General Biology

Biol 111 & 112

I. BIOL 111 & 112, General Biology I & 11, 3 lec and 1 lab semester credits for each course.

II. Fall 2001, Dr. John Copeland, office hours are posted on office door, room 203 F‑C Hall, office telephone # 423-869‑6225.

III. Course Prequisites: none. Course Corequisites: BIOL 111 & 112 Lab. Each student must enroll for lecture and lab.

IV. Course Description: A study of living organisms and

their unifying molecular, cellular, physiological,

anatomical, ecological, and evolutionary principles.

Course Goals:

1. To develop in students an appreciation and understanding of the diversity of life found on earth.

2. To reveal the organization of life from the chemical to ecological levels.

3. To reveal the flow of energy through our biosphere.

4. To inform students of the transmission of genetic traits from one generation to the next, and of the nature of the genetic material, and as to how a gene expresses itself.

5. To inform students of evolution and of those forces that drive it.

6. To introduce students to basic concepts of ecology.

7. To introduce students to the kingdoms of life now recognized on earth: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. To review each kingdom as to its major phyla and life forms.

V. Relationship of this course to content area knowledge and

skills of the TN Matrix:

1. Students will learn and apply the scientific method in

the analyzation of laboratory problems. Written

research reports are required.

During,the discussion of appropriate topics

biotechnologies are discussed as to how they affect

human culture and the preservation of life. How such

technologies impact the quality of life and the ethics

of their use are discussed.

3. Students will learn correct and safe usage of various biological implements: microscopes, Bunson burners, dissection instruments, etc. Safety precautions taken with the use of chemicals in the lab will be explained.

4. All measurements taken in lab use the metric scales.

5. The theories of the big bang, evolution and creationism

are discussed.

Causes, effects and possible solutions to pollution

problems are discussed. Acid rain, ozone depletion and

global warming are discussed as to their causes,

consequences and remedies. The impact of these on

the quality of life are discussed.

7. A review of taxonomy is presented along with a discussion of the phyla and divisions of life recognized on earth.

8. A discussion of cells, cell organelles, cell replication and linkage of meiotic events to Mendel's postulates are presented.

9. Photosynthesis, aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration are discussed.

10. The first and second laws of thermodynamics are discussed as regards energy transformations.

11. Evolution is discussed as to the mechanics and forces that cause its occurrence. Evidence supporting is presented using fossil, morphological, and biochemical evidence.

12. A discussion of Mendelian genetics is presented. Also exceptions to Mendelian genetics are discussed as well as DNA replication, transcription, and translation.

13. A basic review of ecology is presented. In this discussion energy flow, productivity, nutrient cycling and the interaction between the living and nonliving worlds are covered.

14. A review of fundamental chemistry is presented. This review includes the structure of an atom, differences between different elements, how atoms combine to form compounds and molecules, the chemical bonds which hold

molecules together, differences between organic and inorganic compounds, enzyme activity, pH, and acids and bases. As topics are covered an historical review of major biological events are discussed as to how they came about, who made them, and how they relate to other areas

of biology or science.

VI. Texts: Biology 5th ed. by Raven and Johnson

A Guide to Biology Lab 3^rd ed. By Rust

VII. Course Objectives:

1. To instruct students in the scientific methodology.

2. To inform students of the diversity of life.

3. To inform students of the characteristics and organization of life.

4. To instruct students in basic chemistry.

5. To discuss cellular organization, metabolism, and reproduction.

6. To inform students of photosynthesis, aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

7. To instruct students in Mendelian genetics.

8. To inform students of the exceptions to Mendelian genetics.

9. To instruct students as to how the DNA molecule replicates and the processes which drive transcription and translation.

10. To inform students of the science of taxonomy.

11. To discuss and contrast evolution and creationism.

12. To discuss basic ecological concepts.

13. To review the kingdom Monera, concentrating on major phyla and representative examples.

14. To review the kingdom Protista concentrating on major phyla and representative organisms.

15. To review the kingdom Fungi, concentrating on major groups and representative organisms

16. To review the kingdom Plantae, concentrating on major divisions and representative organisms.

17. To review the kingdom Anamalia, concentrating on major phyla and representative organisms.

VIII. Units of Instruction:

Characteristics of life

Biological reasoning (scientific method)

Diversity of life on earth.

Chemical level of organization of life

Important organic and inorganic compounds

Cellular organization of life

Tissue level or organization

Organ, systems, individuals

Energy flow and transfer

Photosynthesis

Aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration

Mendelian Genetics

Exceptions to Mendelian Genetics

DNA replication, transcription and translation

Genetic Engineering

Taxonomy

Evolution

Fundamental ecology

Archaebacteria and Eubacteria

Protista

Fungi

Plantae

Anamalia

IX. Required Readings: Text

X. Suggested Readings: None

XI. Methods of Instruction and Learning: Instruction will occur from lectures and laboratory exercises. Students are responsible for taking notes and keeping an up-to-date notebook. During laboratory periods students will be directed through laboratory exercises. These exercises will expand upon topics discussed in lecture and will include observation, dissection, and experimentation. Learning will be accomplished through listening to lectures, studying lecture notes, reading of text material, and from laboratory exercises. It is hoped that comprehension will emerge not from rote memorization but through integration and conceptual synthesis of the material, concepts, and fundamentals presented in lecture and laboratory.

XII. Course Requirements/Methods of Assessment/Evaluation: During each course three or four lecture exams will be given. To successfully complete the lecture portion of the course students must maintain an average of 60%. Usually three lab exams are given during each course. To successfully complete the lab portion course students must maintain an average of 60%. All exams are announced one week before they are given. There are no "pop quizzes" or unannounced exams. Class attendance is required. After the third absence a student's grade will be lowed one letter grade with each additional unexcused absence. The grading scale is A = 100‑90%, B = 89‑80%, C = 79‑70%, D = 69‑60%, F = 59‑0%. The assignment of additional work for the purpose of raising a grade will not occur. If a test is missed students have one week from the time the test was given to make it up. After this time a grade of zero will be recorded.

XIII. Laboratory Experiences: Lab topics are:

1. The use and care of a microscope

2. Laboratory safety

3. Conducting a scientific inquiry (or how to employ the

scientific method)

4. Characteristics of life

5. Basic chemistry concepts

6. Cells, cell organelles, osmosis

7. Cell reproduction, mitosis and meiosis

8. Animal Tissues

9. Plant tissues

10.Photosynthesis, plant pigments, paper chromotography, starch production, storage, and detection

11. Respiration (aerobic and anaerobic)

12. Mendelian genetics, Structure of DNA

13. Evolution, Charles Darwin, Natural Selection

14. Ecology

15.Bacteria

16. Protists

17. Fungi