BIOL134 16

Course Summary
Course : BIOL134
Title : General Biology II with Lab
Length of Course: 16
Faculty :
Prerequisites : BIOL133
Credit Hours : 4

Description
Course Description:
This course is the second in a two part biology series that is designed for students who
intend to complete a degree that requires a majors-level biology course. Topics included in
this course diversity of life on Earth, plant form and function, animal form and function, and
ecology and behavior. The laboratory portion of this course will include digital laboratories
that complement the topics and concepts covered in the lecture component, as well as one
hands-on experiment regarding plant transpiration. (Prerequisite: BIOL133)

Course Scope:
This course is the second in a two part biology series that serves as an introduction to
biology and will include the following specific modules: Part V: (continues from the first
course) fungi, animal diversity, protostomes, and deuterostomes. Part VI: plant forms,
transport in plants, plant defense responses, sensory systems in plants, and plant
reproduction. Part VII: animal body and principles of regulation and selected organ system
reviews. Part VII: behavioral biology, ecology of individuals and populations, community
ecologies, dynamics of ecosystems, the biosphere and conservation biology. In addition to
the lecture material, this course will contain digital laboratories and one hands-on
experimental project that will enhance and supplement the readings.

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Objectives
After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

CO-1: Recognize the diversity of life including common structures, functions and
development of protists, fungi, plants and animals.
CO-2: Recognize the ubiquity of the structure and function relationship as an organizing
pattern of biological systems
CO-3: Explain plant structure and the basic mechanisms of plant physiology
CO-4: Explain the role and function of the nervous, endocrine and musculoskeletal
systems in animals
CO-5: Explain the role and function of the digestive and respiratory systems in animals
CO-6: Explain the role and function of the circulatory and immune systems in animals
CO-7: Explain the role and function of the reproductive system and animal development
CO-8: Describe how organisms behave, interact and form populations and communities
in nature. CO-9: Explain the major ecosystems, how their biodiversity interacts with abiotic
factors and why these organisms need to be protected
CO-10: Use basic scientific practices: math, graphing, writing, critical thinking, data
collection and data
analysis

Outline
Week 1: Chapter 21: Viruses, Chapter 22: Prokaryotes: Bacteria and Archaea

Learning Objectives
CO-1
CO-2

Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 21 & Ch 22

Deliverables
Discussion 1
Complete Bacteria Lab

Week 2: Chapter 23: Protists, Chapter 24: Fungi

Learning Objectives
CO-2

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Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 23 & Ch 24

Deliverables

Discussion Week 2

Week 3: Chapter 25: Seedless Plants, Chapter 26: Seed Plants

Learning Objectives
CO-2
CO-3

Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 25 & Ch 26

Deliverables

Complete Introduction to Invertebrates Lab

Week 4: Chapter 27: Introduction to Animal Diversity

Learning Objectives
CO-1
CO-2
Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 27

Deliverables
Discussion Week 4
Exam 1: Weeks 1-4

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Week 5: Chapter 28: Invertebrates, Chapter 29: Vertebrates

Learning Objectives
CO-1
CO-2
Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 28 & Ch 29
Deliverables

Complete Protosomia Lab

Week 6: Chapter 30: Plant Form and Physiology, Chapter 31: Soil and Plant Nutrition

Learning Objectives
CO-2
CO-3

Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 30 & Ch 31

Deliverables
Experiment Design Plan

Week 7: Chapter 32: Plant Reproduction, Chapter 33: The Animal Body: Basic Form
and Function

Learning Objectives
CO-2 CO-3

Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 32 & Ch 33
Deliverables

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Complete Plant Reproduction Lab

Week 8: Chapter 34: Animal Nutrition and the Digestive System

Learning Objectives
CO-2
CO-5
Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 34

Deliverables
Exam 2: Weeks 5-8
Discussion Weeks 7 & 8

Week 9: Chapter 35: The Nervous System, Chapter 36: Sensory Systems

Learning Objectives
CO-2
CO-4
Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 35 & Ch 36

Deliverables
Complete Deuterostomia Lab

Week 10: Chapter 37: The Endocrine System, Chapter 38: The Musculoskeletal
System

Learning Objectives
CO-4
Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 37 & Ch 38
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Deliverables
Discussion Week10

Week 11: Chapter 39: The Respiratory System, Chapter 40: The Circulatory System

Learning Objectives
CO-5
CO-6
Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 39 & Ch 40
Deliverables

Complete Mammalian Homeostasis Lab

Week 12: Chapter 41: Osmotic Regulation and Excretion

Learning Objectives
CO-5

Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 41

Deliverables
Exam 3: Weeks 9-12
Discussion Weeks 11 & 12

Week 13: Chapter 42: The Immune System, Chapter 43: Animal Reproduction and
Development

Learning Objectives
CO-6
CO-7
Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 42 & Ch 43
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Deliverables

Complete Taxonomy Lab

Week 14: Chapter 44: Ecology and the Biosphere, Chapter 45: Population and
Community Ecology

Learning Objectives
CO-8
CO-9

Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 44 & Ch 45

Deliverables
Experiment Report Due

Week 15: Chapter 46: Ecosystems

Learning Objectives
CO-7
Readings
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 46

Deliverables

Complete Ecological Interactions Lab

Week 16: Chapter 47: Conservation Biology and Biodiversity

Learning Objectives
CO-7
Readings and Labs
OpenStax Biology, 2e
Ch 47

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Deliverables
Discussion Weeks 15 &16
Exam 4: Weeks 13 - 16

Evaluation
Reading Assignments: There are weekly readings as described in the course outline,
below. These readings are based out of the text, or will be provided to students within the
resource in the electronic classroom.
Discussion Assignments: Discussion participation is required in this course on week 1
and all even numbered weeks. Discussion topics will be posted within the discussion
section of the class.
Participation is mandatory and vigorous interaction is required. The posting requirements for
these discussions can be found in the discussion description. Students will be evaluated by
the instructor with grading guidelines attached to the discussion description each week.
Discussions will be worth 100 points each.

Exams: There will be four exams throughout this course, during Weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16.
Different exams will be weighted differently depending upon the number of chapters covered.
The exams will mostly include questions in multiple formats, including multiple choice as well
as short answer.
• Exam 1 will cover seven chapters and be worth 100 points.
• Exam 2 will cover seven chapters and be worth 100 points.
• Exam 3 will cover seven chapters and be worth 100 points.
• Exam 4 will cover six chapters and worth 100 points. Therefore, Exam 4
will not be cumulative.
Course Project: The Course Project is designed to focus the student on experimental design.
As future scientists, the Course Project will entail designing an experiment using their Vernier
instrumentation gas pressure sensor. The students will present the result of their research in
an experiment report. The Experiment Design will be due Week 6 and the Course Project
Experiment Report will be due Week 14 The Course Projects will be shared to the class
Week 16 in the discussion, and students will be asked to comment on the experiments.

Laboratories: There will be 8 digital laboratories throughout the course that will reinforce
the weekly content and concepts. There will also be 1 hands-on project involving plant
transpiration.

Please see the Student Handbook to reference the University’s grading scale.

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 Grading:

Grade Item Grade % Points

Discussions 20% 600
Week 1 8.3% 50
Week 2 16.6% 100
Week 4 16.6% 100
Week 8 16.6% 100
Week 10 16.6% 100
Week 12 16.6% 100
Week 16 8.3% 50
Course Project 10% 200
Experimental Design 33.3% 100
Experimental Report 66.7% 100
Exams 40% 400
Exam 1 25% 100
Exam 2 25% 100
Exam 3 25% 100
Exam 4 25% 100
Labs 30% 800
Lab 1 12.50% 100
Lab 2 12.50% 100
Lab 3 12.50% 100
Lab 4 12.50% 100
Lab 5 12.50% 100
Lab 6 12.50% 100
Lab 7 12.50% 100
Lab 8 12.50% 100

Materials

Book Title: Go Direct Gas Pressure Sensor - This item is not covered by the APUS Book
Grant; available to purchase here Vernier APUS course Author:
Publication Info: Vernier Software & Technology, LLC
ISBN: GDX-GP

Book Title: Graphical Analysis app – Free download from smartphone app store
or play store, or free download to desktop computer ; link available here Vernier
APUS course Author:
Publication Info: Vernier Software & Technology, LLC

Book Title: Stainless Steel Temperature Probe (OPTIONAL) - This item is not covered by
the APUS Book Grant; available to purchase here Vernier APUS course Author:
Publication Info: Vernier Software & Technology, LLC
ISBN: GDX-TMP

Book Title: Bio Principles 2nd ed - available online, link provided inside the
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classroom Author: OpenStax
Publication Info: OpenStax
ISBN: NTMO

Book Title: Various resources from the APUS Library & the Open Web are used.
Please visit eReserve to locate the course.* Author:
Publication Info:
ISBN: ERESERVE NOTE

Required Technology
See the Technology Requirements section of the undergraduate catalog for the minimum
hardware and software requirements.
Microsoft Office 365 is available to APUS students for free. To sign up, visit. If you have
questions about accessing the software, please contact Classroom support at
[email protected].

Web Sites
In addition to the required course texts, the following public domain web sites are useful.
Please abide by the university’s academic honesty policy when using Internet sources as well.
Note web site addresses are subject to change.
Site Name Web Site URL/Address
Crash Course inhttp://www.youtube.com/course?
Biology list=EC3EED4C1D684D3ADF
Science Fridayhttp://www.sciencefriday.com/topics/biology/
BioSciEdNet http://www.biosciednet.org/portal/index.php
Howard Hughes Institute free mobile app,
Select and Learn for use on iPhones and iPads
only
Khan Academy free mobile app, for use on
KhanApp all smart phones

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Course Guidelines
Citation and Reference Style
Attention Please: Students will follow the APA Format as the sole citation and reference
style used in written work submitted as part of coursework to the University.
Assignments completed in a narrative
essay or composition format must follow the citation style cited in the APA Format.

Tutoring
Tutor.com offers online homework help and learning resources by connecting students to
certified tutors for one-on-one help. AMU and APU students are eligible for 10 free
hours* of tutoring provided by APUS. Tutors are available 24/7 unless otherwise noted.
Tutor.com also has a SkillCenter Resource Library offering educational resources,
worksheets, videos, websites and career help. Accessing these resources does not
count against tutoring hours and is also available 24/7. Please visit the APUS Library
and search for 'Tutor' to create an account.
LATE WORK
The University encourages all work to be completed according to the course schedule. The
University Late Work Policy can be found in the Student Handbook here.

Turn It In
Faculty may require assignments be submitted to Turnitin.com. Turnitin.com will analyze
a paper and report instances of potential plagiarism for the student to edit before
submitting it for a grade. In some cases professors may require students to use
Turnitin.com. This is automatically processed through the Assignments area of the
course.

Academic Dishonesty
Academic Dishonesty incorporates more than plagiarism, which is using the work of
others without citation. Academic dishonesty includes any use of content purchased or
retrieved from web services such as CourseHero.com. Additionally, allowing your work
to be placed on such web services is academic dishonesty, as it is enabling the
dishonesty of others. The copy and pasting of content from any web page, without
citation as a direct quote, is academic dishonesty. When in doubt, do not copy/paste,
and always cite.

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Submission Guidelines
Some assignments may have very specific requirements for formatting (such as font,
margins, etc) and submission file type (such as .docx, .pdf, etc) See the assignment
instructions for details. In general, standard file types such as those associated with
Microsoft Office are preferred, unless otherwise specified.

Disclaimer Statement
Course content may vary from the outline to meet the needs of this particular group.

Communicating on the Discussion

Discussions are the heart of the interaction in this course. The more engaged and lively
the exchanges, the more interesting and fun the course will be. Only substantive
comments will receive credit. Although there is a final posting time after which the
instructor will grade comments, it is not sufficient to wait until the last day to contribute
your comments/questions on the discussion. The purpose of the discussions is to
actively participate in an on-going discussion about the assigned content.
“Substantive” means comments that contribute something new and hopefully important to
the discussion. Thus a message that simply says “I agree” is not substantive. A
substantive comment contributes a new idea or perspective, a good follow-up question to
a point made, offers a response to a question, provides an example or illustration of a key
point, points out an inconsistency in an argument, etc.
As a class, if we run into conflicting view points, we must respect each individual's own
opinion. Hateful and hurtful comments towards other individuals, students, groups,
peoples, and/or societies will not be tolerated.

Identity Verification & Live Proctoring

Faculty may require students to provide proof of identity when submitting assignments
or completing assessments in this course. Verification may be in the form of a
photograph and/or video of the student’s face together with a valid photo ID, depending
on the assignment format.
Faculty may require live proctoring when completing assessments in this course.
Proctoring may include identity verification and continuous monitoring of the student by
webcam and microphone during testing.

University Policies
Student Handbook
Drop/Withdrawal policy
Extension Requests
Academic Probation
Appeals
Disability Accommodations

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The mission of American Public University System is to provide high quality higher education
with emphasis on educating the nation’s military and public service communities by offering
respected, relevant, accessible, affordable, and student-focused online programs that prepare
students for service and leadership in a diverse, global society.

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