BIOL 101,102

SYLLABUS FORM
WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Valhalla, NY l0595

l.

NAME OF COURSE: Biological Science I with Lab (Biol 101 and 102)

2.

DATE OF LAST REVISION: Spring 2010

3.

NAME OF REVISOR(s): Glenworth Richards and Chad Thompson

4.

NUMBER OF CREDITS: 4

5.

NUMBER OF CONTACT HOURS PER WEEK: 5

6.

APPROXIMATE FREQUENCY OF OFFERING THIS COURSE

Every Semester

7.

PREREQUISITES OR ENTRY LEVEL SKILLS

None

8.

COREQUISITES
None

9.

Required for Curriculum

PLACE OF THIS COURSE IN CURRICULUM:
X Required for College Core
Elective
Part of Required/Recommended Sequence with (Number of Course)

10. IS THIS COURSE DESIGNED FOR TRANSFER? X Yes

No

11. COURSE OBJECTIVES:

List the courses learning objectives and describe how each objective/outcome will be measured.
Objective - Upon successful completion, the
This outcome will be measured by one or more
student will be able to:
of the following:
Describe what science is (and what it is not) and
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
give examples of the scientific methods of problem
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
solving.
Evaluate the scientific validity of a scientific article
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
published in popular press.
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
List the evidence for evolutionary change and state
the basic tenets of the Theory of Natural Selection.
List and describe the characteristics that are used by
scientists to characterize life.
Describe the basic macromolecules that are basis for
the chemical nature of life.
List and explain the basic tenets of the cell theory
Describe the basic differences between a prokaryotic
cell and a eukaryotic cell.
Describe the role of the microscope in the discovery
of microbes and how that changed the western
world's view of disease.
Describe the methods used by Gregor Mendel to
develop his explanation for the inheritance.
List and explain Mendels Laws of Genetics.

Written exams consisting of multiple choice,

true/false, and/or constructive response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions

BIOL 101,102

Describe how the chromosomal theory of

inheritance led to the concept of linkage.
Calculate the results of Mendelian crosses using the
Punnett Square
Describe the history of scientific events that led to
the acceptance that DNA was the genetic material.
Describe the coding system used in DNA to encode
genetic traits.
Describe the replication process and its significance
in the life process.
Explain transcription and translation of the DNA
messages.
Explain and give examples of how an understanding
of the structure and functions of DNA has practical
applications in such fields as forensics, medicine and
agriculture.
Lab Objectives:
Perform laboratory exercises that reinforce lecture
objectives.
Develop and use quantitative skills to analyze and
interpret experimental data.

12.

Written exams consisting of multiple choice,

true/false, and/or construct response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions
Written exams consisting of multiple choice,
true/false, and/or constructive response questions

Lab Reports; Practical and written exams consisting

of multiple choice, true/false, and/or constructive
response questions
Lab Reports; Practical and written exams consisting
of multiple choice, true/false, and/or constructive
response questions

COURSE GRADE
Lecture: 75% (4-5 unit exams and a comprehensive final)
Lab: 25% (3-4 exams+ graded lab work)

13. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: List the different instructional methods you might use, in the
course of the semester. List supplementary learning options, if any
Traditional lecture with use of chalkboard
Learning objectives
Overhead transparencies
PowerPoint presentations
Computer assisted learning in the form of tutorials
Computer practice testing
Videos
Group work in lab
Publisher's web site with tutorials and testing
14. CROSS-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES:
A. General Education Enrichment:
Does this course provide opportunities to draw upon examples or concepts from outside the main
objectives of this area of study? If yes, please briefly describe the content, activities or
assignments.
B. Information Management:
Does this course provide opportunities to teach and/or require the students to apply information
management skills? If yes, please briefly describe the content, activities or assignments.
C. Critical Thinking:
Are there components of this course which teach and/or require students to demonstrate Critical
Thinking? If yes, please briefly describe the content, activities or assignments.
D. Student Engagement:

BIOL 101,102

Does this course provide opportunities for students to participate in individual or group
presentations or interactions? If yes, please briefly describe the content, activities or
assignments.
Opportunities
General Education

Activities or Assignments
Students are required to use quantitative skills such as unit
conversions, graphing data, and basic statistical analyses in lab.
Lecture material is related to current event topics in technology,
politics, and history

Information Management

Publisher's website is used to augment text and lecture material.

PowerPoint presentations and course materials are found on the
college's ERes website.
Lecture test and lab work require analysis and interpretation of
data.
Class participation and group study are encouraged in both lecture
and lab, and cooperative group work is required in lab.

Critical Thinking
Student Engagement

15. TOPIC OUTLINE

Attached
16. UNIQUE ASPECTS OF COURSE (such as equipment, specified software, space requirements,
etc.)

APPENDIX I: REQUIRED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS REQUIRED BY THE STUDENT

(Include Supplementary Readings)
Lecture:
Concepts of Biology, Sylvia S. Mader (Selected Material for WCC), McGraw Hill.
Lab:
BioLogic, Dubowsky, Priano, Richards, Thompson, and Zemcov. Kendall/Hunt.
APPENDIX II: - CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

A one-semester science literacy course in biology for students with a limited background
in science. Covering such fundamental issues as the meanings and origin of life, the
evolution of life, reproduction, heredity, and the impact of biology on technology and
society. Designed to fulfill the general science requirement for the non-science major.
Class hours 3; laboratory hours 2, offered every semester.

BIOL 101,102

Topic Outline
WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Course Title:
Credits:
4

Biological Science

Contact Hours:
Required Text:

45 lecture hours and 30 laboratory hours

Concepts of Biology (edited for WCC); Mader ,Sylvia. McGraw Hill. 2008.
In order to register for the publishers ARIS web site, link to:
http://www.mharis.com and follow the instructions to join a course.
You also need the following section codes to complete registration:

11:00 section # 4809; ARIS Section Code is EA8-46-36D

12:00 section # 4812: ARIS Section Code is E3A-B6-48E

Recommended:

Priano. Biological Science Test Bank; 2007.

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is recorded at every meeting.

Two lates (or leaving early) = one absence.
Students accumulating 3 or fewer absences will have their lowest exam grade dropped.
For each absence beyond 6 two points will be deducted from your lecture grade.

Grading Policy:
Your grade will be determined by the following components:
lecture exams and assignments = 75% (see attached for details)
laboratory grade
= 25% ( minimum lab grade is 50%)

Make-up exams are NOT given unless you arrange for one before the
time of the scheduled exam.

Class participation is a factor in determining your final grade.

Ignorance of any course policy is not an excuse.

LECTURE TOPICS
TEXT CHAPTERS
I. Biology and Society
1, 13, 14, 25.10
A. The Big Picture
1. The scientific method: the marriage of
skepticism and wonder
2. Pure and applied science and public policy
3. Consilience: Towards a Unity of Knowledge
4. The characteristics of life
5. Evolution and homeostasis: unifying biological principles
B. Life, Death and Ethics
1. The beginnings of life and abortion
2. The end of life and euthanasia
EXAM 1 covers topic I above

BIOL 101,102

II. The Chemical Basis of Life

2 and 3
A. Chemical terminology
B. Inorganic compounds important to life
1. water
2. acids, bases and salts
3. the pH scale
C. Biomolecules: Organic compounds important to life
1. carbohydrates
2. lipids
3. proteins
4. nucleic acids
EXAM 2 covers topic II above plus key concepts from topic I
III. The Cellular Structure of Life
4, 5, 8
A. Cell Theory
B. Differences between cell groups
1. plant and animal cells
2. prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
C. Cellular ultrastructure
D. The Central Dogma and protein synthesis
E. Cell division: mitosis and meiosis
EXAM 3 covers topic III above plus key concepts from topics I and II
IV. Genetics: The Study of Inheritance
A. Mendelian genetics
B. Modern genetics
C. Solving genetic problems
D. Ethical issues regarding applied genetics

9, 10, 12

V. Reproduction: The Perpetuation of Life

A. Asexual reproduction
B. Sexual reproduction
1. reproductive strategies among vertebrates
2. the human sexual response cycle
C. Ethical issues regarding technologically assisted reproduction
EXAM 4 covers topic IV and V above plus key concepts from topics I,
II and III
NOTE: Prior to each exam, you are expected to test yourself with appropriate questions from the
Bio Sci Test Bank , available in the WCC Bookstore. In addition, you are also expected to utilize
the publishers web site for post-chapter quizzes and more.
8/10

BIOL 101,102

WEEK

TOPIC

Nullis in Verba: To Our

Students
A Metric Primer
An Introduction to the
Tools of Science
Determination of Ascorbic
Acid of a Food
Completion of Ascorbic
Acid Lab &
A Scientific Investigation
of Extrasensory
Perception
Investigating Cell
Membrane Activity
DNA Typing Part I

2
3
4

5
6

READING
ASSIGNMENT1
Vii
1
11
17

29

65
129

(In Room 230)

DNA Typing Part II

129

(In Room 230)

9
10
11
12
13

14
15
1

The Microscope:
Extending the Sense of
Sight
Exploring the Cell
Concept
Exploring the Cell
Concept (continued)
A Study of Human
Genetics
A Study of Heredity
Part I
Spontaneous Generation
& the Nature of Infectious
Disease
A Study of Heredity
Part II
Clean Up
FINAL QUIZ

41

53
53
113
87
77

87

Dubowsky, N., Priano, M. & Richards, G., Thompson, C., Zemcov, A. 2005. Bio/Logic: A
Laboratory Manual for the Biological Sciences, 2nd (revised).NOTE: Your lab instructor will
describe laboratory requirements and how your grade will be determined during your first lab
meeting.