BIO103: Cellular and Organismal Biology – Syllabus and Study Guide

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BIO103: Cellular and Organismal Biology

Course Overview

This course provides a general introduction to biology, focusing on the cellular and organismal levels. It is designed for students in the humanities and social sciences, covering fundamental biological concepts, scientific methods, and the application of biology to real-world issues such as cancer, genetics, and biotechnology.

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 45
Lab Hours: 45
Prerequisite: None
Instructor: Dr. Laura H. Graham
Required Textbook: Campbell Biology: Concepts and Connections (11th Edition, with Mastering Biology web access)

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

Describe properties common to all life, emphasizing biological organization from molecules to the biosphere.
Explain the scientific method, distinguishing between inductive and deductive reasoning in scientific investigations.
Describe fundamentals of chemistry as they relate to biology, including atoms, molecules, and chemical bonds.
Explain the properties of water and its importance to living systems.
Describe the structure and function of biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids).
Describe the general cell structure of plant and animal cells.
Explain membrane transport (diffusion, osmosis, passive and active transport).
Describe enzyme function and the impact of competitive and non-competitive inhibitors.
Describe the cell cycle, including differences between cancerous and healthy cells.
Explain mitosis and meiosis, including the events and characteristics of each phase.
Describe the process of genetic inheritance, including Mendelian genetics, Punnett squares, and inheritance patterns.
Explain DNA replication, transcription, and translation, and their roles in gene expression.
Discuss biotechnology and its applications, including genetic engineering and cancer research.
Apply biological problem-solving skills such as calculations, graphing, interpreting data, and producing scientific diagrams.

Key Topics and Weekly Schedule

Week	Date	Topic	Textbook Chapters
1	Sept 3	Introduction to course	1
2	Sept 8/10	Introduction to Biology; Chemistry, chemistry of water	2, 3
3	Sept 15/17	Carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins	3
4	Sept 22/24	Cell structures and functions	4
5	Sept 29/Oct 1	Cell structures and functions (continued)	4
6	Oct 6/8	ATP, enzymes, role of vitamins	5
7	Oct 13	Cell cycle and mitosis	8
8	Oct 20/22	Cell cycle control and cancer	8
9	Oct 27/29	Meiosis; Mendelian genetics	9, 10
10	Nov 3/5	Patterns of inheritance; Punnett squares	9, 10
11	Nov 10/12	DNA replication, transcription, translation	11
12	Nov 17	DNA technology and genomics	12
13	Nov 24/26	Gene expression and cancer	12
14	Dec 1	Cumulative review	-

Note: Not all content in each chapter will be covered. Refer to lecture notes and assigned readings for required sections.

Assessment and Grading

Component	Weight
Lab (BIO103L) – attendance required	25%
Midterms (2)	25%
Online Quizzes (4)	15%
Final Exam (cumulative)	35%

Important: You must pass both the lab and lecture components to pass the course.

Letter Grade Percentages

Letter Grade	Percentage
A+	90% - 100%
A	85% - 89.9%
A-	80% - 84.9%
B+	76% - 79.9%
B	72% - 75.9%
B-	68% - 71.9%
C+	64% - 67.9%
C	60% - 63.9%
C-	55% - 59.9%
D	50% - 54.9%
F	0% - 49.9%

Academic Policies and Support

Attendance: Mandatory for both labs and lectures. Missing three labs results in an incomplete grade (INC).
Academic Integrity: Students must adhere to CNC's academic honesty policies.
Accessibility Services: Support is available for students with disabilities.
Additional Support: Academic advising, counseling, and Aboriginal student services are available on campus.

Key Definitions and Concepts

Scientific Method

Inductive Reasoning: Making generalizations based on specific observations.
Deductive Reasoning: Making predictions based on general principles or theories.

Macromolecules

Carbohydrates: Sugars and starches used for energy and structure.
Lipids: Fats and oils used for energy storage and membrane structure.
Proteins: Polymers of amino acids with diverse functions (enzymes, structure, transport).
Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA, which store and transmit genetic information.

Cell Structure and Function

Prokaryotic Cells: Cells without a nucleus (e.g., bacteria).
Eukaryotic Cells: Cells with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles (e.g., plants, animals).

Cell Cycle and Division

Mitosis: Division of a cell into two genetically identical daughter cells.
Meiosis: Division that produces gametes with half the chromosome number of the parent cell.

Genetics

Mendelian Genetics: Study of inheritance patterns based on Gregor Mendel's work.
Punnett Square: Diagram used to predict the outcome of genetic crosses.

DNA and Gene Expression

DNA Replication: Process by which DNA makes a copy of itself.
Transcription: Synthesis of RNA from a DNA template.
Translation: Synthesis of proteins from an mRNA template.

Biotechnology

Genetic Engineering: Direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology.
Applications: Medicine, agriculture, research, and industry.

Example: Mendelian Genetics

Monohybrid Cross: Cross between individuals heterozygous for a single gene (e.g., Aa x Aa).
Punnett Square Example: Predicts a 3:1 ratio of dominant to recessive phenotypes in the offspring.

Formulas and Equations

Hardy-Weinberg Equation:

Photosynthesis (simplified):

Cellular Respiration (simplified):

Additional Info

Students are expected to use the online learning platform (Moodle) for quizzes and resources.
Attendance and participation are critical for success in both lab and lecture components.
Refer to the course schedule for specific dates of assessments and topics.