Biology 112

Craig Dilley

 

Biology 112

General Biology I

Fall 2008

 

Course Syllabus

Instructor:       Craig Dilley

Office:             Rm. 18, Bldg. 4

Phone:             515-964-7027

E-mail:             cadilley1@dmacc.edu

Office Hours:   MWF 2:30-3:30 & Tu 12:30-2:30

Text:                Biology. 8th edition.    Neil A. Campbell.

Lab Manual:    Biology Laboratory Manual    Vodopich/Moore  (Custom edition for DMACC)

 

Course Description: This course is designed for biology/science majors. It is a rigorous introductory course. Its mission is to provide the student with a solid framework for further coursework. Topics of emphasis will include: the chemistry of living things, cells, genetics, evolution, viruses, bacteria and protists.

 

I. Lecture        A tentative lecture schedule is attached. You are responsible for all material in the assigned chapters as well as the material presented in class. If you must miss a lecture it is your responsibility to obtain the notes from a classmate. Attendance and attention in lecture is vital to your success.

 

 

II. Lab  You are required to attend each lab. You can receive no points for a lab that you did not attend! A laboratory schedule is attached. You should be adequately prepared for each laboratory period, this includes reading the laboratory exercise before the laboratory period.

 

 

III. Safety        Laboratory safety is of paramount importance. It is essential that you follow proper procedures at all times. No food, drink, tobacco or gum can be permitted in the lab. There is zero tolerance for inappropriate activities in the laboratory.

 

 

V.  Grading     There will be four (4) written exams (100 points each) and a comprehensive final (100 points). The laboratory performance will be evaluated by participation, lab reports and quizzes (specifics will be announced). A comprehensive laboratory practical will be given (100 points).

 

 

 

 

Grades will be assigned based on the percentage of total points possible you earn:

 

                        A          90-100

                        B          80-89

                        C          70-79

                        D          60-69

                        F          <60

 

            Tentative Point Totals

Lecture Grade = 60% of course grade

Lecture Exams            50%                                                                             Quizzes                        10%

                        Homework                  10%

                        In-class assignments   10%

Book report                 10%

                        Creative component   10%                          

 

Laboratory Grade = 40% of course grade

Laboratory Reports     40%              

                        Quizzes                        30%

                        Practical                      30%                                                    

                                                                                 

           

 

I.        Policy on Missed Exams, Quizzes, and Labs:            NO makeup labs or quizzes will be given. One and only one missed exam may be made up by adding the appropriate number of points missed (100) to the value of the final exam. Example: If one unit test is missed, the final for that person will be worth 200 pts (value of final) + 100 pts (value of missed exam) = 300 pts.

 

 

II.      Competencies:           The attached competencies are the minimum skills and knowledge that you must master to complete this course. They do not reflect the degree of knowledge and understanding you must demonstrate to earn a passing grade. If you have any questions concerning course content or expectations do not hesitate to raise them.

 

VII. Suggestions for success: There are many avenues for success in this class, but

they all involve a commitment of time and effort which may be greater than that

expected of you in a non-science class. Plan extra time for this class. Your

attendance in all classes is very important; few students will have success in this

class with a casual attendance ethic. Not everyone assimilates information in the

same manner, try to vary your methods of study…work in a group, make charts

and tables, quiz yourself, study out-loud and/or utilize the CD-ROM packaged

with your text. Don't get behind and if you are having trouble, seek help early.

There is no substitute for effort!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biology 112 Laboratory Schedule

Fall 2008

TENTATIVE

Week                                      LAB                                                                           

1          (8/28)               Lab Topic #1 Science : A Way of Gathering Information

2          (9/4)                Exercise #2 Measurements in Biology / Exercise #3  The Microscope

3          (9/11)              Exercise #6 Biologically Important Molecules

4          (9/18)              Exercise #4 The Cell

5          (9/25)              Exercise #9 Diffusion and Osmosis

6          (10/2)              Exercise #13 Photosynthesis

7          (10/9)              Exercise #14 Mitosis  &  Exercise #15 Meiosis

8          (10/16)                        Exercise #17 Genetics

9          (10/23)                        DNA isolation from E. coli (handout)

10        (10/30)                        Exercise #18 Evolution

11        (11/6)              Exercise #24 Survey of Bacteria

12        (11/13)                        Exercise #25 Survey of Algae

13        (11/20)                        Exercise #26 Survey of Protozoa and Slime molds

14        (11/27)                        No lab exercise this week. Thanksgiving

15        (12/4)              Lab Practical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biology 112

Tentative Lecture Schedule       Fall 2008

      

Week #       Date(Monday)                               Topic                                                                                    

1                              8/25                       Introduction:

Themes in the Study of Life (1)

                                                                The Chemical Context of Life (2)

 

 

2                              9/1                          No class September 1

Water and Fitness of the Environment (3)

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life (4)           

                                                               

3                              9/8                        

The Structure and Function of Macromolecules (5)

 

4                              9/15                       An Introduction to Metabolism (8)

Exam 1 Wednesday 9/17 (100 pts.)

A Tour of the Cell (6)

 

5                              9/22                       Chapter 6 continued

                                                                Membrane Structure and Function (7)  

 

6                              9/29                       Cellular Respiration:Harvesting Chemical Energy (9)

                                                                Photosynthesis (10)

                                               

7                              10/6                       Chapter 10 continued

                                                                Exam 2 Friday 10/10 (100 pts.)

 

8                              10/13                     The Cell Cycle (12)

                                                                Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles (13)

                                                               

9                              10/20                     Mendel and the Gene Idea (14)

                                                                The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance (15)

 

10                           10/27                     The Molecular Basis of Inheritance (16)

                                                                Exam 3 Wednesday 10/29  (100 pts.)

 

11                           11/3                       From Gene to Protein (17)

                                                               

12                           11/10                     Microbial Models:The Genetics of Viruses and Bacteria (18)

Genome Organization and Expression in Eucaryotes (19)

DNA technology (20)

                                                               

13                           11/17                     Exam 4 Monday 11/17 (100 pts.)

                                                                Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life (22)

                                                                The Evolution of Populations (23)

 

14                           11/24                     The Origins of Species (24)

Phylogeny and Systematics (25)

No class Thursday 11/27 and Friday 11/28

                                     

15                           12/1                       Early Earth and the Origin of Life (26)

Prokaryotes and the Origin of Metabolic Diversity (27)

                                                                The Origins of Eukaryotic Diversity (28)

 

16                           12/8                       Monday before finals = Catch-up/Review

 

FINALS                                                  FINAL EXAM  (Comprehensive- 100 points)

                                  12/12                   Friday     3:30 - 5:45

 

Support Services

Accommodations

“It is the policy of DMACC to accommodate students with disabilities.  Any student with a documented disability who requires reasonable accommodation should contact the special needs coordinator at 515-964-6850 voice or 515-964-6810 TTY.”

Services for students with disabilities

http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/disabilities.asp 

Contact the special needs coordinator at 515-964-6850V,
515-964-6809 TTY or the counseling & advising office on any campus for an Application for Accommodation.

Academic & educational advising

http://www.dmacc.edu/advising/welcome.asp

Career counseling

http://www.dmacc.edu/counseling/

Library

http://www.library.dmacc.edu/

Building 6, room 3

Monday – Thursday 7:30 am to 9:00 pm

Friday – 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Saturday – 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Academic Achievement Center

http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/academic_achievement_center.asp

Provides academic assistance for students on a drop-in basis.  Also serves as a make-up testing center.

515-964-6558 or 1-800-362-2127 ext. 6558

Building 6, Room 20

Monday – Thursday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

Friday – 8:00 am to 2:30 pm

NOTE:  Summer hours may vary

Computer labs

http://www.dmacc.edu/helpdesk/pc_labs.htm

Building 6

Monday – Thursday 7:30 am to 10:00 pm

Friday – 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Saturday – 7:30 am to 1:00 pm

Disclaimer

“This syllabus is representative of materials that will be covered in this class; it is not a contract between the student and the institution.  It is subject to change without notice.  Any potential exceptions to stated policies and requirements will be addressed on an individual basis, and only for reasons that meet specific requirements.  If you have any problems related to this class, please feel free to discuss them with me.”

Nondiscrimination Policy

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in or allow discrimination covered by law.  This includes harassment based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability.  Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.  Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure.  Complaint forms may be obtained from the Human Resources Department, the campus Provost's office, or the EEO/AA Officer. 

 

Persons who wish additional information or assistance may contact the EEO/AA Officer, Dr. Sandy Tryon, Human Resources, Bldg. 1, 515-964-6301.  Employees and applicants refer to HR Procedures 3000, 3005, 3010, 3015, and 3020.  Click here http://www.dmacc.edu/hr/hrpp.asp .

 

For requests for accommodations, the Accommodation/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Sharon Bittner, can be contacted at 515-964-6857.  Students with requests for accommodations refer to the Student Services procedure 4610 located on the DMACC Intranet at http://my2.dmacc.edu/default.aspx. Go to Policies & Procedures and choose Student Services Procedures.