Bio. 105 BIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS: UNITY - FALL 2008
SECTIONS C01-07 AND D01-07
LECTURER: Dr. Margaret Beard
OFFICE: Halsey 161
PHONE: 424-7089
E-MAIL: beard@uwosh.edu
OFFICE HOURS: To Be Announced I am generally on campus each day of the week from 8:00am and until at
least 5:30pm.
LECTURE HOURS: C Section - 1:50-2:50pm MWF in Clow 103; D Section – 3:00-4:00pm MWF in Clow
103
LABORATORY SESSIONS MEET ONCE PER WEEK. Attend the laboratory section that corresponds to
your lecture section.
TEXT (lecture): Campbell, Reece, Taylor and Simon (2009 edition) Biology: Concepts and Connections, 5th
edition, custom version for University of Wisconsin, Addison Wesley Longman, Inc. Note: Your
book is invaluable....USE IT! Read over the assignments before coming to class; then re-read those
assignments after lecture; make margin notes in the text; study the figures closely....THEY ARE
IMPORTANT.
FYI – I will be referring to figures and concepts as presented in the 2009 edition of the lecture text.
You may use the 2006 edition of the text, realizing however, that you are responsible for any material
not found in this edition that is found in the current edition.
TEXT (laboratory): Bio-105 Concepts in Biology: Unity, Laboratory Manual. (as revised 2008). Buy a
three-ring binder in which to keep this manual. Bring a 6 inch ruler and a calculator to each lab.
ATTENDANCE POLICY.
LECTURE I do not take role in lecture; role is taken in laboratory. Your attending lecture and developing
good note taking skills increases your ability to do well in this course. I DO NOT repeat my lectures,
nor do I publish my lecture notes. I do give quizzes in lecture and/or via D2L that can be answered
easily if you attend class, listen and learn.
LABORATORY. If you miss a laboratory, you must arrange with your laboratory instructor to make-up this
laboratory and contact the instructor of the laboratory section you wish to attend. This instructor is
under no obligation to allow you to attend his/her section. It is always best to attend another lab
section taught by your regular instructor. However, you may attend any lab corresponding to your
lecture section taught by any instructor. Listed below are the instructors and their office contacts.
If you do not make-up a laboratory exercise, you will receive a score of zero for that day’s work. No
laboratory may be made-up after the week in which it is scheduled.
Laboratory Instructor
Mr. Bosma
Ms. Charley-Johnson
Ms. Davis-Foust
Mr. Matt Nelson
Ms. Katrina Olsen
Sections
C01
C06, C07
C02, D01, D02
D03, D04
C03, C04, D07
C05, D05, D06
Office
HS39
HS33
HS255
Phone
---0930
----
e-mail
bosmaa
charleyj
davisfos
HS248
HS255
-------
nelsonm
olsenk10
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Biology 105 is the introductory course for all Biology courses on this campus. It serves as a general
education course for many students, the start of a biology major for others, or the first step towards the
nursing or other health professions program for some. It is assumed you are entering this course with no in
depth background in, although a general familiarity of, Biology gleaned by simply living in the natural
world that surrounds us (ecosystems) to reading the newspapers and listening to television report.
In this introductory course we will examine characteristics, both structural and functional, that are shared by
all living organisms. Thus the bulk of the course is an introductory cell biology course. We begin by
studying basic chemistry, then move on to biological molecules and how they interact, then onto cells and
cell structure, how cells make and use energy, how they reproduce, and finally how cells and organisms
evolve.
Throughout the course I will be tying the material into real life examples about how Biology relates to your
everyday life (and it really, really does). I hope you leave the course with a better understanding of basic
biology that enables you to make informed decisions about your life, about current political and social issues
such as genetically modified organisms and stem cell research, drug interactions, effects of pesticides and
other environmental pollutants (e.g.heavy metals), among others.
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE: The topics and readings outlined below will be discussed during the
course; however the exact timing of this may vary from that given in this schedule.
Date
Sept. 3-5
8-15
17-19
22-24
Sept. 24
Sept. 26
Sept 29;
Oct. 1-3
Oct. 6
Lecture Topics/Questions we are asking
Text Ref.
What is science? What is the scientific method? Are scientists the only
people who follow the scientific method...or do we all use it?
How and why life exists and functions and how all life forms are similar,
means one must understand a bit of chemistry....What molecules are used
in living systems; What are their properties; How is each molecule crucial
to the existence of life?
How are the simplest forms of life different from and/or similar to each
other? What are the common components of individual cells? How have
some of these components been specialized for certain functions/roles some cells sending messages (neurons), some storing energy (liver and fat
cells) and some lifting weights (muscles)? What caused multi-cellular
organisms to evolve? Is there competition and/or cooperation between
cells in multicellular cellular organisms?
How are molecules and their forces harnessed to allow life to exist? How do
cells control what enters and leaves? What molecules control the
metabolism and behavior of cells?
6-8pm Review/Study Session - 7-9pm Halsey 106
FIRST LECTURE EXAM!!!!
Continued discussion of Chapter 5 - PLUS - How do cells generate
electricity; What signals muscles to contract....practical aspects of
diffusion.
FIRST LABORATORY EXAM!!!! (covering Labs. 1-4) –Note:
Review/Study Session, Oct. 2nd, 6-8pm Halsey 106
Chapter 1
2-3
4
5
1-4
5
Oct. 8-13
Oct. 5-17
Oct. 20-22
How do cells get energy (Part 1) –How is energy obtained from other
molecules, i.e. “food”, including food we eat? What makes oxygen such
an important molecule....from a molecular perspective? What is meant by
RESPIRATION?
How do cells get energy (part 2) - How is energy from the sun harnessed? .
What is PHOTOSYNTHESIS Without this we would not exist
The difference between replication (mitosis) and sex (meiosis)!!!
Review/Study Session – 6-8pm Halsey 106
SECOND LECTURE EXAM
How are traits inherited? How can we calculate and predict patterns of
inheritance?
Oct. 29
SECOND LABORATORY EXAM (covering Labs. 5-7) Note:
Review/Study Session, Oct 27th 6-8pm Halsey 106
Nov. 3-7
Continued discussion of Chapter 9 - trait inheritance
Nov. 10-12 What do genes actually encode? How is the DNA code of a gene converted
to something useful by the cell?
Nov. 12
7-9pm Review/Study Session, 6-8pm Halsey 106
Nov. 14
THIRD LECTURE EXAM
Nov. 17-24 How do genes control cell behavior? How do they control development?
How can scientists manipulate the process to genetically engineer animals
and plants?
NOV. 21-25 THANKSGIVING !!!!!
"Natural Selection and how populations change. Why are animals like
Dec. 1-5
cheetahs to be almost identical...even at the genetic level? What makes
us think that evolution took place? Why are toads and frogs different?
Dec. 8
THIRD LABORATORY EXAM (covering Labs. 8-11) Review/Study
Session, 6-8pm Halsey 106
Dec. 10
FOURTH LECTURE EXAM. Review/Study Session, Dec. 8th, 6-8pm,
Halsey 106
Dec. 12
MAKE-UP EXAM (This exam is entirely comprehensive, covering both
lecture and laboratory topics. Try to avoid it.) NO REVIEW STUDY
SESSION
Oct. 22
Oct. 24
Oct. 27
6
7
8
5-7
9
9
10
8-9
11
13-14 and
parts of
15-16
10-16
EXAMS: There will be four lecture exams and three laboratory exams. All exams will be given in the lecture
hall – Clow 103 - on the day indicated in the schedule above.
LECTURE EXAMS will be comprised of multiple choice questions and will draw upon and cover
material presented in lecture and readings. Because material introduced later in the semester builds on
information discussed during previous weeks, all exams, after the first, will include questions pertaining
to previously covered material – i.e. be comprehensive. Up to 20% of the points on any exam may be
from material covered on previous exams. This means that questions pertaining to previously learned
material will appear on later exams.
LABORATORY EXAMS will be comprised of multiple choice questions. The laboratory exercises
illustrate the principles presented in lecture and thus depend upon your understanding lecture material. Thus,
the laboratory exams can include questions based on relevant lecture material. Laboratory exam questions will
mimic the way you have performed the exercises in the lab proper, asking you to formulate hypotheses, analyze
data, etc. The laboratory exam questions will seldom ask you specifically about the specific exercises done in
the lab.
MISSING AN EXAM - If you miss an exam, you will receive a score of zero unless you have followed the
procedures below.
MISSING AN EXAM FOR A MEDICAL OR PERSONAL REASON.
In order to take the make-up exam, any student who knows he/she will miss or does miss an exam for any
personal reason must MUST register to take the make-up exam, before the last week of classes, i.e. no
later than Dec. 8th
NOTE TO ATHLETES OR OTHERS WHO WILL MISS AN EXAM FOR ACADEMIC REASONS.
Students who must miss an exam due to a conflicting out of town athletic university sponsored event must
supply me with an official statement of the event or a letter from the coach or advisor ONE WEEK
BEFORE THE EXAM DATE IN ORDER FOR SPECIAL ARRAGEMENTS FOR TAKING THE
EXAM TO BE MADE.
MAKE-UP EXAM: This will be a comprehensive exam!!! Only ONE exam will be given covering both
lecture material and laboratory topics. Because it will be an exam meant to test material from lab and
lecture and from all parts of the semester, the make-up exam covers a great deal of information. Be
prepared for this. The make-up exam can not be used to substitute for a low score on another exam.
EXAM REGRADE POLICY: Grading errors on exams do occur. These may be a simple as an addition error;
or more encompassing, such as my misinterpretation of your understanding of the question or your use of a
source different from the text or other assigned reading with information different from the expected answer to a
question. In either case I will ONLY accept requests for re-grades when submitted in writing and within
48 hours of your having received the test back. In your written request you MUST JUSTIFY WHY you
believe that your answer is correct – i.e. provide the outside source, explain your logic, etc. Note: if the request
is for a simply addition error, this needs no justification. WHENEVER A REGRADE IS REQUESTED, I
RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REGRADE THE ENTIRE EXAM, NOT ONLY THE QUESTION(S) AT ISSUE.
QUIZZES: Unannounced quizzes based on lecture material will be given periodically in lecture and/or on D2L.
The scores of the quizzes (1-4pts, each) will be averaged and then added to your final class average score
(e.g. if you score 4pts on every quiz and if you take every quiz then a class average of 89…an AB…will
increase to 93…an A)! So come to lecture and take quizzes for they can increase your grade.
HINTS for STUDYING FOR EXAMS –
Discuss the bold face words and the topic headings of your text by asking yourself questions such as –
What does the word or topic mean in biology; When is the word or topic important or how is it used or does it
function.
Use the chapter reviews at the end of each chapter in your text – discuss and answer all parts.
Study and be able to discuss the study/thought questions interspersed through each chapter
Use the CD and the web site (former students say that these are especially helpful)
Study with a study partner or a study group. Talk about the topics and about what is presented in lecture.
If you can teach a concept, teach the meaning of a phrase or word to someone else then you understand the
topic. .
Study the key word list and study question concept guide posted on D2L prior to all exams.
Look at the sample exam questions that are posted on D2L to acquaint you with the style of questions
asked on exams. Yes, you can use the questions on this exam as additional study questions. However, there is
no assurance that these questions will appear verbatim on any exam.
GRADES: Exam Scores will be posted on D2L sometime within a week after the exam date. Your quiz and
laboratory grades will not be posted.
FINAL GRADES: 66% of your grade will be based on performance in lecture, 33% will be based on
performance in the laboratory.
Lecture grade: 60% of your overall grade will be based on scores from the lecture exams; 10% will be
based on quiz scores.
Laboratory grade: 30% of your overall grade will be based on scores from the laboratory exams. 10% of
your overall grade will be based on assignments (work sheets, lab reports, lab quizzes) given by your
laboratory instructor.
COURSE GRADING SCALE: 100-91% A, 90-88% AB, 87-81% B, 80-78%BC, 77-70% C, 69-66% CD, 6560% D, less than 60% F. I reserve the right to lower the scale slightly if class performance warrants such a
change.
CHEATING POLICY: Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. It will result in an F grade in the class and
possible expulsion from the University.
UNIVERSITY STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Any evidence of any form of academic dishonesty makes you subject to the Student Academic Disciplinary
Procedures, as outlined in the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Student Discipline Code, as detailed in specific
provisions of Chapter 14 of the State of Wisconsin Administrative Code. (http://www/uwosh.edu/dean). Any
student found in violation of any aspect of the above Code will receive a sanction as detailed in UWS 14.005 &
14.06, ranging from a grade of zero on the assignment to expulsion from the university. . Academic dishonesty
is interpreted to include (but is not limited to) the following: looking at another student’s exam and/or copying
answers, talking to other students in exams; using notes or other resources e.g. electronic devices during exams,
when not permitted, using another’s work (obtained from on campus or off campus sources) as a student’s own;
not giving attribution to work either quoted or paraphrased, failure to give sources for work referenced, etc.
Students may appeal sanctions per UWS 14.06-14.08.
HINTS FOR STUDYING IN BIO 105 – OR - THE ROAD TO AN “A”.
BE AN ACTIVE LEARNER.
ATTEND LECTURE and BRING YOUR TEXT WITH YOU. Use all of your senses(ears, eyes, tactile)
to input information into your brain - i.e. listen and distill information into notes (shorthand or text-message
style); make margin notes in your text and one the figures in your text as they are discussed via overheads and
power-point.
ASK AND ANSWER QUESTIONS DURING LECTURE.
READ THE TEXT ASSIGNMENT BEFORE COMING TO CLASS TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF
WITH THE TOPIC OF THE DAY. You will not learn the material with this first reading; you will however,
recognize words and ideas that I present in lecture.
FORM A STUDY GROUP – If you can explain a topic to someone else you truly know it.
DO NOT CRAM FOR AN EXAM THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXAM.
LEARNING HAPPENS IN SMALL BITES. It is expected that for each hour in class (lecture) you will
spend 2 to 3 hours outside of class each week. So for Bio 105 that is 6 to 9 hours each week, rewriting your
notes, making flash cards, re-reading the text, studying the CD, quizzing members of a study group about the
bold face words and chapter topic headings.
(Note: In my experience as a teacher I find that most frequently students after an exam come and say – “but I
know the material”. And I am sure that this is true. However, the process of learning has two phases – the first
being putting the material into long term memory which requires repetition and rehearsal using all of our senses
(hands, eyes, ears), i.e. studying; and the second being getting the material back out – i.e. practicing answering
questions, talking about the material, making flow charts, flash cards from memory. So – form study groups, get
into good study habits at the start!!).
COME TO OFFICE HOURS WITH QUESTIONS. As you re-write notes etc, flag topics that you do not
understand and ask me about them well in advance of an exam.
ATTEND THE SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION (SI) SESSIONS.
(NOTE: DATA SHOW THAT STUDENTS WHO REGULARLY ATTEND SI RAISE THEIR
SCORES BY ½ GRADE)
What is SI?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of weekly review sessions for students taking historically
difficult courses. SI is provided for all students who want to improve their understanding of course
material and improve their grades.
Attendance at SI sessions is voluntary. For you the student, it’s a chance to get together with people in
your class to compare notes, to discuss important concepts, to develop strategies for studying the subject,
and to test yourselves before your professor does. At each session you will be guided through this
material by your SI leader, a competent student who has previously taken the course.
What is an SI leader?
Have you ever wished you could do something over, knowing what you know now? SI leaders are
students themselves and are prepared to share with you what they have learned over the years about how
to study. They know the course content and are anxious to help guide you through it. They’ll be in class
with you every day, hearing what you hear and reading what you read. What they won’t do is lecture;
their job is to help you think about the lectures you hear and the books you read, and then put it
altogether during the SI review sessions. SI can help you learn course material more efficiently.
When do SI review sessions start?
On the first day of class you will fill out a short survey to let the SI leader know your class schedule.
Each SI leader will set up two or three review sessions each week at times that are best for the majority
of students taking the class. You can attend one, two, or all three (the choice is yours) and each one will
be different because you’ll have new material to discuss. SI review sessions are informal. Bring your
notes; bring your textbook; bring your questions.
What’s in it for me?
If you attend SI sessions regularly, chances are you’ll earn a better grade. You’ll have developed a better
understanding of course content as well as more effective ways of studying. This will help you in other
classes also.
SI Leader for the C Section will be : Alex Munson (e-mail: munsoa47)
SI Leader for the D Section will be: Josh McQuillan