Biological Science

BS 1114, Section B

Spring Semester 2008

 

Lecture:         TTH 11:00 am – 12:15 pm     SC101

Lab:                T 2:30 pm – 4:10 pm              SC102

 

Course description: A course for general education that deals with the various aspects of biological science. The course provides a background knowledge for the study of the cell, invertebrates, vertebrates, plants, human anatomy, and environment.  This course provides basic biological knowledge, including an understanding of: 1) the scientific method, 2) basic genetics, 3) the diversity of life on earth, 4) plant and animal structure and function, and 4) ecological issues.

 

Prerequisites:  none

 

Textbook:  Biology: Concepts and Connections. Neil A. Campbell, Lawrence G. Mitchell, Jane B. Reece, and Martha R. Taylor. Fifth edition. Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco, CA 2005.

 

Rationale:  A basic understanding of biology, including an understanding of the scientific method, is an essential part of a well-rounded education because biological issues are relevant to many areas of current life.  This course seeks to provide students with an understanding of important scientific concepts, an ability to think critically, and an understanding of the importance of biology to society in general.  Additionally, this course seeks to provide an appreciation of the importance of the natural world.

 

Course objectives:

1.  to develop scientific literacy sufficient for an understanding of current science and medical issues

2.  to develop a sufficient background for those students who wish to study more advanced scientific topics

3.  to provide familiarity with basic laboratory techniques

4.  to provide familiarity with the requirements for scientific writing, as exemplified by a short lab report

5.  to provide an understanding of pressing environmental concerns that are relevant to all of us

6.  to develop the ability to think scientifically and evaluate information critically

 

Institutional Goals:  This course will address the six institutional goals (found on page 9 of the catalogue) as follows.

1. Institutional goal 1 (“To produce students who demonstrate an understanding of the Judeo-Christian heritage and Christian worldview”) will be addressed by objectives 1 and 2.  Students will learn aspects of the historical development of biology, consider current ethical issues, and demonstrate their perspectives through exams and reports.

2.  Institutional goal 2 (“To produce students who demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively across the curriculum”) will be addressed by primarily by objective 4, but will also be addressed by exam questions, homework assignments, and class discussions.

3.  Institutional goal 3 (“To produce students who demonstrate the ability to reflect critically upon the world, the environment, society, and self”) will be addressed within the context of class discussions, through exam questions, and through lab reports (objective 4).  In particular, objectives 5 and 6 address this goal.

4.  Institutional goal 4 (“To produce students who demonstrate the ability to apply the principles of the scientific method to become more effective problem solvers”) will be addressed through problem solving during class, homework, and exams (reflected in objective 6).

5.  Institutional goal 5 (“To produce students who demonstrate an appreciation for a healthy lifestyle that will promote lifelong heath and fitness”) will be addressed through discussion of the biological bases of health and disease (encompassed within objectives 1 and 2).

6.  Institutional goal 6 (“To produce students who demonstrate a competence in at least one particular body of knowledge”) will be addressed through strengthening student knowledge of biology, and of important general scientific concepts, through all aspects of the course.

 

Course Requirements:

            Attendance and completion of all exams is mandatory.  Students are accountable for all class assignments, class announcements, handouts, and information provided in lecture.  After three lecture or lab absences, a student’s course grade will be reduced by 5% for each additional absence.  If more than six lectures or labs are missed, the student will be asked to drop the course or receive a failing grade.  Failure to clean up a work station following lab will result in a loss of 5 points for every student working at that station.  Please arrive on time to lab!  You will not be allowed to stay late to work because you have arrived late and need extra time.

            If you must miss an exam or lab, then you must contact me as quickly as possible.  It is always better to contact me before rather than after an absence if you know in advance that you must miss class (if you notify me in advance, it will be easier to receive approval for a makeup). Please provide a substantive excuse (e.g., a doctor’s note).  Do not assume that you will be able to make up a lab, lab practical, or exam.  Additionally, please do not ask to postpone an exam on the day of the exam.  If you have other exams on the same day, bring it to my attention before the exam date.  Assignments turned in after the due date will be penalized 5% for each day that they are late.  If an assignment is due in a particular lab or class, that means that it is due at the beginning of the lab or class and you will lose points if you turn it in during or after the class on the same day.  If you experience technical difficulties with your quiz on Sakai, you must discuss it with me as soon as possible (before the end of the next lab) or you will not be able to make it up.  For example, if you are unable to complete a quiz due at 2:30 pm then you need to tell me in the 2:30 pm lab rather than waiting.  The reason for this policy is that quiz answers are displayed after the due date.

            Students are expected and required to uphold the highest standards of academic honesty in this and all courses.  Students should be familiar with the College's policies concerning academic integrity (Catalog, page 46; Student Handbook, page 24, section VII).  Students requiring any clarification of these policies should consult their academic advisor or the Office of Academic Affairs.  Student papers will be submitted to Turnitin.com and will be penalized heavily for plagiarism.  Substantial plagiarism will result in a grade of 0 and possible additional penalties.  If you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism and want assistance, please contact Dr. Paterson.

            Williams Baptist College is an independent, non-profit, church related institution which does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the provision of educational services. Although Williams does not provide separate programs for students with disabilities, accommodations for class presentation, evaluation, and access will be determined on a case-by-case basis once the student has disclosed a disability and appropriate documentation supporting the request for the accommodations has been provided to the College. For further information, contact Dr. Gary Gregory, Director of Counseling at 870-759-4178. All students, regardless of disability, must meet the same admission and graduation requirements.

 

Evaluation:

            Lecture Exam I             50 pts

            Lecture Exam II          100 pts

            Lecture Exam III         100 pts

            Lecture Exam IV        100 pts

            Final Exam                 200 pts

            Quizzes                       80 pts (8, 10 points each)

            Lab reports                   50 pts (10, 5 points each)

            Lab report (bacteria)    40 pts

            Poster presentation       20 pts

            Lab Practical I                          50 pts

            Lab Practical II             50 pts

            Total                           840 pts

 

Instructor: Ann V. Paterson

Phone: 870-759-4171

E-mail: apaterson@wbcoll.edu

Office hours:  I will be in my office from: 9:00 – 11:00 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; from 2:00 – 2:30 pm on Mondays; from 2:00 – 2:30 pm on Tuesdays; from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm on Wednesdays; and from 1:00 – 3:00 pm on Thursdays.  Please stop by, call, or e-mail if you would like to schedule an appointment at a different time.  My class schedule is posted on my office door in case you would like to try to find me in a class or lab.  If you need to contact me, e-mail is generally the fastest method.

Biological Science Syllabus

Note: this syllabus will change during the semester. You are responsible for changes announced in lecture (e.g., changes in exam dates).

 

Week  Date                Lecture Topic                                                Text Assignment*

     1     Jan. 8               Introduction                                                    Chapter 1, pgs. 2-5, 12

                                    Why study biology?

            Jan. 10             The scientific method

                                    Chemistry of life                                            Chapters 2, 3

     2     Jan. 15             Chemistry of life                                            Chapters 2, 3              

                                    Introduction to cells                                       Chapter 4

            Jan. 16             Membranes: structure and function               Chapter 5, 78-85

                                    Diffusion and osmosis

     3     Jan. 22             Energy and enzymes                                      Chapter 5, 72-78

                                    What factors affect enzyme activity?

                                    Energy II: Cellular respiration                       Chapter 6

            Jan. 24             Energy III: Photosynthesis                             Chapter 7

     4     Jan. 29             Review/catch-up

                                    Introduction to cell reproduction                   Chapter 8

            Jan. 31             Lecture exam I

     5     Feb. 5              Mitosis and meiosis                                       Chapter 8

                                    Meiosis and reproduction                              Chapter 8

                                    Inheritance - genetics!                                    Chapter 9

                                    Punnet squares and solving problems

            Feb. 7              Review of problems

                                    Chromosomes and genes                                Chapter 9

     6     Feb. 12            Mutations/human genetics

                                    Genes and gene products                                Chapter 10

            Feb. 14            Biotechnology, natural selection                   Chapter 12, chapters 13-14

     7     Feb. 19            Review/catch-up

            Feb. 21            Lecture exam II

     8     Feb. 26            Survey of living (?) things: viruses,              Chapters 16, 17

                                    bacteria, protists, plants, fungi

            Feb. 28            Survey of living things: animals                    Chapter 18

     9     Mar. 4             Animal structure and function I:                    Chapters 20, 22, 23

                                    homeostasis, circulation, and respiration

                                    Animal structure and function II:                  Chapters 21, 24

                                    digestion and immune system          

            Mar. 6             Animal structure and function III:                 Chapters 25, 28, 29, 30

                                    muscles, nerves, and sensory organs

  10      Mar. 11           Spring break

            Mar. 13           Spring break

  11      Mar. 18           Animal structure and function IV:                 Chapter 26, 27

                                    reproduction, endocrinology

            Mar. 20           Review/catch-up

  12      Mar. 25           Lecture exam III

Mar. 27           Animal behavior                                             Chapter 37

                                    Ecology of populations                                  Chapter 35

  13      Apr. 1              Ecology of communities                                Chapter 36                 

            Apr. 3              Review/catch-up

  14      Apr. 8              Lecture exam IV

            Apr. 10            Ecology of communities                                Chapter 36

  15      Apr. 15            Ecology of ecosystems                                   Chapters 34, 36

            Apr. 17            Ecology of ecosystems                                   Chapters 34, 36

  16      Apr. 22            Environmental issues                                     Chapter 38

            Apr. 24            Review/catch-up

Apr. 25 – Apr. 30        Final exams

 

* note that detailed text assignments will be given in lecture.

Biological Science Lab Syllabus

 

Week  Date                Lab Exercise                                                  Lab Manual Assignment*

     2     Jan. 15             Introduction                                                                Lab #1

                                    Care and use of the light microscope No lab

     3     Jan. 22             Cells                                                                            Lab #2

                                    Discussion of upcoming poster presentation

     4     Jan. 29             Poster presentations

     5     Feb. 5              Diffusion and osmosis                                               Lab #3

     6     Feb. 12            Mitosis                                                                        Lab #4

     7     Feb. 19            Human and Mendelian genetics                                 Lab #6

     8     Feb. 26            Lab practical I

     9     Mar. 4             Effects of disinfectants on microbial growth            Lab #8

    10    Mar. 11           Spring break

    11    Mar. 18           Review results of lab 8

                                    Microbiological technique                                         Handout

                                    Discussion of lab report on Lab #8

    12    Mar. 25           The kingdom survey                                                   Lab #9

                                    Rough draft of lab report #8 due

    13    Apr. 1              Annelid and arthropod dissection                              Lab #10

    14    Apr. 8              Fruit structure                                                             Lab #11

    15    Apr. 15            Circulation and respiration                                        Lab #12

                                    Final draft of lab report #8 due

    16    Apr. 22            Lab practical II

Apr. 25 – Apr. 30        Final exams