COURSE OUTLINE

GENERAL BIOLOGY 140: 4 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

 

 

 

Instructors:                                        

J. Hopper hopperj@benedict.edu: Alu 202C

Phone: (803) 705-4511

Lecture and Lab Section 03 Time and Place:           MWF 8:00AM – 8:50AM  Alu 212; Laboratory –  Thursday  1:00PM – 3:00PM Alu 219

Lecture and Lab Section 04 Time and Place:           MWF 9:00AM – 9:50AM  Alu 212;  Laboratory  -  Tuesday 1:00PM – 3:00PM Alu 219

Lecture and Lab Section 05 Time and Place:           TR 8:00AM – 9:15AM Alu 212;  Laboratory – Monday 10:00AM – 12:00Noon Alu 219

 

K. Raychoudhury raychoudhuryk@benedict.edu: Alu 202

            Phone: (803) 705-4647

Lecture and Lab Section 01 Time and Place:           MWF 11:00AM – 11:50AM Alu 309;  Laboratory – Tuesday 9:00AM – 11:00AM Alu 219

Lecture and Lab Section 02 Time and Place:       TR 1:00PM – 2:15PM Alu 302;  Laboratory – Thursday 9:00AM – 11:00AM Alu 219

Lecture and Lab Section 06 Time and Place:       MWF 9:00AM – 9:50AM Alu 210;  Laboratory – Tuesday 3:00PM – 5:00PM Alu 219

 

R. Oliver Rusho@benedict.edu  Alu 102

            Phone: (803) 705-4621

 Lecture and Lab Section  07 Time and Place:         MW 6:00PM – 7:15PM Alu210;  Laboratory – Wednesday 7:30PM – 9:30PM Alu 219

 

Office Hours:             SEE INSTRUCTOR

 

Textbook:  Concepts in Biology by Eldon D. Enger and Frederick C. Ross, and D. Bailey. Twelfth Edition. McGraw Hill, New York, NY, 2007 (Required).

 

Laboratory Manual:  Laboratory Manual-Concepts in Biology by Eldon D. Enger.

Frederick C. Ross, & D. Bailey. Twelfth Edition. (Required).

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 

This course is an integrated service course in the biological sciences. Topics include taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, genetics, and ecology. The course does not count for credit toward the Biology major requirements. Science majors should take Bio 147 and BioI48.

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

The General Biology course has been designed as an introductory course for non-science students. The course discussions include animals, plants, and microorganisms in relation to cell biology, genetics, reproduction, development, evolution, and ecology. This is a lecture discussion and laboratory course. . The students will be asked to write reports on selected topics related to the General Biology course. The report assignments may relate to films shown in classes, or review of scientific articles assigned by the instructor. All assignment reports and answers of examinations questions should be written in Standard English.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course the individual student should achieve these objectives:

 

1.      Define science and describe the scientific method.

 

2.         Name and define several areas of biological sciences and identify several distinguished scientists and their contributions to science.

 

3.         Describe the chemical structure, synthesis, and function of the molecules of life.

 

4.         Summarize the principle characteristics of viruses, bacteria, protistans, fungi, plants and animals.

 

5.         Describe the structure and function of plant and animal cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.

6.        Compare between the photosynthesis and respiration processes.

 

 

7.         Discuss inheritance of transmitted characteristics among living organisms.

 

 

8.         Describe the origin and evolution of living organisms.

 

9.         Make inferences about the behavior patterns of living organisms.

 

10.       Analyze the interaction of various organisms with their environment.

 

 

TXTBOOK DISCUSSION TOPICS:

 

What is Biology (Chapter 1)

 The Basics of Life: (Chapter 2)

Organic Molecules: The Molecules of Life (Chapter 3)

Cell Structure and Function (Chapter 4)

Enzymes, Coenzymes, and Energy (Chapter 5)

Biochemical Pathways-Cellular Respiration (Chapter 6)

Biochemical Pathways-Photosynthesis (Chapter 7)

DNA and RNA-The Molecular Basis of Heredity (Chapter 8)

Cell Division-Replication and Reproduction (Chapter 9)

Patterns of Inheritance (Chapter 10)

Applications of Biotechnology (Chapter 11)

Diversity within Species and Population Genetics (Chapter 12)

Evolution and Natural Selection (13)

The Formation of Species and Evolutionary Changes (Chapter 14)

Ecosystem Dynamics: The Flow of Energy and Matter (Chapter 15)

Community Interactions (Chapter 16)

Population Ecology (Chapter 17)

Evolutionary and Ecological Aspects of Behavior (Chapter 18

The Origin of Life and Evolution of Cells (19)

The Classification and Evolution of Organisms (Chapter 20)

The Nature of Microorganisms (Chapter 21)

The Plant Kingdom (Chapter 22)

The Animal Kingdom (Chapter 23)

 Materials Exchange in the Body (Chapter 24)

 Nutrition: Food and Diet (Chapter 25)

 The Body’s Control Mechanisms and Immunity (Chapter26)

 Human Reproduction, Sex, and Sexuality (Chapter 27)

 

 

LABORATORY EXERCISES (five out-of –ten will be counted toward your final grade):

The lab schedules are subject to change (i.e., weather conditions):

 

Common Labs:

1.                  Lab Safety Rules – Week of  September 4, 2006

2.                  Metric Measurements and the Scientific Method – Week of September 18, 2006

3.                  Atoms and Molecules – Week of September 25, 2006

4.                  Diffusion and Osmosis – Week of October 2, 2006

5.                  The Microscope – Week of October 23, 2006

6.                  Survey of Cell Types: Structure and Function – Week of October 30, 2006

7.                  Mitosis and Meiosis – Week of  November 6, 2006

 

Make-up Labs (will be set-up according to teacher discretion during the week of November 13).

8.                  Determining Your Daily Energy Balance

9.                  Frog Dissection

10.              Roll Call of Animals

 

Weekly Lab Schedule Alumni Hall Room 219:

           

            T          9:15am – Section 1:               K. Raychoudhury

            T          1:00pm – Section 4:               J. Hopper

            T          3:00pm – Section 6:               K. Raychoudhury

            M        10:00pm – Section 5: J. Hopper

            W        7:30pm – Section 7:               R. Rush

            Th        9:15am – Section 2:               K. Raychoudhury

            Th       1:00pm – Section 3:              J. Hopper

 

EVALUATION  PROCEDURES:

 

An examination covering the lecture and laboratory will be given upon completion of each unit/chapter.  The unit/chapter examination will cover the subject matter discussed after the previous unit/chapters examination.  In other words, no unit/chapter examination will include all the lecture and lab material discussed during the entire semester except the final.  The final examination will cover all the lecture and laboratory materials taught during the semester.

 

Laboratory and special assignments will be due as assigned. Instructor may from time to time give special library assignments to students. All assignments, reports, and answers of examinations questions should be written in Standard English. Evaluation of all written work will be based on the correct use of grammar and the accuracy of technical information.

 

GRADING SYSTEM:

 

90% or above              =          A

80 to 89.9%                 =         B

70 to 79.9"                   =         C

60 to 69.9%                  =         D; and

59.9% or below           =         F

 

The college's SE2 grading policy will be used in the grading system in this course.

 

A common pre-exam and final exam will be administered for this course.

 

The laboratory component of this course constitutes 25% of the final grade.

 

Students are expected to complete the assigned work within the time framework established by the instructor.

There will be no extra credit given to any student during the course.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS:

 

1.         ATTENDANCE: Students are required to attend class regularly, punctually, and not to leave class early. Any student coming late or leaving early maybe marked absent. Students who miss seven or more classes will be withdrawn from the course. Absences must be excused by the vice president of the Division of Student Affairs located in the administration building-room 102. Official excuses must be presented to the instructor at the next class period. Obtaining an official excuse does not excuse a student from the assignments missed during the absence.

 

2.         LABORATORY REPORTS: Laboratory reports and library assignments may be assigned by the instructor. The instructor is under no obligation to accept the late reports.

 

3.         EXAMINATION POLICY: Examinations will be given only on the days they are scheduled. Make-up examinations will only be given to students with an official excuse.

 

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS:

 

1.         Bring a pen / pencil, and a note book to class.

2.         Bring your Biology textbook to  your lecture class.

3.         Work on your worksheets & study guides (mandatory). Turn in your

completed worksheets on chapter test day. This will be graded.

4.         Take your exams / tests on the scheduled date.

5.         Do not miss labs. Bring your lab manual and a pencil to the lab (ALU

            219).

6.         Complete the lab as directed. Turn in your individual lab sheets as

            instructed at the end of the lab period. This will be graded.

7.         Class Participation (text book exploration) is mandatory. Turn in

          assigned work at the end of class (same day). This will be graded.

8.         Students are required to come to class / lab on time. The college’s

attendance policy will be strictly followed and implemented.  Students must provide official college excuses to your instructor.

9.         Students are expected to sign the attendance roll when they come to

class / lab.  

10.       Students are required to turn in their individual work in person.

11.       Please keep all questions not related to the topic being discussed (i.e., excuses, late work, or other issues) until the end of the class.

I2.        Do not wear headphones or other such devices in class and keep cell phones turned off.

13.       Class disruptions in any form will not be tolerated.

 

SUCCESS EQUALS EFFORT GRADING POLICY:

The Grading Policy has 2 components:

 

1.         Effort Indicators (60%):

            Labs

            Homework

            Attendance

            Assignments

            Class participation

2.         Knowledge Indicators (40%):

Attendance

Exams

Mid-term Test

Final Exam

Assignments

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF GRADES:

 

Each student is assigned a numerical grade for effort and a numerical grade for knowledge by inputting grades into the excel grade book.  The excel electronic grade book will calculate the student’s letter grade for effort, knowledge, and the final grade.