Unity of Life
Biology 111, Fall 2015
Instructor:
Wayne L. Rickoll
Office:
Thompson 257B
Office Hours:
Tu, 12:00-2:00 pm; Wed, 1:00-3:00 pm; or by appointment.
Email:
rickoll@pugetsound.edu
Class meeting:
MWF, 11:00-11:50 am, TH193
Lab:
Th, 9:00-11:50 am; Th, 1:00-3:50 pm; F, 1:00-3:50 , pm TH251
Text:
- How Life Works by Morris et al. 2013. There are several ways to
buy the text, and you should purchase what is called a course space
named LaunchPad. LaunchPad is a multi-media suite of learning
aids with ready-made assessment options, including
LearningCurve adaptive quizzing, curated pre-built units which
are easy to use, such as video, animations, simulations, readings,
quizzes, discussion groups and more. To see a tutorial on LaunchPad
go to:
http://cmg.screenstepslive.com/s/MacmillanMedia_StudentHelp/
m/LaunchPadSolo_SM/l/246387-how-do-i-log-in-once-i-ve-alreadyregistered
- A Student Handbook for Writing In Biology by Knisely, 2013.
Activating LaunchPad:
Laboratory manual:
Powerpoints:
Course Website:
Instructions can be found in the News Forum topic on Moodle
Biology 111 Laboratory Manual, available in the bookstore.
I will place powerpoints on Moodle as soon as possible.
A Moodle site will be used to distribute powerpoints and other
materials. http://moodle.pugetsound.edu/
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course objectives of Unity of Life adhere closely to the Core curriculum guidelines for courses
meeting the Natural Scientific Approaches Core requirements. Specific objectives include:
1. Learning the fundamental elements of molecular, cellular, genetic and physiological biology.
Emphasis will be placed on concepts and application of concepts in problem solving.
2. Developing an understanding of scientific methods in biology. In regularly scheduled
laboratory classes, students will learn how to design and execute experiments. These
exercises are designed to develop the student's analytical abilities and, whenever
possible, incorporate quantitative methods. Students will be required to record, analyze,
present and articulate and defend claims based on data they obtain in laboratory in written
reports.
3.
Learning the use of basic laboratory tools and instruments.
4. Introducing you to some of the basic principles of modern biology so you can
relate these principles to your own existence as an individual and as a member of society.
5.
Enhance your use of writing, both as effective communication and as a learning strategy.
BIO111, Fall 2015, W.L. Rickoll 1"
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed for introductory level students intending to major in biology or a related
science, or to go into a professional program in the health sciences. Biology majors are required to
complete Biology 111 before taking most upper level courses in the major. If you do not plan to
major in the sciences you may want to consider enrolling in Biology 101, a Natural Science
Approaches core Biology course designed for non-majors.
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed one or more years of high
school biology and chemistry. If you are considering a major in biology, you should be taking
Chemistry concurrently.
Students in Biology 111 will begin to recognize and understand the cellular structure/function
relationships that make life possible. In addition to basic structural features, I will emphasize the
capacity of cells to process materials and energy, to reproduce, and to communicate with other
cells. As students in Biology 111, you will be asked to go beyond memorizing details to applying
these concepts to novel situations, such as considering how cellular processes underlie whole
organism function or dysfunction in specific examples. In addition, you will be introduced to some
of the principles underlying DNA technology and some recent applications of that technology.
To be successful, students in Biology 111 need to acquire a firm grasp of basic concepts and
develop the ability to apply these concepts to new problems. Each student should begin to develop
confidence in their ability to think logically and critically and to communicate ideas effectively,
both orally and in writing. Writing clearly is one of the most important skills you will develop in
college. One of the goals of this course is to help you recognize the elements of good scientific
writing and allow you to begin to develop your scientific writing skills.
RESPONSIBILITY
I will facilitate an effective learning environment in which you can explore the fundamentals of
biology. No question is unreasonable. However, ultimately you are responsible for your own
education. You must dedicate ample energy and time to learn the material. You are responsible for
obtaining information on any schedule changes as well as on class materials you may miss during
absence from class.
TIME REQUIREMENTS
Please be aware that assessment in this course will be based on comprehension and application of
biological knowledge in addition to basic knowledge. As such, you will need to plan on significant
additional time outside of lecture (3 hours for every hour of lecture) and lab so that you may move
beyond just acquisition of knowledge.
READINGS
Our main textbook was written for a comprehensive, yearlong, introductory college biology
course. It is highly readable, well illustrated, and covers many more topics than we will be able to
cover in Biology 111. You are encouraged to keep this book and use it as a comprehensive, general
resource for future biology courses and to study for the MCAT, GRE, etc. (If you won’t need or
want this book for future reference, you can sell it back to the bookstore. For each class session,
I've assigned a chapter or a portion of a chapter; this material should be studied in preparation for
the class. Within chapters there are quick concept checks and at the end of chapters there are
chapter reviews. These aids will help you identify important concepts and terms associated with
the topics and provide questions that will help you organize and apply your learning. Sometimes
I may use these quick checks for test questions. Following each lecture, it is important that you
integrate the information in the text with that from lecture.
BIO111, Fall 2015, W.L. Rickoll 2"
HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS COURSE IN THIS COURSE – I have bolded the items I
believe to be most important.
1. Attend lectures and labs. An essential factor for success in college courses is regular class
attendance!
2. You must read the textbook to gain a greater understanding of topics covered in the
lectures. The figures in the book are especially important. They are excellent and help
convey concepts difficult to describe in words. The pages in the text for each class topic are
listed in the course schedule. The book also has excellent reviews at the end of each chapter,
self-quiz questions and "challenge" questions that will help you prepare for exams. There is
a useful glossary.
Prepare for each class by reviewing notes from previous class(s) and studying ahead in the
text to get a picture of the topics to be covered during the next class.
3. Come to class prepared to think about a certain body of material, take detailed notes from
the lecture, and ask questions about material you do not understand. I encourage you to ask
questions at any time during the lecture if I have said something you do not understand or
seems confusing. If your question does not get asked or answered you may submit it to me
by email. If, after all your efforts to understand the material being covered, you are still
having difficulty and would like additional help, please seek individual assistance during
one of my office hours or through a special appointment. You will probably find you
understand some of what you read and do not understand other parts. Asking questions
about material you don’t understand is very important.
4. Study material after each class by trying to integrate current class information with
material from previous classes and readings. Information and ideas will be most fresh in
your mind at this time. You will be asked to apply your knowledge to solve problems not
specifically presented in classes.
5. Use each class session and your study time to prepare for the mini-exams and full exams.
Breaking up the topics into smaller packages should help you manage your efforts. Low
mini-exam scores indicate a lack of preparation on your part and will have a significant
negative impact on your grade.
6. On exams you will be expected to be able to apply information you learn in this course
to solving unique problems. The following statement is contained in course objective one:
“Emphasis will be placed on concepts and application of concepts in problem solving.” You
can look at the challenge questions at the ends of chapters for general examples of what I
mean by application problems. Solving genetic problems is a classic example of applying
knowledge to solve new problems.
7. Copying your class notes, with any needed revisions, clarifications and editing, in a
separate notebook is an effective way to learn the material. This effort will also ensure that
you understand your notes and they will be better organized for future study.
8. The CD that is included with your text is designed to enhance your thinking about the
topics in this course. It includes animations that help you visualize the processes I cover.
9. Another very effective way to learn is to participate in or organize a small study group
with other students in this class. Use this group to review information, test your knowledge,
and practice explaining the concepts. Often it isn't until you try to explain a concept to
someone else that you see a gap in your understanding. The more you intellectually engage
your mind with these concepts, the more you will learn and the better prepared you will be
for the quizzes and exams.
BIO111, Fall 2015, W.L. Rickoll 3"
10. If you find yourself searching for additional or novel study methods for biology please
come visit me in my office. Don't be afraid to seek help from the professor or teaching
assistant! While I want you to become independent learners, I also want to make this course
interesting and enjoyable with as little frustration to you as
possible.
LABORATORY
Each student must be registered for a laboratory section. Each laboratory section will meet at its
assigned time during the week for 3 hours. You are expected to attend the laboratory section for
which you are registered and to be on time. Only in unusual (and extremely rare) circumstances
will you be allowed to make arrangements to attend a different laboratory section in a given week.
The laboratory activities provide an opportunity to make first-hand observations, learn data
collection techniques, sharpen one's skill in analysis and reasoning, and practice clear and effective
communication. A short introduction to the laboratory will generally be given at the beginning of
each lab period. This introduction will provide information not available in your lab manual and
to demonstrate new techniques—but it cannot replace your own advance preparation.
You must carefully read through the laboratory description BEFORE the lab to know what it is
you are expected to do during the laboratory session. I CANNOT EMPHASIZE THIS
ENOUGH! If you do NOT do this, lab will take you much longer than it should to complete.
This is not the best use of your time.
You should also review the portions of your text and lecture notes that relate to the laboratory
topic. To help you prepare for each lab session, most lab exercises include a set of pre-lab questions
to turn in at the beginning of the lab period. Detailed instructions for each lab are included in the
Biology 111 Laboratory Manual, available at the bookstore. Each lab description includes many
questions for thought and most include a page or more of questions to be turned in at the end of
the laboratory session. It is a good idea to bring your text with you to lab to help you answer the
questions.
One lab will provide data for writing a full lab report. This assignment is part of your introduction
to scientific writing. In science it is essential to communicate observations and reasoning through
clear, concise, and well documented written papers.
APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
Students are expected to behave in an appropriate manner while attending this class.
• ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINK is allowed the laboratory, except in a closed lid
bottle, and these will not be allowed at your workstation.
• If you leave the room during a test without my permission, your paper will be collected
and you will not be permitted to complete the test/quiz.
• During class time I expect you to be working on materials for this course only.
•
Personal technology: I encourage the use of laptops, pda’s or smart phones in class, as long as they
are used for classroom activities.
• Please be respectful of others in class:
o Switch your phones to vibrate before coming to class
o No email or text messaging
 Thumbing your phone under the desk is highly distracting and I do notice.
o You may not touch or use your phone/pda/laptop in any way during an exam
o You may not listen to an iPod or similar device during an exam or quiz
BIO111, Fall 2015, W.L. Rickoll 4"
•
•
•
Lack of respect for diversity will not be tolerated in the class. Diversity encompasses age,
life experiences, profession, race, religion, gender, nation, lifestyle, social class, learning
style, philosophy of life, sexual orientation, personality, mental and physical challenges,
customs, values, among other.
Telephones located in classrooms and labs are for staff use and medical/safety emergencies
only (no personal calls).
Student access to lab prep areas is prohibited unless authorized by an instructor.
CLASSROOM EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDANCE
•
•
•
Please review university emergency preparedness and response procedures posted at
www.pugetsound.edu/emergency/. There is a link on the university home
page. Familiarize yourself with hall exit doors and the designated gathering area for your
class and laboratory buildings.
If building evacuation becomes necessary (e.g. earthquake), meet your instructor at the
designated gathering area so she/he can account for your presence. Then wait for further
instructions. Do not return to the building or classroom until advised by a university
emergency response representative.
If confronted by an act of violence, be prepared to make quick decisions to protect your
safety. Flee the area by running away from the source of danger if you can safely do so. If
this is not possible, shelter in place by securing classroom or lab doors and windows,
closing blinds, and turning off room lights. Lie on the floor out of sight and away from
windows and doors. Keep cell phones or pagers on vibrate so that you can receive
messages quietly. Wait for further instructions.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
Plagiarism and any other form of cheating will not be tolerated. I recommend you avoid even the
appearance of cheating, particularly during quiz, exam and practical times.
Plagiarism is defined as presenting the work of another as one's own. More than four consecutive
words from a source other than the writer constitutes plagiarism when the source is not clearly
identified in appropriate documentation format.
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY
All students as part of their obligation to University of Puget Sound assume the responsibility to
exhibit in their academic performance the qualities of honesty and integrity. All forms of student
dishonesty, which may include but not be limited to: cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic
dishonesty, and plagiarism are subject to disciplinary action. Examples of academic misconduct
may include:
o Representation of the work of others as one's own
o Use of unauthorized assistance in any academic work
o Failure to cite sources used
o Obtaining and/or using tests unless distributed and/or approved by the instructor
o Copying the work of another student on any form of test
o Knowingly help someone else cheat
o Modification, without the instructor's approval, of any form of test, computer program,
paper, record, report, assignment, or project for the purpose of obtaining additional
credit or an improved grade
o Failure to meet other conditions of academic integrity as identified by the instructor in
the course syllabus
BIO111, Fall 2015, W.L. Rickoll 5"
Depending upon the severity of the incident, an instructor may, after discussion with the student,
impose a penalty or penalties such as:
o Issue a warning.
o Reduce the grade of the assignment, examination, or project assignment, any form of
test, or project.
o Give zero credit for the assignment, any form of test, or project.
o Dismiss the student from the course, and issue a withdrawal or failure for a grade.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
If you have a disability, including a learning disability or health problem that interferes with
ability to succeed in this class, you are encouraged to arrange support services and/or
accommodations through Disabilities Services. Please see
http://www.pugetsound.edu/disabilities.xml for more information.
Total Points Possible – 900 pts.
Grading Scale – This is to be used as a guide in case you want to determine how you are doing
in class.
A ≥ 94%
A- = 90-93.9%
B+ = 87-89.9% B = 84-86.9%
B- = 80-83.9%
C+ = 77-79.9% C = 74-76.9%
C- = 70-73.9%
D+ = 67-69.9% D = 64-66.9%
D- = 60-63.9%
F < 60%
Exams
500 pts.
Mini-Exams
100 pts.
Lab
250 pts.
Three Regular Exams (100 pts. each) and Final Exam (200 pts.)
Material on exams will be derived from lecture presentations. If I don’t talk about it
in lecture, it should not be on an exam. Remember you are expected to be able to
apply lecture material to answer application questions, which is an extension of
your understanding of material covered in lecture. If you miss class on the day of
an exam, there will not be an opportunity to make up the exam.
Two Mini-Exams (50 pts. each)
Mini exams will be given on Fridays (three class sessions or so before each full
exam). They will start at the beginning of class and will last for 30 minutes. They
will be graded and returned no later than the following Wednesday to provide you
with an evaluation of how well you are understanding the material prior to the full
exam. If you miss class on that day there will not be an opportunity to make up the
mini exam.
Lab pre- and post questions, problems (165 pts)
Photosynthesis Lab Report (50 pts)
Lab Practical (10 pts)
Class Participation
50 pts.
If you attend lecture and lab regularly and don’t use personal technology in an
inappropriate way, which I will notice, you should receive full credit.
"
BIO111, Fall 2015, W.L. Rickoll 6"
LECTURE AND LAB SCHEDULE
Date
Lecture Topic
Mon.8-31
Wed. 9-2
Introduction to Biology
The Molecules of Life
Text (Morris)
Lab
-
Ch 1
Ch. 2 and Audio
Cells and Tissues
lecture on Moodle
Fri. 9- 4
The Molecules of Life/A bit about biofilms
Ch 2
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 9-7
Labor Day – No Class
Wed. 9-9
Nucleic Acids/Transcription
Ch. 3
No Lab
Fri. 9-11
Nucleic Acids/Transcription
Ch. 3
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 9-14
Translation/Protein Structure
Ch. 4
Wed. 9-16
Translation/Protein Structure
Ch. 4
Biofilms l
Fri. 9-17
Mini Exam I (material from 8-31 through 9-14)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 9-21
Lipids, Membranes, Cell Compartments
Ch. 5
Wed. 9-23
Lipids, Membranes, Cell Compartments
Ch. 5
Membranes
Fri. 9-25
Capturing and Using Energy
Ch. 6
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 9-28 Exam I (material from 8-31-9-23)
Wed. 9-30 Capturing and Using Energy
Ch. 6
Biofilms ll
Fri. 10-2 Cellular Respiration
Ch. 7
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 10-5
Cellular Respiration
Ch. 7
Wed. 10-7
Photosynthesis
Ch. 8
Cellular Respiration
Fri. 10-9 Photosynthesis
Ch. 8
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 10-12 Cellular Communication
Ch. 9
Wed. 10-14 Cellular Communication
Ch. 9
Photosynthesis
Fri. 10-16 Mini Exam II (material from 9-25-10-2)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date
Lecture Topic
Text
Lab
-
Mon. 10-19 No Class (fall break)
Wed. 10-21 Cell Form and Function
Ch. 10
No lab
Fri. 10-23 Cell Division-Mitosis
Ch. 11
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 10-26 Cell Division-Cell Cycle Regulation
Ch. 11
Mitosis
Wed. 10-28 Exam II (material from 9-30 -10-23)
&
Fri. 10-30 Meiosis
Ch. 11
Human Genetics I
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 11-2
DNA Replication
Ch. 12
Meiosis
Wed. 11-4
Genomes
Ch. 13
&
Fri. 11-6 DNA Mutation and Repair
Ch. 14
Human Genetics II
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 11-9
Catch up
Wed. 11-11 Genetic Variation
Ch. 15
Genotype to Phenotype I
Fri. 11-13 Mendelian Inheritance
Ch. 16
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 11-16 Mendelian Inheritance
Ch. 16
Wed. 11-18 Beyond Mendel
Ch. 17
Genotype to Phenotype II
Fri. 11-20 Catch up
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 11-23 Exam III (material from 10-23 through 11-18)
Wed. 11-25 No Class (travel day)
No Lab
Fri. 11-27 No Class (Thanksgiving holiday)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 11-30 Complex Genetics
Ch. 18
Bioethics
Wed. 12-2
Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation
Ch. 19
& Lab Practical
Fri. 12-4 Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation
Ch. 19
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 12-7
Genes and Development
Ch. 20
No Lab
Wed. 12-9
Genes and Development
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon. 12-14 FINAL EXAM, 12:00 -2:00 (final will be comprehensive with emphases on later mateial)