Biology 1 Course Description and Syllabus (2018-19)

Biology 1

Dr. Dunn (rdunn@lelandandgray.org)

Room B12

What is this class about?

Biology is the study of life: how it began, evolved & continues to evolve; the molecules that make life possible; and its amazing diversity and adaptations as a result. In this class, you will apply and connect your learning to everyday events, things you like to do, and areas related to your career goals.

We will use a variety of materials in class. We will use traditional textbooks and an online text Online Biology Book,

http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/biobooktoc.html and

Rediscovering Biology, http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/textbook/index.html.

We will also do activities from other project-based texts and computer-based lab activities periodically. Hands-on work will happen almost every day. To maximize daily hands-on time, you will be expected to watch short video lectures on your own in preparation for class. You will be given the URLs well in advance; these can be watched online with a computer or hand-held device or can be downloaded for off-line viewing.

There will always be opportunities to go further with an activity or lesson if you get really interested in something. Come talk to me about it.

Students need feedback on how much and how well they have learned. Short-term (“formative”) assessment will be through classroom activities, observations, and labs. Long-term (“summative”) assessment will be through projects and regular quizzes and exams (which have been shown to deepen long-term memory of the material).

The students and I will develop the classroom norms and expectations during the first week, which will then be posted on this web page.

Materials=pencil, calculator, planner, Biology 3-ring binder or binder section

Grading Policy

Tests and Quizzes 30%

Projects 30%

Labs/Class Activities 20%

Homework 20%

Syllabus

Unit 1: Scientific Method/Epidemiology: Sickle Cell Anemia and Malaria

Unit 2: Interdependence: The Human Microbiome

Unit 3: The Central Dogma: DNA/RNA/proteins

Unit 4: Evolution and Natural Selection: Then and Now

Unit 5: Will we find life on other worlds?