Welcome to Biology 1A, UC Berkeley, Summer
2004
Int r od ucti o n: Hopefully you will find Biology 1A to be a fun and exciting class. It will be readily
apparent to you that the lecturers, graduate students, and staff enjoy biology a nd teaching! Warning the pace will be blistering fast. You are expected to have a good understanding of chemistry—examine
the chemistry review sheet on page 6. The class consists of four lectures, two labs and two
discussions each week.
All st ude nt s m ust fill out t he fo rm on p a ge 7. Use this fo r m to ad d /s witc h A ND cre at e a
pa ss wo rd. Eve n i f yo u a re not s witc hi ng o r addi ng y o u m ust fill out t hi s for m – to se l ect
a pa ss wo rd. Turn it in after lecture or place it in the mailbox outside of 2088 VLSB, by 5 PM o n
June 21 .
Atte nd a nce : You are expected to attend ALL lectures, discussions, etc.
Co m m unicat io n: Office hours are held in 2084 or 2088 VLSB. Messages for lecturers, Mike Meighan,
and the GSI's may be left at 510-642-4110. Email addresses are on page 4.
Lect ure s a nd Lect ur er s : The lecturers are Dr. Jim Baxter (6/21 - 7/15) and Professor Neeraj
Chugh (7/20 - 8/11). Dr. Steve Takata will give one lecture on July 20. Lectures are held M. - Th.
from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM in 1 Pimentel. Lectures are not webcast. Black lightning note-taking is
authorized to take notes.
Office ho ur s : Office hours are held in 2084 (or 2088 VLSB). See page 4 for a list of office hours.
Please come to any office hour—lecturer’s, GSI’s, or Mike’s.
GS I’ s: The GSI’s will teach labs and discussion. Each will hold one office hour per week.
La bs a nd Di sc uss io n: Labs and discussion meet twice a week and are required. Yo u m ust fill o ut
the fo rm o n pa ge 7. Turn it in after lecture or place it in the mailbox outside of 2088 VLSB, by 5
PM o n J une 21 . Further lab information is provided. Mike Meighan will handle section changes and
adding.
Re pe ati ng St ud e nts: Students repeating the class may not have to repeat the lab if they scored
above the lab mean (when they took the class). If interested, fill out the form outside of 2088 VLSB
by 5 PM today. Eligible students will be contacted (by phone/email).
Study Advi ce : Read the material be fo re lecture! At a minimum read the first page and last two
pages of assigned chapters. During lecture take notes and pay attention. Refer to the lab manual for
further information on studying. The Student Learning Center will be offering study groups on M/W
from 10 AM to Noon and on T/Th 9-11 AM. There will also be drop in hours.
GR A DING PROC E DU RE: Letter grades will be determined from numerical scores as follows:
Midterm Examinations (2 x 150) (each lecture is worth about 15 points)
Laboratory & Discussion:
Lab Exam # 1, 7/26, in lecture (Labs 1-7)
Lab Exam # 2, 8/9 or 10, during your lab period (Labs 8-12)
Quizzes - In discussion or lab (12 labs x 3 pts minus the lowest quiz scores)
Final Exam (held on 8/12)
300 pt’s
Total
A+ or A or AB+ or B or B-
100-90%
89-80%
C+ or C or CD+ or D or D-
Page 1 of 7.
79-70%
69-60%
F
90
75
33
105
603
59-00%
pt’s
pt’s
pt’s
pt's
pt’s
Gr ad es a re typ ica lly c urv ed. M inim um gra d es a s l ist ed a bove a re guar a nte ed. T he tot al
% nee de d for s o me fo rm o f a n A, B , C, or D ma y be l o we re d de pe nd i ng up o n t he final
di stri buti o n o f stude nt s sc or es , i. e. we c ur ve t he cla s s i f nee d be.
GR A DING PROC E DU RE:
In the event that some examinations have been unusually difficult, the cut-offs for letter grades
may be lowered (but only by a few percentage points, and only as deemed necessary). Historically
around 50% of the class E AR N A’s and B’s. Grades are based upon total points which includes your lab
and lecture points. Some adjustments are made to lab exam 2 grades and quiz grades to adjust for
differences between the various sections. How is this done equitably?
A linear regression analysis is used to adjust grades. The mean for lab exam 1 is determined for
each section and those values are used for the X axis. The mean of lab exam 2 (or quiz scores) are the
values used for the Y axis. A best fit line is generated. Each section is then adjusted UP to the
“easiest/highest” of all of the sections (maintaining the same slope but modifying the intercept which
adjusts for the “easiest/highest” section). Then adjustment points are added for each student within
a section. Thus no students are penalized (for being in a “hard” section) and no students have an
advantage (for being in a “easy” section). See below for a graphical representation of these
adjustments.
Easiest grader line
Quiz
scores
by
section
+
+
+
+
+
+
Easiest grader line
+
+ Average
+
Grader
+
+ Line
Lab Exam
2 scores
by section
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Average
Grader
Line
Lab Exam 1 Points (by
Lab Exam 1 Points (by
sect.)
sect.)
Average lab exam 1 scores, quiz scores, and lab exam 2 scores are determined for each
section/pairing (2 sections take the same lab exam 2). Lab exam 1 averages are used for the
X axis and quiz scores (or lab exam 2) for the Y axis. A best fit line is generated. The slope
of this line is kept and is brought UP TO THE :EASIEST/HIGHEST" average. This is
repeated for lab exam 2 (Y axis).
The total points is then determined for each student. We look at 90% of the points in the class
and see what % of the students earned a guaranteed A+/A/A-. If there are fewer than about 20% of
the students we then typically lower the number of points required for some form of an A (since it is
the lower end it would be A-). We continue to do that for each guaranteed grade range, B, C and D. If
need be, we lower the total number of points necessary to get a certain grade. We usually give out
about 20% A’s, 30% B’s, 20% C’s, 10% D’s and 10% F’s. We then go back and make the exact cutoffs for each form of a grade (eg. C+, C, C-). We then look to see if students are within 5 points of the
next highest grade. If so we need to determine if they should be “bumped” to the next higher grade.
The most important criteria for this “bump” in the summer is attendance and participation in
lecture/lab/discussion (pre-labs/worksheet averages). We only consider bumps if the students are
within 5 points. On average about 50% of the students who are within 5 points get bumped, 50% do
not.
Note that the class is, in a sense, curved. But we would rather that you strive to reach the 90
percentile, instead of us having to lower the percentage cutoffs for given grades.
Page 2 of 7.
Lect ure : Lecture exams will be taken in class. The midterms are scheduled for J uly 12 (lectures 110 or 11 = 150 pts,) and Aug. 2 (lectures 11 (10) -14 = about 60 pts, lectures 15-20 = about 90
pts). The final is scheduled for A ugust 12 (lectures 21-27, 105 points).
Ex am F o rm at : Exams will contain both multiple-choice questions and short answer, essay or fill in the
blank questions. 150 point exams will have about 100 points multiple choice and 50 points that will be
short answer, essay or fill in the blank. The final will be 85 points multiple choice and 35 points short
answer, essay or fill in the blank. Lab exam 1 will have about 35 pts multiple choice and 55 pts short
answer. Lab exam 2 will be almost exclusively short answer.
There will be NO make-up exams. If you miss an exam due to illness, you must present a written,
verifiable medical excuse. Your exam will be calculated on a pro-rated score.
La b: Daily lab quizzes worth a total of 33 pts (12 X 3 pts minus the lowest score) will be given at the
start of each lab. Pre-labs are required in order to do lab. Worksheets are also required. Lab exam 1
worth 90 points will be held in lecture on July 26. It will cover labs 1-7. Lab exam 2, worth 75 pts,
covers labs 8 – 12 and will be given in your lab, either Aug. 9 or 10th.
June 23/24
June 28/29
June 30/ July 1
July 7/8
July 12/13
July 14/15
July 19/20
Safety/Equipment
Cells
Enzymes
Photosynthesis
GMB I
GMB II
GMB III
July 21/22
July 26
July 26/27
July 28/29
Aug. 2/3
Aug. 4/5
Aug. 9/10
Invertebrates I
La b E xa m I (90 pt's)
Invertebrates II
Vertebrate Anatomy
Vertebrate Diversity
Reproduction & Development
La b E xa m II (75 pt's)
TEXTBOOK S A ND LAB M A NU A L
Re q uir ed Te xt bo o k: Biology, Campbell, 6th ed., by Benjamin Cummings.
Re q uir ed La b Ma nua l: The lab manual is available at surrounding bookstores.
Re q uir ed La b S he ets (pre-labs/worksheets): Available at Replica Copy, 2140 Oxford.
Co urs e re ad er (l ectur e ha ndo ut s): Available at Replica Copy, 2140 Oxford.
Rec o m me nd ed La b Ma nua l: A Guide to Biology Lab, T. G. Rust, 3rd ed., by Southwest Education
Enterprise.
Ex am R ea de r: An exam reader will be available at Replica Copy, 2140 Oxford on July 7th. It will
contain representative exams from previous semesters and summers. Our exam format has changed
slightly. The exams in the reader should be used as a study tool.
Biol o gy 1 A We b S ite:
http://mcb.berkeley.edu/courses/bio1a
HOW TO DO BETTER IN BIOLOGY 1A
1. Come to lectures and take your own notes and then review them after lecture.
2. Keep up with the material. It is essential that you do not fall behind.
3. Clarify topics you do not understand by
a. Coming to faculty office hours and ask questions
b. Coming to GSI office hours and ask questions
c. Joining into a study group
d. Reading the book
Page 3 of 7.
e. Using email to ask the faculty questions
4. Use the exam reader, making sure you understand the reasoning behind the answers.
5. Come to the exam review sessions and ask questions. Seek help, if needed.
Lab Schedule & Room Location
Lectures 12:30-2:00 in 1 Pimentel
Discussion Time and Room
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
T,Th
T,Th
T,Th
T,Th
T/Th
T/Th
T,Th
T,Th
2-3 PM
2-3 PM
11–12 PM
11–12 PM
3-4 PM
3-4 PM
11–12 PM
11–12 PM
103 Moffitt
79 Dwinelle
185 Barrows
2304 Tolman
243 Dwinelle
234 Dwinelle
156 Dwinelle
104 Barrows
Lab Time & Room
M/W 2:00- 5:00 PM
M/W 2:00- 5:00 PM
M/W 6:30- 9:30 PM
M/W 6:30- 9:30 PM
T/Th 9:00-12:00 PM
T/Th 9:00-12:00 PM
T/Th 2:00- 5:00 PM
T/Th 2:00- 5:00 PM
(VLSB) GSI
2095
2097
2095
2097
2095
2097
2095
2097
Stewart, Andrew
McMurray, John
Dutton, Marianne
Hartman, Forrest
Lew, Helen
Wedemayer, Gary
Law, Pamela
Takata, Steve
La b Sc hed ul e
Exam Info rmation
Lecture Exam 1 (7/12)
Lab Exam I (7/26)
Lecture Exam 2 (8/2)
Lab Exam II (8/9or 10)
Final (8/12)
Sect ion number, In structo rs and email (tentat ive*)
Meighan, Mike
Lect Baxter, Jim
.
Lect Chugh, Neeraj
.
GSI for Section
101 Stewart, Andrew
102 McMurray, John
103 Dutton, Marianne
104 Hartman, Forrest
105 Lew, Helen
106 Wedemayer, Gary
107 Law, Pamela
108 Takata, Steve
mmeighan@uclink.berkeley.edu
myxa2@comcast.net
642-4110
642-4110
nchugh@stmarys-ca.edu
642-4110
bastew2@yahoo.com
jwmcmurray@yahoo.com
nefarious_md@yahoo.com
dionysos@socrates
helenlew@uclink4
garywed@comcast.net
pamlaw@berkeley.edu
s_takata@yahoo.com
Office H o ur s
Mo nd ay
10-11
Tue s day
Stev e
Page 4 of 7.
UGSI for Section
Chinn, Sarah
Azarbal, Farnaz
Kao, Andrew
Lee, Paul
Do, Albert
Soleimani, Jonathan
We d ne sd ay
Thur s day
Pa m
11-12
2-3
3-4
Lect ure r
Ga ry
Hele n
A ndy
Lect ure r
Mike
Lect ure r
Mar ia nne
Fo rr e st
John
Lect ure r
Mike
Biology 1A Calendar: Summer 2004
There are two lecturers in Biology 1A during this summer. Lectures 1-14 will be given by Dr. Jim Baxter.
Lecture 15 will be given by Dr. Steve Takata. Lectures 16-27 will be given by Professor Neeraj Chugh.
Changes may occur to this syllabus and grading criteria.
Date #
6/21
1
6/22
2
6/23
3
Lecture Topic
Introduction to living organisms
Biological macromolecules
Introduction to cell structure and function
Reading 6th ed.
Ch 1-4
Ch 5
Ch 7
6/24
4
Membrane structure & function
Ch 8
6/28
6/29
6/30
7/1
5
6
7
8
Introduction to metabolism
Cellular respiration
Cellular respiration , Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
Ch 6, 9
Ch 9
7/5
7/6
7/7
7/8
9
10
11
7/12
7/13
7/14
7/15
Lab, Discussion
No labs or discussion
No labs or discussion
Labs and discussion begin!
Lab 1: Safety & equipment
Lab 1: Safety & equipment.
Ch 10
Lab 2: Cells
Lab 2: Cells
Lab 3: Enzymes
Lab 3: Enzymes
HOLIDAY
Cell cycles—mitosis and meiosis
Introduction to Mendelian genetics
Chromosomal & molecular basis of inheritance
Ch 12, 13
Ch 14
Ch 15, 16
No lab.
No lab. Discussion held.
Lab 4: Photosynthesis
Lab 4: Photosynthesis
12
13
14
LECT. EXAM #1 (Lects. 1-11, see handout)
From genes to proteins
Prokaryotes
Molecular biology – strategies and applications
Rooms to be arranged.
Ch 17
Ch 18
Ch 20
Lab 5: Genetics
Lab 5: Genetics
Lab 6: Genetics
Lab 6: Genetics
7/19
7/20
7/21
7/22
15
16
17
18
Animal Diversity/Evolution
Molecular biology – strategies and applications
Gene regulation/ Genetics of development
Cancer
Ch 32, 33
Ch 20
Ch 19 , 21
Ch 11, 12, 19
Lab 7: Genetics & Mol Biol 3
Lab 7: Genetics & Mol Biol 3
Lab 8: Invertebrates I
Lab 8: Invertebrates I
7/26
7/27
7/28
7/29
19
20
21
LAB EXAM #1 (Labs 1-6, see handout)
Introduction to animal structure and function
Digestion and nutrition
Circulation and gas exchange
Rooms to be arranged.
Ch 40
Ch 41
Ch 42
Lab Exam, Invertebrates II.
Lab 9: Invertebrates II.
Lab 10: Vert. Anatomy
Lab 10: Vert. Anatomy
22
23
24
LECT. EXAM #2 (Lects. 11-20, see handout)
Conservation, elimination, and osmoregulation
General defense and specific immunity
Nervous systems
Rooms to be arranged.
Ch 44
Ch 43
Ch 48
Lab 11: Vert. Diversity
Lab 11: Vert. Diversity
Lab 12: Reproduction & Dev.
Lab 12: Reproduction & Dev.
8/2
8/3
84
8/5
Page 5 of 7.
& Mol
& Mol
& Mol
& Mol
Biol 1
Biol 1
Biol 2
Biol 2
8/9
8/10
8/11
8/12
25
26
27
Sensory and motor systems
Hormones
Sex, reproduction, fertilization and
development
Final (Lects. 21-27, see handout)
Ch 49
Ch 45
Ch 46, 47
Lab Exam II - in lab
Lab Exam II - in lab
Rooms to be arranged.
th
All reading assignments are from Campbell, Biology, 6 ed.
BIOLOGY 1A STUDY ADVICE
Page 6 of 7.
NO discussion.
ATTENDANCE/ADDING/SWITCHING FORM
1. All students must fill out this form.
2. Labs and discussions begin on Wednesday and Thursday. You are enrolled in the Lab and
Discussion assignments as assigned by Tele-BEARS (Summer Sessions). Only a limited
number of section changes can be made (don't assume you will be switched- if there isn't
space there isn't space).
3. To add or switch sections fill out this form completely and turn it in after lecture. Select
from the four choices, A, B, C or D. (See below.) You cannot mix lab/discussion times.
4. Order the choices in your order of preference. You most likely will not get your first choice.
Please indicate your choices in the lower part and turn this in after lecture. Turn in only
the lower part. Keep the upper half.
5. Section changes and Adds will be posted in the glass case outside of 2084 VLSB on Tuesday
at 11 AM. All changes are final. There will be no section changes thereafter.
6. You must attend your assigned lab and discussion section starting Wed. and Thursday.
Discussion Time
Laboratory Time
T,Th
2:00- 3:00 PM M/W
2:00- 5:00 PM (S01 & S02)
A
T/Th
11:00-Noon
M/W
6:30- 9:30 PM (S03 & S04)
B
T,Th
3:00- 4:00 PM T,Th 9:00-12:00 PM (s05 & S06)
C
T/Th
11:00-Noon
T,Th 2:00- 5:00 PM (S07 & S08)
D
Detach here and turn in after lecture.
...........................................................................................................................................................
NAME (Print clearly)
STUDENT ID #
PHONE #
Email:
Are you trying to add? Yes/No.
.
UC Student Yes/No. Transfer student Yes/No
Actual Year at UC: DO not include AP units, ie. starting 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th.
Major
Circle one: NO change requested/Attempting to switch/Attempting to add
Currently Assigned Section (if any): ________
Why do you need Biology 1A? Explain.
Use the letters, A, B, C and D to select four choices. Make your selection carefully as you can
not make changes. You cannot mix labs and discussion.
1st choice ____ 2nd choice ____
3rd choice ____ 4th choice ____
Pick a password consisting of 8 digits/characters. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Page 7 of 7.