Department of Biological and Physical
  Sciences

COURSE Outline

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE

GENERAL BIOLOGY 140: 4 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

 

LECTURE INFORMATION

Dr. Lowe

 

Lecture Instructor

 

Dr. Larry L.Lowe

Office

Alumni Hall Room 101

Office Phone

(803) 253-5007

E-mail

Lowe@microbyte.net

Office Hours

TBA/Appointment

Lecture Place and Time

Swinton Room B: MW 1 - 2:15pm

 

LABORATORY INFORMATION

Dr. Motley

Lab Instructor

Dr. Milwood Motley

Office

Alumni Hall Room 314

Office Phone

(803) 253-5265

E-mail

  

Office Hours

TBA/Appointment

Lab Place and Time

 Alumni Hall Room 106A: T 2:30 - 4:30

Mr. Funderburke

Lab Instructor

Mr. Willie Funderburke

Office

 

Office Phone

  

E-Mail

  

Office Hours

 TBA/Appointment

Lab Place and Time

 Swinton Center Room C: T 9 - 10:50; and TH 2:30 - 4:30

Textbook: Concepts in Biology by Eldon D. Enger and Frederick C. Ross. Ninth Edition. Wm. C. Brown Publishers, Dubuque, Iowa, 2000 (required).
Laboratory Manual will be provided by the instructors.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An integrated service course in the biological sciences. Topics include the scientific method, cell structure and function, physiology, genetics, animal reproduction and behivior, and evolution. Attendance at two-1 hour and 15 minute lecture/discussion sessions and two-2 hour dry laboratory/discussion sessions are required per week.

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 dry laboratory course. The course also entails attendance at special seminars and other assigned presentations. Review of assigned scientific articles through the use of the Internet is also required. The students will be asked to write two formal laboratory reports on selected dry labs during the semester. Reports and other assignments are to be computer generated and answers of examination questions should be written in Standard English. All assignments are to be submitted to the instructor(s) on time. No late assignments will be accepted. No make-up exams will be given. Because of the grading system excuses will not be accepted for being absent from the lecture and from the lab.

EXPECTED STUDENT OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course the individual student will be able to:

  • Describe the scientific method.
  • Define biology.
  • Name four distinguished scientists and their contributions to science.
  • Name the chemical elements and organic molecules necessary for life.
  • Describe the essential characteristics of viruse, bacteria, plant, and animal cells.
  • Discuss how genetic traits are transmitted from parents to their children.
  • Construct a monohybrid Punnet Square.
  • Name the key elements necessary for photosynthesis in green plants.
  • Know the major reactants and products of photosynthesis.
  • Name the key elements necessary for cellular respiration in eukaryotic cells.
  • Know the major reactants and products of cellular respiration.
  • Describe the key elements necessary for human reproduction.
  • Name the major organs and organ systems of higher animals.
  • Name the major parts of higher plants.
  • Describe the theories of the origin(s) and evolution of living organisms.
  • Make some judgement about the behavior pattern(s) of living organisms.
  • Analyze the interaction of various organisms with their environment including humans.
  • Conduct an intelligent conversation about general issues of current day biology.

    TEXTBOOK TOPICS

  • What is Biology (Chapter 1)?
  • Simple Things of Life (Chapter 2)
  • Organic Chemistry: The Chemistry of Life (Chapter 3)
  • Cell Structure and Function (Chapter 4)
  • Enzymes (Chapter 5)
  • Biochemical Pathways (Respiration and Photosynthesis)(Chapter 6)
  • DNA and RNA: The Molecular Basis of Heredity (Chapter 7)
  • Mitosis: The Cell-Copying Process (Chapter 8)
  • Meiosis: Sex-Cell Formation (Chapter 9)
  • Mendelian Genetics (Chapter 10)
  • Natural Selection and Evolution (Chapter 12)
  • Ecosystem Organization and Energy Flow (Chapter 14)
  • Materials Exchange in the Body (Chapter 18)
  • Nutrition: Food and Diet (Chapter 19)
  • The Body's Control Mechanisms (Chapter 20)
  • Human Reproduction, Sex, and Sexuality (Chapter 21)
  • The Origin of Life and Evolution of Cells (Chapter 22)

    • LABORATORY EXERCISES
  • Scientific Units and Measurements
  • Identification of Chemical Molecules
  • Application of the Scientific Method
  • Probability and Mendelian Genetics
  • Human Pedigree Analysis
  • Determining Your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
  • Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
  • Construction of a Phylogenetic Tree

    • FORMAL LAB REPORT GUIDELINES

    Two formal lab reports are required for this course. It is not only a requirement for this course. The paper must be typed and must be 3-5 pages of text, using normal spacing and margins.

    The paper must be on the data results of one of the several lab exercises completed during the semester. The first report is due before the instructor turns in the end of the first mid-term grades. The second report is due by the end of classes at the end of the semester.

    At least five (5) references must be cited within the paper.

    ALL FORMAL LAB REPORTS ARE TO MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA

  • All reports are to is computer generated including tables, graphs, figures, etc.
  • An Introduction that is to include the statement of hypothesis and purpose of the experiment and any other pertinent information that enhance the reader's understanding of the purpose and its significance.
  • The "body" will be presented in an objective, logical, manner that will enable continuity of thought by the reader chronologically in terms of time appearance, general to specific, etc.
  • All reports will have a bibliography that reflects not only classical writings but also the latest writings on the subject.
  • All papers are to be free of plagiarism and adhere to good grammar and usage.
  • All papers will adhere to the format of the discipline.

    • GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR REPORTS ON EXPERIMENTAL MATERIAL

    TITLE PAGE (5pts). The title page is the cover page of the report. The title page should include title of the report; course name and number; Name(s) of the author; name of the instructor(s); and date.

    TITLE OF REPORT. The title should appear on the title pate and reflect the nature of the experiment that was performed (what the experiment pertained to) and should appear on the title page.

    NAME. The name(s) of the authors should appear on the title page.

    ABSTRACT (15pts). The abstract gives a brief summary (one paragraph or half-page) of what was done and the key results found from the experiment. A presentation of the significant findings of the experiment. Include quantitative results such as the numerical values of your key findings, etc.

    INTRODUCTION (15pts). The introduction sets forth the nature and background of the experiment. The statement of hypothesis, problem to be addressed, and purpose of the experiment should be presented and clearly stated. The significance of the problem as it relates to science should also be included.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS (10pts). The materials and methods should include the overall experimental design. What were the controls used in the experiment?

    RESULTS (20pts). The results of the report should include a clear presentation of the data (tables, graphs, figures, etc. should be used). Statistical analysis, measurements including unit dimensions should be used.

    DISCUSSION (30pts). The discussion should include evidence that supports your conclusion(s). Suggestions for future research on the subject.

    BIBLIOGRAPHY (5pts). The bibliography should be complete (five references or more) and consistent. See scientific writing style below for examples.

    NOTE: The report should be computer generated using standard 10 - 12 size font. No fancy artwork or decorations should be part of the report. The report will be graded on a scale of 0 - 100pts.

    SCIENTIFIC WRITING - AIBS STYLE

    1. If you use an idea or fact from another paper, you must use a footnote, in the correct scientific form: (Author's last name, date).

  • EXAMPLE: There is evidence that life evolved from simple protein (Fox, 1964). This citation is included in the sentence and the period comes after it.
  • If there are two authors, cite both names and the date. Example: (Smith and Jones, 1957).
  • If there are three or more authors cite the first one by name and then put et al. for the others. Et Al. is a Latin abbreviation meaning "and others." Example: (Jackson et al., 1961).
  • If one author or a group of authors has more than one paper in a year, cite them as paper a and b. Example: (McLaurin, 1966a), (McLaurin, 1966b).
  • If you mention the author's name in the paper, then add the date in parenthesis. Example: According to Dawson (1965), the mouse is a rodent.

    •  2. If you use the exact words of another author, use quotation marks; then parenthesis with author, dates, and pages number. Example: "Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny" (Haeke, 1966, p.72). 3. Your paper must have a bibliography. It should include all the books and articles you consulted to write your paper. They should be listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name. They are to be typed, single spaced. Double space between references.

  • Form for an article from a journal. (Author's name, date, title, Journal name, volume: pages). Example: Dawson, W. D., 1973. An unusual size effect in Peromyscus. J. Fert, Reprod. 15:73-1O5. List last name of author first, then in initials if the author is a man. For women, write the whole name. The first word of the title begins with a capital letter. Otherwise, use small letters unless it is a word normally capitalized. Abbreviate the journal name. Underline the volume numbers and put a colon after it. Put periods after the date, the title and at the end. If there are several authors, list them all in order that their names appear on the article.
  • Form for a book. Author, Date, Title, Publisher, Place. Example: Dawson W. D., 1970. Radiation Genetics of small mammals. McGraw-Hill Co., New York.

    All nouns and adjectives in the book title are capitalized. Title is not underlined.

    •

    EVALUATION PROCEDURE

    Five lecture examinations covering the lecture material up to the point of each exam will be given during the semester. In other words, no examination will include all the lecture material discussed during the entire semester including the final. However, a Pre and Post test will be given at the beginning and end of the course,respectively, that will focus on the Expected Student Outcomes.

    Laboratory and special assignments will be due as assigned. Students are expected to complete the assigned work within the time framework established by the instructor. Instructor may from time to time give special library assignments to students. All assignments, reports, and answers of examination 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.

    The lecture exams component of this course constitutes 65% of the final grade. The laboratory component of this course constitutes 15% of the final grade. Lecture and lab attendance will each constitute 10% of the final grade. Other ? will constitute 10% of the final grade.

    GRADING SCALE

    Grade Scale

    Letter Grade

    90 - 100

    A

    80 - 89

    B

    70 - 79

    C

    60 - 69

    D

    59 - below

    F

    GRADING SYSTEM

    Course Activities

    Grade Percentage

    Lecture Exams

    65

    Lecture Attendance

    10

    Lab Reports

    15

    Lab Attendance

    10

    Other

    ? (10)

    LAB STUDY GROUP EVALUATION FORM

    NOTE: This form is to be completed by each lab group member in conficence.

     

    Name of Group Member

    Attended All Lab Sessions

    Prepared Materials

    Demonstrated Voluntary Cooperation

    Fulfilled Responsibilities in Class

    Overall Evaluation

     

    1.

    		        

     

    2.

    		          

     

    3.

    		          

     

    4.

    		          

     

    5.

    		          

    Your Name

     

    		          

    0 = Lowest Evaluation 10 = Highest Evaluation

    1. List the names of each group participant and your as indicated.
    2. Be sure to evaluate yourself.
    3. Scale 0 - 10: To what extent did each member of the group attend each lab sessions?
    4. Scale 0 - 10: Did each group member participate as assigned?

    STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

    Attendance Policy.Students are required to attend class regularly, punctually, and not to leave class early. Any student coming late or leaving early will be marked absent. Students who over cut may fail the course. Lecture and lab attendance will each constitute 10% (20% total) of your grade.

    Examination Policy. Examinations will be given only on the day they are scheduled NO MAKE-UP EXAMINATION WILL BE GIVEN TO Students UNLESS A CONVENCING REASON IS PROVIDED.

    Formal Lab Reports. Students will be expected to submit two computer generated formal Laboratory reports in this course. The instructor is under no obligation to accept the late reports.

    BIBLIOGRAPHY

    1. Brusca, R.C., and Brusca, G.J., Invertebrates, Sinaner Associates, Sunderland, MA, 1990.

    2. Gilbert, S.F., Developmental Biology Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA, 1996.

    3. Gunning, B and Steer, M W Plant Cell Biology, Jones and Barlett, Sunderland, MA, 1996.

    4. Kearsey, M.J., Genetic Analysts of Quantitative Trait Chapinari and Hall, New York, NY,

    1996

    5. Laszio, E Evolution: Foundation of a General Theory Hampton Press, Cresskill, NJ, 1996.

    6. Matthews, G., Cellular Physiology of Nerve and Muscle, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Boston, MA, 1991.

    7. Mauseth, J.D., Botany Saunders Publishing Company, Philadelphia, PA, 1991

    8. Muller, NW., Development Biology Spr-Verlay, New York, NY, 1996.

    9. Murray, T.H. Ethical Issues in Human Genome Research FASEB Journal 5:5540,1991.

    10. Reece, Jane B. and Wayne F. Poenie, World of the Cell Benjamin, Redwood City, CA,

    1996

    11. Rintoul, David (et. al.)., Molecular and Cell Biology W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, NY, 1995

    12. Stark, 0. and Hill, Ann D , Ecology: The Living World Kendall-Hunt, Dubuque, IA, 1996.

    13. Smith, 3 M Evolutionary Genetics Oxford University Press, Oxford England, En-i, ~989.

    14. Velk, Suzanne, Animal Kingdom ABC Hill Contentinal Publishing. Seven Hills, BK, 1994.

    15. Weaver, R.F. WC Brown Publishers, Dubuque, IA, 1995.