York College of Pennsylvania Department of Biology
Bio 110 General Biology
Minimester 2010 Syllabus
Instructor:
Office:
Office Telephone:
E-mail:
Web address:
Office Hours:
Dr. Jeffrey P. Thompson
LS-233
(717) 815-1946
jthompso@ycp.edu
http://faculty.ycp.edu/~jthompso
By appointment. Unofficially, I have an open door
policy. If my office door is open, feel free to stop by
anytime. If it is closed, knock first…you’ll probably
still be invited in.
Class Materials:
Essential Biology, 3rd edition by Campbell, Reece, and Simon
(ISBN# 0-8053-6842-6)
Laboratory Manual for General Bio 110 , by Hodgson
Class Times & Locations:
Lectures: MTWThF 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Lab:
MTWThF 11:15 am – 1:00pm
Wolf314
LS224
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
General Biology is a freshman level, 3 credit laboratory science course
designed for non-biology majors. I emphasize learning through visualization, Class
discussion, and through a “hands-on” approach. Therefore, the schedule of the
lectures coincides with related laboratory topics. Don’t think of lecture and lab as
two separate courses. They have been designed to reinforce the teaching concepts.
Your overall grade will be derived from your performance in lecture as well as lab.
Class participation is expected and encouraged in both lecture and
laboratory.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. To master the general principles of biology through lecture and laboratory
2. To promote independent thought and scientific reasoning
3. Finally, to have fun exploring and developing an appreciation for the
“study of life”…the science that is all around you!
This Professor’s Philosophy:
I am intrigued with how things work…what makes things tick. My love of
science started at an early age and has led me to a career where I have the
opportunity to share what I’ve learned with you. Although I have more expertise in
the field than you, I want to emphasize that education in biology is a journey; there
is always something new to learn, even for me. Remember, to understand new
advances and discoveries in biology and medicine that make the news and impact
all of our lives, one must understand the basic principles of biology.
It is my desire that students completing this course develop a firm
understanding of mechanisms underlying these basic principles. When you
understand the concepts you should be able to logically integrate the details.
There is a large amount of material that must be covered during this session. The
more challenging topics will demand most of the lecture period while the
simple concepts will be left for you to master on your own. If not told
otherwise, you are responsible for all material in the listed chapters, even
though not everything may be covered in lecture. The material presented
in this class will build upon itself; and thus, short-term memorization
usually does not result in a good grade. I am more impressed with the student
that grasps the concepts rather than the student that can memorize the correct
answer. I try to encourage conceptual learning and discourage rote
memorization. My testing style will reflect this. Having said this, some
memorization will be required for the course, but don’t get bogged down with the
details such that you can’t see the “forest through the trees”. Memorization by
itself leads to transient learning (here today…gone tomorrow). To the students
who firmly learn the concepts, the knowledge is yours forever.
Attendance Policy:
In order to get the most out of class, you need to be present. This is
especially important during minimester, where each meeting equals a
week’s worth of lecture and lab material!!!! Lab attendance is mandatory.
Missed lab work can NOT be made up and you will receive a zero for that
worksheet! I understand things come up. Valid reasons for missing a lab or an
exam will be accepted when your instructor is notified by e-mail or
telephone. The responsibility for initiating action to make up work missed and to
present reasons rests solely with the student. Notes excusing students for absences,
or from course work associated with absences, are not provided by administrative
offices of the college.
Laboratory:
As mentioned above, attendance in the laboratory is mandatory. You are
responsible for any material presented in the laboratory manual and handouts.
This material can and will be included in the course examinations as well as the
laboratory practical examinations.
Lab Safety:
In compliance with our department’s new safety policies, we will run this lab
in a safe manner! Practices that increase the risk of injury to you, your neighbor, or
me will not be tolerated. Unlike other labs you may have had, we mayl be using
hazardous reagents (mutagens, carcinogens, acids, and caustic agents).
Exceptionally “bad” reagents will be pointed out to you, but it is good to get in the
habit of good lab safety practices. The new safety rules are listed on pink sheets
hanging by all exits. These include:
BIO LAB RULES:
 No eating, drinking, gum/tobacco chewing
 No open toed shoes, sandals, or flip flops
 Wear appropriate personal protection when needed,
including eyewear, gloves, and lab coats
 Clean up spills and broken glass immediately
 Know the location of safety equipment
 Label all chemicals
 Report unsafe situations to your instructor
 Wash hands when you leave the lab
 If you’re not sure, ASK!
STAY SAFE!
Communication Standards of York College:
York College recognizes the importance of effective communication in all
disciplines and careers. Therefore students are expected to competently analyze,
synthesize, organize, and articulate course material in papers, examinations and
presentations. In addition, students should know and use communication skills
current to their field of study, recognize the need for revision as part of their writing
process, and employ standard conventions of English usage in both writing and
speaking. Students may be asked to further revise assignments that do not
demonstrate effective use of these communication skills.
Grading:
Final course grades will be based on the following:
1. ~ 51% of final grade is from lecture material
a. 3 exams, 100 pts each
300 pts
b. Group project, 50pts
50 pts
TOTAL
350 pts
2. ~ 49% of final grade is from laboratory material
a. 7 lab reports, 20 points each
140 pts
b. 2 lab exams, 100 points each
200 pts
TOTAL
340 pts
Tests:
Examinations/quizzes may be comprised of multiple choice, true or
false, and essay questions. You will also have two lab exams. Guidelines for
Course Grades are the following:
90-100%
A
4.0
85-89.9%
B+
3.5
80-84.9%
B
3.0
75-79.9%
C+
2.5
70-74.9%
C
2.0
60-69.9%
D
1.0
Below 60
F
0
Computer Access:
I have a web-page, onto which information for my classes will be posted. The
address is http://goose.ycp.edu/~jthompso/ . Also, all students for the class should
have York College server access and an email address assigned to them by the
college. It is through this email address that I will be posting messages to the class
throughout the minimester. If you have another email address, it is your
responsibility to have the York College address forwarded to your other address.
The computer help desk in information resources can help you do this.
Classroom etiquette, my expectations, and the 3-strike policy:
Disruptive behavior and general rudeness will be frowned upon and can
affect your grade. It is not fair to the students that attend the class with the
anticipation of learning something! The following is a list of some behaviors that I
consider offensive. Please refrain from committing them!
1. Tardiness. Make sure you beat me to class!
2. Disruptive talking or any distracting behavior during the instruction (including
sleeping…If you can’t stay awake for class, please stay in bed)
3. The use or evidence of electronic equipment during the classroom setting. This
includes, but is not limited to…cell phones, mp3 players, blackberries, or electronic
organizers. Please use these on your own time (before class, after class, or during
breaks) but not during class time. During instruction, I expect them to be turned
off and put away! I will keep a record of your behavior. With your third offensive,
your grade will be lowered by 10 points. (That is a 92 will be an 82). With each
additional offense, the grade will be dropped by another 10 points. The best way to
avoid this is to exhibit appropriate classroom courtesy. Thank you in advance!
York College’s academic dishonesty policy:
“…In Cases where faculty members observe academic dishonesty, the student(s) so
concerned will receive a grade of “F” or “0” for the course and a written report of this
incident will be forwarded to the Academic Dean, through the appropriate
department chairperson, for inclusion in a special file to be kept in the Dean’s
Office…”
Some of the practices the biology department considers dishonest?
1. Cheating on a test/exam (of course)
2. Plagiarism
a. Copying assignment answers – in lecture or in lab.
b. Copying information for your lab report, with proper
citation.
i. If the thought wasn’t yours, you must give credit
to whom it belongs!
3. If you do either, you are jeopardizing your reputation as a
York College Student and may be delaying your graduation!
4. IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS ANSWERING A QUESTION, ASK
AN INSTRUCTOR FOR HELP!…DO NOT COPY YOUR
NEIGHBOR’S ANSWER!
Tentative Syllabus under the best possible scenario, though subject to change due
to unforeseen problems. Refer to Laboratory Manual for description of each lab.
Date
Lecture Topic
Chapter
Lab Topic
Tuesday, May 18
Introduction;
Biology Today
1
Scientific Method
Wednesday, May 19
Essential Chem. For Bio
2
Enzymes/Group project
assignment
Thursday, May 20
Molecules of Life
3
Microscopy & Cell
Structure
Friday, May 21
Tour of the cell
Monday, May 24
Exam 1 (chapters 1-4)
The Working Cell
5
Tuesday, May 25
Photosynthesis
7
Wednesday, May 26
Cellular Respiration
6
Thursday, May 27
Exam 2 (chapters 5-7);
The Structure and Function of
DNA
Friday, May 28
Cellular Reproduction
Monday, May 31
Memorial Day..No class
Tuesday, June 1
Patterns of Inheritance
Wednesday, June 2
Exam 3(chapters 8-10, movie)
Thursday, June 3
Group project reports
Friday, June 4
No class
3,4
10
8
Diffusion & Osmosis
No lab; Time to work on
group projects
Lab Practical 1
(labs 1-4)
Lab Quest
Cellular Respiration lab
Movie: Race for the
Double Helix
DNA isolation/
Mitosis
No lab
9
Genetics
No lab; Time to work on
group projects
Lab Practical 2
(labs 5-9)
No lab
** PLEASE NOTE: These dates are subject to change. You will be notified of any changes.
Laboratory Rules

No eating, drinking, gum/tobacco chewing

No open toed shoes, sandals, or flip flops
 Wear appropriate personal protection when needed,
including eyewear, gloves, and lab coats

Clean up spills and broken glass immediately

Know the location of safety equipment

Label all chemicals

Report unsafe situations to your instructor

Wash hands when you leave the lab
If you’re not sure, ASK!
STAY SAFE!
These rules have been explained to me. I understand that
ignoring these rules is in contradiction to the department’s
ideals of acceptable lab safety practices and will result in my
removal from the lab until compliance is shown. Any missed
work will be the student’s responsibility, and may affect the
student’s course grade.

Cheating, Plagiarism, and Classroom etiquette Policies.
Don’t be guilty of violating any of the above policies!! All
offenses will be handled as described by the college’s
academic dishonesty policy and the rules explained in this
syllabus.
All writing assignments, including lab reports and
worksheets, are solo efforts. Work done in lab may
involve a partner, but the partnership ends when the lab
ends. Creating graphs, interpreting data, and the writing
of text are to be done independently. Anything other
than independent work is considered plagiarism and is
subject to disciplinary action as described in the York
College academic dishonesty policy.
York College’s academic dishonesty policy:
“…In Cases where faculty members observe academic dishonesty,
the student(s) so concerned will receive a grade of “F” or “0” for
the course and a written report of this incident will be
forwarded to the Academic Dean, through the appropriate
department chairperson, for inclusion in a special file to be kept
in the Dean’s Office…”
These rules have been explained to me. I understand that
ignoring these rules is in contradiction to York College
policy and will result in the above-described disciplinary
actions.
Laboratory Rules

No eating, drinking, gum/tobacco chewing

No open toed shoes, sandals, or flip flops
 Wear appropriate personal protection when needed,
including eyewear, gloves, and lab coats

Clean up spills and broken glass immediately

Know the location of safety equipment

Label all chemicals

Report unsafe situations to your instructor

Wash hands when you leave the lab
If you’re not sure, ASK!
STAY SAFE!
These rules have been explained to me. I understand that
ignoring these rules is in contradiction to the department’s
ideals of acceptable lab safety practices and will result in my
removal from the lab until compliance is shown. Any missed
work will be the student’s responsibility, and may affect the
student’s course grade.
Signature of student_______________________________
Printed Name of Student___________________________

Cheating, Plagiarism, and Classroom etiquette Policies.
Don’t be guilty of violating any of the above policies!! All
offenses will be handled as described by the college’s
academic dishonesty policy and the rules explained in this
syllabus.
All writing assignments, including lab reports and
worksheets, are solo efforts. Work done in lab may
involve a partner, but the partnership ends when the lab
ends. Creating graphs, interpreting data, and the writing
of text are to be done independently. Anything other
than independent work is considered plagiarism and is
subject to disciplinary action as described in the York
College academic dishonesty policy.
York College’s academic dishonesty policy:
“…In Cases where faculty members observe academic dishonesty,
the student(s) so concerned will receive a grade of “F” or “0” for
the course and a written report of this incident will be
forwarded to the Academic Dean, through the appropriate
department chairperson, for inclusion in a special file to be kept
in the Dean’s Office…”
These rules have been explained to me. I understand that
ignoring these rules is in contradiction to York College
policy and will result in the above-described disciplinary
actions.
Signature of student______________________________
Printed Name of Student___________________________