Ccbc Essex Mathematics and Science Division
CCBC ESSEX MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE DIVISION
BIOLOGY 100 – Exploring Biology SECTION E3A Wednesdays 5:45 – 8:40
BIOLOGY 100 – Exploring Biology
FALL 2008
Dr. David Thorndill
Office: F520 Phone: 410-780-6314 E-Mail:
Office Hours: 10:00-11:00 MWRF and 2:20-3:00 R
Webpage: http://faculty.ccbcmd.edu/~dthornd1/ or www.ccbcmd.edu (Essex faculty pages)
Course Description:
Considers modern biological principles to increase awareness of the relationships between scientific thought, current knowledge in biology, and everyday living; does not serve as a prerequisite for other biology courses.
Prerequisite: (RDNG 052 or ESOL 054); (ENGL 052); (MATH 082)
Students may receive credit for only one of the following: BIOL 100, BIOL 108 or BIOL 110.
Rationale
Exploring Biology considers modern biological principles to increase the student's awareness of the relationships between scientific thought, current knowledge in biology, and everyday living. It does not serve as a prerequisite for other biology courses.
Overall Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Recognize characteristics common to all living things.
2. Apply the scientific method to simple problems.
3. Read and summarize information from some basic biological publications.
4. Describe evolution from the scientist’s point of view.
5. Explain the present form of organisms using the Darwinian system.
6. Recognize biological molecules necessary for life.
7. Recognize diversity of species and within species.
8. Explain how scientific advances in medicine impact humans.
9. Recognize structures common to all organisms’ cells.
10. Give examples where intellect, scientific method, and technology have been used to
understand living things.
Major Topics
Scientific method Characteristics of living things Evolution
Cell theory Biological molecules Biotechnology
Diversity of plants and animals Ecology
Topics Outline—Biology 100
Unit I. Lectures Textbook chapter
Scientific method 1 p.1-7
Evolution of life 9, 10
Diversity and Classification Biomes 12, 15
Exam I: October 1st
Unit II. Lectures
Molecules, cells and processes of life 2, 3, 4
Exam II: November 5th
Unit III. Lectures
DNA structure and function 5, 7
Protein synthesis to cloning 8
Organs and pathways 16, 17
Exam III: December 10th
Grading Policy
The course has three graded units. The unit grade will include a unit exam, participation, quizzes, and homework.. To pass the course you must pass two of the exams. Questions on each exam may be based on material covered in lectures, readings, and activities. Exams will count as 70% of the unit grade. A good paper, project or presentation may increase one exam one full grade (ie. C to B). The course grade will be the letter average of the three unit grades. (A=11, A- =10, B+=9, B=8, C=5,D=2, F=0, etc.)
Makeup Policy:
Each student is expected to plan his/her calendar ahead and take exams at the scheduled time. The instructor must be notified the day of a missed exam of a desire to take a makeup exam or the makeup grade will be dropped one grade. The makeup exam will be given as soon as possible, preferably before the next available class period. Makeup exams may not use extra credit sections. There will be no makeup or credit for most missed or late assignments. With prior notice the instructor may give a makeup for unavoidable absences (jury or military duty, religious holidays).
Distractions
Please arrive for class on time. If you arrive late, you may miss important information and you distract others. Take a restroom stop before class if necessary. Talking during lectures (even about class material) is distracting to students and the instructor. CELL PHONES should not be used in the classroom before, during or after class for conversations, text messages, etc. Ringing cell phones will be thrown out the window. Music, videos, and games should not be used in the classroom.
Civility As members of the CCBC community of learners, we are expected to act with respect, honesty, responsibility and accountability. Respect and civility allow all of us to have a meaningful, productive educational experience together. Please respect the various opinions and cultural differences in our classroom. Each of us is expected to be aware of the impact our behavior has on the community.
Code of Academic Integrity: Use of any personal electronic devise during an exam is normally prohibited.
Submit only your own work. You may not "lift" or copy things from books, magazines, web sites or other student's for papers, reports or presentations. Small sections may be used when proper credit is given. Students who do not accept responsibility for the integrity of their own work will experience sanctions, including a written reprimand, failure of the assignment, failure of the course, and/or dismissal from the program.
Numerical Skills:
Students should be able to interpret simple algebraic expressions (e.g., volume of a box, V=LxWxH) and perform standard numerical calculations either with or without a calculator.
Legibility: It is the responsibility of the student to present all written materials in an easily readable form. Answers which cannot be read or which do not follow the format asked for may not be given credit (i.e., a may not be equivalent to A). The answer should clearly be placed so that it is not confused with calculations or doodles.
QUESTION: Do birds that breed in the north in the summer and spend the winter to the south return to the same places each winter?
LOVE THAT SNOW David Thorndill, Banding at Cub Hill, suburban Baltimore, MD
More snow fell on Baltimore the weekend of February 15-17, 2003 than any storm since the last ice-age. That's a fantastic opportunity for a feeder based bird banding station. I spent an exhausting two days capturing and banding birds, clearing a walking lane and feeding areas, and shoveling snow. But it was great! The best capture rates I've had in years. Summary: 3 nets, one tired man, 118 birds. I also chased away flocks of grackles (released a dozen unbanded) and one Red-tailed Hawk. He plucked a few feathers from a cardinal, but she was banded and flew away. No major problems, just a few cold, stiff feet (theirs and mine).
Here are the highlights for Feb. 15-17
Northern Junco, 16 banded, 51 recaptures, 11 returns, TOTAL= 78
White-throated Sparrow, 5 banded, 11 recaptures, 4 returns, TOTAL= 20
Northern Cardinal, 10 bandedAlso captured: 3 Song Sparrows, 1 Carolina Chickadee, 1 Carolina Wren, 1 Blue Jay, and one Downy and 1 Red-bellied Woodpeckers
WEEKEND TOTAL= 37 banded, 66 recaptures, 15 returns, TOTAL= 118
**recaptures were banded this winter, returns were banded an earlier winter
From this weekend and earlier banding and recaptures I estimate (calculate) the local winter population of White-throated Sparrows is 45, while the local winter population of Juncos is 100 birds.
The most interesting individual birds were W.T. Sparrow 4501-89685 banded Jan. 11,1999. It was recaptured last winter (March 10, 2002) and three times this winter (Feb 9, 11, 16, 2003).
Junco 2040-67208 was banded Jan. 31,1998 and recaptured the next winter ( Jan. 16, 1999). It returned three years later on Jan. 12, 2002, and three times this winter (Jan.15, Feb. 1 & 16, 2003). Neither of these species breeds in Baltimore. Most spend the summer far north of here.
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Northern Junco White-throated Sparrow