Cluster Syllabus:
The Science and Humanity of Human Disease
Biology 114: Cell Biology of Human Disease Instructor:
Dr. Karen K. Resendes
222 Hoyt Science Center
724.946.7211
resendkk@westminster.edu
Course Structure:
BIO 114 Lecture:
Laboratory:
Office Hours:
Monday and Wednesday 1-2:30 PM
and by appointment.
MWF 10:30AM- 11:30AM
T 2:00PM – 5:00PM
Course and Cluster Descriptions:
BIO 114 covers a range of topics in cell and molecular biology that will be applied
to a variety of diseases in order for students to understand the science behind the
symptoms. Specifically, students will explore the molecular underpinnings of cancer
biology, immune system related disorders and rare diseases. With each disease
covered students will add further depth to the cell biology basics by exploring new
cellular processes and studying specific organ systems. Laboratory sessions will
explore techniques related diagnostic tests for diseases as well as negotiating how to
interpret and assess the overwhelming online content available regarding human
disease.
Accordingly, the combination of ENG 156 with BIO 114 in this cluster will
introduce you to the disciplines of English and Biology while simultaneously
providing an interdisciplinary perspective on human disease that each course by
itself could not accomplish. BIO 114 will provide you with a precise background
in DNA, proteins and cellular function so that you will understand how genetic
mutations alter these functions leading to the development of disease. Thus you
will learn the biology behind the symptoms of various human diseases so that
while you explore how disease is portrayed in literature, you can understand how
and why it has the effects it does on the individuals presented. English 156 will focus on the human
experience of diseases covered in BIO 114. We will read and analyze an assortment of thought
provoking, often heartbreaking works spanning the nineteenth century through the present; and we’ll
study the cultural and historical backgrounds of the specific diseases depicted within them. In the
process, we’ll investigate the role of humanity in modern medicine and will explore how literature
shapes our understanding of illness and its treatment.
Required for BIO 114:
1. Text: Principles of Life Second Edition by Hillis, Sadava, Hill and Price and Launch Pad access
2. Frequent visits to the Bio 114 coursepage on my.westminster for:
-textbook reading assignments
-lab worksheets
-electronic submission of assignments
-links to important course resources and readings
Cluster Outcomes:
By the end of this cluster, students should be able to
1) demonstrate comprehension of basic cell and molecular biology as it relates to the development and
progression of human disease;
2) explain how disease has been represented in literature and what its representation contributes to our
cultural and personal experience of modern medicine;
3) identify biological and cultural origins of diseases and discuss their significance;
4) understand how the biology of human disease and its treatment has contributed to the literary
tradition and how, in turn, narratives about illness inform medical diagnosis and treatment;
5) communicate effectively, evaluate critically, and conduct thorough and efficient scientific and
literary research; and
6) Use practical skills in observation and investigative science in order to experience the process of
scientific inquiry.
Each course will pursue these outcomes in the style that is appropriate to the discipline, but two
assignments will have significant overlap between the courses (URAC and Research Project),
with distinct components graded for each course.
In BIO 114, we will pursue cluster outcomes through the following assignments:
Laboratory These assignments serve course outcomes 1 and 6.
Your participation in laboratory exercises will be assessed in the following ways:
Lab quizzes: It is in your best interest to read the labs prior to the scheduled lab period because
each new lab will begin with a pre-lab quiz to assess student preparation. These quizzes are intended
to ascertain your knowledge and understanding of the laboratory.
Lab worksheets: For one week lab workshops worksheets will be made available online on the course
my.westminster website in advance of lab. You are expected to print these worksheets, read them
before class and bring them with you to lab. During each lab each individual will fill out a worksheet,
which will include writing down observations, calculations, answers, and summaries that pertain to
that day's lab. This must be completed and handed in prior to leaving the lab.
Lab summaries: For multi-week lab inquiry based lab exercises directions will be made available
online on the course my.westminster website in advance of lab. These directions should be brought to
class either electronically or in hard copies. Throughout the course of these activities you will collect
data on instructor provided worksheets then compile your results in a lab summary document. This
summary will be completed as a team with each research team turning in only one summary. The lab
summary will be made available online and should be completed electronically then printed for
submission.
Research Project: In depth understanding of a human disease
This assignment serves course outcomes 1, 3 and 5.
Over the course of the semester each student will work in stages (literature binders, outlines, writing
samples etc) to research a specific disease. The student will learn how to use a range of literature and
database sources to gather the appropriate information. The final product will be a research paper
covering their topic from various points of view. The content of these papers will be presented orally
to the class at the end of the semester as part of a Human Disease Symposium. A supplementary
document will be provided detailing the stages and point values associated with this project.
Exams. This assignment serves course outcomes 1 and 3.
There will be five 100-point exams throughout the semester. Exam questions will include a range of
question types such as multiple choice, short answer and matching to assess basic concepts, and essay
questions to assess both conceptual knowledge and critical thinking skills. Each of the first four exams
will include material from the most recently covered content. The final exam will be cumulative,
covering material from the entire semester (fourth exam and final will both be taken during the
assigned final period
URAC Assignment. This assignment serves course outcomes 5 and 6.
Students are expected to attend two oral presentations during the URAC celebration. One talk should
be in a scientific discipline and one in the humanities. Graded outcome of the assignment will be a
worksheet in which the students compare the design and organization of the talks and their contents.
In class participation: This assignment serves course outcomes 1,3,4.
You are expected to participate in all class activities and speak up and ask questions when you have
them during lecture, lab, and topic discussions!
Bio 114 Course Grading:
Exams (100 pts each)
Research Project (multiple parts)
Participation
Lab workshop worksheets (7 at 25 each)
Lab summaries (2 at 25 each)
Lab quizzes
(10 at 50 each)
URAC Assignment
500
150
25
175
50
50
25
TOTAL
975
NOTE: Points total is subject change, especially if number of quizzes or worksheets is adjusted. Your
grade in the course is a straight percentage, the number of points you have earned divided by the total
possible points. I will try to keep these up to date on my.westminster but you can easily keep track of
your own grade.
A.......
A-......
B+.....
B.......
B-......
C+.....
93% or greater
90% - 92.95%
87% - 89.95%
83% - 86.95%
80% - 82.95%
77% - 79.95%
C.......
C-......
D+......
D.......
D-.....
F......
73% - 76.95%
70% - 72.95%
67% - 69.95%
63% - 66.95%
60% - 62.95%
below 60%
Policies & Expectations for BOTH ENG 156 and BIO 114:
! Attendance. Come to class. Every day. Excessive absences will directly affect your grade. You
may miss three classes. After these three, you will lose 1/3 of a letter grade for each additional
class you miss (e.g., an A- course grade will change to a B; a B+ course grade will change to a B-).
Absences will be excused only in emergency situations, with appropriate documentation. Please be
aware that “self-reported sick in room” notices from the Student Health Center will not change an
absence from unexcused to excused. If you are texting or sleeping, I will consider you absent.
Attendance at laboratories is MANDATORY. Please identify any conflicts between these and
college sponsored activities or events and report them to Dr. Resendes at least one week in
advance of the activity so that a make-up exercise can be arranged. The only excused absences for
exams or labs are the ones stated in the Westminster catalog (college-sponsored activities; personal
medical emergencies, etc.).
! Preparedness. Come to class prepared and ready to discuss the day’s reading assignments. All
readings should be completed before the class during which they will be discussed. Similarly, all
writing assignments should be submitted on time. Late papers will be penalized 10% per day late,
including the first day and weekends. Computer problems do not justify late or shoddy work.
Know that technology tends to fail us at the most inconvenient of times. Be prepared, backup your
work, and you will have no problems.
! Honesty. The lasting reward of academic integrity is good character and the ability to learn on
your own. See the Academic Integrity Policy available online and in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Note that failure to demonstrate academic integrity has serious consequences in the short term
(grades) as well as for the rest of your life.
! Respect. Maintain a respectful attitude toward the course, your fellow students, and me; in turn, I
will do the same for you. Know that disrespectful behavior—online or in class—can negatively
affect your participation grade.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
• ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT: Westminster College actively strives for the full inclusion of
all students. Students with disabilities who require access solutions for environmental or
curricular barriers should contact Faith Craig, Director of Disability Resources, located in 209
Thompson-Clark Hall. Phone: 724.946.7192; e-mail: craigfa@westminster.edu.
• ATHLETICS & EXTRACURRICULARS: If you are involved in College athletics or other
extracurricular activities and will miss class meetings because of games or performances, please
notify me in advance of any class sessions you will miss. All work is to be submitted prior to the
excused absence.
• CELL PHONES generally should be kept out of sight and out of mind. If you are texting,
facebooking, tweeting, etc., we consider you absent because you’re not really here, are you?
• LEARNING CENTER: Westminster’s Learning Center is located at 211 Thompson Clark Hall
and is staffed by upper-class undergraduate tutors who offer help with writing assignments.
While the Center will not proofread your paper(s) for you, its staff can help you with larger-order
issues, including thesis statements, organization, textual support, etc. Call 724.946.6700 to
schedule an appointment. Please prepare specific questions before going to the Center so as to
ensure the value of your session.
• PAPER DRAFTS: We encourage you to visit us during our office hours so we can discuss your
writing. You may also e-mail us specific questions about an assignment. In each case, please
allow sufficient time for the drafting process (“sufficient time” = one week before work is due).
A tentative schedule for Bio the spring 2015 semester can be found on the following page and the
my.westminster website.