Advanced Biology Syllabus
January 12, 2008
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE NO: BIOS 1010
COURSE TITLE: General Biology (NECC), Advanced Biology (Stanton)
PREREQUISITES:
1. Satisfactory completion of high school biology
2. Rank in the upper half of class academically, and have a cumulative grade point
average of B or its equivalent, or have a composite and/or subscore of 20 or
higher on the ACT, or equivalent scores on other standardized tests such as the
PLAN, ASSET, PSAT, or SAT
3. Be chosen carefully and recommended by the high school academic staff
CO-REQUISITES: Be a high school junior or senior
CREDIT HOURS: 4 Lecture: 45 Lab: 30 Clinical Practicum: 0 Coop: 0
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CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Introduction to the major biological concepts; cell
structure and function, cell division, photosynthesis, metabolism, heredity,
reproduction and development, basic human physiology and diversity of living
organisms.
COURSE STRUCTURE: 4 CREDITS (45/30/0/0)
Date: from August through May of the current school year
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I. GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. meet the general education science/math requirements at Northeast as well
as transfer as a core requirement of most four-year institutions.
2. foster critical thinking skills in examining biology related issues as they
relate to societal and individual problems.
3. relate basic biological concepts to common experiences.
4. illustrate how the process of science can be utilized as part of problem-
solving strategies.
5. introduce students to biological laboratory techniques.
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INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
Title: Biology Concepts and Connections
Edition: 5th Ed.
Author: N. Campbell, J. Reece, M. Taylor, and E. Simon
Publisher: San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings
Year: 2006
Materials: outside readings/researches as assigned, appropriate
computer hardware/software, biology laboratory equipment, three-ring
binder notebook(s) – 1 large or 2 small, highlighter (suggested),
pencils and colored pencils (suggested)
II. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
Students will:
1. demonstrate and explain scientific theories and methodologies.
2. Describe the characteristics common to living things and the differences
among organism groups in a multi-kingdom classification system.
3. demonstrate a working knowledge of plant, animal and prokaryotic cell
structure and function.
4. explain the chemical basis of life, including atomic and molecular structure,
bonding, an overview of metabolic pathways, and the molecular basis of
genetic material.
5. describe the genetic principals of Mendelian inheritance, meiosis, mitosis
and chromosome structure.
6. explain the interactions and adaptations of plants and animals in their
respective ecosystems, and within the biosphere.
7. describe the theories of evolution and the evidence supporting these
theories.
III. SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS:
UNIT I: The Life of the Cell
1. Chapter 4 A Tour of the Cell
2. Lab
3. Notebook
4. Exam, Article Evaluation
5. Chapter 5 The Working Cell
6. Lab
7. Notebook
8. Exam, Article Evaluation
9. Chapter 6 How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy
10. Lab
11. Notebook
12. Exam, Article Evaluation
13. Chapter 7 Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food
14. Lab
15. Notebook
16. Exam, Article Evaluation
UNIT II: Cellular Reproduction and Genetics
17. Chapter 8 The Cellular Basis of Reproduction and Inheritance
18. Lab
19. Notebook
20. Exam, Article Evaluation
21. Chapter 9 Patterns of Inheritance
22. Lab
23. Notebook
24. Exam, Article Evaluation
25. Chapter 10 Molecular Biology of the Gene
26. Lab
27. Notebook
28. Exam, Article Evaluation
UNIT III: Concepts of Evolution
29. Chapter 13 How Populations Evolve
30. Lab
31. Notebook
32. Exam, Article Evaluation
33. 1ST SEMESTER EXAM OR PROJECT
34. Chapters 14, 15 The Origin of Species, Tracing Evolutionary History
35. Lab
36. Notebook
37. Exam, Article Evaluation
UNIT IV: The Evolution of Biological Diversity
38. Chapter 16 The Origin and Evolution of Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and
Protists
39. Lab
40. Notebook
41. Exam, Article Evaluation
42. Chapter 18 The Evolution of Animal Diversity
43. Lab
44. Notebook
45. Exam, Article Evaluation
UNIT V: Animals: Form and Function
46. Chapters 20, 21 Unifying Concepts of Animal Structure and Function,
Nutrition and Digestion
47. Lab
48. Notebook
49. Exam, Article Evaluation
50. Chapters 22, 23 Gas Exchange, Circulation
51. Lab
52. Notebook
53. Exam, Article Evaluation
54. Chapter 24 The Immune System
55. Lab
56. Notebook
57. Exam, Article Evaluation
58. Chapters 25, 26 Control of the Internal Environment, Chemical Regulation
59. Lab
60. Notebook
61. Exam, Article Evaluation
62. Chapter 27 Reproduction and Embryonic Development
63. Lab
64. Notebook
65. Exam, Article Evaluation
UNIT VI: Plants: Form and Function
66. Chapter 31 Plant Structure, Reproduction, and Development*
67. Lab
68. Notebook
69. Exam, Article Evaluation
70. Chapter 32 Plant Nutrition and Transport*
71. Lab
72. Notebook
73. Exam, Article Evaluation
UNIT VII: Ecology
74. Chapter 34 The Biosphere: An Introduction to Earth’s Diverse Environments*
75. Lab
76. Notebook
77. Exam, Article Evaluation
78. Chapter 35 Population Dynamics*
79. Lab
80. Notebook
81. Exam, Article Evaluation
82. 2ND SEMESTER EXAM OR PROJECT
*Some chapters may be eliminated if class time is not available for study.
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS:
Coursework:
In order to satisfactorily complete this course the student will need to do the following:
1. Take and keep notes.
2. Create and maintain chapter notebooks.
3. Promptly complete and bring to class all assigned homework. At the end of
each quarter additional points will be awarded for this effort.
4. Participate in class projects and lab work.
5. Perform satisfactorily on exams, assignments, and the notebooks.
Concerning Class work:
1. A 70% (Stanton) and 60% (NECC) are needed to pass the course. (See part
VI for the grading scales.) Failure in the course will result in no earned high
school or college credit. A student may drop, withdraw, and have a refund
of tuition according to the policies established by Northeast Community
College.
2. Answer all questions on assignments and exams. Completed answers
could improve scores.
3. An exam may be retaken if it is failed. Maximum score earned on the
retake is 70. It is strongly suggested that the retake be done within one
week while the information is still fresh in mind.
4. Completed assignments are due as stated by the instructor. At most, the
student will earn half credit for each late assignment.
5. If the instructor determines that a student has cheated on an assignment or
exam, the student will receive a zero (0) for the work. Denial of college credit
for the course can also result.
6. Chapter outlines are required. Only sentence outlines will be accepted. Each
chapter section will have a minimum of two (2) sentences, each of which will
contain no definitions.
7. No extra credit will be given.
8. An organized notebook is required for each chapter. It will be graded as to
how well organized and complete it is.
9. Excessive mark outs or markings (especially in ink) on written assignments
and exams can result in lower scores.
10. Each student will be required to sign a lab contract.
11. At times, it may become necessary to remove a student from a lab
experience.The student will be required to do a research paper in place of the
lab. Its topic, length, and components will be determined by the instructor.
12. An article evaluation paper will be required for each chapter(s) exam.
Organization For Advanced Biology Chapter Notebooks:
Each chapter notebook will be kept in the following order:
Notes
Vocabulary
Chapter outline
Study guide answers
Lab
Additional work
Classroom Rules:
1. Rules found in the Student Handbook will be followed.
2. Bring all required materials to class.
3. Keep all work in an organized manner. All work must be readable or lower
scores can result.
4. No papers are to be found within the textbook. This is to prevent damage to
the book spine.
5. Textbook is to be covered with a book cover at all times. At the end of the
school year a fine will be assessed for any book damage.
6. No pencil sharpening while classroom discussion is in progress. Sharpen pencils
before class begins.
7. Show respect to others at all times. Do not bother another person's
possessions without permission.
8. Do not touch any lab materials without the instructor's permission. You may
look; just don't touch.
9. Do not leave the classroom without a pass or permission.
10. Cannot leave the classroom to use the water fountain or rest room without a
pass.
11. Students will be fined for missing lab materials or broken, essential lab
equipment due to carelessness. The materials will be replaced at cost plus
shipping. There will be a minimum charge of one dollar per item.
12. No eating candy.
13. No sleeping during class.
V. METHODS OF PRESENTATION/INSTRUCTION/LEARNING
Currently this course is presented at Stanton for one class period during each
school day. It contains both lectures and laboratory experiences as means of
presenting the material. NECC also offers this course during each semester,
including the summer session.
VI. METHODS OF EVALUATION
Assignments, Point Values, and Percentage Values:
assignment point value % value
each exam 100 75%
each chapter notebook 10 7%
each article evaluation 15 11%
each lab report/paper 10 7%
Exams and Projects:
Two semester exams, or two projects, or one exam and one project will be
completed during the school year. A point value of 25 or 100 points will be
assigned to each.
Grading Scales:
NECC
A+: 95 - 100 A: 90 - 94
B+: 85 - 89 B: 80 - 84
C+: 75 - 79 C: 70 - 74
D+: 65 - 69 D: 60 - 64
F: below 60
Stanton
A+: 98 - 100 A: 96 - 97 A-: 94 - 95
B+: 91 - 93 B: 88 - 90 B-: 86 - 87
C+: 83 - 85 C: 80 - 82 C-: 78 - 79
D+: 75 - 77 D: 72 - 74 D-: 70 - 71
F: below 70
VIII. INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Instructor: Teresa A. Paxton
Room: High School 216
School Phone: 402-439-2250, ext. 217
Additional help: Available before school, after school, during homeroom
