El Camino College Biology 10 : Fundamentals of Biology

Professor Information Lecture Instructor: J.A. Padilla, M.A. email address: jpadilla@elcamino.edu

SPRING 2014

Lab Instructor: Ms. K. Villatoro, M.A. email address: biologyatelcamino@gmail.com

Voice Mail: (310) 660- 3593 ext.3359 Office Location: NATS 108 Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 7:30 8:00 am in LS 113 Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 8:00 am & 12:05- 12:35pm in NATS 123 or NATS108

Or by appointment

Course Information: Section 1118 Lecture: CHEM 101 M/W 1:00-2:25 by J. Padilla Lab: NATS 127 Tu 2:00-5:10pm by K. Villatoro Course Description Biology 10 is a lower division, 3unit, non-majors course designed to meet part of the general education science requirements. It is transferrable to Cal State, UC, and private colleges. The class meets three days of the week; twice for lecture and once for lab. This course is designed to introduce you to a survey of topics that relate the living world around you and the ways in which you interact with it. It aims to instill in you a greater understanding and appreciation for our natural world so that you become a more well rounded and knowledgeable citizen. The lecture topics are further developed with lab activities that include hands-on assignments and websites. Course Objectives 1. Describe the characteristics of life. 2. Define basic chemical terms and describe the molecules that make up living things. 3. Describe the anatomy of cells, and relate cellular structures with their functions. 4. Describe the processes, chemical reactions, & end products of photosynthesis & cellular respiration. 5. Identify and describe the phases of mitosis and meiosis. 6. Demonstrate competence in working genetic problems, such as monohybrid and di-hybrid crosses, multiple alleles, sex-linked inheritance, and blending. 7. Explain the structure of DNA, and how it is used in protein synthesis. 8. Identify and describe genetic disorders caused by mutation and non-disjunction. 9. Apply the principles of natural selection to predict outcomes of real or hypothetical examples. 10. Describe speciation, and the evidences for common ancestry of life. 11. Define basic ecological terms and describe the relationships between populations and the environment, as well as mans impact on the environment. 12. Explain the Linnaean system of classification, the major taxa, and binomial nomenclature. 13. Recognize the structural, functional, and ecological features that characterize the major groups of the prokaryotic, Protista, and Fungi kingdoms. 14. Describe the major cells, tissues, and organs in higher plants, and how they integrate structure and function. 15. Describe angiosperm reproduction: alternation of generations life cycle, and the structure of flowers, fruits, and seeds. 16. Recognize the major phyla of the Animal Kingdom, and describe the structural features, which make each phylum unique. 17. Describe the organs and functions of vertebrate organ systems, with special emphasis on the human 18. Engage in and understand the characteristics of Scientific Inquiry to formulate explanations based on reproducible evidence.

Student Learning Outcomes 1. Students will understand and apply principles of the Scientific Method, recognizing an idea based on reproducible evidence. 2. Students will be able to use important tools of Biology, the compound and dissecting scopes, to observe cells and microorganisms. 3. Students will be able to explain the processes of each stage of Mitosis as an important process for the continuity of life. _____________________________________________________________________________ Course Requirements Textbook: A. Singh-Cundy and M. Cain, Discover Biology 5th Ed.; w.w. Norton 2012 with access code. The access code may be purchased directly from publisher website if not bundled with book. Lab Manual: H Freeman, Nancy & ECC Dept. of Biology Faculty, Biology 10 Laboratory Manual, 3rd ed. 2011 Scantrons: 3- 100 answers and short essay # 882-E (Lecture Tests) 1-200 answers. # 884E (Lecture Final Exam) Other Supplies: #2 pencils (for scantron exams) White-out pens (for corrections on scantrons) Color pencils (for lecture and lab notes) 1-2 Binders (for hand-outs & loose-leaf books) One light-weight 3-prong folder for turning in- group work & web clips work

Internet Access:

It is imperative that you have access to the internet so that you can complete various types of required web based assignments. The internet will be used to assess free lessons and the publishers web course (requires a purchased access code). The information from specific websites used in this course is important for completion of in-class assignments, required homework, and lab assignments. Grading for Lecture: Your overall grade in this course will be calculated as a combination of points earned in lab and lecture. Lab weighs 40% of your grade and Lecture weighs 60% of your grade. Below are the points that apply to only the lecture portion of this course. 3 Lecture exams (100 pts each) = 300 points 4 Group Work Session ( 10 pts each) = 40 points 8 Web Clips Work ( 8 pts each) = 64 points 4 Publisher Web Exercises ( 15 pts each) = 60 points 1 Presentation (100 pts each) = 100 points Final Exam (120 points) = 120 points _________________________________ Total Lecture Points = 684 Points Lecture Grade scales is as follows: 100% - 90% = A 89% - 80% = B 79% - 70% = C 69% - 60% = D 59% and below is an F

Although I follow this scale strictly, I may adjust the scale for some total exam scores when I feel it is appropriate based on class performance.

Internet Assignments 1-Publisher Website: smarwork.wwnorton.com will provide learning activities that will be assigned and available for completion during a specific period of time. Work may be completed after the due date but will be deducted points for late completion. Access the your smartwork account to see due dates on assigned work. 2- Education portal- video clips from this site will be assigned for viewing prior to the class meeting in which in-class assignments will be completed based on the assigned videos. Reference the lecture exam study sheet for a list of assigned videos and due dates. 3- Lab Assignments- Professor Villatoros website will link you to the laboratory assignments and related weblinks. Visit her website at http://www.elcamino.edu/faculty/kvillatoro/bio10lab.html and click on the link for the appropriate lab date. All lecture materials, including lectures, study sheets, and handouts will be e-mailed to the class via ecc email.

Exams, Assignment, & Class Policy 1. There will be 3 lecture exams. If you miss an exam it is YOUR responsibility to contact the instructor and schedule a make-up exam. A missed exam cannot be made-up after the class had received their graded exams. 2. If you know in advance that you will miss a lecture test you may arrange to take the exam early. 3. Be on time on test days and complete tests within assigned time. 4. You will earn points for your active participation during group work and web clip work. 5. Late assignments/projects will be deducted 10% per school day. 6. Complete the assigned reading before it is covered in lecture 7. Turn cell phones and pagers on vibrate or off during class time. DO NOT answer your phone in class- step outside to converse. No texting during lecture. Attendance Policy: I will check attendance daily. A maximum of 4 absences are allowed for this course. All students are expected to be on time for each class session and stay until the end of class to meet the attendance requirement. Students are required to have at least one work partner who can be contacted between class meetings who can help answer questions, offer feedback on assignments, and provide missed information.. According to the college catalogue, it is the responsibility of the student to file official withdrawals through the Admissions Office by designated deadlines to avoid being assigned a letter grade of A through F. It is possible that an instructor may have initiated the drop, but as a precaution, students should file their own paperwork. If you stop attending class and do not drop and your name appears on the grade sheet at the end of the semester, you will earn an F in the class. Friends, relatives, children, or other acquaintances may not attend class. ________________________________________________________________________________ Standard of Conduct: Cheating Students are expected to conduct themselves with honesty when completing assignments and exams. Dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism (copying), and providing answers or false information. Examples of cheating or plagiarism are: copying work or allowing someone to copy from you, allowing someone to assume someone elses identity, inventing data, giving or taking information during an exam, removing tests or copying test questions to provide to someone else, and using study aids during exams that have been prohibited. Consequences for cheating include receiving an F on the work and a dishonesty report must be submitted to the division office. The F will be given to both the person from whom answers were obtained and for the person who dishonestly took the answers. There is a possibility of being dismissed from class and or suspension or expulsion based on number of offenses.

Students with Disabilities, including Learning Disabilities Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Special Resource Center on campus as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. If you suspect, or are unsure if, you have a learning disability you are strongly encouraged to contact the Special Resource Center on campus as soon as possible for testing, to better ensure any needed accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. If you have a documented or suspected disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. Proper documentation is needed to receive appropriate accommodations. ________________________________________________________________________ Recommendation for performing well in class and effective learning Success in this course depends mostly on having enough time available to study, being proactive about obtaining understanding of the subject matter, and having an interest in learning the subject. Although this course may not be related to your major, the subject is very complex and learning about it and retaining the information takes time and dedication. Preparing before class and working to reorganize the information will assist with retention of information and performance on exams. Cramming and not sleeping will not help!!! Efficient and effective studying is necessary to succeed in this class. The lecture notes and labs will provide you with key concepts and terms, but you will need to spend time learning outside the classroom. Here are some guidelines to follow: Before class Schedule study days and times to follow for the week and stick to it the entire semester! Access lecture notes from ecc email and look over them before they are covered in class. Read the chapter before attending lecture. Create reading notes or flash cards as you read the chapter so you can use them for review when preparing for the exam. Jot down questions that you can ask during lecture to help you understand the material better. Take notes when viewing the education-portal videos so you have the information needed to answer questions. During class Be an active listener during lecture: Write notes on lecture hand-outs and book figures Highlight important information in note hand-outs Ask questions during lecture when you dont fully understand a concept Find classmates that are focused on learning and form study groups Do not sit next to people who will distract you during lecture time (assigned seating can be changed if this situation occurs). Turn off cell phone so you are not distracted by outside sources Bring your textbook and notes to class everyday. During lab time be thorough about studying the lab list, ask lab partners to quiz you, dont leave early After class Review the lecture notes. Re-organize information in a way that works best for you to recall it. Always ask yourself if you understand what you are studying. If you dont, find a way to understand it; see the professor during office hours, ask your study partners to explain it to you, try other learning tools like the website or learning exercises Be thorough with your studying- make sure to study all the material covered. Chapters are divided into sections, master one section at a time to keep from getting too over whelmed. It is best you begin preparing for the test a week before the exam or as many days in advance.