Course Description This course, an introduction to the principles of biology, includes studies of cellular organization, genetics and evolution. This course fulfills the general education requirements and the laboratory requirement needed by many students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution. Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to: Explain and apply major concepts in biological chemistry, cell structure and physiology, cell division, Mendelian and molecular genetics, and evolution. Demonstrate knowledge of the scientific method. Communicate scientific ideas through oral or written assignments. Interpret scientific models such as formulas, graphs, tables and schematics, draw inferences from them and recognize their limitations. Demonstrate problem-solving methods in situations that are encountered outside of the classroom. Demonstrate proper laboratory technique including safety in the use and care of laboratory equipment and materials. Course Information Course Number/Title: BSC2010C: Principles of Biology I Reference Number: 416594 Number of Credit Hours: 4 Term/Year/Session/Length: Spring 2015, Session B (12 weeks, Feb 2 – May 1, 2015) Course prerequisites: None Important Dates Class Begins February 2, 2015 100% Refund Deadline February 9, 2015 Non-Attendance Drop February 10 - 17, 2015 Withdraw with “W” Deadline April 1, 2015 Course Evaluation April 20 – May 1, 2015 Class Ends May 1, 2015 These dates are critical for this course. Additional critical dates for this course can be found by choosing the appropriate term links in the Academic and Registration Calendars () at the Florida State College at Jacksonville website.
16 – 22 Discussion 3: The Cell 30 Feb 23 - Mar 1 Module 5: The Plasma Membrane Lab 5: Osmosis 40 Mar 1 Mar 2 – 8 Module 6: An Introduction to Metabolism Lab 6: Enzymes 40 Mar 8 Mar 9 – 15 Module 7: Cellular Respiration NOTE: Plant corn seeds at the beginning of this week. You will take pictures of 2-week old seedlings and write your report (Lab report 9) in module 10. Discussion 4: The Theory of Endosymbiosis 30 Mar 15 Mar 16 - 22 SPRING BREAK Mar 23 – 29 Module 8: Photosynthesis Lab 7: Photosynthesis 40 Mar 29 PROCTORED MIDTERM EXAM (covers Modules 1 through 8, inclusive) 100 Mar 30 - Apr 5 Module 9: The Cell Cycle, Mitosis, and Meiosis Lab 8: Mitosis, Meiosis, and the Cell Cycle 40 Apr 5 Module 10: Mendel, Genes and the Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance Lab 9: Plant Genetics 40 Discussion 5: Genetic Disorders 30 Apr 6 – 12 Module 11: The Molecular Basis of Inheritance Discussion 6: Cancer research 30 Apr 12 Module 12: From Gene to Protein Discussion 7: Sickle Cell Disease 30 Apr 13 – 19 Module 13: Biotechnology - Part 1 Lab 10: Biotechnology - DNA Extraction 40 Apr 19 Discussion 8: Switching Genes On and Off 30 Module 14: Biotechnology - Part II Lab 11: Biotechnology - DNA Electrophoresis and PCR 40 Discussion 9: Biofuels 30
The Next Step I hope you have found this syllabus useful. Your next step is to become familiar with the Blackboard classroom and begin the assignments for Module One. See you in the online course! Rubrics Discussion Rubric Criteria Levels of Achievement Exemplary Meets Expectations Developing Novice Not Acceptable Quality of Initial Post 7.5 Points Initial comment fully addresses all aspects of the discussion board question. Comment includes more than 2 personal or professional experiences. Comment also includes at least two credible resources, cited properly within the work AND at the end of the work. Demonstrates excellent critical thinking skills through multiple examples and ideas. Student has submitted their work through Turnitin 6.5 Points Initial comment addresses most aspects of the discussion board question. Comment includes 1-2 personal or professional experiences. Comment also includes one credible resource, cited properly within the work AND at the end of the work. Demonstrates adequate critical thinking through some examples and ideas. Good discussion of course readings or other resources (if appropriate). Student has submitted their 6 Points Initial comment addresses part of the discussion board question or assigned readings. Comment includes minimal personal or professional experience. Comment also includes one credible resource, cited properly within the work OR at the end of the work. Demonstrates minimal critical thinking with minimal examples and ideas. Minimal discussion of course readings or other resources (if appropriate). Student has 5 Points Initial comment minimally addresses discussion. Comment does not include personal or professional experience. Comment does not include any credible resources OR resources are not cited properly within the work OR at the end of the work. Does not demonstrate critical thinking. No discussion of course readings or other resources (if appropriate). Student has not submitted their work through Turnitin and demonstrated an acceptable originality score. 0 Points No initial posting submitted.
and demonstrated an acceptable originality score. work through Turnitin and demonstrated an acceptable originality score. submitted their work through Turnitin and demonstrated an acceptable originality score. Quality of Response Postings 7.5 Points Responses are highly reflective, insightful and add to the discussion in a meaningful way moving it forward. 6.5 Points Responses are reflective, insightful and add to the discussion. 6 Points Responses are minimally reflective or insightful and do not significantly add to the discussion in a meaningful way. 5 Points Responses are present but are not reflective or insightful, but don't add to the discussion. 0 Points No response postings submitted. and Technical Aspects of All Posts 7.5 Points Information is exceptionally well organized; spelling and grammar are correct and complete sentences are used. Proper citations are effectively used. 6.5 Points Information is well organized; 1-2 spelling and/ or grammar mistakes are evident. Complete sentences are used. Proper citations are used. 6 Points Organization is scattered; 3-5 spelling and/ or grammar mistakes are evident. Some incomplete sentences used. Citations are used. 5 Points Information is not well organized; more than 5 spelling and/ or grammar mistakes are evident. Incomplete sentences used. No citations. 0 Points No postings submitted. Posting Quantity and Timeliness 7.5 Points Initial posting and at least three quality responses are made prior to the due date listed in the Calendar of Activities. Initial posting is made before 11:59 pm on Wednesday. 6.5 Points Initial posting and at least two quality responses are made prior to the due date listed in the Calendar of Activities. Initial posting is made before 11:59 pm on Wednesday. 6 Points Initial posting and at least one quality responses are made prior to the due date listed in the Calendar of Activities. Initial posting is made before 11:59 pm on Wednesday. 5 Points Initial posting is made before 11:59 pm on Wednesday. 0 Points Initial posting is not made prior to Wednesday and/or no postings are submitted.
Technical Aspects 10 Points The lab report is neat and well organized in appearance. Tables (if indicated) are clear, detailed and concise. The work is free of grammatical and spelling errors. Answers are written using formal scientific language. 9 Points The lab report is fairly neat and organized. Tables (if indicated) are clear and contain most of the requested detail indicated in the assignment. The work is relatively free of grammatical and spelling errors. Most answers are written using formal scientific language. 8 Points The lab report is ordinary. Tables (if indicated) are included, but do not contain the requested detail indicated in the assignment. The work has some grammatical and spelling errors that may interfere with the reading of the report. Some formal scientific language is used, but not consistently. 7 Points The lab report is poorly written and difficult to read. Reads like a last minute effort. Tables (if indicated) are missing, incomplete and/or do not follow directions. The spelling and/or grammatical errors seriously interfere with the reading of the report. The majority of the work is not written in formal, scientific language. Slang, and/or informal language are used. 0 Points No lab report was submitted.