PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I
SYLLABUS
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Semester: |
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Faculty Name: |
Jason Fuller |
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Course: |
BI 107 |
Office location: |
SS 324 |
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Day/ Time: |
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Telephone: |
240-567-1348 |
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Office hours: |
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email: |
jason.fuller@montgomerycollege.edu |
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Principles of Biology I is an introductory course for Biology majors. It utilizes a molecular approach and emphasizes physiological mechanisms in living systems. The topics covered include the cellular and molecular basis of life, major metabolic pathways, molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, and animal reproduction and development. In addition, the course will emphasize international aspects of the science. Specifically, portions of the course will focus on genetic variation among different human populations and genetic traits common in some of those populations. The course will also explore biotechnology’s growing impact on a global scale with reference to the influence of other countries on the technology.
After completing this course, students will be able to:
§ Describe the basic principles of chemistry that are important to Biology and identify the structure and functions of macromolecules important to living things.
§ Define basic characteristics of living organisms and identify basic cell types, cellular structures and organelles, and describe their functions.
§ Describe the basic processes of cellular metabolism and energy flow.
§ Differentiate the characteristics and roles of mitotic and meiotic cell divisions.
§ Identify basic mechanisms of heredity, and understand the cellular and molecular basis of inheritance.
§ Identify and understand the processes of animal reproduction and development.
§ Use experimental results to describe biological principles.
This course is transferable to the University of Maryland at College Park and to other institutions.
COURSE PREREQUISITE:
Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, MA 100, RD 120 or higher.
TEXTBOOK:
Lecture: Biology, by Campbell and Reece; 7th Edition.
Lab manual: Laboratory Exercises, Principles of Biology I: Third Edition, 2005
Optional: A guide to the Biology Lab, Rust
SUPPLEMENTAL SOFTWARE/WEB:
Textbooks come with CDs and you are encouraged to use them to enrich your understanding of the lecture and/or to complete lecture notes. You are also encouraged to use the Campbell Website to help with understanding and gaining exposure to the basic themes of the class.
Support material and grades will be made available online using WebCT. To access the course website you must log in to MyMC, and then simply follow the WebCT ling on the MyMC page. Online materials include syllabus, assignment sheets, study guides, informational web links and lecture handouts. For assistance accessing WebCT, ask your instructor.
You are expected to attend and show up on time to all class and laboratory sessions. Because of the accelerated speed of this course, there is little time to catch up on missed work. Missing more than one class period may result in your becoming hopelessly behind. Further, much of the material covered on the examinations comes from class lectures- so it is to your benefit to attend all classes. If you are late to lecture or lab session, please be courteous to your class-mates by quietly sitting in a rear desk. It is your responsibility to get the lecture notes from a classmate if you are late or absent from lecture. If you choose to withdraw, it is your responsibility to complete all necessary paperwork to remove your name from the class roster. Failure to do so could result in a grade of “F” for the semester. Consult your catalog for the add/drop day.
Missed examinations may be made up upon showing a written and valid excuse within one week following the examination. However, NO student will be permitted to make up more than ONE test and all makeups will be essay in format and be given in the last week of class. Due to the long preparation to set a lab test, absolutely NO lab test will be made up. Makeups for Final Exams are rarely given. If you have a conflict with the exam time you must contact your instructor as early as possible (at least one week before the exam). It is at your instructors discretion as to whether or not you may take the exam at another time and when that time will be (usually earlier if allowed). In the case of an emergency for any exam, call your instructor and leave a message at the earliest possible time. Any note from a doctor will be checked for authenticity.
COURSE EVALUATION AND GRADING SCALE:
Each chapter or particular section is indicated in the detailed course outline. Additional reading assignments may be given during the class time. It will greatly benefit you if you regularly read the chapter before the lecture. Please bring your text to class as well as lab, as you will find reference to the diagrams in the text of critical importance.
The course consists of 3 lecture hours and 3 hours of lab per week. You will work on a semester project that includes research on a contemporary biological finding. This research will result in a written 3-page paper.
The grading system for this course will be based upon a point system where each student has an opportunity to earn a total of 850 points. Points will be distributed as follows:
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BREAKDOWN |
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Lecture: 3 exams |
= 300 points |
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Lab: 2 exams |
= 200 points |
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Comprehensive Final Exam |
= 150 points |
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Quizzes: 6 (4 in lec, 2 in lab) |
= 90 points |
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Written assignments |
= 50 points |
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Lab assignments |
= 60 points |
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850 total points |
EXTRA CREDIT: Interactive computer CDs are in the Math Science Learning Center. Students are invited to use them for better understanding of the Lecture materials. Up to ten of them can be used for extra credit worth 2 points each. NOTE: UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FROM MORE THAN 3 CLASS PERIODS (LECTURE OR LAB), OR CONSISTENT TARDINESS WILL RESULT IN A FORFEIT OF ALL EXTRA CREDIT. (You are considered absent if you miss more than 20 minutes of class time).
STANDARDS:
Grades will be assigned as follows:
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A = 765 – 850 |
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B = 680 - 764 |
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C = 595 - 679 |
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D = 510 - 594 |
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F = < 510 |
CLASSROOM POLICIES
Lecture Behavior: Each and every student is expected to behave in ways that promote a teaching and learning atmosphere. Students have the right to learn; however, they do not have the right to interfere with the freedom of the faculty to teach or the rights of other students to learn. All in-class discussions should be carried out in a way that keeps the classroom environment respectful of the rights of others. For example, students should not interrupt someone else who is talking regardless of whether that person is the instructor or another student. Students should not monopolize class time by repeatedly interrupting and asking questions in a manner that hinders the learning process of others. Students are also expected to conduct themselves in ways that create a safe learning and teaching environment that is free from such things as violence, intimidation, and harassment, including sexual harassment. Pagers and cell phones must be silenced when in the classroom.
Laboratory Behavior: Your lab time is very limited. To complete the labs in the allotted time, you will need to read the lab exercise before coming to the laboratory and review the appropriate chapters in the text and diagrams in Rust. You are expected to clean up after yourself following lab activities. This means that you must, for example, return models to their correct counters, return prepared slides to their specific slide trays, and wash and dry dissecting tools and then return them to their assigned bins.
TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAMS, FOLLOW THESE 5 STEPS:
1. Start early. You typically need two weeks to prepare for an examination. Start tonight!!!
2. Make and use flash cards. Study them during “Down-time”- waiting in lines, while preparing dinner, while commuting (if you do not drive).
3. Try to understand concepts, not just memorize facts.
4. In a class such as this, it is a good idea to form study groups early. Meet other students in your lecture or lab section, exchange phone numbers and start studying together soon.
5. Work hard. Success in this course comes to those who are dedicated, persistent and enjoy the learning process.
EMAIL POLICY:
Student e-mail (montgomerycollege.edu) is an official means of communication for the College. It is expected that you check your student e-mail regularly and frequently, as you are responsible for information and announcements that will be sent to you from the College. For this class, student e-mail may be used for situations where timing is essential. Most information will be discussed in class or posted on WebCT and all assignments will be turned in as hard copy during regular class times. If you contact me through e-mail, use your student e-mail account rather than a publicly available account so that I can recognize you as a student.
STUDENT DISABILITY:
Any student who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please make an appointment to see me during my office hour. A letter from Disability Support Services (ST120) authorizing your accommodations will be needed. Any student who may need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation must identify to the Disability Support Services Office; guidelines for emergency evacuations for individuals with disabilities are found at: www.montgomerycollege.edu/dss/evacprocedures.htm.
Students should refer to the current Montgomery College Student Handbook for the official wording of all academic, classroom, and college-wide policies. Students are expected to abide by the code of Conduct.
According to the policies and procedures of the College “cheating” or “plagiarism” in connection with an academic program is prohibited and students may be disciplined. In the rare instance that a student in this course cheats or plagiarizes material, that student will receive a grade of F for the course. Cheating and plagiarism are taken very seriously. In all cases, except where teams are set up for specific exercises, your work is to be done independently.
LECTURE OUTLINE
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WEEK OF |
TOPICS |
READINGS |
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9/5 |
Themes in the study of life |
Ch.1 |
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9/10 |
Fundamentals of Chemistry |
Ch.2 |
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Chemistry, Water, Carbon |
Ch. 2,3,4 |
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9/17 |
Macromolecules |
Ch.5 |
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Cell structure and organelles, Quiz #1 (Ch.2-5) |
Ch.6 |
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9/24 |
Exam #1 (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) |
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Cell membrane |
Ch.7 |
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10/1 |
Metabolism, energy, enzymes |
Ch.8 |
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Cellular respiration, Quiz #2 (Ch.6,7,8) |
Ch.9 |
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10/8 |
Cellular respiration/Photosynthesis |
Ch.9,10 |
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Photosynthesis, Quiz #3 (Ch.9,10) |
Ch.10 |
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10/15 |
Mitosis |
Ch.12 |
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Exam #2 (Ch. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) |
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10/22 |
Meiosis |
Ch.13 |
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Genetics |
Ch.14 |
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10/29 |
Chromosomal basis of inheritance |
Ch.15 |
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Genetics wrap-up, Quiz #4 (Ch.14,15) |
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11/5 |
DNA structure and replication |
Ch.16 |
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Exam #3 (Ch. 12, 13, 14, 15) |
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11/12 |
Gene expression: Transcription |
Ch.17 |
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Gene expression: Translation |
Ch.17 |
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11/19 |
Biotechnology, Quiz #5 (Ch.16,17) |
Ch.20 |
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Thanksgiving Holiday - 11/21-11/25 |
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11/26 |
Biotechnology recap/Gene regulation |
Ch.18 (pp 352-356), 19 (pp 359-367,370-375) |
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Gene regulation |
Ch.18 (pp 352-356), 19 (pp 359-367,370-375) |
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12/3 |
Animal development, Quiz #6 (Ch.18,19,20) |
Ch.47 (pp 998-1001) |
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Animal tissues |
Ch.40 (pp 823-827) |
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12/10 |
Instructor choice |
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12/17 |
Final Exam – 8:00-10:00 am |
(Ch.16,17,18,19,20,40,47 + instructor choice) |
Important Dates:
Last Day to Drop…………... Nov. 20 Thanksgiving Holiday....... Nov. 21-25
Lecture Final ......................... Dec. 17
LABORATORY OUTLINE
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WEEK OF |
TOPICS |
EXERCISE # |
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9/5 |
Intro and lab safety, Fundamentals of the Light Microscope |
1 |
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9/10 |
Microscope use continued |
1 |
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9/17 |
Organic Molecules: chemical identification |
2 |
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9/24 |
Diffusion and Osmosis |
4 |
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10/1 |
Enzymes |
3 |
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10/8 |
Cellular respiration |
5 |
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10/15 |
Photosynthesis |
6 |
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10/22 |
Lab Exam #1, Mitosis |
7 |
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10/29 |
Genetic Inheritance Problems |
9 |
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11/5 |
DNA extraction and PCR |
8 + handouts |
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11/12 |
Electrophoresis + Restriction Enzyme Discussion |
8 + handouts |
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11/19 |
Thanksgiving Holiday - 11/21-11/25 |
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11/26 |
Animal development and tissues |
10,12 |
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12/3 |
Review/catch-up |
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12/10 |
Lab Exam #2 |
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Laboratory Safety Procedures:
1. Goggles are required for the labs above in bold.
2. For health and cleanliness reasons, eating, drinking, smoking, storing food, chewing gum and applying cosmetics are not permitted in the laboratory.
3. Open toed shoes are not allowed in the laboratory.
4. Your lab bench area must be thoroughly cleaned (with soap or disinfectant) at the end of every laboratory period and after every spill.
5. Disposable gloves are recommended for dissection of preserved materials.
6. Report all spills or accidents, no matter how minor, to your instructor.
7. Students who are pregnant, taking immunosuppressive drugs, or have any other medical condition that might necessitate special precautions in the laboratory must inform your instructor immediately.
8. Do not allow water or any solution to come into contact with electrical cords or outlets. Make sure your hands are dry when you handle electrical connectors. If electrical equipment crackles, snaps, or begins to smoke, do not attempt to disconnect it. Inform your instructor immediately.
9. Do not touch broken glassware with your hands. Inform your instructor of broken glass and follow their instructions for cleanup.
10. Let your instructor know if you are colorblind, as many procedures require discrimination of colors.
11. Only students who are registered in the course are allowed in the laboratory – no children or adult guests.
12. Push in stools and chairs at end of lab to avoid tripping hazard.
13. Wash hands before leaving the laboratory.