Bio. 105 BIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS: UNITY
SECTION - A09
LECTURER: Dr. Margaret Beard
OFFICE: Halsey 161
PHONE: 424-7089
E-MAIL: beard@uwosh.edu
OFFICE HOURS: MWF 10:30-11:30. Also I am generally on campus each day of the week from 8:00am and
until at least 5:30pm and available for appointments, except when I have teaching or other scheduled
responsibilities (see schedule posted on my office door). The best way to contact me is via e-mail.
LECTURE HOURS: 9:10-10:10 am MWF in Halsey 106.
LABORATORY SESSIONS MEET ONCE PER WEEK. Attend the laboratory section that corresponds to
your lecture section.
LECTURE TEXT: 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.
LABORATORY TEXT: 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. By attending lecture and developing
good note taking skills you increase the probability of doing well in this course. I neither repeat entire
lectures, nor 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. An 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, the sections each teaches 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
Mr. Matt Nelson
Dr. Lisa Dorn
Lab Sections
A01, 03, A07
A04, A05
A06
Office
HS39
HS248
HS45
Phone
-------
e-mail
bosmaa@uwosh.edu
nelsonm@uwosh.edu
dorn@uwosh.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Biology 105 is the required introductory course for all other Biology courses on this campus. It also serves
as a general education course for many students and as the first step towards the nursing or other health
professions programs for some. It is assumed you are entering this course with a minimum of background in
biology. It is however, assumed that you have a general familiarity of Biology gleaned by simply living in
the natural world that surrounds us (ecosystems), by reading the newspapers and listening to television/radio
reports.
Bio 105 is called Introductory Biology-Unity because it examines 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 to result in living systems, 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 the dry textual and lecture material will be tied into real life examples relating
biology to your everyday life (and it really, really does). It is the goal of the course that you leave with a
better understanding of basic biology which will enable you to make informed decisions about your life and
about current political, social and ethical 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.
STATEMENT ON LIBERAL EDUCATION
Part of your education, here at UWO, is taking courses called “GenEd” or General Education. These
courses are designed to give you “a set of skills and knowledge that make you a well-rounded
individual capable of becoming a competent citizen of the world”. How does Bio 105 fit into this? In
Bio 105, not only are you introduced to some universal ideas about biology and chemistry, but you will
have opportunities to hone your critical thinking skills (applying the scientific method; taking exams)
and writing skills (lab reports). An ability to think critically and to express yourself precisely orally
and via the written word will serve you well, no matter the career or life path you follow. Remember
this as you study and become facile with the ideas of Bio 105.
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
Feb. 2
Feb 4-6
9-13
16-20
Lecture Topics/Questions We Are Asking
What is science? What is the scientific method? Are scientists the only
people who follow the scientific method...or do we all use it?
Basic Chemistry: Elements, Atoms, Bonds, Water, Chemical Reactions
Molecules. What molecules are used in living systems?; What are their
properties?; How is each molecule crucial to the existence of life?
From Molecules to Cells and Organelles: How are the simplest forms of life
different from and/or similar to each other? What are the common
components (organelles) 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
Text Ref.
Chapter 1
2
3
4
evolve? Is there competition and/or cooperation between cells in
multicellular cellular organisms?
23-25
Membranes: Molecular Structure and Function: Celle to Cell Signalling;
Trans-membrane Transport; Practical aspects of Diffusion and Osmosis
Feb. 27
FIRST LECTURE EXAM (covering chapters 1-4)
Note: Review/Study session, Feb. 26th, 6-8pm Halsey 106
Enzymes and Energy Part I - Cell Respiration - How are molecules and their
Mar. 2-4
forces harnessed to allow life to exist? How do cells control what enters
and leaves? What molecules control the metabolism and behavior of
cells?
Mar 6th
FIRST LABORATORY EXAM!!!! (covering Labs. 1-4)
Note:Review/Study Session, March 5th, 6-8pm Halsey 106
Mar 9-13
Energy Part II - Cellular Respiration cont. –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?
16-18
Energy Part III– Photosynthesis ) - How is energy from the sun harnessed?
Why is this important (without it this we would not exist).
Mar 20th
SECOND LECTURE EXAM (covering chapters 5-7)
Note: Review/Study Session March 19th, 6-8pm Halsey 106
Mar. 21-29
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES
Mar 30-Apr2 The difference between replication (mitosis) and sex (meiosis)!!!
April 3
SECOND LABORATORY EXAM (covering Labs. 5-7)
Note: Review/Study Session, Mar. 30th 6-8pm Halsey 106
Apr. 6-10
13-17
Apr 20-22
Apr 24th
Apr 27-29
May 1
May 4-8
May 11
May 13
May 15
How are traits inherited? How can we calculate and predict patterns of
inheritance?
What do genes actually encode? How is the DNA code of a gene converted
to something useful by the cell?
Gene Regulation I – control of proteins within cells – How do genes work
together? How do genes control cell behavior?
THIRD LECTURE EXAM (covering chapters 8-10)
Note¨Review/Study Session April 30th– 6-8pm Halsey 106
Gene Regulation II – “talk” between cells - How do genes control
development?
DNA technology, genetic engineering and how are these techniques used.
"Natural Selection; how populations change. Why are animals, such as all
cheetahs being nearly identical...even at the genetic level? Why are toads
and frogs different? What makes us think that evolution took place?
THIRD LABORATORY EXAM (covering Labs. 8-11)
Note¨Review/Study Session, May 8th, 6-8pm Halsey 106
FOURTH LECTURE EXAM. (covering chapters 11-14)
Note: Review/Study Session, May 12th 6-8pm, Halsey 106
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL ( covering both lecture and laboratory
topics from all topics covered during the semester in lecture and
laboratory. NO REVIEW STUDY SESSION
5.1-5.9;
8.8-8.10
*
5.10-5.16
and
6.1-6.6
*
6
7
8
*
9
10
11.1-11.9
*
11.10-11.21
and
12
*
13-14
EXAMS: There will be four lecture exams; three laboratory exams and A COMPREHENSIVE FINAL.
All exams will be given in the lecture hall – on the day indicated in the schedule above. Each exam is
worth 100 points toward the final grade.
LECTURE EXAMS (administered in the lecture hall) 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 may appear on later exams and will appear on the comprehensive final exam.
LABORATORY EXAMS (administered in the lecture hall) 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.
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.
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 (such as a funeral, wedding, car
trouble, sick child etc) can only take the make-up exam, not the missed exam. 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
REGISTER TO TAKE THE MAKE-UP EXAM, before the last week of classes, i.e. no later than May 3rd
MISSING AN EXAM FOR ACADEMIC REASONS. Students who must miss an exam due to a
conflicting out of town athletic or other university sponsored event must supply me with an official
statement of the event or a letter from the coach or advisor at least ONE WEEK BEFORE THE EXAM
DATE IN ORDER FOR SPECIAL ARRAGEMENTS TO BE MADE FOR TAKING THE MISSED
EXAM.
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.
GRADES: Exam Scores as percents (but not quiz scores) will be posted on D2L sometime within a week after
the exam date.
FINAL GRADES: There are 900 possible points in the course;
400 points (or 45%) your overall grade will be based on performance on four lecture exams;
400 points (or 45% of your overall grade) will be based on performance on three laboratory exams (300
points) and in the laboratory (100 points as assigned by your laboratory instructor);
100 points (10% of your overall grade) will be based on performance on the comprehensive final exam.
COURSE GRADING SCALE: 100-91 A; 90-88% AB; 87-80% B; 79-77%BC; 76-69% C; 68-66% CD;
65-56% D; less than 55% F. I reserve the right to lower the scale (i.e. curve) 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 and TIPS TO HELP YOU IN YOUR STUDYING IN BIO 105 – THE ROAD TO AN “A”.
LEARNING HAPPENS IN SMALL BITES. Expect to spend 2-3 hours of focused study for each hour
in lecture (as you would be any college level course). 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. However do not study in a long block
of time. 20-30 minutes is about maximum for efficient studying before you need a “7th inning stretch”.
(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!!).
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.
BE AN ACTIVE LEARNER.
Attend lecture and bring your textbook/lab book with you so that you can follow figures that are
projected on the screen and even make notes on the figures or in the page margins.
Attend laboratory and bring lab book AND text book with you. Figures from the text are often shown in
lab.
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 a list of questions that you have and mark parts of your lecture notes or the text that you find
confusing. Come to office hours and get these clarified and/or ask questions in class.
FORM A STUDY GROUP
Study with a friend or a group. Ask each other questions. If you can discuss something verbally you
most likely truly know the topic.
USE WRITTEN REHEARSAL TO STUDY.
To do this – within 24 hours of each lecture re-write your lecture notes because they used shorthand that
you might easily forget. Then, later look over these notes, cover them up and write out what you
remember. Also, look over the relevant sections in the text and write out what you remember. Then go
back and see what you did not remember and fill that into your outline or flow chart.
DO NOT CRAM FOR AN EXAM THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXAM.
When taking exams - Take your time. Read questions carefully. On Multiple Choice questions, cover
up the answers and come up with the answer your self. Then look for this answer, from among those
given, that matches your idea. If you do not know the answer, skip the question, move on, and return to
that question(s) at the end of the test.
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 BYat least ½ GRADE)
ABOUT SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION
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?
. Each SI leader will set up two or three review sessions (see below) each week 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.
Last semester the students who did not attend any sessions averaged a FULL letter grade
worse than those who attended at least 10 sessions. Dr. Beard’s Bio 105 students in the fall
semester who attended 10 (+) averaged a FULL letter grade better than those who did not
attend.
Your SI Leader will be: Josh McQuillan; e-mail: mcquij97@uwosh.edu
SI Sessions: 7pm-8pm Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday in Halsey 57.