BLY 121-101 – General Biology I
Fall 2021 - Syllabus
Lecture Schedule: M – 6:00pm-8:30pm
Instructor: Ryan Adlington
Phone: 251-554-0197
E-mail: adlington@southalabama.edu
Office: LSCB Conference room
Office Hours: by appointment only
Course Page: Canvas (USA Online)
Required Materials:
Technology: Laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and reliable access to high speed internet
Textbook: Biology: how life works by Morris et.al. (2019) 3rd edition. Physical copy recommended.
Access to Macmillan LaunchPad: You can purchase textbooks that come with access to Launchpad.
Alternatively, you can purchase access to Launchpad separately through the Launchpad website
(via a tab on our Canvas course site). The purchasing of Launchpad access online will also come
with the eBook version of the text.
Overview: Biology 121 is the first in a two-semester series that introduces students to fundamental
biological principles and core concepts. Biology 121 is designed to meet the needs of students
majoring in biology or other scientific disciplines (e.g., medical professionals, engineers, educators,
etc.). Emphasis will be placed on the fundamentals of living systems, including the molecular
constituents of cells, cellular structure, processes and function,
metabolism, genetics, phylogeny, evolution, and speciation.
Evaluation:
• Four Exams - 30 points each
• Comprehensive Final Exam - 30 points
• Four Canvas Quizzes - 12 points each
• 41 Launchpad assignments - 2 pts each
Canvas Quizzes & Launchpad Assignments: Your lowest Canvas Quiz grade will be dropped. However,
all Launchpad assignments will count towards your grade. It is your responsibility to complete Canvas
Quizzes and LaunchPad assignments using a reliable computer and internet connection. It is also your
responsibility to contact Launchpad technical support if you are having issues with your account or
accessing assignments.
Exams: Your lowest Exam grade (including the final exam) will be dropped. All exams will be
administered remotely via Canvas and the Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor. To complete
exams, you’ll need to have a laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and reliable access to high
speed internet. The Respondus software is not supported on tablets and other electronic devices.
Accommodations/Absences: Students with disabilities need to obtain an accommodation letter from
Student Disability Services before any accommodations can be granted. Please remind me of any
accommodations before quizzes and exams. Other accommodations will only be given in the event of
serious illness (e.g., Covid-19), accident, death in the immediate family or other University-excused
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absence; to receive accommodations, I must be notified via email within 24 hours of the absence.
The explanation of absence must be accompanied by appropriate documentation (e.g., doctor’s note,
accommodation letter).
Building Safety Procedures:
Fire: Random fire safety drills may occur during the course of the semester. You will be expected to
evacuate the building and assemble at the designated location: outside by the northeast corner of
the building under the pine trees (follow your professor).
Tornado: Move away from external windows to the hallway in the basement, first, or second floor.
Active Shooter Incident: 1) "Get Out" of the building as long as you can do so safely. 2) Once you
have exited the building and are at a safe location, "Call Out" to law enforcement (911 or USA Police
at 251-460-6312), or press the Emergency button on the LiveSafe Mobile Safety App. 3) If you can't
get out…"Shelter in Place" in a secure location that is away from windows and doors, preferably a
location that can be locked and barricaded.
Additional university course policies are available in the University Bulletin.
https://www.southalabama.edu/bulletin/current/academic-policy/index.html
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Tentative Lecture Schedule (Subject to Change) Materials highlighted in Yellow will be strictly online.
Week
Modules
Quizzes/Exams (Coverage)
Textbook Chapters (Sections) – LaunchPad
1. Aug 17-22
1. Science & Biology
2. Aug 23-29
2. Chemical Basis of Life
Quiz 1 (Modules 1 & 2)
CH. 2: The Molecules of Life (2.1–2.6)
CH. 12: DNA Replication & Manipulation (12.1)
3. The Central Dogma
Practice Exam (Case 1)
CH. 3: Nucleic Acids & Transcription (3.1–3.4)
CH. 4: Translation & Protein Structure (4.1–4.3)
3. Aug 30-Sept 5
4. Sept 6-12
CH. 1: Life (1.1–1.6)
Exam 1 (Modules 1-3)
5. Sept 13-19
4. Organizing Principles
CH. 5: Organizing Principals (5.1–5.5)
6. Sept 20-26
5. Energy Transformation Part I
6. Energy Transformation Part II
CH. 6: Making Life Work (6.1–6.5)
7. Sept 27-Oct 3
6. Energy Transformation Part II
7. Cell Division
8. Oct 4-10
Quiz 2 (Module 6)
CH. 8: Photosynthesis (8.1–8.5)
CH. 7: Cellular Respiration (7.1–7.7)
Exam 2 (Modules 4-6)
Fall Break: No class on Thursday
9. Oct 11-17
7. Cell Division
8. Genomes, Genomics, &
Genetic Variation
CH. 11: Cell Division (11.1–11.6)
CH. 13: Genomes (13.1–13.5)
10. Oct 18-24
8. Genomes, Genomics, &
Genetic Variation
CH. 14: Mutation & Genetic Variation (14.1–14.5)
CH. 15: Mendelian Inheritance (15.1–15.5)
11. Oct 25-31
9. Inheritance
CH. 16: Inheritance of Sex Chromosomes… (16.1–16.5)
CH. 17: Complex Traits (17.1–17.4)
12. Nov 1-7
13. Nov 8-14
Exam 3 (Modules 7-9)
10. Gene Regulation &
Development
CH. 18: Genetic & Epigenetic Regulation (18.1 & 18.3)
CH. 19: Genes and Development (19.1 & 19.3)
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14. Nov 15-21
11. Evolution, Speciation, &
Phylogenetics
15. Nov 22-28
11. Evolution, Speciation, &
Phylogenetics
16. Nov 29-Dec 5
17. Dec 6-9
Quiz 3 (Module 10)
Quiz 4 (Module 11)
CH. 20: Evolution (20.1–20.6)
CH. 21: Species and Speciation (21.1–21.3)
CH. 22: Evolutionary Patterns (22.1–22.4)
CH. 23: Human Origins & Evolution (23.1–23.5)
Thanksgiving: No class on Thursday
Exam 4 (Modules 10 & 11)
Final Exam (Thursday, Dec 9,
1:00-3:00)
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