Dr. Ruth Buskirk BIO 311C Introductory Biology I Fall 2015 Bio 311C provides an introduction to biological macromolecules, cell structure and function, energy transformation including major features of cellular respiration and photosynthesis, molecular genetics, and cell division. This course is designed for science majors and pre-health-profession students but is open to all meeting the prerequisite, which is credit ( C-) or concurrent registration for Chemistry 301. University Core Curriculum Objectives: This course may be used to fulfill three hours of the natural science and technology component of the university core curriculum, and your successful participation 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. Core Competencies: Throughout the course we will develop skills A-E listed on the BIO Course Map. Instructor: Ruth Buskirk, Molecular Biosciences and Biology Instructional Office, Campus Mail A5000. Preferred means of contact by email: rbuskirk@austin.utexas.edu, 471-7793, Office BIO 316A. Office hours (in BIO 316): Mon 4-5, Tues 10-12, Wed. 3-4, most MWF 10-10:30 am, and by appointment Required Textbook: Campbell & Reece, Biology, 10 th edition, 2014. [Optional online tutorials, ebook & resources in Mastering Biology, access code comes with new book.] Required Technology: iclicker, Register for the year, any classes, at www.iclicker.com/registration/ (The original iclicker remote, or the i>clicker2, or the i>clicker+ (new or used) will serve for our class.) Canvas Site for calendar, learning modules, brief lecture notes, online homework, grades, practice exams, learning strategies) Go to http://canvas.utexas.edu Information in Canvas is protected by your UTEID login. Please be aware that I will use a merged Canvas site for all sections of the course that I am teaching this semester. This will allow students in other sections to see that you are enrolled in the course and send you email from within Canvas. However, they will not actually learn your email address and no other personal data will be revealed through Canvas. (If you have any concerns, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 475-9400 for help removing your name from view of other students.) Lecture Class Meetings for my two BIO 311C classes this semester: MWF 9:00-9:50 am in WEL 2.246 or MWF 11:00-11:50 am in GSB 2.124 During lecture time you will be actively answering questions, solving problems, working on examples in small groups, as well as listening and taking notes. Classroom courtesy: Please help us all concentrate on learning biology in the classroom: kindly turn off your cell phones, refrain from texting and surfing (it s obvious to us), minimize distracting conversation, and avoid late arrivals. Thank you very much - your classmates and your instructors will appreciate it! Graduate Teaching Assistants (Discussion Section Instructors) (TA office hours to be announced) Megan Davis-Fields Gareth Gingell Aram Lyu mdavisfields@gmail.com gareth.gingell@utexas.edu aramlyu@utexas.edu Discussion Section meetings, by unique number (please attend the one in which you re registered) discussion section times for MWF 9-10: discussion section times for MWF 11-12: 47320 Tues 8:30-9:30 am in JES A216A 47431 Mon 1-2 pm in GEA 127 47325 Tues 10-11 am in JES A203A 47432 Mon 2-3 pm in GEA 127 47330 Mon 12-1 pm in SZB 524 47433 Tues 8:30-9:30 am in GAR 0.120 47335 Mon 1-2 pm in SZB 524 47434 Tues 9:30-10:30 am in GAR 0.120 47421 Tues 2-3 pm in SAC 5.102 47436 Wed 8-9 am in GDC 4.304 47422 Tues 3-4 pm in SAC 5.102 47437 Wed 9-10 am in GDC 4.304
Course grading system (each contributes towards the 500 total semester points) 100 points (20%) Exam 1 Wednesday evening, September 23, 7:00-8:20 pm, location TBA 100 points (20%) Exam 2 Wednesday evening, October 21, 7:00-8:20 pm, location TBA 100 points (20%) Exam 3 Wednesday evening, November 11, 7:00-8:20 pm, location TBA 30 points (7%) In-class exercises during lecture hour (iclicker participation, case studies, etc.) 25 points (5%) Discussion section activities (participation, worksheets, attendance) 20 points (4%) Homework assignments online in Canvas 120 points (24%) Cumulative Final Exam (Required for all. Date set by the Registrar.) 500 total points possible (for MWF 9-10 class the final exam is Monday Dec 14, 2-5 pm) (for MWF11-12 class the final exam is Saturday Dec 12, 7-10 pm) Exams: Most of the course grade is determined by exam scores. The three midterm exams and the final exam will consist of multiple-choice and free response questions; exams cover mainly the lectures, also discussions, handouts, and textbook assignments. Lists of specific learning objectives will be available before each exam. Practice questions from old exams will be posted. A key and grade cutoff points (typically, A=93% and above, A-=90-92, B+=86-89, B=82-85, B-=80-81, C+=75-79, C=69-74, C-=65-68, D+=62-64, D=55-61, F <55%) will be handed out when graded exams are returned in lecture. Note that Exams 1, 2, and 3 are evening exams. If you have a class or any other time conflict with an evening exam time, please arrange another exam time during that day; notify Dr. Buskirk in writing (note or email) ten days in advance to arrange this. There will be no scheduled make-up exams. If you need to miss an evening exam for any reason at all, we will arrange for you to take it earlier in the day. In case of extreme emergency on exam day, please contact Dr. Buskirk and leave a message as soon as feasible. All grades are kept as points that accumulate over the semester, with cumulative letter grade scales so far announced periodically. I have chosen to do one grade adjustment: After Exam 3, for each individual, the student s lowest exam score (of Exams 1-3) will be replaced by the average score of their three exams. This reduces the impact of one poor exam performance on your semester grade, but I do not drop the lowest exam score, and I do not re-curve at the end of the semester. Resources for this course: Lectures: Attend lectures and think about the topics during lecture. Biology is a huge subject and the text has extensive detail, so the lecture will give you an idea of what the instructor thinks is most important. Brief lecture slides will be posted on Canvas after each lecture. Numerous in-class activities will help you learn and will also count towards semester points for participation. We will use iclickers in class regularly and have some worksheets and index card questions as well for written responses. Handouts with specific learning objectives will be distributed in class and posted on our Canvas site. Office hours: Visit the instructors office hours and email us. Don't wait until too late to seek help. Discussion sections provide more examples, explanations & practice as well as an opportunity to ask questions. Participation in discussion section exercises contributes 5% of your course grade. Posting class grades: Graded exams will be handed back in class. Subsequently, individual grades will be posted on Canvas, accessible by individual UTEID only. Textbook. As you sit down to read the assigned sections, skim over first to see the general topics. Then read asking yourself questions as you proceed. How does this process work? What are some examples? Can I answer the Concept Checks? Class handouts will point out helpful figures & test your understanding questions. As you read, keep in mind course learning outcomes and objectives on handouts. New copies of the Campbell 10 th edition textbook have a login code for use of their web site (Mastering Biology) [optional for our class, includes ebook] http://www.masteringbiology.com/ UT Sanger Learning & Career Center (JES A115) offers free drop-in tutoring, workshops, and career advising, and one-on-one tutoring is also available. The Center has a very helpful staff, peer mentors, and many online resources (http://lifelearning.utexas.edu/). Don t wait until you get behind or stressed!
Special Needs: If you have special learning or testing needs, the University provides appropriate accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Please contact the Dean of Students office (SSB 4.104, 471-6259, TTY 471-4641) and visit http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/ Religious holy days sometimes conflict with class and examination schedules, and students who miss class on a holy day have the opportunity to complete the work after the absence. UT Austin policy states that a student must notify each instructor at least 14 days prior to such an absence. All written work is expected to be the student's own, individual work, and cheating will not be tolerated. See UT's academic integrity policy: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php
COURSE MAP: Biology is a rapidly growing field, with underlying themes of evolution, dynamic organization and systems, homeostasis, information flow, and energy transformation. Along with learning biology content, students should achieve basic core competencies, and we will be practicing those in class. Here are the BIO 311C big ideas: BIOLOGY 311C INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY I Introduction to structure & function, energy flow, and the transmission & expression of genetic information in living systems. BIG IDEA I STRUCTURE RELATES TO FUNCTION BIG IDEA III GENETIC INFORMATION IS EXPRESSED AND TRANSMITTED 1 2 3 4 5 6 Biological Hierarchy: Biological systems are structured at many interrelated levels. Chemistry for Biology: The structure and properties of chemicals determine the behavior and functions of molecules in organisms. Biological Molecules: Cell components and cells and made up of biological molecules with specific chemical properties. Origin of Life: The first living cells originated by chemical evolution in pre-biotic earth. Cell Structure: The structure of cells has evolved to perform a variety of essential functions. Biological Membrane: Cell membranes are selectively permeable barriers. 11 12 13 14 15 16 DNA Structure & Replication: DNA is the molecule of heredity in all organisms.. Transcription & Translation: Genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein. Gene Regulation: Cells can regulate gene expression at many points during the process. Recombinant DNA: Scientists utilize knowledge of gene structure and regulation to express modified genes. Cell Cycle: Mitosis is essential for growth, development and reproduction of somatic cells. Meiosis: Meiotic cell division leads to gamete formation, generates genetic variability and transmits alleles from one generation to the next. 7 Cell Communication: Cells communicate with each other and can convert environmental signals to complex integrated responses within a cell. CORE COMPETENCIES CONTENT INDEPENDENT 8 9 10 BIG IDEA II ENERGY IS TRANSFORMED TO SUSTAIN LIVING SYSTEMS Metabolism: Energy transfer and transformation is critical to all aspects of biology from cells to ecosystems. Respiration: Organic molecules are broken down in cellular respiration to make ATP. Photosynthesis: Light energy is harnessed into chemical bond energy of organic molecules in photosynthesis. A B C D E Ability to apply the process of science, by practicing observation, hypothesis testing, and experimental design. Ability to use quantitative reasoning, in data analysis and interpretation. Ability to use modeling and simulation in a systems biology approach. Ability to communicate and collaborate with other disciplines. Ability to understand the relationship between science and society.
Bio 311C Buskirk Lecture and Exam Schedule Fall 2015 Dates Tentative list of topics* Textbook Background** Aug 26, 28 Introduction, water, weak bonds 1.1, 2.3, 3.1-3.3 Aug 31, Sept 2 Carbon compounds, Carbohydrates, Lipids 4.2-4.3, 5.1-5.3 Sept 4, 9, 11 Proteins, Nucleic acids, molecular interactions in cells 5.4-5.5, figures in 7.1 Sept 14 Origin of life & evolution of prokaryotic & eukaryotic cells 4.1, 1.2, 25.1, 25.3 Sept 16, 18, 21 Cell structure & function, specialization, traffic 6.1-6.7, Figs 43.8,43.12 Sept 23 EXAM 1 Wednesday evening, September 23, 7:00-8:20 pm, Locations to be announced Sept 25, 28 Membrane structure, transport, gradients 7.1-7.5, 48.3 Sept 30, Oct 2, 5 Energy transformation, ATP, Enzymes 8.1-8.5 Oct 7, 9, 12 Cellular respiration, mitochondria, redox pathways 9.1-9.6 Oct 14, 16, 19 Photosynthesis, chloroplast functions p. 187, 10.2-10.4 Oct 21 EXAM 2 Wednesday evening, October 21, 7:00-8:20 pm, Locations to be announced Oct 23, 26 DNA structure and replication 16.1-16.3 Oct 28, 30, Nov 2 Genetic code, transcription, translation, mutations 17.1-17.5 Nov 4, 6, 9 Gene regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes 18.1-18.4 Nov 11 Exam 3 Wednesday evening, November 11, 7:00-8:20 pm Location BUR 1.06 Nov 13, 16, 18 Cell communication, signal transduction, cell cycle 6.7, 11.1-11.5, 12.3 Nov 20, 23, 25 Mitosis, meiosis, chromosomes 12.1-12.2, 13.1-13.4 Nov 30, Dec 2, 4 Genomes and Biotechnology 19.1, 20.1-20.4, 21.3-21.5 Final Exam Dates (time set by the Registrar, location to be announced) For MWF 9-10: Mon, Dec 14, 2-5 pm For MWF 11-12: Sat, Dec 12, 7-10 pm *Exam dates are set, but the schedule of topics is subject to change. Final exam date/time is firm. **Reading assignments are chapter sections from Campbell & Reece Biology, 10 th edition. Note: Detailed reading, assignments for individual practice, and sets of learning outcomes will be provided on Lecture Handouts for specific topics. Other significant dates for fall semester: Last day to drop a class or change to pass/fail, credit/no credit, is Tuesday, November 3. University holidays (no classes) Mon. Sept 7 & Thursday-Friday Nov. 26-27. [classes do meet Nov 25] No-class days before final exams: Monday & Tuesday Dec. 7-8.