Biology 101 On-line Course Syllabus - Copy PDF

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3/11/2020

Biology 101 On-line Course Syllabus

Wayne's Word Index Noteworthy Plants Trivia Lemnaceae Biology 101 Botany Search

Biology 101: General Biology Lecture On-line Course Syllabus, W.P. Armstrong, Instructor NOTE: After Registering For This Class Be Sure To Send Professor Armstrong Your EMail Address Put Biology 101 in the subject line of your message. If your e-mail address is not received by the end of the 1st week of class, you will be replaced by another student on the waiting list. Send An E-Mail Message To Professor Armstrong:

Disclaimer About This Course Biology 101 On-line is designed for self-motivated students with average or above average computer skills. Since the five required exams are "open book," they are quite long (approximately 150-230 questions each) with numerous choices to reduce the odds of lucky quessing. Each exam is submitted electronically on an answer form. Due to the complexity of preparation, these exams will not be returned to individual students. All submitted forms will be computer analyzed and compared for completeness, correct answers and unlikely similarities between different answer forms. Questionable "cloned" submission forms with duplicate answer patterns will be carefully scrutinized and referred to the Life Sciences Department Chair for further review. There is no required textbook, only a recommended text listed in the syllabus below. All of the information necessary to answer the exam questions is on-line at the Wayne's Word website. Searching for answers to questions requires a considerable amount of reading through numerous pages on Wayne's Word. Although there are suggested deadlines for each exam to keep everyone on task, the only critical date is the final deadline at the end of the semester. The precise final deadline date and time will be announced each semester. Students may submit the exam forms at their own pace; however, it is preferable to follow the suggested deadlines in order to avoid getting behind. There is minimal student-teacher interaction in this course. Hint pages are provided for each exam that include useful hyperlinks and other helpful information. These pages are continuously updated by the instructor. Because of the substantial number of students enrolled in this on-line course, exam submissions cannot be extended beyond the final deadline. This is truly an on-line course with no required meetings on campus. It is definitely not for everyone, but is very convenient for students who simply cannot fit on-campus classes into their busy schedules. It contains all the information of a traditional on-campus Biology 101 compressed into the Wayne's Word pages. This course is explained in more detail in the following paragraphs. Based upon a survey of past students, the average time spent on one exam is 20-25 hours. The exact time per exam will vary, because some exams are easier than others. A typical 3 unit on-campus https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/bioonlne.htm

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Biology 101 On-line Course Syllabus

lecture class requires 48 hours of classroom instruction plus a 2 hour final examination during finals week. In addition, the recommended out-of-class study time is at least 2 hours per unit per week. For the traditional on-campus Biology 101, this represents an additional 6 hours per week or 90 hours per semester.

Table Of Contents: 1. Information About This Course 2. Biology 101 Course Description 3. Topics Covered In Biology 101 4. Course Requirements & Grading 5. Schedule Of Reading Assignments 6. Communication With Instructor By E-Mail 7. Submission Of Exams Over The Internet 8. Emergency Submission Of Exams 9. Deadlines For Submission Of All Exams 10. Grade Lookup Over The Internet 11. How To Expedite Completion Of Exams 12. Evaluation Of Biology 101 On-Line 13. Withdrawal From Biology 101 On-Line 14. Biography Of Wayne P. Armstrong

1. Information About This On-line Course Note: Biology 101 On-line is designed primarily for students who need a three unit transferable (non-laboratory) biology/natural science elective, and who want to learn about the major principles of general biolgy. It is especially appropriate for students who cannot fit a traditional on-campus course into their schedules, or students who do not want to attend traditional lecture classes for whatever reason. This course is taken completely on-line, and there are no oncampus meetings, such as orientation sessions, seminars or proctored exams. The course involves the reading of pictorial articles (hyperlinked text) in Wayne's Word, and the submission of five on-line objective (multiple choice) exams based upon the reading material. The exams are long and range from 152 to 200 questions each. Biology 101 On-line is a self-learning, electronic course in which the student is provided with guidelines and information. Since it is not an interactive course, it is up to the student to search the information and find the answers to the exam questions. There are no chat sessions and a minimum of instructorstudent contact through e-mail. During the past few years, Wayne's Word has grown and evolved into a large botanical encyclopedia https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/bioonlne.htm

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Biology 101 On-line Course Syllabus

containing literally hundreds of pages of articles, illustrations and color images. For this reason, the supplementary textbook for this course is recommended rather than required. This course is not for everyone; it is designed for self-motivated students who enjoy reading articles packed with information, and who can answer a lot of objective questions from the material they have read. Each of the five on-line exams must be completed in three weeks according to the schedule below. The course is summarized in more detail in the following sections.

2. Course Description For Biology 101 Biology 101 General Biology: Basic principles of general biology as they relate to the cellular, organismic and population levels of organization. Includes cell ultrastructure and function, energy transfer, reproduction, genetics, evolution, diversity of organisms, and ecology. 3. Major Topics Included In Biology 101

I. Introduction A. Course Overview B. Characteristics of Living Things C. The Nature of Science Compared to Non-Science D. Scientific Method E. Experimental vs. Observational Science

II. Chemistry A. Atomic Structure: Subatomic Particles, Electron Shells B. Chemical Bonding: Covalent, Ionic, Hydrogen Bonds C. Biologically Important Compounds and Molecules 1. Properties of Water 2. Acids, Bases, Buffers 3. Macromolecules: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins & Nucleic Acids

III. Cell Biology A. Comparison of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell Structures B. Eukaryotic Cell Structure 1. Functions of Organelles https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/bioonlne.htm

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Biology 101 On-line Course Syllabus

Nucleus Ribosome Endoplasmic Reticulum Mitochondrion Chloroplast Lysosome Golgi Complex Peroxisome (Microbody) Centriole Cilium/Flagellum Cytoskeleton 2. Membrane Structure and Function 3. Movement Across Membranes Diffusion/Osmosis Facilitated Diffusion Active Transport Endocytosis and Exocytosis C. Energy Conversion in Eykaryotic Cells 1. Laws of Thermodynamics 2. Energy Flow: Photosynthesis, Cell Respiration 2a. Photosynthesis 1. Structure of the Chloroplast 2. Light Reaction of Photosynthesis aa. Location ab. Photosystems and Their Pigments ac. The Role of H2O ad. The Role of NADP ae. The Role of Electron Transport af. Chemiosmotic Phosphorulation 3. Light Independent Reaction - Calvin Cycle aa. The Role of RuBP ab. The Role of CO2 ac. The Role of NADPH2 ad. The Role of Rubisco Enzyme ae. The Role of ATP 4. How Are Cycles Dependent On One Another 5. Overall Equation 6. C3 and C4 Photosynthesis 2b. Cellular Oxidation of Glucose 1. Mitochondrion Structure 2. Glycolysis

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aa. Where is ATP Required ab. Where is ATP Produced ac. What is Net Gain in ATP ad. Compare Aerobic and Anaerobic Glycolysis ae. What is the Role of NAD af. What is the Purpose of Anaerobic Glycolysis 3. Conversion of Pyruvate to AcCoA. 4. Krebs Cycle and the Role of AcCoA aa. Role of NAD ab. Role of FAD ac. Net Gain of ATP 5. Electron Transport System aa. What is the Role of FADH2 and NADH ab. What are its Components ac. What is the Role of O2 ad. How Much ATP is Produced per NADH, FADH2 6. Overall Equation For Cellular Oxidation of Glucose 7. Net ATP Production Per Glucose

IV. Genetics: Heredity A. Mendel's Laws and Modern Genetic Terminology B. Monohybrid Crosses and Dihybrid Crosses C. Patterns of Inheritance 1. Dominant/Recessive 2. Sex-linked 3. Incomplete Dominance 4. Co-dominance 5. Polygenic Inheritance 6. Multiple Alleles D. The Genetics of ABO and Rh Blood Groups

V. Genetics: Molecular A. Structure and Replication of DNA B. Structure of RNA C. Transcription and Translation D. Control of Expression E. Techniques of Molecular Genetics 1. DNA Fingerprint 2. PCR 3. Techniques For Inserting Genes Into Cells

VI. Origin of Life https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/bioonlne.htm

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A. Spontaneous Generation B. Chemosynthetic Origin 1. Inorganics to Organics 2. Organics to Macromolecules 3. Protocells 4. Other Considerations (RNA World?) As Time Permits

VII. Evolution (Origin of Species) A. History of Development of Evolutionary Principle 1. Lamarck 2. Cuvier 3. Malthus 4. Darwin 5. Lyell B. Mechanisms of Evolution 1. Genetic change 2. Natural selection 3. Genetic drift C. Other Evolutionary Topics 1. Adaptation 2. Fitness 3. Co-evolution/Co-adaptation 4. Convergent vs. Parallel Evolution D. Evidence For a Common Ancestry of Organisms (Evolution) E. Speciation 1. Allopatric 2. Sympatric 3. Parapatric F. Human Evolution

VIII. Diversity of Nature Survey A. Kingdom Survey Monera B. Kingdom Survey Protista C. Kingdom Survey Fungi D. Kingdom Survey Plantae E. Kingdom Survey Animalia

IX. Population Dynamics A. General Population Characteristics

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1. Linear Growth 2. Exponential Growth 3. Logistic Populations 4. Carrying Capacity 5. Limiting Factors B. Human Population Dynamics 1. Birth Rate, Death Rate, & Annual Percentage Growth Rate 2. Comparison Between More Developed & Less Developed Countries 3. Methods and Ethics of Human Population Control

X. Ecology A. Ecosystem Structure 1. Abiotic Factors 2. Biotic Factors B. The Flow of Energy in Ecosystems 1. Food Chains 2. Food Webs 3. Energy Pyramids 4. Symbiotic Relationships a. Communalism b. Mutualism c. Parasitism C. Major Ecosystems 1. Marine 2. Aquatic 3. Estuarine 4. Terrestrial D. Biogeochemical Cycles 1. Nitrogen 2. Phosphorus 3. Carbon/Oxygen 4. Soil 5. Water E. Succession 1. Primary 2. Secondary F. Others Topic in Ecology 1. Biological Magnification 2. Feedback Loops https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/bioonlne.htm

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G. Controversies in Ecology 1. Greenhouse Warming 2. Ozone Depletion 3. Endangered Species List

Biology 101 On-Campus Course Syllabus On File At Palomar College

4. Course Requirements And Grading: This course requires the submission of five on-line exams according to the deadline schedule for fall and spring semesters outlined in the next section. The exams are multiple choice and matching, with 26 choices per question to reduce the probability of "lucky" guessing. Each exam covers 1/5 of the course. The last exam (Exam #5) is not comprehensive, it only covers the fifth unit of the course (Ecology and Population Growth). Answers to the questions are obtained by reading the numerous articles available on Wayne's Word. Articles corresponding to each of the five exams are outlined in the schedule of reading assignments. Some students still feel they need a textbook, even though finding answers with Wayne's Word hyperlinks is easier and more efficient than searching through the index of a textbook. I must admit that some of the recent general biology textbooks contain numerous beautiful illustrations and have more detailed explanations than Wayne's Word. The textbook recommended for this course is Biology (Seventh Edition) by Sylvia S. Mader (2001), WCB/McGraw-Hill, New York, ISBN # 007-013657-2 and 0-07-118080-X (ISE). The book can be ordered online through amazon.com or through your local book dealer. Due to delays in processing orders and shipping, it is often much faster to order the book on-line. It may also be cheaper. Answers to most of the exam questions can be found in selected Wayne's Word articles listed in the reading schedule. You may also find answers using the Wayne's Word Index or Search. During the past few years, Wayne's Word has grown and evolved into a large biological encyclopedia containing literally hundreds of pages of articles, illustrations and color images. For this reason, the supplementary textbook for this course is recommended rather than required. The recommended text provides a lot of information and illustrations in well-written chapters, and would definitely enhance the learning experience of an on-line course such a this. Answers to many of the https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/bioonlne.htm

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questions can be found in other general biology textbooks available in public libraries. In addition, a World Wide Web search may be very rewarding for some of the topics. The bottom line here is that you don't need to buy a textbook for this course unless you really want one. Everything you need for this course in on-line at the Wayne's Word website. All five exams are available in .htm and .pdf format in a special subdirectory. They may be accessed on-line using specific URLs which will be provided to each student enrolled in the course. It is strongly recommended that the student print out each exam and write the correct letter choice by each question. The reading and research for each exam will take 2-3 weeks. Upon completion of an exam on the hard copy, the student will enter the correct letter choices for each question on the submission form for each exam (also available in the exam directory). Five Required On-line Exams: Exam #1. Survey Of The Kingdoms Of Life ...................... 152 points Exam #2. Biochemistry & Cell Structure/Function ............ 232 points Exam #3. Mitosis, Meiosis & Life Cycle Patterns ............ 160 points Exam #4. Mendelian Genetics and Immunology ............... 176 points Exam #5. Ecological Principles & Population Growth ....... 224 points

Grade lookup table for Biology 101 is available on-line at: https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/grlookup.htm#biology101

NOTE: The corrected exam forms will be sent to the instructor, and will not be returned to the student. For this reason, students should make a note of any questions they are unsure of while they are taking each exam. Difficult or confusing questions can be discussed with the instructor (see the section below about communication with the instructor). Another suggestion if you want to go over all the questions missed on an exam is to call and make an appointment with the instructor at Palomar College. Two Grade Scales Are Better Than One This course utilizes two grade scales, a traditional grade scale based on percentages of the total points, and a grade scale based on percentages of the highest student. It is NOT based on a curve where there must be a given number of A's, B's, C's, D's and F's. You will receive the higher of the two grade scales for your final grade in the course. Grade scales based on the highest student are often used in difficult courses where students seldom come close to the maximum possible points, and the https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/bioonlne.htm

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Biology 101 On-line Course Syllabus

traditional grade scale is much too stringent with few or no A's. My grade scale based on the highest student generally has more C's. It also has more A's and B's if the total points of the highest student are considerably less than the total possible points; however, in on-line classes, students often come closer to the total possible points, and consequently there are more A's using the traditional grade scale. The two grade scales are shown below: Grade Scale Based On The Highest Student: > 94.5% = A > 84.5% = B > 64.5% = C > 49.5% = D Less Than 49.5% = F

Grade Scale Based On The Total Possible Points: > 90.0% = A > 80.0% = B > 70.0% = C > 60.0% = D Less Than 60.0% = F

The following cluster bar graph shows a typical biology class comparing the number of letter grades based on the total points (green) with the number of letter grades based on the highest student (red). A grade lookup table will be available to see the total points and the points achieved by each student during the semester. How to interpret the grade spreadsheet is explained under the section about grade lookup below.

At the end of a semester, I will compare each student's percentage based on the highest student with their percentage based on the total points (traditional grade scale). If you do better with the traditional grade scale, I will utilize that scale for your final grade. For example, on the grade https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/bioonlne.htm

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Biology 101 On-line Course Syllabus

scale based on the highest student 83.0% is a C. On the traditional grade scale 83.0% is a B, so you would receive a B for your final letter grade in the course rather than a C. Percentages are always rounded off to one decimal place; therefore, 83.68% = 83.7%, 89.42% = 89.4% and 89.45% rounds off to 89.5%.

5. Reading Assignments The successful completion of the on-line version of Biology 101 involves a considerable amount of reading from the many articles on Wayne's Word. A complete schedule of reading assignments corresponding with each of the five major exams is available below. Be sure to make a bookmark for this anchor (https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/bioonlne.htm#reading) because it is a very important reference page for this course. You may also look up articles and topics in the Index by clicking on the Index tab at the top of each page. In addition, you may also search for words or groups of words by clicking on the gray Search tab. Unit

Wayne's Word Links:

Course Introduction

1. Biology 100 Course Syllabus 2. Biology 100 Syllabus Addendum 3. Biology 100 Laboratory Schedule 4. Links On The World Wide Web 5. Life Sciences Dept. Home Page 6. W.P. Armstrong's Home Page 7. Biography Of W.P. Armstrong 8. Biology Crossword Puzzles 9. Final Grade Lookup Table

1. The Kingdoms Of Life

https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/bioonlne.htm

1. The Five Kingdoms Of Life 2. Archaebacteria & Life On Mars 3. Cyanobacteria & Water Fern 4. Halophilic Bacteria & Algae 5. Desert Varnish Bacteria 6. The Algae (Kingdom Protista) 7. The Amazing Kingdom of Fungi 8. Marriage Between Algae & 11/22

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Biology 101 On-line Course Syllabus

Fungi 9. The Major Divisions Of Life 10. The Major Phyla Of Animals 11. Diversity Of Flowering Plants 12. Key To Duckweeds & Figs

II. Cell Structure & Function

III. Life Cycle Patterns

IV. Genetics & Immunology

V: Ecolog...