GENERAL BIOLOGY I (MAJORS) with Lab (Title change ONLY Oct. 2013) Course Package
COURSE INFORMATION Is this a new course or a proposed modification to an existing course? Please check the appropriate box. New Course Course Modification to an existing course Title General Biology (majors) I Number Catalog Course Description This is the first of a two course sequence designed for science majors. This course provides a broad overview of life on earth today and how life has changed over time. The course content focuses on the basic mechanisms of life: cell structure and function, biochemistry, metabolism, energetics, genetics and evolution. The laboratory experience is designed to compliment and reinforce the lecture series. Credit hours 4 Lecture hours 3 Lab hours 3 Prerequisites Appropriate score on assessment test or successful completion of Identify any risk management issues. Explain the proposed modifications, if applicable. PCS 021, TRM 090, and TRE 089 Risk of minor physical injury due to glass and other breakable material handling in Lab Contact person(s) Jeff Kingsbury, Jan Parrott, Don Plantz, Tom McKinney, Kris Hansen Date March, 2005 Effective date of changes August, 2005 Is there a similar course in the college bank? Articulation: Is this course or an equivalent offered at other two- and four- year universities in AZ? Yes NO If yes, identify: Yes No If yes, identify the college, subject, prefix, number, and title: Writing Across the Curriculum Rationale: Mohave Community College firmly supports the idea that writing can be used to improve education; students who write in their respective content areas will learn more and retain what they learn better than those who don t. Courses in the core curriculum have been identified as Writing Across the Curriculum courses. Suggested minimum standards for the Writing Across the Curriculum component are as follows: 1. The writing assignments should total 1500 2000 words. For example, a single report which is 1500 words in length could fulfill the requirement, or a series of 2
essay questions and short papers (example: four -375 word assignments) which total 1500 words could meet the requirement. 2. The writing component will represent at least 10% of a student s final grade in the course. Is this a course identified as a Writing Across the Curriculum course? Yes No Intended Course Outcomes Course Goals 1. Students will communicate orally and in written form using appropriate biology concepts and terms. 2. Students will develop an understanding of the scientific method, as demonstrated by their ability to apply it. 3. Students will be able to demonstrate a fundamental understanding of biological principals such as evolution, biochemistry, cell structure and function, energetics, metabolism, photosynthesis, and genetics. 4. Students will demonstrate appropriate behavior and protocol in the laboratory setting, and develop critical thinking skills. * 5. Students will be able to apply the material learned in this course as a foundation for further education in the biologic sciences and will recognize important developments in biology and the applications to current societal issues.. Course Competencies and Objectives Competency 1 Students will define the biological characteristics of life, taxonomic organization, and species interactions (ecosystems). Objective 1.1 Summarize the properties required to identify life. Objective 1.2 Summarize taxonomic classification of life Objective 1.3 Summarize the hierarchical organization of life from the individual to the ecosystem Competency 2 Students will examine the theory of evolution, and apply it to life on earth. Objective 2.1 Summarize the concept of evolution Objective 2.2 Explain why natural selection is the driving force of evolution Objective 2.3 Explain the concept of descent with modification Competency 3 Students will apply the scientific method as a means of designing experiments, solving problems and interpreting scientific literature. 3
Objective 3.1 Demonstrate the processes invoved in scientific discovery Objective 3.2 Explain the design of scientifically valid means of testing a hypothesis, including experimental models and methods that are safe and ethical Objective 3.3 Differentiate between objective results and subjective conclusions Competency 4 The student will investigate basic concepts of biochemistry. Objective 4.1 Describe how a chemical element is defined Objective 4.2 Explain the importance of water in biologic systems Objective 4.3 Demonstrate understanding of ph and its physiologic significance Objective 4.4 Describe the four major groups of biologic macromolecules, and how they are important in living organisms Competency 5 Students will summarize purpose and function of cellular strucuture. Objective 5.1 Explain the cell theory Objective 5.2 Differentiate between prokaryotes and eukaryotes Objective 5.3 Describe the structure and function of the plasma membrane Objective 5.4 Describe the principle eukaryotic cellular organelles Competency 6 The student will examine the role of cellular organelles, and how those functions impact the cell as a whole. Objective 6.1 Describe membrane transport mechanisms Objective 6.2 Describe protein sysnthesis Objective 6.3 Explain the significance of the mitochondria to energy production in eukaryotes Objective 6.4 Describe the structure and function of the nucleus Competency 7 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the metabolic processes involved in cellular energy production including photosynthesis,respiration, and anabolic processes. Objective 7.1 Define ATP and its significance in biologic systems Objective 7.2 Describe the mechanisms for generating ATP Objective 7.3 Explain the difference between substrate level phosphorylaization and oxidative phosphorylization Objective 7.4 Differentiate between anaerobic and aerobic meabolism Objective 7.5 Describe the process of photosynthesis including the light and chemical reactions Objective 7.6 Summarize the difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs Objective 7.7 Explain the structure and biologic significance of enzymes, and factors affecting their activity and efficiency Competency 8 Students will examine genetic concepts including basic concepts of inheritance, Mendelian theory, units of genetic function and gene products, as well as the structure of DNA. Objective 8.1 Describe molecular structure of DNA and RNA Objective 8.2 Describe DNA replication Objective 8.3 Describe transcription and the different types of RNA Objective 8.4 Describe translation and protein synthesis 4
Objective 8.5 Describe mutations and mutagens Objective 8.6 Explain the concept of inheritance and the significance of Mendel's experiments regarding prediction outcomes. Competency 9 Students will be able to explain the cell cycle and cell growth. Objective 9.1 Explain the significance of the components of the cell cycle Objective 9.2 Describe the phases of mitosis and describe the changes that occur with each phase Objective 9.3 Explain meiosis and sexual reproduction Objective 9.4 Contrast the differences between mitosis and meiosis Competency 10 Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of animal structure and function. Objective 10.1 Describe the organizational hierarchy from the molecular to the organismal level Objective 10.2 Describe the study of structure (anatomy) Objective 10.3 Describe the study of function (physiology) Objective 10.4 Explain the relationship of structure and function in the coordinated system of higher animals Teacher s Guide Course Materials and Equipment Textbook(s) Title Biology; Seventh Edition; Raven, Johnson, Losos, Singer Software Author(s) Publisher McGraw Hill ISBN 0-07-243731-6 Title Biological Explorations, 5 th Edition (Lab Manual) Author(s) Publisher Prentice Hall ISBN 0-13-145314-9 Blackboard Equipment Other Appropriate lab clothing, safety equipment standard lab equipment Writing Across the Curriculum *(See addendum for grading rubrics) This course emphasizes and supports writing across the curriculum... Yes 5
Learning Units Learning Unit Topic 1: Introduction to Biologic Science Competency: 1 and 3 Objectives: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 Activities/ Assignments: Reading- Text pages 1-19, 509-530; Lecture and class discussiondiscussion of essential characteristics of living organisms, overview of taxonomy and classification, discussion of hierarchy of life from the molecular to the ecosystem level, discussion of the scientific method. Media- Blackboard presentations. Lab Activities: Lab manual exercises 1 and 2. Orientation, review of scientific method, use of microscope Learning Unit Topic 2: Origins of Life, Evolution Competency: 2 Objectives: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 Activities/ Assignments: Reading- Text pages 61-79 and 453-491; Lecture and class discussion- discussion of the theory of evolution, review of the concepts of natural selection and descent with modification. Media- Blackboard presentation, VHS film documentary. Lab Activities: Lab Manual exercise 31. Evolution and the fossil record Learning Unit Topic 3: Biochemistry Competency: 4 Objectives: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Activities/ Assignments: Reading: Text pages 19-61; Lecture and class discussion- review of basic chemistry, elements and molecules, the critical and unique properties of water and the importance of water in biology. Review of the chemical behavior of acids, bases, and salts. Discussion of the major biologic molecules, and their basic structure and importance to living organisms. Media- Blackboard presentation. Lab Activities: Lab manual exercise 4. Acid and base buffering, identification of starches, lipids and proteins Learning Unit Topic 4: Cellular Organization and Function Competency: 5 and 6 Objectives: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 Activities/ Assignments: Reading: Text pages 79-143; Lecture and class discussiondiscusssion of cell theory, and contrast differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Discussion of the structure and function of the plasma membrane, and the principle organelles of eukaryotes. Discussion of membrane transport, protein synthesis, nuclear structure, and the significance of the mitochondria in energy production.; Media- Blackboard presentation. Lab Activities: Lab exercise 3 and 6. Microscopic analysis of the cell, organelle identification, diffusion and osmosis 6
Learning Unit Topic 5: Energy, Metabolism Competency: 7 Objectives: 71., 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.4, 7.6, 7.7 Activities/ Assignments: Readings: Text pages 143-207; Lecture and class discussiondiscussion of the principles of metabolism and the role and significance of enzymes. Review of factors influencing enzyme activity. Discussion of ATP, its structure and role in driving biologic reactions. Review of the processes of respiration and photsynthesis, and the subsequent generationof useful energy for cellular processes. Review of the ecological context of autotrophs and heterotrophs.; Media- Blackboard presentation. Lab Activities: Lab exercise 7. Photosynthesis and oxygen production, sugar metabolism Learning Unit Topic 6: Genetics Competency: 8 Objectives: 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6 Activities/ Assignments: Reading: Text pages 279-361; Lecture and Class discussion- Description of the molecular makeup of DNA and RNA. Discussion of the process of DNA replication, transcription of RNA, and translation of RNA into proteins. Discussion of the gene as a functional unit, and gene expression. Discussion of mutations and the causes of mutations. Review of concepts of inheritance and discussion of Mendel's work in predicting gene expression.; Media- Blackboard presentation. Lab Activities: Lab exercise 10. Hereditary predictions in flowering plants, and chi square exercises Learning Unit Topic 7: Cell Division Competency: 9 Objectives: 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4 Activities/ Assignments: Reading: Text pages 207-279; Lecture and class discussiondiscussion of the units of the cell cycle, and the vents in each cycle. Discussion of the phases of mitosis and the cellular events associated with each phase. Discussion of the process of meiosis, and how it differts from mitosis. Media- Blackboard presentation and VHS presentation of mitosis and meiosis. Lab Activities: Lab exercise 9 and 11. Cell Division, and chromosomal arrangements Learning Unit Topic 8: Animal structure and function Competency: 10 Objectives: 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 Activities/ Assignments: Readings: Text pages 855-907; Lecture and class discussion: Review of the organizational hierarchy of living organisms from the molecular to the organismal level. Review of complex organisms, and the concepts of tissues and organ systems. Discussion of form (anatomy) and function (physiology), and how the relationship of form and function contribute to the survival of the complex animal organism. Media- Blackboard presentation, VHS presentation of "The Human Machine" Lab Activities: Lab exercise 13 and 14. Introduction to animal dissection 7
Course Assessment Information Description of Course Assessments (Essays, multiple choice, etc.) Are exams standardized in your department? Yes No Where can faculty members locate or access the exams for this course? Are the exams required by the department? Yes NO 8