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Biology 210- Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
Fall Semester 2008
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Instructor:
Lyndsey Robertson, M.S.
Office: Science Hall 1 room 314A
Phone: 750-4292
Email: lmrobert@csusm.edu
Office Hours: TBA
Lectures:
Tu Th 9:00-10:15 AM, Academic Hall Rm. 411A
Laboratories:
R 10:30-1:15 or 2:30-5:15, Science Hall II Rm. 157
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of BIOL 210 a successful student should:
1. Understand the major atomic, molecular, and cellular processes which underlie
life
2. Demonstrate mastery of the major principles of cellular structure, cellular
physiology, and the flow of genetic information in cells.
3. Develop an integrated view of how molecular biology affects the biosphere, and
vice versa (when taken with the companion course BIOL 211-Introduction to
Organismal and Population Biology)
4. Demonstrate a theoretical and practical understanding of current techniques
utilized in molecular and cellular biology research, including enzyme activity
assays, PCR, and gel electrophoresis
5. Be able to understand the basis of inheritance
6. Be able to investigate a research problem using the scientific method
7. Be able to discuss some of the bioethical dilemmas associated with modern
molecular biology research and develop scientifically-informed
opinions/arguments about these issues
Required Books:
 Biology, 8th ed., N.A. Campbell and J.B. Reece
 BIOL 210 Laboratory Manual ,Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology ,
T.M. Wahlund
 Bound lab notebook (e.g. National Brand “Lab Book” or “Comp Book”, available
from the bookstore)
Course Website:
All lecture materials, handouts, supplemental readings, etc. will be posted on the
class WebCT site. The site can be accessed through the online courses index
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(http://lynx.csusm.edu/courses/directory/directory.asp) by selecting BIOL 210 and
entering your CSUSM username and password (same as university email). If you are
unfamiliar with WebCT, refer to the IITS information page at:
http://courses.csusm.edu/resources/webCtBasics.htm
Exams and Grading:
As an introductory course, BIOL 210 is designed to help you to understand and
retain the critical terminology, facts, and concepts of cellular and molecular biology. Just
as important, this course will require you to develop and improve your critical thinking
and problem solving skills. Both the factual knowledge and the higher order thinking
skills which you develop will be essential for success in your upper division coursework
and in a career in scientific research, medicine, scientific education, etc.
Lecture: Three midterm exams (75 pts. each) will be given during the semester
(see lecture schedule), along with a comprehensive final exam (150 pts.). The
final can count as much as one-half, or as little as one-quarter of your final lecture
exam grade. This is because your score on the final will be divided by two to
generate two 75 pt. exam equivalents. Along with the three midterm grades, this
will give you a total of five 75 pt. exam equivalents. The top four of these five
scores will be summed to yield your total (maximum 300 pts.). Because this
effectively allows you to drop one 75 pt. exam, there will be no makeup exams.
Please note that material from both lecture and laboratory will be covered on
exams and quizzes. In addition to the exams, brief written assignments, designed
to reinforce and expand upon concepts discussed during lecture, will form a small
component of your lecture grade.
Laboratory: Laboratory evaluation will consist of three quizzes (15 pts. each)
and two laboratory notebook evaluations (75 pts. each). Late submission of
laboratory notebooks will result in the loss of 15 pts. per late day. Laboratory
attendance is mandatory and you will not be able to receive credit for a laboratory
investigation that you do not attend.
Grading Summary:
4 lecture exams:
Lecture assignments:
2 laboratory notebook evaluations:
3 laboratory quizzes:
300 pts.
30 pts.
150 pts.
45 pts.
Total: 525 pts.
Grades will be assigned on a straight percentage:
100-93% = A
92-90% = A89-87% = B+
86-83% = B
82-80% = B79-77% = C+
76-73% = C
72-70% = C69-67% = D+
66-63% = D
62-60% = D< 60% = F
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Academic Honesty and Integrity:
Students are responsible for honest completion and representation of their work.
There will be no tolerance for infractions. The instructor reserves the right to discipline
any student for academic dishonesty, in accordance with the general rules and regulations
of the university. Disciplinary action may include the lowering of grades or the
assignment of a failing grade for an exam, assignment, or the class as a whole. Incidents
of academic dishonesty will also be reported to the Dean of Students for sanctions at the
University level.
Disabled Students:
Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations must be
approved for services by providing appropriate and recent documentations to the Office
of Disabled Student Services (DSS). This office is located in Craven Hall 5205, and can
be contacted by phone at (760) 750-4905, or TTY (760) 750-4909. Students authorized
by DSS to receive reasonable accommodations should meet with me during my office
hours in order to ensure confidentiality.
How to succeed in BIOL 210:
1. Perfect (or near-perfect) attendance
2. Read the assigned material in the textbook before coming to class; the lectures
should reinforce your understanding of a topic, not introduce you to it
3. Go to SI review sessions, form study groups, make use of the practice questions.
4. You need to do more than passively comprehend the material. Thoroughly review
your notes every week and be sure that you can fully explain the concepts to
someone else (e.g. someone in your study group). This will provide you with
immediate reinforcement on the week’s material and will make studying for the
exams substantially simpler.
5. Come to lab prepared, having thoroughly read the lab manual and completed the prelab prep.
Tentative Lecture Schedule
Date
Topic
Readings
8/26 (T)
Introductions, course overview
Ch. 1
8/28 (R)
The chemistry of life: Introduction
Ch. 2
9/2 (T)
Functional groups
9/4 (R)
Carbohydrates + Lipids
Ch. 5
9/9 (T)
Proteins + Nucleic Acids
Ch. 5
9/11 (R)
A tour of the cell
Ch. 6
Ch. 3-4
re
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9/16 (T)
A tour of the cell
Ch. 6
9/18 (R)
Review
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9/23 (T)
Midterm exam I
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9/25 (R)
Membrane structure and function
Ch. 7
9/30 (T)
Cellular energetics and enzymes
Ch. 8
10/2 (R)
Cellular Respiration
Ch. 9
10/7 (T)
Cellular Respiration
Ch. 9
10/9 (R)
Photosynthesis
Ch. 10
10/14 (T)
Photosynthesis
Ch. 10
10/16 (R)
Review
-
10/21 (T)
Midterm exam II
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10/23 (R)
Cell communication
Ch. 11
10/28 (T)
The life cycle of a cell
Ch. 12
10/30(R)
Meiosis
Ch. 13
11/4(T)
Mendel
Ch. 14
11/6 (R)
Inheritance part I
Ch. 15
11/11 (T)
Veterans day – No class
11/13 (R)
Biotech/Review
11/18 (T)
Midterm exam III
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11/20 (R)
Inheritance part II
Ch. 16
11/25 (T)
The flow of genetic information
Ch. 17
11/27 (R)
Thanksgiving – No class
12/2 (T)
TBD
12/4 (R)
Final Exam Review
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12/11 (R)
Final Exam (7:00-9:00am)
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Ch. 20
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