Principles of Biology I and Lab

 

Course Information

Course Number: BIO 1304

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites: None

Course Description: The TEL Education Principles of Biology I Lecture and Lab course provides a comprehensive introduction to the major concepts of biological sciences and the characteristics of life. The course is designed to engage students in understanding the major processes of cells, including cell structure, growth, and reproduction. The course provides the student with an in-depth understanding of genetics and heredity, as well as the roles they play in the overall function and continued growth of a population. Other topics include ecology and biodiversity. The Biology Lab portions of this course provide a comprehensive introduction to the laboratory study of life. In this class, students will learn about lab safety and explore topics like the metric system, using the microscope, and the scientific method. Students will learn how cells grow and divide, obtain and use energy, and pass genetic information to the next generation. Finally, students will learn the importance of biodiversity in ensuring the survival of a species. Students will complete ten mastery assignments with lab activities, including formal lab reports.

Course Outcomes:

• Analyze and evaluate the structure and processes of living things at a micro (cellular) and macro level, including the acquisition and use of energy.
• Analyze and evaluate the interactions and dynamics of the characteristics of ecosystems.
• Evaluate and apply the characteristics and mechanisms of genetics as they relate to heredity and inherited traits.
• Evaluate and apply the characteristics of genetics and adaptation as they apply to population, biodiversity, and ecosystems.
• Evaluate a scenario and identify the best answer, and engage with others to explain your rationale.
• Identify and practice lab safety, including proper use of lab tools.
• Determine and evaluate the appropriate elements of a scientific experiment.
• Execute the steps of an experiment, and evaluate and explain the findings.
• Analyze the results of an experiment to determine if the steps of the scientific process or any scientific assumptions have been violated.
• Evaluate biological scenarios and apply concepts learned in the lecture course and explored in the lab activities to the scenarios while employing critical thinking skills.
• Write a lab report explaining your findings in an experiment.

Instructional methods utilized in this course include:

• Lessons
• CYKs
• Module Quizzes
• Discussion Posts
• Mastery Assignments
• Midterm and Final Exams 

 

Course Materials

Lecture: All readings and materials necessary to complete required exercises are provided within the course platform. 

Lab Materials:

Timer to measure seconds  1 unsalted saltine cracker  Small Russet Potato  Hydrogen Peroxide  Baking Soda  Vinegar  Metric Ruler  Three small cups either glass or plastic  Safety goggles, or other way to cover eyes safely

3-4 balloons  Yeast (the kind for cooking)  Sugar  2 Empty soda or plastic water bottles  Funnel  Fabric measuring tape  Scale  Liquid dish detergent

Table Salt  Kiwifruit and Strawberries  Plastic bags  Thin fabric or cheesecloth  2 thin-walled glass containers  Ice  2 Large bowls or buckets  Rubbing alcohol  Thin twine or string

 

 

Course Length

This is a self-paced course allowing students to learn according to their personal schedules. Overall, it is estimated that the course will take approximately 228 hours to complete.

It is recommended that students work through the course at a comfortable pace that allows regular, incremental (daily and/or weekly) progress. If assistance is needed with scheduling time in this course, students may refer to the weekly schedules provided in the course documents, located on the course page.

Please note, there is no penalty for late assignments as this is a self-paced course. However, if a student is enrolled in a course through a school or institution, s/he is required to finish the course according to the academic calendar of the respective school or institution.

Minimum Passing Grade

To earn college credit for this course, students must earn a minimum average grade of 70% or higher. If a high school student receives less than 70% in this course, it is up to the school offering the course to grant high school credit for its completion.

 

Grading Policies

Grade Weighting

• Participation (Check Your Knowledge Quizzes): 10% 
• Module Quizzes: 20%
• Discussion Posts: 10% 
• Mastery Assignments: 30% 
• Course Exams: 30% 

 

Assignment Grading Descriptions 

• Check Your Knowledge - CYK quizzes are located at the end of each lesson.  They are composed of multiple choice, multiple answers and/or true/false questions. These quizzes are auto-graded quizzes designed to help the student test their understanding of the lesson content.  Students may take these quizzes as many times as desired to help prepare for the module and mastery assignment quizzes.  It is required that students earn 100% on each quiz before proceeding to the next lesson in the course. The CYK quizzes can be taken as many times as needed to earn 100%.
• Discussion Posts: Twice in the course, students will be prompted with a case study in which they will have to select the best solution to the given problem. Students will be prompted to defend their selection using evidence from the materials learned in the course and will be asked to analyze and evaluate other solutions developed by their peers. 
• Module Quizzes: Multiple-choice quizzes that are auto-graded. Students may use notes and refer back to lessons using a separate browser or the printable versions of lessons. Quizzes are not timed. Students may take only once.
• Mastery Assignments:
  
  • Written Mastery Assignments: Rubric-based assignments that reinforce concepts in the course. Assignments are aligned to course outcomes and require the student to spend extra time developing, reviewing, and revising their assignments prior to submission. Students are encouraged to seek out feedback from peers and experts to fully develop their assignments. Students are also encouraged to self-evaluate their work using the rubrics provided.
  • Mastery Assignment Quizzes: Unit quizzes created to help students understand how to evaluate and analyze case-based scenarios and problems that would commonly appear in the subject area. Questions are more difficult, scenario focused questions that require students to synthesize information they have learned across multiple modules. Students may use notes and refer back to lessons using a separate browser or the printable versions of lessons. Quizzes are not timed. Students may take these only once.
• Course Exams: Proctored, multiple-choice exam that is auto-graded. Students may take this only once.  

 

Mastery Assignments

Use the following information to know in which module the Mastery Assignments are located. 

• Mastery Assignment 1 Lab Report: Module 3
• Mastery Assignment 1 Quiz: Module 4
• Mastery Assignment 2 Quiz: Module 7
• Mastery Assignment 2 Lab Report: 8
• Mastery Assignment 3 Quiz: Module 10 
• Mastery Assignment 3 Lab Report 10

 

Grade Discrepancies

Grades are awarded for a student’s individual academic work during each semester based upon the student’s mastery of the content. Students who wish to appeal a grade to the Academic Services Team must submit this form to start the appeals process. Moreover, students caught violating the Academic Integrity Policy must file an appeal if they disagree with the assessment of their actions.

Upon the receipt of the appeal, the following process will be enacted:

1. Grade appeals will be sent to TEL management and the instructor of the course for
   evaluation. A thorough investigation will take place using all evidence provided from
   the rubric, assignment instruction, notes from the instructional team member, and other
   relevant outsourced information.
2. Once evaluated, this result will be communicated to the student.
   1. If the appeal is approved, the grade will be changed, and the student will be
      notified.
   2. In the case of an academic integrity appeal, the student can either accept the
      assessment and subsequent action or they can restart the course.

Note: While TEL will endeavor to follow the foregoing appeals process, it retains absolute
discretion to deviate from this process when TEL determines such deviation is justified under
the circumstances. Nothing contained herein shall be interpreted to create due process or
contractual rights for students.

 

Exams

In this course, students will complete a midterm and a final exam, both of which must be proctored. The exams in this course are proctored by HonorLock, which is a browser extension that monitors student performance and progress while taking an exam. Students will be required to bring a form of identification with them when starting the exam. While Honorlock will record the student’s computer webcam, speakers, and desktop, all security and privacy protocols/requirements will be followed.

 

Technical Requirements

This course is delivered 100% online, and students are required to have access to a computer or laptop — along with consistent access to the Internet — to access course material and complete assignments.

Required technology:

• Desktop or portable computer, including Windows PC, Macintosh OS, or Chromebook
  (tablets, cell phones, and iPads are not supported)
• Google Chrome Browser
• Working built-in or external webcam, speakers, and microphone
• Internet speed must be at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. Hot spots are not
  recommended.  Test Internet speed

To access detailed information about the minimum hardware requirements necessary to
take full advantage of TEL courses, visit the course home page.

 

Disability Services Statement

TEL is committed to providing equitable student access to course content and materials by providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. TEL also complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students who need special accommodations must make their requests by contacting the TEL Support Team. TEL’s Support Team will coordinate reasonable accommodations upon registration and before the course begins. Students over the age of 18 taking college-level courses require a 504 for special accommodations.

Any student seeking to request academic accommodations on the basis of a documented disability should contact the TEL Support Team at disabilityservices@tel-education.org to coordinate reasonable accommodations.

 

Additional Information

Please review the following documents before continuing on to the course material. 

• Academic Integrity Policy 
• Accessible PDF of the Course Syllabus  

 

Return to the Syllabus Module

To return to the syllabus information and expectations page, click the link provided here.