Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology, BIOL 190
Syllabus
Fall, 2007
Great Basin College, Science Department
Instructor: Gregory Schmaltz, Ph.D.
Office: PVC Main Office, Room 101B
Phone: 775-727-2005
Email: gregorys@gwmail.gbcnv.edu
Office Hours: M & W 17.30-19.00
W 12.00-14.00
and by appointment.
Method of Instruction: Live lecture and laboratory
(Lectures and lab activities will be performed during both weekly class meetings).
Classes on: Mondays & Wednesdays from 14.30 to 17.15 in room PVC 116
Text: Biology, Concepts & Connections. 5th ed. Campbell, Reece, Taylor, and Simon
ISBN-10: 0-321-51244-8
Lab Manual: Laboratory Manual. Perry, Morton, and Perry. ISBN: 0-534-38025-5
Teaching/Lab Assistant: 0
Catalog Description:
BIOL 190 Cell and Molecular Biology (4 credits)
Welcome to Cell and Molecular Biology! In this course you will learn why athletes have cramps, how
different low carb and low fat diets work (which is the best?), or why serious scientists make female
students smell T-shirts worn for three days by male students. More generally this course will examine:
1) Structure and function of cells; 2) The major molecules of life and the composition and physiology
of cellular organelles; 3) Cell metabolism, reproduction, and motility; 4) Gene function of both plant
and animal cells; and finally 5) The origin of species and the basic principles of evolutionary theory.
This is a survey course designed for the student intending to major in biology or another science. Such
fundamental topics as cell biology, photosynthesis, respiration, genetics (both Mendelian and
molecular), and evolution will be introduced.
This course emphasizes basic concepts and theories as well as lab-based and experimental approaches
to exploring questions in Cell and Molecular Biology. Empirical examples will emphasize vertebrate
animals (including humans) and some examples will also involve bacteria, insects, and plants.
Questions and discussion/debates are encouraged during lecture to prepare for the 4 course exams.
Cell and Molecular Biology is a freshman level, introductory biology, laboratory science course
required for biology and nursing majors, and students enrolled in the elementary education program.
Additionally, it can fulfill the science requirement for most associate degrees at Great Basin College.
This course is worth 4 credits, and is equivalent and transferable to all Nevada community colleges and
universities. Biology majors are generally required to take a second semester in Organismal Biology,
designated as Biol. 191 and offered here in the spring. No prerequisite. (Formerly BIOL 190, General
Biology I)
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Course Objectives and Expected Learner Outcomes:
Major Objectives:


Demonstrate a general knowledge of biological principles and processes (as per the 5 major
points in the catalog description above).
Meet the general education objectives (see below).
General Education Objectives:

Communication Skills: Students will have opportunity to demonstrate strong written
communication skills via the laboratory report. Reading and listening skills will be heavily
used in both lecture and lab. Oral skills are a key component of interaction with the instructor
in lab.

Critical Thinking: Quantitative skills will be required for key concepts in genetics, and
mathematical operations will be assessed in exams. Reasoning and independent thought is
required for successful completion of both the written report and lab practicals. Scientific
understanding is of course at the heart of this course, which emphasizes the use of the scientific
method in the development of key theories and principles of biology.

Personal and Cultural Awareness: This course presents the evolutionary history of humans,
as well as the place of human diversity in the context of biological diversity. As a consequence,
a sense of the past is gained via evolutionary history, and human diversity demonstrates the
biological underpinnings (or lack thereof) the individual in society.

Personal Wellness: Both an introduction to genetics, cellular respiration and cancer are
explicitly learned in this course. All of these topics give an understanding of key human health
and wellness factors.

Technological Understanding: Students will not merely acquire knowledge of the principles
of biology, but also the technologies, observations and experiments that underlie them.
Students will also directly manipulate a variety of technologies, including microscopes,
respiratory manometers, and computer simulations.
Minor Objectives:





Utilize the scientific method to construct reasonable hypotheses and communicate effectively
in a written form.
Participate in limited laboratory skills and procedures. Apply lab safety skills.
Examine the impact and ethical issues of science and technology on our lives and the global
society.
Determine the molecular and cellular causes of human diseases.
Appreciate the art and beauty of nature and biological processes.
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Measurement of Objectives:
Learning and general education objectives will be assessed with three distinct tools. Lecture exams
will consist of multiple choice questions and/or short essay questions that will test three types of
knowledge: recall of factual information; definitions of terminology; and conceptual and integrative
thinking. The written laboratory report will assess students’ written communication skills, as well as
their conceptual understanding of a critical lab experiment. Laboratory practicals will emphasize recall
of the various manipulative and study objects used in the exercises, as well as testing that the students
understand the concepts and principles that were generated with these devices. In lab students will also
learn how to use the metric system, the microscope, and other laboratory equipment. Students will
participate in discussions of the impact of ethical issues of biology. Students will appreciate the art and
beauty of nature and biology from colored photographs in the textbooks and lab experiments.
Grading System and Policies:
The grade for this course will be based on two components: performance in lecture; and laboratory.
They will be weighted 75% for the lecture, and 25% for the lab. The lecture grade will be based on
four, one hour exams, worth 100 points each. The lab grade will be based on two practical exams
worth 50 points each, a written report worth 50 points and ten weekly quizzes worth 10 points each. I
will not use a normal curve to adjust the grades. The grading scale is as follows:
90 - 100% = A
80 - 89% = B
70 - 79% = C
60 - 69% = D
> 60% = F
Excellent! Your doing super! Keep up the good work. Have you
considered a career in the life sciences?
Superior! Continue what you’re doing, but consider asking
questions on the finer details in the text and lecture material.
Adequate. You’ve got it under control, but don’t get complacent.
Review your notes and the text carefully. Ask questions, either in
class or in my office to clarify important topics.
Danger zone. All is not lost, but you are at risk. You need to
carefully work through the materials and resources available to
you. Attend regularly, and work on your note taking skills. Make
sure to either ask questions in class or come by my office for help.
Failing. Definitely come to my office for a visit where we can
work on a strategy for your improvement.
Another way to look at the grading is:
A = All major and minor goals achieved
B = All major goals achieved; some minor ones not.
C = All major goals achieved; many minor ones not.
D = A few major goals achieved, but student is not prepared for advanced work.
F = None of the major goals achieved.
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All exams and lab practicals will be held on the dates listed in the syllabus. Any changes to that
schedule will be announced in class well in advance. Missing an exam due to personal reasons or
illness must be approved in advance if possible, or by contacting me within 24 hours of the exam in the
case of emergency. Make up exams will be allowed and scheduled at my discretion.
Lab practicals are difficult to set up. As a result, make up lab practicals will only be scheduled in
unusual circumstances. In these cases the format of the exam may change. Do not miss lab practicals!
Attendance will not be taken, but be advised: Regular attendance is the single most important thing
you can do to get and maintain a good grade. Lectures notes will not be available online to discourage
skipping lectures or passively listening during classes.
College policies on attendance, withdrawals and incomplete grades:
These are stated in the Great Basin College Catalog, available on-line. There are no extra credits activities
associated with this course. 7. If a student is absent for an exam, quiz, or lab session it is important to inform
the instructor before hand if possible. Students have two days to make up the assignment. If no prior contact is
made with the instructor, 10 points will be taken off of each assignment for each day after the scheduled date,
unless your absence is due to illness or family emergency. Not being prepared to take an exam or quiz is not
an acceptable excuse.
Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism:
Each student is expected to be honest in his or her work. Plagiarism is dishonest. Plagiarism includes,
but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of
another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of
materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers and/or other
academic materials.
As per Great Basin College policy, plagiarism is defined as:
“Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s word, ideas or data as one’s own. When a student submits
work that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of that information must be
acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references; and if verbatim statements are
included, through quotation marks as well. In academically honest writing or speaking, the students
will acknowledge the source whenever:
Another person’s actual words are quoted
Another person’s idea, opinion or theory is used, even if it is completely paraphrased in the student’s
own words
Facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials are borrowed, unless the information is common
knowledge.”
Cheating:
Each student is expected to be honest in his or her work. Cheating is dishonest. The term “cheating”
includes but is not limited to: (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or
examinations; (2) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in
writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or (3) the
acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the
College faculty or staff. Any interaction between students in a testing situation may be interpreted as
cheating. Academic honesty is twofold on the part of the student; first, not to cheat, and second, not to
enable others to cheat.
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Time spent on homework:
Each student is expected to work an average of 4 hours outside of the classroom, mostly for reading
assignments and writing of the report.
Responsibilities:
Students are responsible for completing all of the assigned readings and assignments prior to the time the class
meet to cover that material. I expect everyone to contribute to the course by asking questions, participating in
discussions, and filing out end-of-class feedback forms. It is my responsibility in this class to evaluate student
work fairly and to give feedback on assignments in a timely fashion. I am here to help you not only learn the
material covered in class, but also develop skills that will assist you in learning throughout your academic and
professional careers. To that end, please feel free to ask me questions inside or outside of class if there is
something you don’t understand – one my primary objectives is provide a supportive community for learning.
Most important, please be assured that I want students to learn and to receive the good grades they deserve. So
please make an appointment with me should you have undue difficulty with your work in the course.
To facilitate learning, please be respectful of your classmates by adhering to the list below:
·
Be prepared for class (at the very least, skim reading before class).
·
Do not be late to class (classes will start and end on time).
·
Avoid conversations with others during class (unless it is related to the course
material).
·
Limit food/beverages to those that can be consumed quietly (i.e. don’t bring a bag chips
unless you want me to eat them).
· Turn off pagers and cell phones (unless you want me to have to chat with your caller).
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Outline of Lecture and Lab schedule:
1) Lecture, Reading Assignments, and Exam Dates
Week Chapter
Topic
1
1
Introduction, Biology: Exploring Life
2
2
Chemistry
3
3
Organic Molecules
Exam I Monday, Sept 17
4
4
Cells
5
5
Working Cell
6
6
Respiration
7
7
Photosynthesis
Exam II Monday, Oct 15
8
8
Cellular Reproduction
9
9
Mendelian Genetics & Chromosomes
10
10
DNA
11
11
Control of Gene Expression
Exam III Monday, Nov 12
12
13
14
15
12
13
14
15
DNA technology
Evolution
Origin of Species
Evolutionary History
Final Exam: Wednesday, Dec 12
Reading assignments and exam dates are tentative. The instructor reserves the right to alter the class
schedule when necessary, but will provide at least a one week notice of any changes regarding
assignments, exams, and quizzes. It is important for all students to be aware that this is a college
course, for which each person has invested the same amount of funds and class time. Any rude or
disruptive behavior that interferes with the learning environment of others will be dealt with by the
instructor according to college policies. Plagiarism and cheating are also serious activities that will
result in the loss of all points for that particular assignment. Under college policies, plagiarism and
cheating also have to be reported to the college administration which will keep such records on file.
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2) Lab Schedule
Week of:
Sept 3
Sept 10
Sept 17
Sept 24
Oct 1
Oct 8
Exercise
Handout
Ex # 3
Ex # 6
Ex # 7
Ex # 8
Ex # 9
Oct 15
Lab Practical I
Oct 22
Oct 29
Nov 5
Nov 12
Nov 19
Nov 26
Ex # 10
Ex # 11
Ex # 12
Ex # 13
Ex # 14
Ex # 16
Dec 3
Lab Practical II
Quiz?
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Topic
Scientific Method
Microscopy
Cells
Diffusion and Osmosis
Enzymes
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Mitosis
Meiosis
Genetics
DNA
Evolution
Always read the lab exercise ahead of time. Knowing the procedure allows the exercise to go more
smoothly and quickly. In lab it is expected that students will work in pairs, but write up their own lab
reports and answer the questions individually on quizzes.
Quizzes: Most labs will begin with a brief 10 point quiz. Quizzes will consist of one or two questions
on the current weeks exercise, with the balance of the 10 points on the previous weeks exercise.
Quizzes must be taken during the given lab period, there will be no ‘make up quiz’ for missed
labs!
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Lab Report:
Exercise 8, Enzymes, will be written up as a report. The report must be typed, double spaced. The
report Must follow the following outline:
Introduction Give the background to the topic. Why is it important? Briefly tell what you are going to
do in the experiment.
Procedures Explain what organisms, materials and methods were used in the experiments. How did
you do it?
Results Present the results. Point out key or unexpected results.
Conclusion What was the significance of your results? Explain the importance of the experiment, and
whether or not your outcome was consistent or inconsistent with what was expected.
Note: Exercise 8 consists of several sections, each section does not require a separate section of
Procedures, Results etc. Rather, they should be combined into one report.
Tables, graphs, etc. may be helpful. Do not remove pages from your manual. Grading criteria for the
report are identical to those used by the English department:
1. Focuses and develops ideas effectively, showing creativity and insight.
2. Organizes ideas in a purposeful and logical manner, moving the reader (listener) smoothly
through the text (subject).
3. Uses sentence structure and word choice effectively with a sense of control.
4. Commits few, if any, errors in grammar/usage and mechanics.
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