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Course Snapshot for BIO111 - General College Biology with Lab

The information listed below is subject to change. Please review the course syllabus within your online course at the start of class.

Course Competencies

The competencies you will demonstrate in this course are as follows:

  1. Recognize terminology, specific facts, experimental methodologies, and general concepts related to basic chemistry, cell structure and function, cell reproduction, bioenergetics, and genetics.
  2. Read, analyze and apply the concepts learned to interpret new situations.
  3. Distinguish between the principles and purposes of procedures and techniques introduced in the laboratory.
  4. Describe the role of research in the biological sciences and its impact on society.
  5. Employ the scientific method to the extent of formulating a hypothesis, designing a set of experiments with controls, analyzing results, and deriving conclusions.
  6. Interpret and manipulate data in a variety of formats, such as graphs, tables, and charts.
  7. Select and apply contemporary technologies to solve problems or compile information.
  8. Write and speak clearly and logically in presentations and essays.
Learning concepts for this course are enchanced using websites, modules, and online discussions.

Module Outcomes Mapped to Competencies

The module outcomes that will permit you to demonstrate course competencies are:

Module 1
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Define science and biological inquiry, and compare basic and applied biology. A, D
2 List and briefly describe the main themes in biology. A
3 Recall the correct unit of measurement to measure mass, volume, and length, and convert measurements in the metric system.  F
4 Recall terminology related to basic biology, chemistry, macromolecules, and cell structure. A
5 Describe what pH is and how it is measured, and analyze the pH of a solution.   A, C, G
6 Describe the basic structure and function of the four classes of macromolecules, including breakdown and synthesis reactions.  A, B, C, G
7 Determine the biological macromolecules that make up a food item.  B, C, G
8 Utilize the scientific method to construct a hypothesis, write a method, record results, and draw conclusions.  B, E
9 Apply basic chemistry, macromolecules, and cell structure concepts to a real-world case.  A, B
10 Reflect on and critically evaluate labs that are performed to evaluate wherein learning can be applied in new situations.  B, F, H
Module 2
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Predict the effects of changing cell size on surface area to volume ratio and why this limits cell size on the upper end.   A, B
2 Recognize and describe the basic structure and function of cell organelles.  A
3 Recall terminology related to the cell, diffusion, transport, and cell signaling.   A
4 Compare and contrast the structure of plant and animal cells.  A
5 Describe how the lipid bilayer and transport proteins impact transport across cell membranes.  A, B
6 Apply the knowledge of selective toxicity to how antibiotics function, and predict the efficacy of an antibiotic based on your knowledge of cell structure and selective toxicity.   A, B, D
7 Discuss the rising problem of antibiotic resistance. D
8  Identify the parts of a microscope.  C, G
9 Recognize whether a cell is from a plant or an animal, and give an appropriate rationale.  A, B
10  Reflect on and critically evaluate labs that are performed to evaluate wherein learning can be applied in new situations.  B, F, H
11 Describe the evolutionary similarities and differences between bacterial and eukaryal cells. A
12 Differentiate among the types of microscopes used in a biology lab.  C, G
13 Demonstrate and explain how to use a compound light microscope.  C, G
14 Utilize the scientific method to construct a hypothesis, write a method, record results, and draw conclusions.  B, E
Module 3
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Recall terminology related to enzymes, ATP, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration. A
2 Identify the main steps of photosynthesis, and describe the importance of it to life on earth.  A
3 Utilize the scientific method to construct a hypothesis, write a method, record results, and draw conclusions. B, E
4 Explain the role of metabolites in cellular respiration.   A
5 Identify the factors that impact enzyme activity.  A, B
6 Apply knowledge of cellular respiration to determine the causes of carbon monoxide poisoning.  A, B
7  Recognize different types of enzyme regulation, including allosteric activation, allosteric inhibition, and feedback inhibition.  A
8 Reflect on and critically evaluate labs that are performed to evaluate wherein learning can be applied in new situations.  B, H
9 Create a correctly labeled graph of the results.  F, G
10  Compare and contrast fermentation, aerobic respiration, and anaerobic respiration.  A, B
11 Define chromatography, and explain how it allows for separation of plant pigments. A, B
Module 4
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Predict the mode of inheritance of a specific disorder. A, B
2 Determine the health consequences of high cholesterol and its link to genetics. A
3 Identify an individual’s phenotype, genotype, and the probability of inheritance disorders.     A, B
4 Differentiate between homozygous and heterozygous traits, dominant and recessive alleles, and genotypes and phenotype.  A, B
5 Compare and contrast mitosis, meiosis, and binary fission as modes of cell division, including process and function of each.  A
6 Reflect on and critically evaluate labs that are performed to evaluate wherein learning can be applied in new situations.  B, F, H
7 Explore and describe the effects of various factors (density dependence, growth factors, checkpoints) on the cell cycle.  A, B, D, E, F, H
8 Utilize the scientific method to construct a hypothesis, write a method, record results, and draw conclusions.  B, E
9 Demonstrate how to use the chi square test and Punnett squares.  A, E, G
10  Discuss how mutations may lead to uncontrolled mitosis, resulting in cancer.  A, B, E
Module 5
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Explain what types of genes, when mutated, can lead to an increased risk of cancer.  A
2 Predict how a particular mutation affects, or doesn’t affect, protein structure.  A, B
3 Explain how inheritance of a gene increases risk of cancer, but does not lead to the certainty of cancer.  A, B
4 Define epigenetics, how it relates to gene expression, and methods for studying it.    A, B
5 Reflect on and critically evaluate labs that are performed to evaluate wherein learning can be applied in new situations. D, B, F, H
6 Apply biology terminology, specific facts, experimental methodologies, and general concepts related to basic chemistry, cell structure and function, cell reproduction, bioenergetics, and genetics from Modules 1-5 to a real-world case. A, B
7 Utilize the scientific method to construct a hypothesis, write a method, record results, and draw conclusions. B, E, H
8 Explore information related to DNA structure and function, genes and proteins, gene expression, biotechnology, and genomics. A
9 Define transformation, and describe why it is used in molecular biology and genomics labs. A, B
10 Demonstrate transcription and translation using beads, and explain how mutations can impact these processes. A
11 Compare and contrast the structure and function of DNA and RNA. A

Course Time Commitment and Expectations

The semester schedule for this course may be 15 weeks or 10 weeks in duration. Based on the course format, this table shows the approximate amount of time you should plan to spend per week on this course. This includes time to read/listen to the online content, participate in discussion forums, complete all assignments, and study the course material.

For accelerated courses, the amount of time required per week is greater. Note that regardless of course format, the course material is the same and all course competencies, module outcomes, and assignments will be covered.

Course Activity Hours and Student Learning Hours
Course Credit Hours Course Format (Duration) Pace Relative to a 15 Week Course Course Activity Hours Student Learning Hours Per Week
5 15 Weeks - 225 14.5 to 15.5
5 10 Weeks 1.5x faster 225 21.5 to 23.5
Summary of Grading
Assignment Points %

Discussions
Discussions (10 @ 15 points each)
Think About It! (5 @ 10 points each)

 200 20%

Explore and Report
Modules 1-4 (5 @ 60 points each)
Final (1@ 100 points)

 400 40%

Lab Activities
Lab Kits (9 @ 40 points each)
Interactive Labs (4 @ 10 points each)

 400 40%
TOTAL 1000 100%
Grading Scale
A = 90 to 100% B = 80 to 89% C = 70 to 79% D = 60 to 69% F = 59% and below

CCCOnline Course Quality Commitment

CCCOnline goes to great lengths to assure the quality of your online learning experience. You can expect the following from our courses: