COLLIN COLLEGE
LABORATORY SECTION SYLLABUS
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Number: BIOL 1406
Course Title: Biology for Science Majors I
Course Description:
Lecture: Fundamental principles of living organisms will be studied, including physical and chemical properties
of life, organization, function, evolutionary adaptation, and classification. Concepts of cytology, reproduction,
genetics, and scientific reasoning are included.
Lab: Laboratory activities will reinforce the fundamental principles of living organisms, including physical and
chemical properties of life, organization, function, evolutionary adaptation, and classification. Study and
examination of the concepts of cytology, reproduction, genetics, and scientific reasoning are included.
Course Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours:
Lab Hours:
4
3
3
Placement Assessments: ENGL 1301, MATH 0310, College-Level Reading
Student Learning Outcomes:

State-mandated Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
Lecture
1. Describe the characteristics of life.
2. Explain the methods of inquiry used by scientists.
3. Identify the basic requirements of life and the properties of the major molecules needed for life.
4.
Compare and contrast the structures, reproduction, and characteristics of viruses, prokaryotic cells,
and eukaryotic cells.
5. Describe the structure of cell membranes and the movement of molecules across a membrane.
6. Identify the substrates, products, and important chemical pathways in metabolism.
7. Identify the principles of inheritance and solve classical genetic problems.
8. Identify the chemical structures, synthesis, and regulation of nucleic acids and proteins.
9. Describe the unity and diversity of life and the evidence for evolution through natural selection.
Lab
1.
Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes
and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data. (Teamwork)
2.
Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory.
(Critical Thinking Skills)
3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations. (Communication Skills)
4. Describe the characteristics of life.
5. Explain the methods of inquiry used by scientist.
6. Identify the basic properties of substances needed for life.
7.
Compare and contrast the structures, reproduction, and characteristics of viruses, prokaryotic cells,
and eukaryotic cells.
8. Describe the structure of cell membranes and the movement of molecules across a membrane.
9. Identify the substrates, products, and important chemical pathways in metabolism.
10.
Identify the principles of inheritance and solve classical genetic problems. (Empirical &
Quantitative Skills)
11. Identify the chemical structures, synthesis, and regulation of nucleic acids and proteins.
12. Describe the unity and diversity of life and the evidence for evolution through natural selection.
Withdrawal Policy: See the current Collin Registration Guide for last day to withdraw.
Collin College Academic Policies: See the current Collin Student Handbook.
Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws,
regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal
educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-D140 or
972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin Student
Handbook for additional information.
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INSTRUCTOR’S INFORMATION
Instructor’s Name: Sukanya Subramanian
Office Number: F216
Office Hours: Office Hrs: MR 10 -10.10 AM, 12.10 - 1.00 PM, TW 9.30 to 10.10 AM, 3- 3.20 PM
Phone Number: 972 377 1583
Email: ssubramanian@collin.edu
Web page: http://iws.collin.edu/ssubramanian
CLASS INFORMATION
Section Number: 1406P1L
Meeting Times: MTWR & F (8/1& 8/8) 1 – 3 pm Lab
Meeting Location: F227 Lab
Course Resources: Online Biology Laboratory Manual - http://iws.collin.edu/biopage/biopage.html (under
“Biology lab”)
Supplies - REQUIRED
Safety Goggles and gloves are required (mandatory) during lab. These can be purchased from the
bookstore.
Loose-leaf notebook to keep lab reports and handouts
Shoes covering the whole foot is mandatory (Please read
http://iws.collin.edu/ssubramanian/1406%20lab%20subheadings.htm regarding Lab safety)
Recommended
Labcoat or apron, if desired, for some labs
Attendance Policy: Laboratory attendance is mandatory. If a student misses a lab or one of the practical
exams, they can make-up the exam only after approval of the lab instructor (see details in the next
paragraphs). Instructors cannot count one practical exam grade twice. Contact your instructor immediately if
you miss a class or a practical. Students who stop attending class and do not officially withdraw from the
course will be assigned a grade of “F”.
Missing the first lab meeting
Students that miss the first day of the lab are required to view the “Starting with Safety” DVD in the
Science Den prior to being permitted to attend the next lab.
The Science Den staff will supply the student with the DVD to watch and with a confirmation note to return
to their instructor to verify completion.
Lab Make-ups: If you need to miss a lab for an appropriate and documented reason (for example: illness
requiring a doctor’s visit, death in the family, College related athletics and activities) you must contact the
instructor as soon as possible. You may only make-up the lab during the same day by attending another
section with prior approval from both the instructor of the lab you will be attending and your original lab
instructor (arrangements can be made ONLY by the lab instructors). If you miss a lab and do not contact
the instructor in an appropriate timeframe in order to attend a make-up lab you will receive a zero for all
quizzes and assignments missed and/or not turned in on time.
Practical Exam Make-ups: For any practical exam make-up to be approved, students must provide their
instructor with documentation verifying that the nature of their absence was for an acceptable reason. Please
note: a practical make-up will be approved ONLY for legitimate reasons. Every request for a make-up
should be accompanied by appropriate documentation. Arriving late or unprepared for the exam will not
qualify for a make-up approval. The make-up practical will be a comprehensive practical at the end of the
semester (final exam day or day after).
*Make-up exams may only be granted in the event of extenuating circumstances (e.g. hospitalization of the
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student, death in the family, etc.) that are supported by documentation. The instructor reserves the right to
make the determination of whether a particular situation merits a make-up exam. Please contact the
instructor as soon as possible if a situation arises that prevents you from attending class on a scheduled
exam date. If you anticipate a problem that may impact a future exam, please get in touch with the
instructor to discuss the situation as soon as you know of a potential conflict.
LATERAL TRANSFER POLICY
Lateral transfers will not be granted after the 2nd week of class or after the first exam, whichever comes first.
Exceptions to this are for documented changes in work schedule or family emergencies. If a student does
transfer to another section, all previous grades will accompany the student. However, the new instructor can
require the student to retake any exam or quiz. For questions concerning this policy, contact the Biology
Department Chair.
NOTE: A copy of the pertinent generic syllabus, measurable learning outcomes and
rules of academic conduct are attached and also may be available on the college
web site at http://iws.collin.edu/biopage/biopage.html
Method of Evaluation:
Overall course grade: Lecture 75%, lab 25%
Lab: 2 practical exams - 30% each
Quizzes - 20% of lab grade
Lab reports - 20% of lab grade
All assignments/reports should be handed in by the due date otherwise will not be given
credit
Percentage
(100%)
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2%
5%
3%
2%
5.00%
3.00%
30.0%
30.00%
Assignment
1
Quiz
2
Quiz
3
Quiz
4
Quiz
5
Quiz
6
Quiz
7
Quiz
8
Quiz
LR
Unit
1
LR
Unit
3
LR
Unit
4
LR
Unit
7
LR
Unit 9
LR
Unit
Genetic
Concepts
Practical
I
Practical
II
Grade
Keep track of your lab grades here: Out of 10 quiz scores, 2 lowest scores will be dropped
Details of quizzes and lab reports will be given during lab class. There are no make up
labs/Quizzes/lab reports (see note regarding Make Ups above) Please contact instructor if there is a
problem.
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Course Calendar:
BIOLOGY 1406 summer I - GENERAL BIOLOGY I LABORATORY
TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR
Week
DAY
LABORATORY TOPICS
EXERCISES
1
7/14
Lab Orientation
Handouts
7/15
Measurement
Unit 1
7/16
Spectrophotometry
Unit 2
7/17
Acids, Bases, pH
Unit 3
***Census Day 7/17***
2
3
7/21
Macromolecules
Unit 4
7/22
Microscopy and Cytology
Unit 5
7/23
Osmosis and Diffusion
Unit 6
7/24
Review
7/28
Lab Practical I
7/29
Enzymes
Unit 7
7/30
Cellular Respiration
Unit 8
7/31
Photosynthesis
Unit 9
***Last Day to withdraw 7/29***
Make-up day
Friday 8/1
Mitosis
Unit 10
4
8/4
Meiosis
Unit 10
8/5
Genetic Concepts
8/6
Biotechnology
Unit 11
8/7
Prokaryotes
Unit 12
Make-up day
Friday 8/8
Review
5
8/11
Lab Practical II
8/12
Final exam day – no lab
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