Course Syllabus

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BIOL 190 
 Course Syllabus

FalL 2022

Course Title

Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology 

BIOL 190A.001

Course Description

For Biology and Environmental Resource Science majors. Includes a study of the basic features of living systems, including the chemical and physical structure of cells, classification of living organisms, and principles of genetics and microevolution. Pre-requisite(s): Placement into MATH 126 (Links to an external site.) or higher; Co-requisite: BIOL 190L (Links to an external site.) Lecture/ Lab/ Studio Hours: 3+0+0

In the first semester of a two semester introductory biology series, BIOL 190A will focus on the molecular and cellular composition of life. Students will build a foundational knowledge of chemistry, cell biology, genetics and evolution. Students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge as we integrate scientific facts into discussions of science and society. This course is the lecture component with a co-requisite lab required to expand on topics detailed in lecture. Participation, attendance, and discussion are required.

Required Text(s)

Title: Campbell Biology In Focus with Modified Mastering Access Code and Learning Catalytics
Author: Urry, Cain, Wasserman, & Minorsky
Edition: 3rd
ISBN: 978-0-13-519180-4

Follow the link below to register for Modified Mastering. You do not need a course ID since you will directly register for our course through the MyLab and Mastering Link in Canvas (found in the left hand column of our course page). If you have not already purchased an access code, this will allow you to purchase at the time of registration. 

I recommend the 24 month option as it will be used in BIOL 190 & BIOL 191. Follow the instructions linked below to access purchasing directly through canvas.

 (Links to an external site.)

Link to register for modified mastering and purchase access: Registration Instructions for Modified Mastering Linked to Canvas

Title: Handbook for Writing in Biology*
Author: Karin Knisely
Edition: 6th Edition
ISBN: 9781319121815

*The Handbook for Writing in Biology will be used in a variety of Biology and Chemistry courses so please purchase and keep your copy for future semesters. This book will be used more extensively in lab. The Biology in Focus textbook will also be used in BIOL 191. 

Title: SimUText - This will be provided free of charge.

You can buy your textbook from the(Links to an external site.) Nevada State College Bookstore (Links to an external site.), either online or at the Rogers Student Center physical location.

Instructor's Office Hours

In-person office hours (LAS 262):

Monday 1-3 and Thursday 1-3

If I'm not in class or a meeting I am generally available to meet. Contact me for an appointment or drop by my office. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After finishing this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the fundamental elements of life and heredity
  • Be able to demonstrate knowledge of how biology and genetic information are applied and manipulated 
  • Understand the evidence and theory behind evolution and our common ancestry with other life on earth
  • Understand how basic biology drives new technologies that affect all people

Grading Criteria

This course uses a weighted scale, with the final grade consisting of the following components:


50% Exams, Assessments, and Quizzes

40% Modified Mastering activities and Learning Catalytics

10% Scientist Spotlight papers

100% Total Percentage

 

Grading Scale (Letter Grade and Point Range)

A 93% or higher

A- 90%-92.99%

B+ 87%-89.99%

B 83%-86.99%

B- 80%-82.99%

C+ 77%-79.99%

C 73%-76.99%

C- 70%-72.99%

D+ 67%-69.99%

D 63%-66.99%

D- 60%-62.99%

F less than 60%

Accessing Grades and instructor feedback

To access your grades and find all of the instructor's feedback, click on Grades in the course navigation menu. Scroll through the list until you find the new graded assignment (indicated by the blue dot to the left of the assignment name). Then click on the assignment name. You will see your grade. Below it you can click on Show Rubric to see the marked up rubric. Click on the paper title if you want to download the original document. (The instructor’s marks or comments will not appear on the downloaded document.) Click on the box to the right of the paper title to see the Turnitin report. Click on View Feedback to see the paper marked up with the instructor’s comments/corrections in DocViewer. The instructor’s feedback is on the right. Accessing Grades will take you step-by-step through how to find all instructor feedback and see the marked-up paper and rubric.

Student responsibilities

Students are responsible for reading, understanding, and abiding by the policies listed on the Student Responsibilities page and LAS-specific policies, including, but not limited to:

  •  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations
  • Student Email Policy
  • Diversity and Inclusion Statement
  • Appropriate Online and Video-Conferencing Behavior
  • Video- or Audio-Recording Lectures
  • Withdrawing from a Course
  • Technical Support and Requirements
  • LAS Academic Conduct Policy

Plagiarism, Cheating, and Copyright infringement

Plagiarism can involve directly quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing the work of others without specifically citing sources, or handing in work that is not your own. For more on this see the Copyright, Plagiarism, and Citing Sources page.

Cheating can involve deception about your own work or about the work of someone else, and can include unauthorized giving or receiving of information in exams or other exercises or assessments. The use of books, notes, mobile devices, or other reference materials and/or collaboration with other students is strictly prohibited on all quizzes and exams unless specific permissions have been given by the professor. Violating this rule is considered cheating. All assignments, quizzes, and exams, for both in-person and online classes, are to be completed by each student individually, unless otherwise documented by the instructor.  

Copyright infringement includes sharing or posting course materials on external websites or other locations; NSC instructors' course materials are their intellectual property and are protected under copyright. 

Detailed explanations and examples of plagiarism and cheating can be found in the  Academic Standards section of the Student Code of Conduct and Policies. You are responsible for reading, understanding, and abiding by the Academic Standards. 

The grade of 0 or F may be assigned for any assignment, quiz, or exam in which plagiarism or cheating is discovered; depending on the severity of the incident (including whether the student has previous incidents), a grade of F may be assigned in the course and a Student Conduct charge may be filed. Evidence of such dishonesty will be kept on file, and will not be returned to the student. Instructors have the responsibility to report such incidents to the dean. Serious penalties may be imposed, depending on the nature of the incident.

Turnitin

By taking this course, you agree that all required assignments may be submitted to Turnitin for detecting plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of the Turnitin service is subject to the Turnitin End-User License Agreement (Links to an external site.) posted on the Turnitin site. If you do not agree, contact your instructor immediately.

Assignment and Exam Late Policy

Accommodations for late assignments vary and are indicated on the individual assignment.

Exams must be taken on the scheduled day and time. Exceptions will be made at the instructor's discretion and must be arranged in advance of the scheduled exam.

Class Schedule

The class schedule is available as a downloadable pdf. The schedule is dynamic and the content covered each day is subject to change. Additional deadlines or changes will be announced in class. 

Link to the Class Schedule

Course Format

In Person, Monday and Wednesday 11:00AM - 12:20PM,  CEB 112

Instructor's Name and Contact Information

Dr. Kayla Bieser

Primary Contact: Use the Inbox tool within Canvas
Office Location: LAS 262
Phone: 702-992-2682

Email: Instructors use the Canvas Inbox and announcements to communicate about course-specific topics. All other official College communication is conducted using Nevada State College-issued e-mail addresses (e.g., @students.nsc.edu) in order to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). If you need assistance accessing your NSC e-mail account, contact the NSC Support Center at 702-992-2400, menu option 3, or online at NSC Support Center. For more about this, see the Student Responsibilities page.

E-mail and Classroom Response Time

You can generally expect a response to emails within 24-48 hours (or slightly longer over weekends or holidays). Feedback for completed discussions, quizzes, and assignments depends on the length and complexity of the activity and could take up to 10 days. For questions on the status of a completed assignment, discussion, or test please contact me.

Course Assistant: David Pinal

Email: David.Pinal@nsc.edu

In person CA sessions: Tuesdays 1:00 - 2:30 pm in CEB 231

Online Zoom CA session: Fridays 9:00 - 10:30 am 

Office Hours: Wednesdays 1:00 - 2:00 pm ASC

Link to flyer with all times and rooms listed.

Required Supplementary Material

Any additional supplementary materials will be provided for you on Canvas. 

Assignment Description and Due Dates

The bulk of this course's assessments will consist of weekly "Mastering" activities, Learning Catalytics, Scientist Spotlight writing series, and 5 Exams.

See "Course Summary" below for details

Exam Description and Due Dates

In class exams will be administered through the Canvas LMS. You may use your own laptop with the Lockdown Browser installed (see link in Canvas) or check out a laptop computer from the library.

Exams consist of multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank, and short answer questions.
Dates for the exams are found in the posted schedule as well as the assignments tab and on the Canvas calendar.  

Enrollment Cancellation for Non-Attendance

Faculty must report whether students begin attending and participating in the academic content of all courses, including online courses. The Registrar’s Office will administratively drop students reported by faculty as not participating by the end of the second week of fall and spring terms (shortened deadlines apply to accelerated terms).

Administratively dropped students will be removed from the course and the course will not appear on their transcripts. The Cashier’s Office will reverse all charges related to the course and the Office of Financial Aid will make any necessary adjustments to dropped students’ award packages.

For more information, refer to the enrollment cancellation policy.

Students who wish to drop or withdraw from a course remain responsible for doing so through their myNSC student account.

Student Success Resources

At some point in the semester, you may require assistance for a variety of issues. Here is a brief list of helpful resources: 

The Academic Resources page has various academic resources including the academic calendar; disability accommodations; library guides; plagiarism, copyright, and citation information; and veteran concerns.

If life circumstances are making it difficult for you to succeed, please reach out to me and let me know. I am willing to work with you to devise a plan for success or make recommendations for other support services on campus. For example, I may connect you with an Academic Advisor who can develop a personalized success strategy that will keep you on track to graduate and discuss any impacts to your financial aid. You can also contact Academic Advising directly at 702-992-2160 or at studentsuccess@nsc.edu.

Emergency CARE Services

Emergency CARE Services - If you are struggling with hunger, unstable housing, safety, mental health worries or ANY other concerns, contact case manager, Laura Hinojosa. Together, we can help meet those needs. E-mail: laura.hinojosa@nsc.edu  | Call 702.992.2514 | Website: www.nsc.edu/care

Military and Veterans

Veterans and active duty military personnel with special circumstances are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor.  If you are active duty, National Guard, or reserve and will be missing class due to military obligations, I encourage you to submit those absences through the Student Absence Notification Form.  For more information regarding this process, please contact Academic Advising at aac@nsc.edu or call 702-992-2160.  For complete information regarding the policy, you can visit the Student Military Leave Policy.

Student Absence Notification 

If for some reason you are absent due to an extenuating circumstance or medical situation, the instructor may ask you to report the incident through official channels before making exceptions to missed or late work.  To complete the Student Absence Notification Form, visit https://nsc.edu/academics/academic-advising/sans, or contact the Academic Advising Center at 702-992-2160 or at studentsuccess@nsc.edu. 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due