NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title: General Biology Majors
Course Prefix & Number: BL1406
Section Number: 401
Term Code:fall2014
Semester Credit Hours:4
Lecture Hours:48
Lab Hours:48
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): The course consists of a survey of key concepts in biology,
biological chemistry, cell structure and function, genetics, evolution and ecology. Biotechnical
approaches will be discussed and applied in the laboratory. This course consists of 48 lecture
hours and 48 laboratory hours, earning 4 credits hours of science. This course will fulfill a core
curriculum requirement for biology majors and help the student decide whether a career in biology
or biomedical science is an agreeable choice.
Course Prerequisite(s):BL1406
Course Type:
 - Academic General Education Course (from Academic Course Guide Manual but not in NCTC
Core)
- Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
 - WECM Course
Name of Instructor:
Campus/Office Location:
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:
Diana Avila, PhD
COR 261
Name of Chair/Coordinator:
Office Location:
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:
Doug Elrod, PhD
COR304
940 498 6291
delrod@nctc.edu
davila@nctc.edu
REQUIRED OR RECOMMENDED COURSE MATERIALS
Text: Required: Biology, 10th edition, Campbell & Reece, et al.
Textbook Publisher Website: http://masteringbiology.com/ You must purchase a book
or an online subscription. You will receive an access code which you will enter during
online registration. The course ID is MBAVILA72031. This is necessary to perform the
assigned homework, which represent 5% of your grade.
Laboratory Manual: Required: Encounters with Life, 7th edition, Wachtmeister and
Scott.
Recommended: Van De Graaff’s Photographic Atlas for the Biology Laboratory, Adams
and Crawley.
Text: Required: Microbiology, 4th edition, Bauman.
Textbook Publisher Website: http://masteringmicrobiology.com/ You must purchase a
book or an online subscription. You will receive an access code which you will enter
during online registration. The course ID is MMBAVILA03987. This is necessary to
perform the assigned homework and take the online quizzes, which represent 5% of your
grade, respectively. A total 10% of your grade!
Laboratory Manual: Required: Microbiology Lab Manual, BIOL 2420. This an in
house lab.
GRADING CRITERIA
# of Graded
Course
Elements
5
5
12
1
2
10
11
Graded Course Elements
Exam
Quizzes
Homework
Group project
Lab practical
Lab quizzes
Daily work
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Student Learning Outcome
At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
Percentage or
Points Values
60%
5%
5%
5%
15%
5%
5%
Students will be thinking, writing, and dialoguing creatively, critically and analytically
about biological theories, practices, history and policies.
Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes:
Chemistry of the Cell
Students should be able to:
1. Describe the characteristics of Life
2. Explain the scientific method as it is used in the field of biology.
3. Recognize basic chemical structures needed for life and their properties related
to cellular chemistry.
4. Identify such chemical structures, synthesis, and regulation of nucleic acids and
proteins.
5. Compare and contrast basic cellular structures and functions of viruses,
prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
6. Develop an appreciation of cell’s characteristics through microscopy in the
laboratory and describe the structure of cell membranes and the movement of
molecules across a membrane.
Animal and Plant Cellular Biochemistry
Students should be able to:
1. Identify the substrates, products, and important chemical pathways in metabolism.
2. Understand cellular metabolism and how it contributes to human homeostasis.
3. Develop an understanding of human organization and development.
4. Have an understanding of energy systems in animals and plants.
Human Genetics, Inheritance and Gene expression
Students should be able to:
1. Have an understanding of basic Mendelian genetics along with human
differentiation and morphogenesis.
2. Identify specific patterns of inheritance and be able to solve classical genetic
problems.
3. Develop an understanding of gene expression mechanisms.
Organismal Genetics, Genomes and Biotechnology
Students should be able to:
1. Have an understanding of viral and bacterial genetics.
2. Develop and understanding of the usefulness of genomes and biotechnology.
Laboratory Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to:
1. Describe the unity and diversity of life and the evidence for evolution through
natural selection.
2. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools such
as microscopes
and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
3. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in
the laboratory
4. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular attendance and active participation in class to both lecture and lab is essential for learning.
Students with 5 or more lecture absences or 3 lab absences may be dropped from the class.
Students are responsible for all material and assignments given in class and lab. If a class is missed, it
is the student's responsibility to use the Angel resources to determine what was missed or contact
other students to see what was covered or assigned on that day. Students are also expected to
complete all assigned quizzes, exams, and other work on the assigned day see “Evaluation”
section for further information.
It is the student's responsibility to use proper withdrawal procedures if the student decides to
withdraw.
CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________
o Communication
o Mathematics
xo Life and Physical Science
o Language, Philosophy & Culture
o Creative Arts
o American History
o Government/Political Science
o Social and Behavioral Sciences
o Component Area Option
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES
 Critical Thinking
 Communication
 Empirical and Quantitative
 Teamwork
 Personal Responsibility
 Social Responsibility
Last day to
The last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is_Nov
Withdraw
6_______________.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
The course consists of a survey of key concepts in the biology, classification and genetics of
microorganisms, viruses and parasites and the reactive eukaryotic immunology. Biotechnical
approaches will be discussed and applied in the laboratory. This course consists of 48 lecture
hours and 48 laboratory hours, earning 4 credits hours of science.
Date
Subject
Aug 25
27
29
M
W
F
Sept 1
3
5
8
10
12
15
17
19
22
24
26
29
Oct 1
3
6
8
10
13
15
17
20
22
24
27
29
31
Nov 3
5
7
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
Introduction
Introduction: Themes in Life
Introduction: Themes in Life
Scientific Method
Labor Day- NO Classes
The Chemistry of Life
The Chemistry of Life
Water and Life
Carbon and Molecular Diversity
Carbon and Molecular Diversity
Macromolecules
Macromolecules
A Tour of the Cell
Exam #1
A Tour of the Cell
Membrane Structure and Function
Membrane Structure and Function
An Introduction to Metabolism
An Introduction to Metabolism
Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
Photosynthesis
Exam #2
Photosynthesis
Cell Communication
Cell Communication
The Cell Cycle
The Cell Cycle
Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles
Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles
Mendel and the Gene Idea
Mendel and the Gene Idea
Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance
Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance
Exam
Quizzes
Reading
Assignment
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Quiz 1
Exam #1
Quiz 2
Exam #2
Quiz 3
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Exam #1
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Exam #2
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 15
10
12
14
17
19
21
25
26
28
Dec 1
3
5
Finals
week
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
Exam #3
The Molecular Basis of Inheritance
The Molecular Basis of Inheritance
From Gene to Protein
From Gene to Protein
Regulation of Gene Expression
Regulation of Gene Expression
Biotechnology
Thanksgiving – NO Classes
Biotechnology
Viruses
Exam #4
Final December 8 at 11am
Week Lab # Subject
Beginning
Aug 27
1
Safety/Scientific Method/Data Analysis
Sept 3
3
Metric Measurements/Microscope
10
17
24
Oct 1
8
15
22
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
29
Nov 5
11
12
Chemical Aspects of life
NO LAB
Cell structure
Exchange between cells and their environment
Lab Practical (labs 1-6)
Enzymes
Energy capture, fermentation and cellular
respiration/Photosynthesis
Mitosis and Meiosis
Mendelian Genetics
12
13
Molecular Biology
19
26
Dec 3
14
15
Lab Practical (labs 8-12)
NO LAB School closed
Population Genetics and Evolution
Final- Lab Report
Exam #3
Quiz 4
Quiz 5
Exam #4
Final
Exercise #
E1
E1/E2
Exam #3
Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Chapter 19
Exam #4
Final
Chapt
Reference
Chapter 1
Chapter
2/3/4/5
E3
Chapter 6
E4
E5
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
E6
E7/E8
Chapter 8
Chapter 9/10
E9
E10
Chapter 12/13
Chapter
14/15/16
Chapter 20
E11
Chapter 23
Student Rights & Responsibilities
NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall
be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and
regulations concerning student conduct. These rules and regulations are published in the
Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog.
Scholastic Integrity
Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of college rules and regulations and is
punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be
limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. See the Student Handbook for more
information.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Disability Services (OSD)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have
a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the
Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209. Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower
Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.
North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal
equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA
Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).
http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their
academic goals. The center links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab,
and free online tutoring in the evening. The program helps students acclimate to college by
providing students free interactive workshops. For more information, please visit your nearest
Student Success Center.
Tobacco-Free Campus
NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars,
pipes and smokeless tobacco on campus property.