Red Deer College
School of Arts & Sciences
Course Outline
Introductory Biology BIOL 075C
Winter 2015
Denise Chiles
Office: 1619
Office Phone: 403-343-4050
Class Time: 12:30-1:20pm Tues-Fri
Class Location: room 2401
E-mail: denise.chiles@rdc.ab.ca
Lab Time: Section 4 12:30-1:20pm Monday
Office Hours: 1:30-2:30pm Monday
or by appointment
Lab Location: 1401
Credit hours: 4
Prerequisite: ENGL 075 or English 10
Academic Calendar EntryFor students with no biology background. Includes basic cell chemistry and cell function;
genetics and evolution; classification of living things. Lab work is related to class discussion and
gives you practical experience in a lab setting. High School Equivalent: Grade 10-11 level.
Prerequisite: ENGL 075 or English 10.
Learning Outcomes1. Recall biologically important chemical compounds and discuss their functions.
2. Compare the structure and function of prokaryotic cells versus eukaryotic cells, and plant
cells versus animal cells.
3. Describe the processes by which materials move into and out of the cell, and make
experimental predictions about these processes.
4. Identify various cell organelles and discuss their role in cell division and inheritance.
5. Explain the molecular basis of inheritance and solve genetic problems.
6. Distinguish between the kingdoms of the taxonomic system and compare the characteristics
of the organisms therein.
7. Discuss the process of natural selection and how it may contribute to speciation or
extinction.
8. Collaborate effectively and safely with peers in order to follow laboratory procedures,
improve microscope skills, and draw biological diagrams.
9. Complete independent research, critically assess information, and create projects to
evidence learning.
Required Texts and EquipmentBiology 075 Lab Manual
Recommended Readings and ResourcesMader, S. (2014). Inquiry into Life, 14th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Online Learning Resource: http://www.mhhe.com/maderinquiry14
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AssessmentQuizzes
Assignments
Lab Work
Final Exam
40%
10%
20%
30%
There are six quizzes equally weighted.
There are assignments for each unit.
There are ten labs worth 2% each.
There is one final exam worth 30%.
Assignments & ExaminationsQuizzes will be a combination of multiple choice, true/false, matching, diagrams, and short
answer questions covering content from each unit of study. Assignments are small review
exercises that will help you prepare for quizzes. Lab work may include quizzes, pre-lab
assignments, skill assessments, and written lab reports.
Quiz Schedule
Unit A
Unit B
Unit C
Unit D
Unit E
Unit F
January 15
January 29
February 12
March 4
March 24
April 7
The final exam will be scheduled on a date between April 16- 22.
Due to the nature of the course, all quizzes must be written in class at the time specified by the
instructor. There are no rewrites in BIOL 075, but if a quiz is missed, its weight can be added to
the final exam. A maximum of two quizzes may be added to the final exam. If more than two
quizzes are missed, you will receive a grade of zero for subsequent missed quizzes.
Assignments are to be handed in at the beginning of the class. Late assignments will be
penalized if marked at all.
If there is a valid reason for missing a lab, and the instructor is contacted beforehand, there is a
possibility that you can work with a different lab section that week. Otherwise, if a lab is missed
without notification, you will receive a grade of zero for that lab. You cannot hand in a lab report
for a lab you did not attend. Late submissions will be accepted without penalty up to 24 hours
after the time due. A plagiarism detection tool will be used in this course. Instructor will advise.
Grading ScaleThe grading system will be applied fairly and consistently from student to student in a section,
from section to section within a course and from program to program. Total points earned during
the semester will be converted to a letter to provide the final grade for the course. Please refer
to the Academic Standing Policy for more information.
Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
Grade Point
4.0
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
Approximate %
96 – 100
90 – 95
82 – 89
78 – 81
74 – 77
70 – 73
66 – 69
62 – 65
Description
Excellent Performance
Good Performance
Satisfactory Performance
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CD+
D
F
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0
58 – 61
54 – 57
50 – 53
0 - 49
Pass
Fail
NOTE: A grade of A will generally be the top grade in a course, with A+ being reserved for
recognition of exceptional achievement.
Attendance Requirements- Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes as
scheduled. If a lecture or lab is missed, the student assumes responsibility for the material that
was covered. Please check Blackboard, consult with a classmate, or talk to the instructor to stay
connected.
The RDC Final Examination Policy will be followed at all times with respect to Final
Examinations. Please review this document to ensure that you understand the contents and
implications of the policy. Click here to see the Final Examination Policy.
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct in all its forms is a serious offence. Please read the definitions that follow,
and refer to the links below for the complete policies.
Definitions
Academic misconduct: Academic misconduct is the giving, taking, or presenting of information
or material that unethically or dishonestly aids oneself or another on any work which, under
normal circumstances, is to be considered in the determination of a grade or the compilation of
academic requirements or the enhancement of that student’s record or academic career. The
two key areas of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism.
Plagiarism: The use or close imitation of language, paintings, films, prototypes and ideas of
another author and representation of them as one's own original work. The most common forms
of plagiarism are: copying or paraphrasing another author’s work without proper
acknowledgement, using the ideas or lines of reasoning of another author’s work without proper
acknowledgement, submitting work to which someone else has made substantial improvements
to the content, and submitting the same work for multiple courses without approval.
Plagiarism can be judged to have occurred if the instructor has both the submitted material and
original source that was copied, or if the student is unable to explain the terminology or ideas of
a submission.
Cheating: Any attempt to give or obtain unsanctioned assistance in a formal academic exercise
(e.g., examination).
•
•
•
Student Misconduct: Academic and Non-Academic Policy
Appeal: Formal Policy
Appeals: Informal Resolution Policy
approved December 16, 2015
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Important Red Deer College Dates - 2015-2016
~ Winter 2016
January 4
January 5
January 13
January 13
February 15
February 16-19
February 22
March 1
March 7
March 14
March 21
March 25
April 11
April 11
April 16-22
April 27
April 29
April 30
May 14
College open. No credit classes.
First day of classes for Winter term 2016. Mid-term feedback date for Full-year 20152016 courses.
Last day to register late or add/drop Winter term 2016 courses.
Last day to have tuition refunded for Winter term 2016Wcourses.
Family Day 2016; College closed.
Mid-term break. No credit classes.
Credit classes resume Winter term 2016.
Emergency Response Day.
Midterm feedback date for Winter term 2016 courses.
Final exams schedule posted Winter term 2016.
Continuing student registration begins for 2016-2017.
Good Friday; College closed.
Last day to withdraw from Winter 2016 and Full-year 2015-2016 courses are receive
a WD.
Last day of classes for Winter term 2016 and Full-year 2015-2016 courses.
Final exams written.
Deferred exams for Winter term 2016 and Full-year 2015-2016 courses written.
Last day for submission of final grades for Winter term 2016 courses.
Final grades available for Winter term 2016.
Supplemental exams for Winter term 2016 and Full-year 2015-2016 written.
Prior Learning Assessment
This course may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment. Students should refer to the RDC
Academic Calendar for a list of excluded courses.
Student Services on Campus
Students should be aware that Personal Counselling, Career, Learning and Disability
Resources are provided by RDC. Students may inquire about locations at the Information Desk.
It is the responsibility students to discuss their specific learning needs with the appropriate
service provider.
Learning Support (Library: 403-342-3264, help_learn@rdc.ab.ca )
• Writing Skills Centre (writingskills@rdc.ab.ca)
• Math Learning Centre (math concepts and advanced theoretical math)
• Learning Strategies (note-taking, studying and exam-writing strategies)
• Peer-Assisted Study / Tutoring (one-on-one tutoring by students)
Disability Resources (Library: 403-357-3629, disabilityservices@rdc.ab.ca)
• Coordination of services (tutoring, alternate format text, note-taking and so on.)
• Academic accommodations, including exam accommodations
Counselling and Career Centre (Room 1402: 403-343-4064, counselling@rdc.ab.ca)
Changes to Course Outline
No changes will be made to this course outline without the consent of the class and the
approval of the Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the information contained in this course outline
and to clarify any areas of concern with the instructor.
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Students should refer to the Appeals: Formal Policy, Appeals: Informal Resolution Policy and
Student Misconduct: Academic and Non-Academic Policy should questions or concerns about
the Course Outline not be resolved directly with the instructor.
Course Topics and Reading/Class Schedule-
READING OUTLINE
Mader, S. (2014). Inquiry into Life, 14th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Unit A
Introduction to Biology
•
Definition and Characteristics of Life
•
Classification of Life
•
Viruses and their life cycle.
•
The Process of Science
Chapter 1
Chapter 28
Chapter 1
Unit B
Molecules of Cells
•
Atoms, Molecules and Chemical Bonding
•
Water
•
pH
•
Organic Molecules
•
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
Chapter 2
Unit C
Cell Structure and Function
•
Cellular Level of Organization
•
Eukaryotic Cells
•
Cell Membrane and Cell Wall Function
Chapter 3
Cell Division and Molecular Basis of Inheritance
•
Cell Cycle and Mitosis
•
Meiosis
Chapter 5
Unit D
•
•
•
•
DNA and RNA
Translation and Transcription
Gene Mutations
Cancer (optional)
Unit E
Inheritance
•
Mendel’s Laws
•
Beyond Mendel's Laws
•
Genetic Disorders
Unit F
Survey of Life (Taxonomy)
•
Bacteria and Archaea
•
Protists and Fungi
•
Plants
•
Animals, invertebrates
•
Invertebrates
•
Chordates
Chapter 4
Chapter 25
Chapter 23
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
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