Alabama
Department of Postsecondary
Education
Representing Alabama’s Public Two-Year College System
Lawson State Community College
Course Syllabus
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring ’2010
COURSE TITLE: Biology 103 (Principles of Biology)
COURSE HOURS: 4 Credit Hours
CLASS MEETING DATES/TIMES/LOCATION:
Tuesday/Thursday 8:00-9:15
Location: Academic Bldg.; Room C200
LABORATORY DATES/TIMES/LOCATION:
Thursday 9:15-11:15
Location: Academic Bldg.; Room C204
INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION:
Instructor’s Name: Mary L. Smith
Contact Policy: You may contact me via the email prompt on
Blackboard or via phone: 929-2107 or x2107
Office Hours: Located on Blackboard and posted on office door
Office Location: Academic Building, 120C
The Alabama College System
Copyright 2004
All Rights Reserved
1
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is an introductory course for science majors. It covers physical, chemical,
and biological principles common to all organisms. These principles are
explained through a study of cell structure and function, cellular reproduction,
basic biochemistry, cellular energetics, the process of photosynthesis, and
Mendelian and molecular genetics. Also, included are the scientific methods and
an overview of the human organ system.
Laboratory required.
(http://www.lawsonstate.edu)
PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITE(S): (if applicable)
Prerequisite: none
Co-requisite: none
TEXTBOOK(S) AND OTHER LEARNING RESOURCES:
Biology 12th edition The Unity and Diversity of Life by Starr, Taggart, and
Evers
Laboratory manual by Perry and Morton
Websites: www.cengagenow.com, Type in web address and click on the selfstudy tab or resource tab in the upper left corner, a page will appear displaying
all chapters. This site should be used in conjunction with your textbook for
lecture outlines, animations, multiple choice quizzes, etc.
Blackboard: log on to it to retrieve PowerPoint slides, syllabus, my office
hours, assignments, exam/quiz scores, etc. Therefore it will be to your
advantage to check it daily.
TEACHING ENHANCEMENTS AND RESOURCES:
In an effort to improve student learning, I will utilize the following resources to
enhance and emphasize key objectives: PowerPoint, performance of virtual
labs, tegrity. Students will utilize the STEP-UP Computer Lab to perform
virtual labs.
BLACKBOARD:
All Lawson State Community College students must be trained in Blackboard
and use Blackboard daily to gain access to vital course information such as
the syllabus, handouts, Power Point shows, activities, assignments,
announcements, grades, etc. Failure to use Blackboard could severely
damage your ability to pass the course. See the schedule book (inside cover)
The Alabama College System
2
Copyright 2004
All Rights Reserved
Revised by LSCC 2007-2008
to determine when you can attend training (if needed). Students should
always check the Blackboard announcements page prior to coming to class.
COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLO’s):
1. Students will be able to understand a. the process of science by utilizing the
scientific methods to gather information and to come to conclusions about the
natural world b. the various levels of biological organizations and c. the
classification of living things.
2. Students will be able to understand the pH scale, atoms and its subatomic
particles, and bonding (covalent, ionic, and hydrogen) between atoms.
3. Students will be able to understand the four classes of organic molecules in
cells (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) as well as their
subclasses, functional groups, polymers vs. monomers, how organic compounds
are made (hydrolysis vs. condensation reactions)
4. Students will be able to understand the two different types of cells (
prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes) and their subcellular (organelles) components, the
purpose/scope of the microscope in studying cells
5. Students will be able to understand the fluid-mosaic model, the purpose and
function and permeability of the plasma membrane, osmosis vs. diffusion vs.
tonicity, and the role of carrier/transport proteins
6. Students will be able to understand the role of energy in cells, the laws of
thermodynamics, the role of ATP in energy transformation, enzymes and
metabolic pathways, and impact of environmental factors on enzymes
7. Students will be able to understand the process of cellular respiration in both
aerobic and anaerobic organisms (glycolysis, Kreb cycle, and electron transfer
phosphorylation), the role of coenzymes.
8. Students will be able to understand the cell cycle, cell division (the stages of
mitosis in both plants and animals), the role of the cell cycle vs. cancer.
9. Students will be able to understand meiosis (both phases), how meiosis differ
from mitosis, genetic variation , and the human life cycle (spermatogenesis vs.
oogenesis.
10. Students will be able to understand mendel’s law, genotype vs. phenotype,
and human genetic disorders according to mendel’s law.
The Alabama College System
Copyright 2004
All Rights Reserved
Revised by LSCC 2007-2008
3
11. Students will be able to understand the structure and function of DNA and its
replication process.
12. Students will be able to understand the function of genes, the three types of
RNA’s, transcription vs. translation, and the role of tRNA and rRNA in translation
CORE COMPETENCIES:
(SHOULD BE FULFILLED IN EACH COURSE, REGARDLESS OF INSTRUCTOR)
Check
when
completed
Date
Completed
Core Competencies Guide Sheet
(List Major Assignments, Exams, Written Work, Oral
Presentations, Projects, Quizzes, Activities, etc…)
Chapter 1 - know the levels of organization, classification of
living things (kingdoms), the scientific methods.
Assignments/Assessments: quiz
Lab – Dependent and Independent Variables
Chapter 2 – know the various types of bonds, what an atom is
and its subatomic particles, pH scale, properties of water.
Assignments/Assesments: Exam, quiz, paper
Lab – pH scale
Chapter 3 – know the four classes of organic molecules and
their subclasses, polymer vs. a monomer, hydrolysis vs.
condensation. Assignments/Assessments: Exam, quiz
Lab – Chemical Composition of Cells
Chapter 4 – know the difference between a prokaryote and a
eukaryote and the function of their subcellular components.
The purpose of the microscope. Assignments/Assessments:
Exam, quiz
Lab – Cell Structure and Function (microscopy), Lab midterm
exam – know parts of the microscope, Lab final Exam –
focusing the microscope
Chapter 5 – know the purpose, function and permeability of
the plasma membrane, osmosis, diffusion, tonicity, and the
role of carrier proteins. Assignments/Assessments: Exam,
quiz
Lab – Osmosis vs. diffusion
Chapter 6 – know what energy is, the laws of thermodynamics,
enzymes and metabolism. Assignments/Assesments: Exam,
quiz. Lab - Enzymes
The Alabama College System
Copyright 2004
All Rights Reserved
Revised by LSCC 2007-2008
4
Chapter 8 – the purpose of cellular respiration and its three
stages, the role of coenzymes in cellular respiration, and
fermentation. Assignment/Assessment: Exam
Lab - Fermentation
Chapter 9 – know the cell cycle, the stages of mitosis.
Assignments/Assessments: Report on Cancer, Exam, quiz
Lab – View Slides on plant/animal mitosis
Chapter 10 – know both phases of meiosis, and the human life
cycle. Assignments/Assessments: Exam, quiz
Lab - Gametogenesis
Chapter 11- know Mendel’s law, genotype vs. phenotype.
Assignments/ Assessments: Exam, Quiz
Lab – Genetic Inheritance
Chapter 13 – know what DNA is, the structure and function of
DNA, and how DNA replicates. Assignments/Assessments:
Exam, Quiz
Lab – Isolation of DNA
Chapter 14 – know the three types of RNA’s, transcription vs.
translation. Assignments/Assessments: Exam, quiz
Chapters 33-43 – know the functions and structures of the
human body. Assignments/Assessments: Report
Lab – Fetal pig dissection
Human Organ Report
The Alabama College System
Copyright 2004
All Rights Reserved
Revised by LSCC 2007-2008
5
EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT
The following list is a breakdown of how each student will be evaluated for
final grade calculations at the end of the term:
I. EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT
Weekly Quizzes/Assignments
Exams
Microscope Exam
Research Paper
Weekly Lab Activities
Lab Exams (midterm)
Final (comprehensive)
10%
20%
10%
10%
15%
15%
20%
100%
Lawson State Community College’s Grade Breakdown:
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
59% or below
A
B
C
D
F
ATTENDANCE
a. Students are expected to attend all classes for which they are
registered. Students who are unable to attend class regularly,
regardless of the reason or circumstance, should withdraw from that
class before poor attendance interferes with the student’s ability to
achieve the Student Learning Outcomes required in the course.
Withdrawal from class can affect eligibility for federal financial aid.
Withdrawal from class can also prohibit progression in nursing and
allied health programs. Thus, before withdrawing, see your advisor
and Financial Aid Office, if applicable.
b. Make-up Work.
Students will be allowed to make up only one (1) missed exam per
semester within one week after exam date. All make-up exams are
short answer. There are no make-ups for missed quizzes. Students
are able to make-up labs by attending another lab session within that
week. If the lab is not made up within that week, you will receive a
grade of zero.
The Alabama College System
Copyright 2004
All Rights Reserved
Revised by LSCC 2007-2008
6
c. Lateness:
Excessive tardiness will not be tolerated. If you are more than five (5)
minutes late, you will be considered absent on that particular day.
Perks are sometimes given to students that enter the classroom on
time.
STATEMENT ON DISCRIMINATION / HARASSMENT
The College and the Alabama Board of Education are committed to
providing both employment and educational environments free of
harassment or discrimination related to an individual’s race, color, gender,
religion, national origin, age, or disability. Such harassment is a violation
of State Board of Education policy. Any practice or behavior that
constitutes harassment is a violation of State Board of Education policy
and will not be tolerated.
If you would like to file a harassment complaint, please contact an
instructor, a Department Chair or a Dean immediately. Harassment, of
any nature, is never tolerated and the College takes such charges
seriously.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the American with
Disabilities Act of 1990 state that qualified students with disabilities who
meet the essential functions and academic requirements are entitled to
reasonable accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to provide
appropriate disability documentation to the College. Please contact the
ADA representative, Mrs. Renay Herndon, at 205-426-7335 (Bessemer
campus) and Ms. Janice Williams at 205-925-2515 (Birmingham
campus).
If you are an ADA student, it the obligation of the student to present your
Accommodations paperwork to your instructor (for each class your are
enrolled in). Ideally, this paperwork should be submitted at the beginning
of the semester to enable best course support for you.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES: It is responsibility of every instructor at
Lawson State, once notified of your accommodation, to provide those
accommodations (if reasonable). Thus, if you are an ADA student and have
presented your accommodations paperwork to your instructor, but feel as though
the necessary accommodations have not been made, it is your right to file a
grievance. For more information about Grievance procedures, go to
www.lawsonstate.edu and click on the Disability Services icon located on the
main web page of the college.
The Alabama College System
Copyright 2004
All Rights Reserved
Revised by LSCC 2007-2008
7
COURSE CALENDAR: The course calendar (if applicable) will be posted via
Blackboard.
Week of:
January 12
January 19
January 26
February 2
February 9
February 16
February 23
March 2
Assignment(s)
First Day of Class, course syllabus,
Chapter 1
Drop/Add ends (January 15th)
Lab – Safety (week 1)
Virtual Lab – Dependent and
Independent Variable
Chapter 2
Group Response Paper due (Related to
Chapters 1 or 2)
Quiz - electron shells, Quiz – Chapters 1
and 2
State Holiday (January 19th school
closed)
Lab - pH (Acids and Bases)
Chapters 1 and 2 Exam
Lab - Chemical Composition of Cells
Chapter 3
Quiz
Lab - Microscopy
Last day to withdraw and receive partial
refund (February 9th)
Chapter 4
Quiz
Lab – Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells
Exam – Chapters 3 and 4
Chapter 5
Quiz
Lab – Osmosis, diffusion, and tonicity
Chapter 6
Lab Midterm Exam – All labs covered
up to this point
Virtual Lab – Enzyme Controlled
Reactions
Midterm Progress Reports Due (March
6th)
The Alabama College System
Copyright 2004
All Rights Reserved
Revised by LSCC 2007-2008
8
March 9
March 16
March 23
March 30
April 1
April 6
April 13
April 20
April 27
April 30-May 6th
Chapters 5 and 6 Exam
Chapter 8
Last day to withdraw without Academic
penalty (March 13th)
Chapter 8 – take home exam
Lab – Cellular Respiration
Spring Break – No Class
Chapters 9 and 10
Cancer Report due (Chapter 9)- report on
history of cancer or a specific type
Quiz – Chapters 9 and 10
Virtual Lab – Cell Reproduction
Chapter 12
Quiz
Chapters 9 and 10 Exam
Chapters due – Human Organ Reports
Lab – Genetic Inheritance or Virtual
Lab – Sex Linked Traits
Chapter 13
Quiz
Lab – Isolation of DNA
Honors and Awards Day (April 8th)
Chapters 12 and 13 Exam
Chapter 14
Lab – Fetal Pig dissection
Last day to withdraw from classes (April
17th)
Overview of Human Organ System
Lab – continuation of Fetal Pig
Dissection
Reports/presentations due
Lab Exam (microscope practical) and
last week of lab
Final Exam Study Guides
Last day of class ( April 29th)
May 4 – Graduating students grade
reports due
Comprehensive Final Exam – See
schedule booklet or Blackboard for dates
The Alabama College System
Copyright 2004
All Rights Reserved
Revised by LSCC 2007-2008
9
II. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Using Blackboard
1. Go to www.lawsonstate,edu
2. Click on Blackboard on left scroll bar.
3. Click login
4. Enter your username and password. Your username is the same user
name assigned as your Lawson Email Username. Look on your printed
schedule for your e-mail address.
OR
1. Go to www.lawsonstate.edu
2. Click on Blackboard on the left scroll bar
3. Click login
4. Enter your username. Your username is the first letter of your first name,
your last name, and the last two digits of your Student ID# or the last four
digits of your social security number. For Example: John Doe has the
Student ID# 008589; therefore his username would be: JDOE89 or jdoe89. If
John Doe’s social is 123-45-6789; his username would be jdoe6789
5. Tab to the password field
6. Type in your password. Your password is your six-digit birth date in this
order (MMDDYY). For example: July 4, 1976, you would enter 070476.
7. Once you have entered your password click on the login button or hit
enter.
NOTE: Blackboard should be used to retrieve lecture notes,
Powerpoints, study guides for exams, and any other assignments
assigned by the instructor prior to coming to class. Therefore, check
Blackboard before coming to class.
Using Lawson State e-mail
1. Go to www.lawsonstate.edu
2. Click on e-mail on the left scroll bar.
3. Your username is you first initial last name and last four digits of your SS#
Example: msmith1234
4. Your password is your birth date; month, date, year. Example 010150
5. Use this e-mail account to retrieve and send e-mails for this course.
The Alabama College System
Copyright 2004
All Rights Reserved
Revised by LSCC 2007-2008
10
SUBMIT THIS FORM TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR ELECTRONICALLY
VIA BLACKBOARD
STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
The signing of this form below indicates that I have read the current syllabus for
Biology 103 and am satisfied that I understand its content and accept that I am
entering into a binding contract.
The signing of this form also demonstrates that my instructor did review the
syllabus with the class and did allow for a questioning/answering period.
____________________________
Type Name
________________
Type Date
The Alabama College System
Copyright 2004
All Rights Reserved
Revised by LSCC 2007-2008
11