Salt Lake Community College - Biology Department

BIOL1610 (LS): College Biology I

Spring Semester 2018

Instructor: Jed H. Doelling, Ph.D.

Teaching Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 am until noon: Genetics and Genetics Lab
schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 until 4 pm: Genetics and Genetics Lab
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 am until 11:30 am: two sections of BIOL 1610

Jordan Campus – JHS 248c, Tuesdays: 11:30 - 12:30 pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays: 4 – 5 pm.
Office Taylorsville Campus – Dumke STEM center, Mondays: noon - 1:30 pm.
hours: - SI 360, Wednesdays: noon – 1:30 pm.
I might also be able to meet with students in the morning before I begin teaching. Please
make an appointment with me if you would like to visit with me at other times than during
my office hours.

Phone: 957-6332 (You may leave a voice mail message if I do not answer)
Email: jdoellin@bruinmail.slcc.edu (This is the best way to contact me outside of class)

Required Course Materials:

1) Campbell BIOLOGY IN FOCUS 2nd Ed. Urry, Cain and others. Using the online learning helps
from Pearson is optional.
There are several options to buy a SLCC custom book with online learning help:

1-      In Bookstore: a custom bound text & Mastering Access code – Approximate cost $135

2-      MasteringBiology On Line Price w/etext $64.50

3-      MasteringBiology On Line Price w/out etext $35.75

Students are highly encouraged to read all assigned chapters in advance and to come to class ready
to discuss the material and to ask questions. You may be tested on all material in the notes even if
we do not have time to cover everything in class.

2) Must have access to a computer capable of using appropriate course applications (e.g. Canvas)
and word-processing programs (e.g. Microsoft Word and Excel). The syllabus, chapter notes,
vocabulary words, and assignments will be made available on Canvas. A simple, non-
programmable calculator may be useful during quizzes and tests.

3) Must have study time – It is recommended that students study at least 10 hours per week outside
of class time. Please note that the students in class come with a wide variety of different back-
grounds. Some students may require additional study time to learn and understand class material.
You are responsible for your own learning. I am willing & eager to help, but I cannot learn
for you. Do not expect a miracle – learning takes time and effort on your part. If you do not
understand something, I encourage you to put in time/effort ASAP. It is not wise to wait until
after the exam. I highly encourage students to study together. I also welcome your questions
by e-mail or office visit.

Many students find Biology 1610 challenging. I encourage you to take advantage of all
learning opportunities available to you. These include visiting with me, attending workshops
and/or test reviews, visiting a tutoring center, and finding a study partner.

Course Description: Prereq: MATH 0990 w/C grade or better, or appropriate Accuplacer
score; RDG 0990 w/C grade or better, or appropriate Accuplacer score. Coreq: BIOL 1615.
Content: biological chemistry, cell structure, metabolism, genetics, evolution, and diversity. Three
hours and 20 minutes of lecture per week with additional lab component (BIOL 1615) required.

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE HAS INDICATED THAT INSTRUCTORS MUST MAKE
STUDENTS AWARE OF SPECIFIC INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THIS SITE:
https://faculty.slcc.edu/orienting-faculty/syllabus.aspx. 

DRC STATEMENT
SLCC values inclusive learning environments and strives to make all aspects of the College
accessible to our students. If you have a disability and believe you need accommodations to
improve access to learning materials or the learning environment, please contact the Disability
Resource Center: (phone) 801-957-4659; (email) drc@slcc.edu; (website) www.slcc.edu/drc.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT

The student is expected to follow the SLCC Student Code of Conduct.

GENERAL EDUCATION STATEMENT

This course fulfills the [category] requirement for the General Education Program at Salt
Lake Community College. It is designed not only to teach the information and skills
required by the discipline, but also to develop vital workplace skills and to teach strategies
and skills that can be used for life-long learning. General Education courses teach basic
skills as well as broaden a student’s knowledge of a wide range of subjects. Education is
much more than the acquisition of facts; it is being able to use information in meaningful
ways in order to enrich one’s life.
While the subject of each course is important and useful, we become truly educated
through making connections of such varied information with the different methods of
organizing human experience that are practiced by different disciplines. Therefore, this
course, when combined with other General Education courses, will enable you to develop
 broader perspectives and deeper understandings of your community and the world, as
well as challenge previously held assumptions about the world and its inhabitants.

TITLE IX STATEMENT
Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in
any educational institution that receives federal funding. Salt Lake Community College
does not tolerate sex discrimination of any kind including: sexual misconduct; sexual
harassment; relationship/sexual violence and stalking. These incidents may interfere with
or limit an individual’s ability to benefit from or participate in the College’s educational
programs or activities. If you have questions or concerns regarding your rights or
responsibilities, or if you would like to file a Title IX complaint please contact:
Kenneth Stonebrook, J.D.
Title IX Coordinator
Salt Lake Community College
Taylorsville Redwood Campus – STC 276A
(801) 957-5027
ken.stonebrook@slcc.edu
Online Reporting Form: http://www.slcc.edu/title-ix/complaint.aspx
Students may also report incidents to an SLCC faculty or staff member, who are required
by law to notify the Title IX Coordinator. If a student wishes to keep the information
confidential, the student may speak with staff members of the Center for Health and
Counseling, (801) 957-4268.
For more information about Title IX, go to: http://www.slcc.edu/title-ix/index.aspx
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

General Education Regardless of your major, General Education courses build a foundation of broad
knowledge and skills that help you in your further career and life. http://www.slcc.edu/gened

General Learning Support & Tutoring Services provide support for SLCC students enrolled in any class at
the College. All resources are provided free-of-charge. Ask your instructor about discipline-specific learning
support and tutoring services.
 Tutoring and Learning Centers provide free assistance in Math, Science, Accounting, CSIS and Allied
Health Classes at 6 campus locations. https://www.slcc.edu/tutoring
 Student Writing Center provides in-person and online feedback on all writing assignments.
http://www.slcc.edu/swc
 Academic Literacy Center provides tutoring in reading and conversation.
https://www.slcc.edu/english/academic-literacy-center.aspx
 Library Services provides research help, print and online resources, computers and study space.
libweb.slcc.edu
 ePortfolio Lab provides drop-in assistance for all ePortfolio questions.
http://eportresource.weebly.com/
 eLearning Support provides support for navigating online and hybrid classes.
https://slcc.instructure.com/courses/297606
  Business Resource and Innovation Center provides tutors and a study space for students in
Business and CSIS courses. Located in BB 226 on Taylorsville-Redwood Campus.

Advising and Counseling Support Services provide support for students enrolled in any class as the college.
 The Center for Health and Counseling provides health care, mental health counseling, massage
therapy services and healthy lifestyle programs. http://www.slcc.edu/chc/index.aspx
 Veterans’ Services assists hundreds of students in using their VA education benefits each semester.
http://www.slcc.edu/veterans
 Academic and Career Advising helps students plan, explore, make decisions, access resources and
evaluate their academic and career goals. https://www.slcc.edu/academicadvising
 Academic Achievement Center helps students achieve GPA requirements for graduation.
https://www.slcc.edu/academic-achievement-center/index.aspx

IMPORTANT DATES:
 Incomplete Grade and Withdraw from Class: A grade of “I” (Incomplete) is the
instructor’s option and will not be given except only in the most extenuating of
circumstances for which there is verifiable written documentation. In order to receive an
incomplete, more than 75% of all course work must have been completed with a passing
grade.
 Last day to withdraw from class with refund, or without refund will be as specified by Salt Lake
Community College (January 29 or March 13, respectively). A student may want to withdraw
from a course rather than receive an E if it appears they will not pass. It is the
responsibility of the student to drop/withdraw from this class if they so desire, not of the
instructor.

 Last Day to Add is January 17

 No class on January 15 (Martin Luther King) and February 19 (President’s day)
 Last day of class is April 26 and Reading Day is April 27

ePortfolio Statement:
Each student in General Education courses at SLCC will maintain a General Education ePortfolio.
Instructors in every Gen Ed course will ask you to put at least one assignment from the course into
your ePortfolio, and accompany it with reflective writing.  It is a requirement in this class for you to
add to your ePortfolio. Your ePortfolio will allow you to include your educational goals, describe
your extracurricular activities, and post your resume.  When you finish your time at SLCC, your
ePortfolio will then be a multi-media showcase of your educational experience. For detailed
information including a Student ePortfolio Handbook, video tutorials for each ePortfolio platform,
classes, locations and times of free workshops and other in-person help, visit
www.slcc.edu/gened/eportfolio.

Workshops and Test Reviews:

There will be some workshops and/or test reviews held outside of class time during the semester.
You are highly encourage to attend. We don’t have time to review material during class time.

Free Tutoring:
Salt Lake Community College has several tutoring centers to help students learn biology. I will
inform you of times and places when this information becomes available to me.

COLLEGE-WIDE LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Core Themes of SLCC’s Mission focuses on Access and Success, Transfer Education,
Workforce Education and Community Engagement. As such, all courses and programs address one
or more of the below College-Wide Learning Outcomes. Upon successful completion of any
program at SLCC, students should:

 Acquire substantive knowledge in the discipline of their choice sufficient for further study,
and/or demonstrate competencies required by employers to be hired and succeed in the
workplace.
 Communicate effectively.
 Develop quantitative literacies necessary for their chosen field of study.
 Think Critically.
 Develop the knowledge and skills to be civically engaged, and/or to work with others in a
professional and constructive manner.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

In order to fulfill the goals of the College-wide Learning Outcomes, the following course learning
outcomes of been established for this course. Upon completion of this course a person educated in
College Biology should be able to demonstrate a general understanding of the following essential
learning outcomes.

 Students will be introduced to and will show mastery in the major unifying themes of
biology. These themes include 1. The domain and process of science, 2. The chemical
basis of life, 3. The cell as the basic unit of life, 4. Evolution and the diversity of life, 5.
DNA and the continuity of life, and 6. The interrelationships of living organisms. The
concept of organizational levels and emergent properties of life will also be emphasized.

 Students will understand and be able to describe the “atoms to ecosystem” organizational
system of living organisms, namely: atoms → molecules → cells → tissues → organs →
organ systems → whole organisms → populations → ecosystems. They will be able to
describe the basic attributes that define “life”. They will be able to compare the major
kingdoms of living organisms. (Unity and Diversity of Life)

 Students will understand the chemical basis for life. This will include both inorganic and
organic molecules. (Biochemistry)
 Students will understand and be able to compare the metabolic processes carried out by
living organisms in the different kingdoms. They will be able to describe the inter-
relationships of these metabolic processes. (Metabolism)

 Students will appreciate the cellular basis of life and be able to compare cellular
organization among the various kingdoms. They will understand the structure and function
of cellular components. (Cell Biology)

 Students will understand and be able to describe the structure and function of the cell
membrane. They will be able to determine how and why various substances enter and leave
the cell. They will appreciate the various cellular communication methods that can be
employed by cells. (Cell Membrane Biology)

 Students will understand the events of the cell cycle and how sexual life cycles and asexual
life cycles are used by various organisms. Students will appreciate the need for both genetic
stability and mutability. (Cell Division and Reproduction)

 Students will be able to describe how genetic traits are passed from one generation to the
next. Students will be able to predict resulting offspring from various parental crosses.
Students will appreciate the relationship between chromosomal behavior and genetic
transmission. (Transmission Genetics)

 Students will understand and be able to discuss the chemistry of DNA, including its
structure, replication, and expression. (Molecular Genetics)

 Students will appreciate that the diversity of life existing today has arisen through the
process of evolution. Students will understand and be able to describe forces that increase
genetic diversity and decrease genetic diversity in a population. (Evolutionary
Biology/Population Genetics)

GENERAL POLICIES
 Syllabus: This syllabus represents an “agreement” between the student and the instructor.
It is designed to insure course integrity and fairness as well as provide students with a clear
understanding of course expectations. The instructor and students are expected to use the
syllabus and schedule as a guide for the semester. Any deviation from the syllabus or
schedule will be discussed and agreed upon by the instructor and students.
 Attendance: Attendance is mandatory the first week of classes. If you are not in attendance
the first week you may be dropped from the lecture and lab during the second week. I
recommend that you make attendance a priority even when no test or quiz is scheduled. I
will take attendance every day at random times during class time. Your attendance will
determine the extent to which I will curve your test scores. These scores will be curved
only if the class average is below 70%. You must attend at least half the time to be eligible
for curving. 50 - 70% attendance = 50% curving, 70 – 90% attendance = 75% curving, >
90% attendance = 100% curving.
 Missed Due Dates: All required assignments, quizzes, exams and their due dates are given
at the beginning of the semester. Assignment due dates reflect the last possible date to
submit an item for full credit. Items may be submitted prior to their due date. You may
 hand in assignments up to one week late for partial credit (60% of point value).
Although I prefer that all items be submitted in paper form, they may be submitted by e-
mail. Do not use Canvas to submit assignments but send to my e-mail address:
jdoellin@bruinmail.slcc.edu. Each assignment must be submitted separately as a new e-mail
(do not reply to a previous e-mail) and include the name of the assignment in the subject line
of the e-mail. The extra credit activity also has a due date with the same late penalty as
described above. No assignments will be accepted following the day of the final exam.
Students are expected to take tests and quizzes during class on their scheduled dates. No
make-up quizzes will be given. Only your five best quizzes (total number of quizzes = 7)
will count towards your grade. An exception might be possible if you have discussed your
special circumstances with me at the beginning of the semester, and only after you have
already missed two quizzes for legitimate reasons. Likewise makeup exams will only be
permitted if you have discussed your special circumstances with me at least one week in
advance, or if sickness prevents your attendance. A doctor’s note or an e-mail arriving in
advance of the time of the test will then be required. Students wishing to reschedule must
take the exam no more than 7 days following the date indicated on the syllabus. If this is not
possible, It will be at my discretion whether the student will take a modified exam or if the
student will not take that particular exam. If the student does not take an exam, their lowest
exam score will count at full value, and the student’s overall exam score will be based on the
percentage of points earned on the three exams that they took. These due dates are
established to help you as students keep up to date in the course and to allow me as the
instructor to grade items in a timely manner.
 Academic Dishonesty: Absolutely NOT tolerated and includes all forms of cheating and
plagiarism as outlined in the Student Code. I may decide to scan tests and quizzes prior to
returning them to you. If so, the grade change procedure will involve comparing returned
test or quiz to scan. Penalty for first offense will be a grade of “0” on the assignment or
exam; second offense will be an “E” for the course.

 Electronic Devices: Cell Phones and pagers should be turned to silent mode during class.
Computers can be used for note-taking and course-related purposes ONLY and should not
be used during class for working on other tasks (e.g. answering emails, Facebook, job-
related activities, work from other courses you are taking, etc.). You may be asked to leave
if your electronic device disrupts the class. Cell phones and computers MUST be turned
OFF and put away during exams and quizzes. It is your responsibility to bring a non-
programmable calculator if you wish to use one on an exam or quiz.
 Classroom recordings: Students may not record the class without written authorization
from the instructor. Under no circumstances is a student permitted to publish information
about the class. It is a violation of Privacy/Intellectual Property Rights if class materials are
used without authorization.
 Student Code of Conduct: The student is expected to follow the SLCC Student Code of
Conduct found at http://www.slcc.edu/policies/docs/Student_Code_of_Conduct.pdf
 Other SLCC academic policies may be found in the SLCC Course Catalog, or the Student
Code of Conduct.

 Emergency Evacuation Procedures: we will leave the building immediately in case of

 an emergency. We will follow school guidelines at: http://www.slcc.edu/emergency-
prepare/emergency-procedures.aspx

EVALUATION/GRADING

1. Quizzes (40 points total: 7 quizzes – 10 points each, your lowest three scores will be dropped): A
quiz will be given during each class period designated on the course schedule (see below). I want to
encourage you to keep up and to prepare early for each test. These quizzes will also help you by
providing sample questions. The questions will deal only with the material covered up to that point.
You will be given a 0 for a quiz if you are absent. No make-up quizzes will be given.

2. Vocabulary Assignments (28 points, 8 points each for the first three sections and 4 points for
section 4): Learning the vocabulary is an important part of understanding biology. Note that you
will hand in your vocabulary assignment for all chapters in the section even if we have not covered
them yet. The due dates for full credit will be February 1 (Section 1), March 6 (Section 2), April 10
(Section 3), and May 1 or 3 depending on when you have the final (Section 4).
3. Section Assignments (34 points): There will be 4 story problem assignments during the semester
(10 points each for the first 3 sections, 4 points for section 4). You may use whatever help you need
to complete the assignment including working in groups and asking me questions. The main idea is
that you gain comprehension and some experience with the information we are discussing. The due
dates for these assignments will be on the day of the test for that section: February 8 (Section 1),
March 13 (Section 2), April 17 (Section 3), and May 1 or 3 depending on when you have the final
(Section 4). Please take the time and effort to do well because this will help you learn the material
we are discussing.
4. Common Themes Assignments (18 points, 5 points each for the first 3 sections and 2 points for
section 4): Chapter 1 of the textbook outlines five common themes in biology. I believe that if we
understand these five themes and can recognize them, it will help us to learn biology. You will
identify one example each of three of these five themes for every chapter that we cover starting at
chapter 2. You will also explain why this is an example of that particular theme. These
assignments will be due on the day of the corresponding test along with the section assignment.
5. Exams (280 points total: 4 exams - 80 points each, your lowest test score will be divided in half):
Exams will mainly be multiple-choice questions; however true/false, data interpretation, drawings,
short essay, and problem solving may be included. Scantrons will be used to help me grade exams.
Thus, you will need to bring a #2 pencil for every exam. A study guide will be provided for each
chapter as part of that chapter’s notes (posted on canvas): it is the second slide and is labeled Key
Concepts. The idea behind dividing your lowest test score in half is to reduce the impact if you have
a bad day or have particular difficulty on one of the sections of class. Both your score and the total
value of the test will be halved. For instance, if your lowest score is 50 out of 80 (missed 30 points)
it will be converted to 25 out of 40 (missed 15 points).
6. College Biology I Lab (100 pts): Points earned in the Laboratory (BIOL 1615) will account for
20% of your final grade. The laboratory is an essential part of the course – doing poorly in lab will
significantly decrease your overall BIOL 1610 grade.

7. Extra Credit (10 points): Each one of the following can be done once for extra credit (5 points
each). I encourage you to do each more than once.
1) Send me an e-mail to schedule an office visit, keep the appointment and have a 5 minute chat
with me in my office. The due date is the day of the first exam (February 8).
2) Biology 1610 workshop or test review. Attend a session, make sure that the faculty member
records that you are present, and send me an e-mail indicating which session you attended and
who the instructor was.

Tentative Grading Scale: total points possible = 500

A: 465 or more (93%) A-: 450 - 464 (90%) B+: 435 – 449 (87%)
B: 415 – 434 (83%) B-: 400 – 414 (80%) C+: 385 – 399 (77%)
C: 350 – 384 (70%) C-: 335 – 349 (67%) D+: 320 – 334 (64%)
D: 300 – 319 (60%) E: less than 299

Note: A student who does not take the final exam for the course may receive an E grade rather than
a D grade at the instructor’s discretion.

I will post scores on Canvas. These scores will only be raw scores – I will not remove your two
lowest quiz scores and divide your lowest test score in half until I download scores into an
excel spreadsheet.

I will stick very closely with this grading scale. I may decide to curve individual quizzes and
tests, but I do not curve the overall point totals at the end of the semester.

It is very important that students complete assignments on time – failure to do so can significantly
impact a student’s grade. Example: If a student does not earn any vocabulary, assignment or extra
credit points, and does very well on quizzes, tests, and lab earning 90% of the possible points (36 +
252 + 90 = 378 total points). Final grade is a C.

BIOLOGY 1610 TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Week Topic Book Chapters

Week 1 (Jan 9) Syllabus
(Jan 11) Introduction, Evolution & Foundations of Biology 1

Week 2 (Jan 16) Chemical Context of Life 2

(Jan 18) Chemical Context of Life 2
Week 3 (Jan 23) Carbon & Molecular Diversity 3
(Jan 25) quiz 1 Carbon & Molecular Diversity of Life 3
Week 4 (Jan 30) A Tour of the Cell 4
(Feb 1) Membrane Transport 5
Week 5 (Feb 6) quiz 2 Cell Signaling 5
(Feb 8) Test 1 1–5
Week 6 (Feb 13) Introduction to Metabolism 6
(Feb 15) Cellular Respiration and Fermentation 7
Week 7 (Feb 20) Cellular Respiration and Fermentation 7
(Feb 22) Photosynthesis 8
Week 8 (Feb 27) quiz 3 Photosynthesis/The Cell Cycle 8, 9
(Mar 1) The Cell Cycle 9
Week 9 (Mar 6) Meiosis & Sexual Life Cycles 10
(Mar 8) quiz 4 Meiosis & Sexual Life Cycles 10

Week 10 (Mar 13) Test 2 6 - 10

(Mar 15) Mendel and the Gene Idea 11
Week 11 (Mar 20, 22) Spring Break
Week 12 (Mar 27) Mendel and the Gene Idea 11
(Mar 29) Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance 12
Week 13 (Apr 3) quiz 5 Molecular Basis of Inheritance 13
(Apr 5) Molecular Basis of Inheritance 13
Week 14 (Apr 10) Gene Expression 14
(Apr 12) quiz 6 Gene Expression 14
Week 15 (Apr 17) Test 3 11 - 14
(Apr 19) Evolution of Populations 21
Week 16 (Apr 24) Evolution of Populations/Descent with Modification 21, 19
(Apr 26) quiz 7 Descent with Modification 19
Finals week Test 4 / Comprehensive 19, 21 / 1 - 14
8:30 – 9:50 class Tuesday, May 1 from 9:10 – 11:10 am
10:00 – 11:20 class Thursday, May 3 from 9:10 – 11:10 am