General Biology – Lecture Syllabus
Office Hours – Email for appointment
Office – 225M (2nd floor of Sciences Complex)
Instructor – Brandon McDonald
Email – bmcdonal@cameron.edu
Website – www.cameron.edu/~bmcdonal
REQUIRED TEXTS:
(1) Campbell NA, Reese JB, Simon EJ. 2009. Essential Biology, Cummins, San Francisco 4th Ed.
(2) General Biology Laboratory Exercises available @ CU Bookstore
LECTURE ITINERARY:
Chapter 1 Introduction: Biology Today
Unit 1: Cells
Chapter 2 Essential Chemistry for Biology
Chapter 3 The Molecules of Life
Chapter 4 A Tour of the Cell
Chapter 5 The working of the Cell
Chapter 6 Cellular Respiration: Obtaining Energy from Food
Chapter 7 Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food
EXAM 1
Unit 2: Genetics
Chapter 8 Cellular Reproduction: Cells from Cells
Chapter 9 Patterns of Inheritance
Chapter 10 The Structure and Function of DNA
Chapter 11 How Genes are Controlled
Chapter 12 DNA Technology
EXAM 2
Unit 3: Evolution and Diversity
Chapter 13 How Populations Evolve
Chapter 14 How Biological Diversity Evolves
Chapter 15 The Evolution of Microbial Life
Chapter 16 Plants, Fungi, and the Move onto Land
Chapter 17 The Evolution of Animals
EXAM 3
Unit 4: Ecology
Chapter 18 Intro to Ecology & the Biosphere
Chapter 19 Population Ecology
Chapter 20 Communities & Ecosystems
EXAM 4 (final)
GRADING SYSTEM: We will follow the letter grade system. Students who study generally do well and those who do not study do
not do well. >90% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, <60% = F
MY DUTIES AS INSTRUCTOR: To facilitate your learning and appreciating the complexity of life on earth as well as underlying
mechanisms responsible for diverse patterns among different levels living systems. My job is to explain the material, provide
relevant examples of the concepts, be open to student questions, & to evaluate your learning the material.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS COURSE: (1) Read the textbook before class (2) Ask questions during lecture to clarify material you
did not fully understand while reading before class (3) Do not miss class (4) Arrive on Time (5) Take full advantages of bonus
points offered (6) Contact the instructor for additional tutoring outside class with specific questions. It is your responsibility to
learn the material – I will be more than happy to assist you in learning as long as you put effort into it. The teacher cannot do the
learning for the student.
25
AVERAGE EFFORT
EXCEPTIONAL EFFORT
20
MINIMAL EFFORT
GOOD EFFORT
15
LITTLE TO
NO EFFORT
10
5
0
A's
EXAM 1
EXAM 2
EXAM 3
EXAM 4
Assignments & Quizzes
B's
C's
D's
F's
+
100 points
Lecture = 75% of course grade
Laboratory = 25% of course grade
100
100
100
100
* how to calculate your grades - (lecture %) (0.75) + (lab %) (0.25) = Semester Grade
∑ = 500
BONUS POINTS: An undetermined amount of bonus points might be offered during the semester – missed bonus cannot be made up.
GADGETS AND CELL PHONES: All electronic gadgets must be turned off in class. I will keep track of each instance of Texting in Class –after
three such instances, I will make a NO BONUS POINT POLICY for the remainder of the semester.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance will not be recorded.
TARDINESS: Arrive for class on time. You enrolled in this course with the knowledge of when lecture begins and when lecture ends; if you have
activities in your life that are going to conflict with your attendance of this class, please enroll in another section. To disrupt lecture by arriving
late is disrespectful to both the lecturer and other students. If tardiness becomes a chronic problem, I will begin locking the doors at the
beginning of class. I will not allow a few students to negatively affect the learning environment of this classroom.
EXAMS: Examinations will be during lecture hours. Exams will be multiple-choice so, students need to bring their own scantron sheets. If your
scantron is folded or wrinkled and will not go through the machine, you will lose 10% of your score immediately. Exams will follow the
completion of each of the four major units of the book. Students are responsible for attending class and keeping track of lecture and upcoming
exams. Students absent from an exam will earn a 0 (zero), except for students missing an exam due to medical, military, or legal circumstances
(documentation required); you have a maximum of 1 week to complete the missed exam or assignment. Students arriving late to an exam will be
allowed to take the exam so long as no one has finished and left the classroom; if you arrive after someone has finished the exam and left the
room, you will receive a zero NO EXCEPTIONS. The disruption by, or use of, an electronic gadget during an exam will result in the student
being asked to leave the classroom and the unfinished exam will be graded as such.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS - will be explained as each assignment is handed out.
#1 – Essay on a chosen Biology Discipline and most appropriate advisor for that discipline in the CU Biology Dept.. DUE DATE TENATIVE
#2 – Solve 10 genetics problems (I will hand out the assignment mid-semester). DUE DATE TENATIVE
#3 – Critical Thinking Activity – I will give you an article / advertisement about a product which makes claims pertaining to your health, well
being, and so on. You will be asked to critically evaluate the article / advertisement and turn in a brief summary of your conclusions. More
details will be given later. DUE DATE TENATIVE.
MY WEEKLY SCHEDULE – SUMMER, 2011
8:00-9:00
9:00-10:00
10:00-11:00
11:00-12:00
12:00-1:00
1:00-2:00
2:00-3:00
3:00-4:00
4:00-5:00
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Lecture Prep
General Biology Lecture
Thursday
Friday
Lab Prep
Research
General Biology Lab
SSS Tutoring (1:00-3:30pm)
Research
Lab Prep
Research
Lab Prep