Lecture: Mondays and Wednesdays 5:00-6:25 pm
Lab: Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 pm
Course Alignment
General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:
- Critical Thinking
- Responsibility
Faculty Contact Information
Upon appointment
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to apply the scientific method in conducting a basic investigation in the biological sciences.
- Identify basic chemical structures of the types of macromolecules found in living organisms.
- Compare and contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic cellular structure.
- Compare and contrast the flow of energy through living organisms
- Demonstrate the ability to apply Mendelian genetics to interpret hereditary patterns.
- Describe the evidence for organic evolution and relate that evidence to the process.
- Describe how the taxonomic hierarchical system of classification reflects evolutionary patterns of descent.
- Distinguish between biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem and describe how human interactions with these components may influence the biosphere.
- Examine the impact of biology in today’s society.
1. Introduction to Life/ Scientific Method
2. Basic Chemistry
3. Basic Organic Chemistry
4. Cellular Structure and Function
5. Cellular Transport
6. Cellular Metabolism and Enzymes
7. Cellular Respiration
8. Photosynthesis
9. Cell Division (mitosis and meiosis)
10. Genetics (Mendelian and Human)
11. Molecular Genetics (DNA and RNA)
12. Evolution
13. Ecology
14. Population Growth and Global concerns
Text: Concepts of Biology from OpenStax College (Rice University) ISBN 1-938168-11-9
Available free online at https://www.openstax.org/details/concepts-biology
Lab manual: Principles of Biology (Bio1504) (KCC Bookstore)
Safety goggles
Pencil (#2) with eraser
| Assignment | Points | % of Total Grade |
| 6 Unit exams- each 50 points | 300 | 63% (10% each) |
| Final Exam (Comprehensive) | 100 | 21% |
| Lab Reports (Best 15 out of 17, 3 pts each) | 75 | 16% |
| Total | 475 |
Grade Scale
| Grade | % | Points |
| A | 90+ | 427 |
| B | 80+ | 380 |
| C | 70+ | 332 |
| D | 60+ | 285 |
| F | >60 | >285 |
Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700
Attendance policy- Attendance in lecture and lab are critical to your success in this course. Due to the 14 week course structure, we have a lot of material to cover in each lecture and lab.
Makeup labs- Lab reports will be due at the end of the lab session. Labs cannot be made up. At the end of the semester, your 2 lowest lab scores will be dropped from your grade.
Makeup Exams- Lecture exams must be made up within 2 weeks of the exam date. If you know you will be missing an exam, please let me know as soon as possible. Makeup exams will be scheduled by appointment. The final exam must be completed by the end of the semester. Depending on when you makeup an exam, you may receive a different exam than the rest of the class.
Please turn off all electronic devices prior to class starting to prevent class disruption.
Safety goggles must be worn in labs while handling chemicals and specimens. Safety goggles will not be provided and can be purchased in the bookstore.
#2 pencils with erasers must be used on all exams. Students are responsible for providing their own pencils.
Lecture audio may be recorded for a students own personal use while enrolled in the class. However, this material is property of the instructor and cannot be distributed or shared without written permission from the instructor.
Lecture Calendar*
| Week of: | Lecture Topics |
| Jan 26 | Course Syllabus and Class Expectations Introduction to Biology |
| Feb 2 | Chemistry of Life Cell Structure and Function |
| Feb 9 | How Cells Obtain Energy Photosynthesis |
| Feb 16 | Feb 16- UNIT 1 EXAM Reproduction at the Cellular Level |
| Feb 23 | The Cellular Basis of Inheritance Patterns of Inheritance |
| Mar 2 | Mar 2- UNIT 2 EXAM Molecular Biology |
| Mar 9 | Spring Break- No class |
| Mar 16 | Biotechnology March 18- UNIT 3 EXAM |
| Mar 23 | Evolution and its Processes Diversity of Life |
| Mar 30 | Diversity of Microbes, Fungi, and Protists Diversity of Plants |
| April 6 | Diversity of Animals April 8- UNIT 4 EXAM |
| April 13 | The Body's Systems The Immune System and Disease |
| April 20 | Animal Reproduction and Development April 22- UNIT 5 EXAM |
| April 27 | Population and Community Ecology Ecosystems and the Biosphere |
| May 4 | Conservation and Biodiversity May 6- Unit 6 EXAM |
| May 11 | FINAL EXAM WEEK |
Laboratory Calendar*
| Lab # | Date | Title |
| 1 | 1/28/26 | Use of the Light Microscope |
| 2 | 2/4/26 | Scientific Method and Metric Measurement |
| 4 | 2/11/26 | Structure of Cells |
| 5 | 2/18/26 | Diffusion, Osmosis, and Cell Membrane Permeability |
| 6 | 2/25/26 | Enzyme Activity |
| 7 | 3/4/26 | Photosynthesis and Respiration |
| N/A | 3/11/26 | Spring Break- no lab |
| 8 | 3/18/26 | Cell Division |
| 9+10 | 3/25/26 | Introduction to Electrophoresis and Genetics/ Genetic Problems |
| 11 | 4/1/26 | DNA Isolation and Video: "Secret of Photo 51" |
| 12a+b | 4/8/26 | DNA Fingerprinting/ Molecular Genetics |
| 13 | 4/15/26 | Video: "What Darwin Never Knew" |
| 14 | 4/22/26 | Evolution |
| 15 | 4/29/26 | Ecosystems Dynamics |
| 16 | 5/6/26 | Human Population |
*Schedule subject to change
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.