BIOL 121 Biological Science I (004)
Instructor: Dr. Pam Steen
Email: pams@usca.edu
Fall 2015
Office: SBDG 111D
Office Hours: TTH; 4:00pm-5:00pm
Lecture: MWF; 8:00am-8:50am; SBDG 200
Lab: M; 9:00am-11:40am; SBDG 108
Lecture textbook: Campbell Biology in Focus
Laboratory textbook: Biology 121 Laboratory Manual, 6th Ed. by Jackson, Yates, and Hancock
Course Credit: Four credit hours
Course Description and Objectives: This class is for both Biology majors and non-majors and will
cover basic molecular and cellular biological principles and concepts. The objectives for this course are
as follows:
1. Understand, discuss, and use the “scientific method”
2. Understand the characteristics that define “life”
3. Know the major categories of biological molecules and understand their significance in the cell
4. Know the components of a eukaryotic cell
5. Understand energy movement in biological systems
6. Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis
7. Understand the basic process of DNA replication
8. Understand the process by which DNA is used to produce proteins
Grading:
Four Lecture Exams 40% (10% each)
Lecture Quizzes 15%
Laboratory Grade 25%
Final Exam (comprehensive) 20%
Grading Scale:
A (90-100%); B+ (86-89%); B (80-85%); C+ (76-79%); C (70-75%); D+ (66-69%); D (60-65); F (0-59%)
Reading: You are expected to read the relevant chapter(s) / sections in both the textbook and
laboratory manual prior to coming to lecture and lab.
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.
Disability Statement: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability which might
affect your performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 134 B&E, (803)
643-6816, as soon as possible. The Disability Services Office will determine appropriate
accommodations based on medical documentation.
Writing Center: USCA provides a Writing Center located in Room 112 of the Humanities and Social
Sciences Building. If you need extra assistance on any writing assignment for this or any other class
that you are taking, please try the Writing Center.
Attendance: Students are encouraged to be present at all lectures and labs. There will be no makeup quizzes, labs, or lab reports. However, assignments missed due to illness will be excused if
documentation is provided.
BIOL 121 Biological Science I (004)
Fall 2015
Lecture Quizzes: During the semester, 11 lecture quizzes will be given. These quizzes will cover
lecture material presented during the previous lecture period.
Exams: For each exam, students will need to bring a Scantron sheet, which can be purchased at the
bookstore. Make-up exams will only be allowed for a documented, excusable reason.
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Date
Lecture Schedule of Topics
Aug. 21
Aug. 24
Aug. 26
Aug. 28
Aug. 31
Sep. 2
Sep. 4
Sep. 7
Sep. 9
Sep. 11
Sep. 14
Sep. 16
Sep. 18
Sep. 21
Sep. 23
Sep. 25
Sep. 28
Sep. 30
Oct. 2
Review the syllabus
Evolution and the Foundations of Biology
Evolution and the Foundations of Biology
The Chemical Context of Life
The Chemical Context of Life (quiz 1)
The Chemical Context of Life
The Chemical Context of Life
Labor Day – no classes
Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life (quiz 2)
Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life
Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life (quiz 3)
Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life
A Tour of the Cell
A Tour of the Cell (quiz 4)
A Tour of the Cell
Membrane Transport and Cell Signaling
Membrane Transport and Cell Signaling (quiz 5)
Membrane Transport and Cell Signaling
EXAM I
Oct. 5
Oct. 7
Oct. 9
Oct. 12
Oct. 14
Oct. 16
Oct. 19
Oct. 21
Oct. 23
Oct. 26
Oct. 28
Oct. 30
Nov. 2
Nov. 4
Nov. 6
Nov. 9
Nov. 11
Nov. 13
Nov. 16
Nov. 18
Nov. 20
Nov. 23
Nov. 25
Nov. 27
Nov. 30
Dec. 2
Dec. 4
Dec. 9
An Introduction to Metabolism
An Introduction to Metabolism
An Introduction to Metabolism
Cellular Respiration and Fermentation (quiz 6)
Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
Photosynthesis (quiz 7)
Photosynthesis
Fall Break – no classes
Photosynthesis (quiz 8)
The Cell Cycle
EXAM II
The Cell Cycle
Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles
Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles
The Molecular Basis of Inheritance (quiz 9)
The Molecular Basis of Inheritance
EXAM III
The Molecular Basis of Inheritance
The Molecular Basis of Inheritance
Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein
Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein (quiz 10)
Thanksgiving – no classes
Thanksgiving – no classes
Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein (quiz 11)
EXAM IV
Return Exam IV to the students
Final Exam (Comprehensive) at 8:00am
Chapters
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
1-5
6
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
8
9
6-8
9
10
10
13
13
9 and 10
13
13
14
14
14
13 and 14
all covered
BIOL 121 Biological Science I (004)
Fall 2015
Laboratory Schedule
Each student will receive a lab grade that will constitute 25% of their final grade in the class.
Laboratory sessions will be held on Wednesdays.
Laboratory Grading:
Lab notebooks 25%
Lab quizzes 25%
Lab reports 50%
Lab Notebooks: Each student will be required to purchase and maintain a composition-style notebook
to use as a laboratory notebook. The format of the lab notebook will be presented during lab.
Lab notebooks will be turned in for grading at the end of each laboratory session.
Lab Quizzes: During the semester, 6 lab quizzes will be given.
Lab Reports: Lab reports will be written in class each Wednesday following the respective lab. The
format of the lab reports will be presented in class. These reports will be turned in for grading at the
end of class. If you do not do the lab, you cannot write a report.
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Date
Aug. 24
Aug. 31
Sep. 7
Sep. 14
Sep. 21
Sep. 28
Oct. 5
Oct. 12
Oct. 19
Oct. 26
Nov. 2
Nov. 9
Nov. 16
Nov. 23
Nov. 30
Laboratory Schedule of Topics
(No lab)
Measurement Techniques
Labor Day – no classes
Write Investigation 1 Report (lab quiz 1)
Organic Molecules in Cells
Write Investigation 2 Report (lab quiz 2)
Cell and Microscopy
Write Investigation 3 Report (lab quiz 3)
Enzymes
Write Investigation 4 Report (lab quiz 4)
Photosynthesis
Write Investigation 5 Report (lab quiz 5)
Chi-Square / Mendelian genetics
Write Investigation 6 Report (lab quiz 6)
(No lab)
Investigation
1
2
3
4
5
7 and 8
Honor Code: Students are expected to abide by the Academic Code of Conduct as described in the
Student Handbook. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if academic integrity is violated. The
following honor pledge is to be signed and dated by the student on all exams.
“On my honor as a University of South Carolina at 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.”