BIOL A502 Eukaryotic Cellular and Molecular Biology
Credit:
Dr. William H. Jackson
SBDG 201A
641-3601
TTh, 9:25AM – 10:40AM in
SBDG 200
Three semester hours
Note:
BIOL A502 is a writing intensive course.
Instructor:
Office:
Telephone:
Lecture:
Office Hours:
Email:
Course Text:
Supplemental texts:
Fall 2015 Syllabus
By appointment
billj@usca.edu
The Cell, A Molecular Approach, 6th
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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
Analyze and summarize papers from the primary 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. Three
Blackboard exams will also be used to student mastery of three chapters. Writing assignments will include reviews of the
primary literature, and a research paper based on a question in eukaryotic cellular/molecular biology.
WI Designation: Eukaryotic Cellular and Molecular Biology is a designated writing intensive course (BIOL A502-WRI).
The goal is use writing as a learning tool. Writing will be assessed using discussion exam questions and specific writing
assignments. During this course we will answer the following questions: How do you write a good discussion? How do
you efficiently summarize the primary literature? 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 for which you will be responsible 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.
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BIOL A502 Eukaryotic Cellular and Molecular Biology
Fall 2015 Syllabus
Research summaries. You will be assigned seven primary research articles from your research paper’s bibliography to
summarize.
The basis of student evaluation is shown below:
Description
Three one-hour exams
Final Exam
Blackboard Exams
Research Paper
Weekly Quizzes
Article Summaries
Participation
TOTAL
Percentage
30%
10%
15%
15%
10%
14%
6%
100%
Points
300
100
150
150
100
140
60
1000
Comments
100 points each, taken during class
Comprehensive
50 points each, taken online
Topic in Cellular/Molecular Biology
From the previous 1-2 weeks material, 10 points each
Research article reviews, 20 points each
Class participation (2 points per day)
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 20
Aug 21
Aug 25
Aug 27
Aug 28
Sep 1
Sep 3
Sep 4
Sep 8
Sep10
Sep 15
Sep 17
Sep 22
Sep 24
Sep 29
Oct 1
Oct 6
Oct 8
Oct 13
Oct 15
Oct 20
Oct 22
Oct 27
Oct 29
Nov 3
Nov 5
Nov 10
Nov 12
Nov 17
Nov 19
Nov 24
Nov 26
Dec 1
Dec 3
Dec 8
WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
TOPIC
The Composition of Cells
Blackboard Exam: An Overview of Cells and Cellular Research
The Composition of Cells
The Composition of Cells
Blackboard Exam: Cell Metabolism
The Organization and Sequences of Cellular Genomes
The Organization and Sequences of Cellular Genomes
Blackboard Exam: Fundamentals of Molecular Biology
Replication, Maintenance, and Rearrangements of Genomic DNA
Replication, Maintenance, and Rearrangements of Genomic DNA
Replication, Maintenance, and Rearrangements of Genomic DNA
Exam I
Replication, Maintenance, and Rearrangements of Genomic DNA
RNA Synthesis and Processing
RNA Synthesis and Processing
RNA Synthesis and Processing
Protein, Synthesis, Processing, and Regulation
Exam II
Protein Synthesis, Processing, and Regulation
Protein Synthesis, Processing, and Regulation
Protein Synthesis, Processing, and Regulation
Fall Break (Oct 22-23) – No Classes
Protein Sorting and Transport
Protein Sorting and Transport
Protein Sorting and Transport
The Plasma Membrane
The Plasma Membrane
Exam III
The Plasma Membrane
Cell Signaling
Cell Signaling
Thanksgiving Holiday (Nov 25-37) – No Classes
Cell Signaling
Cell Signaling
FINAL EXAM; 8 AM
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CHAPTERS
2
1 (open book)
2
2
3 (open book)
5
5
4 (open book)
2-5
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
6-7
8
8
8
8
10
10
10
13
8-10
13
13
15
15
15
15
Comprehensive