Lamar University BIOL : General Biology I Non-Majors Fall 2014

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1 1 Lamar University BIOL : General Biology I Non-Majors Fall 2014 Provides a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction. THIS COURSE IS NOT INTENDED FOR SCIENCE MAJORS. I. Instructor: Dr. Matt Hoch Hayes Bldg or 107B Phone: matt.hoch@lamar.edu Office Hours: M,W 3:30-5:00; T 8:00-10:00 II. Meeting: Lecture: Sci. Aud. 100; M,W 1:50 p.m. 2:45 p.m. III. Required Lecture Text: Starr et al., Biology: concepts and applications, Cengage (Recommend you buy E-chapters as needed via Aplia access for Star Biology IV. Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 1. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures. 2. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis. 3. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration. 4. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results. 5. Interpret the results of karyotypes, pedigrees, and biotechnology experiments. 6. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation. 7. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection. State mandated outcomes: 1. Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information 2. Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication 3. Empirical and Quantitative Skills - to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions

2 2 4. Teamwork - to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal V. Grading The lecture portion of the course (exams and on-line homework) is worth 75% of the course. The lab portion is worth 25 % of the course, and lab instructors will supply the lecture instructor the raw percentage for lab performance. Exams (55 %): There will be three exams during scheduled class periods and a fourth exam at the university scheduled time during finals week. Each exam is worth 15% of the total course (lecture plus lab) grade. The exam with the lowest score will have its weight reduced to 10% of the course grade. All exams will begin promptly at the start of class and students will be given 70 minutes. If you arrive late and someone has already submitted their exam, you will not be allowed to take the exam and will receive 0% grade. Exam format is multiple choices, matching, and true-false. Content is on material covered in lecture, associated readings, and any additional assignments. Read the textbook. All cell phones and other electronic devices must be off while in the lecture room during exam periods. To not do so may cost loss of exam score. All personal materials will be placed in the front of the room prior to seating; only you, your ScanTron, and your pencil should be seated prior to the period start time. Homework (20%): You are required to purchase access to the course on-line homework assignments in Aplia. This is accessed via the textbook publisher s website at as are electronic textbook chapters and additional study materials and self-test quizzes. Homework in Aplia will be assigned at the start of each unit (lectures prior to each exam). It is the student s responsibility to check Aplia for due dates and to complete assignments by the due date. There will be four sets of assignments, each worth 5% of the course grade. Homework is as important as lab as successful completion should also help lecture exam grades. Lab (25%): Attendance is mandatory! Refer to the separate laboratory syllabus, which will be provided by your lab instructor. Grading Scale: The grading scale on a percentage basis is as follows: = A; = B; = C; = D; 0-59 = F. Extra Credit & Bonus: No individual extra credit points are available, i.e. don t ask what more you can do to raise your grade. There will be bonus assignments and bonus exam questions that will be open to all students. Bonus homework will be through Aplia and deadlines for completion posted within the on-line assignment. Students are responsible for following deadlines on-line even if not announced in class.

3 3 Make-up Exams and Assignments: You must petition the instructor before the regular exam, quiz, or assignment is given to be considered for a make-up. Only university-sponsored events and documented extenuating circumstances of a serious nature will be considered, in accordance with University policies. Sudden emergencies happen, but plan to get documentation. Traffic issues related to your commute to campus are not in themselves an excuse unless a traffic report is posted (e.g. news article of I10E bound accident). Conditions and time of a make-up are at the discretion of the instructor; however the exam must be taken prior to the subsequent exam or within the week following finals week in the case of the last exam. VI. Attendance Lecture attendance in itself is not included as a basis for grading. However, attendance is mandatory to successfully complete the course and learn of any bonus opportunity for extra credit offered to the class. Students are responsible for the full content of all lectures, including that of announcements on extra credit, lab related issues, deadlines, and any other matters of relevance to the BIOL 1408 course. Students are responsible to wait for 15 minutes after the officially posted class period beginning prior to assuming that class is cancelled for the day. It is not the authority of the Biology Secretary or Department Chair to make this decision for me or you. Lab attendance is mandatory. See the laboratory section syllabus for further details on attendance and expectations. VII. Academic Dishonesty Procedures addressing academic dishonesty are included in the Student Handbook. Academic dishonesty includes copying another student s work, plagiarism, and collusion (helping someone cheat). Students engaging in these activities will be assigned 0% for the exam, quiz, or other assignment for the first violation and then an F for the course if any form or academic dishonestly happens again. VIII. Dropping the Course: Twelfth Class Day, Monday, February 4, 2014; last day to drop with full refund or to petition for auditing the course. In accordance with University policy, the last day to drop the course without penalty is Tuesday, February 19, You will receive a Q or W, regardless of your current grade, but there will be no refund. The last drop day with penalty is Tuesday, April 2, If you drop after this date you will receive a Q or W if your current average is 60% or higher, or an F if your current average is less than 60%. Drop request after this date will be denied unless due to an unforeseen and documented serious life disrupting event (e.g., serious illness/injury requiring physician care, etc ). IX. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students needing an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (Communication Bldg., Room 105; Phone ). X. Other course expectations and consequences:

4 4 You are expected to check Blackboard regularly for announcements, out of class assignments, etc No make-up if information is missed. No electronic devices in lecture; No food or drink in lecture; No disruptive behavior in lecture (I make the definition of disruptive!). You will be removed from the classroom for non-compliance after one warning. Audio recordings are permitted only for personal use. Electronic posting or other inappropriate or malicious use will result in an F for the course. XI. Lecture Schedule: Week Dates Topic Reading Assignment 1 27, 29 Aug Introduction Ch 1 Scientific method 2 3 Sept No Class Labor Day Holiday 2 5 Sept Molecules of Life Ch 2 & Ch , 12 Sept Cell Structure Ch Sept Metabolism Ch Sept; Wed. EXAM , 26 Sept Respiration Ch 6 6 1, 3 Oct Photosynthesis Ch 7 7 8, 10 Oct DNA Structure Ch Oct Gene Expression Ch Oct; Wed. EXAM , 24 Oct Mitosis Ch , 31 Oct Meiosis Ch , 7 Nov Genetics Ch Nov Inheritance Ch Nov, Wed. EXAM , 21 Nov Evidence of Evolution Ch , 28 Nov Mechanisms of Evolution Ch , 5 Dec Origins of Life Ch 18 Finals Wednesday, 12 Dec; 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m FINAL EXAM ---- S.A. 100 *The schedule of topics and readings may be modified during the semester. XII. Lab Schedule: Week Begin Date Topic Reading Assignment 1 27 Aug Laboratory Safety Instruction, 2 3 Sept Tools of Science Ch Sept Cells as Organisms and Ch 2 Membranes 4 17 Sept Enzymology handout 5 24 Sept Practicum I 6 1 Oct Respiration Ch Oct Photosynthesis handout 8 15 Oct DNA Replication & Translation handout 9 22 Oct Cell Division Ch 3

5 Oct Practicum II 11 5 Nov Genetics handout Nov Form and structure Ch Nov Adaptations and Diversity Ch Nov Practicum III 15 3 Dec No Lab *The schedule of topics and readings may be modified during the semester.

Biology 1 General Biology, Lecture Sections: 47231, and Fall 2017

Biology 1 General Biology, Lecture Sections: 47231, and Fall 2017 Instructor: Rana Tayyar, Ph.D. Email: rana.tayyar@rcc.edu Website: http://websites.rcc.edu/tayyar/ Office: MTSC 320 Class Location: MTSC 401 Lecture time: Tuesday and Thursday: 2:00-3:25 PM Biology 1 General