BI112  Winter 2026

Monday/Wednesday lecture with Monday lab:

CRN 66230 - Lecture from 5:00 - 6:20 in Building 8, Room 218

CRN 64188 - Lab from 3:30 - 6:20 in Building 8, Room 233

Midterm Exams will be given in Weeks 4 and 8

Final Exam Monday, December 8, from 5:00 - 6:50 PM

Instructor: Zac Kohl

Office Location: Building 8, Room 221V

Office Hours: All during Open Lab (click for schedule)

Phone: 503-399-6514 (this is not a great way to reach me, email preferred)

Email: zkohl@chemeketa.edu

I try to answer emails as soon as possible but will reply within 2 business days. I do not typically answer emails on the weekend or holidays. If you have not received a response, it is because I've missed it somehow. Please send me a follow up email and I will reply ASAP. 

In case of instructor absence I will use Canvas to contact the class with instructions on course material for the missed day(s).

BI112 Cell Biology forHealth Organizations

Presents an introduction to the study of the scientific method and processes, basic and cellular chemistry, cell structure and function, and laboratory skills. Includes topics and skills required to continue on to anatomy and physiology, and microbiology.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher). Completion of MTH 095 (or higher, except MTH 105Z), or placement into MTH 111Z (or higher). Not open to students placed into supported MTH 111Z and MTH 111Q. (All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.)

Student Learning Outcomes are statements that provide a framework for the ideas and concepts you will have mastered by the end of our time together. These help to structure the curriculum and provide an outline for what topics the class will explore.

Statewide General Education (AAOT) Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the Science course, students should be able to:

1. Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions.

2. Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner.

3. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.

Bi 112 Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

1. Describe how the structure of molecules and cells relate to their function, life processes, and homeostasis.

2. Relate the chemical properties of biomolecules to their cellular functions as they relate to public health.

3. Form and develop math, graphing, logic, and academic learning strategies to ensure future success in STEM fields

4. Employ scientific modes of inquiry, individually and collaboratively, to organize, represent, and use scientific data to communicate conclusions about cellular functions.

5. Use laboratory equipment and techniques to investigate chemistry, biochemistry, and cells to generate further questions.

Lecture Text: Saladin, Kenneth S., Anatomy and Physiology, The Unity of Form and Function, 10th edition

Lecture Workbook: Schiefelbein, Holly, Cell Biology for Allied Health, 2nd edition 

Lab Manual: Schiefelbein, Holly; Schrunk, Jessica, Cell Biology for Allied Health: Lab Manual, 2nd edition

Our course is an in-person flipped course. 

What does "flipped" mean? This means we have scheduled class meetings on campus but most of our class time will not be spent with me giving a lecture and everyone taking notes. Class time will be used for problem solving, going through homework, and other active learning processes. This gives you time to work with the concepts with your peers, while I'm there to guide you as needed.

Lab time is for experiments and hands-on activities

We will also meet once a week for in-person labs. The lab activities are designed to provide you with a hands-on learning opportunity to further develop your knowledge of that week's concept. Additionally, the lab activities will help you become familiar with common lab procedures and equipment so you will be comfortable in a lab once you move on to Anatomy & Physiology.

We will use Canvas regularly

Even though we meet in person, many resources can be found on Canvas. This just makes it easier for me to keep everything together, and hopefully easier for you so you don't need to worry about hard copies of things!

Note - Exam and Quiz dates are subject to change as student, instructor, and institutional needs require. Due dates for assignments and quizzes not administered during class are Sunday at 11:59PM of the week assigned unless otherwise noted.  The Final Exam will be administered based on Chemeketa's Final Exam Schedule.

Our class is set up with approximately 1000 points, meaning each point is worth approximately 0.01% of your final grade. This is not exact, but meant as an easy way to "eyeball" your grade. See the weighting distribution above for the exact weighting.

• A: 89.5%-100%

• B: 79.5%-89.49%

• C: 69.5%-79.49%

• D: 59.5-69.49%

• F: Below 59.5%

I may provide several extra credit opportunities throughout the term. They will be tied to assessments such as quizzes and exams. My goal is to provide an incentive to better prepare for exams and (sometimes) quizzes, not to give you a chance to increase your grade at the end of the term. 

Please do not ask for extra credit at the end of the course. It is uncomfortable to be bombarded with pleas for extra credit, often with the implication your future is at stake, with only 1-2 weeks left in the course. The time to worry about your grade starts in Week 1 and I will help in any way I can to get help you succeed in the course with a fair and appropriate grade.

Attendance to the Week 1 lab is mandatory! When there is a waitlist, I will drop absent students to make room for students on the waitlist. Students who have not attended the Week 1 lab or lectures will be dropped for non-attendance regardless of waitlist needs.

You are expected to attend lecture and lab  meetings each week. Do not miss labs or arrive late. Each lab will begin with a quiz and, if you are late, you will not have time to complete it. Arriving after the quiz has been completed will count as an absence. Leaving the lab before you have completed the day's activities will count as an absence.

If you have an emergency, please let me know immediately, but be aware you may be missing activities and points that cannot be made up.  Communication is key!

You may only have 2 unexcused lab absences and get a C in the class. Missing 3 or more labs will result in a maximum grade of D. 

What if I miss a quiz?

You may make up 1 missed lab quiz and 1 missed lecture quiz. The quiz must be made up before I return the quiz to the first lab of the next week. If the quiz is not made up, a score of zero will be given. Quizzes may only be made up during office hours or open lab. In addition, your lowest lab and lecture quiz score will not be included in grade calculations.

What if I miss an exam?

You may make up 1 missed exam. The exam must be made up in the Chemeketa Testing Center before I return the short answer portion to the first class (even if it is not your class) during Week 5 for Exam 1 or Week 9 for Exam 2. If the exam is not made up, a score of zero will be given. You may receive a different version of the exam than the regular class. 

The Testing Center may not have an appointment or may run out of spots. It is your responsibility to find and reserve an acceptable appointment time as soon as possible.  If you do not complete the makeup exam within the timeframe described above you will receive a 0.

The final exam cannot be made up.

You are strongly encouraged to take notes by hand. You may use electronic devices in class as long as they are not a distraction to others. Assignments may require hand written submissions.

There is a zero tolerance policy for the presence of electronic devices (smart watches, smart glasses, earphones, phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) during any quiz or exam. The visible presence of any device will be construed as cheating and result in an immediate zero. Please be aware, this is does not depend on if you were actively using the device or not. The policy refers to the visible, accessible presence of devices.

Please see the Chemeketa Institutional Syllabus for policies related to the following topics:

• Important Dates and Deadlines

• College-wide Policies (Exam Schedules, Week 1 participation, Academic Honesty, etc.)

• Student Services (Advising, Counseling, Basic Need Resources, Veteran's Services, etc.)

A more comprehensive list of Student Support Services is linked in the top of your Course Home Page in Canvas.