Biology 160: General Cell Biology Spring 2015
Hybrid online Sa 8:00am-11:00am 15-125L
Instructor: Liz J. Thomas
Office: 15-332
E-mail: ejthomas@tacomacc.edu
Phone: (818) 321-2490 (emergency only)
(253) 566-5193 (during office hours)
Course description: Biology&160 introduces major concepts of cell biology, including cell physiology and
structure, molecular biology, genetics, and evolution. Course is a prerequisite for professional health
science programs. Format includes laboratory work.
Course materials:
Reece et al. 2012, Campbell’s Biology Concepts & Connections, 7th edition (custom TCC edition)
Lab instructions on Canvas
Additional materials on Canvas
Grading scale:
Exams: 325pts
4 exams @ 75pts each, lowest score is dropped
1 final exam @ 100pts
Quizzes: 45pts
4 quizzes @ 15pts each, lowest score is dropped
Lab work: 240pts
8 prelabs@ 5pts each
8 Lab worksheets @ 15pts each
40pts Lab report
Total: ~600pts
Grading scale:
A = 100-93%
A- = 92-90%
B+ = 89-87%
B = 86-83%
B- = 82-80%
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
C+
C
CD+
D
F
=
=
=
=
=
=
79-77%
76-73%
72-70%
69-67%
66-60%
59-0%
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0
Exams and quizzes:
There will be exams throughout the course of the quarter, with the lowest exam score dropped, though the
final exam cannot be dropped. Exam format will include multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching, ordering,
and one essay, with the possible essay questions given ahead of time in the study guide. The final exam will be
a comprehensive, department-wide exam taken online in class. In addition, quizzes will be given to help you
prepare for exams (and become accustomed to the way I test before the stakes are high).You will be able to
drop the lowest quiz score, but they cannot be made up if missed.
Etiquette for Classroom Dispute Resolution
If you have questions or concerns about this class or me, please come to talk with me about your
concerns. If we are unable to resolve your concerns, you may talk next with the Chair of the Department,
Katie Gulliford in 15-335. The Chair can assist with information about additional steps, if needed.
Lab work and lab reports:
There are three components to the laboratory:
1. Prelabs - 5 points - these are individual small worksheets that you will fill out on Canvas and
submit online.
2. Worksheets – 20 points - these are 3-4 pages worksheets at the end of the lab writeup that you as a
group will work on in class and at home then submit on Canvas. Designate a single person to turn in
the worksheet, and the entire group will receive the grade.
3. Lab reports – 35 points - this is a full report with the organization of a scientific paper, typed up and
handed in. Each individual will do their own lab report. Instructions will be handed out separately.
a. Checkoff and peer review for lab report – 5 points. Must in class and complete to receive the
points -- emailed papers do not count.
Late work and missed exams:
Exams will only be made up in cases of extreme extenuating circumstances, with documentation – no
exceptions. Due to the large amount of setup required for labs, no makeup labs will be given. If you are absent
without a valid excuse for a lab you will receive a zero for that writeup. If work is handed in late, I reserve the
right to dock 20% of the grade for every late business day. After 4 days a grade of ‘0’ will be entered.
Academic dishonesty
As stated in the TCC Catalog, “Students are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic
endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication or other forms of academic dishonesty corrupt the learning
process and threaten the educational environment for all students.” In this course, sanctions for academic
dishonesty are as follows: your first violation earns an F for that particular assignment and you will be
reported to the proper Dean. Your second violation warrants dismissal from the course. Ignorance is not
an excuse!
Disability services:
All students are responsible for all requirements of the class, but the way they meet these requirements
may vary. If you need auxiliary aids or services due to a disability, contact the Access Services office in
Building 7 (253-566-5328). After you present formal, written documentation of your disability,
arrangements will be made for you to receive reasonable auxiliary aids or services. The disability
accommodation documentation must be given to me before the accommodation is needed.
College-Wide Learning Outcomes
Tacoma Community College has established five “college-wide learning outcomes” which we take in to
account when planning all curricula. Any student who obtains an Associate’s degree from TCC should have
opportunity to improve themselves in all of these areas: 1) Communication skills (COM); 2) critical thinking
(CRT) 3) responsibility & ethics (RES); 4) information technology (IIT); 5) living and working
cooperatively (LWC). To one degree or another, the curriculum of this course will present you multiple
opportunities to strengthen your skills in all learning outcomes. These learning outcomes are referenced in
the Natural Sciences Learning Outcomes listed next.
Program Learning Outcomes for Natural Sciences
Upon successful completion of the Natural Sciences distribution requirements for the AAS Option A or B, or
the Associate in Biology, or the Associate of Sciences degrees, students will:
1. Explain the importance of observation and hypothesis testing in the scientific process, and distinguish
between the scientific process and other human endeavors (COK, COM, CRT).
2. Communicate the primary principles and processes underlying at least one natural system (for example:
atoms and molecules, cells and organisms, the oceans and atmosphere, the solid earth, or the cosmos)
(COK, COM, CRT).
3. Perform and effectively communicate the results of scientific investigations, and explain how research is
done in science (COK, COM, CRT, ITT, LWC).
4. Evaluate information scientifically in the context of his/her own life (COK, COM, CRT, RES, ITT).
5. Demonstrate the safe and proper use of scientific instrumentation, measuring devices, chemical reagents,
media, and/or other tools of science in a laboratory or field setting relevant to specific disciplines of
science (COK, COM, CRT, ITT, LWC).
Detailed Course Outcomes
1. Describe the process of science. PLO: 1, 2, 4
2. Describe the characteristics of living things. PLO: 1, 3
3. Explain the levels of biological organization from the atomic level to the ecosystem level. PLO: 1, 3
4. Using elements most commonly found in organisms, describe the structures of atoms, including
subatomic particles. PLO: 3
5. Explain how atoms form ionic and covalent bonds. PLO: 3
6. Describe the properties of water that make it an ideal solvent for biological systems. PLO: 3
7. Identify acids and bases, use pH to characterize solutions, and explain the role of buffers in biological
systems. PLO: 3
8. Recognize the functional groups most commonly found in biological molecules. PLO: 3
9. Explain how monomers combine to form biological polymers. PLO: 3
10. Compare the chemical structures and functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
PLO: 1, 3
11. Explain what enzymes are and what they do. PLO: 3
12. Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures. PLO: 3
13. Describe the form, chemical composition, and functions of cell structures and organelles. PLO: 3
14. Explain common membrane transport processes. PLO: 3
15. Describe the basic steps of cellular respiration and photosynthesis. PLO: 3
16. Apply biological principles (scarcity, carbon emissions, geochemical cycling) to global energy use issues.
PLO: 1, 2, 3
17. Explain the chromosomal basis of inheritance. PLO: 3
18. Describe the cell cycle and the process of mitosis in cell division. PLO: 3
19. Describe the process of meiosis and the genetic importance of meiosis in life cycles and sexual
reproduction. PLO: 3
20. Describe the structures of DNA and RNA. PLO: 3
21. Explain the processes of replication, transcription and translation and their regulation. PLO: 1, 3
22. Describe the basic tenants of evolution by natural selection. PLO: 1, 2, 3
23. Explain the basic evidence for evolution including the evolutionary connection between prokaryotic
and eukaryotic cells. PLO: 1, 2, 3
24. Research, interpret, critique, and present biological information. PLO: 1, 2, 4, 5
25. Demonstrate competency with using a light microscope to observe prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
PLO: 3, 4, 5
26. Work safely in the laboratory as a member of a lab team. PLO: 1, 3, 4, 5
27. Demonstrate proper lab protocol and techniques including pipetting, gel electrophoresis, slide
preparation, specimen handling, and mass/volume measurements. PLO: 3, 4, 5
28. Gather and critically evaluate experimental evidence and draw appropriate conclusions from
observations and empirical data. PLO: 1, 2, 4, 5
Withdrawal
The last day to drop the class without a grade is Friday, October 4th. The last day to withdraw from the
course with a “W” is Friday, November 15th. A withdrawal after November 15th will only be granted under
extreme circumstances. Contact the Registration Office to begin withdrawal procedures.
Class Behavior Policies
1. Food & Drink: Because our class is being held in a lab classroom, all food, beverages, snacks, gum,
cough drops, etc are expressly forbidden. There is a shelf for beverages outside the door. If you
bring a beverage to class, you should deposit it on the shelf and step outside the room if you need a
drink.
2. Guests: Because our class is being held in a lab classroom, guests may not accompany you to class
this quarter.
3. Late arrival/early departure: If you’re late, enter as unobtrusively as possible. If you are more than
15 minutes late for a lab exercise, it will be up to me and your labmates to decide whether you can
complete the lab. This is because you will have missed any safety and clean up information and
your group members will have already started and done your work for you. If you must leave early,
leave as unobtrusively as possible. Missing more than 30% of lab will qualify as an absence.
4. Cellphones, laptops, and other electronic devices: all electronics must be kept silent and out of sight
during lab times. Use is allowed during breaks.
Tentative class schedule:
Dates
Reading
Lecture topic
chapters
Week 1
Introduction to biology
3/30
Saturday Labs
What’s due (everything due 8pm on
Lab 1: Scientific
Method
Wed: Course sign-in
The scientific method
Canvas unless noted otherwise)
Fri: Prelab 1
Chemistry basics
Week 2
4/6
Biological molecules
The cell
Week 3
The cell
4/13
The cell membrane
Week 4
Enzymes
4/20
Respiration
Week 5
Respiration
4/27
Photosynthesis
Sa: Quiz 1
Thurs: Lab worksheet 1
Lab 2/4: Microscopy
and Cell Structure and
Function
Sa: Exam 1
Fri: Prelab 2/4
Lab 3: Organic
molecules
Sa: Quiz 2
Fri: Prelab 3
Lab 6A: Diffusion and
osmosis
Sa: Exam 2
Fri: Prelab 6
Lab 7: Photosynthesis
and respiration
Fri: Prelab 7
Thurs: Lab 2/4 worksheet
Thur: Lab 3 worksheet
Thur: Lab 6 worksheet
Week 6
Cell replication and
mitosis
Sa: Quiz 3
Week 7
Meiosis
Meiosis
Lab 8: Cell Cycle
Sa: Exam 3
5/11
Genetics
Lab 9A: Genetics
Week 8
DNA replication
Sa: Quiz 4
Fri: Prelab 5
Thur: Lab 9 worksheet
Week 9
Gene Expression
Lab 5: Scientific
method and enzymes
Sa: Exam 4
5/25
Control of Gene
Expression
Sa: Enzyme lab
writeup peer review
5/4
5/18
Week 10
6/1
Evolution and adaptation
Thur: Lab 7 worksheet
Fri: Prelab 8
Lab 10: Modeling
molecular biology
Mon: Enzyme lab
writeup due
Fri: Prelab 9
Fri: Prelab 10
Sa: Lab 10 worksheet due in
class on Saturday 3/7
FINAL EXAM 3/14 8:00am