Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

General Biology I (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 1610-10

Course: BIOL 1610-10
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: BIOL
CRN: 12807

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

  • Campbell Biology 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th edition (print or e-text). You must read the textbook to be successful in this class. Refer to daily Pre-Class Work in Canvas for assigned readings.
  • NOTE: You are automatically enrolled to receive a digital version of the textbook through a program called Inclusive Access that costs about $40. This cost has already been billed to your student account. If you want to access the textbook in an alternative way and receive a refund, you must opt-out of Inclusive Access. For additional information, you should have received an email near the start of the semester from the SUU Bookstore with details on this program. If you did not receive this email or have questions about Inclusive Access, reach out to me.
  • The textbook is also available for check-out at the SUU Library. See https://www.suu.edu/library/tbird-text.html for more information.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the General Education Life Sciences requirement, students will be able to:
  • Apply scientific methods: Describe and apply approaches to scientific discovery and interpretation of experimental data,
  • Understand: Demonstrate understanding of matter, energy, and their influence on biological systems,
  • Apply knowledge: Describe and apply evolutionary concepts in terms of inheritance, adaptation, and diversity of life,
  • Explain: Explain the mechanisms of information storage, expression, and exchange in living organisms or ecosystems, and
  • Reflect: Reflect on the relevance of life sciences in a broader context

Course Requirements

Pre-Requisites: none
Co-Requisites: BIOL 1615

  • Syllabus quiz: 10 pts, due 1/9 @ 11:59pm
  • Pre-Class quizzes: 30 @ 2.5 pts each, due every MWF @ 10am (some exceptions for holidays; see pre-class quizzes on Canvas)
  • Homework: 30 @ 10 pts each, due every TRS @ 11:59pm (some exceptions for holidays; see homework on Canvas)
  • Engaged Participation: 33 @ 3 pts each, must be present & actively engaged in class
  • In-Class Quizzes: 6 or more @ 15 pts each. Your top 6 scores will count towards your final grade; all other scores will be dropped. Dates announced in class 3-5 days in advance.
  • Exam 1: 150 pts Open @ testing center 2/5 - 2/6
  • Exam 2: 150 pts Open @ testing center 3/17 - 3/19
  • Exam 3: 150 pts Open @ testing center 4/16 - 4/17
  • Final Exam (cumulative): 200 pts Open @ testing center 4/20 - 4/23

Description of Course Requirements
Syllabus quiz: To encourage each student to read the syllabus and to help ensure that you understand the requirements of this course, a syllabus quiz will be administered on Canvas after the first day of class.

Pre-Class Quizzes: To fully benefit from class time, students are expected to complete all assigned pre-class work, which includes readings and short lecture-style videos. To assess your engagement with pre-class work, pre-class quizzes will be administered on Canvas before every class period. Quizzes are open-book and are based on the pre-class work posted on Canvas. Quizzes are due at the scheduled start of class every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (and will not be accepted late); do them before you come to class. There will be approximately 35 pre-class quizzes throughout the semester, and only your top 30 scores will count towards your final grade. Complete them individually.

Homework: Daily homework assignments will be posted to Canvas to help you explore important aspects of biology in more depth than will be covered in class, to practice skills introduced in class, and to help reinforce concepts being taught in class. Assignments will be made available about 1 week prior to the due date. There will be approximately 35 homework assignments throughout the semester, and only your top 30 scores will count towards your final grade.

Engaged Participation: Attendance will be recorded each class period. There are 36 class periods during the semester; attendance at 33 class periods will count toward your final grade. To earn full points, attend class for the entire scheduled 50 minutes, and actively participate in lectures and group-based learning activities.

In-Class Quizzes: Quizzes will be administered in class. I will announce quizzes in class 3-5 days before they occur, and they MUST be taken at the scheduled date & time. More than 6 quizzes will be administered throughout the semester, but only your 6 highest scores will count toward your final grade.

Unit exams 1-3: Three unit exams will be administered during the semester. Approximate dates for each unit exam are listed on the schedule but are subject to change based on our actual progress in class. Exams will be available on Canvas and administered at the SUU Testing Center. A password is required to access the exams through Canvas, and the SUU Testing Center staff will enter that password for you. Exam questions consist of short answer, multiple choice, and matching type questions. Each exam must be taken at the scheduled date and time discussed in class and specified on the syllabus; exceptions will ONLY be provided for legitimate emergencies, as outlined in the Emergencies policy on this syllabus.

The following material will be covered in each exam (subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor):
o Exam 1: Unit 1 (Campbell Biology chapters 2-7)
o Exam 2: Unit 2 (Campbell Biology chapters 8-10; 5 (just the section on nucleic acids), 16-17)
o Exam 3: Unit 3 (Campbell Biology chapters 12-15, 18)

Cumulative final exam: The final exam will be administered at the SUU Testing Center from April 20 - April 23, 2026. Exam questions consist of short answer, multiple choice, and matching-type questions. The final exam is cumulative, covering units 1-3.

Important exam policies:
I will apply 1 of the following 2 policies to your grade - whichever most favors your final grade:
  • Option 1: If higher than any unit exam score, your score on the final exam will replace that unit exam score in your final grade. All 3 unit exam scores are eligible for replacement. The purpose of this policy is to help you remain engaged and motivated all the way through the semester.
  • Option 2: If lower than one or more of your unit exam scores, your final score on the final exam will be an average of all 3 unit exams and your initial final exam score. The purpose of this policy is to take some pressure off of the final exam for students who score well on the unit exams.
You may come to office hours or make an appointment with me to review the results of your exams. I strongly encourage you to do so, as the final exam is cumulative, and identifying your mistakes on Exams 1-3 will help you prepare for the final exam. Your opportunity to review an exam expires once you have taken the next exam.

Course Outline

Date | Topic
7-Jan | Introduction, Evolution
9-Jan | Chemistry
12-Jan | Water 1
14-Jan | Water 2
16-Jan | Carbon
19-Jan | NO CLASS - MLK Day
21-Jan | Carbohydrates, Lipids
23-Jan | Lipids, Proteins
26-Jan | Proteins
28-Jan | The Cell 1
30-Jan | The Cell 2
2-Feb | Membranes 1
4-Feb | Membranes 2
6-Feb | NO CLASS - Exam 1 (Feb 5 - Feb 6)
9-Feb | Metabolism, ATP, Enzymes
11-Feb | Respiration
13-Feb | Respiration
16-Feb | NO CLASS - Presidents' Day
18-Feb | Fermentation
20-Feb | Photosynthesis
23-Feb | Photosynthesis
25-Feb | Nucleic Acids
27-Feb | DNA Replication 1
2-Mar | DNA Replication 2
4-Mar | Gene Expression 1
6-Mar | Gene Expression 2
9-Mar | NO CLASS - Spring Break
11-Mar | NO CLASS - Spring Break
13-Mar | NO CLASS - Spring Break
16-Mar | Gene Expression 3
18-Mar | NO CLASS - Exam 2 (Mar 17 - Mar 19)
20-Mar | Mitosis 1
23-Mar | Mitosis 2
25-Mar | Mitosis 3
27-Mar | Meiosis 1
30-Mar | Meiosis 2
1-Apr | Mendel 1
3-Apr | Mendel 2
6-Apr | Mendel 3
8-Apr | Chromosomal Inheritance 1
10-Apr | Chromosomal Inheritance 2
13-Apr | Gene Expression Regulation 1
15-Apr | Gene Expression Regulation 2
17-Apr | NO CLASS - Exam 3 (April 16 - April 17)
20-Apr to 23-Apr | Cumulative Final Exam

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

Late Work Policy
  • Late pre-class quizzes, in-class quizzes, and exams will NOT be accepted.
  • Homework assignments can be turned in late with a 10% penalty per day late, starting 1 minute after the due date.

Makeup Work Policy
  • If you miss in-class assignments due to an unexcused absence, no make-up will be offered.
  • If you miss in-class assignments due to an excused absence, make-up will be offered if you make arrangements with the instructor prior to your absence. Excused absences will only be granted for documented university-approved activities or documented personal emergencies (see emergencies policy below).

Attendance Policy

  • Regular in-person attendance is required in this course - see "Engaged Participation" in the Course Requirements in this syllabus for information regarding grading of your attendance.
  • There is no remote attendance option via Zoom or other video conferencing tools.
  • If you are absent for any reason, you are responsible for contacting a classmate to obtain missed notes, handouts, and/or announcements. The instructor will not re-teach missed material during office hours, and upcoming quizzes are announced exclusively in class.

Emergencies Policy

  • I am willing to make reasonable accommodations for you, at my discretion, if an emergency arises.
  • It is your responsibility to contact me about an emergency as soon as possible. When you contact me, please provide documentation of your emergency. For example:
    • If you are physically or mentally ill, please provide a doctor’s note.
    • In the unfortunate event of a death in your family, please provide a death certificate, obituary, memorial service, or other form of documentation.
  • The following list includes, but is not limited to, examples of non-emergencies: family trips (whether planned or spontaneous), inclement weather where campus remains open, technical difficulties prior to a deadline, roommate disagreements, weddings, your job, etc.

AI Policy

  • Use of artificial intelligence for any reason is not allowed in this course.
  • Use of artificial intelligence will be treated as academic misconduct according to SUU Policy 6.33.

Grading

The following grade scale will be used to assign letter grades to your work:
A: >= 94%
A-: 90-93.9%
B+: 87-89.9%
B: 84-86.9%
B-: 80-83.9%
C+: 77-79.9%
C: 74-76.9%
C-: 70-73.9%
D+: 67-69.9%
D: 64-66.9%
D-: 60-63.9%
F: < 60%

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.