ABIO 121 Biological Science I (sec. 300)
Instructor: Dr. Pam Steen
Email: pams@usca.edu
Lecture/Lab: TTH; 6:00pm-8:40pm; SBDG 107
Spring 2010
Office: SBDG 111B
Office Hours: TTH 5:00pm-5:55pm or
by appointment
Lecture textbook: Biology, 8th Ed. by Peter Raven et al.
Laboratory textbook: Biology 121 Laboratory Manual, 5th Ed. by Jackson and Yates
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)
Weekly Lecture Quizzes 15%
Laboratory Grade 30%
Final Exam (comprehensive) 15%
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.
Classroom Behavior: It is the instructor’s right to remove from the classroom any student who
disrupts or disturbs the proceeding of the class. Disruption of the class includes but is not limited
to the use of any portable electronic devices, including cell phones, MP3 players; iPods, etc.
unless prior approval has been given to a student or unless required for the course. In extreme
cases the faculty member can request assistance from University Police. If the student who has
been ejected causes similar disturbances in subsequent meetings of the class, he/she may be
denied admittance to the class for the remainder of the semester and assigned a grade of F.
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, 126A B&E, (803)
641-3609, 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.
ABIO 121 Biological Science I (sec. 300)
Spring 2010
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.”
Attendance: Attendance will not be taken. However, students are encouraged to be present at all
lectures and labs. There will be no make-up quizzes, labs, or lab reports.
Weekly Lecture Quizzes: During the semester, 7 weekly quizzes will be given. Beginning on Jan.
14th, quizzes will be given at the start of class each Thursday. They will include lecture material
covered in the previous lecture period. Students will not be allowed to make-up missed quizzes.
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
Date
1
Jan. 12
Jan. 14
Jan. 19
Jan. 21
Jan. 26
Jan. 28
Feb. 2
Feb. 4
Feb. 9
Feb. 11
Feb. 16
Feb. 18
Feb. 23
Feb. 25
Mar. 2
Mar. 4
Mar. 9
Mar. 11
Mar. 16
Mar. 18
Mar. 23
Mar. 25
Mar. 30
Apr. 1
Apr. 6
Apr. 8
Apr. 13
Apr. 15
Apr. 20
Apr. 22
Apr. 29
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Lecture Schedule of Topics
The Science of Biology
The Nature of Molecules
Investigation 1
The Chemical Building Blocks of Life
Investigation 1 Report
Cell Structure / Membranes
Investigation 2
Exam I
Investigation 2 Report
Energy and Metabolism
Investigation 3
How Cells Harvest Energy
Investigation 3 Report
Photosynthesis
Investigation 4
EXAM II
Spring Break! (no classes)
Investigation 4 Report
How Cells Divide
Investigation 5
Sexual Reproduction and Meiosis
Investigation 5 Report
Exam III
Investigation 6
DNA: The Genetic Material
Investigation 6 Report
Genes and How They Work & Control of Gene Expression
Exam IV
Return Exam IV / Review session for Final Exam
Final Exam at 8pm (Cumulative)
Chapters
1
2
3
4&5
1-5
6
7
8
6-8
10
11
10 and 11
14
15 & 16
14-16
1-16
ABIO 121 Biological Science I (sec. 300)
Spring 2010
Laboratory Schedule
Each student will receive a lab grade that will constitute 30% of their final grade in the class.
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: Lab quizzes will be administered at the beginning of class each Tuesday following lab.
Lab Reports: Lab reports will be written in class each Tuesday 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
Jan. 12
Jan. 19
Jan. 26
Feb. 2
Feb. 9
Feb. 16
Feb. 23
Mar. 2
Mar. 9
Mar. 16
Mar. 23
Mar. 30
Apr. 6
Apr. 13
Apr. 20
Laboratory Schedule of Topics
(No lab)
Measurement Techniques
Write Investigation 1 Report
Organic Molecules in Cells
Write Investigation 2 Report
Cell and Microscopy
Write Investigation 3 Report
Enzymes
Spring Break! (no lab)
Write Investigation 4 Report
Photosynthesis
Write Investigation 5 Report
Mitosis
Write Investigation 6 Report
(No Lab)
Investigation
1
2
3
4
5
6