Biology 211 ~ General Biology I Syllabus
Rogue Community College
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk  Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk
WK
1
2
CHPT #
Intro & 1
1-2
2-3
3-4
3
4-5
5
4
6
7
5
8
LECTURE TOPIC
Introduction
Themes in the Study of Life
The Chemical Context of Life
homework 1, cheating contract due, 10pts
Chemistry & Water
Carbon and Molecular Diversity of Life
homework 2 due, 10pts
The Structure and Function of Biological Molecules
EXAM 1 handed out, Chapters 1-5
Tour of Cell
EXAM 1 due at 9:30am
Membrane Structure and Function
9
An Introduction to Metabolism
homework 3 due, 10 pts
Cellular Respiration
6
9-11
Cellular Respiration, Cell Communication (HW)
7
12
13
The Cell Cycle: Mitosis
Meiosis & Sexual Life Cycle
homework 4 due, 10pts
8
14-15
Mendel and the Gene Idea
homework 5 due, 10 pts
Mendel and the Gene Idea
14-15
EXAM 2: Chapters 6-9
9
16
16
The Molecular Basis of Inheritance (DNA Replication)
DNA Replication
biology article summary due, 15pts
10
17
17
From Gene to Protein: Protein Synthesis
From Gene to Protein: Protein Synthesis
homework 6 due, biotechnology, 10pts
11
20
Biotechnology
EXAM 3: Chapters 12-17, 20
I reserve the right to alter the schedule as I see fit, and it is the student’s responsibility to note announced
changes in the schedule!
1
PREREQUISITES: RD 30; MT 60; CHEM 104 is highly recommended
UNITS: 4 units:3 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
 LECTURE TEXT: Campbell, Reece (2008) Biology, 9th edition
(hardcover for those taking Bi 211-212-213; softcover for those only taking Bi 211)
 LAB MANUAL: Biology Lab Manual for Rogue Community College, McGraw-Hill
 SCAN-TRONS: Please purchase 3 scan-trons from the RCC bookstore for use on lecture exams
CLASS TIMES:
 LECTURE: (Rogue Building): Monday & Wednesday 9:30-10:50am
 LABORATORY (E building; lab E-5): Lab A: Monday 11:30-2:20pm; Russ Namitz
Lab B: Wednesday 11:30-2:20pm; Katie Ward
Lab C: Friday 9:30-12:20pm; Erin Kerr
You must be concurrently enrolled in one of these laboratory sections!
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Welcome to General Biology I! This course will allow you the opportunity to delve
into the intricacies and mysteries of the natural world. The biology sequence (Bio
211, 212, 213) presents a basic understanding of biological processes including
cellular, animal & plant life, populations and ecosystems. General Biology I (Bio
211) is designed to introduce the foundations of living systems and biological
organization, emphasizing such concepts as: the scientific method, classification of
organisms, molecular & cellular processes, energy transfer, cellular respiration,
cellular division, genetics, and biotechnology. By the end of this three-term
sequence, students should be able to comprehend and identify the major
biological themes and interrelationships of the botanical and zoological world.
Expected Course Outcomes:
Having successfully completed General Biology I, the student should
be able to:
1. Develop an analytical approach to solving biological problems
2. List the characteristics of life and outline the scientific method
3. Draw and label plant and animal cells and describe the
functions of each organelle
4. Discuss the role of enzymes
5. Explain the steps and processes involved in mitosis and
meiosis
6. Describe the steps of cellular respiration
7. Describe the structure and duplication of DNA
8. Solve basic genetic problems
9. Describe protein structure, RNA, and the process of protein
synthesis
10. Explore techniques and application of biotechnology
ILO
COM3—
(Collaborates
effectively to achieve
course/learning
goals)
Assessment Methods:
Assessment rubric for
COM3 will be used to
measure student
progress toward
mastery of COM3.
2
GRADING POLICY:
Your grade in Bio 211 is based upon a combination of your lecture and lab
grades—lectures contribute ~60%, lab, ~40% of the total points. Grades from
lecture and laboratory will be combined and final grades assigned according to the
traditional scale: 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, less than
60% = F. Minimal to no extra credit material may be given.
The LECTURE portion of your grade will include the following:
1.
LECTURE EXAMS:
 There will be three (3) lecture exams (100 points each) during the
term.
 Exams will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay
questions on the text and figures from the textbooks, lecture, and
various outside sources.
 Lecture exams are not cumulative, however you will find that the
language of biology builds on itself—material covered at the
beginning of the course will be seen at the end!
 Students are responsible for bringing a scan-tron and a No. 2
pencil to each exam.
 Makeup exams will be allowed only where adequate cause exists,
and may be “all essay” format.
2.
HOMEWORK:
 There will be six multiple choice lecture homework assignments.
 Homework will be accessed on the following website:
https://roguecc.blackboard.com/
 The topics will cover material that will be on the week’s upcoming
lectures.
 Homework submissions will be due by 8AM on RogueNet. (See
schedule above for specific due dates.)
 It is recommended that students print the homework and answer
the questions prior to submitting answers as you will only be
given one submission attempt.
 It is the student’s responsibility to check answers and to make sure
homework is submitted on time!
 No late assignments will be accepted (If you know you will be
missing class, submit your assignment early!)
3.
CONTEMPORARY BIOLOGY ARTICLE SUMMARY
 Specific guidelines and instructions for this assignment are
available on the class website.
 You will be responsible for finding and writing a short summary of
a contemporary “biology in the news” article.
 The article summary will be worth 15 points.
 I will accept no late assignments—no excuses! Articles will NOT be
returned.
LAB/LECTURE GRADE BREAKDOWN:
3
1
6
1
Lecture Exams @ 100 pts. each…………….....…………..300 points
Contemporary Biology Article @ 15 pts. ……...............15 points
Homework @ 10 pts. each……………………………………. 60 points
Cheating Contract @ 5 pts. ……………………………………5 points
1 Laboratory Practicum @ 100 pts. …….………..…………100 points
14 Laboratory Exercises @ 10 pts. each…………….……….140 points
8 Laboratory Quizzes @ 5 pts. Each….…..………………..+ 40 points
Total Possible Points
660 points
3
Please understand this is a VERY large class, and graded assignments will be returned no earlier than 7 days from when
they were handed in.
LECTURE OUTLINES
Due to the high volume of material in this course, I have prepared outlines for each
textbook chapter we will cover in lecture. After the first day of class, lecture outlines
will available on Rogue Online Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to
print and bring lecture outlines to class! I follow lecture outlines very carefully,
and if they are not printed or utilized, you may have trouble keeping up!
ATTENDANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND VERY IMPORTANT TO YOUR SUCCESS IN THIS
COURSE!! Student must also attend at least 70% of labs to pass the course.
MAKE-UP POLICY:
As a rule, late assignments and missed exams will earn a zero. However, in the case of
extenuating circumstances, I reserve the right to allow make-ups for exams or quizzes at
my discretion and professional judgment. Make-up exams will ONLY be given under very
specific circumstances: You MUST have a legitimate, verifiable excuse for missing an
exam in order to receive a make-up. (e.g. illness documented by a physician’s note, death
in the family, etc.). If you do miss an exam, contact me immediately on or before the day
of the exam. The format of the make-up exam may be different from the original exam
and may consist entirely of essay questions. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you
understand this policy!!! Do NOT ask me for a make-up if you do not have a verifiable
excuse.
Late assignments may only be submitted for credit in the case of extenuating
circumstances and at my discretion. Please be aware that even if I allow a late
assignment to be turned in, there will be an automatic deduction for being late (25% if it
is less than one week late; more than one week late will be deducted at my discretion).
I must use the same rules for handling make-ups for ALL students, and I will NOT make
exceptions for individual students which would be unfair to the rest of the class.
It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any missed information, assignments, notes,
etc. if a class must be missed. Copies of handouts and assignments can be found in the
cabinet to the right of my office in F-bldg. I do not carry copies of previous handouts
with me to class~ if you miss class or lose handouts, please pick them up on your own
time (i.e. before the next lecture).
ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
Cell phones, computers, nooks, and other electronic device use will NOT be tolerated during
class time! During exams and exam reviews, cell phones and all other electronic devices MUST
be put away(!)~ this means in a bag, purse, etc. If I see a cell phone or other electronic devices
during an exam or while reviewing the exam it will result in a Failing Grade for that exam!!
CLASSROOM/LAB DEPORTMENT:
1. Come to class on time and be prepared to work when the class is scheduled to start.
2. We will use every minute of scheduled lecture time. Do not start shuffling papers/books
or whispering to your neighbor in the minutes before the lecture is scheduled to end. Be
courteous and respectful to the classroom learning environment.
3. Do not talk, surf the web or text message while the instructor is talking. It is disrespectful
and makes it difficult for other student to hear the instructor.
4. Once class has started, do not approach the front of the room to hand in papers, collect
papers, sign the attendance sheet, etc. This should wait until the end of class.
5. If you must leave class before it ends, do so quietly and notify the instructor before class
4
begins.
6. If you must leave to use the restroom, do so quietly. If you will need to leave on a regular
basis, please find a seat close to the door.
7. Use appropriate language. The use of profanity in the classroom or lab is insulting to others
and yourself and is not conducive to a college learning environment.
**Any behavior deemed by your instructor to be offensive or disruptive to your peers,
your instructor, or the learning environment will not be tolerated and will result in your
removal from the course if not corrected.
For additional information, please refer to the “Student Code of Conduct” on the college’s website, in
the student handbook, in the college catalog, or in your course schedule.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
 It is each student’s responsibility to pay attention to due dates, exam dates, and to
submit assignments ON TIME!! Remember, homework is to be submitted on
Rogue Online BlackBoard (https://roguecc.blackboard.com/).
 It is each student’s responsibility to be aware of all college procedures, such as
how to add, drop, or withdraw from a class, and the available student’s services.
For more information, refer to the Student Handbook, Schedule of Classes, and
the Student Rights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities Statement.
 Each student will have two weeks into the following term to contest his or her
grade as exams will be recycled at this point.
 CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM ARE VIOLATIONS OF THE COLLEGE POLICY AND
CONSIDERED SERIOUS OFFENSES. CHEATING IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WILL NOT BE
TOLERATED IN EITHER THE LECTURE OR LABORATORY PORTIONS OF THIS COURSE.
THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AND RCC TAKES ALL INCIDENTS OF ACADEMIC
DISHONESTY SERIOUSLY AND ACTS ACCORDINGLY, INCLUDING, AT A MINIMUM, A
FAILING GRADE FOR THE ASSIGNMENT AND A FILING OF STUDENT INCIDENT
REPORT. CHEATING MAY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE COURSE OR EXPULSION FROM
THE COLLEGE.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Any student who feels that she or he may need an academic accommodation for any
disability, such as vision, hearing, orthopedic, learning disabilities, psychological
and/or other medical conditions, should make an appointment with the RCC’s
Disability Services Office. Campus locations and telephone numbers are:
Redwood Campus
Riverside & Table Rock Campuses
541-956-7337
541-245-7537
Wiseman Building
227 E. Ninth St., B-9
3345 Redwood Hwy
Grants Pass, OR 97527
(TRC 191 by appointment)
Medford, OR 97501
SYLLABUS DISCLAIMER:
A syllabus is designed to provide the student with a guide to course procedures,
requirements, and grading policy. Sometimes it is necessary to alter assignments or
point totals due to availability of materials, emergencies, or to create the most
productive learning program for the success of the student. I reserve the right to
change assignments to deal with emergencies as needed, or to alter the suggested
test or lab schedule to create a more productive learning program for student
success.
5
STUDY TIPS:
General Biology is a very interesting, but intensive course. Many students find biology to be a
very challenging subject. In order to do well in this course, you must make a serious commitment
to attend class and practice good study techniques. Study habits that may have been adequate in
high school may not be adequate for your college level courses. Remember that Biology is the
study of life and the world around you, and will always be relevant whether you are continuing on
in the sciences, or merely walking in the woods. The Discovery Channel will most likely take on
new meaning for many of you!
Here are some suggestions that may assist you so that you can do your best in this course:

This is an intensive course—do NOT let yourself fall behind.

Read the chapter BEFORE class…this way you are already familiar with the material. Hearing it for
the 2nd time will reinforce your understanding and facilitate note-taking It is naïve to think that you
can understand biology from class notes alone

Take organized notes during class. Some students highlight topics and figures in their book during
lecture. Bringing your textbook to class will make it easier to follow along. Although your text may
be big and heavy, it will be worth it (and think of all those muscles you will tone just carrying it)!

Rewrite lecture material before and after the next class. The more times you go over the material in a
short period of time, the better it is learned and the less ineffective cramming you will have to do!
Repetition is key!!!! Ideally, you should devote 2-3 hours of study time per 1 hour of lecture.

Biology is a very visual subject; therefore you should study the figures in the text.

Before lecture exams, make sure you have met the goals defined for each exam. Review terms in
lecture outlines

In order to help you to prepare for lecture exams, I strongly suggest that you complete the End of the
Chapter Reviews in your textbook (Self-Quiz, etc.).

MasteringBiology: the text’s Companion teaching aid www.masteringbio.com.

With your purchase of a new copy of Campbell/Reece Biology you should have received a “Student
Access Kit for MasteringBiology.” This kit contains instructions and a code for accessing a very
dynamic website. (If you did not purchase a new textbook or cannot locate the Student Access Kit,
you can purchase your subscription to MasteringBiology online by selecting Buy Now. To do so, go to
www.masteringbio.com. Identify the exact title and edition of your textbook when prompted.
Features of Study Area:
 Chapter Guide
 BioFlix 3-D Animations (student tutorials, labeled slide shows, study sheets, quizzes)
 MP3 Tutors~ downloadable files that will open in iTunes!
 Videos, Activities, Practice Tests and Quizzes
 Word Study Tools and Glossary
 E-book~ convenient online version of the book

Form study groups. The process of explaining material to other students during a group study
session will help you understand and remember it!

Take advantage of my office hours—a couple minutes of discussion with me may save you confusion
and frustration in the long run!!
~
If you are having trouble with this course, please seek help before it becomes too late. I encourage you to
come talk to me in my office. I can help you with the material, give study tips, pep talks, or whatever else it
takes to lead you on the right track to success in General Biology.
6
Labs
Required Materials:
 LAB TEXT: Biology Lab Manual for Rogue Community College, McGraw-Hill
 SAFETY GOGGLES: Goggles will be mandatory for any labs requiring eye protection & may be
purchased in the bookstore. Please make sure that goggles meet the OSHA standards:ANSI
Standard Z87.1-1989/2003 Chemical Goggles, Polycarbonate Lens with indirect venting.
GLOVES: Non-latex gloves will be mandatory for any labs requiring hand protection & may be
purchased in the bookstore.
*asterisks indicate labs in which goggles/gloves must be brought to lab and worn*
WEEK
DATE
SELECTION #
LAB EXERCISE
1
1
Safety, Metric Measurement & Scientific Method
2*
2
4
Atoms and Molecules
Structure of Organic Molecules—homework Q1
3
handout
3
Microscopy~ Introduction
The Cell: Structure & Function Q2
4*
handout
Diffusion & Osmosis Q3
5*
handout
Enzymes Q4
6*
7
Cellular Respiration Q5
7
11
12
Mitosis Q6
Meiosis
8*
handout
10
Gel Electrophoresis (pipetting, digests, & practice load)
DNA & RNA Structure and Function Q7
9*
handout
16
14
Gel Electrophoresis (load and run gels)
Human Variation
Genetics Problems—homework
10*
handout
10
Finish Gel Electrophoresis (analyze gels) Q8
Review
11*
~
LAB EXAM, 100 pts.
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANNOUNCED CHANGES IN THE COURSE SYLLABUS
7
GRADING POLICY:
Your grade in Bio 211 is based upon a combination of your lecture and lab grades—
lectures contribute ~60%, and lab, ~40% of the total points.
The LAB portion of your grade will include the following:
1.
LAB EXERCISES:




Completed laboratory exercises will be due at the beginning of lab the
following week. The acceptance of late work and subsequent
penalties will be at the instructor’s discretion.
Although students will work with a lab partner during the lab, graded lab
exercises are to be completed BY ONESELF!
Before leaving lab, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure the lab
exercise completed that day is stamped/initialed to document lab
participation. Students not in lab may not take, nor receive credit for the
lab exercise for that week.
Lab exercises are meant to facilitate learning material you will need to
know for quizzes and practicals—please take your time and take them
seriously! Students not in lab may not take, nor receive credit for the lab
quiz or lab exercise for that week.
2. LAB QUIZZES:





There will be a quiz given each week during the first 10 minutes of lab.
The quizzes will cover any material from the previous week’s lab and may
include material that will be performed that day. If material was covered
in lab, you are responsible for it on your quiz!
Lab quizzes will be taken in groups of two.
Students who come to lab after the quiz has been administered
must take the quiz by themselves.
Students who come in more than 15 minutes late will not be
permitted to take the quiz at all!
3. LAB PRACTICAL:

There will be one lab practical exam the last week of the term. Lab exams
CANNOT be made up unless you have made prior arrangements with the
instructor.
LAB GRADE BREAKDOWN:
1 Laboratory Practical @ 100 pts… …….………..…………100 points
14 Laboratory Exercises @ 10 pts. each…………………….140 points
8 Laboratory Quizzes @ 5 pts. Each….…..………………+ 40 points
Total Possible Points
280 points
LAB ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED AND VERY IMPORTANT TO YOUR SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE!!
Every student is expected to attend all lecture and laboratory sessions. Absences are detrimental to your
academic success and shall be taken into account when final grades are determined. Students not in lab may
not take, nor receive credit for the lab quiz or lab exercise for that week. It is the student’s responsibility to
make sure he/she receive a stamp/initial from the instructor at the end of lab to document their participation
in each lab. Student must also attend at least 70% of labs to pass the course.
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM ARE VIOLATIONS OF THE COLLEGE POLICY AND CONSIDERED SERIOUS
OFFENSES. CHEATING IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN EITHER THE LECTURE OR
LABORATORY PORTIONS OF THIS COURSE. THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT TAKES ALL INCIDENTS OF
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY SERIOUSLY AND ACTS ACCORDINGLY, INCLUDING A FAILING GRADE FOR THE
COURSE OR EXPULSION FROM THE COLLEGE.
8