Instructor Information. Instructor: Table of Contents. Course Description (Catalog) Table of Contents. Course Scope

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1 School: Science and Technology Course Number: BIOL133 Course Name: General Biology I Credit Hours: 4 Length of Course: 16 Weeks Prerequisite: MATH 110/125 Instructor Information Course Description Course Scope Course Objectives Course Delivery Method Course Resources Evaluation Procedures Grading Scale Course Outline Policies Academic Services Selected Bibliography Instructor Information Instructor: Course Description (Catalog) This course provides a foundational basis for the study of basic biology. It is the first in a two part biology series that is designed for students who intend to complete a degree that requires a majors level biology course. Topics included in this course include an introduction to the molecular basis of life, biology of the cell, genetic and molecular biology, evolution and diversity of life on Earth. The laboratory portion of this course will include hands-on as well as virtual laboratories that complement the topics and concepts covered in the lecture component. Table of Contents Course Scope This course is the first in a two part biology series that is designed for students who intend to complete a degree that requires a majors level biology course. It serves as an

2 introduction to biology and will include the following specific modules: Part 1: the science of biology, the nature of molecules and the properties of water, and the chemical building blocks of life. Part II: cell structure, membranes, energy and metabolism, how cells harvest energy, cell communication and cell division. Part III: sexual reproduction and meiosis, patterns of inheritance, chromosomes, mapping and meiosis, DNA, genes and how they work, control of gene expression, biotechnology and genomics. Part IV: genes within populations, the evidence for evolution, the origin of species, and systematic, phylogenies and comparative biology. Part V: the origin and diversity of life, viruses, prokaryotes and protists. In addition to the lecture material, this course will contain both virtual and online laboratories that will enhance and supplement the readings. Course Objectives After successfully completing this course, you will be able to: CO-1: Identify the levels of organization of life, its diversity and the processes by which life has achieved its present form. CO-2: Explain the importance of the biochemical building blocks and water. CO-3: State energy pathways such as photosynthesis, respiration, and overall cellular metabolism. CO-4: Explain scientific literacy by discussing real life applications of biology in the form of case studies. CO-5: Identify the basic cell and its processes of mitosis and meiosis. CO-6: Summarize the mechanisms of inheritance and the process by which protein and DNA are synthesized. CO-7: Recall the various examples of life on earth including prokaryotes, viruses and protists. CO-8: Demonstrate the role of the student-scientists to the public regarding the relevant and topical scientific issues. Course Delivery Method This course delivered via distance learning will enable students to complete academic work in a flexible manner, completely online. Course materials and access to an online learning management system will be made available to each student. Online assignments are due by Sunday evening of the week as noted and include Forum questions (accomplished in groups through a threaded forum), examination, and individual assignments submitted for review by the Faculty Member). Assigned faculty will support the students throughout this eight-week course.

3 Course Resources Required Course Textbooks: OpenStax College, Biology. OpenStax College. 30 May < Lab Kit: Hands on Labs and Vernier instruments Required Readings: Additional Readings and/or materials are found in the course resources within the lesson plans. Required Software Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel) Microsoft Office is recommended for the assignments in this course. If you do not have Microsoft Office, you may use software capable of reading Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. A free, open-source alternative to Microsoft Office may be downloaded from OpenOffice.org. Adobe Acrobat Reader A free download is available from Adobe.com Web Sites In addition to the required course texts, the following public domain web sites are useful. Please abide by the university s academic honesty policy when using Internet sources as well. Note web site addresses are subject to change. Site Name Crash Course in Biology Science Friday BioSciEdNet Click and Learn KhanApp Web Site URL/Address Howard Hughes Institute free mobile app, for use on iphones and ipads only Khan Academy free mobile app, for use on all smart phones Evaluation Procedures

4 Reading Assignments: There are weekly readings as described in the course outline, below. These readings are based out of the text, or will be provided to students within the resource tab in the electronic classroom. Forum Assignments: There will be 12 Forum assessments in total. Forum topics will be posted within the forum section of the class. Participation is mandatory and vigorous interaction is required. Forum 1 is an introductory forum. The initial posting in this forum must be 250 words in length. You will also be required to post at least two follow up comments to classmates by Sunday of week one. Forum 1 will be worth 10 points. Forums 2 12 The posting requirements for these forums are: The first response is due by Wednesday of the first week. Two follow up responses are due by Sunday of the first week. The discussions will be group based. The forums will consist of a Case Study selected by the instructor from a peer reviewed site. The Case Study will describe a scenario relevant to the readings and offer multiple questions for discussions and a deeper examination of the issues. The instructor will moderate the discussion. Students will be evaluated by the instructor (see Rubric for Forums 2-12). Forums 2-12 will be worth 15 points each. Formative Assessments/Homework Assignments: Each week students will complete two to three formative assessments that are designed to help students review and revise the material for the given week. Assessments will have multiple formats, which may include matching, true/false, short answer, and multiple choice. These assessments can be done multiple times, and students will receive nominal credit for each assessment upon the first completion. The modules will be due the week of the examination for the material covered, but can be submitted sooner, in accordance with the course schedule below. The Formative Assessments for each chapter will be worth six points each. Exams: There will be four exams throughout this course, during Weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16. Every chapter on a given exam will be worth 30 points, and any supplemental readings covered will be worth ten points. Different exams will be weighted differently depending upon the number of chapters or supplemental readings covered. The exams will mostly include application questions in multiple formats, including multiple choice as well as short answer..

5 Exam 1 will cover six chapters and will be worth 180 points. Exam 2 will cover five chapters and a reading and be worth 150 points. Exam 3 will cover four chapters and be worth 120 points. Exam 4 will cover five chapters and be worth 150 points. Therefore, Exam 4 will not be cumulative. Course Project: The Course Project is designed to focus the student on experimental design. As future scientists, the Course Project will entail designing an experiment using their Vernier instrumentation gas pressure sensor. The students will present the result of their research in an experiment report. The Experiment Design will be due Week 7 and the Course Project Experiment Report will be due Week 15. The Course Projects will be shared to the class Week 16 in the forum, and students will be asked to comment on the experiments. Laboratories: There will be eight lab sets due throughout the course. The laboratories will mostly consist of hands-on lab experiments that will be sent to the student within a kit. There will also be internet based exercises that will apply the concepts learned in the course. Grade Instrument Points Forum 1 10 Forums 2 12 (Each worth 15 points) 165 Formative Assessments (Each Chapter worth points) Laboratory Sets 1-8 (Each Set worth points) Exam Exam Exam Exam Course Project: Experiment Design 65 Course Project: Experiment Report 100 TOTAL POINTS 1,500 Exams 600/ % Forums 175/ % Lab Sets 440/ % Course Project 165/ % Formatives 120/1500 8%

6 16 Week Course Outline Please see the Student Handbook to reference the University s grading scale. Contents Table of Week Topic Learning Objectives Readings and Assessments Assignment Due 1 Chapter 1: The Study of Life Chapter 2: The Chemical Foundation of Life CO-1 CO-2 Text Readings: Ch 1-2 Begin Lab Set 1 Forum Post #1 Formative Assessments Ch 1-2 Forum Post #1 2 Chapter 3: Biological Macromolecules CO-2 Forum Post #2 Formative Assessment Ch 3 Forum Post #2 Lab Set #1 3 Chapter 4: Cell Structure Chapter 5: The Structure and Function of Plasma Membranes CO-2 CO-5 Forum Post #3 Begin Lab Set #2 Formative Assessments Ch 4 & Forum Post #3 Course Project Experiment Plan (Assigned) 4 Chapter 6: Metabolism CO-3 Formative Assessment Ch 6 Lab Set #2 Exam 1: Weeks Chapter 7: Cellular CO-3 Forum Post #4 Forum Post #4

7 Respiration Chapter 8: Photosynthesis CO-3 Begin Lab Set #3 Formative Assessments Ch 7 & 8 6 Chapter 9 Cell Communication C0-5 Forum Post #5 Formative Assessment Ch 9 Forum Post # 5 Lab Set #3 7 Chapter 10: Cell Reproduction Chapter 11: Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction C0-5 C0-5 Forum Post # 6 Begin Lab Set #4 Formative Assessment Ch 10 & 11 Forum Post #6 Course Project Experiment Design Due 8 Chapter 12: Mendel s Experiments and Heredity CO-6 Formative Assessment Ch 12 Lab Set #4 Due Exam 2: Weeks Chapter 13: Modern Understanding of Inheritance CO-6 Forum Post #7 Begin Lab Set #5 Forum Post #7 Formative Assessment Ch Chapter 14: DNA Structure and Function CO-6 Forum Post #8 Formative Assessment Ch 14 Forum Post # 8 Lab Set #5 11 Chapter 15: Genes and Proteins CO-6 Forum Post #9 Begin Lab Set #6 Forum Post #9

8 Formative Assessment Ch Chapter 16: Gene Expression CO-6 Formative Assessment Ch 16 Lab Set# 6 Due Exam 3: Weeks Chapter 17: Biotechnology and Genomics CO-6 Forum Post # 1o Begin Lab Set #7 Forum Post #10 Formative Assessment Ch Chapter 18: Evolution and the Origin of Species CO-7 Forum Post #11 Formative Assessment Ch 18 Forum Post #11 Lab Set #7 Due 15 Chapter 19: Evolution within Populations CO-7 Begin Lab Set #8 Formative Assessment Ch19 Course Project Experiment Report Due 16 Chapter 20: Phylogenies and the History of Life CO-7 Forum Post # 12 Formative Assessment Ch 20 Forum Post #12 Due Lab Set #8 Due Exam 4: Weeks Policies Please see the Student Handbook to reference all University policies. Quick links to frequently asked question about policies are listed below. Drop/Withdrawal Policy Plagiarism Policy Extension Process and Policy Disability Accommodations

9 Writing Expectations All written submissions should be in a size 12 point font, Arial or Times New Roman. Writing assignments should clearly and concisely organize the main points, supported by details or reasoning. Standard rules of grammar and punctuation should be used. Citation and Reference Style Students will follow the American Psychological Association manual (APA) as the citation and reference style used in written work submitted as part of coursework to the University. Assignments completed in a narrative essay or composition format should follow the citation style cited in the 6 th edition of Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Late Assignments Students are expected to submit classroom assignments by the posted due date and to complete the course according to the published class schedule. As adults, students, and working professionals, I understand you must manage competing demands on your time. Should you need additional time to complete an assignment, please contact me before the due date so we can discuss the situation and determine an acceptable resolution. In general, the following late policies will be applied: Nothing late accepted in the forum exercises Lab Sets can be turned in up to one week late, with a 5% loss of points per day late. Exams cannot be submitted late. Formative Assessments/Homework Assignments cannot be submitted late. Netiquette Online universities promote the advancement of knowledge through positive and constructive debate both inside and outside the classroom. Forums on the Internet, however, can occasionally degenerate into needless insults and flaming. Such activity and the loss of good manners are not acceptable in a university setting basic academic rules of good behavior and proper Netiquette must persist. Remember that you are in a place for the rewards and excitement of learning which does not include descent to personal attacks or student attempts to stifle the Forum of others. Technology Limitations: While you should feel free to explore the full-range of creative composition in your formal papers, keep layouts simple. The Sakai classroom may not fully support MIME or HTML encoded messages, which means that bold face, italics, underlining, and a variety of color-coding or other visual effects will not translate in your messages. Humor Note: Despite the best of intentions, jokes and especially satire can easily get lost or taken seriously. If you feel the need for humor, you may wish to add emoticons to help alert your readers: ;-), : ),

10 Disclaimer Statement Course content may vary from the outline to meet the needs of this particular group. Online Library The Online Library is available to enrolled students and faculty from inside the electronic campus. This is your starting point for access to online books, subscription periodicals, and Web resources that are designed to support your classes and generally not available through search engines on the open Web. In addition, the Online Library provides access to special learning resources, which the University has contracted to assist with your studies. Questions can be directed to Charles Town Library and Inter Library Loan: The University maintains a special library with a limited number of supporting volumes, collection of our professors publication, and services to search and borrow research books and articles from other libraries. Electronic Books: You can use the online library to uncover and download over 50,000 titles, which have been scanned and made available in electronic format. Electronic Journals: The University provides access to over 12,000 journals, which are available in electronic form and only through limited subscription services. Tutor.com: AMU and APU Civilian & Coast Guard students are eligible for 10 free hours of tutoring provided by APUS. Tutor.com connects you with a professional tutor online 24/7 to provide help with assignments, studying, test prep, resume writing, and more. Tutor.com is tutoring the way it was meant to be. You get expert tutoring whenever you need help, and you work one-to-one with your tutor in your online classroom on your specific problem until it is done. Request a Library Guide for your course ( The AMU/APU Library Guides provide access to collections of trusted sites on the Open Web and licensed resources on the Deep Web. The following are specially tailored for academic research at APUS: Program Portals contain topical and methodological resources to help launch general research in the degree program. To locate, search by department name, or navigate by school. Course Lib-Guides narrow the focus to relevant resources for the corresponding course. To locate, search by class code (e.g., SOCI111), or class name. If a guide you need is not available yet, please the APUS Library: librarian@apus.edu.

11 Turnitin.com Faculty may require assignments be submitted to Turnitin.com. Turnitin.com will analyze a paper and report instances of potential plagiarism for the student to edit before submitting it for a grade. In some cases professors may require students to use Turnitin.com. Typically the course professor will establish a Turnitin.com access code for his/her classes. If the code has not been established, those who wish to use Turnitin.com may ask their professor to establish the code. Selected Bibliography The following books are in the Library, and can be found after logging in and doing a search: 1. Biology Demystified; Layman and Layman; ISBN: Table of Contents