The University of Texas at Austin BIO 311C Introductory Biology I Fall 2014 Instructor: Dr. Kristin Patterson Office: NMS 2.104D Office Phone: Office hours: M 11-12:30, W3-4:30, by appt. Email: kpatterson@austin.utexas.edu Teaching Assistant: Lecture: BUR116 MWF 10-11 Discussion Sections: Unique number Meeting time Place 49220 F 8-9 PHR 2.114 49225 F 9-10 PHR 2.114 49230 W 1-2 SZB 526 49235 W 2-3 SZB 240 Course Description: BIO 311C is an introductory cellular and molecular biology course intended for biology majors and for others if required by their departmental programs. Course topics include: biological macromolecules, cell structure and function, energy transfer during respiration and photosynthesis, and molecular genetics. The prerequisite for enrollment in BIO 311C is completion or concurrent registration in CH 301 or an equivalent course. Students who do not meet the prerequisite will be automatically dropped from BIO 311C. Course Materials: Required textbook Reece (2014) Campbell Biology, 10 th edition. Reading assignments are given only for this book, however, you may choose to use an alternate college-level textbook such as the 8 th or 9 th edition of Campbell Biology or Sadava Life. If you use an alternate textbook, you are responsible for finding material that corresponds to topics covered. Required technology i>clicker or i>clicker2, register by class time on September 3 rd. Optional resource Online tutorials, ebook, and other resources in Modified Mastering Biology. An access code comes with purchase of new textbook. This is useful, but highly optional. Canvas: Lecture slides, handouts, announcements, homework, and grades will be posted on Canvas. Please make sure your email account at UT is current and check it regularly. Classroom courtesy: Please help us all concentrate on learning biology in the classroom. Turn off cell phones. Refrain from texting or surfing the web. Minimize distracting conversation. Classroom activity: Students are expected to actively contribute to and participate in class. Some examples of classroom activities that will be used regularly are: iclicker questions, case studies, think-pairshare, modeling of biological processes, role-playing, and written group responses. Grade Determination: Grades for this course will be based on a grading rubric, shown below. Category Points Notes Exam 1 90 Friday, September 19 th, 10-11am, regular classroom Exam 2 90 Wednesday, October 8 th, 10-11am, regular classroom Exam 3 90 Friday, October 31 st, 10-11am, regular classroom Exam 4 90 Monday, November 24 th, 10-11am, regular classroom Final Exam 150 Saturday, December 13 th, 2-5pm, Location TBA Lecture/iClicker 34 34 lectures, 1 point each Homework 26 13 assignments, 2 points each
Discussion Section 30 10 activities/quizzes, 3 points each A key and grade cutoff scores (typically A=93% and above, A-=90-92, B+=87-89, B=83-86, B- =80=82, C+=77-79, C=73-76, C-=70-72, D=60-69, F<60%), will be provided when each graded exam is returned. Exam policy: Most of your grade will be determined by your performance on exams. The midterms and final exam will have multiple choice and free response questions. All exams will be based on the topics covered in lecture, discussion, handouts, and reading assignments. Lists of specific learning objectives will be available before each exam. You are expected to bring pencils, pens, and your UT ID to all exams. I do not expect conflicts with the four mid-semester exams because they will be given during class time. There will be no scheduled make up exams. In case of extreme emergency on exam day, please contact Dr. Patterson by email as soon as possible. As a courtesy, one grade adjustment will be made after exam 4. Each student s lowest midterm score will be replaced with the average of all four midterm exams. This reduces the impact of one poor exam score on your semester grade. Re-grade policy: If you choose to dispute a grade, you must fill out a regrade request form (on Canvas). Completed forms and the exam must be submitted to your instructor within one week of the return of the exam. Excused absences: While calculating final grades, we will give credit for up to 3 missed lectures, 1 missed homework assignment, and 1 missed discussion section. This is to allow for unforeseen circumstances such as a minor illness, power-outage, computer trouble, missing the bus, etc. Please do not come to us to be excused for such reasons. See Dr. Patterson about school sponsored events or major issues that affect your attendance in school. Extra-credit: It is against University policy to give an individual student bonus work or extra points to boost a grade. Discussion Section: Discussion sections are moderated by your teaching assistant and are mandatory. Part of your grade is based on attendance and participation in your assigned discussion section. Your TA will go over discussion expectations in your first meeting. Studying resources: Lectures Attend lecture and think about the topics covered. Biology is a huge subject. The emphasis in lecture will give you an idea of what the instructor thinks is most important. Lecture slides will be posted on Canvas for your convenience. Numerous in-class activities will help you learn. We will use iclickers regularly, so make sure your clicker has fresh batteries and is in your bag. Handouts Specific learning objectives will be posted on Canvas and advertised in lecture. Office hours Don t be afraid to stop by Dr. Patterson s office hours or email us. Don t wait until it s too late to seek help. Discussion sections A place to meet people, complete interactive exercises, and discuss concepts. 2
Textbook This course requires active studying, not just mindless reading and re-reading. Pre-read the text before lecture. As you read, ask yourself some questions: What are the general topics? How does this process work? How does this information relate to the learning objectives? Residence Hall Study Groups (http://cns.utexas.edu/community/) Think about meeting other BIO 311C students to discuss course material in Jester and Kinsolving Residence Halls. Upper-division biology students are available to assist you. This program is free and open to all students. UT Sanger Learning and Career Center (http://lifelearning.utexas.edu/) Visit the learning center for free tutoring, workshops, and career advising. Internet Don t limit yourself to reading the text and coming to lecture and discussion section. You have the world at your fingertips when they are using a computer keyboard! For example, search for any concept we are discussing in this course and there are bound to be many YouTube videos that may help you understand the subject better. If something you find contradicts our discussion in lecture, bring it to your teaching assistant or instructor for clarification. University Policy: Core curriculum This course may be used to fulfill three hours of the natural science and technology component of the university core curriculum and addresses the following four core objectives established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: communication skills, critical thinking skills, teamwork, and empirical and quantitative skills. Academic accommodations (SSD): The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate adjustments for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, TTY 471-4641. Religious Days: A student who is absent from a class or examination for the observance of a religious holy day will be permitted to make up the missed work, if notice is given at least fourteen days prior to such an absence. Academic integrity: Specific information concerning the importance of academic integrity and the definition of and consequences of academic dishonesty can be found at: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php I expect all exams and quizzes to be completed individually, by each student. Evidence of cheating will be forwarded to Student Judicial Services. 3
Tentative Course Calendar Date 8/27 Introduction Topic 8/29 Course themes 1 Textbook Campbell 10e 9/3 Chemical bonds and water 2.3-2.4, 3.1-3.3 9/5 Carbon compounds 4.2-4.3 Homework Discussion 1 Introduction 2 Quiz 1 9/8 Carbohydrates 5.1-5.2 Homework 1, Due 10am 9/10 Lipids 5.3 3 Quiz 2 9/12 Proteins I 5.4 9/15 Proteins II 5.4 Homework 2, Due 10am 9/17 Nucleic acids 5.5 9/19 Exam 1: In class, Covers material up to and including Nucleic acids 9/22 Cell structure and function I 6.1-6.6 Homework 3, Due 10am 9/24 Cell structure and function II 6.1-6.6 9/26 Biological membranes 7.1-7.2 9/29 Membrane transport 7.3-7.5 Homework 4, Due 10am 10/1 Energy transformation 8.1-8.3 10/3 Enzyme structure and function 8.4-8.5 10/6 Introduction to metabolism 9.1, 10.1 Homework 5, Due 10am 10/8 Exam 2: In class, Covers material up to and including Enzyme structure and function 10/10 No class 10/13 Aerobic respiration 9.2-9.3 Homework 6, Due 10am 10/15 Oxidative phosphorylation 9.4-9.6 10/17 Photosystems/ Light reactions 10.2 10/20 Calvin cycle 10.3-10.4 Homework 7, Due 10am 10/22 10/24 DNA structure and replication I DNA structure and replication II 16.1-16.3 16.1-16.3 10/27 Cell cycle: Mitosis 12.1-12.3 Homework 8, Due 10am 10/29 Cell cycle: Meiosis 13.1-13.4 4 5 Quiz 3 6 No discussion 7 Quiz 4 8 Quiz 5 9 4
10/31 Exam 3: In class, Covers material up to and including Meiosis 11/3 Genetic code 17.1 Homework 9, Due 10am 11/5 Transcription 17.2-17.3 11/7 Translation 17.4 11/10 Mutation 17.5 Homework 10, Due 10am 11/12 11/14 Regulation of gene expression: Prokaryotes Regulation of gene expression: Eukaryotes 18.1 18.2-18.4 11/17 Cell communication 11.1-11.2 Homework 11, Due 10am 11/19 Signal transduction 11.3-11.4 11/21 Cancer 18.5 10 Quiz 6 11 Quiz 7 12 11/24 Exam 4: In class, Covers material up to and including Cancer 11/26 No class: Thanksgiving No discussion 11/28 No class: Thanksgiving 12/1 Biotechnology I 20.1 Homework 12, Due 10am 12/3 Biotechnology II 20.4 12/5 Course summary 13 Quiz 8 Comprehensive final exam: Saturday, December 13 th, 2-5pm, Location TBA 5