Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

General Biology I (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 1610-03

Course: BIOL 1610-03
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: BIOL
CRN: 30895

Course Description

This course is intended for science majors. (Non-science majors should enroll in BIOL 1010 or BIOL 1020). It provides a basic foundation in the areas of biochemistry, organization and function of cells, as well as the transmission of genetic information. Three (3) hours of lecture per week. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): BIOL 1615 Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Life Sciences

Required Texts

  • Biology 2e from OpenStax (Print ISBN 1947172514, Digital ISBN 1947172522). Available at www.openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e in web view and PDF for free. You can also choose to purchase on iBooks or get a print version via the campus bookstore or from OpenStax on Amazon.com.
  • The Story of Life: Great Discoveries in Biology by Sean B. Carroll (Print ISBN  9780393631562, Digital ISBN 9780393680515). Available in print at the bookstore or in digital format on Amazon.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will understand the following core biological principles:
  • Chemical components of life, including the 4 basic biomacromolecules
  • Structure and function of cellular organelles and varied cell types
  • Cellular metabolism and energy flow, including respiration and photosynthesis
  • DNA replication, cell division, and transmission genetics
  • The Central Dogma, including gene regulation and protein synthesis 
By the end of this course, the goal is that each of you will develop the following skills:
  • Appreciate how biological knowledge is obtained through the scientific method
  • Learn to analyze primary scientific data
  • Apply biological concepts towards real-life scenarios
  • Become a more informed and responsible citizen

Course Requirements

A summary of assignments and exams is provided here. Additional information will be given in class and on Canvas.

  1. Reading Guides - A set of questions for each required reading topic will be available on Canvas approximately one week prior to the due date. The questions primarily assess comprehension from the reading, and focus on the ‘big picture’. These are not formally submitted, but are required in order for you to prepare adequately for class sessions.
  2. In-class Assignments - Most class periods will include an activity, worksheet, or case study that will be completed during class. These activities are meant to connect the basic biological principles to the real world, and to teach you the process of doing and analyzing science – not just learning it. These assignments cannot be made up outside of class.
  3. Problem Sets - Problem sets will be given throughout the semester in order to check your understanding of basic concepts and to give you a feel for the types of questions that may be asked on exams. Problem sets will be completed on Canvas outside of class, and are published approximately one week prior to the due date. They are composed mostly of multiple choice and short answer questions.
  4. Semester Project - During the semester you will keep a list of questions that interest you from your reading, assignments, or exams. These questions should stem from the course content, but should allow for deeper investigation beyond the scope of our standard class material. You will submit your list of questions for review, select one question to explore in greater detail, and develop an annotated bibliography with at least 5 scientific sources that relate to your question. You will share your project on the last day of class.
  5. Examinations - Three exams will be administered over the course of the semester.  Each exam may consist of multiple choice/matching, short answer, long answer, and problem-solving questions. The first two exams will be non-cumulative, while the final exam will be partially cumulative. The material covered in class discussions, assigned readings, and problem sets may be included on these examinations. The exams will be taken in the Testing Center, where they will remain open for at least 2 days.  

The course grade will be determined by a percentage of total points earned in the assignments and exams. The anticipated point breakdown and grade distributions are detailed in the following tables. Final grades will be re-examined only if there is sufficient evidence of an error in grading or recording. No special extra credit assignments will be considered for individual students, though some extra credit may be made available to everyone throughout the course.

Assignment/Exam | Number | Points Each | Total Points
In-class Assignments | 20 | 20 | 400
Problem Sets | 10 | 20 | 200
Semester Project | 1 | 100 | 100
Examinations | 3 | 100 | 300
Total | – | – | 1,000

Grade (% of Total Points)
A | 100 - 93 |
A- | 92.99 - 90 |
B+ | 89.99 - 87 |
B | 86.99 - 83 |
B- | 82.99 - 80 |
C+ | 79.99 - 77 |
C | 76.99 - 73 |
C- | 72.99 - 70 |
D | 69.99 - 60 |
F | <60 |

Course Outline

Unit #1 - Biological Chemistry and Cell Structure: Covers the scientific method, chemical foundations of life, biological macromolecules, origins of life, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure, and evolution of eukaryotic cells

Unit #2 - Cellular Energetics, Signaling, and Division: Covers structure and function of membranes, signaling across membranes, energetics and cellular respiration, photosynthesis, cell division and the cell cycle

Unit #3 - Genetics & Gene Expression: Covers the structure of the DNA double helix, molecular information flow from DNA-->RNA-->Protein, basic mechanisms of inheritance

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

No late submissions for In-class Assignments will be allowed, but two missing scores will be dropped at the end of the semester to accommodate unexpected absences or illness. A penalty of 20% per day will be assessed for late Problem Sets and Semester Project assignments. Any accommodations for taking the exams outside of the specified window require pre-approval from Dr. Edwards.

Attendance Policy

High-quality learning is facilitated through the interactions and applications that come during a well-structured and active class session. Therefore, attendance is required. Topics discussed in class may be included on assignments, problem sets, and exams. Additionally, in-class assignments cannot be completed outside of class time. If you know that you will be absent on a specific day, you should contact someone else in the class for any information shared during that class period and review the materials available on Canvas.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.