GENERAL BIOLOGY FOR MAJORS
BIOLOGY 4
Syllabus for Spring 2012
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Instructor: Mark Cooper
Phone: (909) 594-5611 ext. 4548
School e-mail: mcooper@mtsac.edu
Web site address: http://elearn.mtsac.edu/mcooper
Office: 60-2102
Office Hrs: T: 10:30 - 11:30, 3:00 - 4:00
W: 10:30 - 11:30, 3:00 - 4:00
OBJECTIVE: To introduce the students to the basic structures and functions of plants and animals
including concepts in systematics, evolution, physiology, ecology, and biotic relationships.
IMPORTANT DATES
Holiday’s
March 30
May 28
Other Dates
Cesar Chavez Day
Memorial Day Holiday
March 09
Last Day to add
March 19
Last Day to withdraw without a “W”
May 12
Last day to withdraw with a “W”
Test and Paper Due Dates (Subject to change)
Exam 1
March 26th
Paper Assignment - Idea
March 5th
Exam 2
April 18th
Paper Assignment - Rough
April 9th
Exam 3
May 09th
Paper Assignment - Final
April 30th
Exam 4
May 30th
Ecology Paper
June 04th
Comprehensive Lab Final Exam: June 11th (8:40 a.m. – 10:00 a.m)
Comprehensive Final Exam: June 13th (1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
LECTURE SCHEDULE
DATE
LECTURE TOPIC
02/27
02/29
03/05
03/07
03/12
03/14
03/19
03/21
03/26
03/28
04/02
04/04
04/09
04/11
04/16
04/18
04/23
04/25
04/30
05/02
05/07
05/09
05/14
05/16
05/21
05/23
05/28
05/30
06/04
06/06
Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life
The Chemical Context of Life, Water
Carbon / Macromolecules
An Introduction to Metabolism
A Tour of the Cell/Cell Communication
Membrane Structure and Function
Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration: Harvesting Chemical Energy
Exam 1
Controlling the Internal Environment
The Molecular Basis of Inheritance & Biotechnology
From Gene to Protein & Gene Regulation
The Cell Cycle
Meiosis
Mendelian Genetics
Exam 2
Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance
Animal Reproduction and Development
Descent with Modification
Population Genetics
The Origin of Species
Exam 3
Early Earth and the Origin of Life/Taxonomy
Population Ecology
Community Ecology
Ecology and Ecosystems
Holiday: Memorial Day
Exam 4
Biodiversity
Extinction & Conservation
06/13
FINAL: 1:30pm - 4:00 pm
READING
Ch 1
Ch 2, Ch 3
Ch 4, Ch 5
Ch 8
Ch 6, Ch 11
Ch 7, Ch 44 (pp. 953-958)
Ch 10
Ch 9
---Ch 40 (pp. 862-872)
Ch 16, Ch 20
Ch 17, Ch 18 (pp. 351-372)
Ch 12, Ch 18 (pp 373-377)
Ch 13
Ch 14
---Ch 15
Ch 46, Ch 47
Ch 22
Ch 23
Ch 24
---Ch 25, Ch 26, Ch 27-34
Ch 53
Ch 54
Ch 52, Ch 55
------Ch 56 (pp 1245-1255)
Ch 56 (pp 1255-1265)
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ANNOUNCED CHANGES IN THIS SYLLABUS
(INCLUDING EXAM DATES!!!)
Required Textbook: Campbell Biology (Ninth Edition)
Required Lab Manual: Biology 4 Lab Manual
SUPPLIES: 5 Scantrons form # 882
12 Quiz strips form #815
1 Scantron form #884
Author: Reece et. al
Author: Cindy Shannon
The scantrons must be turned in by March 21st
or you will not be allowed to take any quizzes or tests.
LABORATORY SCHEDULE
DATE
02/27
03/05
03/12
03/19
03/26
04/02
04/09
04/16
04/23
04/30
05/07
05/14
05/21
05/28
06/04
06/11
LABORATORY TOPIC
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Microscope / Metrics / Scientific Writing
Paper # 1assigned
Macromolecules
Enzymes
Cytology
Transport
Photosynthesis
Respiration and Metabolism
DNA Replication/Protein Synthesis
Gel Electrophoresis of DNA
Meiosis / Mendelian Genetics
Taxonomy / Dichotomous Key
Ecology – Plant Transects
Assignment # 2 Data Collection
Biodiversity: Trip to Evey Canyon
Embryology/Metamorphosis/Biofly Lab
Holiday: Memorial Day/ Evolution / Population Growth / Population Genetics
Ecosystems
Finals Week: Lab Final
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ANNOUNCED CHANGES IN THIS SYLLABUS
YOU MUST BE ENROLLED IN BOTH THE LECTURE & LAB. THIS IS A 4 UNIT COURSE. YOU
WILL RECEIVE ONLY ONE GRADE.
NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED!!
POINTS WILL BE SUBTRACTED FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS RULE
STUDENTS ARE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MATERIAL BROKEN IN LAB
NO EATING OR DRINKING IN THE LAB
ATTENDANCE: Since many of the questions on the tests will come from the lecture
material, it is critical that students attend all class meetings. If you must miss a class, it is
your responsibility to get the notes from a fellow student. If your number of absences
exceeds the number of hours the class meets in two weeks, you will be dropped from the
course. Poor attendance in lecture, lab or the discussion section will lower your
grade. After May 12th, you cannot officially be dropped from the course. This is the last
day you can receive a "W" (Withdrawal). After this date you must be given a grade in the
course. .
POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Cheating and Plagiarism are violations of the
college's policy and are considered serious offenses. The Department of Biological
Sciences takes all incidences of academic dishonesty seriously and acts accordingly. I
reserve the right to give an "F" for the assignment, test and/or class and the matter will be
brought up to the Director of Student Affairs as stated in the school's current College
Catalog. In other words, "DON'T CHEAT OR PLAGIARIZE"!!!!!!
POLICY ON CELL PHONES: Cell phones and cell phone etiquette
has become a problem in the last several years. Ringing cells phones in class
have become a major distraction to your fellow students and to me. I am
now imposing a policy where if your cell phone goes off, you will
be asked to leave the room and not allowed to return until the next class
break. If you must leave it on for emergency situations, you need to
inform me before class. TURN OFF YOUR PHONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GRADING: The semester grade will be determined by several factors: Midterm exams,
quizzes, homework, papers and a comprehensive final exam. There will be one grade for
both lecture and laboratory.
Lecture Portion
4 Midterm Exams (100 pts each).......................................... 400 pts
(The final exam % can replace your lowest exam score)
1 Final Exam........................................................................ 150 pts
(The final exam must be taken!!)
Lecture Quizzes / Homework..............................................
14 pts
Laboratory Portion
Scientific Papers
Paper #1 (Rough draft)............................................
15 pts
Paper #1 (Final draft)……………………………..
35 pts
Ecology Paper ……............................................................
50 pts
13 Quizzes (10 pts each).......................………...................
120 pts
Lowest quiz is dropped
13 Labs (3 pts each)...........................................………......
36 pts
Lowest lab is dropped
Laboratory Final..................................................………....
55 pts
______________
Total Possible Points
875 pts
Lab worksheet will be graded accordingly:
3 points = excellent
2 points = satisfactory
1 point = needs improvement
0 points = unsatisfactory
Three zeros will lower your grade one grade level.
You do not have to be absent to receive a zero
**Lab participation will also be considered in these scores.
Final Grades:
A = 788 points and above
B = 700 - 787 points
C = 613 - 699 points
D = 525 - 612 points
F = 524 points and below
(90-100%)
(80-89%)
(70-79%)
(60-69%)
(0-59%)
THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS! Students who miss an exam you will have that exam replaced
by the score on the final. Students who fail to take two exams will be dropped from the course.