Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

General Biology I (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 1610-06

Course: BIOL 1610-06
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: BIOL
CRN: 30978

Course Description

Biology 1610: General Biology I
Fall 2025

Instructor Information: 
Dr. Xiaoben Jiang
Office: SC 131C                                  Email: xiaobenjiang@suu.edu
Note: Email is the best way to contact me. I usually reply to my emails within 24 hours, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm M-F. If you email me outside those hours, please expect a longer than normal waiting time for a response.
Office Hours: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Monday  

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

Campbell Biology 12th Edition (e-textbook) and Mastering Biology 

Learning Outcomes

Learning Objectives: 

  1. Master the knowledge about structures important to cells and living organisms: 
    • Explain the role of chemistry in biological processes
    • Describe cellular structures and functions
  2. Understand fundamental principles about biological processes within living organisms: 
    • Explain the major metabolic pathways in cells
    • Explain how genetic information is contained, expressed, and inherited
  3. Learn how to apply scientific thinking to solve problems: 
    • Apply the scientific method to biological phenomena
    • Link the concepts covered in class to recent biological discoveries

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs)

  1. Apply course material (fundamental principles, generalizations, and theories about biology, specifically those associated with creating biological diversity) to improve scientific thinking, problem solving, and decisions (developing critical thinking skills). 
  2. Demonstrate productive interaction with others (in or out of class) to complete assignments, tasks, or projects.  
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
  1. Develop basic writing skills to become prepared for future college coursework.

 | Learning Objectives | Course Assessments/Evaluations
 | In-Class Activities | Homework Sets | Exams
 | ELO 1 | X | X | X
 | ELO 2 | X |   |  
 | SLO 1 | X | X | X

Course Requirements

None.

Course Outline

General Policies

Canvas: Canvas is an electronic learning environment where course materials will be posted. To access the canvas site, please use the mySUU Portal.  

Exams: The detailed information Exams 1, 2 and Final (e.g., format, time, etc.) will be announced one week before the exam. 

Grading
Grades will be posted on canvas. I aim to have shorter assignments graded one week after the due date and longer assignments (i.e. Exams) two weeks after the due date. If you have a question about any of your grades, you have one week after the grade is posted to contact me and discuss the grade. After one week has passed there will be no discussion and you will receive the grade posted.  Course grades are based on the following:

| AssignmentType | Points Possible | % Of Class Grade
| In-Class Activities  | ~ 500 | 50
| Homework Sets  | ~ 200 | 20
| Exams (3 @ 100pts ea.) | 300 | 30
 
Grading Policies
The standard Canvas scale, shown below, will be used to assign letter grades to your work this semester:

 | 94-100 A | 87-89.9 B+ | 77-79.9 C+ | 67-69.9 D+ | 
 | 90-93.9 A- | 84-86.9 B | 74-76.9 C | 64-66.9 D | < 61 F
 |   | 80-83.9 B- | 70-73.9 C- | 61-63.9 D- | 

TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
| Date | Day | Topics |  Chapter Readings
(Do Before Class)

| 27-Aug | W | Course Introduction | Course Introduction
| 29-Aug | F | What’s Alive | Ch 1
| 1-Sep | M | No classes: Labor Day | 
| 3-Sep | W | What’s Alive
Nature of Science | Ch 1
| 5-Sep | F | What’s Alive
Nature of Science | Ch 1
| 8-Sep | M | Chemistry
Carbon | Ch 2, Ch 4
| 10-Sep | W | Chemistry
Carbon | Ch 2, Ch 4
| 12-Sep | F | The Structure and Function of Macromolecules | Ch 5
| 15-Sep | M | The Structure and Function of Macromolecules | Ch 5
| 17-Sep | W | The Structure and Function of Macromolecules | Ch 5
| 19-Sep | F | The Structure and Function of Macromolecules | Ch 5
| 22-Sep | M | Cell Components | Ch 6
| 24-Sep | W | Cell Components | Ch 6
| 26-Sep | F | Cell Components | Ch 7
| 29-Sep | M | Cell Membranes | Ch 7
| 1-Oct | W | All Chapters  | Exam 1 (TBD)
| 3-Oct | F | Metabolism | Ch 8
| 6-Oct | M | Metabolism | Ch 8
| 8-Oct | W | Metabolism
Cellular Respiration | Ch 8, Ch 9
| 10-Oct | F | Metabolism
Cellular Respiration | Ch 8, Ch 9
| 13-Oct | M | No classes: Fall Break | 
| 15-Oct | W | Fermentation
Photosynthesis | Ch 9, Ch 10
| 17-Oct | F | Photosynthesis | Ch 10
| 20-Oct | M | Photosynthesis | Ch 10
| 22-Oct | W | All Chapters since Last Exam | Exam 2 (TBD)
| 24-Oct | F | Cell Cycles: Mitosis | Ch 12
| 27-Oct | M | Cell Cycles: Mitosis | Ch 12
| 29-Oct | W | Meiosis & Life Cycles | Ch 13
| 31-Oct | F | Meiosis & Life Cycles | Ch 13
| 3-Nov | M | Meiosis & Life Cycles | Ch 13
| 5-Nov | W | Mendel & Inheritance | Ch 14, 15
| 7-Nov | F | Mendel & Inheritance | Ch 14, 15
| 10-Nov | M | DNA Structure & Function | Ch 16
| 12-Nov | W | DNA Structure & Function | Ch 16
| 14-Nov | F | DNA Structure & Function | Ch 16
| 17-Nov | M | DNA Structure & Function | Ch 16
| 19-Nov | W | Gene Expression | Ch 17
| 21-Nov | F | Gene Expression | Ch 17
| 24-Nov | M | No classes: Thanksgiving Break | 
| 26-Nov | W | No classes: Thanksgiving Break | 
| 28-Nov | F | No classes: Thanksgiving Break | 
| 1-Dec | M | Gene Expression | Ch 17
| 3-Dec | W | Gene Expression | Ch 17
| 5-Dec | F | Gene Expression | Ch 17
| 8-Dec to 11-Dec | Final Week  | All Chapters since Last Exam | Final Exam (TBD)

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

Late/Makeup Work:All assignments are due at the date and time announced in class and/or listed on Canvas. You should always turn your assignments in on time. Late assignments will not be graded. Makeup homework will be only allowed for excused absences. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance: We will be covering an extensive amount of material in a short period of time. Therefore, regular and punctual attendance is important to this class. Showing up late is disrespectful to your fellow students and excessive tardiness will not be tolerated.  
Absences: Excused absences include but are not limited to the examples shown in the table below. Please note that it is the responsibility of the students to be proactive and notify me of their absence before the date of their absence. Notifications made after the date of absence will NOT be considered unless the absence was due to an emergency or accident. Evidence has to be provided for an excused absence. Family trips, personal trips and vacations are NOT excused absences.
| Examples of excused absences
| ●        Covid-19-related absences and medical emergencies ●        Accidents ●        Inclement weather (snowstorms, floods, etc.) ●        Interviews for jobs, internships, med school, etc. ●        Academic conferences ●        University-sponsored absences for student athletes ●        Military leave ●        Jury duty
| Examples of unexcused absences
| ●        Family/personal trips and vacations ●        Job shifts ●        Attending another professor’s lecture or office hours ●        Sleeping in/forgetting about class

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.