Syllabus – BIO 101: General Biology 1 Lecture

Spring Semester - 2009

Paul Fitzgerald, Ph.D.

Welcome to Biology 101 – General Biology 1 Lecture

BIO101 008L – Tuesday 7:00 AM to 9:40 PM (L-Reynolds 270)

Contact information

Office location: Adjunct suite – L-Reynolds 114

Office Hours: T: 5-6:30 PM; W & Th: 11 AM-Noon; OBA
Phone: (703) 450-2506 x37032
E-mail: pfitzgerald@nvcc.edu
Web: http://loudoun.nvcc.edu/home/pfitzgerald/

Required materials

The following items are required for each student and are available at the College
Bookstore.
 Text: BIOLOGY: The Unity and Diversity of Life, Eleventh Edition, Starr/Taggart.
Brooks/Cole, 2004.
 Laboratory Manual: The Process of Science: SEVEN STUDIES OF LIFE, Fourth
Edition, Glick/Niemeier/Aiello. Hunter Textbooks Inc., 2008.

Course description

Biology is a diverse subject with many sub-disciplines – genetics, ecology, zoology,

population biology, molecular biology, and many, many more. Biology 101, together with
the companion course Biology 102, is designed to provide you with the basic foundations
that all of these sub-disciplines build upon. We’ll explore the fundamental characteristics of
living matter from the molecular level to the ecological community in which organisms like
you, me, and your classmates, live. In short, this course is a college-level introduction to
matter, energy, form, and function in living systems.
Where do we start a class like this? We start at the beginning. What is biology? What
does a biologist actually do? Why should I care? How does one actually answer biological
questions? From here, we’ll progress on to atoms, molecules, the chemistry of life, DNA,
cellular biology, and principles of heredity. All of this, of course, will be couched within the
context of evolution via natural selection, the process by which the extraordinary diversity of
life came to be. Evidence of evolution via natural selection will be provided by your
instructor.

There is no dissection in this course. The focus of the second course (BIO 102) in the
sequence is the plant and animal body, and includes the dissection of a fetal pig in the
laboratory. That dissection is not optional, and the evaluations associated with the
dissection account for a significant percentage of the total BIO 102 lab grade.

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General course purpose

The purpose of this course is to provide students with knowledge of the fundamental
principles and living systems and their applications to everyday life. The course is
designed for both science and non-science majors, and may serve as a prerequisite for
advanced biology courses, a laboratory science graduation requirement, or as transfer
credit for a four-year institution. BIO 101 is a prerequisite for BIO 102.

Entry level skills

The student should be able to read and express him/herself both orally and in writing on a
college freshman level as measured by a college English competency examination. This
will be very important as a large proportion of the exams will require you to think about a
question, formulate an answer, and convey that answer to me on paper. Writing well and
being able to express yourself clearly in writing is a crucial skill to possess. It’s best to learn
how to do it sooner rather than later. If you think you may need help with your writing skills,
I encourage you to visit the writing center, it’s there for you.

URL: http://www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/english/WritingCenter/

Course objectives

By the end of this semester, you should have a working knowledge of the following
points.

A. Describe the fundamental importance of evolution as a unifying concept in biology

B. Describe the major taxonomic groups of living organisms
C. Apply the scientific method to investigate elementary biological problems
D. Diagram and describe the atomic structure of biologically important elements
E. Explain the principles of chemical bonding and apply those principles to the formation
and properties of both inorganic and organic molecules
F. Describe the structure and function of enzymes and their roles in metabolic pathways
G. Diagram a typical plant, animal and prokaryotic cell and label the component parts of
each and explain their function
H. Describe the processes by which materials move across the cell membrane and
within the cell
I. Describe the main events of cell division and relate these to the formation of new cells
J. Apply the basic principles of inheritance and probability to the solution of genetic
problems
K. Describe the molecular aspects of the storage, expression, and transmission of
genetic information
L. Describe the recent developments in genetics and relate these to human welfare
M. State the Hardy-Weinberg Law and discuss its relevance to evolution
N. Describe the main features of the modern theory of evolution

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Attendance Policies

There are no attendance requirements for this class; that is, attendance does not factor
in to your grade. However, I do occasionally take attendance and I STRONGLY
encourage you to attend all lectures as there really is no substitute. Although I do most
of the talking, you will be invited to offer input as well and this is your opportunity to take
part in your learning experience.

Grading and evaluation policies

Grading is straightforward and points are earned based on your mastery of the learning
objectives. Your lecture grade will make up 66.7% of your final average for the course and
the lab will make up the remaining 33.3%. Your lecture grade will be based on exam scores
and the final examination.

1) There are three lecture exams worth a combined total of 50% of your lecture score - the
exam with the lowest score will be dropped, so each exam is worth 25% of your final
lecture score.
2) The Final, to be given at 7:00 PM on May 5th, is worth 35% of your lecture grade. The
final exam MAY NOT be dropped!
3) There will be three homework assignments that will be announced during the semester.
These will each be worth 5% of your lecture grade for a total of 15%.

These will be no alternate or make-up assignments, and exams will not be offered at
alternative times. Any exam that is missed due to illness or another unforeseen event will
count as the exam that is dropped.

Grading for the Lecture Component

A 90% and above

B 80% - 89%
C 70% - 79%
D 60% - 69%
F below 60%

The exams and the final will comprise short answer and essay-type questions. Please come
prepared to take a test of this sort by bringing two #2 pencils and an eraser. These materials
will not be provided for you. Again, there are no make-up tests. I have a strict Zero
Tolerance policy with regards to academic dishonesty. Any demonstration of academic
dishonesty will result in a failing grade; there are no exceptions to this policy.

Please see the information regarding academic dishonesty in the NVCC Student Handbook
(http://www.nvcc.edu/resources/stuhandbook/) under the “Student Conduct, Rights, and
Responsibilities” section. Any demonstration of academic dishonesty will result in a failing
grade for the entire course.
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Withdrawals

Except for documented emergency situations, I will not sign a withdrawal form after the
last day for withdrawals set by the college. The last day to withdraw without grade
penalty or change to audit is March 27th.

Other Miscellaneous Important Information

We have a lot of material to get through, so class will begin promptly and on time.
Entering the classroom late is disruptive, so please be on time. Also, inappropriate or
disruptive behavior may result in academic withdrawal. All cell phones, blackberries,
iPods, and other electronic devices must be turned off during class.

Special Needs and other accommodations

If you have any type of disability or accommodation, please notify the instructor within
the first 2 weeks of classes. I can put you in contact with Counseling Services who will
help arrange special accommodations for you.

Lecture Schedule (Subject to modification as needed - Exam dates WILL NOT

CHANGE)

Date Topic Chapter

01/13/09 Intro to biology - matter, energy, and the scientific method 1, 2
01/20/09 NO CLASS
01/27/09 SNOW DAY
02/03/09 Biochemistry – The four classes of biomolecules 3
02/10/09 Exam 1 / Cell structure and function I, membranes 5
02/17/09 Cell structure and function II 4
02/24/09 Energy and metabolism, photosynthesis 6, 7
03/03/09 Exam 2
03/10/09 SPRING BREAK!!!
03/17/09 Cellular respiration, cell cycle 8, 9
03/24/09 Meiosis and inheritance 10, 11
03/31/09 Chromosomes and more DNA function 12, 13
04/07/09 Genes to proteins 14
04/14/09 Exam 3 / Epigenomics
04/21/09 Population Genetics 18
04/28/09 Finish up leftover material; review for final All
05/05/09 Final Exam