NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY

Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology

Course BIO103: Biology I, Spring 2015

Course Instructor
Dr. S. M. Mostafa Kamal Khan (SKK)
Associate Professor, Department of Biology & Chemistry
E-mail: smkk0901@yahoo.com & mkkhan@northsouth.edu

Room No: SAC 813

Office Hours:
Sunday Tuesday: 8.45- 9.30 AM & 11.30 12.50 PM & 2.40 5.10 PM
Monday- Wednesday: 9.00-9.30 AM & 1.00-3.00 PM
N. B. If my scheduled office hours are not convenient for you, please make an appointment; feels free to
talk with me after class or at my office. If you are having problems in class, please see me as soon as
possible. Pls. Dont wait until mid-semester or immediately before exams to contact me.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

This class is an introduction to the science of biology for non-majors. We cover the fundamentals of biology for the
non-major: Scientific inquiry, biological chemistry, cell structure and function, DNA and genetics, evolution and
ecology, and an overview of living organisms. As an introductory course, I will also be addressing study skills for
Biology and biological thinking.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

To introduce students to the basic concepts and principles of general biology.

To share with beginning students our sense of excitement about modern biological science.
To impart an understanding and appreciation of the vast diversity of living things, their special adaptations to
their environment, and their evolutionary and ecological relationships.
To emphasize the basic unity of life and the interdependence of the thousands of varieties of living things on the
Earth.
To promote critical thinking by requiring students to evaluate a body of evidence, separate assumptions form
observations, and reach some conclusion based on evidence.
Critical thinking will be demonstrated with questions essential to critical thinking.
To have laboratories that emphasize observation and hands-on, discovery-based activities that lead to
formulating and testing hypotheses.
To start every class with an attempt to explain why the topic for the day is interesting and important. Relevance is
important because it builds learning connections to students experiences, and motivates students by appealing
to their curiosity.
To present or teach information as a constant state of flux rather than dogmatic "facts". To stress that what we
"know" today could be proven incorrect tomorrow.
To present ideas as well as facts by requiring students to read material on ethical probes that have no easy
answers.

 To promote problem solving by requiring students to use the scientific method in solving some personal problem
of their choice, writing this up as an assignment.
ACADEMIC PREPARATION: Read the class materials before and after each class.
ATTENDANCE: Each class the given exercises will be signed. Missing any class mean you lose mark from

attendance.

Please

Turn

Over
EVALUATION: Grades will be assigned on the basis of your performance on:

Attendance

: 5%

Quiz

: 20%

Midterm I

: 20%

Midterm II

: 25%

Final

: 30%

Total

: 100%

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: The following is a list of suggestions to make our classroom experience as enjoyable and

productive as possible for all of us:

Please turn off your mobile phone before class.
Obviously, if you need to use the toilet during class, please do so. However, please attempt to use the toilet
before class so that you do not disrupt class proceedings when leaving/returning to your seat or miss any
class activities
Unless you absolutely need to leave class before the period ends, please wait for me to dismiss the class
before packing up your books, etc.
QUESTIONS: Always welcome!!
REQUIRED MATERIALS: In general, you will be supplied with everything you need.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: I think that learning should be enjoyable. Hopefully we will laugh together and have fun.

We will always be respectful of one another.

SYLLABUS FOR THE COURSE:
S. No.
Lecture topic
1
Introduction to Biology: Scope, Biology, What is life? and Characteristics of living

things.

Lecture No.

2
3
4
5
6
7

8
9

Chemistry of life: Atoms & elements; Molecules & bonds; Electro-negativity; Polar &
non-polar bonds; Diffusion & osmosis; pH
Biological Macromolecules: Carbohydrate, Lipid and Protein
Cell structure and function: Organelles description & level of organization
Assessment: At least 2 Quiz exams and One midterm

Energy of Life: Cellular respiration (anabolism & catabolism); Enzymes

definition and characterization; Photosynthesis
Nucleic acids, Cellular Reproduction: Cell cycle, Mitosis, Meiosis and Central
Dogma (Replication, Transcription and Translation)
Biological Diversity: Evolution and natural selection, the origin and
diversification of life on earth; Evolution of microbes & animals

Assessment: At least 1 Quiz exam and One midterm

Human Physiology: Haemostasis, digestive system, circulatory (blood), excretory
and respiratory systems.
Health and disease: Food & nutrition; diabetics, cancer and heart disease
Assessment: At least 1 Quiz exam and Final

2
2

3
2

4
3