BIOLOGY 103 INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY I
COURSE SYLLABUS - FALL 2005
DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES Biology 103 is the first of a 2-semester sequence in Introductory Biology,
designed primarily for non-majors. The goal of this sequence is to provide the student with an understanding of, and
appreciation for, the many facets of the biological world. Biology 103 begins with an examination of the underlying
chemical basis of life. We then look at structure and function of the basic unit of life, the cell. After a brief look at some of
the basic energy transformations on which living things depend, we then go on to a study of genes and heredity; and finally,
an overview of evolution and the diversity of life. The laboratory exercises are designed to illustrate and expand on lecture
topics.
Because this class fulfills (in part) the General Education Natural Science requirement for a 2-semester laboratory science
sequence, students must be enrolled in both a laboratory and lecture section. No credit will be awarded to students who are
not appropriately enrolled by the official deadlines. Biology 103 is a prerequisite for Biology 104.
COURSE COORDINATOR
Dr. H. B. Cressey
David King Hall, Room 3019
Phone: (703) 993-1060 e-mail: hcressey@gmu.edu
REQUIRED TEXTS Lecture Text: Campbell, Reese, Taylor, and Simon. 2005. Biology: Concepts and Connections, 5th
ed., Pearson Benjamin Cummings. San Francisco.
Lab Manual: Cressey. 2005. Introductory Biology I Laboratory Manual. Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co., Dubuque, IA.
WEBSITE http://classweb.gmu.edu/biology/103webpage
Students are advised to check this site frequently, or as advised by instructors, for tips, announcements, assignments, etc.!
GMU e-mail All George Mason students are issued (free of charge!) an e-mail account. Instructors often find it
convenient or necessary to e-mail individual students, or the class as a whole. The George Mason in-house policy is to use
only the GMU e-mail accounts. Therefore, it is necessary for the students to activate and frequently check their GMU e-mail
to insure receiving messages in a timely fashion. Reports are that some other e-mail providers will not allow GMU messages
to be forwarded, so to be sure to receive messages, frequently check your GMU e-mail!
GMU ID's All students are issued a GMU photo ID card. Please carry this with you, especially during exams, as it will be
necessary for instructors to verify each student's identification. Instructors are not required to honor identification cards other
than those issued by the University.
ATTENDANCE Regular attendance in both laboratory and lecture is crucial to successful completion of this course.
Studies have shown that students who attend each class perform far better than those whose attendance is irregular.
Therefore, students are expected to attend every lab and every lecture, to arrive on time, and to remain until class is
dismissed. Much interesting, subtle and valuable information can be presented in class, which may not be presented in the
text. Therefore, students are responsible for being aware of all information and announcements presented in class,
whether or not they are present.
Students are also responsible for being sure they are properly enrolled in the course. If a student drops the course, he or
she must see to the paperwork him or herself, and in a timely fashion. Instructors will not "automatically" drop a student who
merely stops coming to class.
Laboratory absences will result in a grade of zero for that lab, unless written permission is obtained from both the regular
lab instructor and the instructor for the make-up lab. Only two such lab make-ups will be allowed in any semester, and only
for compelling reasons. Three or more unexcused absences in lab will result in a grade of zero for the entire laboratory
portion of the course.
For safety purposes, each student must heed all routine laboratory safety practices as well as all special warnings,
precautions and instructions issued by the lab instructor.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Both lab and lecture instructors are happy to make arrangements with students with
disabilities. These arrangements, however, must be made through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 993-2474.
Please contact both the DRC and your instructors as soon as possible for any accommodations you might need.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR If something is not clear to you, by all means, ask questions! A well-timed question can
help everyone in class, even the instructor. Students are asked to be respectful and considerate of one another. To that end,
please listen when someone else is talking, and turn off all cell phones, other noise-makers, as well as any other distracting
electronics while in lecture or lab.
CANCELED CLASSES If an examination is scheduled for a day on which classes are canceled due to weather or any
other reason, the exam will be given during the next scheduled class. Call (703) 993-1000 for official notification of
canceled classes.
HONOR CODE Students are required to read and adhere to the George Mason University Honor Code. Ignorance of the
Honor Code is no excuse for infractions thereof. The Biology Department strongly enforces the GMU Honor Code. All
work done in lecture and lab (exams, data sheets, papers, quizzes, etc.) must be the sole work of the individual student whose
name appears on the assignment. Copying data, falsifying data, failing to give credit to referenced sources, cheating on
exams and quizzes are among violations of the Honor Code, and will be dealt with most seriously.
EXAMS AND GRADING Three hourly lecture exams will be given, each worth 100 points; the lowest hourly exam score
will be dropped. In addition, there will be a cumulative final exam, which all students must take, worth 150 points. Hourly
exams for classes meeting multiple times per week will be given on the second meeting of the week (Wednesday or
Thursday). Exams will be returned in the student's lab section. For final exam times, please see the Lecture and Lab
Schedule.
For the hourly and final exams, students will be required to bring with them one or two sharpened pencils with good
erasers, a Scantron form No. 882-E, and a valid GMU ID card. The use by students of electronic devices of any type is
prohibited during exams.
The hourly and final exams will start promptly at the scheduled time. Students are expected to arrive on time to all
exams! Students arriving late to an exam will be seated only at the discretion of the instructor, and will be given no extra
time to take the exam. Once one student has finished and handed in an exam, no other, late arriving students will be
allowed to take the exam - No Exceptions!
In those lecture sections which meet only once a week for 2.67 hr (004 and 005), the hourly exams will be given during the
first portion of the class period; after a short break, the lecture will resume.
Due to the large size of the lecture classes, and because one hourly exam grade is dropped, absolutely no make-up exams,
including the final exam, will be given to any student under any circumstances. Please read the previous statement once
more – it applies to YOU!
The laboratory is worth a total of 150 points, bringing the course total to 500 points. The point breakdown is as follows:
Lecture Exam
100 points
450 - 500 points = A
Lecture Exam
100
425 - 449 = B+
Final Exam
150
400 - 424 = B
Lab Quizzes (11 @ 5 pts each)
55
375 - 399 = C+
Lab Data Sheets (12 @ 3 pts each)
36
350 - 374 = C
Lab Paper ( 2 - 3 pages)
30
300 - 349 = D
Lab Genetics Assignment
30
0 - 299 = F
Total
500 + 1
LABORATORY POLICIES
Attendance Punctual attendance is required in every lab, and is essential for proper understanding of the material.
Three unexcused absences from lab will result in a total grade of zero (0) for the entire lab portion of the course
grade. Because there can be hazards associated with some laboratory procedures, equipment, and chemicals, all students
must follow standard safe laboratory practices, as well as any particular precautions and instructions issued by the lab
instructor. All students are expected to participate in routine clean-up of their lab space, and to be cooperative and
considerate of their fellow students who will be using such space after them.
Make-Ups If a student unavoidably misses a lab, it may (or it may not!) be possible to make up the missed lab in
another section during the same week. A make-up must be approved by both instructors. Any instructor may refuse to allow
a student to make-up in his or her lab if the lab is already at capacity. If a make-up is allowed, the student must take the quiz
and follow all rules and instructions of the "host" instructor. It is the student's responsibility to see that all graded material be
transmitted to the instructor of record. A student will be permitted only 2 make-ups per semester.
Quizzes A 5-point quiz will be given at the beginning of eleven labs (please see schedule). Latecomers risk losing time
to take the quiz, possibly all of it. The quizzes will consist of 3 points from the previous lab's material, 2 points on the
background material for the current day's lab. .
Paper A 2-3 page research paper counts for 30 points of the lab grade. The paper will be based on a newspaper or
popular magazine article on an assigned topic. The article must be dated after August 1, 2005. Details for the paper are in
the Lab Manual, and will also be explained by the lab instructor.
Genetics Assignment A genetics assignment based on data we will collect in the Human Genetics Lab will be worth 30
points. Details of the assignment will be explained by the lab instructors.
Dissection In Biology 103 labs we perform dissections of earthworms, crayfish, and starfish. In Biology 103, there are
dissections of sheep’s hearts and fetal pigs. We also examine live or preserved specimens of many other organisms. Most
students find these dissections and examinations both very interesting and instructive. Attendance and participation in the
dissection labs are required. If you object to dissection for any reason, BIOL 103 and 104 are not for you!! Following is
the Biology Department's Policy on the Use of Organisms in Classes:
1. Direct observations of actual organisms are considered an essential part of learning biology at all levels.
2. Direct observation of organisms may involve the use of living or preserved specimens, dissections of
organisms or parts of organisms, and microscopic examinations of organisms or parts of organisms. All use of
organisms will conform with NIH Guidelines for the Use of Laboratory Animals.
3. Such activities (#2) may be a required part of a course and thus serve as a basis for grading in the course.
WHERE TO GET HELP! Biology is a fascinating subject, but one which some students find daunting. If you find
yourself having any difficulties in this course, see your instructor (lab, lecture, or both) at the outset. All instructors have
posted office hours, during which appointments are not necessary. In addition, many instructors may be able to meet students
outside of their posted hours in order to accommodate student schedules. It is the instructors' job to provide all the help they
can to students; it is the students' job to ask for individual help when they need it. Much of the material in Biology 103 builds
on previously covered material, therefore it is necessary to have a good understanding of one concept before moving on to the
next. If you feel your understanding is inadequate; if you feel you are getting "lost," see your instructor immediately!!
We are here to help!
The University Writing Center can be of great value in writing the short laboratory paper. They can help with
organization, grammar, spelling, and other aspects of English usage for the paper. They cannot research or write the paper
for you!
The Counseling Center has valuable programs and workshops to help with many aspects of both academic and personal
life. From strategies for successful note-taking to time-management to inter-personal relationships, there are counselors and
workshops that can help with many of the circumstances you may encounter during college life.
Many students find joining study groups with fellow classmates useful and enriching both academically and personally.
Learning outside the classroom may be the most important learning of all! Make use of the many rich academic and personal
resources available at Mason!
Biology 103
Lecture and Lab Schedule – Fall 2005
Week of:
Aug. 29
Lecture Topic
Introduction; Chemistry of Life
Text Chapter(s)
1; 2
Sept. 5
Chemistry of Life
2
Sept. 12
Sept 19
3
4
Oct. 24
Molecules of Cells
Cell Structure
EXAM I
Cell Structure; Enzymes
Cell Membranes; Cellular
Respiration
Cellular Respiration
Mitosis
EXAM II
Meiosis; Mendelian Genetics
Oct. 31
Nov. 7
Mendelian Genetics
DNA
9
10
Nov. 14
Evolution
EXAM III
13
Nov. 21
Evolution
13
Nov. 28
Diversity of Life
16
Dec. 5
Diversity of Life
17, 18
Sept. 26
Oct. 3
Oct. 10
Oct. 17
4, 5
5, 6
Lab Exercise
Check-In; Safety;
#1 Lab Basics
#1 Lab Basics; Lab Paper
Specifications
(no Monday Labs)
#2 Biological Molecules
#3 Cell Structure and
Function
#4 Enzymes
#5 Cellular Respiration
6
8
Paper Preparation
#6 The Cell Cycle
8, 9
#7 Working Genetics
Problems
#8 Human Inheritance
#9 Sponges, Cnidarians
and Worms
#10 Annelids and
Arthropods
Thanksgiving Break; No
Labs ! !
#11 Molluscs,
Echinoderms and
Chordates
#12 Simulating
Natural Selection
Final Exam Schedule:
Section 001 - Monday, December 19, 7:30 – 10:15 AM
Section 002 – Wednesday, December 14, 10:30 AM – 1:15 PM
Section 003 – Thursday, December 15, 1: 30 – 4:15 PM
Section 004 – Thursday, December 15, 4:30 – 7:10 PM
Section 005 – Thursday, December 15, 7:30 – 10 PM
Section 006 – Monday, December 19, 7:30 – 10:15 AM
Lecture Section ____________ Lecture Instructor ________________________________________________________
Lecture Instructor’s Office Hours____________________________
Lecturer’s e-mail _________________________
Lab Section ______________ Lab Instructor ____________________________________________________________
Lab Instructor’s Office Hours ______________________________ Lab Instructor’s e-mail _______________________
Lecture Text: Campbell, Reese, Taylor, and Simon. 2005. Biology: Concepts and Connections, 5th ed. Pearson Benjamin
Cummings. San Francisco.
Lab Manual: Cressey. 2005. Introductory Biology I Laboratory Manual. Kendall/Hunt. Dubuque, Iowa.
Biology 103 Laboratory Schedule, Fall 2005
Week of:
Lab Exercise
Quiz
Aug. 29
Check-In; Safety; #1, Lab Basics
No Quiz !
Sept. 5
# 1, Lab Basics; Paper Specifications
No Quiz !
Sept. 12
# 2 Biological Molecules
3 points Ex. 1;
2 points Ex. 2
Sept. 19
# 3 Cell Structure and Function
3 points Ex. 2;
2 points Ex. 3
Sept. 26
# 4 Enzymes
3 points Ex. 3;
2 points Ex. 4
Oct. 3
# 5 Cellular Respiration
3 points Ex. 4;
2 points Ex. 5
Oct. 10
Paper Preparation
No Quiz !
Oct. 17
# 6 The Cell Cycle
3 points Ex.5;
2 points Ex. 6
Oct. 24
# 7 Working Genetics Problems
3 points Ex. 6;
2 points Ex. 7
Oct. 31
# 8 Human Inheritance
3 points Ex. 7;
2 points Ex. 8
Nov. 7
# 9 Sponges, Cnidarians, and Worms
3 points Ex. 8;
2 points Ex. 9
Nov. 14
# 10 Annelids and Arthropods
3 points Ex. 9;
2 points Ex. 10
Nov. 21
THANKSGIVING WEEK ! NO LABS ! !
Nov. 28
# 11 Molluscs, Echinoderms and Chordates
3 points Ex. 10;
2 points Ex. 11
Dec. 5
# 12 Simulating Natural Selection
3 points Ex. 11;
2 points Ex. 12
Other
No Monday Labs
Article Approval Sheet
Due
Optional Draft
of Paper Due
Short Paper Due
Genetics Assignment Due
Lab Section ___________ Lab Instructor ______________________________________________
Instructor's Office Hours _______________________
Contact ____________________________
Safety Reminders ! !
No food or drink may be brought into the lab, or consumed there, unless part of the laboratory exercise.
No high heels, bare feet, sandals, or open-toed shoes; no bare midriffs, shorts, sleeveless shirts or excessive bare skin in the
lab.
Report to your instructor any unsafe conditions you notice.
Follow all safety precautions given by your instructor.
Attendance Reminders ! !
Be on time and prepared! Quizzes are given at the beginning of lab!
Ask questions to clarify any procedure or principle you are uncertain of.
Permission to make up a lab must be obtained by both instructors. Only 2 make-up's allowed per semester.
Unexcused absences in 3 or more labs causes the loss of all lab points (eek!).