BSC 1010
Introduction to Biology I

   

Welcome to BSC1010, Introduction to Biology I. If you are a preprofessional student in medicine, veterinary science, pharmacy, dentistry, 4-year nursing or physical therapy, this is the course you want. However, if you are a business major, art major, English major, or any type of major other than science, this is not the correct course. You need BSC1005.

For BSC1010, there is a co-requisite of BSC1010L and a pre- or co-requisite of CHM1040 for this class. In addition, there is a prerequisite of REA0006C.

The tests are not open book nor open notes. You may not receive outside help on the tests. You are on your honor as a BCC student (see Academic Honesty statement) when taking the tests. I reserve the right to change the format of the test to accomodate the material. Although I primarily give multiple choice tests, you may also have matching, short answer, true/false, essay, or any other format I deem appropriate for the course.

Biology is a difficult subject. It goes into detail on a large number of topics. A large part of the course is vocabulary and definitions. There is a lot of memorization in this course. However, let me point out that AFTER you have mastered the material, you will be required to synthesize answers from the material presented. College is not just simple reguritation of material. You will be required to think, analyze, and synthesize information on the tests.

TEXTBOOK | REQUIRED MATERIALS | RECOMMENDED MATERIALS | SYLLABUS | GRADING | ATTENDANCE | FACULTY CONTACT INFO | COURSE PREREQUISITES | HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS | OTHER POLICIES/PROCEDURES | OUTCOMES & OBJECTIVES

Textbook

Brooker RJ, Widmaier EP, Graham LE, Stiling PD. Biology. 2008. McGraw-Hill: Boston. 1300 pp. ISBN: 978-0-07-295620-7.

Instead of purchasing a text from the bookstore, you may wish to purchase access to the ebook available at http://ieb.mcgraw-hill.com/ieb/. The ebook is available to you for 1 year after the date of purchase so it should see you through two semesters of the course. The ebook is approximately 1/2 the price of the hard back text sold in the bookstore.

Required Materials

Periodic Chart (Sargent-Welch available at the bookstore, South Campus)

BC email account - I communicate frequently with the class through the college email system.

 

Recommended Materials

For those of you who feel chemically challenged, I recommend: Sackheim G.I. 2005. An Introduction to Chemistry for Biology Students, 8th ed. Benjamin Cummings: San Francisco. 312 pp. ISBN: 0-8053-3970-1.

Colored Pens and/or Pencils.

Note there are more textbook chapters for which you are responsible than lecture topics.  
LECTURE TOPIC AND EXAM MATERIAL TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS
Introduction to Course
1 - An Introduction to Biology
Inorganic Chemistry 2 - The Chemical Basis of Life I: Atoms, Molecules and Water

Organic Chemistry
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucelic Acids

3 - The Chemical Basis of Life II: Organic Molecules
Exam 1  
The Cell 4 - General Features of the Cell
Water
Membranes
5 - Membrane Structure and Transport
Immune Response 53 - Defense Mechanisms of the Body
  6 - Systems Biology of Cell Organization
Enzymes and Metabolism 7 - Enzymes, Metabolism
Exam 2  
Photosynthesis 8 - Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration 7 - Cellular Respiration
Exam 3  
The Cell Cycle 9 - Cell Communication and Regulation of the Cell Cycle
Mitosis
Meiosis
15 - Eukaryotic Chromosomes, Mitosis, Meiosis
Spermatogenesis
Oogenesis
Contraception
51 - Animal Reproduction
Mendel and Genes 16 - Simple Patterns of Inheritance
Chromosomal Basis for Inheritance 17 - Complex Patterns of Inheritance
Exam 4  
  10 - Multicellularity
Nucleic Acid Structure and Replication 11 - Nucleic Acid Structure and DNA Replication
Gene Expression at the Molecular Level 12 - Gene Expression at the Molecular Level
Gene Regulation 13 - Gene Regulation
Mutation, Repari and Cancer 14 - Mutation, DNA Repair and Cancer
Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses 18 - Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses
  19 - Developmental Genetics
  20 - Genetic Technology
  21 - Genomes, Proteomes, and Bioinformatics

Final Exam (Comprehensive)


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Grading & Exam Policy

MAKE-UP EXAMS | HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR GRADE | PARTICIPATION

Your grade is determined by
(1) 4 regularly scheduled, in class exams (based on lectures), and
(2) the final examination (based on lectures).

All exams (regularly scheduled exams and final exam) will be taken in class. There will be no makeup assignments available. The use of notes, books, binder, texts, etc. is not permitted for any test.

All quizzes and exams will be taken in class. You will need a long form scantron (50 questions per side) and a test taking pencil (#2 lead or softer) for multipe choice tests. For any other type of exam, you will need regular note paper or blue books purchased at the book store.. There will be no makeup exams available. The use of notes, books, binder, texts, etc. is not permitted for any test. Exam formats may include multiple choice, essay, short answer, matching, true/false, or any other method determined by the instructor.

From time to time, I may make special assignments in class for points. Any points earned from the assignment will be added to the score of your next exam. I also encourage you to purchase an eraser and bring it with you to the exams. Any assignments made in the class must be completed by the due date. Assignments will not be accepetd after the due date has passed.



Make-up Exam Policy

There are no make up exams. I will drop your lowest in class exam. I reserve the right to modify the testing in the class based on circumstances which may arise. This includes the number of exams/quizzes, type of quiz or exam (multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, essay, etc.).

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How Your Grade Will Be Determined

SOURCE OF POINTS FRACTION OF GRADE
Exam 1 50
Exam 2 50
Exam 3 50
Exam 4 50
FINAL EXAM (COMPREHENSIVE) 100
TOTAL 300
Drop Exam 50
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS 250

I drop your lowest in class exam (not the final).

At the end of the semester, there will probably be a few students that are borderline for the next highest grade. Do not ask for additional points, make-ups, or extra credit. If you did not earn the necessary points for the grade you wish, do not ask for additional credit.

GRADE POINTS
A 225-250
B 200-224
C 175-199
D 150-174
F BELOW 150


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Course Participation and Attendance Policy
Regular, active, and meaningful participation in learning activities is a critically important component of this course and is essential to your success. You are required to have a BC email account and check it on a regular basis. It is recommended you check into the course web site several times during the semester and to frequently consult the syllabus found on the web site.

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Attendance

Important Notice: As of Fall 2007, faculty are required to report student non-attendance. If you stop submitting assignments or fail to take tests prior to the withdrawal date, you will be administratively withdrawn from class and receive a W or, if it is your third attempt, an F.

If you stop participating after the withdrawal date, you will receive a WF that will then be computed as an F in your GPA. To avoid this situation, you should remain an active learner in this class and always communicate extenuating circumstances to me. Ongoing communication with the instructor is critical to your course success. I will use completion of tests, homework, and other class assignments as indicators of your participation in order to satisfy college reporting requirements.

Regular, active and meaningful participation in class is critically important and essential to your success. It is recommended you check into the course web site several times during the week as well. Most correspondence will be through BCC email. Frequency and quality of participation will affect your grade.

  • Participation
    • Active participation is expected of all students in this course.
    • Check your email and course content often. Ask questions.
    • Post and respond to any messages.
    • Submit all assignments in a timely manner.
  • BCC Attendance Policy: Please familiarize yourself with BCC's Attendance Policy. In addition, the following policies are required for my course.
    • Regular attendance is strongly encouraged.
    • Do not come into lecture late or leave early. If you are absent and miss an exam, that represents a drop grade for you. You only get one drop exam during the semester. You must take the final during the regularly scheduled exam week. No exceptions are allowed. Check the BCC final exam schedule for this semester in the college catalog.
    • You are responsible for material covered in lecture. If you miss a lecture, you are responsible for finding out what was covered, any assignments or any special instructions or announcements before the next class session. This includes homework, handouts, and other assignments.
    • Please do not come to class late. You may miss special instructions or guidelines. If you do show up for class, please plan to remain for the entire class. If you cannot attend class, be sure to get the notes from someone who did attend class. I will not allow anyone in class late. I consider an individual late the moment I begin my lecture. Unfortunately, none of the clocks on campus are synchronized, so it's better to show up early.
    • Sleeping or loud behavior will not be tolerated. If you need sleep, please go home. If you doze off, I will ask you to leave. If you don't hear something, please ask me and not your classmates. Any disruption in class will result in your being asked to leave the class.
    • Turn off all beepers, cellular phones and alarms on watches before you come into class! If you beeper or cell phone beeps or rings during class, you will be asked to leave. Text messaging is not allowed in class. No earphones while class is in session. The only computer allowed in the classroom is the instructors.
    • College policy prevents guests or children in the classroom.



In addition, other policies required for my course can be found at this link.

 

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Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Contact Information

  • Office Phone: 954-201-8902
  • Department Phone: 954-201-8965
  • Email: fsearcy@broward.edu
  • Department Fax: 954-201-8975
  • Office Hours: Click "Office Hours" to see posted hours. On occasions, I have meetings that may conflict with office hours. I encourage you to call to set up an appointment to ensure I am in the office.
  • BCC's Emergency Hotline Number: 954-201-4900

Instructor Biographical Information

Fred Searcy earned his BA and MS in biology from the University of Mississippi and an MLS in Library and Information Science from Florida State University. He came to BCC in 1985 to initiate the botany and zoology courses on South Campus. He spent four years in the military as a radioman in U.S. Coast Guard copying Morse code. He was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas aboard the CGC Reliance and at Radio Communications Station New Orleans. His resume includes a stint as a plant ecologist for the Bureau of Land Management in Miles City, Montana; a park manager at Golden Memorial State Park in Walnut Grove, Mississippi; and high school and community college teacher in northeast Mississippi. He was selected as "Educator of the Year" for Itawamba County (Mississippi) and Professor of the Year for BCC South Campus for 1989 and 2007. He received the Sensormatic Endowed Teaching Chair in 1999 and the Emil Buehler Endowed Teaching Chair in 2007. He is also past President of the BCC Faculty Senate and past President of the United Faculty of Florida, BCC Chapter.

Faculty Web Site: www.broward.edu/~fsearcy

 
Course Prerequisites

  • Course Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite - REA0006C COLLEGE PREPARATORY READING I. Pre- or corequisite, CHM 1040 , Corequisite BSC1010L.
  • Computer Knowledge & Skills:
    Students in this course should be familiar with the following computer skills:
    • File Management - You should be familiar with finding and saving files on your computer.
    • The Internet - You should be familiar with connecting to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider or network connection.
    • Web Browser Software - You should be familiar with using web browser software to navigate the Internet and locate information.
    • Email - You should be familiar with sending and receiving email messages.
    • Attachments - You should be familiar with sending email messages attached with files.
    • Word Processing - You should be familiar with creating, editing, saving, and printing documents in Microsoft Word.
  • Other Requirements
    • You will need a BCC email address.
    • Obtain a County Library Card or University/College Library Card. You may get one at either South Regional, North Regional, or Central Library. These cards will allow you to use select library databases.
 

Course Hardware and Software Requirements

Additional Software Required for this Course
You will be required to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. It is a free download found at www.adobe.com.

Any word processing documents you may be required to submit for this course must be submitted in Microsoft Word format. (Not Microsoft Works, text, not ascii, not PDF, etc.) If you do not have proper software on your computer, you can use the Microsoft Word program on any of the "open lab" computers at any BCC Learning Resource Center.

Only word processing documents in Microsoft Word format will be accepted. Please virus check documents before sending them. Panda Software offers a free online virus check.

Any email you send to the instructor via BCC or the college server must include a subject category which includes the name of your class. If this is not provided, your email will not be opened.

 

Other Policies and Procedures

Special Needs | Academic Honesty | Emergencies | Copyright | Withdrawals/Audits |


Special Needs: Students having special needs as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act should notify the Office of Disability Services as early in the term as possible. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Disability Support Office prior to document disability prior to receiving services.

Notify the instructor after you have contacted the Office of Disability Services so the instructor can consult with the Office of Disability Services to discuss what reasonable accommodations would be appropriate for your situation.

Academic Honesty (Cheating):
Each student's academic work must be the result of his or her own thought, research, or self-expression.

Cheating includes, but is not limited to: copying the work of another person (plagiarism) or permitting your work to be copied by another person, discussing test answers or questions with people who have not completed the test, distributing assignment materials to other students, poses sing course materials that have not been formally released to students in the course, and collaborating on the completion of assignments not specifically designated in the syllabus as being "group projects".

Cheating will be considered a breach of Broward Community College's Code of Conduct Policy and may result in academic penalties (zero points on the assignment/test in question, a failing grade for the course), disciplinary action, and/or a referral to the Dean of Student Affairs. Examples 1) If it appears two or more students have submitted the same material for any solo assignments, each student involved will receive zero points for that assignment. 2) If it appears a student has copied an assignment from published material (including Internet sites), the student will receive an zero points for that assignment.

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Critical Event Procedure:
In the event of a school closing due to weather or other major event that might impact class schedules, the instructor will post an announcement indicating what changes (if any), the event will have on the course schedule and due dates.

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Copyright:
The materials used on this course Web site may be protected by copyright and are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for the purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

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Withdrawals and Audits:
No withdrawals will be give for any reason. It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from this class by the withdrawal deadline if you are not earning the grade you want or will not be able to complete the course. To view important dates (including withdrawal deadlines) for this semester, visit the college calendar on line.


Please note the State of Florida mandates students will be allowed three (3) attempts to successfully complete this course. This includes your original grade, any audits, and any withdrawals. The third attempt at this course will result in a grade. The third withdrawal from this course automatically becomes an "F". The state policy for remedial courses is more stringent.


You are responsible for changing to audit or withdrawal. If you simply quit attending without officially withdrawing or auditing after the first exam, you will be awarded an "F" at the end of the term. To withdraw or audit, you must go to the registrar. After the date to withdraw or audit has passed, you will receive a grade in the course, no exception.

To audit, you must have my permission, attend lab or class regularly, take all quizzes, exams, practicals, etc., and complete all assignments. Failure to do so will result in a grade of "W".
You may be penalized on your grade(s) if you do not conform to all the above.

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Official College Outcomes & Objectives of Course

Click on the above link for the pdf file of the official college outcomes and objectives for this course.