General Biology Lecture Syllabus
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Number: BIOL 1406
Course Title: General Biology I Lecture
Course Description: For science majors. Current knowledge in the fundamentals of biology from the
molecular to cellular level of organization. General topics covered include basic biochemistry,
metabolism, energetics, cell structure, DNA, genetics, viruses, and bacteria. Lab required. Prerequisite:
Pass reading requirement of TSI; high school chemistry is recommended. 4 credit hours.
Course Credit Hours: 4
Lecture: 3 contact hours
Lab: 3 contact hours
Placement Assessment(s): Prior to enrolling in this course, the student must demonstrate eligibility to
enroll in the following:
ENGL- 1301
MATH -0310
College Level Reading
Co-requisite: BIOL 1406 Lab
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe the metabolic processes that occur within the cells.
2. Compare eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure.
3. Describe the process of cell replication.
4. Explain how diversity is genetically based.
5. Discuss natural selection.
6. Demonstrate the collection, analysis, and reporting of data using the scientific method.
Withdrawal Policy:
See the current Collin Registration Guide for the last day to withdraw.
Lateral Transfer Policy:
Lateral transfers will not be granted after the 4th week of class or after the first lecture exam, which
ever comes first. Exceptions to this are for documented changes in work schedule or family
emergencies. If a student does transfer to another section, all previous grades will accompany the
student. However, the new instructor can require the student to retake any exam or quiz. For questions
concerning this policy, contact the Biology Department Chair.
Collin College Academic Policies: See the current Collin Student Handbook.
Americans with Disabilities Act: Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local
laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to
afford equal opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, Room D118I (972.548.6816) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin Student Handbook
for additional information.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Instructor’s Name: Donna M. Cain, Ph.D.
Office Number: B305-H, Central Park Campus
Office Hours: Monday/ Wednesday
9-11 am
Tuesday/ Thursday
10-10:30 am and 2:15-2:45 pm
Phone Number: 972-548-6781
Email: DCain@collin.edu
In case of emergencies, contact the Office of Academic Affairs, B-122 F
214-491-6270
Class Information:
Section Number: c08
Meeting Times: Tuesday/Thursday 1:00-2:15 pm
Meeting Location: B315, Central Park Campus
Course Resources:
Required
Campbell Biology, 9th Edition (Note: copy of the text is on reserve in the Collin libraries.)
Internet access – for supplemental course material and assignments on Blackboard
Recommended
Mastering Biology
Supplies:
Required
Scantrons (5) – to be turned in to the instructor during the first week of class
Pencils (on exam days)
Recommended
Notebook, index cards
Attendance Policy: ABSENCES will be excused only if acceptable documentation of an instructorapproved excuse is provided. It is your responsibility to provide such documentation upon your return to
class, and to confer with the professor regarding make up assignments. Students will not be allowed to make
up assignments due to unexcused absences. If you do not drop in accordance with the Collin College
Academic Calendar, a grade of “F” will be assigned.
Method of Evaluation:
Exams: Five exams will be given during the semester, including a non-cumulative final exam. All exams
will be given during class, and will contain a mix of multiple choice, matching, true/false, fill in the blank,
and/or short answer questions. Study guides will be posted on Blackboard prior to each exam. Graded
exams will be returned in class for a brief review. Thereafter, exams will kept on file in the instructor’s
office and will be available for review during scheduled office hours.
Quizzes: Approximately 4-5 quizzes will be giving during the semester. Quizzes will be announced ahead
of time. Students may use the cumulative score of their quizzes to replace their lowest exam grade other than
the final exam. Note: Quiz grades cannot be used to replace a grade of “0” on an exam.
Service Learning Project: Students will write papers on diseases that are treatable with adult stem cells in
conjunction with a community service project working with a bone marrow donor drive.
Homework and Class Assignments: Homework and class assignments will be comprised of both group
and individual exercises including case studies, crossword puzzles, anticipation guides, Venn diagrams, and
other activities.
Grades for the lecture portion of the course will be calculated as follows:
Lecture Exams (5)
80%
Semester Project
10%
Homework/ Class assignments 10%
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: 59 and below
The lecture grade with be integrated with your laboratory grade to determine the final grade for the course
(75% lecture and 25% lab).
Scholastic Dishonesty:
Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic
integrity. Collin College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of scholastic
dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to
applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work material that
is not one’s own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts:
cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher’s editions, use of information about exams
posted on the Internet or electronic medium, and/or falsifying academic records. Students found guilty of
scholastic dishonesty will receive no credit for the assignment. (See the current Collin Student Handbook
for additional information.)
FERPA COMPLIANCE
Student performance cannot be discussed with anyone other than the student, unless the student provides
written permission. Student information cannot be given to students over the phone or via non-secure e-mail
addresses. Students may communicate with the professor about grades and other sensitive information
through Blackboard, or via their cougarmail e-mail address, provided by the college to all students.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Students are expected to adhere to the Collin College Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student
Handbook (Section 6.1, p. 147 and Section 7, pp. 180-206 ). The college expects students to conduct
themselves in class in such a way as to not interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Students are to
speak and act in a respectful manner toward their fellow students and the professor. Those who participate in
inappropriate behavior such as excessive talking, cell phone use (including texting), verbal altercations, or
blatantly disregarding instructor’s directions will be asked to leave the class. Continuance of such behavior
will result in a referral to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
*Cell phones and other telecommunication devices should be turned off or silenced and put away during
class.
*Students should not talk to each other while the instructor or another student is speaking.
*Students should be respectful of others during group exercises and class discussions.
*Students should not work on assignments for other courses during class.
*Students should make every effort to be ON TIME.
*Students who are late should take a seat close to the door to avoid disrupting the entire class.
*Students may audio record class lectures with the instructor’s permission, but video recording in class is not
permitted.
Tentative Course Calendar:
WEEK
1
TOPICS
CHAPTERS COVERED
(REQUIRED READING)
Course Introduction and Overview
Themes of Life & The Scientific Process
1
Chemistry of Life
2
Water & the Environment
Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life
3
4
T: Exam I (February 7)
Macromolecules
**Ch 1-4**
5
The Cell: Eukaryotes, Prokaryotes & Viruses
6 (also parts of 19 & 27)
The Cell: Eukaryotes, Prokaryotes & Viruses cont’d
Membrane Structure & Function
7
(2/27-3/2)
Membrane Structure & Function cont’d
R: Exam II (March 1)
**Ch 5-7**
8*
(3/5-3/9)
Metabolism
Cellular Respiration
8
9
(1/17-1/20)
2
(1/23-1/27)
3
(1/30-2/3)
4
(2/6-2/10)
5
(2/13-2/17)
6
(2/20-2/24)
7
Spring Break – March 12 - 16
9
(3/19-3/23)
10
(3/26-3/30)
11
Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis
9
10
Cell Communication
R: Exam III (March 29)
11
**Ch 8-11**
Cell Division
12 & 13
Molecular Basis of Inheritance
From Gene to Protein
16
17
Genetic Engineering
R: Exam IV (April 19)
(parts of 20)
**Ch 12, 13, 16, 17**
Mendelian Genetics
14
Linked Genes
Genetic Disorders
15
14/15
T: Exam V (May 8)
**Ch 14, 15**
(4/2-4/6)
12
(4/9-4/13)
13
(4/16-4/20)
14
(4/23-4/27)
15
(4/30-5/4)
16
(5/7-5/11)
*Last day to withdraw: Friday, March 9
Note: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the course calendar as needed. Any changes will be
discussed in class, and an updated calendar will be posted on Blackboard