Course Syllabus

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Biology 100: Introductory Biology

Fall 2025, CRN 20104

Lecture: Wednesday and Friday 8:00-9:35 AM in person

Lab: Wednesday,

 

Instructor: Patti Temple

Email: patricia.temple@hancockcollege.edu

Voice or Text: (805) 399-2666

(if texting please include your name)

Lecture: M311, Monday & Wednesday 8:00-9:20

Lab: M135, Wednesday 9:30-12:35PM

Final Exam: Friday, December 5th, 8:00-9:20, M311

 

·        Start Date:

·        18-AUG-2025

·        Last Date to drop with a refund:

·        29-AUG-2025

·        Last Date to drop without a "W":

·        01-SEP-2025

·        Last Date to add class:

·        01-SEP-2025

·        Census Roster Due Date:

·        31-AUG-2025

·        Last date to choose Pass/No Pass:

·        19-SEP-2025

·        Last Date to drop with a "W":

If you do not withdraw by this date, you will receive a grade based on the work completed at the end of the quarter, even if you have stopped attending class

·        07-NOV-2025

·        Final Exam:

·        5-DEC-2025

 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK & COURSE MATERIALS

  • Textbook: Concepts of Biology. Fowler, S., Roush, R., and Wise, J. Publisher: OpenStax
  • Lab Manual: Biology 100 Introductory Biology Lab Manual
  • Access to the Internet and our Canvas course website is required.

 

Office Hours:

  • Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:45-1:45 in M-136 (the study room next to our classroom).
  • By appointment via ZOOM if that time does not work for you. Please note that I am not a full-time instructor but I will do my best to find a time that works.

Google Voice: ‪(805) 399-2666. you can leave a voicemail or a text. Please leave your name so I can respond as quickly as possible. This is easy and will usually get the fastest response time. We can then meet in person or via the zoom room or have a quick chat/text on the phone.

 

Welcome!

 

I am so excited for us to get into biology this semester. My goal is for this class to answer questions you may have about the world around us and living things as well as to encourage you to ask yourself new questions about how life works. What questions do you have? Do you care about the use of stem cells? Climate change? How do cells live and reproduce? Science is about coming up with a question then asking critical questions to prove or fail to disprove a hypothesis that you come up with.

 

So, I know that science is not always a favorite subject for students. In fact, I know some of you are only here because to have to be for your degree! I hope that this class will be engaging and make you curious. I encourage you to ask questions as we move through the semester.

 

The college provides specific student learning outcomes for this course below:

Student Learning Outcomes:

 

BIOL100 SLO1: Collect and analyze evidence to develop testable explanations and make predictions about natural phenomena.

BIOL100 SLO2: Describe how cell structures and functions contribute to organism’s maintenance and growth.

BIOL100 SLO3: Describe the process in which DNA codes for instructions for characteristics passed from parents to offspring.

BIOL100 SLO4: Explain how the mechanisms of evolution: mutation, genetic drift, gene flow, and natural selection, can change the distribution of traits in populations over time demonstrating the unity and diversity of life.

BIOL100 SLO5: Demonstrate knowledge of biotic and abiotic interactions in ecosystems.

BIOL100 SLO6: Demonstrate appropriate lab technique and lab safety protocols.

 

    

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

As a result of this course experience, students will be able to:

  1. Understand the goal of science is to collect and analyze evidence to develop testable explanations and make predictions about natural phenomena.
  2. Classify the molecules of living systems and apply basic principles of chemistry to their interaction.
  3. Describe the structures and functions of cells that are necessary for the growth and maintenance of organisms.
  4. Compare and contrast the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in terms of energy transformation in cells.
  5. Evaluate how organisms reproduce and exhibit hereditary patterns.
  6. Assess how population and community dynamics are affected by ecological interactions.
  7. Describe how the systems of the human body interact to maintain homeostasis.
  8. Understand how evolution explains both the unity and diversity of life.

 

Success in the Course: Success in this course is highly related to the amount of time a student spends outside of class studying. In general, students should plan to spend a minimum of 6 hours outside of class and lab time studying for this class meet the goals they have set for themselves in this course. The expectation is that you will read and come to class prepared to engage in discussions about the material for the day.

LABORATORY: Bring your lab manual to each lab meeting. You have the option of purchasing a hard copy of the lab manual in the campus bookstore, or using the electronic version of the manual that will be provided in Canvas. Some labs include graphs or drawings that will need to be completed so use your judgement about the best way for you to prepare to complete those sections of the lab.

 In order to make the best use of your time in lab, you should refer to your lab schedule and read the appropriate material before class. This is also a safety issue. Some labs contain hazardous chemicals, biological fluids, and/or animal specimens. Failure to perform the correct procedure may result in injury, damage to lab equipment, or inability to complete the experiment.  

 

Lab quizzes will be given before labs, unless otherwise specified. Typically lab quizzes will be questions will be on material covered during the previous labs as indicated on the lab schedule  

You may not perform any unauthorized experiments in the lab. You will be dismissed from the lab.  

Lab assignments are due at the end of the lab period. Some labs also include a pre-lab assignment that needs to be completed before the lab.  

Grading Policy: Your final grade will be calculated assessments according to the following assessment types and corresponding percentages.

 

Assessment Type

Overall Percent

Weekly Lab/Lecture Quiz

20%

Pre-Lab Quizzes

20%

Classwork/ Homework

20%

Exams

40%

 

 

Grading Scale

A

90-100%

B

80-89%

C

70-79%

D

60-69%

F

<60%

 

A brief description of each assessment type is given below:

 

  • Lab Assignments: Each week you will complete a lab from the Biology 100 Introductory Biology Lab Manual. Each lab is due at the end of the lab period. At the end of the semester, the lowest lab assignment score is dropped and not included in the final grade calculation. This drop means that in case of illness, you won’t suffer for missing noe lab session. Because of the nature of most labs, they are not able to be made up. There are other lab sessions that may be available for a maximum of one lab per semester. Please contact me prior to the lab so that we can set up alternate arrangements. The Lab 13 animal diversity lab must be completed in person.

 

  • Weekly Lecture/Lab Quiz: Each week you will take a quiz which will have questions about the content from the previous week (e.g., at the beginning of Week 2 you will complete a quiz covering Week 1). Quizzes may contain true/false, multiple choice, matching and/or short answer questions. There will be an online quiz at the end of each week, covering the material of that week.

 

  • Pre-lab Quiz: They will contain of multiple choice and matching questions. The quizzes are to make sure you have an idea of what to expect in lab that week.

 

  • Classwork and Homework Assignments: Each assignment is different and the instructions for each will be posted in Canvas. Instructions are intended to be thorough but please ask if you have any questions. If you are confused, there is a good chance someone else is also. I regularly update instructions when students have questions.

 

  • Exam: There will be 3 exams during the course. The exams will be based on material covered in both lecture and lab. You are not allowed to use GOOGLE or other internet sources. EXAMS will cover material since the previous exam. Lecture exams will primarily consist of multiple choice, true/false, matching, and some short answer.
    • In general, there are NOmake-up exams or quizzes.

 

 

**NOTE: The instructor keeps all quizzes and exams. Students may not copy, take pictures or replicate quizzes or exams without penalty of cheating.

The grading policy will be strictly followed. I will not selectively assign additional work (extra credit) to only a subset of students to increase their grades, nor will there be any different grading policy applied to favor some students over others. Please do not request additional work (extra credit) either during or following the completion of the course. All students will be treated with equity and fairness, and all grades will be calculated in the same way, regardless of extenuating circumstances or any other reason(s) related or not related to your actual performance in the course. 

 

Late Submission Policy: Lab assignments and analysis assignments are the only assignments that will be accepted after the due date. The penalty for late submission is 10% will be deducted per day the assignment is late, no credit will be given for late work turned in five or more days past the due date.

 

Grade Dispute: Any grade dispute must be handled within one week of the return of the assessment.

  • Save a copy of all of your graded work. In the event of a grade dispute, you will be required to provide original graded work.

 

 

Course Polices

 

Attendance Policy: Success in this course depends on your active participation so your attendance is important to me. Below are specific details about the attendance policy:

 

  • Students must attend the first class meeting, either by zoom or in person as stated above. If a student cannot attend the first class meeting, they will notify the instructor via email no later than 24 hours prior to the first class meeting. Without prior notification, the student will be dropped from the class and a student from the waitlist will be admitted in their place.
  • Students will initial the attendance sheet at the beginning of each class.
  • Students will not receive credit for a lab assignment or lab quiz completed during a lab meeting from which they were absent.
  • Students who are absent in excess of 10% of the total class hours are subject to being dropped from the course.
  • Students are responsible for information missed due to absence. It is not the responsibility of the instructor to repeat information or make it available to a student in a manner not available to other students. Please make sure you have contact information for at least one other student in the class that you can ask about missed classwork.

 

 

 

Accessibility and Accommodation (ADA Statement): Students with physical, learning, or mental health disabilities who believe that they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Learning Assistance Program (LAP) as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Learning Assistance authorization, based. On verification of disability, is required before any accommodation can be made. Students who do not have formal documentation but feel that they may have a disability are encourage to visit the Learning Assistance Program website (https://www.hancockcollege.edu/lap/index.php) or call (805). 922-6966 Ext. 3274

 

Resources:

 

Academic Honesty: Honesty and integrity are essential to the academic community. Faculty, students, and staff are expected to be truthful, trustworthy, and fair in all academic endeavors. Students who violate these principles by cheating, plagiarizing, or acting in other academically dishonest ways are subject to disciplinary action.

 

Below are examples of academically dishonest behaviors:

  • Using Google or other search engines to get answers for quiz or test.
  • Plagiarism, which is the use of materials authored by another person or obtained from a commercial source or the use of passages without proper acknowledgment.
  • Having or using unauthorized materials during any exam or quiz
  • Notes concealed in or written on clothing, hats, or skin (as examples).
  • Looking at another student’s work during any exam or quiz.
  • Changing answers on a returned exam in order to claim there had been a grading error.
  • Sharing any content of exams or quizzes with individuals who have not yet taken it.
  • Removing an exam or quiz from the classroom without the professor’s approval.
  • Taking photos of exams, quizzes, completed ScanTrons®, or exam keys.
  • Turning in work that was generated by other individuals or by the same individual but in a prior semester, including but not limited to: lab report data, lab report or homework questions, homework assignments, and extra credit assignments.
  • Allowing another student to look at your exam or quiz, or allowing another student to copy your homework, lab reports, or other assignments. If that work is duplicated you may also receive the same penalties listed above for violation of the Biology Department Policy on Cheating, and the college policy on cheating and academic dishonesty.

 

If an instructor determines, after a conference with the student, that the student has been academically dishonest, the instructor at his/her discretion may issue a failing grade on the assignment or take other measures that are reasonable and appropriate. The student may also be subject to further disciplinary action through the associate superintendent/vice president, Student Services. An appeals process is available to the student through the office of the associate superintendent/vice president, Student Services.

 

Students must adhere to the Standards of Student Conduct.

 

Use of AI In This Course:

We will be using generative AI during the semester. You will be instructed on how to use this tool during class activities. Please treat AI like a lab partner. You would ask your lab partner questions, and discuss ideas. However, you would not copy your partner’s work or ask them to complete an assignment on your behalf and then turn in the work as if it were your own. If in doubt about the proper use of AI, please ask your instructor. Improper use of AI during this class, including failure to cite proper sources, will be subject to the Academic Honesty Policy.

 

The Basic Needs Initiative: Are you having trouble with getting enough food for yourself or your family? Have an unexpected financial emergency come up? Connect with the Basic Needs Initiative in Building G Room 101 for resources to help support you. The Basic Needs Initiative at Allan Hancock College acts as a resource hub to assist the Allan Hancock College Community experiencing basic needs insecurities in identifying and accessing support services on-campus and in the community. The BNI can help connect you with food & housing resources, emergency grants, and other supports that may benefit your situation. If you or someone you know at Allan Hancock College is experiencing any type of financial hardship or basic need insecurity, use the contact information below to get in touch with someone to provide support.

 

Call or text: ‪(805) 250-3587

Email: basicneeds@hancockcollege.edu

Website: https://www.hancockcollege.edu/basicneeds/index.php

 

Syllabus Change Policy: Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the grade policy, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice.

 

 

Week

Dates

 

Lecture Topic

Lab

Exam

Week 1

8/20

8/22

 Biology and the Scientific Process

Lab 1: The Scientific Process

 

Week 2

8/27

8/29

 The Biological  Basis of Life

Lab 2: Biological molecules

 

Week 3

9/3

9/5

Inside the Cell

Lab 3: Cell Observation

 

Week 4

9/10

9/12

Cell transport and membranes

Lab 4: Cell transport

 

Week 5

9/17

9/19

Enzymes

Lab 5: Enzymes

Exam 1

Week 6

9/24

9/26

 Energy for Cells (Cellular Respiration)

Lab 6: Cellular Respiration

 

Week 7

10/1

10/3

 Energy for Life (Photosynthesis)

Lab 7: Photosynthesis and Plant Morphology

 

Week 8

10/8

10/10

 Cellular Reproduction (Mitosis & Meiosis)

Lab 8: Cell Division

 

Week 9

10/15

10/17

 Patterns of Inheritance

Lab 9: Genetics and Inheritance

 

Week 10

10/22

10/24

 DNA Biology

Lab 10: Molecular  Biology

Exam 2

Week 11

10/29

10/31

 Evolution

Lab 11: Evolution

 

Week 12

11/5

11/7

 Diversity and Speciation

Lab 12: Animal Diversity (no make-ups)

 

Week 13

11/12

11/14

 Viruses

Lab 13: Viruses

 

Week 14

11/19

11/21

  Ecology and Populations

Lab 15: Oso Flaco Lake Field Trip

 

Week 15

11/26

Thanksgiving

 Communities and Ecosystems

Lab 14: Ecology

 

Week 16

12/3

12/5

Human Population Growth and Exam Review

Open Lab on Wednesday only

Exam 3

 

Textbook:

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!
Concepts of Biology from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-03-4 

You have several options to obtain this book:

  • View online (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
  • Download a PDF (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
  • Order a print copy (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) 
  • Download on iBooks (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) 

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

Important Notes:

  • All first week assignments need to be completed and submitted by the due date to avoid possibly being dropped from the class.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due