BIOLOGY 160: Cellular and Molecular Biology Spring 2015 Tuesday/Thursday 8:10 9:00, 32 Alumni Memorial Building Instructor: Dr. Rick Weinstein Office: F-207 Walters Life Sciences e-mail: rweinste@utk.edu or weinsteinutk@gmail.com Phone: 974-2999 Office hours: Monday, 9:00 10:00; Tuesday, 12:30 1:30 (or by appointment ) Discussion: 50 minutes per week; accounts for about 25% of your grade. Discussions begin the week of January 12 th. You will receive a separate discussion syllabus with additional information. Required Texts and Materials: Text: Freeman, et al. 2014. Biological Science (5th ed). Pearson Publishing. This book is available at the bookstore. You can also purchase it as an e-book from Pearson Publishing directly (www.mastering biology.com). The library also has a limited number of copies on reserve. Mastering Biology software: free with purchase of a new textbook at bookstore; you can also purchase the software directly from Pearson as either Mastering with or without the e-book. TurningPoint response clicker ( ResponseCard - Instructions for registration and use are found on the lecture Blackboard site). At the UT Bookstore Major concepts and learning goals for Biology 160: 1) Different types of chemical bonds have an effect on the character of simple molecules and, ultimately, how each participates in and affects larger-scale molecular structure and function of biomolecules. 2) Many biological molecules are based on the monomer-polymer concept, with an increasing structural complexity as the simple building block units assembled into larger molecules. (These molecules can be appreciated for their roles as dietary nutrients.) 3) The course will concentrate on biological processes in eukaryotic organisms, although you should understand the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. 4) Structure, function and location (and origin) of organelles is key to understanding cell biology. 5) Energy capture (photosynthesis) and release (respiration) are key concepts to understanding both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) processes. A full understanding of these processes includes an appreciation for the role of carbon dioxide and the carbon cycle, including the influence of this cycle on the world s climate. 6) Aspects of genetics and biotechnology include the cell cycle, DNA replication, protein synthesis as well as meiosis and the basis of inheritance. Includes aspects of biotechnology (how humans manipulate and exploit genes). This course will be split between lecture and discussion. In discussion sections, you will relate the concepts you are learning in lecture to the modern scientific investigations and discoveries being conducted by scientists. The discussion will focus on the same five big ideas (FBIs; see below) and scientific practices as the lecture course, but with a specific focus on helping students to be able to do the following by the end of the semester: 1) Interpret a figure. 2) Formulate a testable hypothesis to address a scientific question. 3) Synthesize information and identify patterns from the primary literature. 4) Evaluate data and come to a conclusion. 5) Use a model to make predictions.
What you should learn in this course (and for a Biology degree) In addition: By the end of the course, you should be able to explain how scientists define and study cell biology, as well as how the five big ideas (FBIs) in biology relate to cell biology: 1) Evolution: Populations of organisms and their cellular components have changed over time through both selective and non-selective evolutionary processes. 2) Structure and Function: All living systems (organisms, ecosystems, etc.) are made of structural components whose arrangement determines the function of the systems. 3) Information Flow and Storage: Information (DNA, for example) and signals are used and exchanged within and among organisms to direct their functioning. 4) Transformations of Energy and Matter: All living things acquire, use, and release and cycle matter and energy for cellular / organismal functioning. 5) Systems: Living systems are interconnected, and they interact and influence each other on multiple levels. How you will learn the material Learning is an active, demanding process. Outcomes intellectual growth and grades depend on how much you put into the process and how effectively you apply yourself. You will need to process information both in class, as well as out of class, for learning to occur. I will organize and present information in a logical manner to facilitate your learning, but it is up to you to synthesize the information. Quizzes and tests will test your understanding of the material, NOT just your ability to memorize. Reading the assigned text and other readings before coming to class will help you obtain maximum benefit. Course Website: http://online.utk.edu You will find the Biology 160 discussion and lecture web pages by signing on to Blackboard at http://blackboard.utk.edu/webapps/login/. If you don t know how to use this resource, tutorials are available at http://online.utk.edu/. You should check Blackboard for new announcements and discussion threads. You will have two course sites: one for lecture and one for discussion. You will find lecture notes and assignments posted on the lecture Blackboard site. Your discussion instructor will record your grades on the discussion site. Additional Information on Required Materials 1) Clickers: Clickers will be required for this class. Clicker questions will be asked randomly during the class, and may be based on previously covered material, reading assignments or any other in class exercise I deem appropriate. Clicker questions will be used primarily as a means to determine or track comprehension of the material. Clicker points that accrue over the course of the semester are NOT added in to your overall score. For the most part they will be used to determine class attendance and may end up contributing up to 30 participation points (number of points may vary). Bear in mind however that I will occasionally use clicker questions as a means of quizzing for real points. Questions will not be regularly asked until two weeks after the beginning of the semester in order to accommodate drop/adds. You must register your clicker device ID into the Blackboard course site: - Go to online.utk.edu and login to your Blackboard course - From the Course Tools link, click on the TurningPoint Registration Tool - Enter and confirm your Device ID
2) Mastering Biology software: free with purchase of a new textbook at bookstore; you can also purchase the software directly from Pearson as either Mastering with or without the e-book. Discussion: Will meet two hours per week in the Neyland Biology Annex. Attendance is mandatory; it is unlikely that missed discussions can be made up (this is at the discretion of your instructor but don t count on this!). Discussion is worth a total of 250 points. This is a substantial portion of your grade! It is often the case that points accumulated for lab can boost your final course grade a whole letter above that which you may perceive your grade to be based on lecture exams. COURSE TIMETABLE Will appear at the end of this document (for ease of printing separately) Grading and Exams: The following grading rubric is a very close approximation of how points will be distributed. Please be aware that this is subject to modification. Lecture exams will consist of 30 multiple choice questions worth two points each (60 points total) along with short answer questions worth a total of 30 points (each exam is worth 90 points). The final exam will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions totaling 200 points. Discussion, quizzes and assignments will make up the remaining points. - Three lecture exams (90 points each) 270 points - Final exam 200 points - Discussion 250 points - Blackboard assignments (3; 30 pts each) 90 points - In-class assignments 50 points - Mastering Biology quizzes 140 points Course Total: 1000 points Assignments will be evaluated based on the clarity and originality of the ideas, the depth of treatment and accuracy. Dates of the assignments will be announced in class. Assignments must be word processed. Quizzes will be both announced and un-announced; in-class and through Blackboard. There are no make-ups for missed assignments or quizzes. Final letter grades will be determined by the total percentage of accumulated points as follows: A 93 100% C 73 76% A- 90 92% C- 70 72% B+ 87 89% D+ 67 69% B 83 86% D 63 66% B- 80 82% D- 60 62% C+ 77 79% F <60%
Course Policies and FAQ (This is the brief version. See the posted expanded version!) - Don t miss exams. There are no make-ups unless you have an airtight and documented excuse. The make-up exam for those with a documented excuse will be a short-answer exam at the end of the semester. - There is no extra credit. - Curves: individual assignments and exams are not curved since your final grade is a percentage of total possible points. However, don t count on there being an end-of-semester curve: grade distributions have historically been evenly proportioned (by historically I mean every single semester that I have ever taught. ) - The question I am asked most frequently is how can I study in order to do well/better in this course? This requires a long and nuanced answer with facts, advice and philosophy. Please see the expanded version for the answer to this question. Contacting me: Although I have an office phone, the best way to contact me is through email. You must put the course name (i.e. Bio 160 ) in the subject line. It would also be helpful if you included the name of your lab TA. Please understand that all honest inquires will be answered. However: questions relating to those issues already addressed in this syllabus or in the accompanying FAQ or (most annoyingly) those that I had already addressed several times in lecture may remain unanswered. Finally, if I send an email to the entire class about some issue and you wish to respond, YOU MUST NOT HIT REPLY TO THAT MESSAGE!!!! START A BRAND NEW MESSAGE!!! Make a note that I wrote that in allcaps, bolded, underlined. Statement on Disabilities If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a documented disability, or if you have questions about disabilities, contact Disability Services in 2227 Dunford Hall or call 974-6807 or email ods@utk.edu or visit their website at http://ods.utk.edu/ Academic Counseling: Counseling Center: http://counselingcenter.utk.edu/ 900 Volunteer Blvd 974-2196 email: counselingcenter@utk.edu Tutoring: The Division of Biology does not offer tutoring services. Your instructor (and lab instructor) will be happy to assist your learning (e.g. during office hours) but cannot serve as your personal tutor. Contact the Student Success Center and the Academic Support Unit of the Office of Minority Student Affairs for information about tutoring opportunities 1) The Student Success Center is a comprehensive source for information, services and resources to assist your success at UT: http://studentsuccess.tennessee.edu/studentsuccesscenter/ 1817 Melrose Avenue 974-6641 email: studentsuccess@utk.edu
2) The Academic Support Unit of the Office of Minority Student Affairs offers some tutoring available to all students, but openings are limited and are filled quickly. http://omsa.utk.edu/services/ 1800 Melrose Avenue 974-6861 email: omsa@utk.edu Technical Assistance: http://remedy.utk.edu/contact/ Blackboard, clickers and/or general information regarding technical assistance: Help Desk: 974-9900 OIT Computer Support Service Center and Walk-in Help Desk: Commons floor of Hodges Library Statement on the Academic Dishonesty Academic dishonesty of any sort will not be tolerated. This includes any action where you are misrepresenting work as your own: plagiarism, cheating on exams, copying another s work, etc. You are expected to abide by the University of Tennessee s honor statement: An essential feature of The University of Tennessee is a commitment to maintaining an atmosphere of intellectual integrity and academic honesty. As a student of the University, I pledge that I will neither knowingly give nor receive any inappropriate assistance in academic work, thus affirming my own personal commitment to honor and integrity. All work should be done independently (unless group work is permitted, and then you may ONLY work within your group on the assignment); plagiarism software will be used to check written assignments for copying from classmates or other sources. Plagiarism will result in stiff penalties. **Using a classmates clicker to give them points is plagiarism!! Penalties for academic dishonesty range from the grade of zero for the assignment to an F for the course to the filing of formal academic dishonesty charges seeking dismissal from the University.
Course Timetable Date Topic Reading Thurs, 1/8/15 Intro to Bio 160 Syllabus Tues, 1/13 Overview of cells and Chemistry Chapter 1 pp. 1-5; Chapter 2 Thurs, 1/15 Macromolecules I: Lipids Chapter 6 pp. 84-91 Tues, 1/20 Macromolecules II: Nucleic Acids; Carbohydrates Chapters 4 and 5 Thurs, 1/22 Macromolecules III: Proteins, Enzymes Chap 3; Chap 8, pp. 144-153 Tues, 1/27 Prokaryotes Chap 7 pp 106-109; Chap 29 Thurs, 1/29 Biological membranes Chapter 6 pp. 91-105 Tues, 2/3 Biological membranes; life in extreme environments Chapter 6 pp. 91-105 Thurs, 2/5 EXAM ONE Tues, 2/10 Cell compartments; Origin of eukaryotes Chap 7 p 110-127; Chap 29 pp. 559-562 Thurs, 2/12 Cytoskeleton and Cell Cycle Chap 7 pp. 127-133; Chap 12 Tues, 2/17 Thermodynamics; Directions of chemical reactions Chap 2, pp. 30-32; Chap 8 pp. 136-144 Thurs, 2/19 Intro: Energetics of Photosynthesis and Respiration Chap 8 p. 141-144; Chap 10 p. 176-184 Tues, 2/24 Photosynthesis: light dependent reaction Chapter 10 pp. 176-189 Thurs, 2/26 Photosynthesis: light independent reaction Chapter 10, pp. 189-197 Tues, 3/3 Climate change Chapter 56, pp. 1163-1169 Thurs, 3/5 EXAM TWO Tues, 3/10 Harvesting energy I: Glycolysis & Krebs cycle Chapter 9, pp. 154-165 Thurs, 3/12 Harvesting energy II: Krebs cycle & electron transport Chapter 9, pp. 162-175 Tues, 3/17 Thurs, 3/19 SPRING BREAK Tues, 3/24 Muscle cells and exercise physiology Chapter 48, pp. 972-981 Thurs, 3/26 DNA structure and replication Chapter 15 Tues, 3/31 Protein synthesis I: Transcription Chap 16; Chap 17 pp. 317-324 Thurs, 4/2 Protein synthesis II: Translation Chapter 17 pp. 324-335 Tues, 4/7 Regulation of gene expression (prokaryotes) Chapter 18 Thurs, 4/9 Regulation of gene expression (eukaryotes) Chapter 19 Tues, 4/14 EXAM THREE Thurs, 4/16 Hormones/cell-to-cell communication Chap 11 p209-215; Chap 49 p1003-1011 Tues, 21/ Biotechnology Chapter 20 Thurs, 4/23 How the first cells arose Chap 2 pp. 32-36; Chap 4 pp. 68-69