Course Title: General Biology I

Course Number: BIOL  1110  C1

Course Semester Credit Hours: Four

Instructor’s Name: Kenneth H. Jones

Lecture Hours: Three hours lecture per week

Laboratory Hours: Two hours laboratory per week

Meetings: TTh / 9:35AM – 11:00 AM / Rm 128B Tipton Co. Center

An introduction to biology with emphasis on molecular and cell biology, genetics, evolution and ecological relationships. A survey of the kingdoms Monera, Protista, and Fungi with emphasis on morphological and reproductive aspects of these organisms.

(Prerequisites: DSPM 0700, DSPW 0800, DSPR 0800, DSPS 0800 or equivalent documented skill levels)

Required Texts:

Biology, S. Mader, 10^th Edition

Laboratory Manual Biology,  S. Mader, 10th Edition                      

To introduce students to the basic concepts and principles of general biology

To share with beginning students our sense of excitement about the modern life sciences.

To impart an understanding and appreciation of the vast diversity of living things, their special adaptations to their environment, and their evolutionary and ecological relationships.

To emphasize the basic unity of life and the interdependence of the thousands of varieties of living things on the Earth.

To promote critical thinking by requiring students to evaluate a body of evidence, separate assumptions from observations, and reach some conclusion based on evidence.

To have laboratories that emphasize observation and hands-on, discovery based activities that lead to formulating and testing hypotheses.

To initiate each class by explaining the relevance of the day’s topic. This should build learning connections to student experiences and stimulate curiosity.

To present and teach information as a constant state of flux rather than dogma and stress current knowledge could be challenged tomorrow.

To present theoretical concepts as well as accepted facts by requiring students to read material on ethical probes that have no easy answers.

To promote problem solving by requiring students to use the scientific method in solving some problem of their choice and prepare a written report on the outcome.

As the syllabus indicates, a hierarchical approach proceeding from the chemistry of the cell up to the organization of the biosphere is used. Some of the material is covered in the lecture format while other material is dealt with in "hands on" laboratory sessions. Both live and preserved specimens will be utilized during laboratory investigations. Occasional field trips will also be made. Technological instruction aids include material found at the instructor’s home page (http://www.dscc.edu/kjones/homepage.htm), the text’s companion CD and others that provide multi-media material for use in lecture, in the lab or anywhere PC’s are available. The text is supported on the Internet. The Mader Home Page provides resources for and help with studying the chapters at: http:\\www.mhhe.com\biosci\genbio\mader\. Critical thinking will be stressed in dealing with theoretical questions concerning evolution, genetics and other rapidly developing areas in life science research. A term paper is an option for students wishing to augment their grade for the course. Conflicts between religious beliefs, cultural biases and evolution theory are openly discussed toward the end of the semester in a special session meant to encourage the understanding of multicultural diversity.

Four one hour tests will be given in lecture. A two hour comprehensive laboratory practical examination will also be given. The grading system will be:

4 - 1 hour tests (lecture) 80%

1 - 2 hour laboratory practical 20%

Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

90 – 100 - A

80 – 89 - B

70 – 79 - C

60 – 69 - D

< 60 - F

A term paper, skeletal preparation, or botanical collection may be turned end by the last day of class for up to, but not exceeding 10 points added to the final grade. Details will be made available on the first day of class.

Room # 245, Glover Building, Dyersburg State Comm. College main campus

Room # 119, Tipton County Center, Covington, Tn

Office phone: Dyersburg 731-286-3367    Office phone:  Covington: 901-475-3119

Major tests that are missed can be made-up only with prior permission of the instructor and may be more stringent (difficult) than the original test given. Quizzes may NOT be made-up.

Both required texts and CDs are available on reserve at the Covington and Dyersburg LRC’s. These materials may NOT be removed from the library.

Tutorial aids and other resources are available through the Student Success Center and Student Support Services (Ms. Connie High, Rm 215, Dyersburg, and Ms. Nini Harrell, Rm 151, Covington). For students with special disabilities guidance and assistance may be procured from the ADA office (Ms. Pam Dahl).

For information on such topics as harassment, non-discrimination, drugs and weapons policies (see pp. 6-7 of catalog and p. 3,4,5 of fall schedule).