BIO 113 Introduction to Biology

Lab
DESCRIPTION
This course emphasizes basic laboratory studies of structure, function and interactions of living organisms
including cell theory, genetics, energetics, evolution, and ecology.
Credit: 1
Contact Hours: 30
Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Prerequisite/co requisite= Bio 112
Duration: Calendar start and finish dates are determined by the student's Enrollment Notification.

Instructor Information
To access and view instructor contact information, click on Your Instructor(s) from the menu on the left
when you access your course in Blackboard.

Required eResources
This course will utilize a wide variety of web sites and web based simulations.
(These resources are available in your Blackboard course)

Other Resources
A digital camera will be needed to complete several of the assignments. The user must be familiar with
how the camera works and must be able to submit clear .jpg photos which are less than 750 KB (0.75
MB) in size. Basic food items will be required for several labs including: vinegar, 3 raw eggs, table sugar
or corn syrup and some other small foods of the student's choosing.

Software Requirements
Make sure the appropriate software and plug-ins are installed on your computer. Be sure to review, and if
necessary, install appropriate software and plug-ins listed in the software section of the Getting
Started area in the Blackboard module shell.
Students will need to download and install two simulation software programs. Links for these free
downloads are included in the learning content areas.

Schedule/Calendar
This course module is offered on a self-paced basis. Calendar start and finish dates are determined by the
student's Enrollment Notification.

COURSE MODULE INFORMATION

Competencies/Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Analyze information using the Scientific Method.
2. Describe basic cellular functions that are essential to all life.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking about basic concepts of biology and to integrate that knowledge into a
practical application for daily life.
4. Describe the evolutionary relationships that develop among organisms.
5. Describe the position of humans in the hierarchy of life and our relationship to the environment as a
biological organism.
6. Describe the concept of heredity and how it is influenced on a genetic level.

Outline
I. Unit 1
A. Scientific method
1. List and describe each of the steps of the scientific method and explain how they can be used to
solve a problem.
2. Explain why repetition and control groups are important parts of valid research.
3. Explain the difference between an independent and dependent variable.
B. Lab safety
1. Explain the best way to handle the following situations: a small fire, minor burns and chemicals
splashed into the eyes.
2. Describe how to handle sharp instruments.
3. Describe the proper attire for lab work.
C. Enzymes
1. Describe how enzymes work.
2. Explain the effects of pH and temperature on enzyme activity.
3. Describe the function of the enzyme catalase and how its function can be measured in a lab.
D. Macromolecules
1. List and describe the components of sugars, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.
E. Gene splicing
1. Describe the purpose for splicing genes.
2. Explain the proper use of restriction enzymes.
3. List some examples of viable organisms with spliced genes.
F. Classifying arthropods
1. List the unique features of the classes of the phylum Arthropoda.
2. Classify arthropods by using their external and internal anatomy.
II. Unit 2

A. Microscope
1. Describe the proper use of a light microscope.
2. Properly use a simulated light microscope to examine specimens.
B. Osmosis
1. Use an egg as a model to demonstrate the effects of osmosis.
2. Describe osmosis.
C. Photosynthesis
1. Explain how light color, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration each affect the rate of
photosynthesis.
2. Explain how water weed (Elodea) can be used to determine the rate of photosynthesis.
D. Cell division
1. Describe the process of mitosis in detail.
2. Describe how mitosis is related to cancer.
3. Use cell diagrams to determine whether a sample is "normal" or cancerous.
III. Unit 3
A. Genetics
1. Define the following terms: genotype, dominant, recessive, allele, "carrier", homozygous,
heterozygous.
2. Use a Punnet square to perform a monohybrid cross.
B. Evolution
1. Explain how that natural selection and mutation can result in evolution.
C. Frog dissection
1. Describe the classification of a frog and its life history.
2. Describe the functions of a frog's skin.
3. Describe the major organs and organ systems of a frog.
IV. Unit 4
A. Population biology
1. Describe the biotic and abiotic factors which affect a population and the mechanism of population
growth.
2. Explain the competitive exclusion principle.
B. Infectious diseases
1. Explain how death rate, transmission rate and population density affect the spread of an infectious
disease.
2. Describe how vaccination affects the spread of an infectious disease.
C. Frog pond
1. Use the results of a simulation to determine if the cause of a deformity is genetic, environmental, a
combination of genetic and environmental, or if the deformity is simply due to random chance.
2. Explain the life cycle of the frogs and parasites in the simulation.

D. Predation and sexual selection

1. Describe sexual selection.
2. Explain the relationship between sexual selection, predation and the coloration of male guppies.
3. Manipulate a simulation to investigate the effects of additional predator species on male guppy
coloration.

GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES

Students should prepare for twenty-first century challenges by gaining:
1. Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural worlds through study in the sciences and
mathematics, social sciences, humanities, histories, languages, and the arts.
2. Intellectual and practical skills, including

inquiry and analysis

critical and creative thinking

written and oral communication

quantitative literacy

information literacy

teamwork and problem solving

3. Personal and social responsibility, including

civic knowledge and engagement (local and global)

intercultural knowledge and competence

ethical reasoning and action

foundations and skills for lifelong learning

4. Integrative and applied learning, including synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and
specialized skills.

GRADING CRITERIA
Pre-Assessment Exam
The course pretest can only be taken once. Students who score a 90% or better on the pretest will have
the option to take a credit for prior knowledge exam and receive a course grade based on their score on
the credit for prior knowledge exam (challenge exam).

Credit for Prior Knowledge:

KCTCS Online open-entry course modules are based on the goal that students will demonstrate mastery
of content. Through KCTCS Online, students have the opportunity to receive credit for prior learning. To
receive this credit, students must demonstrate mastery of the course module competencies through the
following steps:

Take the pre-test (which may be timed). The pre-test may be taken only once. If the score on
the pre-test meets a level of pre-determined competency, the student will have the option to
immediately take the post-test.

If the student demonstrates mastery of competencies on the post-test, a final grade will be
awarded and the student will receive credit for the course. The final grade is based upon the
actual score earned on the post-test along with any other assignments affecting the final
course grade.

If the student does not demonstrate mastery of competencies on the post-test, the student
must remain enrolled in the course module until successfully completing all of the course
module requirements and the post-test, or until the end date of the course module- whichever
comes first. Upon the end date of the course module, the student will receive a final grade
earned based on completed assignments and post-test scores.

Post-Assessment Exam
Each of the four course units will consist of lab exercises and a final exam that can be taken only once.
There is a mastery exam for each unit that can be taken multiple times for practice before the student
takes the final exam for that unit.

Components, Assignments, Quizzes

I. Unit 1
A. Scientific method assignent worksheet 1.78%
Scientific method practice quiz 0%
B. Lab safety quiz 1.78%
C. Enzyme function quiz 1.78%
D. Macromolecules projects
Sugar and lipid project (students will submit a photo for grading, it will be graded within 48 hours)
1.78%
Protein and DNA projects (students will submit a photo for grading, it will be graded within 48
hours) 1.78%
Macromolecules practice quiz 0%
E. Gene splicing quiz 1.78%
F. Classifying arthropods quiz 1.78%
Mastery exam 0%
Bio 1131 Final exam 12.5% (will be graded within 48 hours)
II. Unit 2
A. Microscope use quiz 3.13%
B. Osmosis project (students will submit a photo for grading, it will be graded within 48 hours) 3.13%

C. Photosynthesis quiz 3.13%

D. Cell division quiz 3.13%
Mastery exam 0%
Bio 1132 Final exam 12.5% (will be graded within 48 hours)
III. Unit 3
A. Genetics quiz 4.17%
B. Evolution quiz 4.17%
C. Frog dissection quiz 4.17%
Mastery exam 0%
Bio 1133 Final exam 12.5% (will be graded within 48 hours)
IV. Unit 4
A. Population biology quiz 3.125%
B. Infectious diseases quiz 3.125%
C. Frog pond quiz 3.125%
D. Predation and sexual selection quiz 3.125%
Mastery exam 0%
Bio 1134 Final exam 12.5% (will be graded within 48 hours)
All assignments, projects, and assessments will be graded immediately unless otherwise noted.

Final Grading Calculation (for all Modules)

This course is presented as a full course.

Grading Scale
The following grading scale will be used:
Grade

Score Achieved

90%- 100%

80-89.9%

70-79.9%

60-69.9%

Less than 60%

POLICIES
Plagiarism Statement
Plagiarism and cheating are serious academic offenses. The KCTCS regulations pertaining to plagiarism
and cheating can be found in Sections 2.3.1.1, 2.3.1.2, and 2.3.1.3 of the KCTCS Code of Student
Conduct. Penalties for violation of these policies can be found in Section 2.3.2.1 and 2.3.2.2.

Disability Statement
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System would like to help students with disabilities
achieve their highest potential in academic studies. In order to receive accommodations on assignments or
examinations, proper documentation must first be provided to the Office of Disability Services at your
home campus. You must then self-identify and conference with the Director of Disability Support
Services or Manager of Disability Services to begin receiving accommodations in the course/module. For
more information, contact the KCTCS Online Help Desk.

HELP AND SUPPORT

The Blackboard Support Center can help provide support via Frequently Asked Questions, email, chat,
and phone regarding Blackboard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Blackboard
The KCTCS Online Student Services Help Desk provides Frequently Asked Questions, email, chat, and
phone service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Help can be accessed by navigating to the top of your course webpage and selecting Help in blue. You
can also access directly with this link: http://bbcrm.edusupportcenter.com/ics/support/default.asp?
deptID=8158

Student Services
The KCTCS Online Student Services Help Desk provides Frequently Asked Questions, email, chat, and
phone service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Student Services staff can help you with any question you
have about the application process, financial aid, registering for classes, tuition payments, and other
student services.
You can access KCTCS Online Student Services here:
http://bbcrm.edusupportcenter.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8158

Course-Specific Questions
If you have a specific question about the course or the content, please contact your instructor as soon as
possible. Your instructor's contact information is under the "Your Instructor(s)" link on the course menu.
Please allow 24-48 hours for your instructor to respond to your questions.

Starfish
Starfish is a student support tool that can help you succeed in your course. Your instructor can raise flags
if there's a concern about your progress, give you kudos for good performance, or make to-do items for
you that will help you succeed. You can also use Starfish to schedule appointments with your instructor or
your Virtual Student Success Coach. Be sure to click on "Starfish" from the navigation menu in
Blackboard to learn more and to create your student profile!