COLLIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
LECTURE SECTION SYLLABUS
Online
COURSE NUMBER: BIOL 1408
COURSE TITLE: Introduction to Biology I
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
For non-science majors. Survey of biology including molecular and cellular biology, genetics, DNA,
microbiology, evolution, and ecology. Emphasis upon current topics in biology. Lab required. 4
credit hours.
CREDIT HOURS: 4
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 3
ASSESSMENT: None
PRE-REQUISITE: None
CO-REQUISITE: BIOL 1408 Laboratory
COLLEGE REPEAT POLICY:
A student may repeat this course only once after receiving a grade, including “W”.
COURSE DELIVERY METHOD: Blended course
Access Blackboard through your CougarWeb account. Follow login
instructions. You will be able to access the site on the first day of class. If you
do not have your personal CougarWeb login information, you can contact
student technical support by email, [email protected] or by phone at
972-377-1777. If you do not know how to access the Blackboard course, click
on this link for a tutorial: Blackboard Learn 9 Courses.
If this is your first online course, it is to your advantage to participate in an orientation provided by
the Online Student Support Center (OSSC). You can attend a face-to-face, live interactive session
(via wimba), or an online (immediate access) orientation by registering at
http://online.collin.edu/Orientations.html during the first week of the semester.
INSTRUCTOR'S INFORMATION
NAME: Diana Gomez
OFFICE NUMBER: K-245 Spring Creek Campus, appointment only.
OFFICE HOURS: Posted on the Calendar in Blackboard
CONTACT INFORMATION : phone: 972-881-5759/972-881-5880, email: [email protected]
COMMUNICATION WITH THE INSTRUCTOR:
Before the semester begins, students should contact the instructor using
[email protected] address. Once the course initiates, students should
communicate with the instructor using email in the Blackboard system. Email
inquiries are generally answered within 24 hours Monday through Friday. Plan
ahead concerning inquiries to allow for reasonable response time from the
instructor.
CAMPUS SECURITY
In case of emergency, contact Campus Police at 972.578.5555.
CLASS INFORMATION Blended course
All lecture work is completed on-line. Work will have an assigned due date and
must be completed and turned in by that date. This is not a self-paced course.
No late work will be accepted. If an emergency arises and an assignment or
assessment is missed, contact your instructor immediately and provide
documentation. Keep a copy of all course work until the final grade has been
posted. If technology issues arise with personal computers, students are
expected to use Collin College computers for submitting work according to
schedule. This course includes components that may contain links to web
sites operated and maintained by other public or private entities. The College
assumes no responsibility for the privacy practices or the content of such web
sites that may be visited.
TEXTBOOK: Biology: Concepts & Connections, 8th., Campbell et. al.
Two options for purchasing your textbook. If you are taking only one semester, BIOL 1408, then
you need the split version. If you are planning to take two semesters, BIOLOGY 1408 and 1409,
then you should purchase the complete textbook. Choose the one that is more appropriate for
your needs



Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections, 8th., Reece, Taylor, Simon,
Dickey. Split version text for 1408 only (chapters 1-16).
ISBN 10: 1-269-92721-3
ISBN: 13: 978-1-269-92721

Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections, 8th., Reece, Taylor, Simon,
Dickey. Complete text for 1408 and 1409 (chapters 1-38). ISBN 10:0-321885517-1; ISBN 13:978-0-321-88571-5 (International)
REQUIRED OR RECOMMENDED READINGS: Journal articles
SUPPLIES:
USB flash drive – for your use to store your work.
Internet-ready computer.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Describe the metabolic processes that occur within the cells.
2. Compare eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure.
3. Describe the process of cell replication.
4. Explain how diversity is genetically based.
5. Discuss natural selection.
6. Demonstrate the collection, analysis, and reporting of data using the scientific method.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
The laboratory grade will be integrated with the lecture grade to produce the overall course
grade at the end of the semester.
Lecture grade distribution: 5 tests (85%), 8 homework assignments (15%)
METHOD OF EVALUATION:
Overall course grade: Lecture 70%, lab 30%
Grading Scale: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = below 60
Students have up to seven days, after a grade is posted, to ask any questions
concerning the test/assignment. After this time period there will be no
discussion.
Description of Tests
The 5 tests are scheduled and can be accessed using the
Assessments tool through Blackboard. Students will have up
to 45 minutes to complete each test. You should *not* use
resources of any kind or help from anyone on tests. If you go
over the time limit, your score will be recorded as a zero. The
tests are automatically graded as soon as they are submitted.
Students will have a specified period in which to take each
test. Each test must be taken by its due date on the course
calendar in Blackboard. No late tests will be accepted.
Description of Assignments
The 6-8 assignments are submitted through the Assignments
tool in Blackboard. Assignments will be graded one week
after their due date. No late assignments will be accepted.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance online is mandatory. Individual conflicts with this policy are to be discussed with the
instructor. Students who do not officially withdraw from the course will be assigned a grade of "F".
Religious Holy Days: please refer to the current Collin Student Handbook. The last day to
withdraw is posted on the college's website.
AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT:
It is the policy of Collin County Community College to provide reasonable accommodations for
qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. This College will adhere to all applicable
federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable
accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's
responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-G200 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) in
a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin Student
Handbook for additional information..
ACADEMIC ETHICS:
Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of
academic integrity. Collin College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused
of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or
omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission of
one's own work material that is not one's own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve, but is not limited
to, one or more of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts or
teacher's editions, use of information about exams posted on the Internet or electronic medium,
and/or falsifying academic records. While specific examples are listed below, this is not an
exhaustive list and scholastic dishonesty may encompass other conduct, including any conduct
through electronic or computerized means:
Plagiarism is the use of an author's words or ideas as if they were one's own without giving credit
to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an
examination; collaborating with another student during an examination without authority; using,
buying, selling, soliciting, stealing, or otherwise obtaining course assignments and/or examination
questions in advance, copying computer or Internet files, using someone else's work for
assignments as if it were one's own; or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the
requirements of a course.
Collusion is intentionally or unintentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of
scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, failing to secure academic work; providing a
paper or project to another student; providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating
answers to a classmate about an examination or any other course assignment; removing tests or
answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.
In cases where an incident report has been filed for alleged violation of scholastic dishonesty,
faculty are requested to delay posting a grade, for the academic work in question, until the Dean of
Student's Office renders an administrative decision of the case. Students found responsible for
scholastic dishonesty offenses will receive an authorized disciplinary penalty from the Dean of
Students Office. The student may also receive an academic penalty in the course where the
scholastic dishonesty took place. The professor will determine the appropriate academic penalty
which will include but not limited to receiving a zero for that work.
See the current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.
STUDENT CONDUCT:
The college expects students to conduct themselves in such a way as to not interfere with or
disrupt the educational process. Students are to communicate and act in a respectful manner
toward their fellow students and the professor. Those who participate in inappropriate behavior will
be permanently removed.
LATERAL TRANSFER POLICY:
Lateral transfers will not be granted after the 4th week of class or after the first lecture exam, which
ever comes first. Exceptions to this are for documented changes in work schedule or family
emergencies. If a student does transfer to another section, all previous grades will accompany the
student. However, the new instructor can require the student to retake any exam or quiz. For
questions concerning this policy, contact the Biology Department Chair.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY - Course Drop Limit Provisions
Students who enroll as an entering freshman or a first-time college student in undergraduate
courses at any Texas public community college, technical institute, health sciences institution, or
any public university offering undergraduate courses must comply with the legislation of
TEC51.907. TEC51.907 states that students who enroll for the first time during the fall 2007
semester or any subsequent semester are subject to the course drop limit of six course drops. This
includes any course a transfer student has dropped at another institution. Collin College will not
begin to count dropped courses until the fall 2008 semester. NOTE: You will not be allowed to
withdraw from classes at Collin if your official transcripts (required for admission) are not on
file. See the current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.
IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTIES:
First contact your instructor. If you are unable to resolve the problem, contact the divisional
secretary at your campus.
TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR:
The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus if needed.

WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Fall and Spring Tentative Schedule - see course Calendar in Blackboard for details.
TOPICS
Intro. to Biology
Chemical Basis of Life
Molecules of Cells
Test 1
A Tour of the Cell
The Working Cell
Test 2
How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy
Photosynthesis
Test 3
Cellular Basis of Reproduction and Inheritance
Patterns of Inheritance
Test 4
Molecular Biology of the Gene
How Genes are Controlled
CHAPTER
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
15
16

DNA Technology and Genomics
Test 5
Summer I and Summer II Tentative Schedule - see course Calendar in Blackboard for
details.
WEEK
1
CHAPTER
1
2
3
3
TOPICS
Intro. to Biology
Chemical Basis of Life
Molecules of Cells
Test 1
A Tour of the Cell
The Working Cell
How Genes are Controlled
Test 2
How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy
7
4
Photosynthesis
Test 3
Cellular Basis of Reproduction and Inheritance
Patterns of Inheritance
Test 4
Molecular Biology of the Gene
DNA Technology and Genomics
Test 5
9
2
5

12
4
5
11
6
8
10
12
Summer III Tentative Schedule - see course Calendar in Blackboard for details.
WEEK
1
TOPICS
Intro. to Biology
CHAPTER
1
Chemical Basis of Life
2
3
2
3
Molecules of Cells
Test 1
A Tour of the Cell
5
4
The Working Cell
Test 2
4
5
How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy
6
Photosynthesis
7
11
6
7
How Genes are Controlled
Test 3
Cellular Basis of Reproduction and Inheritance
9
8
9
Patterns of Inheritance
Test 4
Molecular Biology of the Gene
10
DNA Technology and Genomics
Test 5
8
10
12