Germanna Community College

BIO 102 – General Biology II

Section 23, MW 12:00-2:45pm, Room 303

Spring 2005

Instructor Information

Maury Wrightson

(540) 834-1007

mwrightson@gcc.vccs.edu

**Only email from GCC addresses will be opened**

Office Hours: (316-E FAC1)

MWF 10am-12noon

TuTh 4-6pm

Also available by appointment

Required Texts

Starr, Cecie, BIOLOGY Concepts and Applications, Brooks/Cole, 5^th edition

Mader, Sylvia, BIOLOGY Laboratory Manual, McGraw Hill, 8^th edition

Course Description

4 credit hours

This course is designed to continue the education and review of advanced biological concepts from genetic research and application tot eh gross anatomical systems of the human body. Comparative plant and animal genera and morphology will be discussed as well as the ecological community. Students should know the characteristics of the six kingdoms of life and have an appreciation for the diversity of life. They should also understand the interdependence among different life forms. Students should understand the principles of taxonomy and evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Lecture: 3 hours. Laboratory: 3 hours.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of Bio 102, the student should have an understanding of the following:

a) Describe the general usage of biotechniques in industry and research

b) Know the various ways that gene activity (replication and transcription) are turned on and off in cells

c) Describe how an understanding of chromosome helps to account for events that compose mitosis and meiosis

d) Describe the main features of animal development and its regulation at the molecular level

e) Describe the mechanisms, principles, and processes involved in the maintenance of homeostasis in animals, through observation of multiple levels of organ systems

f) Describe the relationship between structure and function on plants

g) Describe the levels of organization of multicellular organisms

h) Outline the main principles governing ecosystems and describe how the activities of humans affect ecosystems

i) Describe the diversity of life and explain how organisms are dependent upon the activities of other organisms

j) Be able to discuss the importance of symbiosis in nature

Attendance Policy

Written attendance will be taken at every class. A student is allowed 2 unexcused absences without affecting their grade. Absences will be excused for serious reasons such as illness, death in the family, etc., and there must be documentation for the excuse (e.g. note from doctor). If 4 classes are missed, the student may be automatically withdrawn from the course, in accordance with the Germanna Community College Attendance Policy.

Assignments completed outside of class are expected to be turned in on time. Late assignments will be accepted at a penalty of a 10 % deduction per day. Quizzes and other assignments completed during class time cannot be made up. Tests that are missed can be made up in a timely manner with a make up test that is completely essay questions.

Academic Honesty

At GCC we expect the highest standards of academic honesty. Violations of academic honesty include the following:

Cheating: This includes seeking or giving unauthorized help on examinations, papers, and other academic assignments.
Plagiarism: This is defined as using another’s words or idea and representing them as one’s own either knowingly or unknowingly. In other words, by not documenting ideas or putting quotations around exact phrasing and documenting the course, one is committing plagiarism. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you have the permission of that person.

Misconduct in the area of academic honesty is subject to disciplinary action which can include failure for the assignment or even failure of the course.

Disabilities Statement

If you are a student with a disability and will need accommodations while enrolled in this course, please contact the Coordinator of Disability Services in the Counseling Center (540-710-2019). Please inform me of the accommodations that are required after you and the counselor have determined what these will be.

Grading

Tests 35%

Final Exam 15%

Quizzes 10%

Research Paper 10%

Group Project 10%

Lab Work 15%

Participation 5%

Grading Policy

A = 90-100%

B = 80-89%

C = 70-79%

D = 60-69%

F = <60%

Important Dates

Classes Begin January 10

Holiday (College closed) January 17

Last day to add a class January 18

Last day to change from audit to credit January 18

Last day to drop with refund January 24

Spring break (No classes) March 7 - 12

Last day to withdraw without academic penalty or change to audit March 16

Classes end May 2

Final Examinations May 3 - 9

Course Schedule (subject to change)

Date Lecture Topic Readings Lab Other Assignments

Jan 10	Introduction – DNA Refresher
Jan 12	Transcriptional Regulation	14
Jan 17	HOLIDAY - NO CLASS
Jan 19	Transcription Regulation	14	Lab 11
Jan 24	Recombinant DNA	15	“	Quiz #1
Jan 26	Microevolution	16	Lab 12	Paper Topic Due
Jan 31	Macroevolution and Taxonomy	18	“	Quiz #2
Feb 2	Prokaryotes and Viruses	20	Lab 14
Feb 7	Protistans	20	“
Feb 9	Test 1
Feb 14	Animals: Invertebrates	23	Lab 22
Feb 16	Animals: Invertebrates	23	“	Paper Draft Due (Opt.)
Feb 21	Animals: Vertebrates	24	Lab 24	Quiz #3
Feb 23	Animals: Vertebrates	24	“
Feb 28	Tissues	29	Lab 25	Paper Due
Mar 2	Organs and Homeostasis	29	“
Mar 7	SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
Mar 9	SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
Mar 14	The Nervous System	30	Handout
Mar 16	The Skeletal System	33	Lab 31	Project Topic Due
Mar 21	The Muscular System	33	“
Mar 23	Test 2
Mar 28	The Internal Environment	38	Lab 29
Mar 30	Animal Reproduction	39	“
Apr 4	Animal Development	39	Handout	Quiz #4
Apr 6	Fungi and Plants	21,22
Apr 11	Plant Tissues	26	Lab 18	Quiz #5
Apr 13	Plant Reproduction and Development	28	“
Apr 18	Population Ecology	40	Lab 33
Apr 20	Test 3
Apr 25	Ecosystems	43	Handout
Apr 27	Presentation of Projects
May 2	Review
May 3-9	FINAL EXAM