BIOL 1107
Instructor:
Principles of Biology I
(CRN: #30056)
3cr
Fall 2015
Dr. Carrie S. Thurber
Email: cthurber@abac.edu **This is the best way to get in touch with me!**
Daytime Phone: (229) 391-5115
Office: Conger 214
Office Hours: M 3:00p-4:00p
T 10:00a-12:00p; 3:15p-4:15p
W 10:00a-12:00p
R 10:00a-12:00p; 3:15p-4:15p
F 10:00a-11:00a
**Additional times available by appointment only**
Course Meetings: TR 2:00-3:15 pm Environ 131
Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of modern biology from atomic
particles to evolution. General topics to be considered include chemical, molecular and cellular
basis of life, photosynthesis, cell metabolism, cell division, genetics, biotechnology, and evolution.
This course serves as a foundation in biology for all ABAC students and is a building block for upper
level biology coursework.
Prerequisites: Exemption from or successful completion of Learning Support courses.
Co-requisite: BIOL 1107 Lab
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course students should be able to:
 Demonstrate knowledge of Biology, Science and the Scientific Method
 Demonstrate proficiency in the process skills associated with science
 Demonstrate knowledge of the basic chemical nature of living things (e.g., chemistry, carbon,
water, thermodynamics)
 Demonstrate knowledge of cell structure and function
 Demonstrate knowledge of basic chemical processes involved in living organisms (e.g.,
respiration, photosynthesis, and metabolism)
 Demonstrate knowledge of cellular reproduction and genetics
 Demonstrate knowledge of the basics of evolutionary theory and natural selection
 Demonstrate knowledge and general understanding of the history (and biologists) involved
in classic experiments
Note: Students may vary in their competency levels on these outcomes. Students can expect to
achieve these outcomes only if they honor all course policies, attend class regularly, complete all
assigned work in good faith and on time, and meet all other course expectations of students.
Course Materials:
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1. (Recommended) Special Edition Campbell Biology (chapters 1-22), Campbell, Pearson Publishing
2. (Required) Sapling Online Access code
3. (Required) 882-E scantrons (6 total; YOU are responsible for bringing these to exams!)
4. (Required) I-clicker 2 **we will NOT be using the I-clicker GO app!**
Sapling Online Homework Website: http://saplinglearning.com
Class website: https://abac.view.usg.edu/ (Desire2Learn)
**I will post slides, quizzes, grades and messages/important news so check REGULARLY**
:
Grading:
Grades will be based on class participation, homework, quizzes and exams as follows:
iclicker2 Participation
50 pts
(1 pt per class for answering questions, until max is reached)
(1 pt per class for answering at least 50% of questions correctly, until max is reached)
Sapling Online Homeworks
080 pts
(17 x 5 pts, until max is reached)
D2L Online Quizzes
70 pts
(17 x 5 pts each, until max is reached)
Hourly In-Class Exams
400 pts
(5 x 100 pts each, single lowest OR missed exam dropped)
Comprehensive Final Exam
Total
100 pts
700 pts
Lecture grades will be determined on the percentages listed below of all the possible points that
you EARN. Points may be rounded to the nearest whole number when assigning letter grades.
Grading Scale:
A=
> 90% ( > 627 pts)
B=
> 80% ( 557 - 626 pts)
C=
>70% ( 487 - 556 pts)
D=
>60% ( 417 - 486 pts)
F=
<60% ( < 416 pts)
In the event that a student’s final points is within one point of the next highest grade category, the
instructor may consider lecture attendance, lecture preparation and participation in determining
the final class grade. DO NOT BEG/WHINE FOR EXTRA CREDIT! Extra credit will be provided to
the ENTIRE class NOT individuals!
Specific Assignment Details:
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1. iclicker2 Participation: You are required to purchase an iclicker2 remote for in-class
participation. iclicker2 is a response system that allows you to respond to questions the instructor
poses during class, and you will be graded on your in-class participation using the iclicker2,
discussing questions with your neighbors, AND justifying your answers verbally during class. In
order to receive this credit, you will need to purchase and register your iclicker2 remote by
Tuesday 1/19/16. To register, go to http://www.iclicker.com/registration. Complete the fields
with your first name, last name, student ID, and remote ID. Your student ID should be your ABAC
918 number. The remote ID is the series of numbers and sometimes letters found on the bottom of
the back of your iclicker2 remote. You must come to class at least once and vote on at least one
question in order to complete this registration properly.
NOTE: iclicker2 will be used every day in class, and you are responsible for bringing your
remote and extra batteries daily. If you do not bring your clicker you will NOT earn points that
day and you may be marked absent! Points cannot be made up! Anyone who attends class with
more than one iclicker2 (i.e. a friends or other classmates) will have all iclickers confiscated for the
class period and all parties involved will lose HALF of the TOTAL semester points for participation;
a second offense will result in loss of ALL participation points.
2. Sapling Online Homeworks: Sapling is a website that contains study materials and
online assignments to help students with the course material. I will be assigning 17 homeworks
(5pts each) consisting of one chapter of material each. Assignments will be due by 11:00 PM on the
calendar day AFTER we finish each chapter (i.e. if we finish a chapter on a Tuesday, your
homework is due Wednesday night; if we finish a chapter on a Thursday, your homework is due
Friday night). It is expected that you will complete EVERY Sapling homework assignment on time.
Any assignment turned in after the due date and time will receive NO CREDIT. If you are having
trouble with Sapling please see me AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so that you do not miss out on points.
Additionally, you can contact their Customer Support and our Online TA for additional help. I
strongly discourage you from turning in assignments at the last minute as computer and website
problems may occur resulting in late work and missed points.
How to sign up for Sapling:
1. Go to http://saplinglearning.com and click on “US Higher Ed” at the top right.
2a. If you already have a Sapling Learning account, log in and skip to step 3.
2b. If you have a Facebook account, you can use it to quickly create a Sapling Learning account.
Click “Create an Account”, then “Create my account through Facebook”. You will be prompted to
log into Facebook if you aren't already. Choose a username and password, then click “Link
Account”. You can then skip to step 3.
2c. Otherwise, click "Create an Account". Supply the requested information and click "Create My
Account". Check your email (and spam filter) for a message from Sapling Learning and click on
the link provided in that email.
3. Find your course in the list (you may need to expand the subject and term categories) and click
our course. (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College - BIO1007 – Spring16 - THURBER)
4. If your course requires a key code, you will be prompted to enter it.
5. If your course requires payment, select a payment option and follow the remaining instructions.
3. D2L Online Quizzes: There will be seventeen (17) quizzes set up on D2L and due by
1:00pm prior to class on the day assigned. You will get one attempt at these quizzes and they are
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timed at 30 minutes. Each quiz is worth 5 points and will generally consist of 5-10 multiple
choice, true/false, or fill in type questions. Most quizzes will require watching a short video (no
more than 15 minutes) on D2L prior to answering questions. The goal of these quizzes is to check
where students’ understanding is prior to completing a lecture series, as well as to check for class
preparedness. If you miss the deadline or run out of time you WILL NOT receive credit for the quiz.
There will be NO extensions or make-ups allowed, as the maximum cut off for points is lower than
the total points available for the semester.
4. In-Class Exams AND Cumulative Final: There will be five (5) scheduled in-class exams
and a cumulative final exam during finals week. Make-up examinations will not be given except
under college-valid excused situations. In order to make-up an exam the student must provide the
instructor with an obituary notice, legal document, emergency doctor’s note or official letter
from ABAC prior to taking the missed exam. Any student who misses an examination should
notify the instructor in person or by e-mail prior to the next regularly scheduled class. I check my
email frequently throughout the day between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm; you can expect a
response generally within 24 hours (longer on weekends and holidays).
Absences from a lecture exam will result in a grade of 0 for that exam. The lowest
regular exam score will be dropped at the end of the semester. Subsequent missed exams will
not be dropped and the student will receive a 0 for the other missed exam. The final exam will be
comprehensive and will not be dropped or used to replace other exams. Cell phones, pagers, music
players, and any electronic communication device must be left in your backpack and all such items
must be on mute/silent. The wearing of earbuds is prohibited at any time during class, including
during exams. Students may not use programmable/graphing calculators on exams. Students may
be asked to remove caps or turn them around during testing periods. Student enrolled in classes in
the Division of Science and Mathematics will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of
subject matter requiring higher order processing skills. Examination questions may include essay,
synthesis, analysis, and application: as well as completion, multiple choice, true false, and matching.
Computational skills and drawing or diagramming may also be required.
Academic Policies:
Attendance Policy:
Courses at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) are provided for the intellectual growth
and development of the students. The interaction with instructors and other students is an
important element of the learning process, and a high correlation exists between class
attendance and course grades. As such, it is expected that you will attend every class session on
time! The instructor will take roll via the iclicker system; if you forget your clicker you MUST let the
instructor know at the end of class. Any student not present at the time roll is taken and/or missing
a significant portion of class will be counted absent. It is each student’s responsibility to keep up
with all classroom activities; lecture notes (oral, written on the board, or on slides); and dates of
exams, assignments, quizzes, etc.
Participation Expectations and Conduct:
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Students are expected to be prepared for class (i.e. bringing a notebook or printed out slides to take
notes, a writing utensil, their iClicker2, and having read the materials prior to class), participate
actively in the discussion of materials, and be respectful of other people’s contributions and
opinions. “An Abraham Baldwin College student is expected to show proper respect for order,
morality, and the rights of others. Conduct which is normally reprehensible or which is of a disorderly
nature and in violation of written policy shall subject the student to disciplinary action.” Participation
includes both asking and answering questions posed during class. In order to have a fruitful
discussion everyone needs to participate and help create an open environment for dialog. Please
respect your classmates by not talking over them, ridiculing their contributions, or being disruptive
to the discussion. Chatting/Discussing non-class matters with neighbors during class will not be
tolerated and you WILL lose participation points if spoken to more than once during the semester!
Cell Phone Use Policy:
Cell phones may NOT be used at any time during class, except to call 911 in case of an emergency.
Cell phones may NOT be on the table/desk, your lap, or your hand. Cell phones must be silenced
and in your bag or pocket for the duration of the class. Anyone caught with a cell phone out during
class will lose 3 points from their TOTAL iclicker points for each infraction! (This counts as your
warning!) Please notify the instructor at the start of class if an emergency exists where you need your
phone.
Withdrawal:
A student may withdraw from the course up to the midpoint of the semester and receive a grade of
W. After midterm, students may withdraw only with permission of the Academic Dean and may
receive a grade of WF. A student withdrawing from the lecture must also withdraw from the corequisite lab. Students that stop attending class without officially withdrawing will still receive
a grade for the course.
Academic Conduct Code:
Academic integrity is the responsibility of all ABAC faculty and students. Academic dishonesty and
irregularities include, but are not limited to, giving or receiving of unauthorized assistance in the
preparation of any academic assignment; taking or attempting to take, stealing, or otherwise
obtaining in an unauthorized manner any material pertaining to the education process; selling,
giving, lending, or otherwise furnishing to any person any questions and/or answers to any
examination known to be scheduled at any subsequent date; fabricating, forging, or falsifying lab or
clinical results; plagiarism in any form related to themes, essays, term papers, tests, and other
assignments. Academic dishonesty and irregularities will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment
and may be subject to disciplinary procedures as outlined in the student handbook.
Tutoring:
The AAC is a free tutoring center in the bottom floor of the library. Ask the student at the front desk
when tutors are available to help with biology. If you are struggling and not using all the resources
available then you are choosing to not succeed.
Disability Accommodations:
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This course fully complies with the accommodations available through the office of disability
services. If there is a student in this class who has documented specific needs because of learning
disabilities or any other disability; please contact the course instructor immediately to discuss
accommodations.
Note: The schedule, policies, procedures, and assessments in this course are subject to change in
the event of extraordinary circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better student
learning. The instructor reserves the right to make modifications to the schedule and/or syllabus at
any time. The lecture topics will be covered in the order listed and exams will be given on dates
specified; however, the instructor may modify the pace at which the material is covered; add or
delete material; and/or modify the content covered on each exam. Students are expected to read
relevant textbook chapters and/or assigned material prior to each class period. If the campus is
closed due to inclement weather or class is officially canceled by the instructor, plan on the
missed activities occurring on the next scheduled class day.
**Tentative** Course Calendar:
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Class
Assignments
R (1/7)
In-Class Syllabus
Quiz
T (1/12)
R (1/14)
T (1/19)
R (1/21)
T (1/26)
R (1/28)
T (2/2)
R (2/4)
T (2/9)
R (2/11)
T (2/16)
R (2/18)
T (2/23)
R (2/25)
T (3/1)
R (3/3)
T (3/8)
R (3/10)
T (3/15)
R (3/17)
T (3/22)
Before Class:
QUIZ 1
After Class:
HW 1
Before Class:
QUIZ 2
After Class:
HW 22
Before Class:
QUIZ 3
After Class:
HW’s 2 & 3
Exam #1
Topic
First day of class; Syllabus review;
iClicker2 registration; Introduction to Scientific
Inquiry
Introduction to Scientific Inquiry
Chapters
Evolutionary Theory
22
Evolutionary Theory
The Chemical and Energetic Context of Life
22/ 2
The Chemical and Energetic Context of Life
Water and Life
2/ 3
Carbon and Molecular Diversity
Before Class:
QUIZ 4
After Class:
HW 4
After Class:
HW 5
Before Class:
QUIZ 5
After Class:
HW 8
Exam #2
Before Class:
QUIZ 6
After Class:
HW 9
Before Class:
QUIZ 7
After Class:
HW 10
Exam #3
Before Class:
QUIZ 8
After Class:
HW 7
After Class:
HW 6
Before Class:
Carbon and Molecular Diversity
Macromolecules
1
1
4
4/ 5
Macromolecules
5
Metabolism
8
Metabolism
8
Cellular Respiration
9
Cellular Respiration
9
Photosynthesis
10
Photosynthesis
10
7
Membrane Structure and Function
A tour of the Cell
6
Spring Break! No Classes!
Spring Break! No Classes!
Cell Cycle
12
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R (3/24)
T (3/29)
R (3/31)
T (4/5)
R (4/7)
T (4/12)
R (4/14)
T (4/19)
R (4/21)
T (4/26)
QUIZ 9
After Class:
HW 12
Before Class:
QUIZ 10
Before Class:
QUIZ 11
After Class:
HW 13
Exam #4
Before Class:
QUIZ 12
After Class:
HW 14
Before Class:
QUIZ 13
After Class:
HW 15
Before Class:
QUIZ 14
Before Class:
QUIZ 15
After Class:
HW 16
Exam #5
Before Class:
QUIZ 16
Before Class:
QUIZ 17
After Class:
HW 17
Meiosis and the Production of Gametes
13
13
Meiosis and the Production of Gametes
Mendel and Genetics
14
Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance
15
DNA Structure and Replication
16
DNA Structure and Replication
16
Transcription and Translation
17
Transcription and Translation
17
Comprehensive Final Exam
Thursday 4/28 @ 12:30-2:30p
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