I. ASCRC General Education Form
Group
Natural Sciences
Dept/Program
BIOL
100N
Course Title
Prerequisite
3 crd
Science of Life
none
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Instructor
Kevin Murray
17 Sep 08
Phone / Email
kevin.murray@mso.umt edu
Program Chair
Charles Janson
Dean
CAS
III. Description and purpose of the course: General Education courses must be introductory and
foundational. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
BIOL 100N provides an introduction to the science of Biology. The purpose of the course is to
expose students to foundational concepts in the Life Sciences, with an emphasis on how these
concepts/principles can have direct and positive bearing on their future academic pursuits, whether
or not these future avenues lie within the context of the Life Sciences (Biology).
IV. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
This course covers a broad range of Biology topics with concepts ranging molecular to
organismal to biosphere levels. Students learn of the interconnections among these levels of
biological organization and how each level can have relevance to the social and cultural world.
The importance of critical thinking, careful observation and interpretation of phenomena are
stressed as salient features of scientific inquiry, while underscoring the dynamic nature of
scientific thought and understanding of the natural world. The laboratory component of the
course emphasizes careful observation, data acquisition and interpretation, experimental design
and the importance of collaborative work with peers.
V. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
Upon completion of BIOL 100 students will have a broader and deeper understanding of the
Science of Biology and how these perspectives can enrich their daily lives. The skills
developed in laboratory and the precision thinking required to understand concepts explored in
lecture will provide students with an appreciation of the rigors encountered in scientific
research. Students will also be prepared to better interpret important sociological and cultural
dilemmas related to the natural sciences.
VII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. ⇓ The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus preparation
see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
*Please note: As an instructor of a general education course, you will be expected to provide
sample assessment items and corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.
BIO 100 – The Science of Life Course Syllabus and Lecture
Outline
M - W 11:10 -12:00 pm
Fall 2008
Instructor: Dr. Kevin Murray
Office: NS 113
Office hours: TBA
Phone: 4495; email: kevin.murray@mso.umt.edu
Required texts:
Lecture: Essential Biology. Third Ed. Campbell, Reece & Simon. 2007.
Laboratory: Science of Life: a Symbiosis Laboratory Guide. Compiled by Kevin Murray.
General Course Content:
Biology is a very broad area of study. In this course we will examine issues ranging from the chemical
nature of living things to how living things stay alive and how organisms evolve and live together in the
biosphere. Lecture and laboratory components of the course are required for a full understanding of many
of the issues covered. A primary objective of this course is to help you better understand some of the
interesting features of the world around you and to help you make better informed decisions about issues
with a biological component.
Grading:
In lecture there will be 2 mid-term exams and a final exam; the final is not comprehensive. Exams are
objective (true/false, multiple choice). Each exam will be worth approximately 75 points. SCANTRONS
(50 responses, single column) are required for the lecture exams.
Your grade in this course can be modified (either up or down) by classroom attendance and participation
and is a composite of your lecture and laboratory scores and performance. Laboratory instructors will
explain grading procedures and student obligations in the laboratory segment of the course.
Classroom attendance, make-up exams, etc.:
Your participation in classroom discussions can affect your final grade; please attend class on a regular
basis. Disruptive behavior such as talking or leaving lecture early is not acceptable. If you expect to leave
class early, please tell me before class begins. Make-up exams will be permitted only with compelling and
supported reasons. Make-up exams will take place one week after the scheduled exam and be arranged
during office hours of your laboratory instructor.
Laboratory component of course:
You are required to attend laboratory and participate in investigations. Your lab grade will contribute to
approximately 1/3 of your overall course grade. There are no "make-up" labs, but you can generally attend
another lab section during the week with prior arrangement with instructors of the labs.
Labs meet M - T- W- R (Thursday); check your class schedule for the exact time depending on what
section you have registered for.
BIO 100 Lecture Outline
Fall 2008
Date
Lecture Topic
Text Reference Pages
25 Aug
27 Aug
Course introduction: Scope of Biology
Chemistry for Biology
01 Sep
03 Sep
no class
Chemistry for biology
08 Sep
10 Sep
Molecules of life
Molecules of life
35-40
41-44
15 Sep
17 Sep
Molecules of life
Tour of the cell
44-51
55-59
22 Sep
24 Sep
Tour of the cell
Tour of the cell
60-65
65-68; 80-83
29 Oct
01 Oct
Exam I
Cell respiration
88-93
06 Oct
08 Oct
Cell respiration
Cell respiration
94-98
99-100
13 Oct
15 Oct
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
103-107
108-112
20 Oct
22 Oct
Photosynthesis
summary: Ps & Rs
113-115
27 Oct
29 Oct
Exam II
Evolution and natural selection
243-256
03 Nov
05 Nov
Evolution and natural selection
Evolution and biological diversity
270-278
10 Nov
Structure and function of DNA
170-175
12 Nov
Structure and function of DNA
175-180
17 Nov
19 Nov
DNA: mutations; viruses
Human evolution
187-193
366-374
2-12
20-26
27-32
24 Nov
26 Nov
Human evolution
Thanksgiving vacation: no class
01 Dec
03 Dec
Human impact on ecosystems
Human impact on ecosystems
12 Dec
Final Exam (8:30 – 10:00 am)
366-374
443-462