BSC 121 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY
SPRING 2011
Instructor: N.J. LoCASCIO
e-mail: locascio@marshall.edu
Office: OM 230 phone: 696-3963
Office Hours: M, W 10 – 12 or by appointment. It is best to e-mail me or talk to me after lecture to schedule a convenient
time. Please use above e-mail account to contact me and NOT the MU Online site.
Classroom: CH 105 Lecture Time: MWF 900 - 950a
Laboratory: S 210 Time: sec.201:M 2-3:50p; sec.202: T 2-350p; sec.203: W 10 - 1150am; sec. 209 W 12 – 1:50p.
Texts: Biology, 8th Edition, 2008, Campbell and Reece (required)
Principles of Biology Laboratory Manual, Weinstein (required)
A Short Guide to Writing About Biology, Pechenik (recommended)
Course description: 4 credit hrs. Pre-requisite BSC120 or equivalent. This course provides an integrated overview of
general biological principles. A continuation of the study of basic biological principles common to all organisms. Diversity
of life, phylogeny, structure, function, and ecology. Intended for science majors and pre-professional students. Class
format will include lecture and discussion. Laboratory exercises will use critical lab skills (microscopy, solution making,
measurement and pipetting). Lecture notes and additional course supplements will be posted on course website at
http://www.marshall.edu/muonline . Students must access this site for additional information and updates throughout
the semester.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
$To become excited and enthusiastic about the dynamic field of biology and expand your basic knowledge.
$Identify relationships between form and function at the levels of biological organization.
$Appreciate the range of adaptations in living organisms and the unity and diversity of life at the organismal level.
$Advance critical thinking skills and improve scientific literacy.
$Improve scientific communication (oral and written) skills.
$Improve computer skills as a research tool in biological science.
Class discussions and laboratory exercises will centre on these objectives. Exams/ quizzes are designed to measure
student mastery.
GRADING SCALE: 100 - 90 = A; 89 - 80 = B; 79 - 70 = C; 69 - 60 = D, < 59= F
There will be five lecture exams (including a final), which constitute 75% of total course grade. The final exam will
include 30% content from previous exams. You will be tested on lecture notes and readings from text chapters. Format
for the exams will be objective and some short answer essays. Laboratory performance will contribute the remaining
25% of your course grade. Lab grades will consist of weekly data sheets, on-line pre-lab quizzes, and a formal laboratory
report. The laboratory report is mandatory for passing the laboratory portion of BSC121. Written instructions and
deadlines will be provided by your lab instructor. Students are expected to keep their finished papers on computer disk
until the graded copy is returned.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance in lectures is strongly encouraged. Attendance in laboratory exercises is mandatory.
You are responsible for any material missed by being absent. Absences from exams due to illness, death in the
immediate family, or institutional activities will be excused with the appropriate written notification to the instructor.
See Marshall University Undergraduate Catalogue - Academic Information for guidelines. Until final grades have been
submitted you are expected to keep copies of all submitted and graded work (quizzes, papers etc).No makeup exams
will be permitted without an official excuse sent by Dean of Students office. No excuses are accepted for missed
laboratory exercises. You are permitted two (2) drops in laboratory attendance for the semester to accommodate
unforeseen circumstances. This policy will be strictly enforced.
COMPUTER LITERACY: Course materials, practice quizzes, are located on course website at
http://www.marshall.edu/muonline. Log-in using your MyMU user name and password. If BSC 121 is not listed on
homepage, notify instructor immediately.
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATION: Marshall University is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including
those with physical, learning and psychological disabilities. University policy states that it is the responsibility of students
with disabilities to contact the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS) in Prichard Hall 117, phone 304-696-2271 to
provide documentation of their disability. Following this, the DSS Coordinator will send a letter to each of the student’s
instructors outlining the academic accommodation he/she will need to ensure equality in classroom experiences,
outside assignment, testing and grading. The instructor and student will meet to discuss how the accommodation(s)
requested will be provided. For more information, please visit http://www.marshall.edu/disabled or contact Disabled
Student Services Office at Prichard Hall 117, phone 304-696-2271.
WITHDRAWAL: If you are not happy with your academic performance in this class please come see me. Students should
keep the W date for this semester, March 18, clearly in mind. Do not just stop attending. This will result in an F on your
transcripts. The Biology department does have graduate students available for tutoring.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY IN ANY FORM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
All written assignments, quizzes, and exams are to be independent efforts of each student. If you have any questions
please ask.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: Additional information, including inclement weather policies, can be found in the
Marshall Undergraduate Catalogue at http://www.marshall.edu/www/ugradcat/PDF/05_08.pdf
Tentative syllabus and exam schedule:
Topic
Date
Text Chapters
1/10 - 1/14
The History of Life on Earth; Phylogeny;
25; 26
1/17
Martin Luther King Day – No lecture. No labs for this week.
1/19 ;1/21
Prokaryotes
27
1/24 - 1/28
Protists; Fungi
28 ; 31
1/31; 2/2
Plant Diversity; (I) Plant Diversity (II)
29 ; 30
2/4
*EXAM I*
2/7 - 2/11
Animal Diversity
2/14 – 2/18
Invertebrates; Vertebrates
33; 34
2/21; 2/23
Plant Form and Function
35 – 39 (selected readings)
2/25; 2/28
Animal Form and Function
40
3/2
*EXAM II*
3/4
Nutrition
41
3/7
Circulation/Gas Exchange
42
3/9 - 3/11
Immune System
43
3/16
*EXAM III*
3/16; 3/18
Osmoregulation and Excretion
3/18
Last day to drop class
3/20 - 3/27
Spring Break
3/28 - 4/1
Hormones and the Endocrine System
4/4; 4/8
Reproduction; Development
4/6
Assessment Day - No lecture today and no labs this week.
4/11
*EXAM IV*
4/13; 4/15
Nervous System; Senses
48; 49 (selected readings)
4/18; 4/20
Sensory and Motor Mechanisms; Animal Behaviour
50;51
4/22
Intro. To Ecology; Biosphere
52
4/25 - 4/29
"Dead Week" catch up; Biodiversity
53 - 56 (selected readings)
5/6 (8:00a)
*FINAL EXAM*
32
44
45
46; 47