Welcome Biology 101, offered by the Extended Learning Institute!  

Before you start the course, take the ELI short online quiz, Is Distance Learning For Me. If you decide this method of instruction is appropriate for you, follow all the links under Course Information on Blackboard. Depending on how you work, you may want to print out some of the material, especially the information on the schedule and grades. If you have questions and/or concerns, please contact your professor as soon as possible.  Mechanisms for contacting your instructors by e-mail, telephone, and office hours can be found under Communication on the Blackboard site.

Prerequisite: Satisfactory placement score for English 111.

You will be required to participate in two on-campus lab assignments. Lab dates will be posted in Blackboard course site. The on campus laboratories are held in the science labs in the Bisdorf buildling on the Alexandria campus. 

If you feel you lack any of these, please contact us immediately.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

1. describe the scientific method and its applications
2. describe basic characteristics, categories, and interrelationships of living things
3. read and use basic chemical terms, symbols, and notations; explain the theories of atomic composition and chemical reactivity; explain basic biochemical concepts
4. use the metric system and common laboratory equipment
5. describe cells and their parts, and the functions of the parts; distinguish between plant cells, animal cells, and non-cellular organizations such as viruses
6. explain the basic principles of thermodynamics and how cells generate energy for life
7. describe cell division and reproduction. Explain and apply the basic principles of Mendelian and molecular genetics
8. describe the basic ideas behind population genetics and the theory of evolution

The required textbook for this course:

The recommended course material:

• Erdahl, E. and Wise, M. ELI General Biology Study Guide and Laboratory Manual, 3rd Edition Pearson Publishing Co. 2003.

For information on how to order your textbook, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Your course grade will be determined by the following:

There are ten virtual labs in this course which worth 15 points each and three on-campus labs which worth 45 points total.

There are 5 proctored exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

We are here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact us when they do:

You may email us to schedule a meeting in person, either at ELI or our campus offices in Alexandria. 

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.