JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY CELL BIOLOGY, BIO 1124 Fall 2007 Syllabus INSTRUCTOR: Professor Jane Beers OFFICE LOCATION: Bell Science Hall, Room 135 PHONE / E-MAIL: 524 7434 ; jbeers@jbu.edu OFFICE HOURS: 1 3 PM Thursday and 3 4 PM Monday/ Wednesday TEXTBOOK: Biology, 8 th Edition, Raven. ISBN 978 0 07 333748 7 COURSE OBJECTIVES To gain factual knowledge (terminology, methods, trends) about many of the key biological processes found in the created order of life photosynthesis, respiration, mitosis, genetics, etc. To gain an appreciation for the complexity and wonder of life as demonstrated by this vast field as well as to begin to build a strong background for upper division courses. To gain a better understanding of the nature of science and to create an awareness of the importance of laboratory experimentation in the investigation of God s laws. To develop specific skills, competencies, and points of view needed by professionals in the field of biology. To confront students with some of the spiritual and ethical issues in science and to challenge students to begin the development of a philosophy of science that relates to their own personal faith. To aid the student in learning how to learn: by becoming a better student, by learning how to ask and answer questions, by becoming a self directed learner, and by developing good study skills and collaborative work group skills CLASS ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: Punctual class attendance is required. Attendance will be taken. If you miss a class, you are responsible for obtaining notes and handouts for that day from another student in the class. Students absent for half of the class periods over the course of the semester will automatically fail the course. Students who make travel arrangements during the semester that result in missing a regularly scheduled lecture or examination will receive an unexcused absence and appropriate penalty. All students who are required to miss a lecture or exam because of their participation off campus in a school sponsored activity (e.g. athletics, choir, etc.) must notify the instructor at least one week BEFORE the scheduled event in order for their absence to be excused. Other situations, which warrant excusing an absence, include a death or serious illness in the immediate family or illness of the student as certified by the University nurse or other healthcare professional. Further discussion of the policy concerning missed lecture exams (and quizzes) is included in the next two sections of this syllabus.
QUIZZES: During the first half of the semester, a five point quiz may be given at the beginning of any class session. There are no make up quizzes, however, I will drop your two lowest quiz scores. For excused absences, I will substitute your final average quiz score. Students who arrive late for class (or miss class altogether), regardless of the reason, will not have an opportunity to take the quiz given on that day. During the second half of the semester, I will be implementing a classroom response system for our quizzes. Between 3 5 questions will be asked during lecture. You will receive a 100% for a correct response, 80% for an incorrect response, and 0% for no response. If you are absent for any reason, you will forfeit these quiz points. I will drop your two lowest quiz scores from this portion of the course as well. EXAMINATIONS: Four 50 minute, 75 point examinations will be given on lecture material and reading assignments covered since the previous exam. Exams will consist primarily of fill in the blank, true/false (explain why false), short answer/essay, and multiple choice type questions, but other formats for questions may also be utilized. The two hour 150 point final examination will consist of a fifth lecture exam (75 points) plus a section of comprehensive short answer essay questions covering much of the material from the course (75 points). If you must miss an examination because of illness or a family emergency, please notify the instructor BEFORE the scheduled exam time. Verification of your illness or emergency may be required. Students who must be absent on the day of an exam because of their participation off campus in a school sponsored activity (e.g. athletics, choir, etc.) are required to notify the instructor at least one week BEFORE the date of the scheduled exam in order to schedule an alternative time (BEFORE the scheduled exam date) to take the exam. Failure to abide by any of these policies could result in a grade of zero for a missed exam. HOMEWORK: Various homework assignments will be assigned throughout the semester. They may involve supplemental reading, problem solving, or critical thinking questions at the end of the chapters. These will be posted on BlackBoard so check for assignments regularly. Homework will not be accepted late. There will be approximately 100 points of homework during the semester. GRADING: 4 lecture exams @ 75 points each 300 points 1 final comprehensive exam @ 150 points 150 points Homework 100 points Quizzes 150 points Laboratory (see separate syllabus) 300 points APPROXIMATE TOTAL 1000 points
GRADING SCALE Letter Grade % of Points Required Letter Grade % of Points Required A 94 100% C 73 75% A 90 93% C 70 72% B+ 86 89% D+ 66 69% B 83 85% D 63 65% B 80 83% D 60 62% C+ 76 79% F 00 59% MY EXPECTATIONS OF YOU IN THIS COURSE: You will take responsibility to be adequately prepared for each lecture session. I will post on Blackboard weekly reading assignments and lecture objectives that will clearly indicate which pages of the text you will need to have read and studied before each class session. I will give you suggestions on how to best accomplish this but it will be up to you to choose to get the job done!! The general time commitment rule of thumb is for you to spend a minimum of 90 minutes outside of class for each hour that you are in class. This time should be spent in both review of previous material covered and preparation for the next class. You will enthusiastically engage in the active learning process during both lab and lecture times. Your active participation will be critical to your truly understanding the material. You will communicate with me about any absences, questions, or concerns. Questions can be raised during class, after class, during office hours, or during a pre arranged time that is convenient for both of us. You are also welcome to communicate with me by email whenever the need arises. I will attempt to respond promptly. I truly want you to be successful in this courses but I need your help in order to best help you. You will strive to put forth your best effort at success. YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF ME IN THIS COURSE: I will prepare lectures and activities that will help you get the most out of this course. I will be approachable. I would prefer to be thought of as your guide by your side rather than the sage up on stage. I will do my best to give prompt feedback on your performance. I will respect your diverse backgrounds, talents, and ways of learning. I will encourage active learning and cooperation among my students. FINAL EXAM POLICY Students must sit for the final exam at the specified time. The only exceptions are death or serious illness of a member of the studentʹs immediate family, or illness of the student as documented by a medical professional. Any exception to the final exam policy must be approved by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
POLICY ON STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Students with documented disabilities who need academic accommodations should make an appointment with the Director of Student Support Services (524 7217) to begin the accommodation process. They also are encouraged to make an appointment with the instructor as soon as possible. Students without documented disabilities who feel they may have difficulty with this course are also encouraged to make an appointment with the instructor to discuss what steps need to be taken to be successful. STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY As a Christian institution of higher education, John Brown University seeks to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. Violations of these standards will result in substantial penalties. Any instance of cheating or plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment and a report submitted to the academic dean. Further infractions will result in failure of the course and possible suspension. For additional information and examples, refer to the Academic Integrity section on pages 4 5 of your John Brown University Student Handbook. FALL BREAK AND THANKSGIVING BREAK Friday, September 28 and Tuesday, November 20 are regular class days. Students should not make travel plans for Fall Break and Thanksgiving Break until after their regularlyscheduled classes have ended. Statement on Academic Expectations John Brown University is a selective academic institution that consistently ranks among the top ten southern baccalaureate universities in the U.S. News and World Reports college rankings. As a student here, you are expected to devote significant time and effort to your academic courses. This course has been designed with the expectation that students will spend, on average, approximately 120 minutes preparing for each class session. Furthermore, an A grade in this course signifies exceptional achievement, not merely completion of assignments.
Wednesday Monday Class Between Class Between Friday Class Between Week Session Classes Session Classes Session Classes 20- Aug Course introdroduction Two articles posted on Blackboard Worldviews in Science Chapter 1 27- Aug Science of Biology 2.1-2.3 Atoms, molecules 2.4-2.6 Properties of water molecules; ph review 3-Sep NO CLASS 3.1-3.2 Structure and function of macromolecules 3.3-3.5 Structure and function of macromolecules review 10- Sep EXAM #1 4.1-4.4 Cellular organization 4.5-4.7 Cellular organization 5.1-5.3 17- Sep Membrane structure and function 5.4-5.5 Membrane structure and function 6.1-6.3 Energy, enzymes, and metabolic regulation 6.4-6.5 24- Sep Energy, enzymes, and metabolic regulation review EXAM #2 7.1-7.4 Cellular respiration review 1-Oct Fall Break 7.5-7.7 Cellular respiration 7.8-7.11 Fermentation 8.1-8.4 8-Oct Photosynthesis 8.5-8.7 Photosynthesis 10.1-10.4 Cell cycle; mitosis 10.5-10.7 15- Oct Cell cycle; cancer review EXAM #3 11.1-11.2 Meiosis 11.3-11.4 22- Oct Meiosis 12.1-12.3 Genetics 12.4-12.6 Genetics 13.1-13.3 29- Oct Mendelian inheritance; gene interactions 13.4-13.5 Mendelian inheritance; gene interactions 14.1-14.3 DNA Structure and Function 14.4-14.6 5-Nov DNA Structure and Function review EXAM #4 15.1-15.3 From DNA to Protein 15.4-15.5 12- Nov From DNA to Protein 15.6-15.10 From DNA to Protein 16.1-16.3 Control of Gene Expression 16.4-16.7 19- Nov Control of Gene Expression Thanksgiving Holiday Thanksgiving Holiday
26- Nov Guest Lecture: Dr. Brian Greuel 17.1-17.3 Biotechnology 17.4-17.6 Biotechnology 18.1-18.3 5-Dec Genomics 18.4-18.5 & 19.1-19.3 Genomics & Stem Cells/Cloning Review for FINAL Finals Week 9:00 Class Exam 10:30-12:30 11:00 Class Exam 10:30-12:30