VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY

BIOLOGY 2010--FALL 2008

• Campbell, N. A.,  and J. B. Reece. 2008. Biology. 8th edition. The BenjaminCummings Publishing Company, Inc., Redwood City.
  
• Goddard, R. H. 2004. Methods and Investigations in Basic Biology. 3rd edition. Outernet Publishing, Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

• http://www.valdosta.edu/~jnienow
• WebCT Vista
• www.aamc.org/students/mcat/preparing/bstopics.pdf--contains information concerning biology topics covered by the MCAT
  

ATTENDANCE: Students are responsible for attending class and for the material presented in all classes. There will be no make-ups of missed labs, quizzes, and other assignments. EXAMS MISSED WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR MAY BE MADE UP, BUT THE FINAL SCORE WILL BE REDUCED BY 25%; you must contact the instructor within one calendar week of the missed exam to have any hope of a make-up. Students who have missed 20% of regularly scheduled class meetings, especially labs, are subject to a failing grade for the course; student's missing 4 or more labs cannot and will not receive a grade higher than a D.

EXAMS (GEO 5; BEO 1-5): There will be four unit exams, each worth 125 points. The exams will include a mixture of short answer and multiple choice questions. The dates of these exams are included in the attached schedule of lectures. DO NOT MISS THESE EXAMS WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION. A comprehensive final exam, worth 200 points, is scheduled for the end of the quarter. It will consist entirely of multiple choice questions. If you are caught cheating on an exam you will receive no points. Estimated total from exams--700 test points.

QUIZZES (GEO 5 & 7; BEO 1): Expect a 20-minute,  10- to 15-point quiz at the beginning of each laboratory.  DO NOT BE LATE.  The clock starts when the quizzes are handed out and ends when I say it ends.  You will not be allowed extra time if your are late.  If you miss the quiz completely, you will received a zero for the quiz; microscope penalties will still be assessed. The questions will cover the procedures and results of the previous week's exercises--pay particular attention to the independent and dependent variables when appropriate. Estimated total from quizzes--200 test points.

LECTURE NOTES/OUTLINES (GEO 4 & 7): Each student is required to turn in a list of the 3 main ideas for each lecture at the end of the lecture on a lined sheet of paper along with the student's first and last names and lab section. These will be graded according to how well they match the instructors list of ideas.  (The instructor's list will be posted in WebCT later in the day.)  Each list is worth a maximum of 5 lab points; late lists will not be accepted.  Each student is then required to use the  main ideas (preferrably the correct ones) to construct a typed sentence outline of each week's lectures.  Lecture outlines are due during lab the next week.. The outlines will be graded on completeness, relevance, and style. An good outline is worth 15 lab points.  Because of the special timeliness of this assignment, outlines are subject to a 25% reduction in the total points for each day they are late.  (Expected total from lists and outlines--250 lab points.)

LIBRARY ASSIGNMENTS (GEO 3, 4 & 7): Students will complete library assignments that requires them  a) to compare the conclusions of popular media reports, to those of a government report, and a primary research article on the topic of the relationship between cell phones and cancer; and b) to analyze the information in a primary research article on a topic related to biology.  More information on both of these assignments will be provided in class.  

LABORATORY NOTEBOOK (GEO 5): Each member of a lab group should actively participate in the lab work and should keep a well organized notebook of his or her labwork (see separate handout for details). Notebooks will be collected at the end of each lab and checked for style and completeness. Complete, well organized lab notebooks will earn an estimated total of 150 lab points by the end of the semester.

OTHER ASSIGNMENTS: Your instructor will periodically assign some tasks to be completed either during or outside of class. These can be based on lab exercises or lecture material. Be prepared. Your grade will be determined by how well you complete the assignment. The estimated total from miscellaneous assignments is 200 lab points.

GRADING: Your basic grade will depend on how well you do on the exams and quizzes. Your participation in class, as demonstrated by your performance on the other types of graded assignments, can adjust your final grade either up or down according to the following formula:

where P is the percentage of test points you receive and p is the percentage of lab points from other graded assignments. The final score G will then be compared to usual scale and a letter grade assigned: G between 90 and 100 earns an A, G between 80 and 90 earns a B, G between 70 and 80 earns a C, G between 60 and 70 earns a D, and G below 60 earns an F. What does this mean. Suppose you earn a 70% on all of the exams and quizzes, but decide not to turn in a notebook or any of the other assignments. Then P is 70, p is 0, G is 70 + 0.2(0 - 50) = 60, and you get a D for the course. Suppose, on the other hand, you did do all of the other work perfectly (not hard to do). Then p would be 100 and G would be 70 + 0.2(100 - 50) = 80, and you would get a B. KEEP YOUR NOTEBOOK UP TO DATE, PARTICIPATE IN CLASS, DO THE OUTSIDE ASSIGNMENTS AND OTHER HOMEWORK.

DROPPING A COURSE WITHOUT PENALTY: In order to officially drop a course without penalty, a student must obtain and fill out a drop/add form from the Registrar's Office, acquire appropriate signatures, and return the completed form to the Registrar's Office before the designated date (published in the academic calendar). If you don't officially withdraw, and instead just stop coming to class, you will receive an F for the course. It will then take three A's in science classes cancel out that F and bring your GPA back up to 3.0 so you can maintain your scholarship.

SPECIAL NOTE 1: Grades will be neither posted nor given out over the telephone.

SPECIAL NOTE 2: Students requiring special accommodations because of disability must discuss their needs with me as soon as possible. Those needing accommodations who are not registered with the Special Services Program must contact the Access Office for Students with Disabilities located in room 1115 Nevins Hall.  The phone numbers are 245-2498 (voice) and 219-1348 (tty).  More information can be found at www.valdosta.edu/access.

STUDY TIPS

1. Take good notes during lecture.  Then, as soon as you can after class, sit down and rewrite the notes in a logical outline. Use your book to fill in the gaps and clarify the places where the lecture did not make any sense.  It also helps if you write your outline in complete sentences. Note: this technique is so valuable, it is actually part of your grade for this course.
2. Form small study groups and study together on a regular basis someplace without TV, stereo or other distractions.
3. Read the relevant sections of the textbook--someone spent a lot of time and energy writing the book and you spent a lot of cash buying it. As you read, think about how the material fits in with lecture.  Add the material to your lecture outlines.
4. Answer the review questions at the ends of the chapters.  Make sure you understand why the correct answer to the multiple choice questions is the correct answer and the other answers are not.
5. If you don't understand something ask questions, either in class or during office hours.

Valdosta State University General Educational Outcomes (GEO)

 1.        Students will demonstrate understanding of the society of the United States and its ideals.  They will possess the requisite knowledge of the society of the United States, its ideals, and its functions to enable them to become informed and responsible citizens. They will understand the connections between the individual and society and the roles of social institutions. They will understand the structure and operational principles of the United States government and economic system. They will understand United States history and both the historical and present role of the United States in the world.

2.        Students will demonstrate cross-cultural perspectives and knowledge of other societies.  They will possess sufficient knowledge of various aspects of another culture, including the language, social and religious customs, aesthetic expression, geography, and intellectual and political history, to enable them to interact with individuals within that society from an informed perspective. They will possess an international viewpoint that will allow them to examine critically the culture of their own nation and to participate in global society.

3.        Students will use computer and information technology when appropriate. They will demonstrate knowledge of computer concepts and terminology. They will possess basic working knowledge of a computer operating system. They will be able to use at least two software tools, such as word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, or statistical packages. They will be able to find information using computer searching tools.

4.        Students will express themselves clearly, logically and precisely in writing and in speaking, and they will demonstrate competence in reading and listening. They will display the ability to write coherently in standard English; to speak well; to read, to understand, and to interpret the content of written materials in various disciplines; and to listen effectively and to understand different modes of communication.

5.        Students will demonstrate knowledge of scientific and mathematical principles and proficiency in laboratory practices.  They will understand the basic concepts and principles underlying scientific methodology and be able to collect, analyze, and interpret data. They will learn a body of scientific knowledge and be able to judge the merits of arguments about scientific issues. They will be able to perform basic algebraic manipulations and to use fundamental algebraic concepts to solve word problems and equations. They will be able to use basic knowledge of statistics to interpret and to analyze data. They will be able to evaluate arguments based on quantitative data.

6.        Students will demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultural heritages in the arts, the humanities, and the social sciences. They will develop understanding of the relationships among the visual and performing arts, literature and languages, and history and the social sciences. Students will be versed in approaches appropriate to the study of those disciplines; they will identify and respond to a variety of aesthetic experiences and engage in critical thinking about diverse issues. They will be able to identify the components of and respond to aesthetic experiences in the visual and performing arts. They will develop knowledge of world literature within its historical and cultural frameworks. They will understand modem issues within a historical context and the role of the individual in various forms of societies and governments.

7.        Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze, to evaluate, and to make inferences from oral, written and visual materials.  They will be skilled in inquiry, logical reasoning, and critical analysis. They will be able to acquire and evaluate relevant information, analyze arguments, synthesize facts and information, and offer logical arguments leading to creative solutions to problems.

8.        Students will demonstrate knowledge of principles of ethics and their employment in the analysis and resolution of moral problems. They will recognize and understand issues in applied ethics. They will understand their own value systems in relation to other value systems. They will judge values and practices in a variety of disciplines.

 1.        Develop and test hypotheses, collect and analyze data, and present the results and conclusions in both written and oral format used in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific meetings.

2.        Describe the evolutionary process responsible for biological diversity, explain the phylogenetic relationships among the other taxa of life, and provide illustrative examples.

3.        Demonstrate an understanding of the cellular basis of life.

4.        Relate the structure and function of DNA/RNA to the development of form and function of the organism and to heredity

5.        Interpret ecological data pertaining to the behavior of the individual organism in its natural environment; to the structure and function of populations, communities, and ecosystems; and to human impacts on these systems and the environment.

Note: This a best-guess syllabus.  Pacing and testing dates may be changed if the need arises. Attend class regularly to keep track of changes.
 

-	-	-
WEEK 1:  8/18/08	LAB-- Introduction to library resources; Black Box experiment	ex. 1 & 2
8-19	Introduction to biological science	pp. 1-28
8-21	The methods of science; basic statistics	pp. 1-28
-	-	-
WEEK 2:  8/25/08	LAB--Introduction to the light microscope	ex. 3
8-26	The unity and diversity of life	pp. 1-28, 452-468
8-28	Subcellular structures	pp. 92-124
-	-	-
WEEK 3:  9/01/08	LAB--LABOR DAY--No scheduled labs; think about the semi-independent microscopy project Optional lab for those interested--scanning electron microscopy; sign up with your instructor)	ex. 5
9-02	Subcellular structures	pp. 92-124
9-03	Subcellular structures	pp. 92-124
-	-	-
WEEK 4:  9-08-08	LAB--Living cells	ex. 4
9-09	Subcellular structures	pp. 92-124
9-11	FIRST UNIT EXAM	-
-	-	-
WEEK 5:  9/15/08	LAB--Semi-independent microscopy project	ex. 5
9-16	Basic chemistry--atoms & molecules/water solutions	pp. 28-58
9-18	Basic chemistry--organic molecules	pp. 58-92
-	-	-
WEEK 6:  9/22/08	LAB--Cellular water relations	ex. 6
9-23	Organic molecules and the structure of cell membranes	pp. 58-92, 125-141
9-25	Introduction to metabolism; ATP synthesis	pp. 142-162
-	-	-
WEEK 7:  9/29/08	LAB--Measuring metabolic activity--photosynthesis	ex. 10
9-30	Energy metabolism--energy storage and retrieval	pp. 162-206
10-02	Energy storage and retrieval	pp. 162-206
-	-	-
WEEK 8:  10/06/08	LAB--Protein extraction and quantification	ex. 7
10-07	Energy storage and retrieval	pp. 162-206
10-09	SECOND UNIT EXAM	-
-	-	-
WEEK 9:  10/13/08	LAB--NO LABS-FALL HOLIDAY	ex. 8
10-14	FALL HOLIDAY--NO CLASS	-
10-16	Controlling metabolism I--the major players	pp. 151-162
-	-	-
WEEK 10:  10/20/08	LAB--Measuring enzyme activity	-
10-21	Controlling metabolism II--cell signalling I	pp. 206-224
10-23	Controlling metabolism III--the process of protein synthesis	pp. 325-351
-	-	-
WEEK 11:  10/27/08	LAB--Environmental control of enzyme activity	ex. 9
10-28	Controlling gene expression--prokaryotes	pp. 351-356
10-30	Controlling gene expression--eukaryotes	pp. 356-381
-	-	-
WEEK 12:  11/03/08	LAB--Cellular reproduction	Ex. 11
11-04	THIRD UNIT EXAM	-
11-06	Basics of DNA Replication	pp. 305-325
-	-	-
WEEK 13:  11/10/08	LAB--Genetic engineering I--DNA fingerprinting; start first PCR (human-Alu fragments)	Ex. 12, handout
11-11	Inheritance and variation in viruses and bacteria; applications	pp. 305-325, 396-422
11-13	DNA replication, inheritance and variation in eukaryotes	pp. 305-325, 426-450
-	-	-
WEEK 14:  11/17/08	LAB--Genetic engineering II--Finish first PCR ; start second PCR (GMO)	handout
11-18	Eukaryotic cell cycles, life histories, and genetics	pp. 228-262
11-20	Inheritance and variation in eukaryotes--more genetics	pp. 262-286
-	-	-
WEEK 15:  11/24/08	LAB--NO LABS this week	-
11-25	Inheritance and variation in eukaryotes--even more genetics	pp. 262-286
11-27	THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY--NO CLASS	-
-	-	-
WEEK 16:  12/01/08	LAB--Genetic engineering III--Finish second PCR; start transformation experiment	handout
12-02	Inheritance and variation in eukaryotes--Darwinian evolution	pp. 452-468
12-04	FOURTH UNIT EXAM	-
-	-	-
WEEK 17:  12/08/08	LAB--finish transformation experiment	handout
12-09	READING DAY---STUDY	-
12-10	BIOLOGY 2010 FINAL EXAM @ 10:15 AM	-

Continue with the outline of Unit I
Return to Dr. Nienow's HomePage