BSC 103: BIOLOGY AND SOCIETY
SPRING 2010
The modern biological vision sweeps from microseconds to millions of years and from
micrometers to the biosphere. But it is merely ordinary vision expanded by the electron
microscope, earth-scan satellite, and other prosthetic devices of science and technology. The
precise discipline is defined by the point of entry. Organismic biology explores the way we walk
and speak; cell biology, the assembly and structure of our tissues; molecular biology, the
ultimate chemical machinery; and evolutionary biology, the genetic history of our whole species.
The modes of study depend upon the levels of organization chosen, which ascend in a
hierarchical fashion: molecules compose cells, cells tissue, tissues organisms, organisms
populations, and populations ecosystems. To understand any given species and its evolution
requires a knowledge of each of the levels of organization sufficient for the one directly above it.
Quotation from Biophilia by E. O. Wilson
Our society is immersed in a scientific revolution, largely biological in nature, which affects many
policy issues of national and international importance as well as a wide range of personal
activities. Over the last half century, we have witnessed unprecedented breakthroughs in
genetics, cellular biology, and neuroscience as well as significant advances in understanding the
environment around us. You cannot scan a newspaper, browse the web, or listen to the news
without reading/hearing about new developments tied directly to the biological sciences.
Consequently, public understanding of the biology and biotechnology is critical to responsible
decision-making in our society, both public and private. Achievement of that understanding
takes on a sense of urgency in the face of widespread scientific illiteracy. It is of great value to
understand how science is done, to be able to judge the reliability of scientific knowledge, and to
ensure the ethical use of this knowledge.
Biology and Society [BSC 103] is an introductory course are designed to acquaint you with basic
concepts of biology and with the scientific approach to questions about the world around us. The
above excerpt attests to the complexity of modern biology, an immensely broad science that
spans an ascending hierarchy of levels from molecules through cells and organisms to
populations and societies -- from DNA to a herd of wildebeest moving across the Serengeti Plain.
In an effort to see the "forest through the trees", the lectures will be organized to reflect the
hierarchical nature of our study of life. Our focus or frame of reference will change as we move
from one level of organization to the next beginning with the organism and ending by focusing
"down" onto the molecular level. Throughout our treatment of the Biological Sciences, however,
an evolutionary perspective will provide a common conceptual thread linking together all areas of
biology regardless of focus. Theodosius Dobzhansky, a well known American biologist, put it
succinctly: "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
BSC 103 is part of the General Education Curriculum (GEC) of the University. As a consequence,
the course fulfills the following GEC Student Learning Outcomes:
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Students will demonstrate the ability to develop and focus on one topic in speaking and writing
assignments and present ideas in an organized, logical, and coherent form.
*
Students will demonstrate the ability to use Standard English grammar, punctuation, spelling,
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and usage.
*
Students will have a good understanding of the scientific method.
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Students will have good knowledge of the basic concepts of biological sciences.
*
Student will have a basic understanding of the current areas of concerns or emphasis
within the biological sciences.
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Students will be able to interpret scientific data and reach a plausible conclusion.
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Students will have a good understanding of the techniques used in science.
LOGISTICS
1. Instructor: Frank R. Moore
2. Lecture: Wilbur Stout Hall (WSH) Auditorium A Tuesday and Thursday 1:00 – 2:15 PM
3. Attendance: I am convinced that it is in your best interest to attend lecture, but that is your
decision. When you do attend lecture, please be prompt. It is disruptive, not to mention illmannered, to interrupt lecture by arriving late or leaving early. If you must leave class early, please
let me know and set in the back of the auditorium. The use of cell phones, iPods and other electronic
devices is prohibited. No sending text messages during class.
4. Drop Policy: Please be advised that I will not approve permission to drop this course after the
designated ‘last day to drop’ unless extenuating circumstances justify my doing so. A failing grade or
a decision that the course is too difficult does not represent extenuating circumstances.
5. Disability Accommodation: If a student has a disability that qualifies under the American with
Disabilities Act and requests accommodations, he/she should contact the Office for Disabilities
Accommodation (ODA) for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Disabilities
covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health
disorders. Contact ODA if you are not certain whether a medical condition/ disability qualifies.
Mailing address:118 College Drive # 8568, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-8568. Phone: 601.266.5024
Individuals with hearing impairments can contact ODA using the Mississippi Relay Service at 1800-582-2233 (TTY) or e-mail Suzy Hebert at suzanne.hebert@usm.edu.
6. Evaluation: Your performance in this course (lecture only) will be evaluated on the basis of
three criteria:
Exams (60%): Three "hour" exams will be given, and the last is schedule during the Final
Examination period. The three exams will be equal in value and objective in design.
Quizzes (20%): Several (5 – 6) short quizzes, generally unannounced, will be given during the
semester, one of which will be dropped in the calculation of a quiz grade.
Project (20 %): Each student will prepare a collection of print media (e.g., magazine,
newspaper) articles (N = 20) related to the Biological Sciences. Your collection of articles will
represent the range of scientific activity in the Biological Sciences (see syllabus and your
textbook) and should be organized accordingly. This project satisfies the General Education Core
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writing requirement. See pages 6 – 7.
7. Grades: The grade of "A" will be achieved by students who earn 100 - 90% of the total points
possible on exams plus project. The grade of "B" will be achieved by students who earn 89 - 80%
of the total number of points, the grade of "C" by students who earn 79 - 65%, the grade of "D" by
students who earn 64 - 50%, and the grade of "F" by anyone earning less than 50%. Makeup
exams, which will be given during Final Exam period, are contingent on a disabling condition or
situation [independent, written corroboration necessary].
8. Academic Honesty: “When cheating is discovered, the faculty member may give the student
an F on the work or in the course. If further disciplinary action is deemed appropriate, the student
should be reported to the Dean of Students. In addition to being a violation of academic honesty,
cheating violates the Code of Student Conduct and may be grounds for probation, suspension,
and/or expulsion. Students on disciplinary suspension may not enroll in any courses offered by
the University of Southern Mississippi.” Undergraduate Bulletin.
9. Studying: I am confident that you can do well in this course. Take accurate notes in class and
find time soon after lecture to make sure that you understand your notes. Be advised that
lecture notes will be your most important study aid because test questions derive largely from
lecture material. Note further that lecture is not a condensation of textbook narrative; the subject
matter of some lectures is not covered in the textbook. Nevertheless, take advantage of the
textbook; let it enhance your understanding of the material covered in lecture. I suggest that you
read the material assigned in the text before you come to lecture, that way you can anticipate
information about subject matter not well understood.
Lectures will be delivered within a PowerPoint format, and the PowerPoint presentations highlight
material covered in lecture and will be available online: http://www.usm.edu/biology/faculty/BSC103/.
However, it would be a mistake to rely solely or even largely on the presentations when studying for
exams.
10. Office Hours: I will be available (a) Tuesday and Thursday after lecture between 2:15 – 3:00 PM
and (b) by appointment. Please call 266-4748 and ask to make an appointment. My office is located
in the Johnson Science Tower (JST 720). Please do not hesitate to ask me for whatever help or
guidance you believe you need.
11. Textbook: Discover Biology. Cain, Yoon, Singh-Cundy. 4th Edition. Be sure to visit the online
student supplement: http://www.discoverbiology.com/. You will find mini-lectures on important
concepts, self-test quizzes, flash cards, etc.
12. i>Clicker: Handheld, wireless keypads available when you acquire your textbook will
enhance interaction/learning during lecture by allowing you to respond to questions, polls and
quizzes and to receive prompt feedback. Bring your i>clicker to lecture – it will be used.
LECTURE SCHEDULE AND EVENTS
DATE
LECTURE TOPIC
TEXT CHAPTER(S)
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JAN 19
BREADTH OF THE L IFE SCIENCES
1
Characteristics of Life
Biological Systems and Hierarchical Structure
JAN 21
LOGISTICS
JAN 26
I. SCIENCE AS A WAY OF KNOWING
1
Two Cultures
Epistemology
II. EVOLUTION: THE UNIFYING THEME
JAN 28
Evolutionary Mechanisms
16, 17, 10
FEB 11
Origin of Species
18
FEB 15-16
MARDI GRAS HOLIDAY
FEB 18
“Creation Science” and Evolution
FEB 25
FIRST HOUR EXAMINATION
PRELIMINARY PROJECT DUE
MAR 02
History of Life and Organic Diversity
MAR 03
16
19
Last Day to Drop Classes without Academic Penalty
III. THE ECOLOGICAL THEATRE
MAR 09
Population Biology
33, 34
MAR 11
Community Ecology
35, 36
MAR 15-19
SPRING BREAK
MAR 23
Ecosystem Dynamics
MAR 30
SECOND HOUR EXAMINATION
37, 38
IV. ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
APR 01
Animal Structure & Function
20, 26, 29
APR 13
Plant Form and Function
31
V. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
4
APR 20
Cells: Internal Organization
5, 6, 7
APR 27
DNA and Genetic Information
12, 13, 14
MAY 04
PROJECT DUE
APR 04
Biotechnology
MAY 13
THIRD HOUR EXAMINATION [10:45 am – 1:15 pm]
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“Science as a Way of Knowing” Project
1. Each student will prepare a collection of print media (e.g., magazine, newspaper) articles (N =
20) related to the Biological Sciences. Articles from online sources are acceptable.
2. Your collection of articles will represent the range of scientific activity in the Biological
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Sciences. The range of activity in the Biological Sciences is reflected in your textbook and the
syllabus. The latter is organized into five (5) topics:





Science as a Way of Knowing
Evolution
Ecological Theater
Organismal Biology
Molecular Biology.
Organize your collection of articles accordingly (i.e., 4 articles per topic category).
3. You will have no trouble finding articles in non-scientific print media sources, whether
newspapers or magazine. Articles from scientific journals and magazines (e.g., Scientific
American, Discovery magazine) are not to be included.
4. Articles will come from a wide variety of sources.
5. Length of article may vary from a single column in the newspaper to several pages in a
magazine.
6. The following information will accompany each article:
a) Source of the article (e.g., Hattiesburg American, Rolling Stone magazine), including
date.
b) Title of the article.
c) Synopsis that paraphrases the article, including the main point of the article and your
thoughts on the subject. Length: 300 – 400 words.
7. The information which accompanies the article will be typed or computer printed.
8. Collect/organize your articles in a 3-ring binder.
9. Include with your set of articles:
a) Cover sheet that includes your name, course title, and semester.
b) Table of Contents (list of article titles grouped according to topic)
10. Draft/preliminary project is due February 25th and will include:
a) 3 ring binder
b) Title page
c) Table of contents organized by subject areas
d) 1 article and associated synopsis for each subject area (i.e., 5 articles).
11. Final project is due class time MAY 4th. Projects will not be returned.
12. I encourage you to inspect examples of past projects, which may be found on display in my lab
(JST 810).
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13. Evaluation of your project (20% of your overall grade): 20% based on preliminary project grade
and 80% based on final project grade. Your project is graded according to the following scheme:
Points
Expectation
2
Binder
5
20 articles
5
Articles distributed evenly among 5 areas
5
Source variation
6
Synopsis (including title, date and source)
2
Title page
2
Table of Contents
3
__
30
Neatness
14. Subtract 3 points [10%] for each day late [week days].
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