Course Syllabus

Summer 2025 | BIO-1210-VT01 - Introduction to Biology

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Kansas Tillona
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Danielle Lafleur Brooks

General Education Requirements

VSCS Natural Science

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course is an introduction to biological principles and concepts. Topics include cell biology, genetics, physiology, evolution, and ecology. These topics are studied in a diversity of organisms, including microbes, protists, fungi, plants, and representative animal groups. Includes a lab.

Essential Objectives

1. Explain what is included in the study of biology, how it has evolved, how biology is related to the other major branches of science, and how it relates to the issues confronting humanity.
2. Define and utilize the terms necessary to the study of biology.
3. Describe the structure, function, and chemical composition of the cell.
4. Analyze the importance of energy transfer in biological systems.
5. Compare and contrast the two types of cellular reproduction.
6. Summarize the relationships between DNA, genes, chromosomes, and genetics.
7. Summarize the principles of classification of living things.
8. Discuss the evidence and mechanisms for evolution.
9. Construct a definition of ecology using the terms population, community, and ecosystem.
10. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding, interpreting, evaluating, and applying quantitative data and information.
11. Explain how knowledge created in the natural sciences has contributed to the creation, maintenance and dismantling of social inequalities and discuss the impacts of diversity and inclusion on scientific research and practice.
Lab Objectives:
1. Apply knowledge of the scientific method to:
a. formulate and evaluate real-world scientific questions;
b. ethically plan and implement accurate data collection;
c. analyze and evaluate data;
d. generate conclusions based on analysis and justify claims with evidence;
e. integrate the related work of other scientists; and
f. propose ideas for further inquiry.
2. Communicate findings in a format appropriate to the discipline and type of investigation, such as a laboratory notebook, laboratory report, observational study, field investigation report, poster, or presentation using appropriate evidence to support these findings.
3. Understand the structure and purpose of peer-reviewed publications.
4. Evaluate scientific information for validity, accuracy, reliability, and methodology.
5. Identify and follow lab safety techniques that are aligned with CCV’s Chemical Hygiene Plan, Lab Safety Agreements, and chemical Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class.
This does not include lab fees for 4-credit science courses. ***

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Summer 2025 textbook details will be available on 2024-12-06. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

BIO-1210-VT01 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Allowed: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges technology, including generative AI, plays a supportive role in learning and feedback. During our class, we may use AI writing tools such as ChatGPT in certain specific cases. You will be informed as to when, where, and how these tools are permitted to be used, along with guidance for attribution. Any use outside of these specific cases constitutes a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Methods

The teaching methods for this course will be as follows:

Lecture: There will be a lecture portion of this class, however this is be as interactive as possible and include questions along the way to provoke critical thought of the concepts covered. Lectures will also include group discussions and peer learning activites.

Labs: This course includes a lab portion that will cover everything from cell biology techniques to ecology related techniques. We will attempt to be as hands on as possible to gain experience with a variety of skillsets in Biology. Labs will be graded based on effort and following the rubric. Partial credit will always be given if a students displays critical thinking and effort to convey their ideas.

Group Discussions: We will go over scientific literature in groups and learn how to assess these kinds of materials. We will read papers that are directly related to the concepts being covered and read one paper for each week.

Homework/Quizes/Problem Sets: There will be homework graded upon completion. These will be low stakes assignments with a goal of introducing concepts. There will be weekly graded quizes which will be on Canvas and be open book/note. Finally there will be graded problem sets that will be due at the end of each section and will assess knowledge of concepts through critical thinking. The goal of problem sets are to familiarize students with real situations. These may be worked on with peers and although they will be graded for accuracy, there will be more open ended questions and partial credit can be earned for thorough explanations of answers whether correct or incorrect.

Exams: There will be three exams and a cummulative final exam. The goal of exams is to assess knowledge learned from the unit and how it can be applied. Exams will consist of a multiple choicce section, short answer section and there will be two essay questions. There will be three prompts and you may pick 2 of the three. The essay questions will ask a conceptual question and you will be asked to think critically and for example utilize a laboratory technique to solve the question. We will go over several example before exams so students are comfortable answering this style of question. There are also many correct ways to answer these and partial credit will generously be given for creative and thought provoking answers.

Evaluation Criteria

This course uses a weighted categories system for grading.

Participation: 10%

Homework: 10%

Quizes: 10%

Problem Sets: 20%

Lab Reports: 20%

Exams: 30%

*The lowest grade for each homework assignment, quiz, problem set and lab report will be dropped.

*There will be three exams and a cumulative final exam. Each will be worth the same amount of points (100). The lowest exam will be dropped and if you score higher on your final exam than one of the three exams, the final exam grade will replace the lowest test score. If you score lower on the final than any of the three previous exams, the final exam will be dropped. Therefore only the three highest exams will count towards your final grade.

Itemized Evaluation Criteria

Participation: 10% - Participation is attendance based. You may have 2 unexcued abscenses, but will need to make up any missed labs.

Homework: 10% - There will be 1-2 short homework assignments a week.

Quizes: 10% - There will be a weekly quiz on Canvas. You will have two attempts and the highest score will be your grade.

Problem Sets: 20% There will be three total probelm sets. One for each unit that leads up to the exam.

Lab Reports: 20% - There will be one lab report due each week.

Exams: There will be three exams and one final exam, so four exams total.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Full participation requires active and thoughtful engagement in class each week. The following habits and skills are important. You'll have the opportunity to self-assess and receive instructor feedback on each of these areas at the mid-point and the end of the semester.

• Attend class regularly, on-time and for the full session
• Complete all of the week's reading and assignments before the start of class
• Listen to others attentively and with an open mind
• Positively contribute to class discussions and activities
• Ask questions and seek help when you need it
• Challenge yourself to do your best work

Missing & Late Work Policy

• Late work can be submitted with a 10% penalty per day.
• Late work will not be accepted after the exam for the unit in which the work was assigned.
• Students can come talk to me if there are extenuating circumstances leading to work not being able to be turned in on time.

Experiential Learning Expectations

Hours: 11-14

We will spend some time outside doing field ecology related activites during this course. Nothing too strenous should be expected, but there will be some plant and animal identification activites, as well as some potential others. Students should expect to gain experience with ecology based sceintific techniqes, and gain a better understanding of the natural world.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.