Syllabus — Introduction to Biology (BIOL M01) Spring 2016, Section 30505 and 30668 Lecture MW 10:00-11:15 a.m., AC303 Lab (Section 30505) M 11:30 a.m.-2:20 p.m., LHC 219 Lab (Section 30668) W 11:30 a.m.-2:20 p.m., LHC 219 Instructor: Katherine Gould, E-mail: kgould@vcccd.edu, anytime Text and other Materials: Text: Campbell Essential Biology. Simon, et al., 5th edition. ISBN: 978-0-321-96767-1 (Mastering Biology or any other online access NOT required). Earlier versions of this textbook ARE acceptable. Lab Manual: Exploring Biology in the Laboratory by Pendarvis (Custom Edition for Moorpark) ISBN 978-1-61731-448-3 Scantron, No. 882-E (7 total needed) Desire to Learn (D2L): Accessed through your student portal on the College homepage Course Description: Introduces non-majors to science and scientific methodology through a study of the basic principles of biology. Focuses on student understanding of the unity and diversity of life through discussions of topics that include biological chemistry, metabolism, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, evolution of living systems, and ecology. Examines the implications of the science of biology on human affairs. Course Objectives: 1. Interpret the lay scientific literature utilizing the basic principles and concepts of biology. 2. Explain how the scientific method differs from other approaches to problem solving. Apply the scientific method in laboratory exercises. 3. Utilize the scientific method in reasoning, decision-making, and social involvement. 4. Explain the chemical and molecular basis for human nutritional needs, and describe the impact of nutrition on metabolism. 5. Explain energy flow in the biological world and describe how carbon is cycled. 6. Explain the significance of the relationship between structure and function at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. 7. Describe cell structure and explain how the various components contribute to the functioning of the cell as a unit in its environment. 8. Explain inheritance patterns and the cellular mechanisms involved in both sexual and asexual reproduction. 9. Relate changes in gene expression to the (mal)functioning of the organism. 10. Explain the unifying role of evolution to life on earth, and how evolution accounts for diversity of life forms. 11. Explain how the theory of natural selection and changes in the gene pool account for the evolution of life forms. 12. Explain and interpret the data that is the evidence for the change of life forms over time. 13. Discuss the significance of and relationships between the various types of organisms that comprise the biological world, and assess human’s use of recombinant technology and other organisms for our own purposes. 14. Evaluate human impact on the ecosystems and the environment. 15. Evaluate arguments regarding the application of biological principles to contemporary human issues. 16. Develop fundamental laboratory skills and demonstrate competence with basic laboratory equipment, tools, and techniques. Student Learning Outcomes (SLO): Students will answer questions from a standardized question set regarding Molecular Biology and Genetics. Students enrolled in Biology M01 will be able to explain how the theory of natural selection and changes in the gene pool account for the evolution of life forms. Students will be able to predict the probability of particular characteristics appearing in their offspring as a result of the unique DNA found in each student. Students will have a basic understanding of molecular biology and the workings of DNA. Classroom Policies: Successful students attend class and study regularly. Labs cannot be made up. If you miss a lab, you may not turn in that lab exercise without specific permission from the instructor Ask questions. Don’t leave class confused. I do not mind being interrupted. Turn off cell phones during lectures and when I am giving instruction. Once lab activities have begun, you may use your phone when helpful to the lab activity. If you need to make or receive a call, please step outside. Absolutely no food or drink in the lab room. Water may be drunk unless you are completing a lab activity Grading: It is your responsibility to keep all graded items in case you detect a discrepancy between the grade you earn and the grade you receive. Grading Scale: A: 90 – 100% B: 80 – 89.9% C: 70 - 79.9% D: 60 - 69.9% F: ≤ 59.9% Grades: Exams (5 @ 100 pts ea.) ................................... 500 Lab exercises (14 @ 10 pts ea) ......................... 140 Diversity presentation ......................................... 50 Lab practical ...................................................... 50 Final exam ........................................................ 100 SLO..................................................................... 20 Other activities/assignments ........................... TBD Total .................................................... at least 870 There will be five exams given. The lowest exam and lab report grades will be dropped. The final exam and the Lab practical exam will both be cumulative and WILL NOT be dropped. I reserve the right to award a higher letter grade to a student who is very close to the next letter grade (e.g. 89.7%) if that student has good attendance and participation. Exam Policy: Exams will feature a combination of short answer, true/false, multiple choice, matching, identification, and essay question formats. Exams can be made up only if an absence is due to severe illness (with a doctor’s note) or other significant reason. Make-up exams will probably be in a different format from the original exam, possibly oral, and will be more difficult than the original exam. I may change the date of an exam. Changes the schedule will be posted in Desire2Learn and notifications will be given in class. It is your responsibility to make sure you are aware of changes to the schedule. Check D2L frequently. Honesty Policy: Any cheating on an exam or assignment will result in a 0 on that ENTIRE exam or assignment. A 2nd violation will result in dismissal from class (F will be given). Policies include, but are not limited to the following: Exams No talking. You may ask me questions, but may not speak to anyone else. Keep your eyes on your own paper. Answer sheets are to be kept covered. If someone is able to cheat off your answer sheet, you are as responsible as they are. No list of terms or other study papers may be used. No cell phones out during tests/quizzes. If I see one I will assume you are cheating. Silence your cell before quizzes/exams: check you messages later. Lab Reports and ALL other assignments NO Copying from your textbook, another student, any other person’s work, or any site on the Internet, except in the cases of definitions of scientific terms. All other work must be in your own words. If you have copied any portion of an assignment, you will receive a score of 0 for the ENTIRE assignment. Important Dates: Jan. 29: Last day to drop without a “W” April 22: Last day to drop with a “W” Student with Disabilities: Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact ACCESS as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Authorization, based on verification of disability, is required before any accommodation can be made. The phone number for ACCESS is (805) 378-1461 and they are located in the building just to the right of the Campus Center. Tentative Schedule—Biol M01 Sp2016 Date Day Lecture Lab Activity Jan. 11 Mon. Welcome; Ch. 1, What is Biology? Jan. 13 Wed. Chapter 2, Biology for Life Lab 1, Scientific Method Lab 2, Measurements Lab 1, Scientific Method Jan. 18 Jan. 20 Mon. Wed. Ch. 3, Molecules of Life Jan. 25 Mon. Ch. 4, The Cell Lab 3, Microscopy Jan. 27 Wed. Ch. 5, Working Cell Lab 3, Microscopy Feb. 1 Mon. Lab 5, Macromolecules Feb. 3 Wed. Exam 1 Ch. 6, Cellular Respiration Feb. 8 Mon. Ch. 22, Nutrition and Digestion Lab 7, Enzymes Feb. 10 Wed. Ch. 24, The Body’s Defenses Lab 7, Enzymes Feb. 15 Feb. 17 Mon. Wed. Feb. 22 NO SCHOOL Lab 2, Measurements Lab 5, Macromolecules NO SCHOOL Labs 18.3, 19 Mon. Exam 2 Ch. 15, The Evolution of Microbial Life Labs 18.3, 19 Feb. 24 Wed. Ch. 23, Circulation and Respiration Lab 8, Diffusion/Osmosis Feb. 29 Mon. Ch. 7, Photosynthesis Lab 8, Diffusion/Osmosis Mar. 2 Wed. Global Warming Lab 9, Photosynthesis Mar. 7 Mon. Ch. 8, Cellular Reproduction (Cell Cycle) Lab 9, Photosynthesis; Lab 11, Mitosis Mar. 9 Wed. Lab 11, Mitosis; Lab 12, Meiosis Mar. 14 Mon. Mar. 16 Wed. Exam 3 Ch. 8, Cellular Reproduction (Mitosis and Meiosis) Ch. 9, Patterns of Inheritance Mar. 21 Mar. 23 Mar. 28 Mon. Wed. Mon. NO SCHOOL – SPRING BREAK NO SCHOOL – SPRING BREAK Ch. 10, The Structure and Function of DNA Lab 14, PCR I Mar. 30 Wed. Ch. 11, How Genes Are Controlled Lab 14, PCR I Apr. 4 Mon. Ch. 12, DNA Technology Lab 14, PCR II, DNA Apr. 6 Wed. Genetics and DNA Review Lab 14, PCR II, DNA Apr. 11 Mon. Exam 4 Labs 13.2, 15, 16 Apr. 13 Wed. Ch. 13, How Populations Evolve Labs 13.2, 15, 16 Apr. 18 Mon. Ch. 14, How Biological Diversity Evolves Plant Diversity Apr. 20 Wed. Ch. 18, Ecology Plant Diversity Apr. 25 Mon. Exam 5 Animal Diversity Apr. 27 Wed. Ch. 19, Population Ecology Animal Diversity May 2 Mon. Ch. 20, Communities and Ecosystems Diversity Presentations May 4 Wed. Recent Developments in Biology Diversity Presentations May 9 Mon. Lab Practical Exam May 11 Wed. Exam 6 Review May 16 Wed. Final Exam 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (Cumulative) Lab 12, Meiosis; Lab 13, Genetics Lab 13, Genetics Lab Practical Exam