BSC 1005
General Biology
Instructor:Mr. Todd Harmon
Lecture: Monday 6-8:45 pm Room 1-208
Laboratory:Wednesday 6-8:45 pm Room 1-208
Office hours:By appointment or before and after scheduled class periods
Credits:4
Email:
Course Description: Introduction to biological principles emphasizing common attributes to living organisms. Unifying concepts include scientific method, chemical structure of living matter, structure and functions of the cell, specialized cells, major metabolic functions, genetics, cell reproduction, ecology, and evolution.
Course Objectives: This class is designed to meet the needs of students who require preparation at an introductory level in Biology. Because this is an introductory class many new definitions will be presented to further your knowledge with living organisms. The style of presentation is lecture with group work and an emphasis on appropriate participation by the students. It is the students benefit to read through the material BEFORE coming to class and /or lab. The laboratory benefits the student by giving the opportunity for hands-on experiments. Some lab work will be accomplished by collaborative efforts.
General Competencies: This course is designed to incorporate the Valencia Community College Competencies: THINK, VALUE, ACT, and COMMUNICATE. These will be applied in the classroom as well as into the laboratories.
Text: BiologyToday and Tomorrow (Starr, Evers, and Starr Eds.)
Lab Manual: BSC 1005 Lab Manual
1. Safety goggles
Student Conduct: Students are required to comply with all college policies regarding academic honesty and other requirements presented in the admissions catalog and student handbook. Plagiarism or cheating on examinations or other assignments are examples of academic dishonesty. Use of cellular phones and/or beepers is prohibited. Special laboratory apparel and conduct will also be followed during class periods (a handout will be given during the first laboratory class regarding special laboratory policies). The Instructor has the right to dismiss a student from class if student conduct is violated
Evaluation: Grades will be determined by the point system; total points earned divided by the total points possible. Also considered will be attendance and class participation.
Lecture Exams (4)400
Final100
Laboratory Exams (1)100
Quizzes≈100
Lab reports/projects≈100
Oral Presentation/Paper100
Total900
Attendance: Students will be expected to attend all class lectures and labs. Documented emergencies will be dealt with on a case by case basis. There will be no make-up exams unless arrangements are made prior to the exam or an emergency absence is the case. Excuses are based on my personal discretion and alternative opportunities are at the instructor’s discretion. It is your responsibility to make up any work that was missed during an absence. Most laboratory work cannot be made-up.
Laboratory Procedures: The assignments in the lab are designed to give the student supplemental knowledge of the material covered in lecture. Therefore, they are an integral part of the course and should be taken as such. A lab notebook should be kept solely for laboratory use. From time to time this manual may be reviewed by the instructor. All lab reports along with lab exercises should be kept in this notebook. All labs should be reviewed BEFORE coming to the lab. This will assure you of what we are planning to do in the designated lab and will only help you with the procedures for that lab.
Withdrawal Policy: The date for early withdrawal is Mar 26. Please refer to your College Catalog Addendum for further information on this subject. You are solely responsible for the early withdrawal process.
Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability that might impair your performance in this course, please inform your instructor during the first week of the term. The student must be registered with an office for students with disabilities. Contact the Office for Disabilities at ext. 4167 for additional information on this subject.
Disclaimer: Changes in the syllabus and/or schedule may be made at any time during the semester by announcement of the professor.
BSC 1005C
Spring 2010 Schedule
Week / Monday / WednesdayJan 11 / Syllabus, Safety, Ch 1 / LAB Measurement
Jan 18 / NO CLASS / LAB Atoms, Bonds, Molecules
Jan 25 / Ch 2, 3 / LAB pH
Feb 1 / Ch 4 / LAB Microscope
Feb 8 / EXAM 1(Ch 1-4), Ch 5 / LAB Cells
Feb 15 / CH 6, 7 / DNA Project
Feb 22 / Ch 8 / LAB Cell Transport
Mar 1 / EXAM 2 (Ch 5-8), Ch 9 / LAB Enzymes
Mar 8 / NO CLASS / NO CLASS
Mar 15 / Ch 10, 11 / LAB Mitosis/Meiosis
Mar 22 / Ch 12,Biotechnology Project / LAB-Genetics
Mar 29 / EXAM 3 (Ch 9-12), Review / LAB FINAL
Apr 5 / Ch 16, 17 / LAB- Cellular Respiration
Apr 12 / Ch 18 / LAB-DNA Isolation
Apr 19 / EXAM 4 (16-18) / Oral Presentations
Apr 26 / Oral Presentations / FINAL EXAM