Bio. 105 BIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS: UNITY - SPRING 2010
SECTION A09C
LECTURER: Dr. Margaret Beard
OFFICE: Halsey 161
PHONE: 424-7089
OFFICE HOURS: MW 4:30; Tu 4:00
LECTURE HOUR: MWF 9:10-10:10, Halsey 106
E-MAIL: beard@uwosh.edu
LABORATORY SESSIONS MEET ONCE PER WEEK for 2 hours. You MUST attend the laboratory section that
corresponds to your lecture section. See the Lab Make-Up Policy.
LECTURE TEXT: Campbell, Reece, Taylor and Simon (2009 edition) Biology: Concepts and Connections, 6th 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 2009). Buy a threering 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. (In the laboratory attendance and engagement in
the exercise are part of your grade). By attending lecture and developing good note taking skills your ability to
do well in this and other college courses will and does increase. . I DO NOT repeat my lectures, nor do I
publish my lecture notes or podcast my lectures.
QUIZZES I do give quizzes in lecture and/or via D2L that can be answered easily if you attend class, listen and
learn. Some quizzes will be announced; others will not. So you should expect a quiz on any lecture day. Quizzes
may not be made-up
LABORATORY – Nearly 500 students are enrolled in Biology 105 this fall. Lab exercises are set up over the
weekend and run from 8:00 a.m. Monday to 5:00 p.m. Friday the following week after which the rooms are cleaned
out and the lab exercise for the following week is set up. Therefore, if a student misses a lab, there is no possibility
of making it up the next week. No laboratory may be made-up after the week in which it is scheduled.
Role is taken and your active participation in each lab exercise counts toward your grade. So – attend your labs and
be an active learner. However -----. If -- and I stress IF -- it is not possible to attend your regularly scheduled
laboratory, you may be able to attend an alternate lab section in that same week. If you do not do this, you will
receive a score of zero for that day’s work. To attend an alternate laboratory section you must:
1. Notify the instructor of the lab section you will miss BEFORE you miss the lab. Failure to do this will result in a
10-point deduction in your lab grade, AND make you ineligible to earn any quiz, worksheet or lab report points
available for that day.
2.
Choose which alternative lab section you wish to attend. The lab schedules and instructor contact information
are posted on outside the laboratory room, Halsey 211
3.
Contact the instructor of the alternative lab section you wish to attend and ask permission to join that alternative
lab. While we will do everything we can to accommodate students' needs, instructors are under no obligation to
grant you permission to join his/her lab.
4.
Each student is allowed ONE lab swap a semester. Any more than that and you need to talk your lecture
instructor.
5. If possible the alternative lab section you choose should be one taught by your regular lab section 1instructor.
6. LET YOUR REGULAR INSTRUCTOR KNOW OF THE SWAP
OVERALL 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 abstract ideas and concepts will be tied 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 all be discussed during the
course; however the exact timing of this may vary from that given in this schedule.
Week of Feb 1st
Feb 8th
Feb 15th
Feb 22nd
March 1st
March 4th
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?
Chapter 1
How are molecules and their forces harness to allow life to exist? How do cells
control what enters and leaves? What molecules control the metabolism and
behavior of cells?
Continued discussion of Chapter 5 - PLUS - How do cells generate electricity;
What signals muscles to contract....practical aspects of diffusion.
7-9pm Review/Study Session for First Lecture Exam, Halsey 106
March 5th FIRST LECTURE EXAM
March 8th
March 15th
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 !!!!!
2-3
4
5
5
Chaps 1-5
6
7
March 22nd
March 29th
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
The difference between replication (mitosis) and sex (meiosis)!!!
8
April 5th
April 8th
How are traits inherited? How can we calculate and predict patterns of inheritance
7-9pm Review for First Lab Exam, Halsey 106
9
April 9th
FIRST LAB EXAM
April 12th
April 15th
What do genes actually encode? How is the DNA code of a gene converted to
something useful by the cell?
7-9pm Review/Study Session for Second Lecture Exam, Halsey 106
April 16th
SECOND LECTURE EXAM
April 19th
How do genes control cell behavior? How do they control development? How
scientists manipulate the process to genetically engineer animals and plants?
"Natural Selection; survival of the fittest; how populations change. Why are
animals like cheetahs almost identical...even at the genetic level? What makes
us think that evolution took place? Why are toads and frogs different?
Natural Selection continued
7-9pm Review/Study Session for Third Lecture Exam, in Halsey 106
THIRD LECTURE EXAM.
April 26th
May 3rd
May 6th
May7th
May 10th
LABS 1-7
10-11
Chaps 6-9
11-12
13-14 and
parts of
15-16
Ditto above
Chaps 10-16
MAKE-UP EXAM (comprehensive, covering both lecture and laboratory
May 11th
topics. Try to avoid it.) NO REVIEW STUDY SESSION
7-9pm, Review/Study Session for Second Lab Exam
May 12th
May 14th
SECOND LAB EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM (Covers both lecture and
Labs 8-11
lab) No Review/Study Session
EXAMS: There will be three lecture exams, two laboratory exams and one comprehensive final exam (covering both
lecture and laboratory concepts).
All lecture exams will cover material from lecture and the text readings. Because material introduced
later in the course builds upon the topics presented before, up to 10% of the later exams may refer to
earlier material.
All laboratory exams will cover material presented in the laboratory. Since the laboratory exercises
illustrate the principles and concepts presented in lecture, these exam may include material from the
portions of the text, as indicated on the Laboratory Schedule.
All exams will be given in the lecture hall on the day indicated in the schedule above
All exams will be multiple choice.
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 register via e-mail to me no later than Monday May 3rd.
SPECIAL 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. You MUST notify me at least one
week before the exam in order to make special arrangements.
MAKE-UP EXAM: This will also 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. I
RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REGRADE THE ENTIRE EXAM, NOT ONLY THE QUESTION(S) AT ISSUE.
QUIZZES: 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: 65% of your grade will be based on performance in lecture, 35% will be based on performance in the
laboratory.
Lecture grade: Your lecture grade will be based on scores from the three unit lecture exams (45% of overall
course grade) and the comprehensive final exam (20% of the overall course grade). Quiz scores will be treated as
extra credit and added to your overall course grade. .
Laboratory grade: Your laboratory grade will be based on scores from the two in-class laboratory exams. (25% of
your overall course grade) and on the grade assigned by your laboratory instructor (10% your overall course grade)
based on assignments (work sheets, lab reports, lab quizzes) given by your laboratory instructor.
COURSE GRADING SCALE: 93-100% = A; 90-92% = A-; 87-89% = B+; 83-86% = B; 80-82% = B-; 77-79% = C+;
73-76% = C; 70-72% = C-; 67-69% = D+; 63-66% = D; 60-62% = D-; below 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”.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. FORM A STUDY GROUP – If you can explain a topic to someone else you truly know it.
4. 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!!).
5. 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.
6. 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: Josh McQuillan (mcquij97)