BIOL 100: Perspectives in Biology, Spring 2011
Instructor: Dr. Kathy Szick-Miranda
Office: Sci I 316
Phone: 654-6165
Email: kszick-miranda@csub.edu
Web: www.csub.edu/~kszick_miranda
Office hours: M 11:00-12:30; T 12:30-3:00 or by appointment
Required Materials:
•Simon, Reece and Dickey. (2010) Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology, 3rd Edition. Pearson
Benjamin Cummings.
•MasteringBiology web access.
• i>clicker-available through the bookstore.
•Lab Manual Packet - Will be available via the web.
Course Description: Perspectives in Biology is a lower division, general biology course that focuses
on the issues of modern biology. Emphasis is given to biological concepts with specific relevance to
society. Successful completion of BIOL 100 fulfills Goal IV (Area B2/B3) of the University’s general
education requirements.
Course Prerequisites: There are no specific prerequisites for this course.
Course Goals and Objectives: Upon completion of lecture, reading assignments, and/or laboratory
students will be able to:
•Use the scientific method to answer appropriate questions and recognize when the scientific method
is, and is not, appropriate.
•Use the proper scientific writing style to present hypotheses, data, results, and discussions of
scientific evidence. In addition, students will know how to present scientific results using an organized
and professional format.
•Describe the nature of living systems from cells to organisms and populations.
•Describe how traits are transmitted via genetic information from one generation to the next,
•Describe the importance of cell-level processes to important aspects of living organisms such as
feeding, locomotion and reproduction.
•Describe how natural selection shapes which traits are passed from one generation to the next, and
how this causes the traits of populations to change over time.
•Identify basic similarities and differences between plants and animals in the structures of their cells,
tissues and energetic processes.
•Analyze interactions between organisms and their environment, identify the important things
organisms must obtain from their environment, and explain how they do so.
•Analyze the traits of an organism to determine how the traits they possess help them to survive and
reproduce in different environments.
Academic Policies: It is expected that your work is YOUR work. In the unexpected event of
plagiarism and/or dishonesty during exams or for the research term-paper, the student will receive a
zero on that activity and be referred to the campus administration for disciplinary action. Please refer
to the campus 2009-2011 catalog page 82.
Attendance and Participation:
I will not record attendance in lecture however, there will often be material presented in lecture that
you will not find in your text book. The laboratory material is designed to supplement and reinforce
the lecture material. Laboratory sessions are mandatory. Missing two or more laboratories will result
in a "0" for the laboratory portion of this course which will result in an “F” for the course.
Grading: Grades will be based on the percentage of points accumulated in the course (lecture and lab)
using the scale shown below.
A = 94-100
A-= 90-93.9
B+ = 87-89.9
B = 83-86.9
B- = 80-82.9
C+ = 77-79.9
C = 73-76.9
C- = 70-72.9
D+ = 67-69.9
D = 63-66.9
D- = 60-62.9
F = 0-59.9
*All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date indicated. Any assignment turned in
after that time will be penalized 10% per day.
Assignments:
Exam I
Exam II
Exam III
Final Exam (Exam IV)
MasteringBiology Web Assignments
Lab Report
Lab Assignments
TOTAL
Point Values:
100pts
100pts
100pts
100pts
100pts
55pts
45pts
400pts
***The lowest of the three exam scores will be dropped***
Reading and Lab Assignments:
1. For each lecture, the reading will relate to the topic of that day and should be done in advance of lecture
so that you will be familiar with what will be lectured on and then re-read after reviewing the lecture for that
topic.
2. Grading for the laboratory component of this course will be based on three different parameters: 1)
exams, 2) lab assignments and 3) a formal research report. You must come to lab prepared. This will be
accomplished by reading the lab assigned PRIOR to the start of that lab. It is a complete waste of time
(both mine AND yours!) if you are not fully prepared for the lab. You will be required to submit
assignments related to the lab exercises at the end of each lab period.
MasteringBiology:
This is a web-based study system (http://www.masteringbiology.com/) designed by the publisher of your
textbook. Homework assignments will be assigned for each topic covered in class. Assignments are
generally due, one week after they are assigned. These homework assignments are designed to help you
succeed in this course and are worth 20% of your overall grade.
The course ID is: MBSZICKMIRANDA24591
Scientific Research Report:
You will write a scientific research report on your independent investigation performed during week 7. Your
independent investigation will be based on the analysis of stomata lab performed in week 6. You will work
in groups of four to prepare a research proposal, perform your outlined experiment and write the research
report (one complete report per group). In addition, you will submit an abstract that will be an individual
effort. The format is based on the scientific method and is organized to enable the reader to quickly
comprehend the main points of the investigation. The format is required in all biology classes and consists
of a Title Page, Abstract, Introduction, Methods and Materials, Results, Discussion/Conclusions, and
Literature Cited sections. Please refer to the departmental website links on “how-to write”:
www.csub.edu/Biology/HowToWrite.htmlx
www.csub.edu/Biology/HowtoWrite.pdf
There is a total of 55pts assigned for the report. You will receive additional information, including a copy of
the grading rubric at a later point in the quarter.
Other Policies:
1. There will be no make-up exams for any reason except for illness or death in the family. In either
case you must bring documentation to support your absence. Notes signed by a University Health
Center nurse are not acceptable. This class is too large for me to accommodate students to take the
final exam during an alternate time other than when it is scheduled. Please do not ask.
2. Please turn off all cell phones before coming to class.
3. It is expected that you will behave in a professional manner and treat your TAs and fellow
classmates with respect and collegiality. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
4. During exams students are not allowed to leave for any reason (including visits to the restroom). No
exceptions!
5. Students are not allowed to attend laboratory sections for which he/she not enrolled. NO
EXCEPTIONS. If you are unable to attend the laboratory section for which you registered you should
drop the class.
6. I have an open door policy. Please feel free to stop by my office and ask questions. I am happy to
assist you in any way I can. If for some reason I am unable to help you at that time you can schedule
an appointment or come by during scheduled office hours.
7. All students should be aware that one (1) quarter unit of credit normally represents no less than one
hour of class work and two or more hours of outside study per week for one quarter (CSUB 2009-2011
academic catalog), therefore in order to succeed in this class you should be putting in approximately 710 hours of time outside of our official meeting times.
Lecture Schedule (T/Th: 9:30-11:10am in BDE 153)
Date
Topic
T-Mar 29
Course Introduction/Biology and the Process of Science
Th-Mar 31
Cesar Chavez Holiday
T-Apr 5
The Molecules of Life
Th-Apr 7
A Tour of the Cell
T-Apr 12
The Working Cell
Th-Apr 14
Cellular Respiration/Photosynthesis
T-Apr 19
EXAM I
Th-Apr 21
Cellular Reproduction
T-Apr 26
Genetics
Th-Apr 28
DNA and Control of Genes
T-May 3
Biotechnology
Th-May 5
Tissues, Organs and Organ Systems
T-May 10
EXAM II
Th-May 12
Sexual Reproduction
T-May 17
Evolution/Biological Diversity
Th-May 19
Evolution of Microbial Life
T-May 24
Fungi and Plants
Th-May 26
Evolution of Animals
T-May 31
Introduction to Ecology
Th-June 2
EXAM III
Th-June 9
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL (11:00am-1:30pm)
Assigned Readings
CH 1
CH 2-3
CH 4
CH 5
CH 6-7
CH 8
CH 9
CH 10-11
CH 12
CH 21
CH 26
CH 13-14
CH 15
CH 16
CH 17
CH 18
Laboratory Sections
Sec
Day
Time
Instructor
Office Hours
08
W
9:30am-12:00pm
Mr. Alex Castenada
M 3:15-5:15pm; Sci I 114E
09
W
12:20pm-2:50pm
Mr. Jack Turnbull
T 10-11am;Th 2-3pm;Sci I 206
10
Th
12:20pm-2:50pm
Dr. Szick-Miranda
See above
11
Th
3:10pm-5:40pm
Ms. Mary Lou Wood
Th 5:40-7:40pm; Sci I 407
12
Th
6:00pm-8:30pm
Mr. Nick Diercks
M 5:45-7:45pm; Sci I 114E
*All labs are in SCI I room 230, 2nd floor of animal head room, southeast corner.
Students may only attend the laboratory section for which they are enrolled NO EXCEPTIONS!
Laboratory Schedule
Date
Lab Topic
W-Mar 30/Th-Mar 31
No Lab; Holiday
W-April 6/Th-April 7
Lab1-Scientifc Method/Experimental Design
W-April 13/Th-April 14
Lab2-Microscopes & Cells
W-April 20/Th-April 21
Lab3-Mitosis/Meiosis
W-April 27/Th-April 28
Lab4-Genetics
W-May 4/Th-May 5
Lab5-Analysis of Stoma
W-May 11/Th-May 12
Lab6-Class Project
W-May 18/Th-May 19
Lab7-Statistical Analysis & Graphing
W-May 25/Th-May 26
Lab8-Population Genetics (lab reports due)
W-June 1/Th-June 2
Lab9-Film & Geologic Time Scale
*instructions for writing the biology laboratory report will be distributed at a later date.