General Biology I: Course Syllabus and Study Guide

Course Overview

Introduction to General Biology I

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the biology of organisms, focusing on the structure and function of plant and animal organ systems, as well as fundamental principles of evolution, phylogeny, and ecology. Students will engage in lectures, laboratory exercises, and assignments to develop a foundational understanding of biological systems.

• Course Duration: 3 hours lecture, 1 hour lab, 4 credits

• Instructor: Lesley Emtage

• Required Text: Campbell Biology Plus Mastering Biology (Reece et al., 2020)

Learning Objectives

Core Goals of the Course

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe the process of evolution and understand its importance to the field of biology.

• Identify characteristics of the major phyla of the animal kingdom.

• Demonstrate knowledge of basic plant physiology.

• Gain an understanding of the evolutionary significance of animal behavior.

• Learn the basic principles of ecology.

Course Structure

Lectures and Laboratory Exercises

The course consists of regular lectures and four laboratory exercises. Laboratory sessions are designed to reinforce lecture material and provide hands-on experience with biological concepts.

• Lab exercises cover topics such as plant physiology, animal diversity, and ecology.

• Each lab is associated with a lab report and practical assignments.

Evaluation and Grading

Assessment Components

Student performance is evaluated through a combination of exams, assignments, and laboratory participation.

• Exams: 3 exams (35% of final grade)

• Mastering Biology Exercises: 10% of final grade

• Lab: 30% of final grade (lab reports, exercises, participation)

Grading Scale

Grade	Percentage Range
A+	90.0-100
A	87.0-89.9
A-	83.0-86.9
B+	80.0-82.9
B	77.0-79.9
B-	73.0-76.9
C+	70.0-72.9
C	67.0-69.9
C-	63.0-66.9
D+	60.0-62.9
D	57.0-59.9
F	<59.9

Course Topics and Schedule

Weekly Breakdown

The following table outlines the major topics covered each week, along with associated readings and assignment due dates.

Date	Topic	Reading	Mastering Biology Assignment Due Dates
Aug 26	Introduction - Theory of Evolution	Chapter 22
Aug 28	Theory of Evolution	22
Sept 2	Basic Genetics	14.1
Sept 4	Evolution of Populations	23	Sept 7 HW 1 Chap 14.1, 22
Sept 9	Evolution of Populations	23
Sept 11	Origin of Species	24	Sept 14 HW 1 Chap 24
Sept 16	Review
Sept 18	EXAM 1 (CH 22, 14.1, 23, first half of 24)
Sept 23	NO CLASSES
Sept 25	Origin of Species, Cells, History of Life	24, 25	Sept 28 HW 1 Chap 24
Sept 30	History of Life	25
Oct 2	Exam 1 review
Oct 7	NO CLASSES
Oct 9	Exam 1 review, Phylogeny, Plant diversity I	26 (554-559, 566-561), 29	Oct 12 HW 1 Chap 26, 29
Oct 14	Monday schedule, Plant diversity II	30
Oct 16	Plant diversity II	30	Oct 19 HW 1 Chap 30
Oct 21	EXAM 2 (CH 26, 29, 30)
Oct 23	Introduction to Animal Diversity	32	Oct 26 HW 1 Chap 32
Oct 28	Exam 2 review	33
Oct 30	Invertebrates	33	Nov 2 HW 1 Chap 33
Nov 4	Vertebrates	34	Nov 7 HW 1 Chap 34
Nov 6	Vertebrates	34
Nov 11	Animal Behavior	51	Nov 14 HW 1 Chap 51
Nov 13	Animal Behavior	51
Nov 18	EXAM 3 (CH 31, 33, 34)
Nov 20	Animal Behavior, Population Ecology	51, 53	Nov 23 HW 1 Chap 51
Nov 25	Population Ecology	53	Nov 30 HW 1 Chap 53
Nov 27	Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec 2	Community Ecology	54
Dec 4	Community Ecology	54	Dec 7 HW 1 Chap 54
Dec 9	Conservation Biology and Global Change	56
Dec 11	Conservation Biology and Global Change	56	Dec 14 HW 1 Chap 54 & 56

Student Responsibilities and Policies

Classroom Conduct

• Arrive on time and minimize disruptions.

• Turn off all electronic devices during lectures.

• Maintain a respectful and comfortable learning environment.

Academic Integrity

• Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty are strictly prohibited.

• Refer to the university's academic integrity policies for details: Academic Integrity Policy

Missed Tests and INC Grades

• Students must contact the instructor and provide documentation for missed exams or assignments.

• INC grades are only given under exceptional circumstances and require approval.

Accommodations and Support

• Students with disabilities should visit https://www.york.cuny.edu/cds/ for accessibility resources.

• Academic support is available at the Collaborative Learning Center.

Additional info:

• Mastering Biology online exercises are required and registration instructions are provided in the syllabus.

• All exams are cumulative and cover material from lectures, readings, and laboratory exercises.

• Students are expected to read assigned textbook chapters before each class.