General Biology I (Bi 121) Lecture: MWF 11:00 to 11:50 a.m.; W206 Discussion: W 3:00 to 3:50 p.m.; W302 Lab: Th 2:45 to 5:00; W204 Fall 2013 Syllabus Instructor: Dr. Virginia Winder Office: Westerman Hall, Room 212 Phone: (913) 360-7281 Email: vwinder@benedictine.edu Office Hrs: M 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., W 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., or by appointment The best way to reach me is by e- mail, but feel free to talk with me after class or phone me at my office. If you are having problems in class, please see me ASAP. I will do everything I can to help you, but don t wait until mid- semester or immediately before exams to contact me. COURSE FORMAT General Biology I: Bi 121 is the first half of a two- semester introduction to the science of Biology. Bi 121 introduces molecular and cellular biology, genetics and evolution. The second semester course, Bio 122, covers biological diversity, physiology and ecology. Biology 121 and 122 are designed for students who intend to take further coursework in the life sciences. Most other students who want a 1- semester course with lab for General Education only should take Bi 107, Principles of Biology, not Bi 121. Do not take this course just because it fits your schedule. If you are unsure whether you should be in this course, please consult with your academic advisor. Lecture: 3 h Laboratory: 2 h Discussion: 1 h. This course satisfies the Understanding the Natural World foundation and the Scientific Method skills and perspectives requirements. LEARNING OBJECTIVES and GOALS 1) To introduce basic biological principles through an integrated approach. 2) To investigate the cellular processes of living organisms with an emphasis on biological chemistry applications. 3) To investigate the unifying themes and key concepts of different organisms. 4) To acquaint the student with the anatomy, function, genetics and evolution of different types of organisms. 5) The student will demonstrate factual knowledge of contemporary natural science. (UNW2) 6) The student will apply contemporary scientific models to describe the natural world. (UNW3) 7) To understand and apply the scientific method. (SM1 and SM2) 8) Demonstrate basic problem- solving processes, including observation, inference, measurement, prediction, use of numbers, classifying and use of space and time relationships in life sciences. 9) Demonstrate integrated process skills, including identification and control of variables, interpretation of data, formulation and testing of hypotheses, and experimentation in the life sciences. TEACHING METHODS I will use a variety of teaching methods during this course, including but not limited to: lecture, lecture- discussion, dialogue, lecture- small group discussion and student centered in addition to the laboratory aspect of this course. 1
COURSE MATERIALS Blackboard (http://eclassroom.benedictine.edu/) will be used for electronic posting of course announcements, assignments, lecture slides and other materials. Text Book: Sadava et al. (2011) Life: The Science of Biology, Ninth Edition. EXAMINATIONS, QUIZZES, AND GRADING Your grade will be determined by your performance on exams, assignments and lab work. Exams will be multi- formatted (true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, short essay, etc.). Regrades must be requested within one week after the exams have been graded and handed back. All regrades are subject to having the ENTIRE test regraded at my discretion. EXAMS (3 X100 pts) FINAL EXAM Lab Participation/Quizzes Total 300 pts 150 pts 150 pts 50 pts 650 pts If illness or other serious problems beyond your control prevent you from taking an exam, you are expected to provide some kind of verification of the reason, such as a note from Student Health Services. Make- up exams (upon verified excused absence) will consist of essay and short- answer questions. You must contact me no later than one day after the regular exam with a valid excuse to be accorded the privilege of taking a make- up exam. I may give the entire class an opportunity to earn extra credit from time to time. This can be through in- class quizzes, assignments or any other means I feel. However, there s no such thing as extra credit on an individual basis. CHEATING (College Policy) Benedictine College endorses the principle of academic honesty. Any academic dishonesty is contradictory to the purposes and welfare of both the student and the college. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, cheating on examinations; plagiarizing; failing to properly document sources both intentionally or unintentionally; turning in work prepared by another person, falsifying data and documents, or gaining or giving unauthorized access to assessment materials. Verified instances of academic dishonesty will result in an F or a zero grade for the assignment, exam, or project connected to the academic misconduct and will be reported by the instructor to the Associate Dean of the College who will then report to the student s advisor. Additionally, depending on the magnitude of the academic dishonesty, the student may receive a failing grade for the course and the student may be suspended or be subject to dismissal from the college. A high standard of conduct is expected of all students. It is assumed that obedience to the law, respect for properly constituted authority, personal honor, integrity, and common sense will guide the actions of each member of this class. Any student who fails to perform to expected standards will be withdrawn from the class. ALL electronic devices (cell phones, text messaging devices, music devices, etc) must be turned off or in silent mode (no vibrating) during all lectures, discussions, lab periods, and exams. If I see these devices being used, you will be asked to leave the room and will lose your points for that day s participation, quiz, assignment, etc. Having a cell phone out and in use during an exam will be considered academic dishonesty and the student 2
will receive a zero for the exam. If you have special need of receiving or making a personal call that cannot be rescheduled outside of class time, please see me before class to make arrangements to do so without disturbing the class. If in doubt, don t bring these devices to class! ATTENDANCE Any student enrolled in courses numbered under 300 who is absent more than two times the number of weekly meetings assigned to a course may be withdrawn by his or her instructor. A grade of F will be recorded if this occurs after the official withdrawal period. LATE WORK POLICY Grades for late work will be reduced by one letter grade (10% of total available points) for each day past the due date. ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC SUPPORT: Any student in this course who has a disability should inform us as soon as possible. The student must declare disability and request related services by promptly submitting a completed Accommodations Request Form, as well as necessary documentation, to the campus Academic Assistance Coordinator (Camille Osborn, phone: 360-7517). All arrangements for implementing approved accommodations are collaborative, involving the student, the Academic Assistance Coordinator, and the instructor. In addition, tutoring services are available to all students free- of- charge through the Student Success Center. The Center is located on the main floor of the Library. Students should refer to the Benedictine College Course Catalog for all college- wide regulations. HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS CLASS Read your textbook prior to coming to lecture and lab. Attend lecture and participate! Most test questions are taken from lecture. Review your notes regularly and ask questions when necessary. Don t hesitate to contact me either in class or by e- mail. FINALLY: Remember that your education is your responsibility. 3
LECTURE SCHEDULE Course Content and schedule may deviate from this outline GENERAL TOPIC WEEK DAY DATE SPECIFIC TOPIC READINGS Introduction 1 W 28- Aug Course introduction; What is biology? Ch. 1 F 30- Aug The nature of life Ch. 1 Molecules of life 2 M 2- Sep Atomic structure and chemistry of water Ch. 2 W 4- Sep Carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids Ch. 3 F 6- Sep Nucleic acids Ch. 4 The cell 3 M 9- Sep Cells, Part I Ch. 5 W 11- Sep Cells, Part II Ch. 5 F 13- Sep Cell membranes and cell surface Ch. 6 4 M 16- Sep Cell signaling and communication Ch. 7 W 18- Sep Energy & metabolism, Part I Ch. 8 F 20- Sep Energy & metabolism, Part II Ch. 8 5 M 23- Sep Exam I - - W 25- Sep Cellular respiration: glycolysis Ch. 9 F 27- Sep Cellular respiration: CAC & ETC Ch. 9 6 M 30- Sep Photosynthesis, Part I Ch. 10 W 2- Oct Photosynthesis, Part II Ch. 10 Genes & heredity F 4- Oct Cell cycle & mitosis Ch. 11 7 M 7- Oct Meiosis & life cycles Ch. 11 W 9- Oct Patterns of gene inheritance, Part I Ch. 12 F 11- Oct NO CLASS - > CONFERENCE - - 8 M 14- Oct Patterns of gene inheritance, Part II Ch. 12 W 16- Oct Exam II - - F 18- Oct DNA & its role in heredity, Part I Ch. 13 9 M 21- Oct DNA & its role in heredity, Part II Ch. 13 W 23- Oct DNA to protein: gene expression, Part I Ch. 14 F 25- Oct NO CLASS - > FALL BREAK - - 10 M 28- Oct DNA to protein: gene expression, Part II Ch. 14 W 30- Oct Gene mutation & molecular medicine Ch. 15 F 1- Nov NO CLASS - > ALL SAINTS DAY - - 11 M 4- Nov Regulation of gene expression Ch. 16 Genome analysis & biotechnology W 6- Nov Genomes Ch. 17 F 8- Nov Recombinant DNA technology Ch. 18 12 M 11- Nov Exam III - - W 13- Nov Differential gene experssion in development Ch. 19 F 15- Nov Development & evolutionary change Ch. 20 Patterns & processes of evolution 13 M 18- Nov Mechanisms of evolution, Part I Ch. 21 W 20- Nov Mechanisms of evolution, Part II Ch. 21 F 22- Nov Using phylogenetic trees, Part I Ch. 22 14 M 25- Nov Using phylogenetic trees, Part II Ch. 22 W 27- Nov NO CLASS - > THANKSGIVING BREAK - - F 29- Nov NO CLASS - > THANKSGIVING BREAK - - 15 M 2- Dec Speciation, Part I Ch. 23 W 4- Dec Speciation, Part II Ch. 23 F 6- Dec Evolution of genes and genomes Ch. 24 16 M 9- Dec History of life on earth (Last day of class) Ch. 25 W 11- Dec STUDY DAY - - T 17- Dec FINAL EXAM (8:00-9:50 a.m.) - - 4
LAB SCHEDULE WEEK DATE TOPIC Assignment 1 29- Aug Course intro; Life and the scientific theory Worksheet/questions 2 5- Sep Enzyme function I Continued till next week 3 12- Sep Enzyme function II Lab report 4 19- Sep Microscope & cell structure Worksheet/questions 5 26- Sep Cell behavior Worksheet/questions 6 3- Oct Respiration Worksheet/questions 7 10- Oct Photosynthesis Lab report 8 17- Oct Restriction digest of plasmids Worksheet/questions 9 24- Oct NO LAB - > FALL BREAK - - 10 31- Oct Gene transformation Worksheet/questions 11 7- Nov Mitosis, meiosis, and gametogenesis Lab report 12 14- Nov Mendelian crosses Worksheet/questions 13 21- Nov Outcomes of evolution Worksheet/questions 14 28- Nov NO LAB - > THANKSGIVING BREAK - - 15 5- Dec Oral presentations in groups Presentations Details on writing lab reports will be given in the first lab. All lab assignments will be due one week from completion of the lab. DISCUSSION SCHEDULE (W 3:00-3:50 p.m.) Each week, we will meet on Wednesday afternoon for a Discussion Session. Attendance will be taken. Topics for these sessions will be flexible from week to week depending on the needs of the class. Focal areas will include: Implementation of the scientific method and statistical analyses in lab activities Application of scientific writing skills in lab reports Key concepts from lecture and lab that may require more time for in depth exploration 5