Syllabus

Science Prerequisites for Health Professionals

BIOL 1050: Cell Biology (Fall 2024)

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

Textbook

Our required text is Campbell Biology, and you will be accessing it through the MyLab/Mastering platform. 

  • Taylor, M. R., Simon, E. J., Dickey, J., Hogan, K. A., Burton, R. S., Taylor, M. R., & Campbell, N. A. (2022). Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections. Pearson.

The MyLab/Mastering platform contains full access to eText, assignments and study aides.  It is critical AND required.  Students can purchase from the publisher directly OR from the bookstore.  There are two options for purchasing, select ONE.

OPTION #1: UNE Bookstore – eText only, 18-Month subscription.

OPTION #2: Purchase through MasteringBiology link in BrightSpace course with the option of selecting 18-Months OR 18-Weeks and purchasing looseleaf.

Midterm & Final Exam Materials

This course permits the use of a dry-erase whiteboard for scratch work during one or more of your proctored exams. No scratch paper is permitted.

 *Note: There is a discount if you order both the webcam and the whiteboard together. Choose “Whiteboard and Webcam Combo.”

You must show your proctor that your whiteboard is clear at the beginning of your testing session, and you must erase your whiteboard in front of the proctor before disconnecting from your session. If you do not do this, your exam will not be credited.

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. Define and describe the structures and purposes of basic components of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells with an emphasis on macromolecules, organelles, and membrane functions.
  2. Explain how cells generate and use energy in cells and control metabolic reactions.
  3. Identify and describe the stages involved in the cell life cycle, mitotic cell division, and sexual reproduction.
  4. Describe and apply the principles of classical genetics for predicting inheritance.
  5. Explain the processes by which DNA replicates and codes for proteins in the cell.
  6. Examine various techniques in DNA technology.
  7. Apply knowledge to understanding the cellular basis of diseases in the human body.

SELF PACED DESIGN

On the course start date, students will have access to orientation materials. These 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.

Please note that there are three “departmental blocks” built into the Cell Biology course. These blocks are at the end of modules 3, 7 and 10. In each of these modules, you will need to submit the application activity and wait for grading and feedback before progressing to the next module. Please plan accordingly.

Assignments

Application Activities (6)

There will be a total of six application activities in the course. The intent of the Application Activities is to serve as learning activities that will support your recall, application, and mastery of core cell biology concepts. You are required to research using additional reliable and credible sources (i.e., UNE Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, etc.) to support and supplement the required readings and content in the classroom.  Responses to Application Activity questions/scenarios should thoroughly address the questions(s) being asked. These activities count toward 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 toward 10% of the final grade in the course.

Discussion Board Posts 

Discussion questions cover interesting current events or materials that contribute to a deeper understanding of core concepts and allow you to interact with your classmates. Most of the discussion questions are designed to accompany chapters (see specific discussion questions for more information). Each question will require you to conduct internet research, read additional materials (a short journal or magazine article), visit a specific webpage, or view a short video. Then you will write a response following the guidelines in the discussion. Paraphrased information from sources used to support your writings must be cited per APA requirements.  APA information is linked in the Getting Started area of the classroom.

To earn full credit, you will need to post a response and respond to the original posts of at least two other students. For special cases where one or two students are accelerating faster through the course, the instructor will participate in the discussion so that everyone has the opportunity to interact.

Discussion Question Guidelines

  1. Read the assignment carefully so that you are familiar with the materials that you need to cover and how to craft your post.
  2. Respect each other’s ideas, feelings, and experience. Some of the questions involve areas of disagreement. Expect your classmates to have different opinions.
  3. Use proper writing style. Correct spelling and sentence structure are expected just as if you were writing a regular paper. Use spell check and grammar check before you submit.
  4. Write your posting in a word document! That way you can save a copy and use spell check and grammar check.
  5. Cite the sources that you use to write your response. Follow the APA guidelines.
  6. Avoid posting large blocks of text. Break your writing into paragraphs and use a space between paragraphs to make your posting easier to read online.
  7. Use the “reply” button rather than the “compose” button when responding to someone else’s post.
  8. When responding to a classmate, address them by name.
  9. Do not use postings such as “I agree,” “I don’t know either,” or “ditto.” They do not add to the discussion, take up space on the Discussions, and will not be counted.
  10. Everyone benefits from an active discussion. Check back in frequently to see what others are saying. Or subscribe to the respective discussion board so you are alerted when new posts are posted.
  11. Plan your time carefully. You will need to give your classmates time to respond to your postings. This is an asynchronous class where students will be in different points of the class.
  12. Contact your instructor if there are schedule problems or other issues that need to be resolved.

Homework Assignments

Each module contains homework assignments associated with the textbook.  You can access these on your Mastering Biology Assignments Page. Below are the Mastering Biology Student Registration Instructions for Brightspace.

You will have five attempts to complete each Mastering Biology homework assignment.  The highest score is kept.  Doing well on the homework assignments will prepare you for the midterm and final exams.  These activities count towards 10% of the course final grade.

Mastering Biology Student Registration Instructions for Brightspace

Access to your course content

  1. Sign in to link your Pearson and Brightspace accounts. If you’re new to MyLab/Mastering, create an account.
  2. Select any available access option, if asked.
  • Enter a prepaid access code that came with your textbook or from the bookstore.
  • Buy instant access using a credit card or PayPal account.
  • Select Get temporary access without payment for 14 days.
  1. Select Go to my course.

It is recommended that you always enter your Mastering Biology course through Brightspace.

Need help?

Make sure your browser is ready.  Check the system requirements at https://mlm.pearson.com/global/system-requirements/

For help with Mastering Biology for Brightspace, go to https://help.pearsoncmg.com/integration/cg/brightspace/student/en/

Quizzes (14)

There are 14 quizzes in this course. All quizzes are open book and open notes and are not timed.  Quizzes are taken once.  You will be able to see your answers immediately following submission. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.  Doing well on the quizzes will help prepare you for the midterm and final exams. These activities count towards 10% of the final grade in the course.

Diseases of the Cell Project

The Diseases of the Cell Project is a multi-week/module project that students will begin in Module 6 and conclude in Module 14 of the course. The project consists of 4 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. 

Midterm Exam (Proctored) 

You must purchase a UNE-compliant External Webcam to take your proctored examinations. Remember to order your webcam at least three weeks prior to scheduling your first proctored exam.

A Midterm Exam Review Study Guide will be available to you in Module 8.  The midterm exam can be taken once you have completed all assignments for Modules 1 – 8, including the application activities, deliverables (#1 and #2), discussion boards, homework, and quizzes as well as the Midterm Exam Honor Pledge. It is a timed and proctored exam.

This is a closed-book and closed-notes exam. You may have a single whiteboard to use while taking this exam. You must show your proctor that your whiteboard is clear at the beginning of your testing session, and you must erase your whiteboard in front of the proctor before disconnecting from your session. If you do not do this, your exam will not be credited.

You will not have access to any material saved on your or any other computer. No access to the internet or other communication devices is allowed during this exam. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.

The exam consists of 65 multiple-choice questions, and you have up to two hours to complete the exam. You will need to arrange to take your midterm exam with Proctor U. Information on the proctoring process is available below.

For all exams, you must review the Proctored Examinations information and requirements in the Policies section of this syllabus.

Final Exam (Proctored) 

A Final Exam Review Study Guide will be available to you in Module 16. The final exam cannot be taken until you have completed all the assignments for the course, including the homework, quizzes, discussion boards, deliverables, and the Diseases of the Cell Project, as well as the Final Exam Honor Pledge. The final will be a timed-proctored exam that covers modules 9 – 15.

This is a closed-book and closed-notes exam. You may have a single whiteboard to use while taking this exam. You must show your proctor that your whiteboard is clear at the beginning of your testing session, and you must erase your whiteboard in front of the proctor before disconnecting from your session. If you do not do this, your exam will not be credited.

You will not have access to any material saved on your or any other computer. No access to the internet or other communication devices is allowed during this exam. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.

The final exam consists of 65 multiple-choice questions, and you can have up to two hours to complete the exam. You will need to arrange to take your final exam with Proctor U. Information on the proctoring process is available below.

For all exams, you must review the Proctored Examinations information and requirements in the Policies section of this syllabus.

Practice Proctored Exam 

There is a highly recommended Practice Proctored Exam available to all students. The first attempt is free. This exam does not cover course material and is not included in your overall course grade. It prepares test takers for what the testing environment will be like, what forms of identification are needed, and provides a chance to test your external webcam with a live proctor. This is a great way to become familiar with and prepare for your exam!

Grading Policy

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

Grade Breakdown

Assignment CategoryAssignment Weight
Application Activities 10%
Discussions10%
Homeworks10%
Quizzes10%
Diseases of the Cell Project15%
Midterm Exam20%
Final Exam25%
Total100%

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

Schedule

 

Module

Topic

Text/Chapter

Assignments

1

Study of Life & Chemical Basis of Life

1.1 – 1.7 and 2

  • Homework
  • Quiz

2

Organic Molecules

3

  • Discussion: How Antibiotics Work
  • Homework
  • Quiz
3

Tour of the Cell

4
  • Homework
  • Application Activity
  • Quiz

4

Cells in the Human Body

20.1 – 20.12

  • Homework
  • Application Activity
  • Quiz

5

The Cell Membrane & Transport

5.1 – 5.9

  • Homework
  • Application Activity
  • Quiz

6

Homeostasis & Cell Signaling

20.13 – 20.15 & 11.15 – 11.17

Multimedia videos embedded in the Module

  • Homework
  • Application Activity
  • Quiz
  • Review the Diseases of the Cell [DOC] Guidelines
  • DOC Deliverable #1

7

The Working Cell

5.10 – 5.16

  • Homework
  • Application Activity
  • Quiz

8

Midterm

Midterm Exam Review Guide

  • DOC Deliverable #2
  • Midterm Exam

9

Cellular Respiration

6

  • Discussion: How We Acquire Energy
  • Homework
  • Quiz

10

Cell Cycle & Cell Division

8.1 – 8.10

  • Homework
  • Application Activity
  • Quiz
  • DOC Deliverable #3 

11

Sexual Reproduction

8.11 – 8.23

  • Homework
  • Quiz

12

Patterns of Inheritance

  • Discussion: Heritable Traits
  • Homework
  • Quiz
  • DOC Deliverable #4

13

Molecular Biology of the Gene

10 

  • Homework
  • Quiz

14

Gene Expression

11

  • Homework
  • Quiz
  • Diseases of the Cell Final Project DUE

15

Biotechnology

12

  • Discussion: Biotechnology Applications in Medicine
  • Homework
  • Quiz

16

Final Exam

Final Exam Study Guide

  • Final Exam

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you - they will monitor course progression and provide assistance or guidance when needed. Please don’t hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, course materials, billing, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Science Prerequisites page

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Instructor and Support Contact Information

Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.

Student Lounge

The Student Lounge Discussion Forum is a designated support forum in which students may engage with each other and grapple with course content. Feel free to post questions, seek clarification, and support each other, but be mindful of UNE's Academic Integrity Policy.

Your instructor will monitor this forum. However, if you are seeking specific and timely answers to questions about course content or your personal grades, please contact your instructor via course messages. For questions about course materials, program policy, and how to navigate and proceed through the course, please contact your Student Service Advisor through the Student Portal.

Policies

Proctored Examinations

Your course may have proctored exams. The University of New England has contracted with ProctorU to provide students with the most convenient online exam proctoring system. This system provides a simple, no cost to the student, secure, online proctor for exams and allows the student to take all the exams at home and on their own schedule.

Upon enrollment into the course, each student will register with ProctorU and establish a login name and password. This will give the student access to all of ProctorU's services. When ready, students will schedule each of their proctored exams with ProctorU. Exams must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance to avoid fees. Prior to taking their exams, students must be sure that they have downloaded any required additional software. They must also be sure their testing site's connection meets the minimum requirements by using ProctorU's "Test It Out" utility.

Upon the exam day and hour, students will log in to ProctorU and click on "exams". After following the procedures outlined at ProctorU's website, the student will log in to Brightspace and locate their correct exam. The proctor will then allow student access to that exam.

Students must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.

Exam Attempts Policy

Students will receive two attempts at all proctored examinations. The higher score of the two attempts will be calculated into the final grade. Students can schedule their second attempt by following the same ProctorU instructions as with the original exam.

All students are encouraged to utilize a second attempt on their exams in order to improve their overall performance in the course.

Course Discussions

Discussion topics cover events or materials related to this course that contribute to a deeper understanding of key concepts and allow you to interact with your classmates and the instructor. Each discussion topic may require you to conduct internet research, read additional materials, visit a specific webpage, AND/OR view a short video before writing a response following the specific guidelines in the discussion topic prompt.

To earn full credit you will need to post a response to the discussion topic, respond to the original posts of other students, and then contribute meaningfully to an ongoing discussion. You may need to post your initial response before you will see any posts from your classmates. For special cases where one or two students are accelerating faster through the course, the instructor will participate in the discussion so that everyone has the opportunity to interact.

Please see Brightspace for a full description, along with specific guidelines, for each discussion topic. Discussion board assignments should be completed, along with all other assignments in the course, in the order that they appear. Due to the course design, you may be unable to take a proctored exam if you do not complete all assignments that appear prior to that exam.

Please also refer to the Grading Policy/Grade Breakdown section of the syllabus to learn the percentage of your grade that each discussion is worth.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Length

A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus. This is, however a self-paced course and you can complete the course in less time.

  1. Courses in the SPHP program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 16 weeks
  2. Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the Student Success Portal.
  3. Course start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.

Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Please visit the enrollment page to review the withdrawal and refund policies.

Grade Policy

Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. View the incomplete grade policy..

Transcripts

Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.

Using Generative AI When Completing Coursework

Generative AI (GenAI) applications (like ChatGPT) have proven to be powerful and effective tools, and students are encouraged to become familiar with and use them. However, as with any tool, students must use GenAI in ways that support learning, not replace it. Learning to use AI responsibly and ethically is an important skill in today’s society.

In their courses, students are not allowed to use advanced automated tools, such as generative AI tools, on assignments unless explicitly directed to do so. Each student is expected to complete each assignment, including labs and quizzes as applicable, without substantive assistance from others, including automated tools.

Using AI-content generators to complete assignments without proper attribution violates academic integrity. By submitting assignments in UNE courses, you pledge to affirm that they are your own work and you attribute use of any and all tools and sources.

Unauthorized Use

Unauthorized use of AI is treated as a violation of academic integrity.

Citing AI Use

If permitted, students should indicate and cite any use of AI tools. 

Instructor responsibility

Instructors should clearly reiterate, using UNE Online’s Policy, how students can use AI tools in their courses, and communicate this policy to students at the beginning of the semester. 

Student responsibility

Students must follow the academic integrity policy of the University of New England.