Faculty

BIOL-1308 Biology Fundamentals

Toru Shibatani

Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

BIOL-1308-025 (15442)
LEC MW 3:00pm - 4:20pm RRC RRC3 3330.00

Course Requirements

This syllabus on the web is not a complete syllabus. The syllabus for this class will be combined with BIOL2401 because it is a paired class. Please read more details on the syllabus provided during the first week.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance and participation are required. Prior to each lecture, all students are required to read the covered chapter thoroughly. You are responsible for all materials used in the class, homework, and class activities.

Usage of the blackboard system is required as your source for announcements, e-mail, and web access for this course. You must check your ACC e-mail listed in the Blackboard system. You must log in both the ACC e-mail and the blackboard at least once every day to check the announcements and any postings for this course.

Exams

All exams are designed to take no more than one hour to complete. The exam formats include multiple choices, true-false, matching, fill in the blank, short answer questions, and essay questions. Exam dates are indicated in the schedule provided.

Quiz

Quizzes are given during the class hour. 5-10 simple or short-answer questions will be given from lecture materials.

Assignments

Assignments are given prior to each exam to reinforce knowledge discussed in lecture. The assignment must be completed through the blackboard system.

Readings

Optional textbook:

Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections ACC edition, Pearson Co.

Internet access for the blackboard and internet search are required and mandatory.

Course Subjects

Fundamental principles of living organisms including physical and chemical properties of life, organization, function, evolutionary adaptation, and classification. Concepts of reproduction, genetics, ecology, and the scientific method are included. This course is designed to prepare students to take BIOL 1406, BIOL 2304 or BIOL 2404.

The topics includes:

The Metric System

Atoms, Molecules, Bonds and Properties of Matter

Water

Acids, Bases, pH, and Buffers

Chemical Reactions

Biomolecules

DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis

Structure and Function of Cells

The Plasma Membrane

Energy and Cells

Mitosis and Meiosis

Body Systems

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

The materials for BIOL1308 are covered together with BIOL2401.

LECTURES

Ch.1 & 2	Introduction Exploring Life and the Metric System
Ch.2	the Metric System, Matter, the Periodic Table
Ch.2	Basic Chemistry, Chemical Bonding
Ch.5	Chemical Reactions
Ch.2	Properties of Water
Ch.2	Properties of Water, Acids/Bases/pH
Ch.2, 3	pH and Buffers, Biomolecules: Carbohydrates,
Ch.3	Biomolecules: Lipid, Nucleic Acids
Ch.3	Biomolecules: Proteins
Ch.4	Introduction to Cell Structures
Ch.4	Introduction to Cell Structures
Ch.5	Cell membranes and Tonicity
Ch.5, 6	Energy Transformations and Enzymes
Ch.6	Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
Ch.8	Mitosis Meiosis
Ch.10	DNA replication & RNA/Protein Synthesis
	Body system - Anatomy & Physiology
	Body system - Anatomy & Physiology
	Body system - Anatomy & Physiology