BIOL 1103-201 Class Syllabus*
Introduction to Biology
Spring 2014
MW 9:00-9:50AM BO 209
Instructor
Office: BO XXXX
Ph.#:
e-mail:
DATE
January
TOPIC
CHAPTER
Introduction, Biology, and the
Scientific Method
1
23
Biology, and the Scientific Method
1
25
Cytology
4
30
DNA and RNA
7
February
1
TEST #1
1,4,7
6
Mitosis
8
8
Mitosis/Meiosis
8,9
13
Meiosis
9
15
Mendelian Genetics
10
20
Mendelian Genetics/Population Genetics
10,11
22
Population Genetics
11
27
TEST #2
8-11
29
Natural Selection and Evolution
12
March
5
Natural Selection and Evolution/ Speciation
and Evolutionary Change
12,13
7
Speciation and Evolutionary Change
13
12,14
SPRING BREAK
Have FUN!!!
19
The Origin of Life
22
21
Taxonomy & Systematics
23
26
TEST #3
12,13,22,23
28
Organisms of Primitive Kingdoms
24
April
2
Primitive Kingdoms/Plantae
24,25
4
Plantae
25
9
Plantae
25
11
Animalia
26
16
Animalia
26
18
TEST #4
24-26
23
General Ecology and Ecosystems
14
25
Community Ecology
15
30
Population Ecology
16
May
2
Behavioral Ecology
17
9
FINAL EXAM 10:30-12:30AM
14-17
*Class syllabus is tentative and subject to change throughout the semester (including test dates).
18
Lecture Text: Concepts in Biology, 10th Edition, by Eldon D. Enger and Frederick C. Ross, 2003.
Class Attendance: You are expected to attend all classes. A lot of material is presented in each class
period, which makes it easy to fall behind if a class is missed. If you miss a class, it is YOUR
responsibility to get class notes and handouts from your classmates or the instructor. Do not schedule
doctor’s appointments or work schedules in a way that would conflict with your attendance in class.
Lecture Exams and Make-Up Exams: There will be five, equally-weighted major exams (including the
final exam) that will each be worth 15% of your overall grade for the class. The final exam will NOT be
comprehensive but will cover all of the material since the previous exam. Exams will usually contain
various types of testing formats (i.e. multiple choice, matching, true/false, fill in the blank, listing, and short
answer). You MUST present a valid university excuse to make up a missed lecture exam. A missed exam
should be made up immediately (i.e. before exams are passed back to the class). Make-up exams will most
likely be more difficult than the original exam, so don’t miss an exam!
Course Grading: The following is a breakdown of your final course grade:
LECTURE
Test #1
=15%
Test #2
=15%
Test #3
=15%
Test #4
=15%
Final Exam=15%
total
=75%
LAB
total
=25%
The grading scale used to determine your letter grade for the course is as follows:
A
B
C
D
F
=
=
=
=
=
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
below 60%
Aids for Success: You paid a lot of money for your textbook…MAKE SURE THAT YOU READ IT!
Most of the material for exams will be derived from the textbook. Read the chapter(s) assigned for each
class period. Lectures should correspond to the chapters indicated on your syllabus. Take thorough lecture
notes to make sure you get material covered in lecture that is not in the text. An online study resource has
been made available to you by the publisher of your textbook, McGraw-Hill, at the “Online Learning
Center” of their website at www.mhhe.com/enger10. Follow the instructions in the front of your textbook
for accessing this website and utilizing the numerous study tools available to you there. Make sure and
use the Essential Study Partner interactive study tool at the website. It is excellent for helping you
understand material that is covered in class and also in helping you prepare for tests.
***NO PAGERS OR PHONES ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM***
***Students with disabilities must be registered with Disability Support Services before
classroom accommodations can be provided.
Writing Proficiency Requirement
All students seeking a Bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing
proficiency requirement once they’ve earned 60 hours. You may do so by passing either the
Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you’ve earned over 90
hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the threecredit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office
website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.