically not be graded strictly on attendance, you will be graded on participation. You must be here in order to participate!
2) All students are expected to arrive for class on time. Late arrivals are extremely disruptive.
If you must arrive late, please enter the classroom quickly and quietly with minimal disruption. Arriving late more than four times per quarter will result in a deduction of 0.5 participation points each time you are late.
3) Cell phones and texting- any use of a cell phone or a text messaging device will result in an automatic 5 point deduction.
4) Safety
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All students must follow the biological science lab safety procedures and standard operating procedures established by Tacoma Community College, the Science & Engineering
Department, and the instructor. Students who repeatedly or willfully violate these procedures may face sanctions, including removal from the course, a failing grade, and referral to the college for action under the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The departmental safety procedures for biological science are available at www.tacomacc.edu/academics/mathematicssciencesandengineeringdivision/science/safety/
5) Student Conduct

Students are expected to treat their instructor and fellow students with respect at all times. Inappropriate conduct will be addressed verbally as a first warning.
The second offense will be addressed in writing to the student and the Dean. The third offense may result in permanent removal from class.
6) Academic Honesty

Students are expected to produce original work. The use of another person's ideas, data, graphics, or text may be used with permission from the original sources and the original source given credit. Any unauthorized use of another person's intellectual work is plagiarism (copying on exams, copying work/assignments, falsification of data or calculations, copying from the internet, etc.). Plagiarism will not be tolerated. A first offense will result in a 0% for the assignment. A second offense will result in a 0% for the course, and disciplinary action will be taken, according to the TCC Administrative
Procedure for Academic Dishonesty, available online at: http://www.tacomacc.edu/resourcesforstudents/studentpolicies/administrativeprocedureforac ademicdishonesty.aspx
. Your instructor will provide a handout describing how to properly cite sources in scientific writing.
7) Students with Special Needs: All students are responsible for all requirements of the class, but the way they meet these requirements may vary. If you need specific auxiliary aids or services due to a disability, please contact the Access Services office in Building 7
(253-566-5328). They will require you to present formal, written documentation of your disability from an appropriate professional. When this step has been completed, arrangements will be made for you to receive reasonable auxiliary aids or services. The disability accommodation documentation prepared by Access Services must be given to me before the accommodation is needed so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
8) Late assignments – Assignments can be handed in late, but they will be docked 10% per day. Assignments turned in after Friday at 12:20pm will not be accepted. An assignment is considered late if it is not turned in (or stamped) at the beginning of class on its due date.
If you have a legitimate reason to miss a class, please notify me well in advance. Any assignments due that day will have to be turned in ahead of time.
9) Withdrawals and Incompletes: While faculty permission is not required, a completed add/drop form must be submitted to Registration and Records to complete drops. The instructor must sign the form or send an e-mail to Registration acknowledging the withdrawal. If the instructor is not available, a signature from a full-time advisor in the
Advising Center is an acceptable substitute. A grade of “W” will then appear on your transcript. Incompletes (I) and instructor withdrawals (WI) will be granted only in unusual circumstances, and only at the request of the student. The decision to grant the I or WI grade will be made by the instructor, based on the student’s performance and attendance in the class.
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10) The instructor reserves the right to change any policies, provisions, and considerations outlined in this syllabus
If you have questions or concerns about this class or me, please come to talk with me first. If we are unable to resolve your concerns, you should next talk with the Chair of the
Natural Sciences Department, Ralph Hitz, room 29-234 (253) 566-5297. The Chair can assist with information about additional steps, if needed.
Attending college can be a difficult time! Please don’t hesitate to come speak with me if you are struggling. Biology tutors are available at no additional cost in the Tutoring Center on the second floor of building 11. Appointments can be made in person or by calling 253.566.6032.
The Tutoring Center can also assist with writing and grammar. For more information see www.tacoma.ctc.edu/stuonline/tutoringcenter . The Counseling Center staff in Building 7 can help you address personal difficulties that interfere with your studies. This includes things like test anxiety. Call 253.566.5122 to make an appointment.
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