1. SYLLABUS
Your Course Learning Plan
Course: BIO 181 General Biology 1 (CRN# 35521)
Instructor: Dr. Matt Pearcy
Time
Frame:
August 19th
through December 9th
(Fall 2013)
A. Instructor Contact and Communications
Phone: 928-649-5486
E-mail address:
Skype address:
Matt.Pearcy@yc.edu
mattpearcy
Office Location: VC.M208
Office Hours: My job is to help you be successful so please contact me if you need
to talk about anything at all. The sooner the better! Official inperson
student hours will be held on Mondays from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm,
Tuesdays from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm and Wednesdays from 8:00 am to
10:00 am; however, if these times don’t work for you let me know and
we’ll figure out an alternative time to meet. Since the class is online
many of you may live far away from Clarkdale so email or call me if
you need to talk to me.
Classroom location: Online
B. General Course Information
Credit hours: 4.0
Course description: The class covers biological principles; emphasizing structure and
function at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels of biological
systems.
Prerequisite/Co-requisite: Secondary school chemistry strongly recommended. Primarily for
biology majors and preprofessional students in health-related fields.
Prerequisite: Reading Proficiency. Three lecture. Three lab.
Textbooks, software,
supplies, equipment and
tools:
Biology, Foundations of Life (10th
edition) by R. Raven, and G.
Johnson.
C. Course Content and Outcomes
Course content: 1. Scientific Method
2. Basic chemistry and biological macromolecules
3. Organization of cells

2. 4. Energy and Enzymes
5. Photosynthesis
6. Cellular respiration
7. Cell division
8. Genetics
9. Gene expression and regulation
10. Gene technology
11. Data collection and analysis
Learning outcomes: 1. Apply the scientific method in problem solving (1) (PBS 1,3)
2. Describe the basic chemistry and chemical interactions of life (2)
3. Describe the structure and function of the four main types of
biological macromolecules (2)
4. Identify and describe the structure and function of the parts of typical
prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (3)
5. Describe the properties of enzymes and their relation to cellular
metabolism (4)
6. Explain and diagram the fundamental processes of photosynthesis (5)
7. Explain and diagram the fundamental processes of cellular respiration
(6)
8. Describe the biological processes of cell division including the cell
cycle, mitosis, and meiosis (7)
9. Solve mendelian and nonmendelian genetics problems (8) (PBS 2)
10. Describe the fundamental processes of gene expression and control
of gene expression (9)
11. Describe basic genetic engineering techniques and tools including
recombinant DNA techniques and Polymerase Chain Reaction (10)
12. Conduct experiments, observe biological phenomena, and record
information in a laboratory notebook (11)
Assessments: Assessments for this course will include weekly online quizzes and four
proctored exams. The four exams must be taken at a Testing Center so
that they can be proctored. The exams will be closed book. Early in the
semester we will work out where you are going to take the proctored
exams. If you take the exams at any of Yavapai College’s Testing
Centers the proctoring will be free. If you are in a location that requires
a non Yavapai College affiliated Testing Center you may have to pay a
small fee to take the exams. (Usually about 15 – 30 dollars) You are
responsible for this fee to take the exams. Every effort will be made to
find a free testing center. There will be 11 online quizzes covering the
lecture and lab material. The questions on the quizzes will be similar,
but not identical, to those found on the exams. The point of the quizzes

3. is to prepare you for the types of questions you will see on the exams.
There will be weekly online labs. At the beginning of the semester
students will be required to complete a quiz covering the syllabus for the
class.
Grading (credit) criteria: Exams:
4 proctored exams at 125 pts apiece………………...…...500 pts.
Quizzes:
11 online quizzes at 35 pts. apiece .……………….……..385 pts.
Labs:
15 at 35 pts. apiece……………………………...…...…..525 pts.
Syllabus Quiz……………………………………….....……..25 pts.
Total Points 1,435pts.
Letter Grades: The first criterion to pass the class is to achieve a 70% average on the
proctored exams. Once that criterion is met the letter grades will be
assigned as follow:
A = 1,291 – 1,435 pts. B = 1,148 – 1,290 pts. C = 1,004 – 1,147 pts. D
= 861– 1,003 pts. F ≤ 860 pts.
Labs: Labs will be graded for quality and completeness. Each lab is worth 35
points. Labs will be assigned weekly and will be due on Tuesdays at 5
pm. The lab material will be on the proctored exams so when you’re
completing the labs you’re studying for the proctored exams!
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given online about once a week. Each quiz will be
worth 35 points and will be due on Tuesdays at 5 pm. The quiz
questions will be on the proctored exams so when you’re completing the
quizzes you’re studying for the proctored exams!
Exams:
Grading Policy:
There will be four closed book comprehensive proctored exams during
the semester. Each exam will be worth 125 points. The average score
for the four exams must be a 70% in order to pass the class.
My official grading policy is that all assignments will be graded and
returned one week after they are due (or one week after I receive them in
the mail for proctored exams). However, most of the time it will be
much sooner than that.
Absences: No late work will be accepted. All assignments will be posted one week
before they are due so that students can fit the assignment into their
particular schedule. All assignments must be completed by their due
date to receive credit. No extra credit will be assigned.
Student Resources (as applicable)
Library services: Library services are available at the Prescott Campus and the Verde

4. Valley Campus libraries. Both libraries are members of a countywide
library network, which provides access to a wide-range of information
and resources at libraries throughout YavapaiCounty. Possession of a
College library card entitles students to access materials housed at
member libraries. Instructors may place required course materials on
reserve in the library or make assignments that require the use of library
resources.
Learning Centers: A LearningCenter is available on the Prescott and Verde Valley
Campuses. These centers provide a variety of learning support for
students including tutoring, adaptive computer and equipment for
students with disabilities, and a networked general computer lab.
Tutoring: Call for details: Prescott 776-2085 or Verde Valley 634-6562
Online resources and
services:
Online writing tutoring for any academic subject is available at
www2.yc.edu/content/learningcenters
Instructor Procedures and Institution Policies
Attendance: Students are expected to attend and participate in all class meetings,
laboratories, and field trips. A student who expects to be absent due to
another school-sponsored activity or compelling personal reason must
make prior arrangements with the instructor. All course work must be
made up as directed by the instructor. A student who does not adhere to
instructor and College attendance requirements may be dropped from
the course as defined in the Yavapai College General Catalog.
Course withdrawal: After the drop/add period closes, students may withdraw until the
deadline for student-initiated withdrawals. Withdrawals result in a "W"
on the permanent transcript.
For semester-length classes 14 weeks in length or longer, the withdrawal
deadline is October 15th
For classes of 4 days to 14 weeks in length, withdrawals are permitted
until the class is 50 percent completed.
For classes of 1-3 days in length, withdrawals are permitted until the
class is 50 percent completed.
A "Y" is noted on the permanent transcript for an administrative
withdrawal. More information can be obtained from the Admissions &
Registration Office.
Academic integrity: Honesty in academic work is a central element of the learning
environment. The presentation of another individual’s work as one’s
own or the act of seeking unfair academic advantage through cheating,
plagiarism or other dishonest means are violations of the College’s
“Student Code of Conduct.” Definitions of plagiarism, cheating, and
violation of copyright and penalties for violation are available in the
Yavapai College General Catalog. All cell phones must be stowed
before beginning an assessment. The presence of a cell phone on a

5. student’s desk during an assessment will be construed as cheating and
the student will receive an F for the class. Any incident of cheating or
plagiarism on any assignment in the class will result in the student
receiving an F as their letter grade for the class.
Student code of conduct: Respect for the rights of others and for the College and its property are
fundamental expectations for every student. The “Student Code of
Conduct” outlines behavioral expectations, and explains the process for
responding to allegations of student misconduct.
Disability support services: YavapaiCollege is committed to providing educational support services
to students with documented disabilities. Academic support services or
accommodations for mobility impaired students must be arranged
through the ADA Coordinator (Prescott Campus: 928.776.2079 or
Verde Valley Campus: (928.634.6563).
Cell phone and pager: YavapaiCollege is committed to providing a quality learning
environment. All cell phones and pagers must be placed in a non-
audible mode while in classrooms, computer labs, the library, the
learning center, and testing areas. Cell phones and pagers must be used
outside these facilities.
Preventing Harassment: Students are expected to respond and write in a professional and
appropriate manner when activities are assigned to create scenarios,
discuss opinions, present on a selected subject, or post to a web board or
email. Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintain an
appropriate learning environment. Faculty have the professional
responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and
respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the
manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional
courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to
individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion,
politics, sexual orientation, gender variance and nationalities. All
correspondence between instructor and students and between individual
students must be of a professional nature. Any inappropriate language
(profanity) or correspondence of a threatening or harassing nature will
result in the student being immediately dropped from the class.

6. BIO 181 Fall 2013 Tentative Class Schedule
The general course contentand learning outcomes addressed for each class are listed below. The topics covered
will include, but are not limited to, the content listed below. I reserved the right to change the contents listed
below. The following learning outcome will be addressed every week: conduct experiments, observe biological
phenomena, and record information in a laboratory notebook.
Week Date Topic
1 Syllabus Quiz is due August
23rd
Chapters 1 and 2
Course Content: Scientific Method and Basic Chemistry
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2
Lab Activity: The Scientific Method
2 Lecture Quiz #1 is due August
27th
Lab Activity #1 is due August
27th
Chapter 3
Course Content: Biological Macromolecules
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5
Lab Activity: Writing a Lab Report
3 Lecture Quiz #2 is due
September 3rd
Lab Activity #2 is due
September 3rd
Chapter 4
Course Content: Organization of Cells
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 4
Lab Activity: Data Measurement
4 Exam #1 is due September 13th
Lab Activity #3 is due
September 10th
Exam #1 covers the material in
chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4 as well as
Lab Activities 1, 2 and 3
Chapters 5 and 6
Course Content: Organization of Cells and Energy
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 5
Lab Activity: Introduction to the Microscope
5 Lecture Quiz #3 is due
September 17th
Lab Activity #4 is due
September 17th
Chapter 7
Course Content: Cellular Respiration
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 5, 7
Lab Activity: The Chemistry of Life
6 Lecture Quiz #4 is due
September 24th
Lab Activity #5 is due
September 24th
Chapters 8
Course Content: Photosynthesis
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 5, 6
Lab Activity: Diffusion
7 Lecture Quiz #5 is due
October 1st
Lab Activity #6 isdueOctober
1st
Chapter 9
Course Content: Organization of Cells
Learning Outcomes: 1, 4, 8

7. Lab Activity: Osmosis
8 Exam #2 is due October 11th
Lab Activity #7 is due October
8th
Exam #2 covers the material in
chapters 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 as well
as lab activities 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Chapter 10
Course Content: Cell Division
Learning Outcomes: 1, 8
Lab Activity: Respiration
9 Lecture Quiz #6 is due
October 15th
Lab Activity #8 is due October
15th
Chapter 11
Course Content: Cell Division
Learning Outcomes: 1, 8
Lab Activity: Enzymes
10 Lecture Quiz #7 is due
October 22nd
Lab Activity #9 is due October
22nd
Chapter 12
Course Content: Genetics
Learning Outcomes: 1, 9
Lab Activity: Cell Structure and Function
11 Lecture Quiz #8 is due
October 29th
Lab Activity #10 is due
October 29th
Chapter 13
Course Content: Genetics
Learning Outcomes: 1, 9
Lab Activity: Mitosis
12 Exam #3 is due November 8th
Lab Activity #11 is due
November 5th
Exam #3 will cover the
material in chapters 10, 11, 12
and 13 as well as lab activities
8, 9, 10 and 11
Chapter 14
Course Content. Gene Expression and Regulation
Learning Outcomes: 1, 10
Lab Activity: Meiosis
13 Lecture Quiz #9 is due
November 12th
Lab Activity #12 is due
November 12th
Chapter 15
Course Content: Gene Expression and Regulation
Learning Outcomes: 1, 10
Lab Activity: DNA and RNA
14 Lecture Quiz #10 is due
November 19th
Lab Activity # 13 is due
November 19th
Chapter 16
Course Content: Gene Expression and Regulation
Learning Outcomes: 1, 10
Lab Activity: Mendelian Genetics

8. 15 Lecture Quiz #11 is due
November 26th
Lab Activity # 14 is due
November 26th
Chapter 17
Course Content: Gene Technology
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 11
Lab Activity: Population Genetics
16 Exam #4 is due December 6th
Lab Activity #15 is due
December 3rd
Exam #4 covers the material in
chapters 14, 15, 16, and 17 as
well as lab activities 12, 13, 14
and 15.