Biology Department

Syllabus for BIOL 100: Principles of Biology

Independent Study

2024-2025

Course Description

Catalog Description

Introduction to basic principles common to all facets of biology. Topics include a brief history of biology, the scientific method, the diversity of life, cell structure and reproduction, and metabolism. (Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC2)

Additional Description

Biology 100 is a one-semester survey course, designed to give students who are non-science majors a solid foundation in the basic principles and unifying concepts of biology. Students develop an understanding of science, the nature of scientific inquiry, and how evolution explains the unity and diversity of all life on Earth. The course focuses on common features that all organisms (living things) share, as well as their unique characteristics.

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None. Recommend co-enrollment in BIOL 100L.

Credit Hours and Expected Student Effort

The course minimum is 2,250 minutes per credit hour.

As an Independent Study correspondence course, the class is largely independent, and you are asked to take responsibility for your own learning. Your instructor is available for assistance, clarification, and feedback on material as needed, but the course is designed for you to independently read any required textbook and materials and progress through the course at a pace that is convenient and efficient for your schedule.

Important Dates

Students may drop courses before 15% of the course duration has passed from your registration date, without a record of the dropped course appearing on the student’s permanent record.

When a student withdraws from a course before 75% of the course duration has passed, a grade of “W” (withdrawal) will be recorded on the academic record. After 75% of the course duration has passed, a student may not withdraw. Tuition and fees will not be adjusted for course withdrawals during this withdrawal period.

Note: Drop/withdrawal dates for each course may vary. Please reach out to Independent Study Program staff for your specific dates. Those dates can also be found in your registration confirmation.

Class Schedule

Correspondence courses require self-motivation. We recommend that you create a schedule for yourself to keep up with the work to ensure your successful completion of the course.

Program Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

•   Students will develop a broad-based knowledge and application of concepts,

techniques, and terminology in molecular, cellular, organismal, evolutionary, and ecological biology.

•   Students will demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills using experimental design and the scientific method.

Course Objectives or Student Learning Outcomes/Instructional Methods

Students will develop a broad-based knowledge of concepts and terminology in Biology as well as a supporting knowledge in the related field of chemistry.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will:

•   Explain the process of scientific inquiry (The Scientific Method).

•   Examine and analyze key concepts of biology (e.g., cells, evolution, ecology, etc.).

•   Distinguish between science and non-science/pseudoscience.

•   Examine and analyze the core concepts of genetics and cell biology.

•   Examine and interpret fundamentals ofthe evolutionary process and evolutionary change.

•   Describe the diversity of life through review of the five kingdoms.

General Education SLOs

•   SLO 2: Quantitative Reasoning

o Apply numeric, symbolic and geometric skills to formulate and solve quantitative problems.

•    SLO 3: Inquiry & Analysis

o Explore issues,, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments and break complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.

•    SLO 5: Critical Thinking

o Comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts, and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.

•    SLO 7: Information Literacy

o Know when there is a need for information, to be able to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively and responsibly use and share that information for the problem at hand.

•    SLO 9: Problem Solving

o Design, evaluate and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.

GT Pathways Designation and SLOs

GT-SC2 This BIOL 100 course satisfies the Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways Requirements for Natural & Physical Sciences

The Colorado Commission on Higher Education has approved BIOL 100 for inclusion in the Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways program in the GT-SC2 category. For transferring students, successful completion with a minimum C- grade guarantees transfer and application of credit in this GT Pathways category. For more information on the GT Pathways program, go to

http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Transfers/gtPathways/curriculum.html.

This designation verifies the following Content Criteria and Competencies are met in this course.

GT-SC2 NATURAL & PHYSICAL SCIENCES CONTENT CRITERIA:

Natural & Physical Sciences course are designed to develop students’ scientific literacy.

Students should be able to:

a. Develop foundational knowledge in specific field(s) of science.

b. Develop an understanding of the nature and process of science.

c. Demonstrate the ability to use scientific methodologies.

d. Examine quantitative approaches to study natural phenomena.

GTSC2 NATURAL & PHYSICAL SCIENCES

COMPETENCIES AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Inquiry & Analysis Competency

Inquiry is a systematic process of exploring issues/objects/works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions/judgments. Analysis is the process of breaking complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs 4, 5 & 6)

Students should be able to:

4. Select or Develop a Design Process

Select or develop elements of the methodology or theoretical framework to solve problems in a given discipline.

5. Analyze and Interpret Evidence

a.   Examine evidence to identify patterns, differences, similarities, limitations, and/or implications related to the focus.

b.   Utilize multiple representations to interpret the data.

6. Draw Conclusions

State a conclusion based on findings.

Quantitative Literacy Competency

Competency in quantitative literacy represents a student’s ability to use quantifiable information and mathematical analysis to make connections and draw conclusions. Students with strong quantitative literacy skills understand and can create sophisticated arguments supported by quantitative evidence and can clearly communicate those arguments in a variety of formats (using words, tables, graphs, mathematical equations, etc.).

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs 1 & 2)

Students should be able to:

1. Interpret Information: Explain information presented in mathematical forms (e.g., equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, words).

2. Represent Information:  Convert information into and between various mathematical forms (e.g., equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, words).

Required Textbook(s) and Other Materials

Your e-textbook (OpenStax Concepts of Biology, ISBN 1-938168-09-7) is free and a print version is available at very low cost! (The paperback is ISBN-10: 1506696538.)  The book is available (PDF format) in our Blackboard classroom or at

https://openstax.org/details/books/concepts-biology

Course Requirements

This section provides an overview of the course requirements. A more detailed breakdown of the Course Agenda is at the end of the syllabus. It includes topics and expected student efforts, as well as the grading structure of the assignments.

Please reach out to Independent Study Program staff for your specific dates and course completion deadline.

Assignments

Exams, Quizzes, and Projects

All exams and assignments will be given a point value and your final grade will be calculated as  a percentage of the total available points (see "Grading" section below). The exams in the course are not proctored.

Use of Technology

(This section does not apply to print-based students.)

Any course materials you need (beyond textbooks) are provided in Blackboard.

Generative AI (ChatGPT, etc.):

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools begin to transform. the way we use technology and work online, it’s important to recognize appropriate and inappropriate uses of AI within educational environments. In the Independent Study program, we value student learning, critical thinking, and authenticity. While AI can be a useful tool when brainstorming and generating ideas, it does not replace a student’s knowledge, voice, or ability to draw on individual experiences. When AI is used in place of a student’s authentic work, that usage not only impedes learning but in many cases is considered academic misconduct.

To maintain academic integrity, we ask that students consult with their instructors before using AI in their courses and include proper attribution ifAI use is deemed acceptable. Sources utilized by AI should also be evaluated for credibility. Use of generative AI tools without proper attribution may result in a failed assignment, course, or other disciplinary action as determined by the instructor.

Information for Print-Based Students

All the materials you need will be provided.

Handwritten materials that you submit must be legible.

Print-based students will work with the required textbook and the syllabus. The following will also be provided in print form.

•   Exams

•   Tutorials

•   Problem sets

Attendance/Participation

Due to the nature of correspondence courses, attendance is not required. Participation will be gauged based on investment and effort exhibited in course requirements.

Grading

This course uses a points-based system where each assignment and exam is given a point value. To calculate your grade total at any point follow the following equation:

"Total pts earned" divided by "Total pts available (at that point)," and then multiply that by 100 = your grade percentage.

The final grade is determined by adding up all the points earned and dividing that number by 610 (total points for the course and multiplying by 100 for a final percentage. A letter grade is assigned as follows:

A = 90% - 100%

B = 80% - 90%

C = 70% - 80%

D = 60% - 70%

F < 60%

Fractional grades will be rounded to the nearest whole number (89.5 will round to a 90%, whereas a 89.4 will round to 89%