Introductory Biology: Unity of Life Syllabus

Fall 2004

Course # BIOL 1408 (formerly BIO 1684)

Synonym 16463 Section # 001

Lecture TTH 7:45am-9:00am Rio Grande Campus Room # 334

Lab T 9:10-11:50 am Rio Grande Campus Room # 308

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Elizabeth A. Ramirez Garza, B.S., M.S.

Voice Mail: 223-1795 Box 23714

Office Hours: Wednesdays 9:00am-12:00 pm. Rm. 302 RGC

Thursdays 4:10pm-5:10pm Portable Building #4 NRG

And if necessary by appointment via voice mail or e-mail

Email: lramirez@austincc.edu

I only open mail from addresses that I recognize. In the subject be sure to

put BIOL 1408 and your name so that I will open up you e-mail.
Web site: http://www2.austincc.edu/eramirez

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introductory Biology: Unity of Life is designed for non-science majors who desire a more conceptual approach to biological topics. An introduction to the nature of science, the characteristics of life, the molecular and cellular basis of life, genetics, reproduction, and development. An emphasis will be placed on how these topics are related to current issues and problems facing modern society.

Students are responsible for all information presented in class and found in the book.

To successfully complete this course regular class attendance, a minimum of 12 hours per week of study time outside of class, and a strong commitment to succeed is required. There is a mandatory Biology Lab Safety Rules and Information Training at the second lab meeting. To attend and complete this course you will have to attend this meeting and sign the ACC Biology Department Safety Contract or you will be dropped from this class.

BIOL 1406 and 1408 may not both be counted toward graduation.

PREREQUISITES

Students must prove proficiency in the required skills with 1) a passing score on

ACC’s assessment test or 2) a passing score on a state-approved assessment test

or 3) completion of required developmental education for that area or 4)

exemption from assessment or TSI. Students must have the prerequisites E-

reading and writing for the course or I must drop them. Students are responsible

for providing proof that they have the prerequisites. Copies of grade reports or

transcripts are adequate proof of course prerequisites such as college-level

English Composition I. If I later find out the student lacks the prerequisites I will

withdraw the student from the course at that time, no matter when in the semester

I discover the problem. If a student is missing the prerequisites students should

withdraw from the course within the add-drop period if possible.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS and SUPPLIES

Basic Concepts in Biology by Starr 5^th ed.

Lab Manual: Lab Manual For Introductory Biology: Unity of Life by Jacquelyn

Jarzem, Ph. D., and Steve Muzos, PhD., 5th edition BIOL 1408 L5

Safety goggles (it can be purchased in bookstores and has to have Z87.1 written

on them).

Closed toed shoes for lab (not cloth or woven material)

REQUIRED TESTS

Tentative Exam Schedule

1^st Exam- September 16, 2004

2^nd Exam- October 7, 2004

3rd Exam-November 9, 2004

4^th/Final Comprehensive Exam- December 9, 2004

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

This course is taught in the classroom as a lecture/lab combination.

The lecture meets twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and the lab follows the Tuesday’s lecture period. The course objectives will be emphasized. Visual Aids such as CD ROM animations from Star and S. Tavormina, power point, overhead transparencies, videos, and the chalk board will be utilized to help visual learners learn the material. To help the auditory learners the visuals will be explained and a guest lecturer will inform them on practical employment utilization of topics discussed in class. The biology lab help the kinesthetic learners assimilate the objectives better. Students will be given opportunities to participate in active learning class discussions, group work, do an Internet project, and present their critical readings to enrich the class to collaboratively learn the course objectives. Exams (multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank, short answer and Essay), internet assignment, critical reading, lab exams and lab exams will be used to asses the students comprehension of the course objectives.

COURSE RATIONALE

This class will give my students the ability to make educated decisions about their health (diet, nutrition, cancer, AIDS, etc) and jobs (engineers, graphic designers, CPA’s). Specific skills and competencies are expected of students, who successfully complete this course, including:

1 ability to observe phenomena and to record and analyze data

2 ability to infer from data

3 ability to demonstrate higher level thinking skills

4 ability to solve problems

5 ability to construct graphs from data

6 ability to obtain information from graphs

7 ability to manipulate equipment

8 ability to work effectively in a group

9 ability to work safely in a lab setting

10 ability to follow directions

11 computer literacy

Students can apply the course to their everyday life and potentially to a future career. After this course students may want to enroll in BIOL 1409 Introductory Biology: Diversity of Life or BIOL 1323 Human Nutrition, etc.

COMMON COURSE OBJECTIVES

Common course objectives are attached. They can also be found at:

http://www2.austincc.edu/biology/ccobjectives

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

“Please note: schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class.”

Lecture Topics Lab Topics

August 24	Introduction	Lab 1 Intro to Science & Lab 5 Microscopes
August 26	Ch. 1 Characteristics of Life
August 31	Ch. 2 Chemical Foundations for Cells	Lab Safety Training & Lab 1 Developing a Hypothesis
September 2	Ch. 3 Carbon Compounds in Cells
September 7	Ch. 4 Cell Structure	Lab3: Carbohydrates
September 9	Ch. 4 Cell Function
September 14	Review Ch. 1-4	Lab 4 Parts 1,3,5 Lipids and pH
September 16	Exam #1 on Ch.1-4
September 21	Ch.5 Metabolism	Lab 6 Molecules move!
September 23	Ch.6 How Cells Acquire Energy
September 28	Ch.7 Glycolysis, Kreb Cycle	Lab 7 Chemical Reactions & Enzymes
September 30	Ch.7 Electron Transport Phos.
October 5	Review Chapters 5-7	Lab 8 Parts 2,3 Osmosis
October 7	Exam #2 on Chapters 5-7
October 12	Ch. 12 DNA Structure & Function	Lab Exam 1
October 14	Ch. 13 From DNA to Proteins
October 19	Ch. 8 Cell Cycle, Mitosis	Lab 12 Mitosis/ Lab 13 Meiosis
October 21	Ch. 9 Meiosis
October 26	Ch.10 Patterns of Inheritance	Lab 14 Patterns of Inheritance & Lab 10
October 28	Ch.10 Pleiotropy, Epistasis
November 2	Ch.11 Chromosomes and Human Genetics	Lab 16 DNA
November 4	Review Chapters 8-11
November 9	Exam #3 on Chapters 8-11	Lab 18 Making Proteins
November 11	Internet Assignment Due
November 16	Ch. 14 Gene Controls (last day to withdraw 11/18)	Lab 15 & 19 Cancer Gene Detection
November 18	Ch.15 Recombinant DNA
November 23	Ch.15 Genetic Engineering	Lab 11 Kissing Disease
November 30	Ch. 26Reproduction & Development	Lab 17 Genetic Engineering
December 2	Immunology
December 7	Review For Comprehensive Final	Lab Exam 2
December 9	Comprehensive Final Exam

GRADING CRITERIA

The final grade will be based on: 50% Average of 4 Exams

10% Pop Quizzes

5% Pre lab reports

5% Lab notebook

5% Lab participation and clean-up

15% 2 Lab Exams

10% Internet Assignment

Final course grades will follow the structure as follows:

A= 100-90%

B= 89-80% D= 69-60%

C= 79-70% F= 59% and below

STRUCTURE OF EXAMS

Exams will contain questions from lectures, handouts, internet assignments, and assigned readings. They will have multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank, short answer and Essay. No exams will be given early for any reason. You are required to take all tests at the scheduled time.

REQUIRED TESTS

Tentative Exam Schedule

1^st Exam- September 16, 2004

2^nd Exam- October 7, 2004

3rd Exam-November 9, 2004

4^th/Final Comprehensive Exam- December 9, 2004

Lab Exams will test you over procedures and information covered in lab.

1^st Lab Exam October 7, 2004

2^nd Lab Exam December 7, 2004

Internet Assignment (10% of final grade)

Due November 11th at the beginning of class (see attached sheets for more details

Pop quizzes will be given during class time over the assigned reading for the day.

Pop quiz dates are unannounced. Students need to attend and participate in all

classes not to miss the quizzes.

COURSE POLICIES

Missed exam policy

If you miss a test, you will receive a 0 for that test. The only exceptions are if there is a death in your family of if you are seriously ill and cannot physically come to class. In this latter instance, you must present a note from your doctor stating that you were physically unable to come to class. A cold or the flu is not an acceptable illness. Only one makeup exam will be given per student regardless of the reason. The only excuse accepted for a makeup exam is a documented note from your doctor specifying specific days that you could not come to class. If the exam was given during those specific days a makeup exam can be arranged. If the exam was given at any other time, you cannot take a makeup exam. In any case, if you are not able to come to an exam, you must inform me of that fact before the time of the exam. A phone call or an email either to me or to the departmental office is sufficient. If a make-up exam is in order, you must make plans with me for the taking of the exam within 6 days after the regularly scheduled exam. Failure to either inform me or to make plans for the make-up will result in a 0 for that exam. There are no Makeup Exams for the mandatory comprehensive Exam. There are no retakes for the final exam.

When you walk in for an exam you will need to place your belongings on the floor against the wall in the front of the class. You may not talk during a test; you may not look through your bag; you may not leave the room and come back and complete the exam; you may not look on your neighbor’s answer sheet. Any student caught in any form of scholastic dishonesty shall be recommended for maximum penalty allowed by ACC policy. You may consult the student handbook for more information regarding academic dishonesty policies followed by the college.

NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Missed Lab activities cannot be made up. You will receive a 0 for any labs you

do not participate (attend) in. Late pre-labs and lab reports will not be accepted.

You will receive a zero for the pre-labs and lab reports you do not turn in on

time. You will receive a zero for any pop quizzes that you miss. The pop quizzes

cannot be made up.

Attendance will be taken in lecture and lab. Absences from 4 or more classes can result in being dropped from the course. Students are ultimately responsible for dropping the class should they decide to stop attending. It is assumed that your registration for this class at this particular time precludes any conflicts with work or family responsibilities. Therefore, work schedule or family responsibilities will not be accepted as excuses for missed tests, or classes. Do not schedule doctor appointments or trips to conflict with this class. You are responsible for material you miss.

Class Participation Expectations

Students are expected to have read the assigned reading before class and to come prepared to discuss the topic for the day. Students are expected to participate in every class. Students are expected to participate in class, take the quizzes, in class activities and presentation of internet assignment during class time. Those who do not participate in the classes and miss the quizzes and presentation of the internet assignment will receive zeros. There will be no make ups. Cellular Phones and Pagers are to be turned off during class and lab.

Students are expected to have read the assigned lab before lab and participate in

every lab.

Lab participation and clean-up consists of:

ü Arriving on time with your lab manual, lab notebook with pre lab done, goggles, closed toed shoes.

ü Fully participate during lab and stay until your group finishes the exercise and completes all clean-up activities

ü Check-out with your instructor before leaving class so I can make sure your lab notebook is up-to date and that your lab station has been cleaned up

After lab is over, finish answering the questions in the results section and complete calculations if you were not able to complete them during lab. The lab notebook will be due the following lab meeting.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

Private, personal chats during class are not allowed. Students who persist in private conversations not pertinent to the class will be asked to leave the room. No food or drink is allowed in the classroom or laboratory. Behavior during laboratory work is crucial since, students will be handling materials that are potentially harmful. Absolutely no “clowning around” will be tolerated during lab. If your instructor suspects that you might not be taking laboratory safety seriously, you will be kicked out of the lab.

Success (making good grades) in this course is highly correlated to attending class. Study groups are an excellent way for preparing for this class and exams. You need to read the assigned readings and Labs before class and come prepared to discuss the topics. Tardiness is a disruption to the class so, please be on time. You are responsible for all work you missed.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

If you decide to drop this class, it is your responsibility to protect your academic record by withdrawing no later than November 18, 2004. It is also your responsibility to verify a course withdrawal before the Final Withdrawal Date. If you stop attending class and do not withdraw yourself from the class you will end up with a grade of F for the semester.

Be aware of the state limit about credit hours that apply to students.

Students during or after fall 1999 have state limits on the number of credit hours that a student can take before having to pay out-of-state fees. Students cannot longer drop courses repeatedly without worrying about passing that limit. If the state paid the fee for the student and the student subsequently drops the class, it counts against that student’s total.

The limit is 1.5 x the credit required for a 2-year degree. (If we require 60 hours, their limit is 90 hours.)

REINSTATEMENT POLICY

Reinstatement procedures will follow those outlined in the current ACC General

Catalog.

INCOMPLETE GRADE POLICY

Incompletes will not be given without satisfactory explanation and completion of at least 2/3 of the course work with a grade of C or higher. Incompletes are only given to student that have a compelling reason for the extension and will need to provide documentation of that reason. Students will have to finish the course requirements on their own. Students will get an F if they do not finish the incomplete by the required date!

STATEMENT ON STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

"Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office of Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.”

“Students who are requesting accommodation must provide the instructor with a letter of accommodation from the Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD) at the beginning of the semester. Accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the letter of accommodation from OSD.”

If you have a disability that affects your classroom performance or your testing, please discuss your situation with your instructor during the first two weeks of the semester.

STATEMENT ON SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY

"Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations; and homework.”

STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM

"Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good. The common good depends upon a search for truth and upon free expression. In this course the professor and students shall strive to protect free inquiry and the open exchange of facts, ideas, and opinions. Students are free to take exception to views offered in this course and to reserve judgment about debatable issues. Grades will not be affected by personal views. With this freedom comes the responsibility of civility and a respect for a diversity of ideas and opinions. This means that students must take turns speaking, listen to others speak without interruption, and refrain from name-calling or other personal attacks."

STATEMENT ON LAB SAFETY

"Health and safety are paramount values in science classrooms, laboratories and field activities. Students are expected to learn, understand and comply with environmental, health and safety (EHS) procedures and protocols, and must agree to abide by the ACC science safety policy. Students are expected to conduct themselves with appropriate professional behavior and with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending all activities. Specific safety information for each activity will be discussed at the beginning of the activity. For those activities that require specific safety training, a student who is late and misses the safety training will not be able to participate in the activity. The comprehensive science safety policy can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/sci_safe/.

TESTING CENTER POLICIES

ACC Testing Center policies can be found at:

http://www2.austincc.edu/testctr/

STUDENT SERVICES

The Web address for student services is: http://www.austincc.edu/resourcesstudents/services.php

The ACC student handbook can be found at

http://www.austincc.edu/marketng/handbook/

INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES

The Web address for instructional services is:

http://www3.austincc.edu/evpcss/memos/reference.htm

then click on ”Campus Based Student Support Overview”.

STUDENT INSURANCE STATEMENT

· Students enrolled in lab and field courses are covered by student insurance if they are injured as a result of the lab or field activity.

· Procedures regarding student insurance will be covered in your safety training.

Official Biology Department Policy

Concerning Student Use of Organisms

in the Classroom and Laboratory

Most ACC biology classes, particularly those with laboratory components, use actual organisms during instruction in addition to images and models. ACC students generally are preparing for real-world careers requiring workers with hands-on experience. These careers include health care, veterinary work, horticultural and agricultural work. Other students plan to transfer to four-year colleges and will be participating in biological research where hands-on experience is equally important.

Organisms used at ACC are fundamental in biology instruction and they are utilized to teach specific skills and knowledge. Their condition and usage varies from course to course. Students will be expected to actively participate in these activities. Students with particular concerns in this matter should consult with their instructor and/or departmental officials before enrolling in a laboratory course so that they can know what will be required of them.

Some organisms are observed alive while others are dead and preserved in various ways. Student manipulation of organisms ranges from culturing living organisms to dissecting preserved ones. Some examples include, but are not limited to: bacterial culturing for microbiology courses; cat, pig or rat dissection for anatomy courses; skeleton and pelt examination for field biology; and use of frogs in physiology experiments.

Approved by Biology Department, February 6, 2004

Reading Material

Textbook: Biology Concepts and Applications by Starr

I. Life (Chapter 1)

A. DNA-instructions passed down through generations, susceptible to mutations

B. Metabolism-Capturing and using energy and raw material

C. Receptors-Sense and responds to changing conditions in environment

D. Cells-Types Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic

E. Capacity to Reproduce, Grow and Develop

II. Introduction to the nature of Science

A. Scientific Method

B. Scientific Theory

C. Research in the Past & Present

III. Molecular basis of life (Chapter 2)

A. Atom Structure

1. Neutrons

2. Protons

3. Electrons

4. Atomic #

5. Atomic wgt.

B. Bonding

1. Ionic

2. Covalent

3. Hydrogen

C. Properties of Water

1. Polarity

2. Cohesion

3. Stabilizing Effects, Etc.

D. PH Scale, Acids, Bases, Salts, Buffers

E. Molecules of Life (Chapter 3)

1. Carbohydrates

2. Lipids

3. Proteins

4. Nucleic Acids

IV. Cellular Basis of Life-Cell Structure and Function (Chapter 4)

A. Cell Theory

B. Cell Membrane

1. Lipid Bilayer

2. Fluid Mosaic

3. Diffusion

4. Transport Etc.

C. Prokaryotic

1. Structure

2. Characteristics

D. Eukaryotic Organelles

1. Plants

2. Animals

E. Viruses

1. Characteristics

2. Examples

V. Metabolism & Energy Pathways (Chapter 5)

A. ^1st and 2^nd Laws of Thermodynamics

B. Chemical equilibrium

C. Enzymes

D. ATP

1. Structure

2. Function

E. Photosynthesis (Chapter 6)

1. Light Dependent Reactions

2. Light Independent Reactions

F. Respiration (Chapter 7)

1. Glycolysis

2. Kreb Cycle

3. Electron Transport Phosphorylation

VI. Genetics

A. DNA (Chapter 12)

1. Structure

2. Function

3. Replication

4. Repair

B. From DNA to Proteins (Chapter 13)

1. Transcription

2. Translation

3. Mutations Relationship to Protein Synthesis

C. Cell Division and Mitosis (Chapter 8)

1. G1, S, G2

2. Stages of Mitosis

3. Bacterial Reproduction-Binary Fission

4. Viral Multiplication Cycles

D. Meiosis (Chapter 9)

1. Stages of Meiosis

2. Key events of Meiosis I

3. From Gametes to Offspring

E. Patterns of Inheritance (Chapter 10)

1. Mendel’s Experimental Approach

2. Mendel’s Theory of Segregation

3. Dominance Relations

4. Multiple Effects of Single Genes

5. Interactions Between Gene Pairs

F. Chromosomes and Human Genetics (Chapter 11)

1. Chromosomal basis of Inheritance

2. Sex Determination in Humans

3. Gene Locations

4. Patterns of Inheritance- Autosomal Recessive, Autosomal Dominant, X-Linked Recessive Inheritnace, X-Linked Dominant Inheritance, Etc

5. Germ-Line Mutations: Genetic Diseases

a. Changes in Chromosome Number

b. Changes in Chromosome Structure

G. Gene Controls (Chapter 14)

1. Prokaryotic Cells

2. Eukaryotic Cells

3. Somatic Mutations: Cancer

a. Oncogenes

b. Tumor Suppressor Genes

c. DNA Repair Genes

H. Recombinant DNA and Genetic Engineering (Chapter 15)

1. DNA Technology-Amplification Procedures, DNA Sequencing, Etc.

2. Genetic Engineering- in Bacteria, in Plants, Gene Therapy, Human Genome Project

VII. Animal Reproduction and Development (Chapter 26)

A. Animal Development

B. Menstrual Cycle

C. Birth Control

D. Sexually Transmitted Diseases

VIII. Immunity (CD-ROM Chapter 35)

A. Three Lines of Defense

B. Antibody-Mediated Response

C. Cell Mediated Response

D. Vaccines

E. Autoimmune Diseases

1. Lupus

2. Arthritis

3. Diabetes

D. AIDS

Internet Assignment

Choose one of the following Internet projects.

Use the Internet to describe the safe guards currently followed in labs doing work in genetic engineering. List and describe 3 companies currently doing research in genetic engineering. What is the current financial worth of some of these companies? Do these company’s have any job openings for biologists? What education and skills are necessary to apply? What are 3 products produced by genetic engineering?

Use the Internet to research how do you get HIV infected, the cause and treatment of AIDS. What are the symptoms of AIDS? What are the latest strategies for treatment of AIDS? How does the treatment of HIV infections with AZT and protease inhibitors work? The HIV virus that causes AIDS can delay its deadly effects for some time. Is this an instance of the virus entering a latent state before resuming its attack? How can you prevent transmission of HIV. What do you think is the best solution to the HIV/AIDS epidemic? Do you think it is ethical to keep funding research on HIV/AIDS or should we allow natural selection to eliminate certain members of the gene pool (evolution to take place)?

Use the Internet to find out what is germ warfare. What germs are being researched to be used in germ warfare? How do they contain them to keep them from the general public? How do they plan on dispersing germ warfare? What safety precautions are used when they research these germs? What is being done to protect the U.S. from germ warfare? What do U.S. soldiers do to respond to germ warfare? Do you think it is ethical to do research and development in germ warfare and to use germ warfare?

Use the internet to describe gene therapy. Investigate reports of “gene replacement” as a preventative of possible genetic abnormalities. In what organisms has it been tried? Was it successful? What are the difficulties of this procedure? Give an example of gene therapy research on a human, what was its purpose and its outcome. Do you think it is ethical to use gene therapy or should we allow natural selection to continue to eliminate certain members of the gene pool?

Use the Internet to describe the rise of genetic resistance of disease-causing bacteria to commonly used antibiotics. List 3 types of bacteria that have been documented to have become resistant to antibiotics and to which antibiotics. Evaluate the evidence and claims in these articles. What are the 3 most important strategies for reducing this threat to human health? What do you think is the best solution to the problem?

Find 3 web articles to answer the questions posed in the projects. Below is a list of reputable web sites that you can start with to answer the questions posed in the projects.

National Science Foundation: www.nsf.gov/

National Academy of Science: www4.nationalacademies.org/nas/nashome.nsf/

American Association for the Advancement of Science: www.aaas.org/

The Biology Project: www.biology.arizona.edu

The Biology Place: www.biology.com/

U.S. National Science and Technology Council- http://www.nacc.usgcrp.gov

"Smithsonian Institution's Conservation and Research Center"

Sites with .edu or .gov are usually more reputable than others

Format

Answers need to be typed in 12pt. On 8.5" X 11" paper.

Separate sheets for each question and be sure to type the question you are answering at

the top of the page.

Text double spaced

Appropriate citations for facts and opinions

Citations with superscripts

All sources cited appear in list at the end of the paper

Sources cited list contains URL's

(¹http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/ehpep/diseases/smoke.htm)

On a separate paper using the same format as above, answer these 3 questions about each source.

1. Do the claims follow logically from the evidence? Do the claims violate reason? Is there a simpler explanation for the observations?

2. Is there a basis for suspecting bias on the part of the source or on the part of the writer of the report?

3. How have your personal biases about the subject, the people involved, or the publication that it was printed in affected your report?

Your answers to these questions will be evaluated on completeness, and level of effort. (Including the format.) Staple your answers together and turn them in at the beginning of class on November 11, 2004. Come prepared to discuss your topic.