Diablo Valley College
Biology 130, Section 8430
Spring 2015
Instructor: Dr. Scott Matern
Office: LHS-207, Hours: M/W 4:15-4:45
E-mail: samatern+bio130@gmail.com
Phone: 969-7000 x77149
Course Information
BIOSC-130: Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology. 5 units.
Class Hours: Lecture M/W 5:00-6:20pm LHS-201; Lab M/W 6:30-9:20pm LHS-201
Course web site: http://voyager.dvc.edu/~smatern/
Add/drop/withdrawal deadlines: Consult course catalog.
Texts:
Required – Biology, Campbell - 10th Edition, but 9th edition is also acceptable
Required – Principles of Biology: Biology 130 Laboratory Manual
Optional – A Handbook of Biological Investigation, Ambrose et al.
Prerequisites: Chemistry 120 or the equivalent. Recommended: Eligibility for English 122.
Fluency in reading, writing, and communicating in English is critical. The text is a college-level
text and reading assignments are demanding. Tests include essays and analysis questions and
reports require college-level writing skills. Poorly prepared students are at a serious
disadvantage and have difficulty succeeding in Biology 130.
Course Description: This course is intended for Biology majors or other students with an indepth interest in the Biological Sciences. The course covers the universal biological processes of
all organismal life with an emphasis on the cellular level of organization. Topics include
principles of biochemistry, cellular morphology and ultrastructure, biochemical pathways and
enzymes, cellular communication, classical and molecular genetics, gene control, embryology,
immunology, and selected topics of animal physiology with emphasis on homeostatic control
mechanisms. The lab component focuses on methodologies necessary for analyzing molecular,
cellular and genetic problems like microscopy, spectrophotometry, graphing and statistical
analysis, as well as recombinant DNA technologies. Students will also design, execute and
present in written and oral format an experimental research project. All aspects of the project will
follow the format of a standard scientific investigation which includes the research, evaluation
and appropriate incorporation of information already published in primary sources.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
1. Recognize the biochemicals found in all living organisms and describe the importance
of these molecules.
2. Describe, compare and contrast the structure and function of cell organelles, including
the biochemical pathways that take place in each.
3. Demonstrate different cellular communication mechanisms.
4. Describe the flow of genetic information through mitosis and meiosis, and apply the
principles of classical genetics in the realization of that information.
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5. Describe structure, function, and control of genetic material on the molecular level,
and how it relates to the development and maintenance of an organism.
6. Correlate anatomical structures with their functions.
7. Outline homeostatic control mechanisms for diverse physiological parameters.
8. Apply the scientific method of inquiry; using appropriate and effective tools in
obtaining, evaluating, and interpreting data and information.
9. Demonstrate the proper use of a spectrophotometer, centrifuge, micropipettors,
compound and dissecting microscope, thermocycler, and/or electrophoresis
equipment.
Course Policies
Attendance: Regular attendance is critical to understanding this subject matter and it is expected
that you will attend all lecture and laboratory sessions. Part of your grade is based on
participation, and you must be present in order to participate. Due to limited space, it is not
possible to make up work in another section. If you miss class, you are still responsible for all
handouts, assignments, and announcements made in class. Absences may be excused in the
event of illness (with doctor note), religious holidays and DVC athletic/scholastic events if you
contact me before class (at least 1 week before the absence for religious holidays and DVC
activities) and meet with me upon your return to arrange completion of any missed work.
Unexcused absences will result in a zero for the missed lab. Students with four or more absences
in lecture or lab may be dropped from the course. If you wish to withdraw from the class it is
your responsibility and failure to do so before the deadline may result in an F for the course.
Class Participation: Everyone should participate actively and be prepared to answer questions (I
often call on students during class). I encourage everyone to participate in class discussions and
to ask questions – you probably will not be the only one wanting to ask that question. Also, a
portion of your lab grade will be based on your active and constructive participation in class.
Common Courtesy: I will begin class on time and I expect you to be there on time. Please be
seated and ready for class to begin promptly at 5:00. If you must arrive late, please avoid
disturbing the class. Please turn your phone off before class begins. Behavior that disrupts other
students will not be tolerated and students that are being disruptive will be asked to leave the
classroom.
Academic Dishonesty: Cheating is any form of copying (including lab reports, graphs, etc.),
dishonest use of someone else's work (including internet sources), or data fabrication. If you
have any doubt about what constitutes cheating, ask me. To protect the vast majority of students
who do NOT cheat, I employ various methods to discourage cheating, such as photocopying
exams before returning them. Anyone caught cheating will receive a zero for the assignment.
Additional consequences will typically include being referred to the Dean of Students.
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Student Support Services
Many support services are available on campus including: The Life science Resource Center in
LHS-116, Learning Center, Computer Lab, Assessment Center, Disabled Students Programs and
Services, Career Center, Media Center, ESL (English as a Second Language), and the
Counseling Center. If you have special needs or if you want any more information on the
resources available to you on campus, please ask me. Students in this course will benefit from
the free tutoring services offered at DVC, which will assist them in becoming independent
learners by helping them improve their critical thinking and study skills, prepare for tests,
identify techniques for learning a new subject, solve problems, and organize ideas into essays.
Many students think that “good” students will not benefit from tutoring. However, getting help
to keep up with your work can strengthen your understanding of course material. To get the
most out of your experience at DVC, take advantage of the free tutoring available to you.
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Grading
Midterms (40%): There will be four 100-point midterm exams given on the days listed in the
schedule. I will distribute sample questions before each of these exams. Your Final Exam
percentage may be substituted for your lowest midterm score. There will be no makeup exams
given; if you miss an exam, the Final Exam grade will automatically substitute for one missed
midterm exam instead of your lowest score.
Laboratory (30%): Quizzes, written reports and laboratory performance will all be used to
determine your lab grade. Unless otherwise stated, all work is due at the beginning of lab,
although late work may be turned in up to one day late for half credit. Missed lab sessions will
be given an automatic zero unless you contacted me before lab to report that you were going to
be absent and the absence is excused in writing. Arriving late, leaving early, failure to clean up
after yourself, etc. will be reflected in the “active and constructive participation” portion of your
grade, which is equivalent to two lab quizzes.
Final Exam (15%): A comprehensive final exam, covering the entire semester, will be given
Monday, May 18th, from 5:00-7:00pm.
Project (15%): You will choose (with instructor approval) your own scientific research project,
design and perform appropriate experiments, then collect and analyze the data. A written report
will be handed in and an oral report will be given to the class. In addition to guidance provided
by the instructor, there is an online tutorial program to assist you in planning and carrying out
this assignment. You will be asked to provide proof that you completed your project; failure to
show adequate proof will result in a zero on the project. Additional details will be given in class.
A penalty of 10% per day will be assessed for late project reports.
Extra Credit (1%): Occasionally throughout the semester I will give short, unannounced quizzes
for extra credit. These quizzes will test your understanding of recently covered material or they
may test your advance preparation for that day's topic. The quizzes may be given at any time
during lecture or lab. In addition to the quizzes, in rare instances I may assign extra-credit
homework. At the end of the semester, the points for all extra credit assignments combined will
be adjusted so that there is a total of 10 extra credit points available for the semester. This is
equivalent to 1% of your total course grade.
Regrading: If you feel that an error has been made in the grading of your work, you must bring
it to my attention within two weeks to request a regrade.
Final grade distribution:
85% and above ...............................
75% - 84% ......................................
65% - 74% ......................................
55% - 64% ......................................
Below 55% .......................................
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A
B
C
D
F
Biology 130, section 8430
Spring 2015
Tentative Lecture Schedule
Date
Jan 12
Jan 14
Jan 19
Jan 21
Jan 26
Jan 28
Feb 2
Feb 4
Feb 9
Feb 11
Feb 16
Feb 18
Feb 23
Feb 25
Mar 2
Mar 4
Mar 9
Mar 11
Mar 16
Mar 18
Mar 23
Mar 25
Mar 30
Apr 1
Apr 6
Apr 8
Apr 13
Apr 15
Apr 20
Apr 22
Apr 27
Apr 29
May 4
May 6
May 11
May 13
May 18
Reading (Campbell 10th Ed.)
Ch. 1, Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Topic
Introduction to Bio 130
Water
Holiday – No Class
Organic Chemistry
Macromolecules
Enzymes
Metabolism
Midterm I
Cell Structure
Cell Structure continued
Holiday – No Class
Membranes, Cell Signaling
Nervous System
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis continued, Glycolysis
Cellular Respiration
Midterm II
Mitosis
Meiosis
Mendelian Genetics
Genes and Chromosomes
DNA
Spring Break – No Class
Spring Break – No Class
Protein Synthesis
Gene Regulation
Midterm III
Evolution
Homeostasis
Circulation
Respiration
Immunology
Embryology
Midterm IV
Reproduction, Endocrinology
TBA, Coming Attractions
Final Exam 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Ch. 4
Ch. 5 (66-83)
Ch. 8 (151-159)
Ch. 8 (141-151)
Ch. 6
Ch. 6
Ch. 7, Ch. 11 (210-219, 223-225)
Ch. 48, Ch. 49 (1079-1083)
Ch. 10
Ch. 9
Ch. 9
Ch. 12
Ch. 13
Ch. 14
Ch. 15, Ch. 23 (480-487)
Ch. 5 (84-89), Ch. 16
Ch. 17
Ch. 18 (360-375)
Ch. 22, Ch. 23
Ch. 40 (875-884)
Ch. 42 (915-932)
Ch. 42 (933-943)
Ch. 43 (946-963)
Ch. 47 (parts TBA), Ch. 18 (376-379)
Ch. 46 (1022-1033), Ch. 47 (1037-1041)
TBA
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Biology 130, section 8430
Spring 2015
Tentative Laboratory Schedule
Date
Jan 12
Jan 14
Jan 19
Jan 21
Jan 26
Jan 28
Feb 2
Feb 4
Feb 9
Feb 11
Feb 16
Feb 18
Feb 23
Feb 25
Mar 2
Mar 4
Mar 9
Mar 11
Mar 16
Mar 18
Mar 23
Mar 25
Mar 30
Apr 1
Apr 6
Apr 8
Apr 13
Apr 15
Apr 20
Apr 22
Apr 27
Apr 29
May 4
May 6
May 11
May 13
May 18
Laboratory topic
Reading
(Campbell 10th Ed.)
Introduction, Scientific Method (1), Projects (2)
Measurement of Starch Synthesis (3)
Holiday – No Class
Separating and Identifying Organic Molecules (4)
Enzymes, Parts I-IV (5)
Enzymes, Parts V-VII (5)
Test Taking Skills (7)
Introduction to Drosophila (6), Projects (2)
The Microscope (8)
Cell Structure and Function (8)
Holiday – No Class
Cell Structure and Function (8) continued, Flies (6)
Cell Permeability (9), Fly Counting (6)
Cell Surface Receptors (9), Fly Counting (6)
Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis (11)
Cellular Respiration (10)
Probability and Chi Square (12), Flies (6)
Chromosomes and Cell Division (13)
Chromosomes and Karyotyping (14)
Genetics Problems (15)
Fly Analysis (5)
DNA and PCR (16)
Spring Break – No Class
Spring Break – No Class
Gel Electrophoresis (16), Recombinant DNA (17)
Recombinant DNA (17), Protein Synthesis (18)
Fetal Pig Dissection (20)
Fetal Pig Dissection (20), continued
Cardiac Cycle (21)
Project Wrap-up (7)
Project Reports
Project Reports
Circulation and Respiration (22)
Amphibian Dev. (23), Urchins (24)
Amphibian Dev. (23) cont.; Repro Histology (24)
Wrap-up, Review
Final Exam 5:00-7:00 p.m.
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pp. 68-74
pp. 68-74, 77-80
pp. 152-160
pp. 152-160
pp. 94-101
Ch. 6
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 7
Ch. 10
pp. 269-271
Ch. 12, Ch. 6
pp. 297-300
Ch. 14, Ch. 15
Ch. 14-16
Ch. 14-16, Ch. 20 (396-407)
Ch. 14-16, Ch. 20 (396-407)
Ch. 20, Ch. 17
Ch. 40, Ch. 41
Ch. 40, Ch. 41
Ch. 42, 43
Ch. 42, 43
Ch. 47
Ch. 47
Biology 130, section 8430
Spring 2015
Project Due Dates
Jan 21 or before
Jan 26 or before
Feb 9 or before
Feb 23 or before
Mar 11 – Mar 25
Apr 24
Apr 27
Apr 27
Apr 29
Do Project Tutorials 1 & 2 (nothing to turn in).
Turn in first complete draft of project proposal. Proposal
must be approved by me BEFORE you start collecting data!
Second draft of proposal due.
Deadline for final approval of project proposal (will be
strictly enforced). Do Project Tutorial 3 upon approval.
Submit data sheets before beginning research.
Individual conferences (by appointment). Do Project
Tutorials 4 & 5 before conference. Do Project Tutorial 6
after your conference.
Abstracts due. Details given in Project Tutorial 5 and
discussed in class.
Written reports due. Two copies are to be handed in.
Reports are to be typed, double-spaced. The exact format is
detailed in Project Tutorial 5 and in Lab 2.
Oral reports given by half the class
Oral reports given by half the class
Project Grading – 150 points total (This will be discussed in greater detail during class.)
A. Execution (50 pts.)
1. Proposal (10 pts. each for up to 3 drafts = 30 pts.)
- Drafts should be on time, complete, rigorous, and address all previous
comments.
2. Data Sheets (5 pts.)
3. Conference (5 pts.)
4. Project Execution (10 pts.)
B. Written Report (75 pts.)
- Report should be complete, well-written, carefully proofread, and properly formatted.
Each section should contain the appropriate content and high degree of scientific rigor.
C. Oral Presentation (25 pts.)
- Emphasis is on effective communication of information to your audience.
D. Scope (10 pts. maximum EC to replace points lost above)
- See detailed explanation on “project grading rubric.”
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