|
Course Information |
| Course
Description: |
This course introduces the
student to the methods of biological science. It explores the chemical basis
of life; cell structure and function including energy metabolism; cell
division; DNA and gene regulation; Mendelian and molecular genetics; the
process of evolution; speciation; mechanisms for the origin of life on
earth; the principles of systematics; the prokaryotes and the Kingdom
Protists. |
| Course
Objectives: |
Develop an understanding of the
process of science. Develop an understanding of the basic unit of life, its
complexity and diversity. Develop an understanding of the basic principles
of heredity and how they relate to inheritance of traits in humans. Develop
an understanding of evolutionary principles and processes. Develop an
appreciation of the organization of living organisms and the diversity of
single celled organisms. |
| Prerequisites
and Corequisites: |
Students must be eligible for
enrollment in English 1010 and DSM 0840 or higher. |
| Course Topics: |
Course topics are listed below
under Assignments and Participation. It is expected that students will cover
the topics in the order listed. |
| Specific Course
Requirements: |
None. |
|
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and
Software Requirements |
| Required
Textbooks: |
Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to
obtain current textbook information for this course:
http://rodp.bkstr.com
|
|
Hardware Requirements: |
Windows |
200 MHz Intel Pentium II processor or greater
Windows 98, NT4, 2000
64 MB or more of application RAM
Color monitor capable of 16 bit color and 800 x 600
resolution
CD-ROM drive |
| Macintosh |
180 MHz PowerPC or greater
MAC OS 8.1 or later
64 MB or more of application RAM
Color monitor capable of 16 bit color and 800 x 600
resolution
CD-ROM drive |
| Software
Requirements: |
The following web sites link to
applications or plug-ins which may be useful in this course:
Netscape:
http://netscape.com/
Internet Explorer:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/
Quicktime:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime
Shockwave Player:
http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/
Acrobat Reader:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
|
|
Assessment and Grading |
| Testing
Procedures: |
The mid-term exam and final exam
are to be taken at a proctored site. These exams are on-line. The student is
to contact the instructor within the first two weeks of class to arrange
proctors. Other assignments are submitted as indicated. |
|
Grading Procedure: |
Item
|
Possilbe Point Value
|
|
Unit short answer questions
|
19 @ 15 pts. = 285
|
|
Unit quizzes
|
19 @ 15 pts. = 285
|
|
Lab results
|
19 @ 10 pts. = 190
|
|
Research assignments
|
3 @ 25 pts. = 75
|
|
Lab report
|
1 @ 25 pts. = 25
|
|
Library assignment
|
1 @ 25 pts. = 25
|
|
Mid-term exam
|
100 pts.
|
|
Final exam
|
100 pts
|
|
Total possible points
|
1085 pts.
|
|
Grading Scale: |
Letter Grade
|
Earned Course Points
|
|
A
|
975 to 1085 points
|
|
B
|
868 to 974 points
|
|
C
|
760 to 867 points
|
|
D
|
651 to 759 points
|
|
F
|
below 651 points
|
|
Assignments and Participation |
|
Assignments and Projects: |
Week
|
Topic
|
|
1
|
Course Orientation and Unit 1: The Study of Life
|
|
2
|
Units 2 and 3: Atoms and Molecules
|
|
3
|
Units 4 and 5: Membranes and Cells
|
|
4
|
Unit 6: Energy
|
|
5
|
Units 7 and 8: Respiration and Photosynthesis
|
|
6
|
Unit 9:Cellular Reproduction
|
|
7
|
Units 10 and 11: DNA and Protein Synthesis
|
|
8
|
Unit 12: Mendelian Genetics
|
|
9
|
Unit 13: Genetics of Populations
|
|
10
|
Units 14 and 15: The Evolutionary Process and Speciation
|
|
11
|
Units 16 and 17: The Origin of Life and Systematics
|
|
12
|
Units 18 and 19: The Prokaryotes and Protists
|
| Class
Participation: |
Students are expected to
communicate with their instructor on a weekly basis at a minimum (this
includes the submission of assignments). |
| Punctuality: |
It is the student's
responsibility to submit assignments by the date indicated. Should events
occur which will prevent the student from submitting assignments on time, it
is the responsibility of the student to discuss this prior to the due date
or as soon as possible. |
|
Course Ground Rules |
| |
Assignments sent after the due
date will be subject to late penalties. Assignments submitted within 2 weeks
of due date will receive half credit. Assignments later than 2 weeks late
will receive zero credit. |
|
Guidelines for Communications |
| Email: |
Always include your name.
Always include a subject line.
Special formatting such as centering, audio messages,
tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an
assignment or other communication. |
|
Library |
| |
The
Tennessee Board of Regents
Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents
Degree Program.
Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases,
interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and
librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete
online assignments and as background reading must be included in all
courses. |
|
Students With Disabilities
|
| |
Qualified students with
disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic
accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services
staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations
in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a
student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability
services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility
to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff
and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice
sent to the instructor. |
|
Syllabus Changes |
| |
Any changes to the course
schedule will be posted on the course calendar. |
|
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