CCBC, Spring 2014

School of Mathematics and Science

Biology Department, Essex Campus
BIOL 110: Biology I: Cells and Molecular Section(s)EU1, EU2
Course Description and Prerequisites1:
Biology I: Molecular & Cells serves as a pre-requisite course for science and allied
health majors. It stresses the basic biological principles common to all living
things. Evolution and homeostasis serve as central themes for the topics, which
include cell structure and function (both physical and chemical), molecular and
cellular reproduction and genetics. The laboratory introduces the student to
various biological techniques and emphasizes the process of science. Students
may receive credit for only one of the following: BIOL 100, BIOL 108, or BIOL 110.
Pre-requisites:
(ENGL Q52 or LVE2) and (RDNG 052 or ESOL 054 or LVR2) and
(MATH 083 or MATH 073 or LVM3)

I. Basic Course Information

A. Instructor: Dr Michael Donnelly
B. Office: MASH 614
Contact Information: mdonnelly2@ccbcmd.edu
C. Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursdays 1:00-4:00.
D. Department/School Phone Number: Department or School Phone Numbers
E. Class Times, Days, and Locations: Lecture: Tuesday/Thursday MASH 804 7:208:45.
EU1 Lab: Tuesday MASH 402 4:05-7:00
EU2 Lab Thursday MASH 402 4:05-7:00
F. Statement of Student Out-of-Class Work Expectations. These expectations are
the minimal requirements based on national standards and may not be
decreased: in a standard 14 week semester, students are expected to spend 2
hours per week, per credit hour on work outside of class. This is a 4 credit
course taught in a 14-week semester, and so you are expected to complete at
least 7) hours of work per week outside of the class including reading, class
preparation, homework, studying, etc If this is an online section, an additional 4
hours are required per week. Students: please note that these are minimal
requirements for any course, and that many students require more time than
this for science courses.
G. Materials:
Required: For laboratory courses, appropriate clothing (including shoes which
cover the tops of the feet and have good traction) is required. See Course
Procedures for more information:
:Required textbooks:
Biology/MindTap by Solomon 10th Edition/Volume I
Biology 110 Laboratory Textbook, 14th edition, by Hershey, Thorndill,
DeStefano, and Artes. 2013 Pearson Custom Publishing (for CCBC Essex)
Optional textbooks and resources:
Safety goggles (Must be worn during all laboratory sessions-Limited supplies are
available in the lab.)
Get Ready for Biology. Garrett, Pearson Publishers.

The Pocket Handbook for Biology. Kirszner and Mandell, Thompson and
Wadsworth Publishers.
Introduction to Chemistry for Biology Students. Sackheim, Pearson/ Benjamin
Cummings Publishers.

II. Course Goals Overall

A. Course Objectives1:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. apply the principles and assumptions that underlie scientific information and apply the
scientific method to simulated problem-solving situations;
2. recognize and use metric units of measurement and perform basic calculations using
metric units of measurement;
3. follow detailed directions to demonstrate the appropriate use of laboratory equipment
to gather and analyze data;
4. organize data into tables or graphs (where appropriate) and be able to draw inferences
from the graphs;
5. demonstrate the proper use of a light microscope;
6. apply chemical principles to the functioning cell;
7. explain how a cell is the basic unit of life including the function of organelles;
8. explain the principles of bioenergetics, including the processes of photosynthesis,
aerobic respiration and fermentation;
9. explain how living organisms store and process genetic information to control their life
functions and activities;
10. compare and contrast asexual and sexual reproduction;
11. solve genetic problems involving simple Mendelian traits, incomplete dominance,
codominance and sex-linked traits;
12. apply the principles of genetics to explain how ethnic diversity applies in the areas of
genetic inheritance and disorders;
13. determine the relevancy of biotechnological advances to your life; and
14. explain the basic process for evolution in terms of variation, over production and
natural selection

B. Major Topics1:
1. Chemistry of life
2. Characteristics and classification of life (Microscopy)
3. Cell types, structures and functions
4. Cell membrane structure and function
5. Cellular metabolism (including enzymes, photosynthesis and cellular
respiration
6. Cellular reproduction (including DNA, mitosis and meiosis
7. Molecular genetics (including transcription and translation)
8. Classical genetics
9. Evolution
10. Biotechnology
11. The process of science (Metric system of measurement and lab skills
including the proper use of scientific equipment)
C. Rationale: This course can be used to meet the General Education requirement of a
four-credit course in the science domain for general education. This course is intended
for pre-allied health and science majors. Non-science majors should take BIOL

108. NOTE: Students may receive General Education credit for only one of
the following courses: BIOL 100, BIOL 108, BIOL 110.

III. Evaluation
A. Requirements1: This course will include three lecture exams and a cumulative
final exam. In addition, there will be several quizzes and written assignments.
There will be two lab practical exams. The dates of the exams and lab practicals
are reflected in the class schedule.
B. Instructor's grading policy: Course evaluation is based upon the premise
that a student's regular attendance and ability to answer test and practical
examination questions is an approximation of that student's mastery of the
specific course objectives. Exam questions are designed to objectively
measure both the scope and depth of the student's mastery. The instructor
will assign letter grades based on the following calculation:
Exams (3 @ 125 pts each):
375 points
Final Exam (Cumulative)
:
175 points
Lecture Quizzes (10@10 pts each):
100 points
Written Assignments :
100 points
GREAT Assignment:
50 points
Lab Practicals (2 @ 50 pts each):
100 points
Lab Reports (10 @ 5 pts each):
50 points
Pre-lab Quizzes (10 @ 5 pts each):
50 points
Total Points:
1000 points
Final grades will be assigned as specified below:
Points Earned
Letter Grade
900 1000
A
800 899.9
B
700 799.9
C
600 699.9
D
Less than 600
F
Please note: You must earn a passing grade (60%) in both portions of the
course (i.e. at least 450 points in lecture and 150 points in lab) to pass the
course as a whole. That is, if you fail the lab, you also fail the course.
C. Instructor's attendance policy:
Participation in all laboratories is mandatory. Failure to attend two
labs will result in failure of the course. No make-up labs will be given.
If you miss a lab, you need to make arrangements to attend another lab section
during the same week. Allowing you to attend a different laboratory
section is at the discretion of that labs instructor and APPROVAL IS
NOT GUARENTEED! Regardless, you will be held responsible for any and all

material that you missed in lab. Open labs may not be available for making up
labs. Even if an open lab is available, the lab must be made up in the same
week in which the lab occurred.
Exams may be made up with a legitimate excuse and documentation (Illness,
Jury Duty, etc). If you know you are going to miss in advance you may take the
exam early. Quizzes can be made up the next class. Lab Practicals cannot be
made up.
D. Instructors audit policy: Important notes: (1) you can no longer wait until midsemester to decide that auditing a course is appropriate: the final date to
change to an audit now coincides with the final date for withdrawing with a 50%
refund, and (2) failure to participate in the class as follows will result in a grade
of W instead of AU.The last day to switch to an audit for the Spring 2015
semester is: February 23, 2015.
IV. Course Procedures
A. Course-related policies and procedures (including course-specific links):
B. College wide syllabus policies: For college wide syllabus policies such as the
Code of Conduct related to Academic Integrity and Classroom Behavior or the
Audit/ Withdrawal policy, please go to the MySyllabiPolicies Tab on the MyCCBC
page. Please pay particular attention to the following sections of
MySyllabiPolicies:
Attendance Policy
Code of Conduct for Academic Integrity
Grades -W (The last day to withdraw this semester is: Thursday, April 2,
2015.)
C. Contact information for course-related concerns: See endnote for contact
information2.
D Additional Procedures: No food or drink is allowed in any science lab at any time.
Feet should be covered with closed-toed shoes to provide protection from
broken glass, spilled chemicals, and other laboratory hazards.
Adequate protective clothing is required in the Biology 110
laboratories. This includes closed toed shoes, long pants, covering at least to
the knees, and short-sleeved shirts with no bare midriffs (in other words, you
must be covered shoulders to knees). If you prefer to purchase a lab coat, you
may do so at the bookstore. Additional eye, hand, skin and clothing protection
may be required when chemical or biological hazards are present. Failure to
abide by laboratory safety policies will result in removal of students from the
class.
E. Course calendar/schedule: See the printed schedule appended to this
document.

Note that the content in these sections is dictated by the Common Course Outline for this course, as approved at the college-wide
level: [http://www.ccbcmd.edu/cco/home.html]
2
Students should first attempt to take concerns to the faculty member. If students are unable to resolve course-related concerns with
the instructor, they should contact Ms. Christine DeStefano, Biology Department Chair, at cdestefano@ccbcmd.edu or 443-840-2673.

Week

2/3
2/10
2/17
2/24
3/3

3/10
3/17
3/24
3/31
4/14
4/21
4/28

Day/
date

Chapter

Tues
Thurs
Tues

1
2
3

Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs

3
4
4

Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs

5
5
6
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13

Topic

A View of Life
Atoms and molecules: The Chemical Basis of Life
Atoms and molecules: The Chemical Basis of Life
The Chemistry of Life: Organic compounds
The Chemistry of Life: Organic compounds
Organization of cell
Organization of the cell
Biological Membranes
Exam 1: Chapters 1-4
Biological Membranes
Cell Communication (Selected topics/Reception)
Energy and Metabolism
How cells make ATP: Energy-Releasing Pathways
How cells make ATP: Energy-Releasing Pathways
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
Chromosomes, Mitosis, and Meiosis
Exam 2: Chapters 5-9
Chromosomes, Mitosis, and Meiosis
Basic Principles of Hereditary
Basic Principles of Hereditary
DNA: The carrier of genetic information
DNA: The carrier of genetic information
Gene Expression
Gene Expression
Exam 3: Chapters 10-13

Exam/
quizzes

Q
Q
E
Q

Q
Q
E
Q
Q
Q
E

5/5

Tues
Thurs
Tues

5/12

5/21

Thurs
Thurs

15
15
16
16

DNA technology and genomics

DNA technology and genomics
Human Genetics and the Human Genome
Human Genetics and the Human Genome
Chapters 15 and 16 to be included in cumulative
final exam.
Review
Cumulative Final Exam (7:30-9:30)

Q
E

Fall 2014 Lab Schedule

Date

Lab #

Lab #

Mon 2/2Thursday
2/5

Lab Safety/Introduction to Metric Measurements & Lab Equipment

Read: (1) BIO LAB REGS & (2) REGS FOR MICROSCOPE USE & CARE
View Safety Presentation, Take Quiz & Sign Acknowledgement/Agreement Sheet

Mon 2/9Thursday
2/12

pH, Fast Plants & Introduction to Molecular Structure

[Plant Seeds in Quads (2 seeds/section; 8 seeds total/group) for Lab#12]

Mon 2/16Thursday
2/19

Mon 2/23Thursday
2/26

Mon 3/2Thursday
3/5

The Microscope & Cells

[Observe/POLLINATE/Record Observationsfor Lab#12]

Mon 3/9Thursday
3/12

Movement of Molecules & Ions/Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio

[Observe/POLLINATE/Record Observationsfor Lab#12]

Molecular Structure II
[Observe/POLLINATE/Record Observationsfor Lab#12]
Chemical Composition of Cells
[Observe/POLLINATE/Record Observationsfor Lab#12]

Mon 3/16Thursday
3/19

Test

Lab Practical #1 (Safety and Labs 1-6)

[Observe/POLLINATE/Record Observationsfor Lab#12]

Mon 3/23Thursday
3/26

Enzyme Activity
[Observe/POLLINATE/Record Observationsfor Lab#12]

8
&
Handout
&
9

METABOLISM: Yeast Respiration/Fermentation

&
Photosynthesis/Respiration Handout
&
Photosynthesis
Note: All 3 will remain available the Saturday after the break.
[Observe/POLLINATE/Record Observationsfor Lab#12]

Mon 3/30Thursday
4/2

Fri 4/3Sun 4/12

Spring recess
Friday, April 3- Sunday, April 12

Mon 4/13Thursday
4/16

8
&
Handout
&
9

METABOLISM: Yeast Respiration/Fermentation

&
Photosynthesis/Respiration Handout
&
Photosynthesis
Note: All 3 will remain available the Saturday after the break.
[Observe/POLLINATE/Record Observationsfor Lab#12]

Mon 4/20Thursday
4/23

10

Distribution of Chromosomes: Mitosis & Meiosis (may be on cart)

[Harvest & Plant seeds on filter paper in petri dish-put container on plant cart for Lab 12]

Mon 4/27Thursday
4/30

12
&
Fly(opt)

Inherited Traits (Option 1): Make predictions, observe results,

calculate chi square & do problems; & BioLab Fly (on laptops-optional)

Mon 5/4Thursday
5/7

11 & 14

Mon 5/11Thursday
5/14

Test

Mon 5/18Sat 5/23

DNA "Fingerprinting & The Genetic Code

Lab Practical 2 Labs 7-13

LECTURE FINAL EXAMS