Spring 2012 BIOL 1406 General Biology I, Section 314 Syllabus Page 1 of 4
MW 4:15 - 5:30 pm (Lecture; S-225) & 5:40 - 6:55 pm (Lab; S-224)
Lisa Ellis, Ph.D.
: lisa.ellis@blinn.edu
979-209-7571/2 or 979-845-7747
S-117
By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
BIOL 1406 is an introductory survey of contemporary biology geared toward students majoring in the biological sciences. Topics include, but are not limited to, the chemical basis of life, cellular structure and function, energy transformation, molecular biology, and genetics. The course meets for 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of lab each week and results in 4 semester credit hours.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
Exemption from or passing the reading section of the state test or completion of READ 0306 with at least a C.
CORE CURRICULUM COURSE
This course is part of the 42-hour Core Curriculum of Blinn College. As such, students will develop proficiency in appropriate intellectual competencies, exemplary educational objectives, and general perspectives. You can access the Core Curriculum at http://www.blinn.edu/corecurriculum/42hourcore.htm
.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
After successfully completing BIOL 1406, you should be able to:
Interpret the process by which scientific knowledge is acquired and evaluated.
Evaluate the characteristics of cells.
Recognize the molecular basis of evolutionary change.
Evaluate biological macromolecules including their composition, structure, and function.
Interpret selected metabolic processes carried out by cells and their essential role in sustaining life.
Compare and contrast the methods of cell division.
Set-up and evaluate Mendelian genetics problems.
Utilize the compound light microscope and technical applications for modern biology.
COURSE MATERIALS
Required
Textbook: Biology, 2 nd
ed., Brooker et al. 2011. McGraw-Hill. Available for purchase at the Blinn Bookstore.
Laboratory Manual: Blinn College Biology 1406 Lab Manual, 6 th
ed., Richardson et al., 2012. University Copy Center.
Available for purchase at the Blinn University Copy Center. eCampus: To access eCampus, go to https://ecampus.blinn.edu
. and select this course (Spring 2012 Biol1406-314) to access class materials (i.e. PowerPoints, keys, gradebook, and schedule changes). http://www.blinn.edu/disted/internet/tutorials.htm.
McGraw-Hill Connect: Access to http://connect.mcgraw-hill.com/class/l_ellis_biol1401-314_spring2012 is available for free with the purchase of a new Brooker Biology textbook (after registration). You can also purchase an access code online (http://mpss.mhhe.com/student_connect_resources.php) with a credit card. Though not mandatory for the class, course-related information including practice quizzes are available.
BLINN COLLEGE POLICIES
Attendance: Class attendance is essential for student success; therefore, students are required to promptly and regularly attend every class. Without full participation and regular class attendance, students shall find themselves at a severe disadvantage for achieving academic success. Faculty will keep a record of attendance. Should the student accumulate 4 classes worth of unexcused absences, he/she will be administratively withdrawn from class.
For 1 day, missing lecture or lab will constitute 1 absence. There are 4 forms of excused absence officially recognized by Blinn College: (1) observance of religious holy days: The student should notify his/her instructor(s) not later than the 15 th
day of the semester concerning the specific date(s) that the student will be absent for any religious holy day(s); (2) representing Blinn College at an official institutional function; (3) official involvement in a high school activity for “dual credit” students; and (4) military service. Other excuses will be considered and may be considered excusable at the instructor’s discretion, with documentation.

Spring 2012 BIOL 1406 General Biology I, Section 314 Syllabus Page 2 of 4
MW 4:15 - 5:30 pm (Lecture; S-225) & 5:40 - 6:55 pm (Lab; S-224)
Dropping: If a student chooses to drop the course, it is that student’s responsibility to complete a drop order at the
Office of Enrollment Services. Failure to do so could result in a grade of F in the course. The last day to withdraw with a “Q” is Friday, April 13, 2012.
Health Concerns: Eating and drinking are not allowed in classrooms or laboratories.
Honor System: Blinn College does not tolerate cheating, plagiarism, or other acts of dishonesty. Definitions of these acts and procedures for dealing with them are described in "Scholastic Dishonesty" in the Blinn College Student
Handbook, copies of which are available at the information desk in the administration building. Plagiarized work will be automatically given a zero and may be reported for disciplinary action.
Electronic Device Policy: All personal electronic devices designed for communication/entertainment (cell phones, pagers, beepers, iPods, etc.) must be turned off and kept out of sight in all Blinn College classrooms and associated laboratories. Any noncompliance with this policy will be addressed in accordance with the Blinn College civility policy (Administrative Policy).
Problem Resolution: If you have a complaint about your class, you should first request a conference with your instructor to try and resolve the issue. If the issue cannot be resolved at the instructor level, you should request a conference with the Division Chair, Mr. Dwight Bohlmeyer (Science 241, dbohlmeyer@blinn.edu).
ADA Statement: Blinn College is dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning environment for all students.
Support services for students with documented disabilities are provided on an individual basis, upon request.
Requests for services should be made directly to the Office of Disability Services serving the campus of your choice.
For the Bryan campus, the Office of Disability Services (Administration Building) can be reached at (979)209-7251.
The Brenham, Sealy and Schulenburg campuses are served by the Office of Disability Services on the Brenham campus (New Administration Building Room 104) and can be reached at (979)830-4157. Additional information can be found at www.blinn.edu/disability.
Blinn Handbook: The above requirements and policies are discussed more fully in the Blinn College Student
Handbook which is available online at http://www.blinn.edu/student%20handbook.pdf.
CIVILITY STATEMENT
Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff, and students, are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Blinn College holds all members accountable for their actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every member of the College community, including respect for College property and the physical and intellectual property of others. Civility applies to attire as well as language, behavior, and cell phone usage. Please dress appropriately for the academic classroom and laboratory.
CIVILITY NOTIFICATION STATEMENT
If a student is asked to leave the classroom or have access to the online classroom denied because of uncivil behavior, the student may not return to that class until he or she arranges a conference with the instructor. It is the student's responsibility to arrange for this conference.

Spring 2012 BIOL 1406 General Biology I, Section 314 Syllabus Page 3 of 4
MW 4:15 - 5:30 pm (Lecture; S-225) & 5:40 - 6:55 pm (Lab; S-224)
GRADING POLICIES
Lecture Exams: There will be 4 lecture exams (not including the final exam), each worth 75 pts. The exam format may include a combination of multiple choice, true/false, and fill in the blank. The instructor will NOT provide the necessary Advantage scantron. Though the instructor will make every effort to follow the lecture schedule, changes will be discussed in class and posted on eCampus. Make-up exams will only be offered to those with excused absences and proper documentation, no exceptions. Students must contact the instructor before the exam date to schedule a make-up exam.
Laboratory Practical Exams: There will be 2 laboratory practical exams, each worth 100 pts. These exams will test your understanding of and ability to carry out tasks & techniques related to laboratory activities. Tests may include multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions. No make-up lab exams are given, no exceptions.
Students with an excused absence may take the lab exam with a different section, but must contact the instructor ahead of time to allow for scheduling.
Final Exam: The final exam will be comprehensive, covering Chapters 1 through 17, excluding Chapter 9. It is worth
200 pts and is made up of 100 questions. The instructor will NOT provide the necessary Advantage scantron.
Daily Lecture Assignments: Writing assignments, quizzes, and QEP activities and quizzes (each worth 10 pts) will gauge your understanding of the lecture material. Assignments may be accepted 1 class period late, but with a 2 pt penalty.
Laboratory Exercises: Laboratory exercises and quizzes (each worth 10 pts) will be completed during lab. Points will be deducted for incompleteness or incorrect answers. Assignments may be accepted 1 class period late, but with a
2 pt penalty.
Lecture Exams (4)
Laboratory Exams (2)
Final Exam
Laboratory Exercises
Daily Assignments
300
200
200
100
100
900 to 1000
800 to 899
700 to 799
600 to 699
Below 590
A
B
C
D
F
LECTURE AND LAB SCHEDULE
The instructor reserves the right to modify the lecture schedule, including exam dates; however, the lab schedule should not change. Any schedule changes will be discussed in class and posted online.
Q
The last day to withdraw with a "Q" is Friday April 13, 2012.
#1
#2
#3
#4
Final
2/13, M
3/5, M
4/2, M
4/25 W
5/4, F*
#1
#2
*3:15pm
3/7, W
4/30, M

Spring 2012 BIOL 1406 General Biology I, Section 314 Syllabus Page 4 of 4
MW 4:15 - 5:30 pm (Lecture; S-225) & 5:40 - 6:55 pm (Lab; S-224)
Week
1
Date
1/16
1/18
1/23
1/25
1/30
2/1
2/6
2/8
2/13
2/15
2/20
2/22
2/27
2/29
3/5
3/7
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
3/19
3/21
3/26
3/28
4/2
4/4
4/9
4/11
Q
4/16
4/18
4/23
4/25
4/30
5/2
Final Exam
-
6
7
7, -
8
8
-, 3
-. 4
5
10
-
-
Ch. Lecture Topic
- MLK Holiday (No Lecture)
1
2
3
Syllabus/Intro to Biology
Atoms & Molecules
Organic Molecules
Quiz #1 (Ch. 1-3a) , Organic Molecules
General Features of Cell
Membrane Structure & Transport
Multicellularity
Exam #1 (Ch. 1-5, 10)
Energy, Enzymes, Metabolism
Cell Respiration
Cell Respiration , QEP #2 Cell Resp. Con. Map
Quiz #2 (Ch. 6-7)
QEP Quiz #2
, Photosynthesis
, Photosynthesis
Exam #2 (Ch. 6-8)
Critical Writing in Biology
Lab #
-
1, 2
3
4
5
-
6
-
7
8
9
10
-
-
-
-
Spring Break - No Classes 03/12 to 03/16
Laboratory Topic
MLK Holiday (No Lab)
Safety & Science Process
Scientific Method
Experimental Design
Metric Measurement
No Lab
Organic Molecule Testing
Lab Quiz #1
Microscopy
QEP Quiz #1
No Lab
No Lab
Lab Exam #1
, QEP #1 Organic Mlcls Activity
, Observing Cells in Action
Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic Cells
Lab Quiz #2, Membrane Transport
Review for Lab Exam #1
11
12
12, 13
-, 14
-
-, 15
15
16
16
17
Lab 17
-
-
-
Nucleic Acids
Gene Expression
Quiz #3 (Ch. 11-12)
QEP #3 Quiz
Quiz #4 (Ch. 15-16)
No Class
No Class
, Gene Expr, Gene Regulation
QEP #3 Gene Exp Conc. Map, Gene Mutation
Exam #3 (Ch. 11-14)
, Eukaryotic Cell Cycle
Eukaryotic Cell Cycle
Simple Patterns of Inheritance
Simple Patterns of Inheritance
, Complex Patterns of Inher.
Mendelian Genetics
Exam #4 (Ch. 15-17)
Comprehensive (Chapters 1 -17, excluding 9) exam on Fri 5/4 3:15-5:15 pm
11
12
-
-, 13
-
-
14
15
16
-
-
-
-
-
Spectrophotometer
Chromatography
No Lab
Lab Quiz #3 , Photosynthesis
No Lab
Peer Review
Mitosis
DNA Isolation
Lab Quiz #4 , Restriction Endonucleases
No Class
Review for Lab Exam #2
No Lab
Lab Exam #2
No Lab