Western Nevada College
Dr. Kate Duvall
Bio 100 General Biology for Non Majors
Syllabus:
Catalog Course Description
Covers fundamental concepts and theories of life science. Major topics include
cellular/molecular biology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, evolution and ecology.
Includes four laboratory experiences.
Course Objectives
◦ Gained factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends) about
General Biology for Non-Science Majors.
◦ Learned fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories of General Biology for
Non-Science Majors.
◦ Learned to apply course material (to improve thinking, problem-solving, and decisions)
in General Biology for Non-Science Majors.
◦ Developed specific skills, competencies and points of view needed by professionals in
the field most closely related to General Biology for Non-Science Majors.
◦ Acquired an interest in learning more by asking questions and seeking answers about
General Biology for Non-Science Majors.
General Education Student Learning Outcome: Students who successfully complete
BIOL 100 satisfy the general education learning outcome of understanding the methods
of science and the role of science and technology in the modern world, have problem
solving, creative, and critical thinking skills, have effective and efficient learning skills,
including the location
Text: Biology, Science for Life 4th Ed. Belk and Maier. This text is recommended but
not required.
Instructor: Kate Duvall, DC. You can contact me by email: Kathleen.Duvall@wnc.edu.
As I am part time, I do not have an office or regularly scheduled office hours. Please feel
free to contact me as necessary with any question you may have.
Class Meetings: 1-3:45 pm Mondays. Attendance is required and is part of your point
total for your grade; late arrival or early departure can be considered equal to an absence.
Please be quietly seated and ready to take notes when class starts.
Classroom behavior expectation:
o Please do not bring food to class. Closed beverages (no spill) may be okay.
o Phones should be turned off during class and interruptions should be avoided.
o Be respectful of your fellow students and our time together.
o On lab days, follow all the lab rules and please treat any lab object with great care
and respect.
o There is a great deal of material to cover during our time together, so we must try
to keep digressions to a minimum. Please plan to limit questions during lecture,
and ask for further discussion outside of class time.
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Western Nevada College
Dr. Kate Duvall
Bio 100 General Biology for Non Majors
Study hints: Study some amount each day. Take extra B vitamin and get adequate rest
before tests (this helps reduce physiological stress). Try to relate the subject matter to
events in your own life.
Testing: People tend to remember the answers they gave on the test; therefore, tests
should reinforce learning the right answer as much as possible. A large number of
simple questions will anchor more knowledge than just a few complicated questions. At
least half of this field of study involves learning new vocabulary. Test questions will be
primarily in the form of multiple choice or short fill in the blank. It is my hope that
everyone will learn a lot and get very high scores.
Grading:
Grading Scale:
A
93-100%;
(A- 90-92%; A+ isn’t an option)
B
80-89%
(B+ 88-89%; B- 80-81%)
C
70-79%
(C+ 78-79%; C- 70-71%)
D
60-69%
F
Less than 60%
Please note that as of this term, instructors do not give “W”. You must withdraw
through Registration, and your last day to do so is Mar 28.
Scoring:
Attendance
Lab Worksheets (4)
Midterm One
Midterm Two
Homework Paper
Final
15 pts.
20
20
20
5
20
Make up Exams: Please plan on taking the scheduled exam. I don’t have to offer make up
exams, and I definitely don’t have to write anything nice or easy.
Academic Dishonesty: Cheating in any form cannot be tolerated. Your mind, and what you do
with it, are the only things you truly own in life. Please refer to the Student Handbook and other
WNC official policy statements.
Homework Paper: Science requires reading and writing in a clear manner. A two-page paper
will be due after Spring Break (see Homework hand-out).
Extra Credit: At my discretion, up to 5 points can be added to your grade through extra credit,
which can be earned through a 2 page written essay. Prior approval of topic is required.
Americans with Disabilities Act: If you require special considerations due to a disability, please
make arrangements through Student Services.
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Western Nevada College
Dr. Kate Duvall
Bio 100 General Biology for Non Majors
Syllabus:
Meeting Schedule:
Topic
Week Jan 22
HOLIDAY
1
2
Jan 28
Intro; Scientific Method. Chemistry and Cells.
Start Lab 1: microbiology
3
Feb 4
Nutrients, Membrane transport
Enzymes, Metabolism and Cellular Respiration
Follow up Lab 1.
4
Feb 11
DNA synthesis; Mitosis and Meiosis;
Translation, transcription
5
Feb 18
HOLIDAY
6
Feb 25
Mendelian Genetics; DNA fingerprinting
Lab 2: variable alleles
7
Mar 4
Review; MIDTERM 1: Cellular biology
8
Mar 11
Evidence for Evolution
Natural Selection; Species
9
Mar 18
SPRING BREAK
10
Mar 25
HOMEWORK DUE
Biodiversity & Classification; Population
Lab 3: grocery store botany
11
Apr 1
Ecosystems; Biomes;
Review. MIDTERM 2: Ecology
12
Apr 8
Animal Structure Unit: Tissues and Organs;
Embryology; Reproduction
13
Apr 15
Nervous System;
Musculoskeletal Systems
14
Apr 22
Cardiovascular system
Lab 4 – musculoskeletal chicken dissection
15
Apr 29
Respiration; Digestive system;
Urinary system
16
May 6
Homeostasis; Endocrine system
Immune system
17
May 13
Review;
FINAL EXAM: Health
Chapter
1, 2
3, 4
6
9
7, 8
10
11, 12.1
13, 14
15, 16
17
21
22
20
18
18
19
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