Dr. Jennifer R. Robbins
General Biology I
Albers 2, (513) 745 – 3624
robbins@xavier.edu
Office Hours: MWR 10 - 11
or by appt
BIOL 160, XAVIER UNIVERSITY
SYLLABUS, Fall 2015
MWF 2:00 – 2:50
Required Text:
Campbell Biology. 10 Ed. (earlier editions fine) Reece et al. Benjamin Cummings.
ISBN: 0321775651
Course Description
In this majors’ level introduction to biology, we will explore the basic organization of living things, and of
life science. Life science concerns everything from atoms through whole ecosystems; this first semester focuses
on “little things”--atoms, molecules, cells, organs and organ systems. In General Biology II, your exploration will
continue to individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems.
This course is part of the Xavier Core Curriculum, which aims to develop people of learning and reflection,
integrity and achievement, in solidarity for and with others. It addresses the following core learning objectives at
the introductory level:
1a: Students recognize and cogently discuss significant questions in the humanities, arts, and the natural
and social sciences.
2b. Students evaluate problems using quantitative methods and arguments.
4b: Students discuss and evaluate what constitutes human wellness.
5b: Students examine the interconnections between humans and the natural environment.
In addition to Xavier core learning objectives, this course includes these other key learning objectives:
Students will:
 Survey the basic characteristics, structures of and levels of organization of living things
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Use simple chemistry to describe how cells metabolize matter for energy
Discuss the processes by which cells reproduce
Relate the structure of DNA and chromosomes and to genetic inheritance using a Mendelian approach
Describe the basic organ systems of mammals and their functions
Utilize the scientific method
Analyze claims based on science from misinformation based on pseudoscience
Analyze claims and information that they encounter regarding science in their everyday lives based on their
transfer and utilization of knowledge about science.
NTSA Standards: This courses is applicable to NTSA standards 1a – 1c, 1e, 2a, 3, 4, 5d, 7
Corequisite: All students should also be enrolled in BIOL161: General Biology Lab I.
Course Components
Online Lectures. You will be required to view each lecture online before class and take notes on it to prepare
for that class. Take notes just as you would in a regular classroom.
Quizzes. To ensure you are arriving prepared, each class period corresponding to an online lecture will begin
with a short individual quiz. You will hand in your quiz within ~5-6 minutes and when your entire
group has finished you will take the same quiz as a group. Your score will be the average of the two.
The three lowest scores will be dropped.
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In-Class Activities. During class, there will be a Q&A period, and I may re-explain material in new ways.
Teams will work to use the information we have learned to analyze problems in basic science, medicine,
or everyday life. Some of these activities will be graded. The lowest ten percent of the activity scores
will be dropped.
Exams. Six multiple-choice exams will be given during the semester.
Final Exam. The final exam is comprehensive.
Participation will be assessed by peers throughout the semester. Non-attendance or leaving early from more
than one Freshman Friday will subtract 1% from your participation grade per occurrence.
Supplemental Instruction (SI). An upper division student tutor is available weekly to work with groups.
Students who attend SI perform ~10% better on exams than those who don’t. Individual tutoring is
also available through the Student Success office.
Classroom Policies
Attendance is mandatory. You are upper division students. Be responsible. You are allowed dropped scores
from your in-class assessment grades, but it’s best to use them for genuine low scores, not absences. For
emergencies or long-term medically-related absences, contact me as soon as possible to make
arrangements. Unexcused absences receive a grade of zero for assignments completed that day.
Plagiarism and cheating are not acceptable. These include, but are not limited to: copying sentences or
phrases from any print or internet source, copying from others, using crib sheets, falsifying citations and
failing to attribute ideas that are not your own. In accordance with Xavier’s Academic Honesty policy,
any infraction at all will cause at least a grade of 0 on that assignment and will likely result in an F for the
course, at my discretion and in consultation with the dean.
Late assignments will not be accepted.
Missed exams. If you know you will miss an exam, please let me know as soon as possible and we will make
arrangements to reschedule. The most likely arrangement will be to make the exam up during finals
week. If you miss for an unexcused reason, you will receive a grade of zero.
Canvas will be used in this class to collect assignments, practice tests/quizzes, handouts and grades. You can
also use it to contact classmates. Login today through the XU portal or at http://Canvas.xu.edu.
Cell phones should be turned off—if they ring, I reserve the right to answer them.
I will be available. This is a fun but challenging class—get help when you need it! Stop by my office anytime. I
will certainly be there during office hours (see above), much of the rest of the time, and I can arrange
other appointments by email.
Grades
Quizzes
Activities
Participation
15%
5%
10%
Exams
Final Exam
Grading Scale: A standard scale will apply.
A: 93.5 – 100%
B+: 87.5 – 89.8
C+: 77.5 – 79.8
A-: 89.9 – 93.4
B: 82.5 – 87.4
C: 72.5 – 77.4
B-: 79.9 – 82.4
C-: 69.9 – 72.4
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50%
20%
D+: 67.5 – 69.8
D: 60.0 – 67.4
F: < 60.0
Course Topics
Schedule subject to change
Date
Before Class
Reading
In Class
8/25 T
8/27 R
8/28 F
9/1 T
9/3 R
9/4 F
9/8 T
9/10 R
9/11 F
9/15 T
9/17 R
9/18 F
9/22 T
9/24 R
9/25 F
9/29 T
10/1 R
10/2 F
10/6 T
10/8 R
10/9 F
10/13 T
10/15 R
10/16 F
10/20 T
10/22 R
10/23 F
10/27 T
10/29 R
10/30 F
11/3 T
11/5 R
11/6 F
11/10 T
11/12 R
11/13 F
11/17 T
11/19 R
11/20 F
11/24 T
11/25-27
12/1 T
12/3 R
12/4 F
12/8 T
12/10 R
Introduction, Matter
Cells
Freshman Friday
Carbon and Water
Biomolecules
Freshman Friday
Metabolism
Membranes
Exam 1 (through metabolism)
Chemical Signals
Photosynthesis
Freshman Friday
Cellular Respiration
Cell Cycle/Mitosis
Exam 2 (through cellular respiration)
Meiosis
Mendel and Genes
No Class
Chromosomal Inheritance
No Class: Fall Break
No Class: Fall Break
DNA Structure and Replication
Gene Expression
Exam 3 (through Chromosomal Inheritance)
Viruses
DNA Technology
Freshman Friday
Animal Structure and Function
Digestive System
Exam 4 (through DNA Technology)
Respiratory System
Circulatory System
Freshman Friday
Immune System
Excretory System
Exam 5 (through Immune System)
Reproductive System
Animal Development
Freshman Friday
Neurons, Synapses and Signaling
Thanksgiving Break: No Class
Nervous System
Sensory Mechanisms
Exam 6 (through Nervous System)
Muscles
Endocrine System
Freshman Fridays
Final Exam
Ch. 1-2
Ch. 6
Quiz 1
Ch. 3-4
Ch. 5
Quiz 2
Quiz 3
Ch. 8
Ch. 7
Quiz 4
Quiz 5
Exam 1
Quiz 6
Quiz 7
12/11 F
12/15
T 3:005:00
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Ch. 11
Ch. 10
Ch. 9
Ch. 12
Ch. 13
Ch. 14
Quiz 8
Quiz 9
Exam 2
Quiz 10
Quiz 11
Ch. 15
Quiz 12
Ch. 16
Ch. 18
Quiz 13
Quiz 14
Exam 3
Quiz 15
Quiz 16
Ch. 19
Ch. 20
Ch. 40
Ch. 41
Ch. 42
Ch. 42
Ch. 43
Ch. 44
Quiz 17
Quiz 18
Exam 4
Quiz 15
Quiz 16
Ch. 46
Ch. 47
Quiz 17
Quiz 18
Exam 5
Quiz 19
Quiz 20
Ch. 48
Quiz 21
Ch. 49
Ch. 50
Quiz 22
Quiz 23
Ch. 50
Ch. 45
Quiz 24
Quiz 25
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