MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Department of Biology and Chemistry
BIOL 105 - Course Syllabus
Instructor: Kristy Ann Blankenship, Ph.D.
Office: Room 101
Phone: (606) 928-7100, ext 2102
Office Hours: Planning Periods 8th and 9th & Wednesdays after school
E-mail: kristy.blankenship@boyd.kyschools.us
Undergraduate Catalog Course Description: BIOL 105. Introduction to Biological Sciences. (3-0-3).
An introduction to biological chemistry, cell structure and function, ecology, evolution, organismal diversity,
reproduction, and genetics. Not acceptable for biology majors or minors.
Instructor’s Course Description: BIOL 105 serves as an introduction to (1) fundamental life processes:
chemistry and cellular organization of life, energy and metabolism, reproduction, genetics, and molecular biology;
(2) the organisms in the biosphere: microbes, fungi, plants, and animals, as well as their evolution; and (3) the
interactions of organisms with one another and their environment. Where appropriate, emphasis is placed on
the human organism. Current biological news and issues are also incorporated.
Course Text: Biology: Science for Life with Physiology, 3rd edition, Colleen Belk & Virginia Borden Maier, 2010.
Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN-10: 0-321-55958-4 or ISBN-13: 978-0-321-55958-6
Blackboard: Lecture notes in pdf format, PowerPoint slides, assignments, and keys to assignments will be posted
on Blackboard. Watch for announcements posted on Blackboard and in your email. Additional notes from the
Holt high school text Modern Biology can be found on my Boyd County High School teacher website.
Student Learner Outcomes:
1. Read and assess scientific information disseminated from a variety of sources (college textbooks, media), and
demonstrate comprehension of the material with deductive and inductive reasoning, critical thinking exercises,
and oral and/or written responses/analyses. (SLOs 1b, 2b)
2. Become familiar with what science is, the scientific method, and how to identify critical components of good
science in the media. (SLOs 1d, 2b, 5a, 5b, 5c)
3. Learn about nutrition and the chemicals that biological cells need in order to function most effectively, and the
consequences of improper balances of those nutrients. (SLOs 4d, 5a)
4. Understand reproduction & human development, how traits are passed down, & what roles genes and the
environment play in determining those traits. How DNA is used in science today. (SLO 5a, 4d)
5. Examine some threats to human health, including from viruses, bacteria, rogue cells, and environmental
chemicals. (SLOs 5a, 4d)
6. Discover and be awed by the diversity of life on this planet, how it has changed through time, and recognize
current threats to this biodiversity. (SLO 5a)
7. Overall, recognize how biology impacts your everyday life and use your new understanding of biology to make
intelligent decisions! (SLOs 5a, 5b, 5c)
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Key for GENERAL EDUCATION Student Learner Outcomes (SLOs):
1b. Read college-level critical, creative, and technical texts for comprehension.
1d. Convey quantitative and qualitative relationships using symbols, equations, graphs, and tables.
2b. Recognize and effectively utilize both deductive and inductive reasoning.
4d. Comprehend the cycle of human growth necessary to provide sustained health & individual well-being.
5a. Comprehend and apply basic scientific, quantitative, and technological methods and knowledge of natural
systems to the solution of scientific problems.
5b. Employ scientific methods and theories to analyze and address open and debated questions in the sciences
5c. Analyze explanations to classify them as scientific or nonscientific.
Grading Policy: Your final grade will be based on exams, quizzes and assignments, including labs. Exam
questions are primarily multiple- choice but include free response etc. The last exam is the final exam and will
contain new material and a comprehensive component. There will also be various in-class & out-of-class
assignments. The points from the exams, quizzes and assignments will be averaged together for the final grade.
A missed exam, quiz or assignment will be recorded as a grade of zero.
Drop Date: The last day to drop this class and receive a grade of "W" is
Grading Scale:
90 - 100%
80 – 89%
70 – 79%
60 – 69%
< 60%
.
=A
=B
=C
=D
=E
CLASS POLICIES
Attendance Policy: Attendance is required. Role will be taken at each class meeting. Four (4) or more
unexcused absences are considered an excessive number of absences. This can hurt you if your average at the
end of the semester is “borderline”. The same is true for students who are chronically tardy or who leave early.
You are expected to be on time & to remain in your seat for the entire class period.
Turning in late work: If there is an out-of-class assignment, it must be turned in on the due date specified by the
instructor. Points will be deducted if the assignment is turned in late. In-class assignments cannot be made up,
unless the student provides a written valid excuse & the assignment can be done before it is returned to
students in class and/or the key is posted on Blackboard. The assignment must be done immediately upon the
student’s return, at the instructor’s office. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor about a
missed assignment.
Exam Make-up Policy: If you miss an exam and need to take a make-up exam, you must have documented
evidence of a valid excuse, which includes personal illness or injury, family emergency, or a universitysponsored activity. Acceptance of any other excuses will be at the instructor's discretion. Refer to University
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Administrative Regulation (UAR) number 131.01 for more information regarding the university’s excused
absences policy. Proof of a valid excuse for missing an exam includes a signed note from a physician for an illness
or injury, a signed note from a MSU sponsor for a university sponsored event or field trip, or written evidence of
a death in the family. Please include the phone number of the doctor, sponsor, coach, funeral home, etc. for
verification of the excused absence. The Caudill Health Clinic does not give written excuses and cannot be used
as an excuse for a missed exam. Students are expected to attend the clinic at times that do not conflict with class
time. Non-emergency doctor or dentist appointments are not valid excuses for missing an exam. Discuss this with
me prior to the exam if you cannot change an appointment time, but do not schedule an appointment during
class time. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor about the absence. To be eligible to take a
make-up exam, YOU MUST NOTIFY ME BY TELEPHONE BEFORE THE EXAM or WITHIN 24 HOURS
OF THE MISSED EXAM. You must take the make-up exam within 7 calendar days of the missed exam, except
in extreme circumstances.
Extra credit assignments & opportunities may be available during class. You must attend class to get these
opportunities. If you miss class, you cannot make up the extra credit assignment. Any extra credit assignments
turned in late will not be accepted for credit.
Classroom Behavior:
 Students are expected to show respect to their fellow classmates and the instructor. Any disruptive
behavior will not be tolerated & the student will be asked to leave class.
 Be on time for class and do not leave early (let me know if you have a valid reason for being late or
leaving early on a particular day). If you are late on exam day, you will not get extra time for the exam.
 Please use the restroom before coming to class. Students should remain in their seats during class,
unless it is an emergency. Students may not leave the classroom during an exam. If you are late on
exam day, you will not get extra time to take the exam.
 No sleeping! I expect you to attend class in both mind and body.
 Please do not carry on conversations during lecture.
 Cell phones (including I phones & Blackberry’s) and other electronic devices (pagers, etc.) must be
turned off during class and put away out of sight, unless I instruct you to use them for instructional
purposes. If your device disrupts class, you will receive a disciplinary notice. Devices requiring the
use of headphones (such as MP3 players or IPods) are not permitted in class.
 No text messaging in class.
 The first infraction of the cell phone and texting policies will result in a formal warning to the
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student; subsequent infractions will result in disciplinary action and zero credit for that day’s work.
Any computer use in class should be for taking notes or accessing Biology 105 material. I will ask to
see your computer if you are using one. You will lose your privilege to use your laptop if you are using
your computer for anything other than course-related material. Keep the battery charged & do not use
power cords in class.
Computers, cell phones, IPods and other electronic devices cannot be used during exams and should
be turned off and put away during the exam.
Please do not leave trash in the classroom.
No food, drink, or gum are allowed in my classroom.
Tutoring:
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A study group has been scheduled by Ms. Paris Adkins-Jackson for Biology 105. The study group meets at
6:00 pm every Tuesday in the Tutoring Learning Center (TLC) on the 3rd floor of the Camden-Carroll
Library. For more information, please contact Alvin Maddin-Grider at 606-783-5181. Locally, I will be
available after school on Wednesdays for tutoring. Tutoring services are also available through the Boyd
County Public Library, 2pm – 10pm daily, with a valid library card + PIN number.
Academic Dishonesty:
Cheating on quizzes or exams, fabrication, plagiarism or helping others to commit these acts will not be
tolerated. Academic dishonesty will result in severe disciplinary action including, but not limited to, failure of
the student assessment item or course (in other words, a grade of “zero”), and/or dismissal from MSU. All
cases of academic dishonesty will be reported to the administration. During an exam, only pencils, a Scantron
and the question sheet are allowed to be on or around your desk - no cell phones, papers, textbooks,
notebooks, etc. There should be no talking while the exams are being passed out or during the exam. If you
have a question during an exam, ask your instructor, not your neighbor. Plagiarism occurs when a student
uses ideas or wording from another source without appropriately referencing the source, or copies text wordfor-word, or changes it very slightly. Plagiarized material will result in a grade of zero. If you are not sure what
constitutes academic dishonesty, read The Eagle: Student Handbook or ask your instructor. The university’s
policy on academic dishonesty is located at http://www.moreheadstate.edu/dsl/eaglehandbook
Policy for Accommodating Students with Disabilities: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), all students with a documented disability are entitled to reasonable accommodations and services to
support their academic success and safety. Professional staff from MSU Academic Services Center (ASC)
coordinate efforts to address accessibility needs and class accommodations with instructors of students who
have learning or physical disabilities. Faculty will cooperate with the ASC staff to accommodate the needs of
students taking departmental courses. Though a request for services may be made at any time, services are
best applied when they are requested at or before the start of the semester. To receive accommodations
and services the student should immediately contact the Disability Services Coordinator at: 204-E ADUC,
606-783-5188, or e.day@moreheadstate.edu.
Campus Safety Statement:
Emergency response information will be discussed in class. Students should familiarize themselves with the
nearest exit routes in the event evacuation becomes necessary. You should notify your instructor at the
beginning of the semester if you have special needs or will require assistance during an emergency evacuation.
Emergency response protocols are located at http://www.moreheadstate.edu/emergency
Use of Technology:
Students enrolled in BIOL 105 will be expected to use lecture notes, PowerPoint slides, and assignments
posted on Blackboard. Students are also expected to use software and other computer technology provided by
the textbook publisher.
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PROPOSED LECTURE & EXAM SCHEDULE*
Beginning Date
Anticipated Topic
Text Reference
6 Aug 2012
7 Aug
13 Aug
20 Aug
24 Aug
31 Aug
Introduction to the Course & safety measures
Exploring Science, Biology & Life
Chap. 2
The Scientific Method
Chap. 1
Origin & Chemistry of Life
Chap. 2
Chemistry of Life
Chap. 2
Macromolecules & Nutrition
Chap. 2 & 3
7 September
EXAM 1 – date subject to change
10 Sept
14 Sept
21 Sept
28 Sept
15 Oct
22 Oct
31 Oct
Cell Structure
Chap. 2
Transport Across the Cell Membrane Chap. 3
Cell Structure & Diversity
Chap. 2, 12 & 18
Enzymes & Metabolism
Chap. 3
Photosynthesis
Chap. 4
Cellular Respiration
Chap. 4
Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming Chap. 4
1 Nov
EXAM 2 – date subject to change
2 Nov
9 Nov
14 Nov
26 Nov
3 Dec
Cell Cycle & Mitosis
Cell Cycle Control & Cancer
Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction
Human Reproduction
Genetics - Inheritance of Traits
14 Dec
EXAM 3 – date subject to change
2 Jan 2013
14 Jan
22 Jan
28 Jan
11 Feb
DNA Structure & Function
How to get protein from DNA
DNA Mutations
Recombinant DNA Biotechnology
DNA fingerprinting
Chap. 2 & 5
Chap. 8
Chap. 8
Chap. 8
Chap. 7
21 Feb
22 Feb
29 Mar
EXAM 4 – date subject to change
Principles of Evolution
Ecology
Chap. 9-11
Chap. 13-15
Chap. 5
Chap. 5
Chap. 5
Chap. 20
Chap. 6 & 7
3 May
FINAL EXAM
* Note: This schedule is subject to change. Some subjects may not be covered if we run out of time. Other
biological topics may be covered if there is time. Changes in exam dates will be announced in class.
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