Course Syllabus

Spring 2024 | BIO-1210-VU01 - 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

Jeffrey Koch
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Jennifer Guarino

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 employ the terms necessary to the study of biology.
3. Describe the structure, function, and chemical composition of the cell as the basic unit of life.
4. Analyze the importance of energy transfer systems and how they relate to the Laws of Thermodynamics.
5. Compare and contrast the two types of cellular reproduction.
6. Summarize the relationships between DNA, genes, chromosomes, and the behavior of inherited traits.
7. Summarize the principles of the classification system of living things.
8. Discuss the evidence and mechanisms for evolution, including the origin of life.
9. Construct a working 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 IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

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 low cost ($50 or less) textbook or resource class.
This does not include lab fees for 4-credit science courses. ***

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

Spring 2024 textbook details will be available on 2023-11-06. 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-VU01 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.

Methods

Information for this course may be presented in any of the following forms: lecture, lab, discussion, small group work, student presentation, debate, and videos.

Evaluation Criteria

Students’ grades will be determined by the grades achieved on assignments, labs, weekly quizzes, exams, and a project in the proportions defined below:

Assignments 20%

Labs 20%

Quizzes (7) 20%

Exams (2) 20%

Project (1) 20%

Assignments –Assignments should be handed in by the start of the class (11:45am) on the day that they are due. After 11:45am the assignment is considered late. Late assignments will be accepted but 1 point will be subtracted from the grade each day it is late. Missing assignments will receive the grade of 0. No assignments will be accepted after 7 days late.

If you are absent from class, you are responsible for emailing me your assignment or ensuring it is in my mailbox before class begins. When absent, you are also responsible for any assignments due the next week.

Labs- Labs are conducted almost every class day. It is your responsibility to conduct the lab by you and your lab partner. If you miss a lab you can do the lab make-up on your own time. However, most labs take multiple days so if you missed the first day of the experimental design or data collection, you can come back in, join a lab group, and finish the lab.

If there are extraneous circumstances that may come up during the semester please let me know; such as, the case of a family or health emergency.

Quizzes - There will be 7 quizzes. Five of these will be counted; the two lowest quiz scores or missed scores will be dropped.

Examinations- Examinations will be approx. 1 hour 15 minutes long, and will be administered in class. If you must miss an examination, you have to make arrangements with the instructor no later than one week prior to the examination for a make-up. Communication with me can be achieved through a meeting before/after class or via email. If you do not attend an examination, you may be given a zero unless there are extenuating circumstances. Exams may include questions in the form of multiple choice, fill in the blank, true/false, short answer, essay, compare/contrast, matching.

A midterm and final exam will be given at the midway and at the end of the course. Questions will be in the form of multiple choice, fill in the blank, true/false, short answer, essay, compare/contrast, matching. The final exam will be cumulative.

Project - The goal for the project is for students to inform the public about a current environmental issue using a digital format.

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

Weekly Schedule

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

Attendance/Participation –Attendance is required. Missing three or more class meetings will result in a failing grade. Students who have financial aid may lose their funding upon missing more than the designated allowable absences. The classroom participation grade is based upon attentiveness, asking questions, productive group work, etc. Attending and participating in class is an easy way to earn 20% of your grade.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Assignments –Assignments should be handed in by the start of the class (11:45am) on the day that they are due. After 11:45am the assignment is considered late.Late assignments will be accepted but 1 point will be subtracted from the grade each day it is late.Missing assignments will receive the grade of 0. No assignments will be accepted after 7 days late.

If you are absent from class, you are responsible for emailing me your assignment or ensuring it is in my mailbox before class begins. When absent, you are also responsible for any assignments due the next week.

Labs- Labs are conducted almost every class day. It is your responsibility to conduct the lab by you and your lab partner. If you miss a lab you can do the lab make-up on your own time. However, most labs take multiple days so if you missed the first day of the experimental design or data collection, you can come back in, join a lab group, and finish the lab.

If there are extraneous circumstances that may come up during the semester please let me know; such as, the case of a family or health emergency.

Examinations- Examinations will be approx. 1 hour 15 minutes long, and will be administered in class. If you must miss an examination, you have to make arrangements with the instructorno later thanone week prior to the examination for a make-up. Communication with me can be achieved through a meeting before/after class or via email. If you do not attend an examination, you may be given a zero unless there are extenuating circumstances. Exams may include questions in the form of multiple choice, fill in the blank, true/false, short answer, essay, compare/contrast, matching.

Cheating and Plagiarism -CCV has a commitment to honesty and excellence in academic work and expects the same from all students. Academic dishonesty, or cheating, can occur whenever you present -as your own work- something that you did not do. You can also be guilty of cheating if you help someone else cheat.Being unaware of what constitutes academic dishonesty (such as knowing what plagiarism is) does not absolve a student of the responsibility to be honest in his/her academic work. Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously and may lead to dismissal from the College.

Housekeeping –Food and drink are not allowed in the science lab classrooms. There is a small table outside of the classroom for you to leave drinks there. 10-15 minute breaks will be given during each class. You may get up and use the restroom when necessary. Do your best to be considerate of your classmates when leaving/returning to class. Please leave your area clean when you leave. If a colleague is giving a formal presentation please wait until the student is finished before getting up, leaving, or returning to minimize distraction.We all must work together to provide a supportive, respectful, and productive learning community.

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