Angie Pennock
Spring 2013
Biology 110: Principles of Biology (D8, D9, D10)
Office: N203B
Office Hours: Monday, 11:00 – 12:00
Tuesday, 12:00 – 1:00
Wednesday, 11:00 – 12:00
Thursday, 12:00 – 1:00
Friday, 12:00 – 1:00
Telephone Number: 362.7215
mspennock014@mail.cfcc.edu
CFCC General Education Competencies will incorporate all or some of the following:




Computer Skills
Critical Thinking
Global Awareness
Oral Communication



Quantitative Skills
Written Communication
Understanding Scientific Concepts &
TEXTBOOK(S):
Lecture: Campbell, N. A., J. B. Reece, & E. J. Simon. Essential Biology, Pearson: Benjamin Cummings, 3rd
Ed., 2007. ISBN: 0-8053-6842-6
Lab: Cape Fear Biology Laboratory Manual. ISBN: 9780697795212
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides a survey of fundamental biological principles
for non-science majors. Emphasis is placed on basic chemistry, cell biology, metabolism, genetics, taxonomy,
evolution, ecology, diversity, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate
increased knowledge and better understanding of biology as it applies to everyday life. This course has been
approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement general education core requirement in natural
sciences/mathematics. This course may meet the SACS natural science requirement for AA, AS, AFA, AGE, AAS,
DIP, or CER programs.
CLASS HOURS PER WEEK: Lecture: 3 hours (M, W, F 1:00 – 1:50)
Lab: 3 hours (M, T, F 2:00 – 4:50)
SEMESTER HOURS CREDIT: 4 hours
PREREQUISITES: Proficiency in Reading – A grade of “C” or better in ENG 095 or RED 090 OR minimum Accuplacer
score of 80 on Reading
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion, students will be able to demonstrate increased knowledge and
understanding of the general concepts of biology:
• The Process of Science
o List the sequential steps to the scientific method: 1) Observation; 2) Hypothesis; 3) Experimentation;
and 4) Conclusion.
o Given an observation and review of research/data, formulate a(n) hypothesis.
o Given a hypothesis, formulate dependent and independent variables for an experiment.
o Given an experiment, interpret data and produce viable conclusion based on the results.
• Basic Chemistry
o List in order the steps in the hierarchy of biological system from an atom to an organism.
o List the differences, considering electrons, between ionic, polar covalent, non-polar covalent and
hydrogen bonds.
o Describe the properties of water and water chemistry:
 High Surface Tension
 High Boiling Point
 High Heat of Vaporization
 High Specific Heat
•
•
•
•
•
•
 Cohesion/Adhesion
 Liquid state more dense than Solid state
o Given a pH scale, interpret an acid, a base, neutral and be able to describe a buffer.
Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry
o Know the four major categories of macromolecules considered essential to life.
o Know monomers/polymers with examples of each essential macromolecule category.
o Given characteristics describing an essential macromolecule category, classify the category
described.
Cells
o Understanding the interrelationship of the various cellular organelles that maintain life.
o Recognize the differences between animal and plant cells.
o Compare and contrast the differences between mitotic and meiotic division.
Energy
o Understanding the relationships within and throughout biological processes, such as, enzymatic
activity, photo – and chemi –synthesis, and cellular respiration
Heredity
o Discuss an articulate the process of passing traits from one generation to another
o Discover the process by which biotechnology utilizes the data from the genome project to improve
life
Diversity
o Utilizing scientific procedures to map out the evolutionary line of organisms.
o Understanding the interdependence between plant and animal organisms.
o Articulate and understand the characteristics that separate organisms.
Ecology
o Understanding and articulating the interrelationship between mankind and the world we live in.
o Understand and be able to apply processes that will benefit the environment.
o Articulate and understand the characteristics of the various ecosystems.
GRADING SCALE:
CFCC has adopted the following grading scale.
A = 4.00
(92-100)
WP = (not computed in grade point average)
B = 3.00
(84-91)
WF = (computed as an "F")
C = 2.00
(76-83)
I = Incomplete (paperwork required)
D = 1.00
(68-75)
F = 0.00
(0-67)
Your final grade will be calculated by dividing the total number of points earned by the maximum number of points
possible (800) and multiplying by 100. Grades may be curved if the instructor deems it is necessary.
Action
Exams
Lab Exercises
Lab Reports
Project
Total
Points
500 (100 each)
100 (25 each)
100 (50 each)
100 (50 for paper, 50 for presentation)
800
GENERAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND CLASS POLICY STATEMENTS
1. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Grades will be based on a combination of lecture exams, lab exercises,
and a project.
A. TESTING: You will be given 5 (five) exams this semester accounting for approximately 60%
of your final grade. Each exam will be worth 100 points. An optional cumulative final
exam will be given at the end of the course. The final exam can be used to replace your
lowest exam grade. If you miss an exam, the final will serve as your make-up exam.
There will be no other make-up exams. The final exam will carry the same weight as the
other 5 (five).
a. Exams will be composed of multiple choice and short answer questions. The final
exam will be multiple choice only.
b. Please see the course schedule below for exam dates.
B. LABORATORY EXERCISES & REPORTS: Lab exercises must be completed before you leave
class. I will collect 4 lab exercises over the course of the semester worth 25 points each.
These will be collected randomly with no prior notice and lab exercises cannot be made
up. So, please make sure you attend all labs and complete the exercises. In addition,
you will be responsible for preparing 2 lab reports. If you are absent for the exercises that
the lab report is based on, you will need to get the data and instructions from your lab
partner. The lab reports will be worth 50 points each. Lab exercises and reports will
account for 25% of your final grade.
C. PROJECT: Each student must complete a project this semester that will account for 15% of
your final grade. You will complete a description of a species based on the information
presented this semester and present a short presentation about your species.
The
description paper will be worth 50 points and the presentation will be worth 50 points.
D. ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION: CFCC has a "no excused absences" policy! With a
liberal attendance policy, that in most cases allows students to miss up to 20% of a
class, class absences should be reserved for emergency situations.
Two questions will be asked at the beginning of each lecture from the chapter(s) to be
covered that day (you must read ahead!). Each student will write down their answers to
these questions for submission. Each correct answer will be worth 0.1 point that will be
added to your final grade. This could be the difference between letter grades and it is
the only extra credit for this course.
It is your responsibility to pick up your 2 questions sheet at the beginning of class. Failure
to do so will result in an absence. “I forgot” is not an acceptable reason to remove the
absence. If you are caught taking and filling out a sheet for a student that is not present,
it will be considered academic dishonesty and you will receive a grade of F.
Attendance will be taken each day at the beginning of class via the two questions. If a
student leaves any time after roll has been called and fails to come back or even comes
back later then they are subject to the attendance policy explained below.
The attendance policy for this course allows a student to be absent six times throughout
the semester without fault or harm to his or her grade. The seventh absence will result in
a grade of “F” for the course that the student is enrolled in for the semester.
An absence in this course is defined as any absence in either lecture or lab session in full
or in part by 30 minutes or more of the designated lecture or lab time period at any point
during the semester.
A tardy will be assessed when a student fails to be in class in his or her assigned seat with
book and notebook ready by the time roll is taken. A tardy will also be assessed if a
student leaves the lecture or lab session early or leaves either session for a period of five
minutes or more up to 30 minutes without returning.
Two tardies=One absence
Excused tardies or absences are not allowed.
Absences involving extenuating circumstances(Tardies involving extenuating
circumstances do not exist!) such as medical emergencies involving the student or a
student’s immediate family member (parents, grandparents, spouse, siblings, children,
grandchildren and the in-law counterparts of the aforementioned) or a death within the
immediate family may be considered*.
*To even be considered, the student must do all of the following:
1) Contact the instructor by phone, note or e-mail within 24 hours of the start of class of
the first absence associated with the extenuating circumstance; and
2) Provide proof of medical emergency or death within one week of return after
extenuating circumstance.
2.
COURSE STRUCTURE/SYLLABUS - Schedule
Important Dates at Cape Fear Community College Fall 2013:
January 4
Classes begin
January 16 – February 8
Grade of W (Instructor signature required)
January 21
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
February 9 – April 12
Grade of WP/WF (Instructor signature required)
March 11 – 15
Spring Break
March 29
Easter
April 15
No Course Withdrawals
May 6
Classes end
Calendar of Class Meetings:
Lecture and Lab Schedule:
Week
Lecture Topics (Labs will correspond to Lecture Materials)
January 4
Introduction to the Course, Review Syllabus
Chapter 1 (Introduction: Biology Today)
January 7 – 11
Chapter 2 (Essential Chemistry for Biology)
Chapter 2 (Essential Chemistry for Biology)
January 14 – 18
Chapter 3 (The Molecules of Life)
Chapter 4 (A Tour of the Cell)
No Class January 21
January 21 – 25
Chapter 4 (A Tour of the Cell)
Review for Exam 1
Exam 1, January 28
January 28 – February 1
Chapter 5 (The Working Cell)
Chapter 6 (Cellular Respiration: Obtaining Energy from Food)
Chapter 6 (Cellular Respiration: Obtaining Energy from Food)
February 4 – 8
Chapter 7 (Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food)
Chapter 7 (Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food)
Review for Test 2
February 11 – 15
Test 2, February 13
Chapter 8 (Cellular Reproduction: Cells from Cells)
Chapter 8 (Cellular Reproduction: Cells from Cells)
February 18 – 22
Chapter 9 (Patterns of Inheritance)
Week
February 25 – March 1
March 4 – March 8
March 11 – 15
March 18 – 22
March 25 – 29
April 1 – 5
April 8 – 12
April 15 – 19
April 22 – 26
April 29 – May 3
May 6
Lecture Topics (Labs will correspond to Lecture Materials)
Chapter 9 (Patterns of Inheritance)
Chapter 10 (The Structure and Function of DNA)
Review for Exam 3
Exam 3, March 6
Chapter 11 (How Genes are Controlled)
Chapter 12 (DNA Technology)
Spring Break
Chapter 12 (DNA Technology)
Chapter 13 (How Populations Evolve)
Chapter 14 (How Biological Diversity Evolves)
Chapter 14 (How Biological Diversity Evolves)
Chapter 15 (The Evolution of Microbial Life)
No Class March 29
Chapter 15 (The Evolution of Microbial Life)
Review for Exam 4
Exam 4, April 5
Presentations of Species in Labs
Chapter 16 (Plants, Fungi, and the Move onto Land)
Chapter 17 (The Evolution of Animals)
Chapter 17 (The Evolution of Animals)
Chapter 18 (An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere)
Chapter 18 (An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere)
Chapter 19 (Population Ecology)
Chapter 20 (Communities and Ecosystems)
Review for Exam 5
Exam 5, May 3
Optional Cumulative Final Exam
Classroom Preparedness Policy: Classroom preparedness involves punctuality and respect within the
classroom. You are expected to read each chapter in the text before it is covered in class. This will be your
homework assignment for every class.
Behavior: Please be respectful in this class. Do not talk during class unless you are asking a question or taking
part in a discussion with the rest of the class about the lecture topic. Please leave cell phones in your bags or
pockets and be sure that the ringer is turned off. There will be no phone calls or texting during class. If you must
take/make a call, please step out of the class room. You will be responsible for getting notes for any missed
lecture time from one of your classmates. If you engage in any behavior that is disruptive to the class, you may
be asked to leave.
Food & Drink Policy: No Food or Drink is allowed in either lecture or lab sessions unless it is a part of your
experiment.
Accommodation of Special Needs Based on Disability: Any student who requests classroom
accommodations because of a disability must present documentation to verify his/her disability. This
documentation must be furnished to · the Disabilities Service Coordinator, and this should be provided prior
to requesting accommodation by the instructor. On a confidential basis, the student, disabilities services
and the instructor will determine the appropriate accommodations following documentation.
Accommodations will be provided in a manner that is consistent with the objectives, outcomes, and
academic standards of the course. Absences must not exceed class attendance policy.
Academic Honesty: Any behavior indicating dishonesty, unethical intent or action as specified by CFCC will
result in an “F,” a grade of zero for the assignment and/or the course, at the instructor’s discretion. Please read
the section on “Cheating” in the CFCC Catalog and Student Handbook.
Plagiarism is using as your own the words or ideas of another, whether written or oral. When you use material
from a source, you must quote or paraphrase accurately and properly cite the information. Failure to do so is
considered plagiarism. Examples of plagiarism include word-for-word copying without correctly indicating that
you are quoting, inaccurate quoting and paraphrasing, and incomplete or missing documentation.
Purchasing a paper or copying someone else’s work and submitting it as your own are also plagiarism. Any
misrepresentation of the source in your writing or speaking would constitute a form of plagiarism.
Whether intentional or unintentional, plagiarism is not acceptable and will result in the student being assigned a
grade of zero for the assignment and/or the course, at the instructor’s discretion.
Student Accounts: Your myCFCC account is a single username and password for all of your CFCC network
accounts: email, WebAdvisor, Blackboard, campus computer access, and more. The email account provided
to you (yourusername@mail.cfcc.edu) is used for all official communication with CFCC instructors and staff.
Some information will ONLY be sent by email and not by postal mail, so it is very important that you check this
account. This account may also be used for personal mail, but is subject to the CFCC Acceptable Use Policy.
Be sure to logout of your account in each service you may have opened (email, Blackboard, etc) when you
leave a shared computer, otherwise it is possible for the next user of the computer to access your information.
Contingency Plan: · If there is an emergency and the instructor or an appropriate substitute does not
meet with the class, wait fifteen minutes. Then, everyone in the class should sign a roll sheet and
designate someone to take it to the Department Chair or Secretary.
Tobacco use is prohibited on all CFCC property. The first offense is a warning and the second offense may
result in disciplinary action.
***The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Cape Fear Community
College, to make changes, adjustments, additions and deletions in course content, first day handout, or
instructional technique, without notice or obligations.