BSC 118 Section 001: Honors General Biology I
Fall, 2009
4 Credit Hours
Primary Instructor: Estate of Stevan Marcus
Core Designation: University Honors, Natural Science
Office Hours: T 4:00 – 5:30 PM, F 10:00 – 11:30 AM, or by appointment
Office Location: 3097A Shelby Hall
Email: smarcus@bama.ua.edu (include BSC 118 in the subject line)
Course Web Page: Access via the eLearning box from your myBama account: http://mybama.ua.edu
BSC 118 is designed as an introduction to biology at the college-freshman level for biology majors, biology minors, and pre-health professions students. Topics covered include the basic principles and terminology of cell chemistry, cell biology, genetics, and evolution.
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Identify the chemicals of life and how they interact at the cellular level.
2. Relate the structure and function of cellular organelles.
3. Understand the basic mechanisms of metabolic processes and the interrelationship of cells and molecules in the production of energy necessary for life.
4. Solve genetic crosses, analyze gene interactions, and interpret phenotypes.
5. Know how molecules are synthesized, utilized for inheritance and cell function, and used in modern molecular technologies that are changing medicine and agriculture.
6. Understand how genetics underlies speciation and evolution of life and predicts population structure.
As a collaborative and active learning course, students will:
1. Recognize and identify key concepts in science to provide a broad perspective on the human condition.
2. Be able to critically discriminate between reliable and less reliable information when making decisions.
3. Understand the scientific method and critically evaluate scientific information as related to real world problems.
4. Be knowledgeable of research methods used in cellular, molecular, and evolutionary biology.
5. Have developed skills in working together in teams.
Students can expect the following criteria to be used in evaluating their performance in BSC 118:
Students will:
· Take random quizzes that cover both new material and material from the previous class period.
· Contribute to group projects and other class activities (incorporated into quiz component of course).
· Take four exams.
Performance activities will include:
· Providing content that is factually correct
· Group problem solving
· Analysis and interpretation of data
· Group discussions
BSC 118 – Fall 2009 Class Schedule and Outline of Topics
(tentative and subject to change – check eLearning for updates)
|
Date |
Topic |
Chapter |
|
|
W |
Aug 19 |
Introduction to Course |
1 |
|
F |
Aug 21 |
Biological Chemistry Basics |
2 |
|
M |
Aug 24 |
Water |
3 |
|
W |
Aug 26 |
Carbon |
4 |
|
F |
Aug 28 |
Structure & Function of Macromolecules |
5 |
|
M |
Aug 31 |
Structure & Function of Macromolecules |
5 |
|
W |
Sept 2 |
Cell Structure & Organization |
6 |
|
F |
Sept 4 |
Cell Structure & Organization |
6 |
|
M |
Sept 7 |
Labor Day Holiday – No Class |
|
|
W |
Sept 9 |
Exam 1 (3 PM) |
|
|
F |
Sept 11 |
Membrane Structure & Function |
7 |
|
M |
Sept 14 |
Membrane Structure & Function |
7 |
|
W |
Sept 16 |
Metabolism |
8 |
|
F |
Sept 18 |
Metabolism |
8 |
|
M |
Sept 21 |
Cellular Respiration |
9 |
|
W |
Sept 23 |
Documentary Video 1, Part 1 |
|
|
F |
Sept 25 |
Cellular Respiration |
9 |
|
M |
Sept 28 |
Photosynthesis |
10 |
|
W |
Sept 30 |
Photosynthesis |
10 |
|
F |
Oct 2 |
Cell Communication |
11 |
|
M |
Oct 5 |
Cell Communication |
11 |
|
W |
Oct 7 |
Exam 2 (9 AM), Mid-term grades posted on myBama |
|
|
F |
Oct 9 |
Fall Break – No Class |
|
|
M |
Oct 12 |
The Cell Cycle |
12 |
|
W |
Oct 14 |
The Cell Cycle |
12 |
|
F |
Oct 16 |
Meiosis |
13 |
|
M |
Oct 19 |
Meiosis |
13 |
|
W |
Oct 21 |
Mendelian Genetics |
14 |
|
F |
Oct 23 |
Mendelian Genetics |
14 |
|
M |
Oct 26 |
Chromosomes |
15 |
|
W |
Oct 28 |
DNA Replication |
16 |
|
F |
Oct 29 |
Transcription & Translation |
17 |
|
M |
Nov 2 |
Transcription & Translation |
17 |
|
W |
Nov 4 |
Exam 3 (3 PM) |
|
|
F |
Nov 6 |
Regulation of Gene Expression |
18 |
|
M |
Nov 9 |
Viruses |
19 |
|
W |
Nov 11 |
Documentary Video 2, Part 1 |
|
|
F |
Nov 13 |
Biotechnology |
20 |
|
M |
Nov 16 |
Biotechnology |
20 |
|
W |
Nov 18 |
Genomes and Their Evolution |
21 |
|
F |
Nov 20 |
Evolution |
22 |
|
M |
Nov 23 |
Evolution |
22 |
|
W |
Nov 25 |
Thanksgiving Break – No Class |
|
|
F |
Nov 27 |
Thanksgiving Break – No Class |
|
|
M |
Nov 30 |
Evolution |
23 |
|
W |
Dec 2 |
Evolution |
24 |
|
F |
Dec 4 |
Evolution |
25 |
|
R |
Dec 10 |
Exam 4 (Final) - 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM |
|
Schedule for Wednesday Afternoon Enrichment Classes
3:00 PM in 1093 Shelby Hall
(tentative and subject to change – check eLearning for updates)
|
Date |
Topic |
|
|
W |
Aug 26 |
TBA |
|
W |
Sept 2 |
Dr. John Clark – Systematics: the Study of Biodiversity |
|
W |
Sept 9 |
Exam 1 (3 PM) |
|
W |
Sept 16 |
Dr. Stephen Secor – TBA |
|
W |
Sept 23 |
Documentary Video 1, Part 2 |
|
W |
Sept 30 |
Dr. Juan Lopez-Bautista – The World of Algae |
|
W |
Oct 7 |
No Class (Exam 2 at 9 AM) |
|
W |
Oct 14 |
TBA |
|
W |
Oct 21 |
TBA |
|
W |
Oct 28 |
TBA |
|
W |
Nov 4 |
TBA |
|
W |
Nov 11 |
Documentary Video 2, Part 2 |
|
W |
Nov 18 |
TBA |
|
W |
Nov 25 |
TBA |
|
W |
Dec 2 |
TBA |
Aug 24-28 Lab 1 Scientific Investigation mini lab report
Aug 31-9/4 Lab 3 Microscopes & Cells; summary; Quiz 1
Appendix A and B Scientific writing
Sept 6-11 Labor Day Holiday
Sept 14-18 Lab 4 Chemical Composition of Cells summary; Quiz 2
Sept 20-25 Lab 2 Enzymes summary; mini lab report
Sept 28-10/2 Lab 5 Diffusion and Osmosis summary; mini lab report
Oct 26-30 Lab 9 Mendelian Genetics: Drosophila summary; mini lab report
Nov 2-6 Lab 10 Bacteriology summary
Bacteriology mini lab report
Photosynthesis Report due
.
This course is designed for honors majors in Biology, Science and pre-professional programs.
In the laboratory part of this course, students will use inquiry based experiments designed to investigate the basic principles of biology. The exercises are designed to promote careful observation and logical thinking in solving problems and analyzing new situations. Topics studied include cellular mechanisms and reproduction, genetics, bacteriology, and molecular biology.
Objectives
Course Objective
The objective of this course is to:
1. become familiar with major macromolecules, their structure and function
2. use the scientific method to investigate cellular mechanisms
3. use model organisms (flies and bacteria) to illustrate genetic and molecular principles
4. to understand the difference in the cellular processes mitosis and meiosis
Student Learning Objective
At the completion of this course, students will:
1. be able to practice logical thinking skills in solving biological experiments and analyzing relevant lab situations
2. understand the chemical basis of life
3. have a better understanding of cellular biology, including cell structure and metabolism
4. have a knowledge of the basic principles of genetics and evolution
5. have a basic broad knowledge and recognition of simple organisms, including bacteria
Laboratory Policies
1. The laboratory will meet once a week in the Science and Engineering Complex.
2. Required laboratory manual: Investigating Biology: A Laboratory Manual for Biology (Custom for the U of A) by Judith Morgan and Eloise Carter.
3. Each week you will be required to read the exercise before coming to lab. This is absolutely necessary for the efficient completion of the lab. In adequate preparation before the laboratory will add a minimum of thirty minutes to your time in lab and will significantly decrease your success in accomplishing the laboratory objectives.
4. Laboratory attendance is required. Students are expected to be in lab on time. There will be no make-ups for missed quizzes, mini-lab reports or lab reports
5. If you miss your lab, you will not be able to make-up the lab exercise.
6. NO CELL PHONES
1. A quiz will be given at the end of some laboratory sessions. Students must attend the entire lab in order to take the quiz.
2. Students must attend the laboratory session for the lab report and the mini-lab reports to be accepted. Late reports will not be accepted!!
3. The laboratory grade will be determined by the following and will become 25% of your final grade.
Distribution of points:
a. Weekly lab summary (lowest dropped) 8 x 5 = 40
b. Best 9 of 10 quizzes and mini lab reports 9X 12 = 108
c. Main writing assignment 100
d. Exams (100 pts each) 200
Writing assignments:
a. Weekly Summaries. Each week, students will be required to submit a hand written summary of the laboratory being performed that week. Summaries should include a brief overview of the topic under consideration and the techniques that will be used to investigate this topic. Summaries are intended to help prepare students to perform the lab by ensuring that they have read through the procedure ahead of time. Please refer to the elearning site for this course for examples.
b. Mini-lab reports
Reports will be written on the following labs:
1. Scientific Investigation 4. Bacteriology
2. Diffusion and Osmosis 5. Drosophila
3. Photosynthesis 7. Enzymes
4. Colony Transformation
c. Main lab report on Photosynthesis: following is a list of report components
1. Title (2 pts) 6. Discussion/conclusion (20 pts)
2. Abstract (8 pts) 7. References (5 pts)
3. Introduction (20 pts) 6. Grammar (10 points)
4. Materials and methods (10 pts)
5. Results (25 pts)
4. Make-up exams are To Be Arranged; call your Teaching Assistant or Nancy Shefferly.
.
5. Grades will not be posted. Please see your teaching assistant during his/her office
hours to ask about grades or to review tests.
6. In the event you are absent from either of the 100 point Exams, a bona fide and verifiable written excuse from an authorized individual (physician, dentist, minister, judge, etc.) is required before a lab make-up exam will be given. This excuse must clearly articulate the reason you were UNABLE to come to the class in question. It is your PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to contact Nancy Shefferly (Room 2422) as soon as possible. Failure to take a make-up exam at the scheduled time will result in a ZERO for that exam.
Academic Misconduct
All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. This includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information, misrepresentations, and abetting any of the above. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event that academic misconduct occurs. Students should refer to the Student Affairs Handbook, which can be obtained in the Office of Student Life and Services in the Fergusen Center.
|
Building |
Room # |
Phone # |
Availability |
|
Morgan |
203/238 |
8-8493 |
All U of A students |
|
Gordon Palmer |
152 |
8-8598 |
All U of A students |
|
Ten Hoor |
346 |
8-9264 |
All U of A students |
|
Nott Hall |
171 |
8-9885 |
MA 005 & 100 students |
If you have any questions or suggestions about the laboratory, or are having any problems, see Nancy Shefferly in Room 2422.
Class Notes:
Fill-in-the-blank class notes will be posted on the Internet via eLearning. Download these notes from eLearning before lecture and use them as a guide for the reading assignments and during class. All students enrolled in this class have an eLearning account that can be accessed through myBama: http://mybama.ua.edu
Before each class:
· Read the assigned textbook chapters.
· Download and complete fill-in-the-blank notes for the scheduled lecture.
· Download and read any other required materials.
Random Quizzes:
· Based on newly assigned readings and concepts learned during the previous class period (from class lecture and group activities).
· Count for 20% of your final grade.
· You can miss up to 6 quizzes. If you take all the quizzes, your 6 lowest quiz grades will be dropped.
Exams: Three 50-minute exams will be given during the regularly scheduled lecture periods:
Exam 1 – September 9
Exam 2 – October 7
Exam 3 – November 4
A non-comprehensive final exam (Exam 4) will be administered December 10. This exam will include only material covered after Exam 3.
All questions on the first 3 exams will be multiple choice (50 questions/exam). The final exam will consist of multiple choice questions and at least one essay-type question. Exams will cover required reading and lecture materials. Exam questions may include material from class discussions that is not available in the class notes.
Exam Rules:
1. If you arrive late for an exam and anyone else has finished and left, you will not be allowed to take the exam and will be required to take the comprehensive make-up exam.
2. Calculators cannot be used for the exams.
3. Cell phones must be off (bring a watch if you want to know the time).
4. You cannot listen to an MP3 player during an exam.
Exams (4 @ 100 pts. each) 400 points
Total 500 points
BSC 118 Laboratory: BSC 118 has a separate laboratory component that will be taught in 3 separate sections. The lab represents 1 credit hour of this 4-credit hour course (1/4 of your final grade) and will be graded independently from the lecture. In general, lab exercises will complement lecture material, occasionally in greater detail than the lecture. Likewise, there will be some topics covered in lab that will not be discussed in lecture. Information regarding policies for the lab will be handled during your first day of lab.
BSC 118 Lab Coordinator: Nancy Shefferly (ph: 348-1802)
All laboratory-related questions should be directed to Ms. Shefferly.
Exams (4 @ 100 pts. each) 400 points
Total 500 points
Letter Assignment: Based on a percentage of total points you earn, as follows.
A+ = 99-100 B+ = 88-89.9 C+ = 78-79.9 D+ = 68-69.9 F < 60
A = 92-98.9 B = 82-87.9 C = 72-77.9 D = 62-67.9
A- = 90-91.9 B- = 80-81.9 C- = 70-71.9 D- = 60-61.9
Posting of Grades: You must log onto www.mybama.ua.edu to retrieve your grades. Link onto the Academics tab. Locate the Testing services box and click on Student Exam Results. Your grade will most likely be available within 48 hours of taking an exam. Please note that the score will be a raw score (number of correct answers out of 50). To determine your grade in terms of a percentage, multiply your raw score by 2 (to convert to a 100 point exam). See me during office hours if you have trouble accessing your grades. Please note that grades cannot be posted or given out by e-mail, over the phone, or to a friend.
If you miss an exam for a valid, physician-certified medical excuse or family emergency, you will be allowed to take a make-up exam, which will be administered in November (TBA). If you miss an exam without a valid medical excuse, you will be required to take a COMPREHENSIVE make-up exam, which will also be administered in November (TBA). It will be your responsibility to attend the make-up exam or the grade for that exam will be forfeited.
Class attendance is manditory! There are several important reasons to attend class, including:
· Random quizzes that count 20% of your grade.
· You may be tested on materials from lectures that are not in your textbook or online notes.
· You will remember and understand class material better and, as a consequence, perform much better on exams.
· You will be actively solving problems during some class periods.
Clickers:
· It is your responsibility to purchase a Turning Technologies Response Pad Xr clicker from the UA Supply Store (for info & directions visit http://www.universitysupplystore.com).
· Instructions for registering and using the clicker will be provided in the Clicker Registration and Use documents available on the course eLearning website.
· It is your responsibility to ensure that your quiz points are recorded by following directions provided by the Clicker Registration and Use documents. If you think that quiz points have not been recorded, it is your responsibility to contact Dr. Marcus within 3 days of an inaccurately recorded quiz grade or those points will be forfeited. No exceptions.
· You need to handle all technical problems with clickers by calling Turning Technologies at 1-866-746-3015.
If you miss fewer than 4 quizzes, you can add up to 2 points to your final grade for the course! For example:
· If you take all the quizzes and score 100% on all of them, 2 points will be added to your final class average (e.g., an 88 would improve to a 90).
· If you miss only one quiz and score 100% on the rest, 1.5 points will be added to your final class average.
· If you miss 2 quizzes and score 100% on the rest, 1 point will be added to your final class average.
· If you miss 3 quiz and score 100% on the rest, 0.5 points will be added to your final class average.
All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.
The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.
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