MARSHALL UNIVERSITY / SPRING VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE SYLLABUS
SUBJECT: BSC 104 Introduction to Biology
Dual Credit: Marshall University / Spring Valley High School
MU – BSC (Biological Science Course) 104
4 hours college credit since it is a lecture/lab course
SVHS – Biology
INSTRUCTOR: Karen Davis – Spring Valley High School (429-1699) (Room 209)
e-mail:
TEXT: Essential Biology by Campbell/Reece/Simon
LAB MANUAL: BSC 104: Introduction to Biology for the Non-Major by Susan A. Weinstein
CLASS DESCRIPTION: This course deals with the fundamentals of biology with major emphasis on the unity of life, energetics, genetics, evolution, and classification of organisms. In college, this course is intended for non-science majors. SVHS students must have an overall 3.00 GPA.
OBJECTIVES AND GOALS:
1. To introduce basic biological principles of biology
2. To introduce students to scientific methodology
3. To develop students’ skills in observation, in data collection, organization, presentation, and interpretation
4. To develop an appreciation for the diversity and complexity of living organisms
CLASS EXPECTATIONS:
1. Be prompt.
2. Be prepared.
3. Be polite.
4. Be productive.
5. Treat others as you wish to be treated.
ATTENDANCE/TARDY POLICY: Students are subjected to the SVHS policy on attendance and tardiness. Regular and prompt attendance is expected. Good performance in this course is highly unlikely without conscientious class attendance and active participation.
Page 2 MU BSC 104/SVHS Biology (Dual Credit)
GRADING POLICY/CLASS OVERVIEW: Most lecture materials used in this course will be taken from the textbook. Concerning the lecture portion of this class, five major tests will be given during the term. In addition, several unannounced lecture quizzes and
assignments will be given and averaged together to represent the equivalent of a major test. This lecture portion will comprise 75% of the student’s grade. The other 25% will come from MU lab quizzes. Since this is a dual credit class, MU requirements will be met as well as the CSOs for the Biology course at SVHS.
MU Grading Scale:
A 90 – 100
B 80 – 89
C 70 – 79
D 60 – 69
F Below 60
***After the Marshall Biology 104 grade is sent in, students are to still report to class every day to continue work that could alter their SVHS Biology grade.
MAKE-UP POLICY: Make-up for grades depends on the number of days missed. If the student is absent one day, then he has one day to make up the work. If absent two days, he has two days to make-up the work, etc. If absent for a major test during the college portion of this class, the teacher will talk to the parent concerning the reason of the absence and when the student will be allowed to make up the test. Late papers are automatically given 30 points off. Late assignments will be given an automatic zero if turned in too late as specified by the teacher.
ADDITIONAL READINGS: Current Science Weekly Readers (when applicable)
Newspapers Clippings (when applicable)
WRITINGS: Students will do 1-2 page essays correlating with most units taught. Students will also do writings dealing with higher level thinking scenarios.
LECTURE SCHEDULE:
WEEK: CHAPTER # CHAPTER TITLE
1 1 Introduction: Biology
2 Essential Chemistry for Biology
2 3 The Molecules of Life
5 The Working Cell (cover first ¾ of chapter)
TEST I
3 5 The Working Cell (cover last ¼ of chapter)
Page 3 MU BSC 104/SVHS Biology (Dual Credit)
WEEK: CHAPTER # CHAPTER TITLE
4 A Tour of the Cell
4 6 Cellular Respiration: Harvesting Chemical Energy
5 7 Photosynthesis: Converting Light Energy to Chemical Energy
TEST II
6 8 The Cellular Basis of Reproduction and Inheritance
7 9 Patterns of Inheritance
8 10 Molecular Biology of the Gene
9 11 Gene Regulation
12 DNA Technology
TEST III
10 13 How Populations Evolve
14 How Biological Diversity Evolves
11 15 The Evolution of Microbial Life
16 Plants, Fungi, and the Move onto Land
TEST IV
12 17 The Evolution of Animals
13 18 The Ecology of Organisms and Populations
19 Communities and Ecosystems
14 20 Human Impact on the Environment
TEST V
LABORATORY EXERCISES: These MU labs will be covered with their perspective lecture units.
Lab # 1: Laboratory Safety
Lab # 2: Scientific Measurement and Data Analysis
Lab # 3: Hypothesis Testing –The Scientific Method
Lab # 4: How Molecules Get Into and Out of Cells
Lab # 5: Photosynthesis: The Source of the World’s Food Energy
Lab # 6: Karyotyping
Lab # 7: Human Genetic Diseases and Gene Therapy
Lab # 8: Mendelian Genetics
Page 4 MU BSC 104/SVHS Biology (Dual Credit)
Lab # 9: Microevolution: Changes in Allele Frequencies
Lab #10: A Microscopic Investigation of Cell Differences
and Similarities
Lab #11: Domains Bacteria and Eukarya
Lab #12: The Plant and Animal Kingdoms
Lab #13: Population Growth and the Human Impact on the Environment
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Apply scientific approaches to seek solutions for everyday problems
2. Use the tools of science safely, accurately, and appropriately
3. Use computers to collect, analyze and/or report data and research
4. Incorporate proper grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and graphical representation to explain certain science concepts
5. Investigate these major units: Cell Biology, Inheritance, Evolution/Diversity, and Ecology
HIGH SCHOOL CONTENT STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVES: These are located at http://wvde.state.wv.us.
***This syllabus may be changed by oral announcements in class.
DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
Seating arrangement Spelling
Lab partner Trash in room
Care of desks, equipment, etc. Computer in room
Food and drinks Required materials for class
Book bags Safety contracts (MU and SVHS)
Labs MU registration and credit
Fire Drills Textbooks
Make-up work MU Calendar –drop date, exam date
Cell Phones/Texting, etc.
www.marshall.edu
MU grades (MILO)
STUDENT SIGNATURE:______DATE: ______
GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: ______DATE: ______