Syllabus

Science Prerequisites for Health Professionals

BIOL 1050: Cell Biology (Summer 2021)

Credits - 3

Description

This course will introduce and explore basic concepts and theories of cell biology with an emphasis on its application in understanding human health. Topics include an introduction to cell theory, the chemical composition of cells, cellular functions and cell signaling, reproduction, and genetics. Each of these topics will be explored through course readings, video lectures, and demonstrations, discussions, and a variety of experiential activities, including a course project. Students will demonstrate their mastery of cell biology concepts through quizzes and a cumulative final exam. Students will also have the opportunity to apply the concepts learned in this course to evaluate a human disease.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Program Outcomes

In lecture courses, students should be able to:

• Communicate scientific concepts and information clearly.
• Illustrate fundamental laws, theories, and principles of scientific disciplines.
• Apply knowledge and critical thinking skills to scientific problems.

In lab courses, students should be able to:

• Ask a question or define a problem that can be tested.
• Hypothesize possible result(s).
• Plan and/or conduct an investigation individually and/or collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence.
• Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (i.e. computational, mathematical, graphical, etc.) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution.
• Communicate the results by constructing an explanation based on multiple pieces of valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
• Apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence gained from various experiments, as well as other observations and/or research, to provide an explanation of phenomena and solve design problems, taking into account possible unanticipated effects.

Course Objectives

1. Visualize the structure and function of cellular components through illustration or labeling of visual graphics.
2. Identify the structure and function of cellular components.
3. Illustrate the structure and function of cellular components.
4. Illustrate the chemical composition of cells.
5. Describe how cells transport materials and communicate.
6. Illustrate how cells transport materials and communicate.
7. Explain the process of cell reproduction using a visual. 
8. Discuss the biological basis of diversity.
9. Describe and illustrate the characteristics of enzymes and explain their importance to cellular functions.
10. Describe cellular respiration and provide examples of cellular metabolism. 
11. Explain how genetic information is stored and expressed to form specialized cells
12. Critique biotechnology currently being used to diagnose and treat diseases.
13. Apply cell biology knowledge to solve problems in health/health issues.

SELF PACED DESIGN

On the course start date, students will have access to orientation. This must be completed to be able to gain access to the first module in the course. Students must complete the first module to gain access to the next one. We recommend that students spend about 15 hours per week to complete a course in 16 weeks. When trying to complete the course in less than 16 weeks, we typically see students do this successfully within 12-14 weeks. Instructors will be timely in grading and feedback, but it will not be instant.

Assignments

Application Activities (12)

There will be a total of thirteen application activities in the course. The intent to the Application Activities each week is for them to serve as learning activities that will support your recall, application, and mastery of key cell biology concepts. You can and should research using additional reliable and credible resources (i.e. UNE Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, etc.) to support and supplement the required readings. [This would be done in real-life in a professional health setting to aid in diagnoses and treatment.] Responses to Application Activity questions/scenarios should thoroughly address the questions(s) being asked. Each application activity is worth 10 points, and these activities count towards 10% of the final grade in the course.

Discussion Assignment (5)

There will be a total of five discussion activities in the course.  The first discussion board is an ungraded introductory discussion. The other four discussion assignments are graded, and they are designed to encourage students to reflect on course readings and activities and to collaborate with their peers in the course. Each discussion assignment is worth 10 points, and these activities count towards 15% of the final grade in the course.

Quizzes (14)

There are 14 quizzes in this course. You will have 15 minutes (and only one attempt) to complete each of the quizzes. You may refer to your course e-text(s) and any additional notes that you have taken during the week (physical or e-notes) while completing each quiz. Each quiz is worth 10 points, and these activities count towards 25% of the final grade in the course.

Disease Mystery Digital Story Project

The Disease Mystery Digital Story Project is a multi-week project that students will begin in Week 6 and conclude in Week 15 of the course. The project consists of 5 deliverables. Students will be given specific prompts and instructions for each deliverable of the project. The project is worth 100 points and counts towards 15% of your final grade in the course. 

Final Exam (Proctored) 

Note: All work must be completed before taking the final.

A final exam, which will be proctored, will take place in Brightspace at week sixteen.  This exam will be comprehensive and cover all content introduced in the course. Students will have 90 minutes to answer 60 multiple choice exam items. A final exam study guide will be made available in Week 15 to help students prepare for the final exam. The exam is worth 100 points and counts towards 35% of the  final grade in the course.

This Final Exam must be taken though ProctorU. See UNE’s ProctorU page for information about signing up and scheduling your exam. The official UNE webcam is required. 

Proctored exams are closed for review. You will not be able to review them at any time. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignment Category	Assignment Category
Application Activities	10%
Discussions	15%
Quizzes	25%
Project	15%
Final Exam	35%
Total	100%

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00