Calumet College of St. Joseph

SYLLABUS FOR INVESTIGATIVE BIOLOGY

 

 

Term: Fall, 2000  (991)  September 5 - December 16, 2000

Course Number:  BIO 100

Instructor: Professor Tom  Notermann, Ph.D.

 

Office:  Room #510

 

Office Phone: 219-473-4264

 

E-mail:  tnotermann@ccsj.edu

 

Office Hours: M 12:30-3:30;  T9-12;  W 9-12;  R 1-3:30

 

Course Time: 3:30 - 4:50p Monday, Thursday      

 

 

Course Description: 

A course focused upon applying sound and responsible biological techniques, to test and assess biological theories and concepts.  The course utilizes common laboratory procedures to address questions surfacing from environmental problems to possible criminal activities.  Laboratories are focused around answering particular biological questions, including techniques presently applied in DNA fingerprinting and analysis.  This course is geared towards the non-science major who will be exposed to applied biological techniques, either in their chosen field of study, or in the work environment.  Investigative Biology meets a science with a lab requirement for non-science majors.

Prerequisites: 

Laboratory Fee:  See current fee schedule.

 

Textbooks:

Cecie Starr, BIOLOGY concepts and applications, third edition, Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1997.

 

Video Tapes:  A set of five two hour “Cycles of Life” tapes contain twenty 30 minute segments which complement the text material.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

 

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as written in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fourth Edition. A copy is available from the Calumet College of St. Joseph bookstore. This text outlines how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

 

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a

course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see

Refund Schedule).

 

Class Policies for  Attendance and Assignments:  Each week the student is to hand in answers to text Chapter(s) “Review Questions” and “Self Test”(worth 15points) and take an in class quiz based on the Chapter(s) (worth 20points).  The lowest Quiz/Homework score will be dropped and no make-up quizzes will be given.  The final exam will be cumulative and based on in-class quiz questions.

            The lowest lab grade is dropped and there are no make-up labs.  A field trip may replace one lab and the student will prepare a one-two page summary.  The lab reports are due at the end of each lab session.

            The term project involves:  Selecting a topic relevant to the text material and of interest to the student, preparing a five typed page report with at least tow references (one internet).  Report and 5-10 minute in-class presentation are due Nov. 29 or Dec 2.

 

Course Objectives:

Students in this course will:

·         Learn biological concepts and integrate them into their field of focus.

·         Demonstrate the ability to question and test theories using appropriate scientific methodology.

·         Demonstrate knowledge and laboratory skills required for general knowledge application and experimentation in any discipline within biology and specific knowledge and skills applicable to their chosen  discipline.

 

Assessment:

Laboratory                                                                                100points

Term Project                                                                             20 points

Weekly Quizzes(11@35)                                                 385points

Final Exam                                                                                95points

                                                                        Total                600points

Grading Scale:

A:   90-100%    B+:  85-89%     B:  80-84%     C+:  75-79%,

C:  70-74%    D+:  65-69%     D:  60-64%       F:  less than 60%

 

Class Assignments

 

Date    Topic-Assignment                                          Tape, Segment

 

8-30     Chapter 1, Methods and Concepts in Biology          1,1 “Unity and Diversity of Life”      

9-2              Lab:  Methods of Science

 

9-6       Chpt. 2, The Chemical Foundations for Cells           1,2 “Chem. Foundations of Life”

9-9              Lab: Laboratory Measurements

 

9-13     Chpt.3 Cell Structure and Function               1,3 “Secrets of the Cell”

9-16          Lab:  Using the Microscope

 

9-20     Chpt .4            Ground Rules of Metabolism             1,4”The Power of Metabolism”

9-23          Lab:  Cell Structure: Animal Cells

 

9-27     Chpt.5, Energy Acquiring Pathways              2,1“Energy In-Energy Out”

            Chpt 6  Energy Releasing Pathways

9-30          Lab:  Cell Structure: Plant Cells

 

10-4     Chpt 7, Cell Division and Mitosis                  2,2”Generations: Mitosis and

            Chpt 8, Meiosis                                                          Meiosis”

10-7          Lab:  Fingerprint Analysis

 

10-11   Chpt.9, Obs. Patterns of Inheritance             2,3”Patterns of Inheritance”

10-14   Lab:  Enzyme Reactions

 

10-18   Chpt.11 DNA Structure and Function                        2,4 “DNA: Blueprint of Life”

10-21      Lab:  Mitosis and Meiosis, DNA Models

 

10-25   Chpt.12 From DNA to Proteins         3,1  “Proteins: Building Blocks of Life”

10-28      Lab:  Electrocardiogram and Blood Pressure

 

11-1     Chpt.14  Microevolution                                3,2”Microevolution”

11-4          Lab:  Hair Analysis

 

11-8     Chpt.16  Macroevolution                               3,3 “Macroevolution”

11-11      Lab:  Poisons and Enzymes

 

11-15   Chpt.18 Viruses, Bacteria, Protistans                       3,4”Viruses,Bacteria&Protistans”

11-18      Lab Field Trip

 

11-22   Chpt.19 Plant and Fungi                                 4,1 “Fungi, Plants, and Animals”

 

11-29   Chpt 22  Plant Tissues                                               4,2  “Plant Structure”

12-2          Project presentations

 

12-6          Final Exam

(Laboratory material will be handed out before each lab.

(Field Trip option to be discussed  with class)