BIO 105: GENERAL BIOLOGY 1

Fall 2020 - Syllabus

Dr. Swapna Jacob

Email: sjacob912@yahoo.com

Welcome!
Welcome to General Biology I. This syllabus outlines the policies and work required for
this class. By taking this class, you agree that you are subject to all class work and
class policies and that you will abide by them. Please feel free to contact me if you have
any questions regarding the policies and/or work required for the course.

Textbooks: Campbell Biology, Reece et al.,

11th Edition, ISBN 9780134082318

Course Description:
This course is the first of a two-semester sequence and will include an extensive survey
of biological principles. Taxonomic groups are studied from an evolutionary viewpoint.
Major topics such as properties of life, evolution, and the chemical connection to
biology, cellular biology, genetics, biotechnology, metabolism, and photosynthesis are
stressed.

Attendance Policy: - *Remote Learning*

An important part of the learning process is listening to and participating in

lectures; therefore, ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY.ATTENDANCE IN LECTURE
AND LAB IS REQUIRED. This is especially important for online instruction. Your
attendance will be required for each ONLINE session.
However, the student will be allowed two unexcused absences. Unexcused absences,
in excess of the above, will carry a final grade penalty. One point will be deducted from
the final lecture grade average for each absence above the number permitted.

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Lateness:
Students that arrive after attendance has been taken will be marked late. Two late
arrivals = 1 absence. At the end of class, the student must notify the professor that
the student is not absent, but late. If the student fails to notify the professor on that
same day, the absence WILL NOT BE CHANGED to late

Make-up policy:
All make-up or late tests, assignments, papers, etc., must be made up within a week
from the original due date and it is the STUDENT’S responsibility. All make-up or late
work will be lowered by 10 points without a documentation indicating illness, court
dates, jury duty etc… Make-up exams may be different from the one taken on the
scheduled exam day but will cover the same material. There will be no retests. A
student can take a test one time only. No test grades will be dropped. If a student fails
to take the final exam on the assigned day it will be considered a Zero.

Grade determination:
The lecture portion of the course will be evaluated by five exams totaling 70% of the
final grade. The lab portion will be evaluated by the lab instructor and will be worth 30%
of the final grade.

Grading Policy
The grade scale below will be used to determine your final grade. Please bear in mind
that grades are not given to you, rather they are earned based on your knowledge of
the course material. Incomplete grades will not be permitted.

Grade Determination:

EXAM I: 18%
EXAM II: 18%
EXAM III: 18%
EXAM IV: 18%
EXAM V: 18%
Class Participation
and Attendance: 10%

EXAM INFORMATION:
• There will be 5 exams administered during the semester.
• The exams will consist of multiple choice, true/false, matching and diagrams.
• The exams will be non-cumulative.
• Under no circumstances will re-tests be given.
• Students must notify the instructor, via email or phone, within 24 hours of the
exam if they require a make-up.

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 • No make-ups will be granted for the last Exam.
• No individual extra credit will be given.

Grading Scale:

Letter Grade Number Grade

A 94 - Above
A- 90 - 93
B+ 87 - 89
B 83 - 86
B- 80 - 82
C+ 76 - 79
C 73 - 75
C- 70 - 72
D 60 - 69
F Below 65

Letter grades are usually assigned according to the following plan. This is subject to
change according to grade distribution results.

RCC Mission Statement

Rockland Community College provides purpose driven educational opportunities and
guidance in a diverse, affordable, and accessible environment, empowering individuals
to positively transform themselves and their communities.

Section 224-a, Paragraph 6a of the New York State Education Law regarding
absences from class due to religious observance states that “…each student who is
absent from school, because of his/her religious beliefs, must be given an equivalent
opportunity to make up any examination, study or work requirements which he or she
may have missed because of such an absence in any particular day or days. No fees of
any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such
equivalent opportunity.”

Accessibility Services
SUNY RCC is committed to providing qualified individuals with disabilities full access to
all programs, services and facilities as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities ACT (ADA) of 1990. The college makes
reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should
notify the Office of Accessibility Services located at the Tech Center, Room 8150 and
their representatives of any special needs.

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Blackboard
Course materials, including lecture notes, can be found on Blackboard. Live lectures on
Zoom. Please get into the habit of checking Blackboard on a regular basis for any
announcements or updates.

Blackboard Navigation Guide

Please refer to the following sites for navigating Blackboard Learn
Student Blackboard how to ….
https://rccelearning.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/folders/13000000398
Student Collaborate how to ….
https://rccelearning.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/folders/13000014698
Student Ally ….
https://rccelearning.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/folders/13000015229

Connection Center
The Connection Center helps students stay enrolled at Rockland Community College,
while linking them and/or their family members to non-academic community resources,
when life happens. We invite you to learn more about our services and programs by
emailing lifehaps@sunyrockland.edu.

Navigation Guide for Other College Resources

MyRCC:
If you are a new or returning student looking to set up your myRCC portal, please
select the following link https://www.sunyrockland.edu/admissions/first-time-user-of-
myrcc and follow the instructions to log in as a FIRST-TIME USER.
If you are having trouble logging into myRCC, or having any technical difficulties,
please contact the IT HELP DESK at 845-574-4487.

Blackboard:
If you are having trouble with BLACKBOARD, please contact the e-learning Office
at elearning@sunyrockland.edu
Banner:
For help with BANNER, please view the Self-Service Banner Video Tutorial by
selecting the following link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va-
IgPPAMHk&feature=youtu.be or select the following link for a Tutorial in a PDF format -
http://www.sunyrockland.edu/study-at-rcc/search-for-classes/register-in-banner.pdf

Sexual Misconduct
Rockland Community College is committed to fostering a safe, productive learning
environment. Title IX and college policy prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex.
Sexual misconduct - including sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, sexual
assault, and stalking is also prohibited at our college.

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Our college encourages anyone who has experienced or is currently experiencing
sexual misconduct to talk to someone about what happened or is happening, so they
can get the support they need and our college can respond appropriately.
If you wish to speak confidentially about an incident of sexual misconduct, please
contact the following licensed counselors: Professors Kathleen Carroll, Janice Moore, or

Inez Rivera of Counseling Services, Technology Center, Suite 8220, Room 8236, 845-
574- 4306http://www.sunyrockland.edu/go/counseling.

If you wish to report sexual misconduct or have questions about college policies and
procedures regarding sexual misconduct, please contact the College's Title IX
Coordinator: Melissa L. Roy, JD, Brucker Hall, Room 6301, 845-574-
4758, mroy@sunyrockland.edu.

Our college is legally obligated to investigate reports of sexual misconduct, and

therefore it cannot guarantee the confidentiality of a report, but it will consider a request
for confidentiality and respect it to the extent possible.As a Professor, I am also required
by our college to report incidents of sexual misconduct and thus cannot guarantee
confidentiality. I must provide our Title IX Coordinator with relevant details such as the
names of those involved in the incident.

Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and will not be tolerated. DO NOT DO
IT. Below is the policy for academic dishonesty as per the SUNY Rockland student
handbook:
1. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
a. Cheating on examinations.
b. Plagiarism, i.e.: the use of words or ideas of others, whether borrowed, purchased or
otherwise obtained, without crediting the source.
c. Submitting work previously presented in another course.
d. Willingly collaborating with others in any of the above actions which result(s) in work
being submitted which is not the student’s own.
e. Stealing examinations, falsifying academic records and other such offenses.
2. If the instructor deems that a student is guilty of cheating or plagiarism, the
instructor may initiate disciplinary action through the Dean of Students, and/ or
may:
a. Require that the student repeat the assignment or the examination.
b. Give the student a failing grade for the assignment or examination.
c. Give the student a failing grade in the course and deny the student continued
access to the class.
d. The instructor should advise the Dean of Students, in writing, of any of these actions.
3. If the student wishes to appeal the above decision, he/ she may request in writing a
hearing before a Hearing Committee.

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Cell Phone and Laptop Policy
Use of these electronic devices at inappropriate times is disruptive to the learning
process. Cell phones are not permitted in lecture. Students seen using cell phones will
be reminded of this policy. Laptops may be used for note taking during class.
They should not be used for Internet access unrelated to class. Recorders may be used
to record the lecture.

General Class Policies

• No talking during class while the instructor is speaking.

• Cell phones must be off for the duration of class (see above).

Inclement weather/Closing Information

• Call (845) 574-4034 for closing or delay information

• Consult the RCC website for updated closing information

Science Learning Center

The SLC is located on the second floor of Academic I.The center contains a variety of
resources to enhance your science learning experience. The center is open to all RCC
students with a valid/current student ID. The hours and policies of the center are posted,
please be mindful of them. Students may not use the SLC the day of their lab practical.

Academic Success Center

Through the Academic Success Centers, academic help is just a few clicks away. Using
TutorTrac (tt.sunyrockland.edu), RCC students can view and schedule FREE tutoring
and other academic support services in the Science Learning Center, Reading & Writing
Center, and the Tutoring Center. Students may also call or visit the Information Desk
(Room 8340, 845-574-4503) to learn more about the avail-ability of services.

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Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be

able to:
Describe the phenomena that control life and the relationships of
living organisms with each other and the environment.
Discuss taxonomy with emphasis on the domains and the Kingdoms
Eubacteria,
Archaebacteria, Protista,Fungi, and Plantae.
Describe the basic chemistry of living organisms including the
significance and properties of organic compounds.
Identify the parts of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and discuss the
functions of each part.
Identify the parts of cell membranes and their functions with emphasis
on the plasma membrane.
Describe DNA replication
Describe protein synthesis
Describe the cell cycle of somatic cells and meiosis
Assess what makes heredity possible in terms of Mendelian genetics
and chromosomal inheritance
Describe the energy transformations involved in photosynthesis and
cellular respiration
Describe the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena,
including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and
data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and
employment of mathematical analysis

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 SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Topics Readings
Introduction to General Biology I: Syllabus
Welcome, Introductions, and Review of Course Syllabus,
Policies, and Grading
Lecture Topics Chapter 1
Introductory Activity: What is Biology?
The Seven Characteristics of Living Organisms
Taxonomy
Scientific Method
Lecture Topics: Chapter 5
Structure and Function of Macromolecules
EXAM 1
Lecture Topics: Chapter 8
Introduction to Metabolism

Lecture Topics:
Cell Structure and Function Chapter 6
Lecture Topics:
Membrane Structure and Function Chapter 7
EXAM 2
Lecture Topics: Chapter 16
DNA Synthesis and Repair
Lecture Topics: Chapter 17
Protein Synthesis
EXAM 3
Lecture Topics: Chapter 13
The Cell Cycle
Lecture Topics: Chapter 14
Mendelian Genetics
Lecture Topics: Chapter 15
Chromosomal Inheritance
EXAM 4
Lecture Topics: Chapter 9
Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
Lecture Topics: Chapter 10
Photosynthesis
EXAM 5

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Name (print) _______________________________________________________
I received a copy of the course requirements and understand the policies of BIO 105.
Signed ____________________________________________________________

Grade determination: The lecture portion of the course will be evaluated by five
exams, which will be worth 70% of the final grade. If a student fails to take the final
exam on the assigned day it will be considered a Zero. The lab portion will be
evaluated by the lab instructor and will be worth 30% of the final grade. ATTENDANCE
IN LECTURE AND LAB IS REQUIRED.

Attendance Policy: Class attendance is required. However, the student will be allowed
two unexcused absences. Unexcused absences, in excess of the above, will carry a
final grade penalty. One point will be deducted from the final lecture grade average for
each absence above the number permitted.

Lateness: Students that arrive after attendance has been taken will be marked late.
Two late arrivals = 1 absence. At the end of class, the student must notify the professor
that the student is not absent, but late. If the student fails to notify the professor on that
same day, the absence WILL NOT BE CHANGED to late.

Make-up policy: All make-up or late tests, assignments, papers, etc., must be made up
within a week from the original due date and it is the STUDENT’S responsibility. All
make-up or late work will be lowered by 10 points without a documentation indicating
illness, court dates, jury duty etc… Make-up exams may be different from the one taken
on the scheduled exam day, but will cover the same material. There will be no retests.
A student can take a test one time only. No test grades will be dropped.

Science Learning Center (Room 1212) : The SLC is located on the second floor of
Academic I.The center contains a variety of resources to enhance your science learning
experience. Student ID is required. Hours are posted on the door. Children are not
allowed. Students are not allowed on the day of their practical.

Email address _______________________________________________________

Career goal: _________________________________________________________

Job related to Allied Health? (now or previous) ______________________________

___________________________________________________________________