Business, Math,
Sciences, & Technology Division
Biology Department
Master Syllabus
FALL - 2003
Name
of Chair: Mr. Max Abbassi Office
Location: Building G-157
Telephone
Number: (956)
618-8312 Fax
Number: (956)
688-2058
E-mail
Address: mabbassi@stcc.cc.tx.us
Course
Name: General
Biology I Course
Number: BIOL
1408
CRT
HRS:04 LEC HRS:03 LAB HRS:03
Prerequisite: Passage
the reading section of the TASP test or completion of Reading 90 with a grade
of ³C² or better.
Catalog Course Description:
This is a study of the fundamental principles of living organisms
including physical and chemical properties of life, the transfer of energy
through metabolic systems, cellular organization and function, cell division,
genetics and evolution.
Departmental
Course Learning Outcomes:
I. Core Component Exemplary Educational
Objectives
Ø
To understand and apply
method and appropriate technology to the study of natural sciences;
Ø
To recognize scientific
and quantitative methods and the differences between these approaches and other
methods of inquiry and to communicate findings, analyses, and interpretation
both orally and in writing;
Ø
To identify and
recognize the differences among competing scientific theories;
Ø
To demonstrate knowledge
of the major issues and problems facing modern science, including issues that
touch upon ethics, values, and public policies;
Ø
To demonstrate knowledge
of the interdependence of science and technology and their influence on, and
contribution to modern culture.
II. Departmental Course
Competencies/Learning Outcomes
Ø
Describe and utilize the
scientific method and the use of the ³metric system².
Ø
Describe the basic
characteristics shared by all living things, and describe the hierarchy of
organization in living things.
Ø
Identify and describe
the basic chemistry fundamentals involved in the structure and life processes
of living things, including the basic parts of atoms and describe how they
influence chemical characteristics.
Ø
Identify and describe
the structure and function of the kinds of organic molecules found in living
things.
Ø
Identify the parts and
describe the structure and function of cells.
Ø
Compare and contrast
prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and give a general description of a virus.
Ø
Describe and indicate
the importance of cellular transport, membrane structure, and membrane
function.
Ø
Describe the laws of
thermodynamics as they relate to biology.
Ø
Describe the purpose and
components of photosynthesis.
Ø
Describe the purpose and
components of cellular respiration.
Ø
Describe and examine the
various kinds of reproduction, and describe and indicate the importance of
mitosis and meiosis.
Ø Describe
the structure of DNA, and analyze the processes involved in the biochemistry of
DNA, including DNA duplication, DNA translation, and the protein synthesis.
Ø
Analyze the events and
processes involved in Mendelian inheritance, human genetics, predict outcome of
genetic crosses, and describe ad analyze the processes that result in
mutations.
Ø Analyze the events and processes involved in chromosomal inheritance, and describe gene regulation and genetic applications.
Ø
Analyze the events and
processes involved in the origin and evolution of life, and describe the
scientific processes involved in evolution and their impact on all living
things.
Ø Describe
and trace the evolutionary development of primates, including humans.
III.
Departmental Course Intellectual Competencies
1. Students will read, analyze and interpret biological materials.
2. Students will produce clear, correct and analytical writing adapted to biological professions.
3. Students will use
computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring
scientific information.
4. Students will use clear, concise,
and informative language when speaking, using language appropriate to
scientific reporting.
5. Students will analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.
6. Students will embrace methods for applying both qualitative and quantitative skills analytically in the subject area of biology in order to evaluate arguments and to construct alternatives strategies. Students will do problem solving as one of the applications of critical thinking, used to address an identified task.
IV. Departmental Course Perspectives
Ø Recognize the importance of maintaining health and wellness.
Ø Develop personal values for ethical behavior.
Ø Integrate knowledge and understand the interrelationships of the scholarly disciplines.
V.
Instructor Outcomes
Departmental Course
Requirements:
Ø Evaluation Methods
Testing the 5 exemplary Objectives
Science Department
Journal Analysis
Form
1. Who is (are) the author(s)? _____________________________
2. Where does the author work? ____________________________
3. Could the author have vested interests? _____________________________
4. What type of source is this? _____________________________
5. Are articles peer reviewed in this source? ____________________________
1. State the hypothesis
tested in the work reported. If none, so indicate. ____________________
____________________________________________________________________________.
2. Suggest an alternative
hypothesis to the one stated in this article. _______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.
C.
Examine the Writing Style
Use a light-colored marker
to highlight on the photocopy any passages that seem to deviate from a factual
and concise style. Write a number next to the highlighted area indicating the
type of writing style used according to the following key:
Use a light-colored maker to highlight on the photocopy any arguments used in the article. Write a number next to the highlighted area indicating the type of argument that is used according to the following key:
Underline the sections of the photocopied article that present the arguments of the author. Write a letter next to the arguments according to the following key:
1. Do all percentages given add up to 100%? IF not, circle where the omission is located in the text ___
2. Do all numbers in columns or charts add up to the indicated totals or are there math mistakes? ___
Circle the mistakes.
3. Are flashy graphics used to catch your attention? ___
Do
they add to your understanding or simply excite you emotionally ? ____
1. Are the conclusions easy to find and clearly stated? ____
2. Are the conclusions based on a review of the data and a test of the hypotheses presented in the
introduction? ____
3. Are the conclusions supported by evidence collected using the scientific method? ____
4. Has the author extrapolated beyond the range of data collected? ____
1. How does this article demonstrate the interdependence of science and technology and their influence
on, and contribution to, modern culture _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. List a few items of technology used in this article and evaluate their appropriateness to the experiment
done in this article ____________________________________________________________________________
Attach this evaluation form to your photocopied article
and turn in for grading.
Answers will be typed
12 point font will be used
One inch margins will be observed
There is a two page limit
Ø Departmental Course Grading Criteria:
|
75% Lecture: |
25% Lab: |
|
Ø
45% lecture exam |
Ø 5% lab quizzes |
|
Ø 20% final exam |
Ø
20% lab practicals |
|
Ø
10% Term
Paper/Presentation |
|
Textbook:
Ø
Biology with CD-Rom
Sylvia Mader, 8th Edition, WBC McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Lab:
Ø
Biology Laboratory
Manual by Sylvia Mader, 8th Edition, WBC McGraw-Hill Publishing, Co.
Resources:
Ø
Student study guide
accompany textbook, library, multimedia, Internet, and Biology Computer Lab.
Addendum:
Reading: Read the chapters in the text and lab manual covered in class as well as assigned journal articles and master both general methods of analyzing printed materials and specific methods for analyzing the subject matter of individual disciplines.
Writing: Students will discover a topic and develop and organize it and phrase it effectively for their audience through practice and reflection.
Computer Literacy: Students should have an understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of technology, and should have the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become available such as Cyber ed, Web CT, internet, Page-out, or instructor made web pages.
Speaking: Students will acquire poise and develop control of the language through experience in making a scientific presentation to peers.
Listening: Students will participate in interactive open ended discussions, or at the end of class, write down for example, a) new things learned today b) things already knew c) key words learned today.
Critical Thinking: Students will perform a variety of laboratory exercises.
Developmental Studies Policy
Statement:
Students taking 12 or more credit hours per semester who
have not met the passing standard on an approved assessment instrument will be
required to take two or more developmental courses every semester if they are
deficient in more than one academic skill (reading, writing, and mathematics).
ADA Students
with Disabilities Statement: Reasonable accommodations may be made that allow
disabled students to be successful at STCC. Accommodations may be provided for those students who submit
the appropriate documentation by an outside/independent professional evaluator
or agency. Contact an STCC ADA/DSS
Counselor in the Annex (Pecan) or call (956) 688-2006. Students may volunteer to inform the
Instructor about their disability and associated classroom limitations, if
applicable.