Central Park Campus

Fall 2017

Course Number: BIOL 1408

Course Title: Biology for Non-Science Majors I

Instructors Information:
Instructors Name: V.Velamakanni
Office Number: E305
Office Hours: T 11:30am -1:00pm

Phone number: 972-548-6873

Email: vvelamakanni@collin.edu This is the best way to get in contact with me.
Department office contact in case of emergencies: The department office contact in case
of emergencies is: Office of Academic Affairs, B-122 G 214.491.6270

Class Information:
Section Number: WC1
Meeting Times: online
Meeting Location: online

Minimum Technology Requirement: Students are required to have access to a computer, reliable internet
connection, an up-to-date browser, appropriate plugins required for Mastering Biology, access to Canvas, and
appropriate software to open Word and .PDF documents. The eCollin learning website
https://www.collin.edu/academics/ecollin/ offers a variety of diagnostic tools. The eCollin frequently asked
question link provides further details about system requirements at
https://www.collin.edu/academics/ecollin/FAQ.html
In rare instances, systemic technical difficulties may occur with regard to: CougarWeb, Canvas, and Pearsons
Mastering Biology. In the event of campus wide systemic technical difficulties, assignment due dates will be
extended by 24 hours once the issue has been fixed. It is the students responsibility to check email and
announcements within Canvas to receive updates regarding technical issues.

Minimum Student Skills: Students should be comfortable with basic word processing programs, CougarWeb
email, attaching files, reading college level text books, modifying graphs, and participating in discussion boards.

Netiquette Expectations: Please keep in mind that the Discussion Board is a "public" communication tools, so
please refrain from posting negative comments that may insult another student. If you have taken an exam and
have a comment about one of the exam questions, please use email (and not the Discussion Board) to forward
your comments to the instructor.
1. Standards of courtesy and respect must be maintained at all times in our online classroom. Join in to the
discussion, but remember that this is still a classroom setting and that respect and consideration are
crucial for any intellectual discussion.
2. Discussion areas are the place for intelligent and respectful airing of ideas. Name-calling and personal
attacks are not permitted.
3. Any violation of the standards of appropriate behavior online will be reported to the Dean of Students and
appropriate disciplinary action will be taken by the college.

Course Description:
Lecture: Provides a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells,
structure, function, and reproduction.
Lab: Laboratory activities will reinforce a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including
chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction.

Course Credit Hours: 4

Lecture Hours: 3

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Lab Hours: 3

Corequisite: BIOL1408 Lab Lab course requirements can be found on the corresponding lab syllabus

Course Resources:
Concepts and Connections Volume I with Modified Mastering, Campbell 9e, ISBN 9781269867122 Modified
Mastering Access (bundled with the textbook at the Collin bookstore, or purchased directly from the Pearson
link provided in Canvas)

Supplies: Internet ready computer see technology requirements above

Student Learning Outcomes:

State-mandated Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Lecture
1. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell
structures.
2. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.
3. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes,
enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
4. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.
5. Describe karyotyping, pedigrees, and biotechnology and provide an example of the uses of each.
6. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.
7. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.
Lab
1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions, and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes
and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data. (Teamwork)
2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory.
(Critical Thinking Skills)
3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations. (Communication Skills)
4. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell
structures.
5. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.
6. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes,
enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
7. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.
(Empirical and Quantitative Skills)
8. Identify the importance of karyotypes, pedigrees, and biotechnology.
9. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.
10. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.

Core Objectives: Communication Skills, Critical Thinking, Empirical Quantitative, Personal Responsibility, Social
Responsibility, and Teamwork.

Method of Evaluation: Overall course grade: Lecture 70%, lab 30%

Grading Scale A = 100% - 90%
B = 89% - 80%
C = 79% -70%
D = 69% - 60%
F = 59% -0%

Lecture Grade Determination: Total points earned / total number of points possible x100. All grades are posted in
Canvas. Any electronic communication regarding grades must occur via student Cougarmail email.

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A complete list of all assignments due each week can be found in Modules. The weekly modules include a listing
of the required readings, lecture outlines, study guides, key vocabulary and learning objectives. Each week you
complete the following:
1. Reading/ learning objectives/study guide
2. Interactive Assignment (only on quiz weeks, not on lecture exam weeks)
3. Quiz or Exam

Brief Description of Major Course Requirements:

Assignments = 160 points
12 Interactive Assignments (10 points each) = 120 points
12 Quizzes (10 points each) = 120 points
4 Exams (150 points each) = 600 points

Assignment Details:

Assignments , total of 160 points based on various chapters will be posted in the modules. You will have to
download the assignment, complete it in word and submit the saved file using the SUBMIT button next to the
assignment link. The assignments are due on the date specified and late submissions will not be accepted or
graded. You will be given ample time to complete the assignments, do not wait until the due date or email me the
assignment. There are no makeups for a missed assignment. Each assignment will be worth different points
based on the level of complexity of the topic. All assignments will be graded within 1 week after the due date
using Speed Grader and the students will be given feedback. All grades will be entered in the grade book on
Canvas.

Interactive Assignments: 10 points each, 120 points total

These interactive assignments may take a variety of forms. Complete details about the requirements for each
interactive assignment as well as the grading criteria can be found in the weekly module with the interactive
assignment.

The exact due dates are listed in the course calendar. Whatever format the interactive assignment takes, they are
always worth 10 points. There are no make-ups for any missed interactive assignments.

Interactive assignments must be completed/turned-in in the format they were assigned (i.e. Discussion posts must
be posted in the discussion area, written responses must be turned in using a submit button). Emailing me an
interactive assignment because your computer was broken, is not acceptable. Here are a few examples of items
that may be included in interactive assignments.
Discussion board posts and responses to other student posts
Response Papers written on current scientific advances
Video clips and response

Quizzes:10 points each, 120 points total

Quizzes are accessed by clicking on the Quiz link in the weekly folder. Quizzes are due on Wednesday night at
11:59pm. The exact due dates for the quiz are listed in the course calendar. Quizzes are 10 multiple choice
questions. You will receive 20 minutes for each quiz. There are no make-ups for missed quizzes.
Do NOT use Wi-Fi when taking an online quiz. You should always use a direct internet connection when taking
quizzes. The quizzes are open book, and open notes

Exams: 150 points each, 450 points total

Exams are accessed by clicking on the link in the weekly folder. Exams 1-3 open at 12:01am on Tuesday
morning and remain open until 11:59pm the following Monday. The exams are a mixture of multiple choice,
matching, true /false and short answer questions. The exams are timed. You have 50 minutes for each test.
Do NOT use Wi-Fi when taking an exam. You should always use a direct internet connection when taking an
exam. You can only take the test once. Once you begin taking a test, you must complete the test at that same

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time.
Make-up exams are only given in extreme situations because exams are open for seven days. If you cannot take
the exam during the scheduled time you must contact me immediately (within 1 day of the exam closing). Do not
procrastinate exams. Make up exams will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances such as a hospitalized
illness (for the entire duration of the exam), or death in the immediate family. Appropriate, verifiable
documentation must be supplied before any make-up exam will be scheduled.

Final Exam (Exam 4): 150 points

The final exam will be in the same format as the other exams and the questions cover Chapters 10-12. The final
exam will be a mixture of multiple choice, matching, and short answer questions. You will have 50 minutes for the
final exam. Please note: the Final exam will open on Monday and is due on a THURSDAY instead of a normal
Monday.

Do NOT use Wi-Fi when taking an exam. You should always use a direct internet connection when taking an
exam.

Requirements For Participation In Online Discussion:

Students are expected to complete and provide original thoughtful responses to Canvas interactive discussions
as assigned. Discussion posts should follow the assignment instructions in the weekly module and discussion
area. They should be written with proper grammar, punctuation and spelling. Discussion posts should be
complete sentences. They are not text messages. When responding to other student posts, please do so with
respect. All comments must be posted in the discussion board forum to receive credit. Emailing a response
because your computer was not working will not be accepted.

Criteria Used To Evaluate Participation In Such Activities:

Interactive Discussion posts are worth 10 points. Each interactive assignment has unique grading criteria.
Students who participate in negative name-calling, or personal attacks on others will automatically receive a zero
on that interactive assignment and will be reported to the Dean of Students.

Delivery Method Of Feedback and/or Graded Material

Interactive Assignments will be graded and scores will be posted in Canvas within 7 days of the due date.
o Discussion Posts/Responses will have feedback included directly within Canvas (click on your
grade to access the feedback)
Quizzes will be graded and scores posted immediately in Canvas.
Tests and assignments will be graded and scores will be posted in Blackboard within 7 days of the due
date.

Standards for Instructor Response and Availability

Emails are read and responded to every 24 hours at minimum during the week. Emails sent over the weekend
will receive a response no later than Monday by 5pm.

Withdrawal Policy: See the current Collin Registration Guide for the last day to
withdraw.

Dropping a class means that you remove yourself from the class up to the census date. Dropped classes do not
appear on your official transcript. You may now drop online up to the census date. The last date to drop this
class is January 30, 2017

Withdrawal from a class means that you remove yourself from the class after the census date. Withdrawn
classes appear as a W on your official transcript but are not calculated in your grade point average. Withdrawals
are not permitted online. Please read the Fall 2017 Registration guide or contact the admissions office for
information on how to withdraw. The last date from this class is October 20th, 2017

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Americans with Disabilities Act: Collin 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
opportunity. It is the students responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, CPC-D-118(I) or 972.548.6816 or
V/TTD: 972.881.5950 in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

Collin College Academic Policies:

7-2.2 Scholastic Dishonesty (from the 2016-2017 Student Handbook)

Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity.
All work submitted for credit is expected to be the students own work. Collin College may initiate disciplinary
proceedings against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. 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. Scholastic dishonesty shall involve, but is not limited to, one or more of the
following acts:

General Scholastic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to
applications for enrollment, credit or class work, research, and/or the award of a degree; falsifying academic records;
using annotated texts or teachers editions; using information about exams posted on the Internet or other electronic
medium; leaving a test site without authority; failing to secure test materials; and/or submitting work that is not ones
own. Students are expected to record honestly and accurately the results of all their research. Falsification of
research results shall include misrepresentations, distortions, or omissions in data or reports on research.

Plagiarism is the use of an authors words or ideas as if they were ones own without giving credit to the source,
including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation or patchwriting. In the preparation of all papers
and other written work, students must distinguish their own ideas and knowledge from information derived from other
sources. The term sources includes not only published primary and secondary materials, but also information and
opinions gained directly from other people. Whenever ideas or facts are derived from a source, the source must be
indicated by the student.

Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination or to
complete an assignment; 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;
unauthorized copying of computer or Internet files; using someone elses work for assignments as if it were ones
own; submitting or resubmitting an assignment in whole or in part (i.e. recycling an assignment) for more than one
(1) class or institution without permission from each of the professors; 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 or unauthorized collaboration; 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 an alleged violation of scholastic dishonesty, the faculty member
is requested to delay posting a grade for the academic work in question until the case is final. Students found
responsible for scholastic dishonesty offenses will receive an authorized disciplinary penalty or penalties from the
Dean of Student Office. The student may also receive an academic penalty in the course where the scholastic
dishonesty took place. The faculty member will determine the appropriate academic penalty.

You may not turn work in for this class that you have already turned into other classes or from previous
semesters. If you are found responsible for academic dishonesty in this course, you will automatically fail the
assignment, potentially fail the entire course and a formal disciplinary hearing and academic probation may be
initiated.

Course Calendar:

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 BIOLOGY 1408 - LECTURE
COURSE CALENDAR

WEEK of Reading Assignment/ Due Date

WEEK TOPIC Quiz or Exam
Assignment interactive Due Date 11:59pm
11:59pm
DB 9/1
1 8/28 Intro to Biology Chapter 1 ppt Quiz 1 8/30
Introduction
9/4 Chemistry/ 9/8
2 Chapter 2 ppt DB #1 Quiz 2 9/6
Water
9/11 DB #1 9/15
3 Carbon Chapter 3 ppt
response
***9/11/2017 Fall census day. Last day to drop a class***
9/18 DB#2 9/22
Macromolecul Quiz 3
4 Chapter 3 ppt Macromolecu 9/23 9/20
es
les
9/25 DB#2 9/29 Exam 1 9/30
5 Tour of a Cell Chapter 4 ppt
response Quiz 4 9/27
10/2 Article #1 10/6
6 A Working cell Chapter 5 ppt Diffusion and 10/7 Quiz 5 10/4
Osmosis
10/9 Article #2 10/13
Cellular Quiz 6 10/11
7 Chapter 6 ppt Cellular 10/14
Respiration
respiration
***10/20/2017 Last day to withdraw***
10/16 Photosynthesi Quiz 7 10/18
8 Chapter 7 ppt
s Exam 2 10/21
10/23 DB #3 10/27
Mitosis/Meiosi
9 Chapter 8 ppt Mitosis and 10/28 Quiz 8 10/25
s
Meiosis
10/30 DB #3 11/3
Response
Chromosome
10 Chapter 9 ppt
s & Mendel
Genetic 11/4
vocabulary
11/6 Genetics 11/11 Quiz 9 11/8
11 Genetics Chapter 9 ppt
worksheet
11/13 Chapter 10
12 DNA, RNA Exam 3 11/18
ppt
11/20 DB #4 11/24
Chapter 10
13 Viruses Protein 11/25 Quiz 10 11/22
ppt
synthesis
11/27 DB #4
Gene Response 12/1
Regulation Chapter 11
14 Quiz 11 11/29
Cloning and ppt Article #3
Cancer
Viruses 12/2
12/4 Chapter 12 12/8
15 Biotechnology Article #4 Quiz 12 12/6
ppt
12/11
16 Final Exam Final 12/14

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Technical Support
Pearson Technical Support 855-875-1797
eCollin Support http://online.collin.edu

Copyright Statement
Materials used in connection with this course may be subject to copyright protection.

Lateral Transfer Policy

Lateral transfers will not be granted after the 4th week of class or after the first lecture exam, whichever 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 Dean

Late Work
There is no late work accepted for any assignment in this class.

Study Help in Mastering Biology

The Pearson Modified Mastering Biology website contains many study tools for this class. When you enter the
Mastering Biology site, click on the Study Area link found on the left hand side of the screen. This will take you
to a Study Area section that includes flash cards, animations, sample quizzes, sample exams, practice problems,
and much, much more. Everything that you do in the Study Area of Mastering Biology is for your own benefit.

Academic Dishonesty
It is expected that you will follow Collins rules for academic honesty in this course. If you are found responsible
for academic dishonesty in this course, you will automatically fail the assignment, potentially fail the entire course
and a formal disciplinary hearing and academic probation may be initiated. You cannot re-gift any assignments
for this course. All work must be your individual unique work.

Student Success
FREE! Study Materials exist at the Mastering Biology. (see above!)

Students are expected to read the assigned texts, notes and additional articles. Review and study daily. Learn the
material so that you can apply it. Critical thinking is the goal for any biology course. Ask questions early. Do not
wait until a few days before an exam (or assignment/homework) to get information clarified or verified.
Collin College provides a wide variety of student resources for your success. You can access these resources at
can be found at https://www.collin.edu/studentresources/support/index.aspx Note: Free tutoring is available for
Biol 1408.

Timed Exams
Timed exams can cause anxiety. Here are some tips.
1. Practice, practice, practice. Do more than review your notes before taking an exam. Complete
as many timed practice exams as possible. You can easily do this through the Study Area link in
Pearson and the Cumulative Test optionCreate a routine where you normally study and where
you will take the exam. Make sure that you are in an area free of any distractions (not the coffee
shop) when you take your exam.
2. Sleep well before taking the exam. The best thing you can do before any exam is to get a full
night of sleep. Cramming is never worth it.

If you continue to experience troubles with the timed exams, you may want to contact Collin College Counseling
Services. They are a free resource to help students with test anxiety and many other college stressors. Their
website is https://www.collin.edu/studentresources/counseling/ or you can contact them 972-881-5126
Email: personalcounseling@collin.edu

Extra Credit
There is NO extra credit, or curve associated with this class. Please plan to study accordingly.

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NOTE: The professor has the right to change the syllabus at any point during the semester. Major changes will be
posted online or given to students in class.