Valencia College
BSC-1010C
General Biology I
4 credit hours
Fall 2016 Course Syllabus
PROFESSOR: Tom Ravenscroft
CONTACT: [email protected] or through Atlas “My Courses”. Professor is available for
academic assistance after class. Students with any course related issues or problems are encouraged to
speak to me before or after class. If necessary, please contact me in Atlas under blackboard “messages”.
Response will be within 24 hours.
ATLAS “MY COURSES”: Announcements, syllabus, schedule, weekly grades, cumulative semester grade,
labs, power points and reviews for each chapter are available for you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week
in blackboard.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduction to fundamental biological principles emphasizing common
attributes of all living organisms. Unifying concepts include chemical structure of living matter, structure
and function of the cell, specialized cells, major metabolic functions, control systems, reproduction,
genetics, evolution and ecology, sustainability and ethical responsibility. Prerequisite for advanced
biology courses. Students should be prepared to complete college level reading, writing and
mathematics assignments as part of this course. Note: Please check with your academic advisor prior to
taking this course. *Drop/Refund deadline (September 6, 2016 @ 11:59 p.m.), the student withdrawal
deadline (November 11, 2016 @ 11:59 p.m.). Students on any form of financial aid are required to
contact the student financial aid office and their academic advisor. Please review Valencia College
policy 4-07 for information concerning (academic progress, course attendance, grades, refunds and
withdrawal). A student that withdraws from class prior to the withdrawal deadline will receive a
grade of “W” for the class. CHECK WITH THE REGISTRARS OFFICE TO CONFIRM SPECIFIC DATES FOR
REFUNDS AND WITHDRAWAL.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is a stringent biology course that focuses on the molecular and cellular
portions of biology. The course emphasizes the basic principles and unifying concepts of modern
biology. This course and accompanying laboratory, provides a foundation for future advanced biology
courses. The course includes the concepts of sustainability and ethical responsibility.
MAJOR LEARNING OUTCOMES: Demonstrate competency in the application of critical thinking and
scientific reasoning. Evaluate data and draw conclusions in a laboratory setting. Compare and contrast
biological processes and principles. Describe how living organisms differ from non-living entities.
Describe the hierarchy of biological organization from the cell to the biosphere and be able to relate
structure and function throughout the levels. Describe the fundamental evolutionary hierarchy of
biological organization and associated taxonomy. Describe some fundamental ecological concepts and
relevance to biological organization. Describe and relate the fundamentals of Darwinian evolution.
Describe the various levels of organization of matter on earth such as atoms, elements and molecules.
Model and describe how and why elements combine to form molecules to include valence variation and
ionization. Model and relate molecular ionization related to acids, bases and pH. Describe molecular
polarity and ionization as an influence on molecular interactions and fundamental organization in
solutions and cells. Describe, model or draw the structure and functions of the major cell features of
prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Describe relevant differences among eukaryotic cell types and prokaryotes.
Describe fundamentals of Endosymbiotic Theory as it relates to eukaryotic cell evolution. Describe or
model the endomembrane system and the cell membrane with respect to secretory and absorptive
processes. Describe osmoregulatory processes at the cellular level. Describe cellular level gas exchange
by diffusion as supporting organism function. Describe or model some details of the basis of tissue level
structure and function. Describe or map the eukaryotic cycle and the fundamentals of its normal and
abnormal regulation. Describe and relate the role of enzymes and cofactors to metabolism. Describe
both molecular and energetic input and output for cellular respiration and photosynthesis. Model or
map the cellular organization of metabolic processes. Describe the ecological relationship between
autotrophs and heterotrophs. Map or model the consequences of aerobic and anaerobic conditions to
cellular respiration. Describe fundamentals of Endosymbiotic Theory as it relates to eukaryotic
metabolism. Describe or model the cellular processes of plants and animals. Describe eukaryotic nuclear
division by mitosis and meiosis and contrast it with prokaryotic binary fission. Describe or map the roles
of mitosis and meiosis to the life-cycles of plants and animals. Describe and relate the relevance of
sexual reproduction with recombination and clonal asexual reproduction in the context of evolution.
Relate meiotic non-disjunction to genetic karyotypic variation. Describe or model the fundamentals of
genes and alleles. Describe inheritance using proper genetics terminology pertaining to organization and
transmission. Predict the process of inheritance from numerical and/or pedigree data. Produce
numerical predictions and/or pedigree patterns for the processes of inheritance. Describe and relate the
contribution of environmental variation to phenotypic variation. Describe or model the structure of DNA
and DNA synthesis (replication) in eukaryotes. Describe or model the transcription process contributing
to gene expression in eukaryotes. Describe or model the translation process contributing to gene
expression in eukaryotes. Describe, model or map DNA mutation and its consequences on gene
expression in eukaryotes.
VALENCIA COLLEGE STUDENT CORE COMPETENCIES:
Think: Think clearly, critically and creatively; analyze, synthesize, integrate and evaluate
Value: Make reasoned value judgments and responsible commitments
Communicate: Communicate with different audiences using varied means
Act: Act purposefully, reflectively and responsibly
TEXT: 1. Campbell’s Biology, Custom Edition for Valencia College, 3rd Edition, Volume 1 with
MasteringBiology. 2. BSC1010C General Biology 1 Laboratory Manual, 2nd addition (2016) Lindbeck and
Matthews.
LAB WEBSITE: The labs for this course are available through Atlas “My Courses” under the lab portion
of the course site. THE FOLLOWING ARE REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND THE LAB PORTION OF CLASS.
MANDATORY REQUIREMENT TO WEAR A LAB COAT AND CLOSED TOED SHOES OR BOOTS, NO
SANDALS OR FLIP FLOPS, DURING ALL LABS. MANDATORY FOR STUDENTS TO FULLY READ AND
UNDERSTAND VALENCIA COLLEGE LABORATORY RULES. ALL STUDENTS MUST SIGN A STATEMENT
CONFIRMING THE READING AND UNDERSTANDING OF ALL LABORATORY RULES PRIOR TO
PARTICIPATING IN ANY CLASS LABS. IF STUDENT IS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 A PARENT OR LEGAL
GUARDIAN MUST SIGN FOR THE STUDENT. LABORATORY RULES ARE POSTED IN BLACKBOARD. A
SIGNED COPY OF THE LAB RULES MUST BE TURNED IN TO THE PROFESSOR PRIOR TO YOUR FIRST LAB.
ONLINE RESOURCES: Online resources are available on Atlas “MY COURSES”. Online resources include
detailed chapter outlines with power points for each chapter, summaries, resource videos of biological
processes and online course materials.
ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance, punctuality and class participation are significant factors, which
promote success in college. Students are expected to attend all classes in which they are enrolled (Policy
6Hx28:10-22. Students who do not maintain regular attendance and who fall behind in their work will be
withdrawn from class. Students that miss three (3) classes will be withdrawn from class. CELL PHONES
ARE TO BE TURNED OFF IN CLASS AND MUST NOT BE VISIBLE AT ANY TIME.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT OF INSTRUCTION (S.A.I.): Students are encouraged to participate in
the Student Feedback on Instruction to obtain the best possible learning
experience.
QUIZZES, EXAMS AND LABS:
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EXAMS: All Exams will be based on both the lecture materials and assigned reading. There will
be five, approximately 50 question, multiple choice lecture exams. There will be a
comprehensive approximately 100 question multiple choice final exam. Approximately 10
weekly chapter quizzes worth approximately 10 points each to assess the progress in the
required learning outcomes for the class.
LABS: The labs are an integral part of the course and you are required to attend all laboratory
sessions. There will be a pre-lab and post lab quiz of 10-15 questions given in the first 10
minutes of each lab class. The pre-lab portion will be from the lab session for that day and the
post lab will be from the prior lab session. There will be a lab practical at mid-term and a lab
practical at the end of the semester worth approximately 50 points each.
MAKE-UP POLICY FOR EXAMINATIONS AND ALL OTHER ASSIGNMENTS: If you miss an exam,
quiz or lab practical, you must contact the instructor, by email or in person, within 24 hours of
the missed exam, quiz or lab practical. If the instructor is not notified during the specified time
period the student will receive a grade of zero. The instructor must receive an excuse from an
appropriate authority (doctor, police, judge, etc.) upon your return to class. All makeup exams
or quizzes must be scheduled with the professor in person and confirmed by email and will be
administered at the professors convenience, through the Testing Center on West Campus.
ONLY ONE MAKE-UP CHAPTER EXAM ALLOWED PER SEMESTER IF STUDENT MEETS AND
FOLLOWS PROCEDURES OUTLINED ABOVE. THERE IS NO MAKE-UP FOR A LAB QUIZ. A
STUDENTS LOWEST PRE-LAB AND POST LAB QUIZ GRADE FOR THE SEMESTER WILL BE
DROPPED. MISSING THE FINAL EXAM WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF “F” FOR THE CLASS.
No make-up quiz or exams the last two weeks of the semester.
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GRADES:
The final grade you earn for the semester is the overall average of all chapter quizzes, pre-lab, post lab
quizzes and lab mid-term and final quizzes converted to a percentage. All points earned for the semester
are divided by the points possible for the semester in deriving the percentage for your final grade.
Throughout the semester your overall class semester average and individual grades for each quiz are
available on Blackboard under “grades.” Extra credit is earned for completing the “student assessment
of instruction” S.F.I. in blackboard, and the biology assessment in blackboard. Two extra credit points
can be earned for each of the projects completed.
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = Below 60%
POSTING OF GRADES: ALL GRADES ARE PRIVATE INFORMATION AND ONLY AVAILABLE TO THE
INDIVIDUAL STUDENT OR SOMEONE THE STUDENT GIVES ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION. EVERY EFFORT
IS MADE TO POST GRADES FOR EVERY EXAM AND QUIZ ONLINE IN BLACKBOARD WITHIN ONE (1) HOUR
OF THE END OF CLASS.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: ANY WORK OBTAINED/PRODUCED BY DISHONEST MEANS (INCLUDING COPIED
LAB REPORTS) WILL RECEIVE A FAILING GRADE.
EXPECTED STUDENT CONDUCT: Valencia College is dedicated not only to the advancement of
knowledge and learning, but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social
conduct. By enrolling at Valencia College, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar
with and abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary responsibility for managing the classroom
environment rests with the faculty. Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result
in disruption of a class will be directed by the professor to immediately leave the classroom. Violation of
any classroom or Valencia’s rules will lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from
Valencia. Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation,
suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate authorized action. You will find a student code of conduct in
the current Valencia Student Handbook.
COMPUTER/EQUIPMENT USE POLICY:
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Use of computers in the Business, IT, and public services classrooms at Valencia College is
restricted to those activities designated by the instructor to enhance the class materials. Any
other use is strictly forbidden. Inappropriate use includes but is not limited to:
o Sending emails or access to Internet sites not specifically assigned in class
o Use for job internships, homework, or other activities not assigned in class
o Modifying any hardware or software system configuration or setting
o Activities not in accordance with the Valencia Student Code of Conduct
o Use of computers in the Business Students open lab (Bldg. 2, Room 304) is limited to
those activities involved with preparing homework or coursework in the IT or Business
departments and is subject to the same restrictions listed above
o Computer use is remotely monitored; any student using computers inappropriately may
be subject to dismissal from class or banishment from the lab. Subsequent offense may
be sent to the campus administration for further disciplinary action
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations
must provide a notification from the office for students with disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs
with the instructor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The office for the students with
disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities.
SECURITY STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF OF SECURITY: WE WANT TO REASSURE YOU THAT OUR
SECURITY OFFICERS ARE HERE AROUND THE CLOCK TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE
CAMPUS COMMUNITY. It’s important to remain alert and aware of your surroundings, especially during
the early morning or evening hours. Remember you can always call security for an escort if you feel
uncomfortable walking alone on campus. White security phones can also be found in many of our
buildings; simply pick up the phone and security will answer.
Finally report any suspicious persons to west campus security at 407 582-1000 or after hours 407 5821030 or by using the yellow emergency call boxes located on light poles in the parking lots and along
walkways.
BAYCARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH’S STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Valencia is committed to making
sure all our students have a rewarding and successful college experience. To that purpose, Valencia
students can get immediate help that may assist them with psychological issues dealing with stress,
anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, substance abuse, time management as well as relationship
problems dealing with school, home or work. Students have 24 hour unlimited access to the Baycare
Behavioral Health’s confidential student assistance program phone counseling services by calling (800)
878-5470. Three free confidential face to face counseling sessions are also available to students.
Disclaimer: Changes in the syllabus and/or class schedule may be made at any time during the term at
the discretion of the professor and/or college. Students will be notified of any changes. Students are
responsible to check frequently online for any changes to the class, class requirements or schedule.