Biol 101 Biology Survey I
Department of Biology, College of Arts and Science
Instructor:
Course Number:
Class Meetings:
Duane Weinacht
Biol 101 U820T
Online
Email (direct):
Duane.Weinacht@usd.edu
Biology 101: Biology Survey 1
Course Description
BIOL 101/103 Biology Survey I & II
The general course sequence in the biological sciences involves major concepts concerning atoms and molecules, the cell,
genetics and development, structure, function, evolution, behavior and ecological adaptation in plants and animals.
Relevance of biology to current issues will be considered. Chapter presentations plus a lab component, along with exams
and quizzes are required.
This undergraduate biology course is designed to be a broad survey of the general principles of Biology. In addition to
learning the vocabulary of biology, students will be given every opportunity to learn and understand some of the basic
concepts of atoms and biological molecules, the biology of the cell, Mendelian genetics, biotechnology, evolution, and
diversity of organisms (excluding animal diversity, which is taught in BIOL 103).
Prerequisite: None
Textbook:
Campbell’s Biology Concepts and Connections. 8th Ed.
Reece, Taylor, Simon, Dickey, and Hogan ISBN 0-321-88532-5
Instructional Method
This course will be instructed entirely online via Desire2Learn (http://d2l.sdbor.edu) (see also the
“Desire2Learn” section below) and laboratory exercises which will be facilitated via Mastering Biology. While
this is an online class, it does not mean it is a self-paced or correspondence-like course. Each week you will
be required to complete a number of tasks as outlined in the “Assessments” and “Class Schedule” sections
below.
Lectures will not be given in the traditional format. Rather, a powerpoint presentation will be available in D2L,
accompanied by supplemental notes and/or readings reviewing and explaining pertinent points. This allows us
to focus on particularly interesting or challenging material rather than have you listen to lectures that are of
straightforward material you have already read in the textbook.
Expectations
Students
First and foremost, students are expected to read, understand and abide by all policies and procedures
outlined in this syllabus, as well as those in the CDE Online Orientation, which can be accessed from the
“Getting Started” widget on the course homepage. The latter contains important information about the
various academic, student and technical resources and services available at USD.
The South Dakota Board of Regents defines a credit hour as one hour of classroom or direct faculty
instruction, and two hours of out of class student work. This is a four credit-hour course, so students should
expect to invest about twelve (12) hours per week in the course (lecture 9 hrs; Lab 3 hrs.).
This is an online course, and meant to be an asynchronous experience. As we will not be meeting face-toface, the SDBOR engagement requirement will be reproduced by the following activities, all of which will be
due by the end of the week: viewing the lecture; completing lab exercises, and other assignments or
assessments at the discretion of the instructor.
IMPORTANT:
Updates may be provided during the week, so students should log into D2L to
check for announcements and emails at least three times per week, if not
more frequently.
Students are also expected to have and maintain the appropriate technology required to complete the course.
For more information about this, please see the “Technology Requirements” towards the end of the syllabus.
Instructor
The instructor will strive to provide every possible opportunity for detailed feedback, and return feedback and
suggestions, using standard rubrics and grading criteria, within a reasonable amount of time. The instructor
will also abide by all policies set forth in this syllabus and those by the CDE Online Orientation, The University
of South Dakota, and the SDBOR.
Contacting Me
My contact information is listed at the top of this document. While D2L has a built-in e-mail program for
students to use to contact me, experience has shown that the best way to contact me is through my regular
USD email address at Duane.Weinacht@usd.edu For reasons unknown, there have been occasions when I’ve
been unable to access course emails. I will be happy to respond and will do so within a reasonable time (from
instantly to around 48 hours, depending on my schedule and my proximity to a computer). Note: Please do
not use the pager tool to contact me.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to promote an understanding and appreciation of the biological world in which we live,
the methods of science, and a better understanding of how our natural world works.
Specific Goals / Objectives, Assessments
● Discover the scientific principals behind the study of biology.
● Demonstrate the scientific method through virtual laboratory exercises
(Assessment via lab quizzes)
● Identify and explain the basic concepts, terminology and theories of the biological sciences
(Assessment via exams)
● Apply biological concepts and theories to contemporary issues
(Assessment via discussion board)
Assessments
Because of the online nature of this course, it is important that students receive regular feedback on their
progress. To that end, there will be weekly participation requirements and assessments to assure that ample
feedback is provided and that ample opportunity is provided to ask questions about the various course topics.
You will be assessed for the above objectives by completing online exams, laboratory exercises, quizzes, and
other activities as may be assigned.
IMPORTANT: Make-up assessments will only be available under conditions
such as serious illness, family emergencies, etc., and will be provided solely at
the discretion of the instructor. When possible, students should notify the
instructor prior to missing any assessment.
Exams and quizzes are auto-graded; you should see your scores immediately.
Important: Exams are timed so you will want to be adequately prepared before starting. While Lab quizzes are not
timed, you will have to have taken adequate notes during the lab exercise to do well on the quiz.
Graded Assessments: Exams
Graded assessments will be in the form of four exams, lab exercises and quizzes. Each exam and quiz will be
administered via D2L. Listed in the table below is the percentage of your overall grade for each exam and
for lab quizzes.
Graded Item
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Exam 4
Lab exercises / quizzes
Discussion Topics
Total
Percent of final grade
18.75%
18.75%
18.75%
18.75%
20%
5%
100%
There are four exams, worth 50 points each. The four exams will comprise 75% of the course grade. There
are fourteen lab quizzes worth 10 points each; the lab quizzes will comprise 20% of the course grade. There
are four discussion topics worth 10 points each; the discussion topics will comprise 5% of the course grade.
Exams will be proctored—in other words, you will need to go to a specific place to take them.
WARNING: Exams will be proctored, you are NOT allowed to use any notes,
your book, or any other materials or resources while taking the exam. For
proctor information, refer to page 20 of the online student handbook, in the
getting started widget on the homepage.
•
If you will not be using one of the CDE proctor centers in South Dakota, you must complete the CDE
Proctor Form and return it to CDE within the first week of the semester. In order to maintain
academic integrity, all proposed proctors must be approved by the CDE prior to their use. You will be
responsible for any postage or proctoring fees incurred as part of this process. The Proctor Form can be
accessed at http://www.usd.edu/~/media/files/usd-online/proctor-form.ashx You must return the
completed proctor form to CDE, per the instructions at the top of the form. If you live in the vicinity of
Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, or Vermillion, you are strongly encouraged to take the exams at
established testing centers in those areas, as they are equipped to meet the varied needs of students.
Grading
Your grade is calculated using straight percentages:
Letter
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Percentage
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
up to 59%
IMPORTANT: You can check your current grade at any time during the
semester by clicking on the Grades link.
Course Sequencing
A general suggestion for distributing the workload for a typical week follows:
Day
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Task
Start of the week; new materials and weekly assessments
available
Begin viewing powerpoints.
Continue viewing powerpoints.
Lab exercises and quiz.
Continue viewing powerpoints.
View powerpoints, review.
If a graded exam is scheduled, it will open @ 12:00 AM CT
Exam specific information will be posted in D2L.
Open for work on assessments/quizzes or exams
All weekly assignments due by 11:59 PM CT on Sunday
night.
Course Schedule:
Please see the table at the end of this syllabus
Technology Requirements
The University of South Dakota has established minimum technology requirements for participation in online
courses. These are outlined under the “Technology Support and Requirements” section in the CDE Online
Orientation document in the “Getting Started” widget on the course homepage.
Aside from the requirements listed in that document, this course requires the use of Desire2Learn.
Desire2Learn (D2L):
D2L will be used to facilitate all aspects of the course. In D2L, you will be able to:
•
•
•
•
•
View lecture presentations and notes
View and complete self-assessment quizzes and exams
Access all required course materials
Access supplemental materials designed to assist your study of Biology, such as interactive learning
tools, supplemental videos, etc.
Access your course progress and grades
To access D2L, please visit the following URL: http://d2l.sdbor.edu/
Student Resources:
The University of South Dakota provides a number of useful services to students:
•
CDE Online Orientation Guide (see link in the “Getting Started” widget on the course
homepage):
This contains very important information related to the services provided by the University of South
Dakota as well as the University policies. In it, you will find such information as:
o
o
o
•
USD Portal (http://my.usd.edu/):
The USD Portal is your one-stop place for a majority of services offered to any student taking a USD
course—like this course. You can access the following services from the “Academics” tab in the portal:
o
o
•
Academic support services such as the library, writing center, proctor and testing information,
book purchasing, etc.
Student support services such as advising and enrollment information, financial aid, student life,
and counseling, etc.
Technology support services like technology requirements, ITS Help Desk contact information,
discounts on computers and software, etc.
WebAdvisor
I.D. Weeks Library
The USD Writing Center ( http://www.usd.edu/academics/writing-center):
The USD Writing Center was established to provide writing assistance to students in order to help them
become better writers. It is available on campus during regular business hours and online in the
evenings. Please visit the URL above for more information.
Plagiarism Policy:
Plagiarism (intentionally representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own) and cheating (intentionally
using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids) are not allowed. No credit can
be given for a dishonest assignment. At the discretion of the instructor, a student caught engaging in any form
of academic dishonesty may be
• allowed to rewrite and resubmit the assignment for credit
• given a zero for the assignment
• assigned a reduced grade for the course
• reported to the program in which the student is majoring and that department may take additional
action
• dropped from the course
• failed in the course
Freedom in Learning:
Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled. Under
Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be evaluated solely on an
academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any
course of study. Students who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but is
related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct should first contact the instructor of the
course. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may contact the department hear and/or dean of the
college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation
Disability Services:
Any student who feels s/he may need academic accommodations or access accommodations based on the
impact of a documented disability should contact and register with Disability Services during the first week of
class. Disability Services is the official office to assist students through the process of disability verification and
coordination of appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Students currently registered with Disability
Services must obtain a new accommodation memo each semester. For information contact:
Disability Services
Room 119 Service Center
(605) 677-6389
http://www.usd.edu/student-life/disability-services
Email: disabilityservices@usd.edu
Course Schedule
Biology 101 Lecture Schedule
Date
Reading
Topic
Section 1: CELLS
Week 1
Introduction; Properties of Life; Biology’s Unifying Theme
1:2-12
Week 1
Water and Life; Biological Molecules
2:18-29, 3:34-47
Week 1
A Tour of the Cell: Basic Cell Types; Subcellular componenets
4:52-69 2:33-40
Week 2
Continuation: Subcellular componenets
4:52-69 2:40-45
Week 2
The Working Cell: Energy, Enymes and Membrane Function
Week 3
Cellular Respiration: How Cells Harvest Energy
6:90-103
Week 3
Continuation: Cellular Respiration
6:90-103
Week 4
Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food
7:108-117
Week 4
Continuation: Photosynthesis
7:108-117
5:74-85
EXAM 1
Section 2: GENETICS
Week 5
Cellular Repropduction: The Cell Cycle and Mitosis.
8:126-136
Week 5
Cellular Repropduction: Meiosis, the Basis of Sexual Reproduction
8:136-148
Week 6
Patterns of Inheritance: Gregor Mendel’s work
9:145-156
Week 6
Patterns of Inheritance: Variation’s on Mendel’s Laws
9:152-176
Week 7
The Structure and Function of DNA
10:182-199
Week 7
Viruses and Other Noncellular Infectious Agents
10:200-205
Week 8
How Genes are Controlled: How and Why Genes Are Regulated
11:210-220
Week 8
How Genes are Controlled: Cloning; Genetic Basis of Cancer
11:221-227
Week 8
DNA Technology
12:232-249
EXAM 2
Section 3: EVOLUTION
Week 9
How Populations Evolve: The Origin of Species; Evidence for Evolution
13:256-263
Week 9
How Populations Evolve: Natural Selection and Mechanisms of Evolution
Week 10
How Biological Diversity Evolves
14:278-289
Week 10
Origins of Life; Classifying the Diversity of Life
15:294-314
Week 11
Diversity of Microbial Life: Prokaryotes
16:320-328
Week 11
Diversity of Microbial Life: Protists
16:330-336
Week 12
Archaeplastids: The Algae
16:336-338
Week 12
Evolution of Plants
17:342-348
Week 12
Bryophytes and Ferns
17:342-348
13:264-2734
EXAM 3
Section 4: DIVERSITY: Plant Diversity and Growth
Week 13
Plant Diversity: The Gymnosperms
17:348-354
Week 13
Plant Diversity: The Angiosperms (flowering plants)
17:348-354
Week 13
Fungi: Characteristics and Ecological Impact
17:355-359
Week 14
Plant Structure, Growth, and Reproduction
31:622-640
Week 14
Plant Structure, Growth, and Reproduction: continued
31:622-640
Week 14
Plant Nutrition and Transport
32:644-657
Week 15
Plant Nutrition and Transport: continued
32:644-657
Week 15
Control Systems in Plants: Hormones
33:662-669
Week 16
Control Systems in Plants: Responses to Stimuli
33:670-674
FINAL EXAM (not comprehensive)