BIOL 502W Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
Instructor:
Office:
Telephone:
Lecture:
Credit:
Dr. William H. Jackson
SBDG 201A
641-3601
TTh, 9:25AM – 10:40AM in
SBDG 200
Three semester hours
Office Hours:
Email:
Course Text:
Supplemental texts:
Fall 2013 Syllabus
By appointment
billj@usca.edu
The Cell, A Molecular Approach, 5th
Ed. by Cooper and Hausman
Writing Papers in the Biological
Sciences., 5th Edition by McMillan
Course Description: A study of the principles of eukaryotic cellular and molecular biology. Three lecture hours per week.
Course Objectives: This course is designed to introduce the concepts and underlying principles of eukaryotic cellular and
molecular biology. Upon completion of this course students will be expected to
1.
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7.
8.
Describe the basic properties of eukaryotic cells;
List and describe the function of the major biological molecules;
Describe the basic function of cellular organelles and structures;
Describe DNA replication, repair, and expression;
Discuss the nature of gene regulation;
Describe the processes of protein synthesis, processing, and regulation;
Discuss the nature of cell signaling; and
Prepare written reviews of the scientific literature.
Attendance Policy: An “F” may be assigned for absences in excess of 25% of regularly scheduled class meetings.
Absences, neither excused nor unexcused, absolve the student from meeting class assignments. Exam make-ups will only
be allowed for documented, excusable reasons. Quizzes cannot be made up.
Disability Statement: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability that might affect your performance
in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, B&E 134, (803) 643-6816, as soon as possible. The Office of
Disability Services will determine appropriate accommodations based on documentation.
Policy for Portable Electronic Devices: The use of any portable electronic devices, including cell phones, pagers, MP3
players, iPods, etc., during class is not allowed for any reason unless prior approval has been given to a student from the
instructor or unless required for the course. If you are planning to have any of these devices in class, they must be turned off
and stowed away for the duration of the class period. If you use a portable electronic device during a test, quiz, or other
assessment, you are eligible to receive a failing grade on that assignment.
Methods of Presentation and Evaluation: Information will be presented through lectures and class discussion using
appropriate visual aids. Writing assignments will be used to extend the lecture material. There will be three 1-hour exams,
a comprehensive final exam, and weekly quizzes that will generally cover the previous 1-2 week’s material. Writing
assignments will include reviews of the primary literature, and a research paper based on a question in cellular/molecular
biology.
WI Designation: Advanced Cellular/Molecular Biology is a designated writing intensive course (BIOL 502W). The goal
is not so much to teach writing, but to use writing as a learning tool. During this course we will answer the following
questions: How do you ask a good question? How do you develop a thesis? How do you create a well-crafted scientific
paper?
Writing Assignments: Below is a brief overview of the writing assignments you will be responsible for during the
semester. More complete descriptions and tasks will be provided separately. Written products will be evaluated based on
one of two rubrics that will be provided with each assignment. Multiple revisions are encouraged during the writing
process, and should be based on both peer reviews and conferences with the instructor.
Research paper. Your research paper will be on a question or problem of your choosing in eukaryotic cellular/molecular
biology. Revisions will be allowed (and expected) based on peer reviews and conferences with the instructor.
Research summaries. You will be assigned seven primary research articles from your research paper’s bibliography to
summarize.
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BIOL 502W Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
Fall 2013 Syllabus
The basis of student evaluation is shown below:
Description
Three one-hour exams
Final Exam
Research Paper
Weekly Quizzes
Article Summaries
Participation
Percentage
40%
10%
15%
10%
14%
6%
Points
400
100
150
100
140
60
Comments
10% each
Comprehensive
Topic in Cellular/Molecular Biology
From the previous 1-2 weeks material, 10 points each
Research article reviews, 20 points each
Class participation (4 points per week)
Letter grade assignment: A>90%; B+>85%; B>80%; C+>75%; C>65%; D+>55%; D>50%; F<50%.
You will be expected to endorse the USCA HONOR PLEDGE on every assignment: 'On my honor as a University
of South Carolina Aiken student, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this
assignment/examination. To the best of my knowledge, I am not in violation of academic honesty'.
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
DATE
Aug 22
Aug 27
Aug 29
Sep 3
Sep 5
Sep 10
Sep12
Sep 17
Sep 19
Sep 24
Sep 26
Oct 1
Oct 3
Oct 8
Oct 10
Oct 15
Oct 17
Oct 22
Oct 24
Oct 29
Oct 31
Nov 5
Nov 7
Nov 12
Nov 14
Nov 19
Nov 21
Nov 26
Nov 28
Dec 3
Dec 5
Dec 10
WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
TOPIC
The Composition of Cells
The Composition of Cells
The Composition of Cells
The Organization and Sequences of Cellular Genomes
The Organization and Sequences of Cellular Genomes
Exam I
Replication, Maintenance, and Rearrangement of Genomic DNA
Replication, Maintenance, and Rearrangement of Genomic DNA
Replication, Maintenance, and Rearrangement of Genomic DNA
Replication, Maintenance, and Rearrangement of Genomic DNA
RNA Synthesis and Processing
RNA Synthesis and Processing
RNA Synthesis and Processing
Exam II
Protein, Synthesis, Processing, and Regulation
Protein Synthesis, Processing, and Regulation
Fall Break (Oct 17-18) – No Classes
Protein Synthesis, Processing, and Regulation
Protein Sorting and Transport
Protein Sorting and Transport
Protein Sorting and Transport
Protein Sorting and Transport
The Plasma Membrane
Exam III
The Plasma Membrane
The Plasma Membrane
Cell Signaling
Cell Signaling
Thanksgiving Holiday (Nov 27-29) – No Classes
Cell Signaling
Cell Signaling
FINAL EXAM; 8 AM
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CHAPTERS
2
2
2
5
5
2-5
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
8
6-7
8
8
10
10
10
10
10
8-10
13
13
15
15
15
15
Comprehensive