General Biology (BIO 101)
Fall 2009
Syllabus
- General Biology Lecture (BIO101) Mira Costa College (3.0 units, Grade Only)
Instructor:
Elmar Schmid, Ph.D.
Lecture Hours: NBR 1840 M/W 8:00 – 9:15 AM
Room # OC3606
Office Hours: Via Blackboard or by appointment
Voicemail: t.b.a.
Mail Box: 8B
E-mail: eschmid@miracosta.edu
(*please allow up to 24 hours
to respond to your e-mail)
Web Link: http://classroom.sdmesa.edu/eschmid
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This General Biology (BIO 101) lecture is part of the Biology program at Mira
Costa College, which serves three areas of study. It is together with the
parallel offered General Biology 101 laboratory course required for the Major
in the Applied Biology Track as well as the Allied Health Track career to receive
an Associate in Science degree. This introductory, 3-UNIT Biology lecture
(together with the concurrent BIO 101 laboratory) also fulfills the student’s
general education and principal science requirements.
Biology is the scientific study of living things. Biology is a broad field of study
concerned with the characteristics and processes common to all organisms on
planet Earth, including the origin, diversity, structure, activities and
distribution of organisms. Like all branches of science, biology is both a body
of knowledge and an ongoing process for acquiring new knowledge. This
course is designed to help you develop an understanding and an appreciation
of basic biological concepts and the methods of science as applied to the study
of life.
This introductory biology course focuses on the basic concepts, principles and
fundamentals upon which the field of biology rests. This course will introduce
you to all levels of biological organization (molecules to ecosystems) and to
the basic characteristics common to all living organisms (e.g. metabolism,
growth, reproduction, heredity, evolution). To help you develop a conceptual
framework of biology most of the topics covered will be discussed in the
context of nine interrelated themes: 1) science as a process; 2) the molecular
basis of life; 3) the cellular basis of life; 4) relationship between form and
function; 5) acquiring and conversion of energy in living organisms; 6)
growth, reproduction and heredity; 7) unity within diversity; 8) homeostasis
and ecological interactions and 9) bioethics.
Biology 101 is a rigorous course and will require an above average effort and
average to above average reading and study skills. You should spend a
minimum of one hour outside of class for every hour you spend in class.
Please let me know whenever you have questions, comments or are in need of
suggestions or help.
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General Biology (BIO 101)
Fall 2009
A variety of learning activities will be utilized in this course. These activities
will consist of primarily lectures, short group discussions, reading and writing
assignments and self-directed library research on current biological issues.
Classes will be conducted as open discussions where each student is expected
to arrive prepared to participate in class discussions. Your success in this
course will be directly related to your degree of involvement in each of these
learning activities. If at any point during the semester you need help or advice
please talk to me, I am always happy and willing to help a student.
This course is NOT intended for biology majors. [CSU; UC].
PREREQUISITE(S)
Courses and/or other preparation/experience that is REQUIRED to be
completed prior to enrollment in this course. – None
COREQUISITE(S)
Courses and/or other preparation(s) that is REQUIRED to be taken concurrently with this course. – None
COURSE ADVISORY
Concurrent enrollment in BIO 101L is strongly recommended. Eligibility for
English 100.
OFFICE HOURS
Office Hours are on Wednesdays from 9:45 – 10:45 AM and are held in room
# t.b.a; so if you have any problems with this lecture, questions regarding
assignments, grading, etc., use this day and time to get in touch with me; you
also have the opportunity to get a hold of me throughout this semester via the
email box accessible on the homepage of my instructor’s website:
http://classroom.sdmesa.edu/eschmid/
Also don’t hesitate to contact me after the regular class meetings!
REQUIRED TEXTS
Following textbook is required for this course:
Biology-Concepts & Connections, by Campbell, Reece, Taylor &
Simon; 5th edition, (Publisher: Pearson - Benjamin Cummings)
- this text book can be purchased in new or used versions in the
Mira Costa College bookstore
Most of the lectured material of this course, including lectured content,
graphics, animations, can also be found in the document section (= "Biol107
docs") of the General Biology section of my instructor’s website;
this website also allows you access assignments (e.g. take-home quizzes),
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General Biology (BIO 101)
Fall 2009
study guides and extra credit announcements. The website address
is: http://classroom.sdmesa.edu/eschmid/
- to co-work with the on-line text of the different Bio107 chapters is highly
recommended since it offers information heard in some of the lectures but
not covered in the textbook.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Following materials are required for the scheduled exams and regularly eposted take-home quizzes.
Scantron sheets (#882-E)
No. 2 pencil
Eraser
COURSE OBJECTIVES
After successful participation of this course the student is expected to be able
to:
1. analyze the scientific method and evaluate hypotheses for scientific merit.
2. explain basic evolutionary facts and relate these to theories of the origin of
life.
3. illustrate evolutionary facts as they relate to proposed mechanisms of
evolutionary change of life (i.e. natural selection)
4. describe, in general outline, some of the modern biological discoveries and
evaluate their impact on science.
5. describe the basic chemistry of biomolecules in plants and animals.
6. examine fundamental biological principles, including metabolism, growth,
homeostasis, using the human species as the primary organism of
discussion.
7. explain the process of information flow in biological systems from DNA to
RNA to protein.
8. correlate molecular genetics with heredity, heritable diseases and treatment
of heritable diseases.
9. compare and contrast the structure and function of bio-organic molecules,
cells, tissues, organs and systems.
10. compare and contrast organizational patterns of systems in various
organisms .
11. evaluate the human species in the context of biodiversity in a broad
taxonomy.
12. read, analyze, and interpret articles in selected journals and the public
press for biological principles and basis.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance in lecture and lab is mandatory. If a student does not attend the
first two days of class, he/she will be dropped. I will record attendance and
reserve the right to drop students with excessive absences. Be sure to sign
the attendance sheet each time in class. In the event that you cannot attend a
lecture please inform the instructor in writing as to the reason to avoid being
recorded as unexcused absent. The students share the responsibility of
withdrawal from this course (for more information about class withdrawal
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General Biology (BIO 101)
Fall 2009
deadlines see section below). Excessive absences means if the hours of
unexcused absences for the semester exceed the number of hours the class
meets per week, or if the student’s total hours of absence for any reason
exceed twice the number of hours the class meets per week (based on
semester length classes).
EVALUATION
Your grade for this course will be based on points earned on lecture
categories, points earned in the laboratory section of this course and on
attendance.
I. Lecture
The lecture portion of this course will be worth 70% of your final grade.
The lecture grade will be calculated from the accumulated points the student
received from, i) taking five (5) scheduled lecture exams, ii) from turning in
up to ten (10) instructor website-posted take-home quizzes, and iii) from a
five percent (5%) attendance factor.
Exams
Each exam covers the course information (lecture material + textbook
readings) presented since the previous exam. Each exam will be closedbook/no-notes fashion and contain 80 - 100 multiple choice, matching items,
completion and/or true/false-type questions, which will be answered on
Scantron cards (882-E). The purchase of the Scantron sheets as well as the
supply of a soft pencil is the student’s responsibility.
TESTED TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS & LECTURE TOPICS
Exam #1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Exam #2
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Exam #3
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 12
Exam #4
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
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Approx. Points
160
Biology – Exploring life
Atoms & The chemical basis of life
The molecules of life (bio-molecules)
200
Cells - The living units of life
Energy, life & The working cell
How cells harvest chemical energy
Food from light – Photosynthesis
200
The basis of growth & Cellular reproduction
Genetics & Patterns of inheritance
DNA & Molecular biology of the gene
DNA technology & Genomics
200
How populations evolve
The origin of species
Tracing evolutionary history
Origin of life theories & life’s domains
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General Biology (BIO 101)
Final Exam
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Fall 2009
17
18
19
34
200
Fungi, plant evolution & The colonization of land
Animals & The evolution of animal diversity
Human evolution
The Biosphere: an introduction to Earth’s diverse
environments
Take Home Quizzes
Students are required to work on and turn in one mandatory take home quiz
every week. These weekly take home quizzes - which will be posted on the
“General Biology” homepage section of my instructor website - will contain
between 15 and 20 questions (short answer, true-false, multiple choice-style)
that cover key topics of past lecture and/or textbook chapters.
Answers to all questions must be given on a Scantron card (Form No. 882-E)
and must be completed independently and without the help of a third party to
receive full credit. Also, the assignments must be turned in on the webannounced deadline (usually the following week after the web posting) to
receive full credit. Late assignments will not be accepted. Each take home
quiz will be worth between 30 and 40 points which will be added to your point
account. Take home quiz questions will appear in very similar form and
difficulty level on the scheduled exams!
II. Laboratory
The laboratory portion of this course will be taught by another instructor and
will be worth 30% of your final grade in class. A detailed description of the lab
portion (including lab schedule, grading, fieldtrips, etc.) will be provided for
you by your instructor in the lab.
* You must purchase both the lab manual along with the General Biology
lab kit from the campus bookstore and bring it with you to every lab
period. The lab manual has to be purchased as a new version and be
free from any previous writing in it.
III. Grading
Five (5) lecture exams (a’ 200 pts.)
Ten (10) take-home quizzes
Attendance
Laboratory
Total points
=
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approx. points
960
400
50
600
2,010 Pts.
(= 100%)
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General Biology (BIO 101)
Fall 2009
Your final course grade will be assigned based on the following percentages:
Percentage
Letter Grade
100 - 91%
90 - 81%
80 - 71%
70 - 61%
< 60 %
A
B
C
D
F
IV. Extra Credit
There will be opportunities for up to 100 points worth of extra credit in this
course. You will be informed of these opportunities in class as they arise. Extra
credit activities may include a short critical essay type work on a
contemporary science topic, science article, news report, etc. Stay tuned!
MAKE-UP EXAM POLICY
One exam may be made up with prior arrangement with the instructor. You
must talk to me in person or on the phone (a message is not enough) before
a date for a make-up exam may be arranged. In order to be considered for a
make-up exam arrangement, the student needs to have furnished the
instructor with a written, justifiable documented reason as to why he/she
cannot write the exam or he/she missed a scheduled exam.
All make-ups are penalized 10% of possible point value. All make-up exams
will be given on a day in the finals week. Day and time is t.b.a. by the
instructor. Students cannot schedule make-ups on any other day or time.
ACCOMMODATION OF DISABILITY
A student with a verifiable disability may be entitled to appropriate academic
accommodations. Please identify your accommodation needs to me by the
second week of class so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Also
contact one of the following: Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS)
Offices (760) 795-6658 or the Office of the ADA Coordinator (760) 795-6866.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
The primary method of instruction will be a short lecture discussion based
introduction to the new lecture topic(s) which will be followed by auditorium
style lecturing of new lecture material and topics.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Last day to add class date
10% drop without “W” date
75% last day to drop with a “W” date
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Sept. 05, 2009
Sept. 05, 2009
Nov. 20, 2009
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General Biology (BIO 101)
Fall 2009
STUDENT BEHAVIOR & CONDUCT
I will make every attempt to teach the class with patience and respect and
expect the same from each student in this course. While academic inquiry is
always welcome, disruptive behavior is not. Please observe the following in the
interest of maintaining a pleasant class environment for everyone:
 Please address all questions and comments to me, private discussions are
disruptive
 Please turn off all communication devices during lecture and/or lab
 Please do not disrupt class by arriving late or leaving early. DO NOT
submit late work to the instructor while lecture is taking place.
 Eating, drinking, chewing gum and smoking are not permitted in the lecture
or lab
 Policy 3100 outlines the rights and responsibilities of students; please
consult this policy for further information
 This class will be conducted in accordance with the college student code of
conduct and basic standards of academic honesty. Cheating, plagiarism or
other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable and will be referred
to the Disciplinary Committee.
PLAGIARISM
I expect my students to seek high moral standards for themselves, to
achieve their aspired goals by maintaining academic honesty and most of all
to abstain from any form of plagiarism. By plagiarism I mean the act of
incorporating ideas, words, or specific substance of another, whether
purchased, borrowed, or otherwise obtained, and submitting the same as
one's own work to fulfill academic requirements without giving credit to the
appropriate source. Examples of plagiarism include but are not limited to
the following:
Submitting work, either in part or in whole, completed by another;
Omitting footnotes for ideas, statements, facts or conclusions which belong
to another;
3. Omitting quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it
be a paragraph, sentence, or part thereof;
4. Close and lengthy paraphrasing of the writing or work of another, with or
without acknowledgment;
5. And submitting papers purchased from research companies (or downloaded
from electronic source) as one's own work.
1.
2.
ADVISE ON HOW TO SUCCEED IN GENERAL BIOLOGY (BIO101)
 Come to class prepared - read in advance
 Review the concepts soon after class
 Participate in class discussions & Take notes!
 Make sure that you understand any material missed on a previous exam
 ASK QUESTIONS: email, during class and after, attend office hours!!
 Form small study groups!
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General Biology (BIO 101)
Fall 2009
MIRA COSTA COLLEGE
GENERAL BIOLOGY (BIO101) Lecture Schedule – Fall 2009
Instructor: Elmar Schmid, Ph.D
Lecture Days: M & W
Week
MON
WED
1
Aug 24
Aug 26
2
Aug 31
3
CHAPTER*
(M) Biology – Exploring Life (Scientific Method)
(W) Chemical Basis of Life (Atomic theory, chemical elements, water)
1
2
Sep 2
(M) Molecules of Cells I (Carbohydrates, Lipids)
(W) Molecules of Cells II (Proteins, Nucleic Acids)
3
3
Sep 7
(Holiday)
Sep 9
(W) Exam #1 (Student has to bring one Scantron card (Form No. 882-E)
plus a soft pencil to this exam!)
4
4
Sep 14
Sep 16
(M) A Tour of the Cell (Cell theory, cell types, cell organelles)
(W) The Working Cell (Laws of energy, enzymes, membrane transport)
4
5
5
Sep 21
Sep 23
(M) How cells harvest chemical energy I (Glycolysis, Krebs cycle)
(W) How cells harvest chemical energy II (Electron transport chain,
fermentation, other metabolic pathways)
6
6
Sep 28
Sept 30
(W) Photosynthesis – Using light to make food I
(Overview, nature of light, light reactions)
(M) Photosynthesis – Using light to make food II
(Calvin-Benson cycle, photorespiration, C4 & CAM plants)
7
6
7
8
9
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TOPICS
Oct 5
Oct 12
Oct 19
Oct 6
Oct 14
Oct 21
7
(M) Exam #2 (Student has to bring one Scantron card (Form No. 882-E)
plus a soft pencil to this exam!)
(W) The cellular basis of reproduction & inheritance (Growth, cell
cycle, mitosis, meiosis, chromosomal aberrations)
8
(M) Patterns of Inheritance I (Mendel’s laws, dominant-recessive human
traits)
(W) Patterns of Inheritance II (Variations on Mendel’s laws, incomplete
dominance, codominance, X-linked inheritance)
9
(M) Molecular Biology of the Gene I (Genome organization, DNA
replication, DNA mutations & repair)
(W) Molecular Biology of the Gene II (DNA transcription, Protein
translation, microbial genetics & viruses)
10
12
9
10
10
Oct 26
Oct 28
(M) DNA technology & Genomics (Plasmids, cloning, PCR, GMOs)
(W) Exam #3 (Student has to bring one Scantron card (Form No. 882-E)
plus a soft pencil to this exam!)
11
Nov 2
Nov 4
(M) Populations evolve (Theory of evolution, population genetics, HardyWeinberg law, variation & natural selection)
(W) The origin of species (Species, speciation, macroevolution)
14
12
Nov 9
Nov 11
(M) Tracing evolutionary history (Macroevolution & Earth’s history)
(W) Origin of life theories & Domains of life
15
16
13
Nov 16
Nov 18
(M) Exam #4 (Student has to bring one Scantron card (Form No. 882-E)
plus a soft pencil to this exam!)
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General Biology (BIO 101)
Fall 2009
(W) Kingdom of Fungi & Plants I (Algae, Mosses & Ferns)
17
17
14
Nov 23
Nov 25
(M) Kingdom of Plants II (Gymnosperms & Angiosperms)
(W) Kingdom of Animals I (Characteristics, Ancestors, Invertebrates)
15
Nov 30
Dec 2
16
Dec 7
Dec 9
17
Dec 14
Dec 16
(M) Kingdom of Animals II (Vertebrates)
(W) Human origins & Human evolution
(M) Ecology I (Biosphere, biomes)
(W) Ecology II (Community features, food chains, nutrient cycles)
(W) FINAL EXAM (Student has to bring one Scantron card (Form No.
882-E) plus a soft pencil to this exam!)
18
18
19
34
37
* Biology – Concepts & Connections; Campbell NA, Reece JB, Taylor MR & Simon EJ; 5th edition; Pearson – Benjamin
Cummings
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