BIOLOGY 100: CONCEPTS OF BIOLOGY, Fall 2016

Instructor: Dr. Michelle Paddack

Email: ; Phone: (805) 965-0581 x 2328

Office hours: EBS 319T & Th10:30am-12:30pm, or by appointment

Course Websites: (location of Syllabus, lecture notes, Study Guides)

Note: The followingcourse schedule may adapt to our progress as a class – listen for announcements & check our class website frequently!

Wk / Lecture (EBS 301)
Mon & Wed 12:45-2:05 / Lecture Topic / Reading
(read before class) / Lab (EBS 202)
CRN 34416: Mon 2:30-5:35
CRN 34417: Wed 2:30-5:35
1 / 1 - M 8/22
2 - W 8/24 / Intro; Scientific Method
Cell theory; Cells / Ch 1
Ch 4.1-4.6 / Lab 1: Biological Observations & Perspectives
2 / 3 – M 8/29
4 – W 8/31 / Cell Structure, Microbes
W: Learning Resource Worksheet due / Ch 4.6-4.22
Ch 16 / Lab 2: Microscopes and Cells
3 / M 9/5 HOLIDAY
5 – W 9/7 / Cell life: Chemistry & Molecules of Life / Ch 2
Ch 3 / Lab 3: Diffusion & Osmosis Lab Quiz 1
4 / 6 – M 9/12
7 – W 9/14 / Energy & membranes;
Cellular Respiration / Ch 5
Ch 6 / Lab 4: Cellular Respiration and Enzymes; Lab Quiz 2
5 / 8 – M 9/19
Exam1: W 9/21 / Photosynthesis / Ch 7 / Lab 5: Photosynthesis
Lab Quiz 3
6 / 10 – M 9/26
11 – W 9/28 / Cellular reproduction Heredity / Ch 8
Ch 9 / Lab 6: Genetics and Heredity Lab Quiz 4
7 / 12 – M 10/3
13 – W 10/5 / Genetics: DNA and RNA
DNA Technology / Ch10
Ch 12 / Lab 7: Biotechnology -Transformation Lab Quiz 5
8 / 14 – M 10/10
Exam2: W 10/12 / Evolution; Natural SelectionWed: Exam 2 / Ch 13 / Lab 8: DNA Fingerprinting; Lab Quiz 6
9 / 15 – M 10/17
16 – W 10/19 / Speciation
Evolutionary History / Ch 14
Ch 15 / Lab 9: Natural Selection
Lab Quiz 7
10 / 17 – M 10/24
18 – W 10/26 /

Diversity – Plants & Fungi Biosphere & Climate

/ Ch 17
Ch 34 / Lab 10: Plant Biology
Lab Quiz 8
11 / 19 – M 10/31
20 – W 11/2 / Diversity - Invertebrates
Vertebrate Diversity & Form / Ch 18
Ch 19, 20 / Lab 11: Botanical Garden
Lab Quiz 9
12 / Exam3: M 11/7
21 – W 11/9 / Mon - Exam 3
Physiology: Respiration / Ch 22 / Lab 12: Museum of Natural History; No Lab Quiz
13 / 22 – M 11/14
23 – W 11/16 / Thermo- & Osmoregulation
Sensory System / Ch 25
Ch 29 / Lab 13: Physical Fitness
Lab Quiz 10
14 / 24 – M 11/21
25 – W 11/23 / Behavioral Adaptations
Ecology: Populations / Ch 35
Ch 36 / Lab 14: Digestion and Nutrition (take-home)
15 / 26 – M 11/28
27 – W 11/30 / Community Ecology
Conservation Biology / Ch 37
Ch 38 / Lab 15: Human Nervous System; Lab Quiz 11
16 / Final Exam: WED DEC 7 11:00am-1:00pm **note that time differs from lecture times!

Welcome to Bio 100…and LIFE!

In this course we will explore the fundamental and amazingly cool patterns, concepts, and processes that govern life on our planet. Pay attention and learn - and your view of the world and your place in it - will forever be changed. For this journey we will need a few tools:

Textbook (required):Campbell Biology, Concepts and Connections, 8th ed, by Reece, Taylor, Simon, & Dickey. Available in the bookstore.Use the text to prepare for and review lecture material. Information in the text will support lecture material. Specific chapters (and/or sections) are assigned for each lecture.

Lab manual (required):Biology 100: Concepts of Biology Laboratory Studies. The lab manual (available in the bookstore) includes all content you will need for the lab portion of the course.

Your attitude (positive, required): If you wish to sit passively and collect a grade, you are in the wrong class. I expect students to be prompt, courteous, and engaged. Take advantage of this amazing opportunity you have to learn in an amazing place from awesome people!

Pipeline: If you have not already done so, log into and familiarize yourself with Pipeline. I will use Pipeline onlyto communicate with you via email, so you should check Pipeline regularly for updates, reminders, or schedule changes. To log into Pipeline: Go to the SBCC homepage ( and click on “Pipeline”. If you have difficulty accessing or using Pipeline, contact the Online Help Desk at (805 965-0581 x2949) or visit the Cyber Center.

Class website: Course-related documents, including the syllabus, lecture outlines and quiz and exam keys will be posted on my course website at: This will be an indispensible resource for you during this course – visit it frequently!!

Course overview:

Bio100 satisfies the SBCC general education requirement in Natural Sciences, and is transferable to both UC and CSU as a general education laboratory science course. This course does not apply toward the Biology major at SBCC.

This course is an introduction to the diversity of life on earth and life’s levels of complexity. The course is intended for non-biology majors.

My goal as your instructor is to help you achieve a good understanding of the basic principles of life on earth. I also hope that you will develop a lifelong appreciation of biology – you will see for yourself that understanding biology makes the world a much more interesting place. Upon successful completion of this course, you willhave the following skills & knowledge:

Student Learning Outcomes for Biology 100:

  1. SLO 1 – Lab: Use critical thinking skills to apply the Scientific Method, specifically to the collection and analysis of data and the development and testing of hypotheses.
  2. SLO 2 - Working Cell: Distinguish major groups of organisms based on cellular structure, acquisition of energy, and reproduction.
  3. SLO 3 – Evolution: Recognize evolution as the central paradigm of Biology, and explain how traits observed in living and extinct organisms are the result of natural selection and other evolutionary processes and serve to illustrate the ancestral relationships among all organisms.
  4. SLO 4 - Genetics - Define the relationships among DNA, genes, and the expression of traits in organisms. Describe the mechanisms by which genetic information is transmitted during reproduction.
  5. SLO 5 - Ecology - Recognize ecological relationships between organisms and their environment. Relate relevant topics in biology to the human experience and our impact on the natural world.

Course Requirements and Expectations:

  • You are expected to attend every class and lab meeting. If you are absent, you must recover any information and materials from the class you missed from a classmate, not from your instructor. If you miss more than 2 labs or 3 lectures, you may be dropped.
  • Missing lab is simply not an option – if you have a conflict, contact your lab instructor in advance. If you miss a lab, you will still need to complete the lab exercise(s) and make up the quiz – and this will only be allowed with an excused absence due to illness, family emergency, or circumstances cleared in advance with your lab instructor.
  • Arrive on time to lecture and to lab. Do not leave early.
  • Required communications will occur via pipeline email- regularly check your pipeline email!
  • It is your responsibility to keep track of all SBCC administrative deadlines (e.g. drop and withdraw dates, etc.).
  • Thorough cleanup is a required part of the lab. Do not make others clean up after you.
  • Your safety is taken very seriously. All laboratory safety procedures must be understood and followed at all times.
  • Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated in lecture or lab. I expect you to behave as an adult – if that is confusing here are some firm ground rules:
  • No cell phones, ipods…ipads…or whatever new electronic device will be invented and mass marketed to you between now and the end of the semester. Whatever it is, turn it off (unless taking notes on a laptop…but I can tell when you are not using it for class).
  • Arrive on time, don’t shuffle for an early exit.
  • Do not talk while the instructor or other presenters (it will be you at some point this semester…) are addressing the class…unless of course you have a question for the class.
  • Help create a supportive environment for your peers – you are all in this together and can learn from & support each other - let’s make it a great semester!

GRADED ACTIVITIES - LECTURE:

Exams: Exams will primarily cover lecture material, although there may also be questions from labs and assigned text. Midterms and the final exam will be comprised of multiple choice (“fill in the bubble”) and short answer written questions. Bring a 100 question Scantron form and pencil to class on the day of midterm exams. These are half of your grade – come prepared to perform! They will draw directly form lecture material (see Notebooks and organization, below).

Exam Make up policy: I understand that sometimes unforeseen conflicts with exam times may arise. If you have a conflict or think you will have to miss an exam, contact your instructor as soon as you become aware of a potential conflict to see if we can arrange an alternative plan. I will consider each case individually and a make-up exam is NEVER guaranteed. Unless I hear from you prior to the exam and approve a request to take the exam on an alternative date, you will only be able to make up a missed exam if you have a note from a hospital or doctor stating that emergency circumstances beyond your control kept you from taking the exam.

Lecture quizzes: There will be six unscheduled lecture quizzes or activities, which may include homework assignments. In-class quizzes/activities will address material covered in the previous and/or current lecture period or homework assignments, and you will be allowed to use your notes. Hint: Take good notes, and bring your class notes and assignments to lecture.

Students may use their personal notebooks to respond to questions, but no other materials (posted lecture notes, text book, internet, etc…) may be consulted. Referencing sources other than your personal notebook will be considered cheating and you will receive a zero for that quiz. Questions on quizzes will be similar to those asked on exams – so use quizzes as practice exams and study guides.

Quizzes are intended to reward good attendance, detailed notebooks, and staying on top of the material. In addition, even with open notes you will need to respond quickly and think on your feet (i.e., I will not ask you to simply transcribe your notebook). If you come to class, pay attention, and take good notes (a very important skill) you should enjoy and do great on quizzes. If not…you can only blame yourself. Keep a tidy notebook that you bring to every class.. There will be no make-ups. Your lowest lecture quiz/activity grade will be dropped.

Notebooks and organization

Making a reliable record of observations and events is an essential skill in science, as well as most other professions. Taking notes is an important skill. Scientific studies have proven that we learn more by hand-writing notes. Be sure to have a notebook dedicated for this course to include notes you take during lecture and from your readings. Many drawings, figures, and anecdotes that I present in lecture will not appear in the posted lecture notes (and this is intentional!), but this material will figure prominently on exams and quizzes.

Although I will not directly grade your personal notebooks and organization of lecture notes (though I may for extra credit!), these are critical for success – you will not perform highly if you are unorganized. This is especially true for lecture quizzes, which are open note (personal notebooks only).

GRADED ACTIVITIES – LAB

The lab component of this class is mandatory and you cannot pass this class without passing the lab component. Labs are held every week at the time and place noted on page 1 of this syllabus. Lab sections are full: you must attend the lab for which you are enrolled, except under extenuating circumstances and with my approval.

Lab assignments: Completed lab assignments are sometimes graded at the end of the lab period, and are sometimes due at the beginning of the following week’s lab. Listen to your instructor’s instructions each week regarding how to earn that week’s lab points.

Do NOT blow off labs – you’ll miss an important opportunity for hands-on learning to support lecture material (not to mention 25 possible points lab quiz + lab exercise) each time you do…attend and participate! If you must miss a lab, clear it with your lab instructor and come to an alternative section – if you can find the space to do so.

Lab quizzes: There will be 11 lab quizzes that will generally take place in the first ten minutes of lab. Each quiz is worth 15 pts. Your lowest lab quiz will be dropped. Quizzes will cover material from the previous weeks’ labs as well as preparatory material for the current week’s lab. Make sure you have correctly answered all questions before you leave lab each week – you may be quizzed on these the following week. Read each week’s lab prior to the beginning of lab, so that you are aware of what to expect. If you arrive to lab late, you will have only what remains of the 10-minute quiz period to complete the quiz. There will be no quiz make-ups. If you miss a lab quiz, you miss those 15 points.

Turn in assignments ON TIME: Assignments turned in late will be assessed a 10% penalty per day late. No assignments will be accepted after a week past their due date.

Your grade: Your final grade will be based on the number of points you have earned over the course of the semester. The percentages corresponding to letter grades in the grading chart below are minimum guarantees. You are responsible for knowing where you stand in the course. I recommend you keep all graded assignments I return to you. Use the chart below to help you keep track of your grade.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

Activity / Points / % of course grade
Lecture (515 pts)
Learning Resources Worksheet / 15 / 2%
Midterm 1 / 100 / 12%
Midterm 2 / 100 / 12%
Midterm 3 / 100 / 12%
Final exam / 100 / 12%
Lecture Quizzes (6 – drop lowest) / 5 @ 20 each= 100 / 12%
Lab (300 pts)
Labs 15@10 each= 150 / 18%
Lab Quizzes (11 – drop lowest) / 10 @15 each= 150 / 18%
Total / 815 pts / 100%
Final Grade Determination
Course grade / Percentage of total points / Number of points earned
A / 90-100% / 734-815
B+ / 87-89% / 709-733
B / 83-86% / 676-708
B- / 80-82% / 652-675
C+ / 77-79% / 627-651
C / 70-76% / 570-626
D / 55-69% / 448-569
F / 0-54% / 0 - 447

Course grade sheet

Here is a “scorecard” to help you keep track of your grade in the course (needless to say, you should keep the assignments themselves as references for studying). I will give you updates upon return of each exam. Please do not ask me to calculate your grade (you should never do this in school or life – it implies that you are unorganized, incapable, lazy, or some combination of these attributes.)

Keeping Track of Your Progress: To calculate your grade at any time, simply divide your score by the total points possible at that time, then multiply by 100 to get a percentage: your points / possible points x 100 = your grade. Remember, you can drop your lowest lecture & lab quiz scores.

Lecture Activity / Earned / Possible / Lab Activity / Earned / Possible / Lab Activity / Earned / Possible
Learning Resources Wksht / 20 / Lab 1 / 10 / Lab Quiz 1 / 15
Lecture Quiz 1 / 20 / Lab 2 / 10 / Lab Quiz 2 / 15
Lecture Quiz 2 / 20 / Lab 3 / 10 / Lab Quiz 3 / 15
Lecture Quiz 3 / 20 / Lab 4 / 10 / Lab Quiz 4 / 15
Lecture Quiz 4 / 20 / Lab 5 / 10 / Lab Quiz 5 / 15
Lecture Quiz 5 / 20 / Lab 6 / 10 / Lab Quiz 6 / 15
Lecture Quiz 6 / 20 / Lab 7 / 10 / Lab Quiz 7 / 15
Exam 1 / 100 / Lab 8 / 10 / Lab Quiz 8 / 15
Exam 2 / 100 / Lab 9 / 10 / Lab Quiz 9 / 15
Exam 3 / 100 / Lab 10 / 10 / Lab Quiz 10 / 15
Final / 100 / Lab 11 / 10 / Lab Quiz 11 / 15
Lab 12 / 10
Lab 13 / 10
Lab 14 / 10
Lab 15 / 10

Study Tips

The key to getting a great grade is the amount and quality of work that you put into this class.

I will do everything I can to help you in this course, but your grade is ultimately up to you.

  • The very best way to study is to attempt to teach the material to someone else. Listening to and understanding information is completely different than being able to reproduce it or use it under pressure without your notes!
  • Budget into your schedule at least three hours of study and reading time for every one hour of lecture time. That’s a minimum of 8 hours every week, exclusive of exam and lab preparation!
  • Read the assigned material casually before lecture, and then very carefully read the relevant sections a second time after the lecture. If you don’t understand something at that point, ask me.
  • Take notes on your post-lecture reading, and incorporate these notes into your lecture notes. Re-write all your notes, cleaning up and re-organizing them as you do.
  • Write tests for yourself to evaluate and use the material; take your tests later to practice doing well on exams.
  • Join or form a study group. You’re more likely to study if it’s scheduled and others are depending on you. Plus, in a study group, you have people to whom you can teach the material. (See first bullet point.)

Your success: I want you to do well in this course. Please email or come see me if you have any questions or problems with the course, assignments, anything to do with your experience here at SBCC, or if you just want to chat. It is my job to help you succeed. If I am not able to help you, I will try to put you in touch with someone who can. Also, don’t think that you should wait until a problem arises to come see me or talk to me. Come anytime, no question is too small – students that attend class regularly and keep an open line of communication with the instructor typically perform better in the course. You should take advantage of opportunities to talk with your professors – we’re here to help you learn!

Course Communication: I will use your Pipeline email to communicate with you via email. Check this account regularly to receive important course announcements.

Academic Honesty

Academic dishonesty (including plagiarism) will not be tolerated in this course. SBCC has a strict policy on academic honesty and I have zero tolerance for any act of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: (1) Cheating on an exam or quiz (e.g. looking at or copying form somebody else’s exam, talking during an exam, using cell phones or texting, bringing prepared “cheat sheets”, using translators or dictionaries); (2) Copying someone else’s work or answers in worksheets, lab exercises, etc. (3) Plagiarism (failing to properly cite material produced by others, or intentionally turning in work that is characterized as one’s own). All work submitted must be your own.