Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

General Biology I (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 1610-11

Course: BIOL 1610-11
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Biology
CRN: 30744

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


Free Online Resource: Biology 2E. Openstax.  

Learning Outcomes

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

Course Requirements

UNIT EXAMS (40% of Grade)
Three Exams will consist of approximately 50-75 questions (M.C., short answer, T/F, and matching) equally covering all chapters discussed within the designated time period.  Questions are based upon concepts also covered in readings and quizzes/homework.  The intended date and time of these exams are listed below in the course outline and plans should be made well in advance to be in attendance.  There are no exceptions for missed tests.  Tests cannot be taken late, though arrangements can be made to take a test early.  It is your responsibility to make these arrangements and I reserve the right to deny your petition.     

All tests will be taken in the SUU Testing Center and spread out over a two-day period.  You need to make sure to schedule your life to account for these tests.  You will need to take a photo ID to the Testing Center.  


QUIZZES, HOMEWORK, ACTIVITIES, & MOVIES (40% of Grade)
At the beginning of each chapter I will post a HOMEWORK assignment that you will have a number of days to complete as we work through the chapter as a class.  Class discussion should be dominated with questions that you're struggling with on the homework or from the readings.  After each chapter, we will take a quiz.  These are meant both as a review document for you and to spark class discussion.  You must come to class the day of the quiz and engage in our discussion to be eligible for the resubmit of the quiz for full points. Resubmission of quizzes can NEVER be completed late. Late quizzes can be turned in anytime before taking the Exam which covering those chapters.  The maximum score for late quizzes and assignments is 7 points.  Once the Unit test has been taken for a number of chapters, all assignments included within that Unit are concluded and late materials will not be accepted.  Quizzes involve group discussion and decision making, therefore attendance is required to gain the full points.  There will also be a few times that you will need to participate in an activity or watch a movie.  These activities/movies will have an assignment that will need to be completed and turned in. Activities that are done in-class cannot be made up.


Historical Figure Movie Project (20% of Grade)
Each of you will need to select a HISTORICAL FIGURE prominent in the field of biology and in an area of focus interesting to you. The person may still be alive, or they could be in the distant past; You get to decide.  Once selected, you will need to research that person, focusing on the following areas: 1) What is the historical context? 2) Describe the upbringing of the person and how that may or may not have contributed to them going into their area of research. 3) What was the big picture question they were researching and how did they contribute to the answer? 4) How did the scientific community react to their findings? You will then create a 5-minute movie to teach us what you learned. Get creative and have fun with this. 

All of these videos will be uploaded into a Google folder.  You will then be assigned to watch and take a few notes on a group of these movies as part of our final.

 A=94%, A- =90%, B+ =87%, B=84%, B- =80%, C+ =77%, C = 74%, C- =70%, D+ =67%, D =64%, D- =60%

Course Outline

Will be provided via the Canvas shell for this course.

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

See Course Requirement section

Attendance Policy


THIS COURSE IS DESIGNED & INTENDED TO BE COMPLETED FACE-TO-FACE.  Participation is requisite to successfully pass the course.  If you are sick, you can partially still participate through recorded classes.  I will not be recording and streaming the course synchronously via Zoom.  I may elect to record some courses when requested by Campus leadership to assist students with confirmed health-related issues.

We will be completing in-class quizzes at the end of each chapter and discussing reading assignments in groups and as a class. Missing discussions/activities cannot be made up, nor does being online via Zoom equate to the same experience as being in class.  Quizzes can be turned in late for 70% of possible points until the test covering that material has been taken.  Full points can only be earned through on-time and full participation in class discussions.  Thus, your grade is linked to your participation which is, in turn, linked to your attendance.  It has been my experience that students who participate the most, typically earn the best grades.  This system is my way to encourage active participation.

Course Fees

$43.50 Fee

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.