Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Spring 2013
Course Information
TITLE: Biology with Lab for non-majors
CREDIT HOURS: 3 Lecture/1 Lab (4.00 total)
CATALOG LISTING: BIOL 100 S1
LECTURE: HILD 105 (Saturday 9:00am-11:45am)
LAB: HILD 102 (Saturday 12:00pm – 1:50pm)
Instructor Information
INSTRUCTOR: Matt Simon, B.S.
EMAIL: msimon@smccme.edu
PHONE: 207-602-2672
OFFICE HOURS: Saturday 2:00pm – 3:00pm (HILD 102), by appointment
Course Description
BIOL 100 is a four-credit hour, one-semester survey course, designed to give students who are nonscience majors a solid foundation in the basic principles and unifying concepts of biology. Students
develop an understanding of science, the nature of scientific inquiry, and how evolution explains the unity
and diversity of all life on Earth. The course focuses on common features that all organisms (living
things) share, as well as their unique characteristics. The “basics” of living things are explored: their
biochemistry, structure, classification, ecological role, genetics, and evolution.
Pre-requisite(s): ENGL 050, ENGL 075
Co-requisite(s): MATH 050
Required Texts
Lecture Text:
Krogh, D. 2011. Biology: A Guide to the Natural World. 3rd Custom Edition for Southern Maine
Community College. Pearson Custom Publishing. San Francisco, CA.
Lab Text:
Tarbox, B. and Willink, W. 2005. General Biology Lab Manual. SMCC.
Course outline (topics)
1. Characteristics and basic classifications of life (domains of life, kingdoms of Eukarya, organizational
levels of life, virus, definition/explanation of “science,” science’s impact on society, Darwin’s ideas and
evolutionary theory)
2. Biochemistry and its importance in understanding biology (atomic structure, periodic table,
compounds, water and pH, DNA structure, macromolecules [biomolecules])
3. Metabolism in living things (active transport, energy transference, cellular respiration, DNA
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Spring 2013
replication, cell cycle, meiosis, protein synthesis, photosynthesis, evolutionary theory)
4. Characteristics and functions of cells (cell theory, cell structure and function, cell types, cell cycle,
meiosis, biotechnology, virus, evolutionary theory)
5. Genetics (DNA structure, chromosome structure, chromosome abnormalities, Mendel’s work, trait
inheritance [dominant and recessive traits], evolutionary theory)
6. How ecology explains the biodiversity in our environment (populations, communities, ecosystems,
biomes, evolutionary theory).
Course Objectives
After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Apply the scientific method of inquiry.
2. Communicate the relevance of science in society.
3. Describe evolution as a theory that works to explain the unity and diversity of life.
4. Perform hands-on and interactive lab experiments/activities, using selected biology lab equipment and
proper safety practices.
5. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the following topics: characteristics and basic classifications of
life, biochemistry, metabolism, cells, genetics, and ecology.
Course Policies/Student Responsibilities
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Students should read the assigned material in the text before attending lecture on that topic and
the assigned material in the lab manual before doing the lab activities.
Students are responsible for all material covered during lectures and laboratory activities as well
as for all arrangements to make-up any work or material missed.
If the student is absent when an exam is administered, the exam must be retake the following
Saturday before class begins.
Lab activities missed for any reason cannot be made up. The student should be aware that lab
content and procedures will be assessed as part of the scheduled exams.
Lab reports are due at the beginning of the next class that follows the lab. Lab reports not handed
in at that time will not be accepted for full credit.
Lab reports for a lab may only be submitted if the student actively participated in lab that day.
Answering a cell phone, talking on the cell phone, checking text messages, or sending text
messages while a class or lab is in session is considered to be disrespectful and should not be
done. Conduct these activities when class is not in session or in between class and lab.
Cheating of any kind will result in the recommendation to the administration that the student be
expelled from the class.
Specific policies of this course follow those stated in the SMCC Student Handbook. Students are
expected to become familiar with these policies prior to beginning this course.
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Spring 2013
Attendance/Late Work Policies
Attendance
Because this section of BIOL 100 meets once per week, your attendance at each class is very important.
The amount of material we will cover in each 5-hour lecture/lab period will be an onerous task to make
up outside of class. As such, more than two absences over the course of the semester will result in
failure to pass the course. Extreme circumstances – and a willingness by both the student and instructor
to devise appropriate make-up methods – may be cause for some slight wiggle room on this policy.
However, please keep in mind that any absence requires an appropriate note in order for your grade to
remain unaffected. That is, an unexcused absence will result in a grade of 0 for whatever you missed
that week.
Late Work
Any work completed outside of class and turned in for a grade is expected to be handed in on the due date
(see schedule) at the beginning of the lecture period. Late work will be penalized as follows:
Same day (but not at the start of class class) – -5% from grade
Next day – -10%
Two days late – -20%
Three days late – -30%
More than 3 days late – Grade of 0
This means I will not accept work after Tuesday. If you need to hand in an assignment late, please send it
to me via email.
Grades
Exam 1 – 15%
Exam 2 – 15%
Exam 3 – 15%
Exam 4 – 20%
Formal Lab Report – 5%
Informal Lab Reports – 15%
Lab Quizzes – 5%
Paper Discussion – 10%
EXAMS 1-3 – Each of these exams will cover the material since the previous exam (they will not be
cumulative exams). Exams will consist of multiple choice questions and a few short answers. Exams
will be graded out of 100.
EXAM 4 (final exam) – This exam will focus most heavily on the material covered after Exam 3.
However, it will have a cumulative aspect to it. Expect a greater proportion of short answer questions on
this exam. The exam will be graded out of 100.
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Spring 2013
FORMAL LAB REPORT – You will write up one of the labs that we do this semester as a formal write-up
(introduction, methods, results, discussion). More details on this assignment will be provided before the
due date.
INFORMAL LAB REPORTS – The remaining lab reports will be submitted directly from the handouts
supplied in the lab manual.
LAB QUIZZES – Each week there will be a short multiple choice quiz (5-10 questions) covering the lab
from the previous and current weeks.
PAPER DISCUSSION – Each student will lead a 15-20 minute discussion on a scientific paper. See
handout(s) for details.
Grades will be posted online prior to assignments being returned in class. To calculate your class grade at
any time, use the following equation:
(Average Exam 1-3 grade * 0.45) + (Final Exam grade * 0.20) + (Formal Lab Report grade * 0.05) +
(Average Informal Lab Report grade * 0.15) + (Average Quiz grade * 0.05) + (Discussion grade * 0.10)
Grading scale
100-93 = A
92-90 = A89-87 = B+
86-83 = B
82-80 = B79-77 = C+
76-73 = C
72-70 = C69-67 = D+
66-63 = D
Below 63 = F
End-of-course evaluation (online)
In order to gain access to final course grades, students must complete evaluations for each course attended
at SMCC. Evaluations are submitted online and can be accessed through the student portal site. Students
can access the course evaluation report beginning two weeks before the end of classes. The deadline for
submission of evaluations occurs 24 hours after the last day of classes each semester. Instructors will
announce when the online course evaluation is available.
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Spring 2013
ADA policy (Americans with Disabilities Act)
Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer.
For more information, please call 207-741-5798. If you have a disabling condition and wish to request
accommodations in order to have reasonable access to the programs and services offered by SMCC,
you must register with the Disability Services Coordinator, Mark Krogman, who can be reached at
741- 5629. Further information about services for students with disabilities and the accommodation
process is available upon request at this number.
SMCC pay-for-print policy
Students can print 150 pages per semester free of charge. If you print over 150 pages, you will be charged
10 cents per page to your student billing account for tuition and fees. Leftover pages from each semester
will not be rolled over to the following semester. The College’s pay-for-print system monitors printing on
all public printers (i.e., those in general access labs, library printers, the Academic Achievement Center,
Noisy Lounge, and technology labs). Each time you log in to the system, the print station displays the
remaining print quota. Once the printing quota has been exceeded, users will be charged 10 cents per page
or 5 cents per side if the printer prints on both sides on their student accounts on a monthly basis. Color
printouts will be charged at 11 page units. This means each color printout will count as 11 pages toward
the quota and will cost $1.10. Be sure to log OUT of the system when you’ve finished your printing, to
prevent unauthorized access to your account.
Add-drop policy
Students who drop a course during the one-week “add/drop” period in the fall and spring semesters, and
the first three days of summer sessions, receive a 100% refund of the tuition and associated fees for that
course. Please note any course that meets for less than the traditional semester length, i.e., 15 weeks, has a
pro-rated add/drop period. There is no refund for non-attendance. Remaining enrolled after Drop/Add
week means you understand and accept the requirements, policies, and instructions spelled out in this
syllabus.
Withdrawal policy
A student may withdraw from a course only during the semester in which s/he is registered for that
course. The withdrawal period is the 2nd through 12th week of the fall and spring semesters and the 2nd
through 9th week of 12-week summer courses. This period is pro-rated for shorter-length courses. To
withdraw from a course, a student must complete and submit the appropriate course withdrawal form,
available at the Enrollment Service Center (no phone calls, please). The designation “W” will appear on
the transcript after a student has officially withdrawn. A course withdrawal is an uncompleted course and
may adversely affect financial aid eligibility. Failure to attend or ceasing to attend class does not
constitute withdrawal from the course. There is no refund associated with a withdrawal.
Plagiarism policy
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Spring 2013
Adherence to ethical academic standards is required. Cheating is a serious offense, whether it consists of
taking credit for work done by another person or doing work for which another person will receive credit.
Taking and using the ideas or writings of another person without clearly and fully crediting the source is
plagiarism and violates the academic code as well as the Student Code of Conduct. If it is suspected that a
student in any course in which s/he is enrolled has knowingly committed such a violation, the faculty
member should refer the matter to the College’s Disciplinary Officer and appropriate action will be taken
under the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions may include suspension from the course and a failing
grade in the course. Students have the right to appeal these actions to the Disciplinary Committee under
the terms outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
Administrative failure (grade of “AF”)
1. “Administrative failure” is the consequence of three consecutive absences, without notifying the
instructor ahead of time as to the reason.
2. A grade of AF is submitted to the Registrar immediately after the third consecutive absence. Basically,
an AF grade drops the student from the course. The student may then contact the instructor to request
reinstatement in the course. Reinstatement is at the instructor’s discretion and is generally not granted
because too much work has been missed by that time.
3. An AF student can contact the Registrar and request that the grade be changed to “W” (withdrawn) if
done before the final drop date. Students earning an AF are still financially responsible for the course.
Early Alert and Academic Alert
1. The first four weeks of the semester is the “Early Alert” period. Student progress is monitored closely
during this time. The 5th through the 9th week is the “Academic Alert” period. Student progress continues
to be monitored during this time, essentially halfway through the semester. These alerts raise students’
awareness about their performance.
2. If your overall course grade is below a C at the end of either the Early Alert or Academic Alert period,
you will be assigned a grade of “U” (unsatisfactory) and your advisor will be notified. Your advisor will
notify you about scheduling a meeting to discuss strategies for improvement. Think about specific ways
you can improve your performance and take these ideas with you to the meeting.
3. If your overall course grade is C or above (satisfactory), no grade will be assigned and your advisor
will not notify you.
4. These alert grades do not change. They do not become part of your permanent record and no other
schools have access to them. They only reflect your performance for those time frames. However, these
grades DO eventually affect your final course grade, of course, because your course grade continues to
change as the semester progresses and you complete more work. Your final course grade may be different
from your Early Alert and Academic Alert grades, i.e., higher, lower, or the same, depending on your
performance. You should calculate your grade often and know where you stand (see “Figuring out your
own grade at any time during the course,” below).
Southern Maine Community College
Biology 100 Syllabus
Spring 2013
Course Schedule
Date
Jan 19
Jan 26
Feb 2
Feb 9
Topic
Introduction, Fundamentals of
Science, Basics of Biology
Chemistry: Foundations and
Biochemistry
Cells: Structure and Function
Viruses, Prokaryotes, Protists
Textbook
Assignment
Chapter 1
Lab Exercise
1/2 – The Scientific
Method
A1 – The Chemistry of
Life
Chapter 2.1-2.4
Chapter 3
Chapter 4.1-4.7
Chapter 5.1-5.2
Chapter 21.121.10
3 – The Microscope
Lab A1
4–
Prokaryotes/Eukaryotes
Lab 3
Chapter 9.2-9.5
7 – Mitosis
Lab 4
Chapter 22
Chapter 24.1
Chapter 24.224.3
Chapter 8.1-8.4
A1 – The Fungi
A5 – The Plants
Lab 7
Feb 16
EXAM 1
Cell Cycle, Mitosis and Cytokinesis
Feb 23
Fungi, Plants
Mar 2
Plants, Photosynthesis
Mar 9
EXAM 2
Cell Respiration
Chapter 7
6 – Respiration
Mar
16
NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
N/A
N/A
Mar
23
DNA/RNA, Protein Synthesis
9 – DNA Finger-printing
A2 – Protein Synthesis
Mar
30
Genetics
Chapter 13
Chapter 14.114.4
Chapter 9.1
Chapter 11.1.11.4, 11.7-11.9
Chapter 12
Chapter 18
TBA
Outdoor Ecology Lab
Apr 6
Apr 13
Taxonomy
EXAM 3
Ecology/Dichotomous Keys
Assignments
Due
N/A
Apr 20
Invertebrates
Chapter 23
Apr 27
Vertebrates
Chapter 23
May 4
Ecology/Evolution
Chapter 35
Labs 1, 2
Labs A1, A5
5 – Photosynthesis
Lab 5
N/A
Full Lab
Report (Lab
6)
Labs 9, A2
8 – Genetics
A3 – Taxonomy
A6 – Invertebrate
Anatomy
A9 – Vertebrate
Anatomy
A8 – Ecology: PredatorPrey
Lab 8
Lab A3
N/A
Lab A6
Lab A9
May
Labs A8, 10
EXAM 4
N/A
10 – Evolution
11
*This schedule is subject to minor changes over the course of the semester. Any alterations in due dates or
reading assignments will be made with an appropriate amount of notice.