Mercer County Community College

Course Outline

9

BIO113
Course Number
3
Credits
/ Biological Science Concepts
Course Title
2/2
Hours: lecture/laboratory
Catalog description:
A survey of fundamental ideals, concepts and principles in the biological sciences designed for the non-science and pre-allied health major. Prepares the student for intelligent participation in the biological world and provides a solid scientific basis on which knowledgeable attitudes and opinions can be developed relating to current biotic problems. Emphasizes the maturation of biologically aware citizens by exploring and explaining biological concepts and principles as well as the various biotic phenomena occurring in humans and the biological world.
Required texts
Essentials of Biology, 2nd edition
Sylvia Mader
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. New York, 2009
Laboratory Manual for BIO113, 3rd edition, revised
Laura Blinderman
Mercer County Community College, 2009
Course coordinator:
Laura Blinderman
MS110
Extension 3833

www.mccc.edu/~blinderl
Course Competencies/Goals
The student will be able to:
1.  Investigate unifying features of living things and explore the diversity of life on earth
2.  Examine natural selection and its impact on evolutionary biology
3.  Explore structures and associated functions of cells, tissues, and organ systems in multicellular organisms
4.  Investigate chromosomes and gene inheritance
5.  Relate aspects of normal cell division to abnormal growth in cancer cells
6.  Analyze DNA structure and function and apply knowledge to an understanding of biotechnology
7.  Investigate the germ theory of disease and explore mechanisms utilized by infectious agents and their effects on the human population
8.  Develop skills in observation, hypothesis construction, analysis of data, and application of the scientific method in an inquiry-based laboratory setting
9.  Explore contemporary applications of biology and formulate perspectives on social issues influenced by science
Course Core Skills
The student will be able to:
·  Develop the ability to think critically and reason quantitatively
·  Demonstrate a working knowledge of fundamental biological principles and concepts
·  Connect biological science knowledge to the natural world and to formulate perspectives on social issues influenced by science
·  Develop skills in observation, analysis of data, synthesis of information, organization of data, and application of the scientific method
·  Develop the interpersonal skills required for effective performance in group situations.
·  Demonstrate an awareness of the responsibilities of intelligent citizenship in a diverse and pluralistic society, and demonstrate global and environmental awareness.

Classroom conduct

The college welcomes students into an environment that creates a sense of community pride and respect.

Attendance

It is a student’s responsibility to attend all of his/her classes. If a class meeting is missed, the student is responsible for content covered, announcements made in his/her absence, and for acquiring any materials distributed in class. More than 3 missed lectures may result in a lower grade for the course. The laboratory component of the course is critical to satisfying the course objectives. A student who misses more than three unexcused laboratory sessions will fail the course. A passing grade must be obtained in the laboratory in order to pass the course.

Tardiness

It is expected that students will be on time for all classes. Students late for an exam may be denied the opportunity to take the exam. A student who enters the laboratory late may not be able to participate in the lab. A student who is late for lab will miss the lab quiz and forfeit the points.

Behavior

Students are expected to follow ordinary rules of courtesy during class sessions. The instructor has the right to eject a disruptive student from the class at any time. Cell phones and other devices are to be turned off prior to the start of class so that they are not used during class time.

Examinations and grading

Questions on exams are taken from lecture, reading assignments, handouts, or other material presented. It is the student's responsibility to be present at and on time for all exams. There are no regular makeup exams. A student who misses an exam must contact the instructor within 12 hours. A student who misses an exam AND has contacted the instructor within the designated time period may be allowed to take an essay exam.

A 20 point quiz will be given at the beginning of each laboratory session, you must be punctual. Students who do not complete a laboratory session will be counted as absent and given a “0” grade. Missed laboratories cannot be made up. Any potential problems should be discussed in advance with the laboratory instructor. The 2 lowest laboratory grades are dropped.

All tests, homework assignments, laboratory grades, and class attendance contribute to the final grade. The laboratory grade is approximately 35% of the final grade for the course.

It is the student's responsibility to decide to withdraw from the course and to do so by the deadline

Grading

A 93 - 100% B- 80 - 82%

A- 90 - 92% C+ 77 - 79%

B+ 87 - 89% C 70 - 76%

B 83 - 86 % D 60 - 69%

Accommodations

Any student in this class who has special needs because of a disability is entitled to receive accommodations. Eligible students at Mercer County Community College are assured services under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

If you believe you are eligible for services, please contact Arlene Stinson, the Director of Academic Support Services. Ms. Stinson’s office is LB221, and she can be reached at (609) 570-3525.

Academic Integrity Statement:

Cheating of any kind is not tolerated. Cheating includes copying papers or website information, presenting another person's work as one's own in any way, looking at a student's paper during a test or quiz, looking at notes during an exam or quiz, obtaining information about an exam, quiz, or any other information that other students do not have and the instructor does not intend them to have, or talking during an exam or quiz. Write your own papers using your own words. All violations of academic integrity will be reported to the Academic Integrity Committee.

For additional information: Refer to the MCCC Student Handbook.

BIO113 Syllabus

UNIT 1 Ch / Topic / Laboratory
Wk I 1 / A View of Life / Metric System and Measurement
Week II14 / (continued) / Microscopy
Week III16 / Evolution / The Scientific Method/Mass Extinction
UNIT 2
Week IV4 / Cell Biology / Membrane Transport
Week V 22 / Animal Structure and Function / Biomolecules
Week VI 10, 9 / Inheritance / Enzymes
Week VII 13 / Chromosomal Disorders / Genes and Pedigrees, Computer: Karyotypes
UNIT 3
Week VIII 8 / Cell Division / Animal Tissues
Week IX12 / Cancer / Protein Electrophoresis
Week X11 / DNA and Biotechnology / Isolation of DNA
Week XI 12 / Cloning / Disease Transmission Simulation and Epidemiology, Computer lab
UNIT 4
Week XII
17, 18, 19 / A View of Life Revisited: Pathogens / Blood
Week XIII26 / Immune System / Microbiology I
Week XIV / (continued) / Microbiology II
Week XV / Last Exam

Reading Assignments

UNIT 1
Chapter 1 / 1.1, 1,2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, Summary
Chapter 14 / 14.1, 14.2, Summary
Chapter 16 / 16.1 (portions, see lecture notes), 16.2 (portions), 16.3 (portions)
UNIT 2
Chapter 4 / 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 (portions), 4.4 (portions)
Chapter 22 / 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, Summary
Chapter 10 / 10.1, 10.2 (portions), 10.3 (portions)
Chapter 9 / 9.1 (pages 128 – 129), 9.4,
Chapter 13 / pages196 – 197 and 202 – 203
UNIT 3
Chapter 8 / 8.1, 8.2, 8.4, 8.5
Chapter 12 / 12.2
Chapter 11 / 11.1 (pages 160 - 163), 11.3
Chapter 12 / 12.1
UNIT 4
Chapter 17, 18, 19 / See lecture notes
Chapter 26 / 26.1, 26.3 (portions), 26.4, 26.5

THE COURSE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE SCHEDULE AND GRADING PROCEDURE AT ANY TIME

Unit I Biological Diversity, Scientific Method, Evolution

Your notes provide the most comprehensive information

Chapter 1 / 1.1, 1,2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, Summary
Chapter 14 / 14.1, 14.2, Summary
Chapter 16 / 16.1 (portions, see lecture notes), 16.2 (portions), 16.3 (portions)

The student will be able:

1.  To evaluate the criteria used to identify all living things including metabolism, homeostasis, reproduction, genetic material, sensing and responding to environment, and cell theory

2.  To examine the diversity between and among species

3.  Explore examples in binomial nomenclature

4.  To discuss the relationship between biodiversity and extinction

5.  To evaluate criteria used to place organisms in a particular domain and kingdom

6.  To analyze the features of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

7.  To provide examples of animals, plants, fungi, and protozoa useful to humans

8.  To contrast the two prokaryotic domains: Eubacteria and Archaea

9.  To engage in the process of science including the posing of a testable, falsifiable hypothesis

10.  To employ deductive reasoning in the scientific method

11.  To analyze bar graph and line graphs

12.  To analyze experimental variable, experimental and control groups, and controlled variables

13.  To formulate an opinion on the usefulness of placebos, blind and double blind experiments, and experimental replication to minimize bias and strengthen the quality of data obtained

14.  To evaluate the effect of preconceived notions on scientific experimentation

15.  To synthesize aspects of natural selection including random variation, survival of the fittest, reproductive success, and descent with modification into an overarching scenario of evolution

16.  To compare neutral, harmful, and adaptive mutations as a basis for evolution

17.  To explore the contribution Darwin made to the understanding of evolution by natural selection and how his travels influenced his thinking

18.  To define the terms: evolution, species, speciation, microevolution, common descent, adaptation

19.  To contrast natural selection with inheritance of acquired characteristics and artificial selection

20.  To critically examine evidence for evolution provided by geology, anatomy, embryology, phylogeny, biochemistry and DNA sequence, fossils, transitional forms, and biogeography

21.  To contrast homologous, analogous, and vestigial structures

22.  To examine isolating mechanisms that contribute to the biological definition of species and to reproductive isolation

23.  To know the age of the earth as estimated by scientists, first appearance of prokaryotes, eukaryotes

24.  To describe mass extinctions and provide explanations as to why they might occur

25.  To examine a phylogenetic tree to elucidate the relatedness of organisms

26.  To detail the classification of modern humans including unifying features of vertebrates, mammals, primates, and hominids, and humans.

27.  To investigate features shared by all mammals and to differentiate between monotremes, marsupials, and placental mammals.

28.  To employ the metric system to measure distance, volume, weight and temperature (lab)

29.  To utilize the compound light microscope to uncover principlesof microscopy, view human, plant, and protozoan species, and to determine the size of single cells (lab)

30.  To analyze a current scientific report from a valid website with respect to elements of the scientific method and to communicate findings in a written laboratory report (lab)

31.  To conduct an experiment on relationship between water temperature and dissolved gas levels and to develop skills in the graphing of data (lab)

Unit II: Cell Biology, Inheritance of Traits

Your notes provide the most comprehensive information

Chapter 4 / 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 (portions), 4.4 (portions)
Chapter 22 / 22.1, 22.2, 22.3
Chapter 10 / 10.1, 10.2 (portions), 10.3 (portions)
Chapter 9 / 9.1 (pages 128 – 129), 9.4
Chapter 13 / pages196 – 197 and 202 – 203

The student will be able:

1.  To examine eukaryotic cellular structure and the importance of the ratio of surface area to volume

2.  To compare and contrast the two types of cells: prokaryotic and eukaryotic

3.  To investigate the architecture of the plasma (cell) membrane and the concept of selective permeability

4.  To relate cell surface receptors and channel proteins to the transport of substances into a cell

5.  To examine the structure and function of the cell membrane, cytoplasmic organelles (mitochondria and lysosomes), and nucleus

6.  To analyze the roles of apoptosis in cells

7.  To review the general structure, function, and location of DNA in eukaryotic cells

8.  To apply to concepts of Mendelian genetics to one gene cross in plants and animals including the particulate theory of inheritance, law of segregation, dominance

9.  To define and apply the following: gene, dominant allele, recessive allele, homozygous, heterozygous, genotype, phenotype, true breeding strain

10.  To examine aspects of pea plants that make them good genetic subjects

11.  To discuss the concept that all humans possess harmful recessive alleles

12.  To apply concepts of X-linked genes to single gene inheritance problems.

13.  To examine sickle cell disease, Tay-Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis, colorblindness, hemophilia, as single gene traits

14.  To view examples of polygenic inheritance, environmental influence, and pleiotropy on gene expression

15.  To analyze a bell-shaped curve that indicates continuous variation

16.  To relate the number of chromosomes in sperm and egg to genetic chromosomal number disorders in humans

17.  To discuss how the Y chromosome determines sex in humans

18.  To examine homologous chromosomes in a human karyotype

19.  To view translocation, deletion, and inversions in human chromosomes and discuss the potential effects of these genetic abnormalities

20.  To apply an understanding of the techniques of karyotyping, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, and preimplantation testing to fetal genetic typing

21.  To discuss the ethical implications of genetic testing and genetic profiling

22.  To conduct experiments in membrane transport processes including diffusion, osmosis, and dialysis (lab)

23.  To perform colorimetric tests for biomolecules and employ aspects of the scientific method (lab)

24.  To conduct experiments on the role of catalase enzyme in various animal and plant tissues (lab)

25.  To conduct an online karyotype and apply findings to the diagnosis of human chromosomal abnormalities (lab)

26.  To engage in the practical examination of single gene human traits and employ pedigree analysis in the tracing of traits through generations (lab)