College Biology

Instructor: Dr. Cheryl Lindeman (clindeman@cvgs.k12.va.us)

Central Virginia Community Awards Credit for this course as BIO101-Bio102, 8 semester hours, [3 hours lecture 1 hour lab per semester]

Lecture - M, W, Thur.  7:30 a.m.- 8:20 a.m.  at CVGS 

Lab-Tues.  Room 2311  at CVCC  7:30- 10: 10 a.m.

Course Materials: 
Text: Starr, Taggart, Evers  & Starr. (2009) Biology - The Unity & Diversity of Life 12th edition Brooks/Cole,Cengage Learning,US Includes  online resource tools through Cengage One. 

LAB MANUAL:  Perry, Perry and Morton. (2006) Laboratory Manual for General Biology - to accompany Starr's Biology Texts Brooks/Cole. US
 
Software/WebResouces:MS Office, Photoshop, LoggerPro, ImageJ, JMole, MWworkbench 

Course Description:
A college level introduction to biology focusing on the fundamental characteristics of living matter based on the diversity of life in the biosphere.  Topics include the molecular to the ecological community level.  Individual and group laboratory projects, computer simulations and data analyses are integral components of the course. Special laboratory skills involving digital and electron microscopy, advanced microbiology and biotechnology, sensors and plant tissue culture are included. Students are expected to design and implement a special project related to their particular biological interests.  Written and oral communication skills are enhanced by designing Power Point or web-based presentations.  The course includes a three-hour lab per week and exceeds the AP Biology curriculum

Fall 2011 Course Schedule.

GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES: with Virginia Standard of Learning (SOL) references

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:
  • BIO.1...investigate biological systems using inquiry-based laboratory activities which incorporate currents technology in biology.
  • BIO.1, Com.24...utilize computer software to simulate and to analyze biological concepts or data collected in laboratory experiments.
  • BIO.1,.2..demonstrate the ability to critique/summarize a current article from Scientific American.
  • BIO.1...demonstrate  laboratory instrument and report writing competencies.
  • BIO.2... design and implement a bioproject which reflects the student's interest in fields relating to biology.
  • BIO.1, BIO.2...analyze biological problems by providing support for the best solution (s).
  • BIO.3,.4, 5,6,7...participate in group activities which explore the interdisciplinary nature of 
  • current biological event/problems.
  • BIO.2,3,5,7..identify, describe and utilize the major molecules important to biological systems.
  • BIO.3,.5....follow the energy requirements and products necessary for biological systems to exist.
  • BIO.2,4,6,7...analyze the current trends and concepts relating to genetics and biotechnology.
  • BIO.4,5,7...relate structure and function to the diversity of organisms in the five kingdoms.
  • BIO.2,4...describe the nature of cell biology as it relates to the homeostatic balance of life.

Additonal Objectives for second semester include:

  • BIO.5, 7..evaluate plant properties  and structures which distinguish them from animals.
  • BIO.5, ...relate physical principles to physiological homeostatic balance.
  • BIO.1, 5..analyze the currents trends and concepts relating to human  anatomy & physiology.
  • BIO.5, 8...relate  animal behavior responses to neurological and social development.
  • BIO.8, 9...describe  dynamic patterns and cycles of communities and ecosystems             …and understand the biological concepts relating to microevolution
  • Participate in the Senior Science Senario during the final six weeks of the year. 

Class Methodology:
The lecture time (M, W, Thurs). will be student- centered where students will be active participants in the learning process. The student is expected to review the textbook reading BEFORE class using the proposed schedule. The student will use the inquiry approach in the laboratory to further examine the concepts introduced in lecture and is expected to review the lab prior to Tuesday lab day. Students must sign the lab safety agreement at the beginning of the year. Small group discussions will be used to analyze various situations to stimulate critical thinking skills.  The computer will be used as a tool to stimulate and analyze data collected in the lab.  The class will follow the CVGS policy for  the "moment of silence." CVCC Blackboard will be used as  the course delivery of information, activities and discussion. 

Attendance Expectations:
1. No make-ups for  scheduled tests UNLESS PRIOR PERMISSION is obtained from the instructor BEFORE the test is administered to the class.  If a make-up test is permitted it may not be the same test and extra credit options will not be accepted. This means the student calls CVGS on the  morning of the test  and talks to  the instructor/secretary prior to 10:00 am.  The student must present a signed and dated parent/guaridan note of explanation for the absence or doctor's  excuse before the make-up test will be given.  The student will not be permitted to make-up a test with an unexcused absence. 
2  If a student is absent from class it is the student's responsibility to obtain lecture/discussion notes and handouts for the material missed. Many of the handouts & Powerpoints will be posted on BBL9. See the CVGS Student Handbook for details on CVGS attendance-especially prearranged absences.  These procedures will be followed.
3.  Students are expected to be in class on time so that maximum  instructional time can be utilized!  Tardies will be recorded by the instructor.   Students are allowed one “excused” tardy per six weeks.   Given normal driving conditions, students tardy to class in excess of one tardy will have three points/tardy deducted from  lecture or lab points depending on the tardy date.  Unexcused absence will result in three points per unexcused absence deducted from the lecture or lab points (depending on the days involved). Assignments due on the unexcused absence day WILL NOT be graded.
4. A student must be present for lab to receive credit for lab exercises.  All lab exercises are due at the end of lab UNLESS the instructor changes the date due. A student is allowed one “excused” lab day during Fall semester if the absence is for a college visit. Prearrangements must be made with the instructor. 
5.  All assignments must be turned in on time(as specified in the assignment or announcement) or the assignment will be counted late.  If a student is absent on the day the assignment is due it must be turned in at the beginning of class on the day he/she returns.  If this is not done the assignment will be counted late.  Long term assignments are due as scheduled  whether the student is present in school or not.  In this case the student may ask the instructor for permission to upload assignment using Blackboard capabilities. This applies to the bio special project,  individual or group project/lab reports and Scientific American  Summaries. A 10% penalty per day  will  be applied  to assignments turned in late.  Assignments turned in more than  FIVE SCHOOL DAYS  late will not be graded and a zero will be recorded.   Unexcused absenses will not extend the five day rule. 

Grading Policy:
The final grade in the course will be weighted with 25% lab and 75% lecture points for the total course grade.  A letter grade will determine the final grade in the course.  The scale used for this course will be:
90% and above A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
below 60 failing
A six weeks grade will be reported to the home high schools that reflects the accumlative grade to date during the college semester.  As mentioned above, excessive tardies or unexcused absences will result  in points deducted from the total lecture or lab points. Each student is responsbile for keeping up with their own grade to date.  Students are expected to keep a log of grades to calculate their grade to date in the course. A grade to date below a “B” will require a student to have a weekly conference with the instructor.

Honor Code:
Students are required to pledge all work according to the CVGS  Honor Code printed in the CVGS Student Handbook.  Each assignment must have the Honor Code written out  and signed by the student or the assignment will not be accepted until the pledge is included. (late policy applies) Group assignments will be signed by each member of the group.  Cheating and plagarism are serious and each student has a responsibility to uphold the Honor Code. Documented evidence/admission of violating the honor code on an assignment will result in a ZERO for the assignment/test in question.  The Student is responsible  for  understand ing the sharing limits for each assignment. All reports must have references and copies of articles submitted with the report.  Cell phones will be turned off and out of site unless phone application is part of a class assignment.