Biol 213: Cell Structure and Function
MW 555-710 pm
Innovation Hall, Room 105
Section 002, CRN 14180
REVISED SYLLABUS
Lecture Instructor:
Name: Donna M. Fox, PhD
Email: dfox1@gmu.edu
Office Hrs: same day appointments (993-8797)
Office: SUB I, Room 210C
Course Coordinator:
Name: Charles Madden, PhD
Email: cmadden@gmu.edu
Office Hrs: TR 930 am to 11 am or by appointment
Office: Rm. 3035 David King Hall
Required texts:
Biology, 8th Edition; Campbell (2008) (older versions will work)
Access to textbook resources at www.masteringbio.com Username: gmustudent1
Password: student247
Course Description:
The goal of this course is to teach students the basic principles of Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Genetics. The basic
principles will be taught by lectures listed below and will be based predominantly on material in the textbook. Students
are expected to attend lectures and to read the chapters listed below. Lecture material will be presented by
PowerPoint slides, and will contain some material not found in the textbook. The lecture schedule is subject to change
based on progress. Questions or comments to the instructor during the class meeting are encouraged but I will
communicate with students throughout the semester by email, so every student must have an active GMU email
account.
Four lecture exams covering specific sections of the material will be administered during the semester. Lecture exam
4 and a cumulative final exam will be administered during the scheduled final examination period. All exams are 50
multiple choice questions worth 2 points each. One regular lecture exam score will be dropped but the cumulative final
cannot be dropped.
There will be no make-up exams for ANY REASON. Students who are enrolled in a particular section must attend
lectures and take the exam ONLY during that time period. If you take an exam in another section without prior
approval, you will receive a zero for your score. If you miss a lecture exam and you have a documented and allowable
reason to miss the exam, the comprehensive final exam score will replace this missing exam score. If you do not miss
any lecture exams and you do better on the comprehensive final than on one of the lecture exams, the lowest lecture
exam grade will be dropped and the cumulative final score will be counted twice. Please carry your GMU ID on you for
each exam. Instructors are required to verify each student’s identification.
When a class in which a graded assignment is to be given is not met by the faculty member because of inclement
weather, sudden illness, delays, etc., the assignment will automatically be rescheduled for the next class meeting.
All students are expected to maintain the GMU honor code by practicing ethical behavior and submitting original work.
To assist with another student’s unethical behavior is also a violation of the honor code. Remember, the honor code
protects your hard work and the value of your degree from GMU. Students who cheat are stealing from you!
academicintegrity.gmu.edu
Grades:
Four lecture exams
(one dropped; can replace one with final score)
Cumulative final (cannot be dropped)
Lecture total
Lecture grade
Laboratory grade
Course total
300 points
100 points
400 points
= 75% of the course grade
= 25% of the course grade
= 100%
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
70-76
60-70
<60
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D
F
REVISED Schedule of Lectures
Week
Days
1
2
Jan 20
Jan 25
Jan 27
Feb 1
Feb 3
Feb 8
Feb 10
Feb 15
Feb 17
Feb 22
Feb 24
Mar 1
Mar 3
Mar 8
Mar 10
Mar 15
Mar 17
Mar 22
Mar 24
Mar 29
Mar 31
Apr 5
Apr 7
Apr 12
Apr 14
Apr 19
Apr 21
Apr 26
Apr 28
May 3
May 5
May 7
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
May 12
Topic
Chapter(Pages)
Introduction
1
Chemical Context of Life
2
Chemistry of Water and Carbon
3,4
Chemistry of Carbon
4,5
Biological Molecules
5
SNOW DAY – UNIV CLOSED
SNOW DAY – UNIV CLOSED
Biological Molecules; Tour of the Cell
5,6
EXAM #1
1-5
Tour of the Cell
6
Membrane Structure and Function
7
An Introduction to Metabolism
7
An Introduction to Metabolism
8
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
An Introduction to Metabolism
8
Cellular Respiration
9
Exam #2
6,7,8
Photosynthesis
10
Photosynthesis
10
The Cell Cycle
12
The Cell Cycle/Cancer
12, 18(373-377)
Meiosis
13
Cell-to-Cell Communication
11
Exam #3
9,10,12,13, 18 (373-377)
Cell-to-Cell Communication
11
Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance
16
Molecular Basis of Inheritance
16
Molecular Basis of Inheritance
17
From Gene to Protein
17
Gene to Protein
4(59)
Evolution of Cells
25(507-510, 514-517)
Exam #4, 430-630 pm  11, 16-17,4(59),25(507-510,514-517)
Comprehensive Final, 430-630 pm  All material for semester
IMPORTANT DATES:
Last day to add
Last day to drop
Midterm grades due
Last day to use a selective withdrawal
February 2
February 26
March 26
April 2