Office Location: SAS 327Office Hours: Mon. & Wed. 9:30-11:00, Wed. 1-2:10Tues .1:00-2:00

Moreno Valley College

Fall 2014

General Biology 1

Instructor: Mrs. Marshall

Office Location: SAS 327Office Hours: Mon. & Wed. 9:30-11:00, Wed. 1-2:10Tues.1:00-2:00

Email: webpage:

The main goal of this class is to provide you with a very basic yet fairly broad understanding of the scientific principles and methodologies surrounding Biology. An awareness of the methods of science anda basic understanding of the natural world is of critical importance to us as students and as contributing members of our society. We will be covering a considerable amount of topics at a rather accelerated pace, and the material can become confusing at times. One way of keeping the material understandable is by participating in classroom discussions and not hesitating to ask questions. I encourage you to keep your eyes open for any information in newspapers, magazines, or other media sources that might relate to the topics being discussed, for they will help you apply what you have learned in class. The laboratory portion is meant to deepen your understanding of Biology because you will be conducting experiments and carrying out simulations that will highlight key topics in Biology.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. List the steps of the scientific method, and understand the process of science.
2. Recognize the components and organization of the cell, how cells and multicellular organisms acquire and utilize energy.
3. Comprehend and describe the steps involved in cellular reproduction.
4. Compare and contrast individual organisms, and population dynamics which include heritability, adaptation, and evolutionary principles.
5. Explain the ecosystems and the dynamics of the biosphere.
6. Relate biological principles to their lives, and interpret their place in the environment.
7. Use appropriate biological terminology in discussing biological principles and relationships.

Supplemental Instruction

Supplemental instruction is a program developed to assist students enrolled in challenging courses. Under this program, a supplemental instruction leader schedules weekly sessions and organizes activities that help students improve their problem solving skills. Ms. Stephanie Larais the dedicated SI leader for Bio-1 sections 28616 & 28618 only.

Campbell, Reece, Taylor, Simon, Biology: Concepts and Connections w/ Mastering Biology edition: NA, ISBN: 9781269773744. Pearson/ Benjamin Cummings. This is a custom book available at the M.V.C. bookstore. Each student will need and is required to have the Mastering Biology access code for homework assignments.

Perry, Morton, Perry, 2007, Essential Laboratory Exercises for General Biology (9780495310051) purchased at the MV student store.

Scantron Sheet, Form No. 882-E. Please be sure to purchase the scantrons before you come to class to take an exam. You will need four scantrons forms for this class.

Homework assignments will be completed online. Please follow the Mastering Biology instructions. You will find a direct link on my webpage that will take you to mastering biology.

UnitTopicsChapter

IBiology: Exploring Life1

The Chemical Basis of Life/ Molecules of Cells2, 3

A Tour of the Cell4

IIThe Working Cell (Metabolism)5

Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food7

How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy6

IIICellular Basis of Reproduction/Inheritance8

Patterns of Inheritance/Human Genetics9

Molecular Biology of the Gene10

Molecular Biology of the Gene (DNA Replication)10

IVMolecular Biology of the Gene (Protein Synthesis)10

How Genes are Controlled11.1-7, 11.12-16

How Populations Evolve13.1-14

The Origin of Species14.1-6

I make a couple of assumptions

Since we are covering a large amount of information in a short period of time, regular attendance is a must! Exams will cover material discussed in lecture and not necessarily in the text. Therefore, missing lecture will have a significantly negative impact on your grade. Tardiness is a distraction to the education process, so please come to class on time. If you are consistently tardy or absent (3 combined total) you will be dropped from the course.

If you have a documented physical, psychiatric/emotional, medical, or learning disability that may impact your ability to carry out assigned course work, I urge you to contact the staff in Disabled Students Services (DSS) at

571-6138 on the Moreno Valley Campus. DSS will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.

Four unit exams will be given during the semester. These exams will be made up of written and multiple choice questions. You should use all of the resources from the text and materials list, as well as your lecture and lab notes to prepare for your exams.

I make a couple of assumptions when I prepare lecture and exams. First, I assume that you have read the text before class and that you are using the text as a study guide for both lecture exams and laboratory exercises. Second I assume that youare genuinely interested in learning Biology or at least willing to give it your best try.

You are all adults and will be treated as such. Excess talking is distracting and disrespectful to your fellow students, so please use your better judgment.

Holidays: Monday, Sep. 1, Monday, Sep. 10, Thursday, Nov. 27

Last day to add a full-term class:Friday, Sep. 5

Last day to withdraw from a full-term class with a “W”: 11/14/14

Finals:For sections 28015 and 28016:Monday, 12/8/14 from 11:00-1:30 in STU 101

For sections 28616 and 28618 Thursday, 12/11/14 from 8-10:30 in SAS 103

Your lab experience should be enjoyable. However, since there are many potential hazards in the lab, you should always use special caution and ALWAYS FOLLOW DIRECTIONS! The lab period will often begin with a short (45 min) introduction to the current lab. The laboratory exercise will be carried out in groups of 2-4 students rather than working on your own.

Always bring your lecture text to the lab, as it will serve as a reference in many cases.

Realize that the material covered in the lab is there to help you better understand the topics covered in class. Thus, they will help you gain a better grade in the course.

Try to use the terminology and concepts presented in the lectures as you conduct your lab exercises.

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