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