Welcome to Biology 1A, UCB, Summer 2006
Introduction: Hopefully you will find Biology 1A to be a fun and exciting class. It will be readily
apparent that we enjoy biology and teaching! Warning - the pace will be blistering fast. You are expected
to have taken the chemistry prerequisites (if you lack the prerequisites then you should drop the class). A
good understanding of chemistry is required—see the review sheet on page 5. The class consists of four
lectures and two discussions each week. The lab class consists of two lectures and two labs each week. Do
not plan to take more than seven units and do not plan on working more than 20 hours per week.
All enrolled students must fill out the enrollment confirmation form by 4
PM on Monday June 26t h.
The form is located at our w e b s i t e ,
http://mcb.berkeley.edu/courses/bio1a
Switching sections: After filling out the confirmation form there will be a link to submit a section
change form. Very few changes will be permitted. I will process your requests. Over 70 students did not
enroll in the corresponding lab and discussion sections (number). I will end up moving you to the same
discussion number as your lab unless you specifically email me otherwise. I will email you back about any
changes. If you do not hear from me then did NOT get to change your section but that you have the same lab
and discussion number. (Due by 4 PM on Monday June 26t h) .
Adding: All students wanting to add must fill out the add form available at our website. Look under
announcements for Summer 2006. You must submit your request by 4 PM on June 26 t h. I will contact you
via email or phone. If you do not hear from me assume I was unable to add you into the class.
Attendance: You are expected to attend ALL lectures and ALL discussions. Attendance may be taken at any
or all. If you are not present then it is hard to learn the material. There is no webcast of the class. Papers,
exams, etc. are returned in discussion. You must be present to pick them up. Do not expect us to carry your
papers around for two weeks.
Communication: 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.
Lectures and Lecturers: Dr. Jim Baxter (6/26 – 7/27) and Dr. Carol Gilson (7/31 - 8/17).
Lectures are held M. - Th. from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM in 1 Pimentel. Lectures are NOT webcast. Black
lightning is authorized to take notes.
For more information you can check their website.
http://blln.securesites.com/
Office hours: Office hours are held in 2084 (or 2088 VLSB). A revised list containing all of the office
hours will be handed out next week. Please come to any or all office hours. You are not limited to those
hours held by your lab instructor.
Labs and Discussion: Labs and discussion begin 6/28. You must be enrolled in the same lab and
discussion section number. Attendance will be taken. Typically labs and discussion each meet twice a week
and are required. Attending another section other than your assigned section will almost certainly
guarantee you will NOT get that section. Attend your assigned section. One time changes can be permitted on
a limited basis, contact Mike.
Bio 1AL: Most students are required to take both Bio 1A and Bio 1AL. Certain students (Chem
engineering, etc.) may not be required to take Bio 1AL. Students repeating Bio 1A may not have to take the
lab if they already passed Bio 1AL.
GRADING PROCEDURE: Letter grades will be determined from numerical scores as follows:
Midterm Examinations (2 x 150) (each lecture is worth about 15 points)
Final Exam (held on 8/17)
Total
A+ or A or AB+ or B or B-
100-90%
89-80%
C+ or C or CD+ or D or DPage 1 of 5
79-70%
69-60%
F
300 pt’s
105 pt's
405 pt’s
59-00%
Grades are typically curved. Minimum grades are listed above. The total % needed for
some form of an A, B, C, or D may be lowered depending upon the final distribution of
students scores, i.e. we curve the class if need be.
Grades will NOT be given based upon
needs, wants, desires, beliefs (I believe I should pass), admission requirements, etc.
GRADING
PROCEDURE:
In the event that some examinations have been unusually difficult, the cut-offs for letter grades may
be lowered (but only by a few percent and only when necessary). Historically around 50% of the class
EARN A’s and B’s. Grades are based upon your total of lecture points.
Lecture: Lecture exams will be taken in class. The midterms are scheduled for July 1 7t h (lectures 1 10/11 = 150 pts,) and Aug. 7t h (lectures 10/11 -14 = about 60 pts, lectures 15-20 = about 90 pts).
The final is scheduled for August 17t h (lectures 21-27, 105 points).
Exam Format: 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 have about 85 points multiple choice and 35 points
short answer, essay or fill in the blank.
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.
TEXTBOOKS AND LAB MANUAL
Required Textbook: Biology, Campbell, 7 t h ed. only, by Benjamin Cummings.
Course reader (lecture handouts): Available at Replica Copy, 2140 Oxford.
Exam Reader: Available at Replica Copy, 2140 Oxford. It contains representative exams from previous
semesters and summers. The exams in the reader should be used as a study tool.
Biology 1A Web Site:
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
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.
Study Advice: Read the material before 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. (http://slc.berkeley.edu)
Lab Schedule & Room Location
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Bio 1A Lectures M – Th 12:30-2:00 in 1 Pimentel
Bio 1AL Lectures M/W 11:00-12:00 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
3 - 4
3 – 4
11–12
11–12
3 - 4
3 – 4
11–12
11–12
PM
PM
PM
PM
PM
PM
PM
PM
3106 Etcheverry
141 Giannini
166 Barrows
170 Barrows
3106 Etcheverry
141 Giannini
166 Barrows
170 Barrows
Lab Time & Room (VLSB) GSI
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
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
2095
2097
2095
2097
2095
2097
2095
2097
Exam Information
Lecture Exam 1 (7/17)
Lab Exam I (7/27)
Lecture Exam 2 (8/7)
Lab Exam II (8/14 or 15)
Final (8/17)
Section number, Instructors and email (tentative*)
Meighan, Mike
Lect. Baxter, Jim
Lect. Gilson, Carol
GSI for Section
101 Lew, Helen
102 Takata, Steve
103 Weitze, Scott
104 Dutton, Marianne
105 Lew, Helen
106 Takata, Steve
107 Weitze, Scott
108 Dutton, Marianne
mmeighan@berkeley.edu
myxa2@comcast.net
cgilson@samuelmerritt.edu
642-4110
642-4110
642-4110
UGSI for Section
helenlew@berkeley.edu
Steve_takata@yahoo.com
sweitze@sfsu.edu
nefarious_md@yahoo.com
helenlew@berkeley.edu
Steve_takata@yahoo.com
sweitze@sfsu.edu
nefarious_md@yahoo.com
Office Hours (Lab instructor office hours will be determined later).
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
10-11
11-12
1A Lecturer
1A Lecturer
2-3
1A Lecturer
Mike
1A Lecturer
3-4
Mike
Mike
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Biology 1A Calendar: Summer 2006
There are two principle lecturers in Biology 1A. Dr. Jim Baxter will give lectures 1-17 and Dr. Carol Gilson will give
lectures 18-27. Changes may occur to this syllabus and grading criteria. You will be informed of changes.
Lecture Topic
Introduction to living organisms
Biological macromolecules
Biological macromolecules con’t
Introduction to cell structure and function
Membrane structure & function
7 th edition
Ch 1-4
Ch 5
Ch. 6
Introduction to metabolism
HOLIDAY
Cellular respiration
Cellular respiration, Photosynthesis
Ch. 8, 9
7/10 8
7/11 9
7/12 10
7/13 11
Photosynthesis
Cell cycles—mitosis and meiosis
Introduction to Mendelian genetics
Mendelian genetics con’t
Chromosomal & molecular basis of inheritance
Ch
Ch
Ch
Ch
7/17
7/18 12
7/19 13
7/20 14
LECT. EXAM #1 (Lects. 1-10/11, see handout)
See handout.
From genes to proteins
Ch 17, 18
From genes to proteins
Ch 17, 18
Genetics of viruses and prokaryotes
Ch 20
7/24 15
Genetics of prokaryotes con’t
Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
Molecular biology—strategies and
applications
Molecular biology – strategies and
applications con’t
LAB EXAM #1 (Labs 1-6, see handout)
Ch 20
18
19
20
21
Introduction to animal structure and function
Nervous systems
Sensory systems
Motor systems
Ch
Ch
Ch
Ch
See handout.
Lab 10: Vert. Diversity
22
23
LECT. EXAM #2 (Lects. 10/11-20, see
handout)
Circulation and gas exchange
Conservation, elimination, and
osmoregulation
Digestion and nutrition
Ch 42
Ch 44
Lab 11: Reproduction & Dev.
Date #
6/26 1
6/27 2
6/28 3
6/29
4
7/3
7/4
7/5
7/6
5
6
7
7/25 16
7/26 17
7/27
7/31
8/1
8/2
8/3
8/7
8/8
8/9
8/10 24
Lab, Discussion
Intro. , Course overview
Lab 1: Safety and
equipment.
Ch. 7
Ch 9
Ch. 9 & 10
10
12, 13
14
15, 16
No lab.
Lab 2: Cells & Ligation
Lab 3: Enzymes
Lab 4: Photosynthesis
Lab 5: Genetics & Mol Biol 1
Lab 6: Genetics & Mol Biol 2
Lab 7: Invertebrates I
Ch 19, 21
Ch 32, 33
No lab. Lab Exam on Th.
See handout.
40
48
49
49
Lab 8: Invertebrates II
Lab 9: Vert. Anatomy
Ch 41
8/14 25 General defense and specific immunity
Ch 43
Lab Exam II - in lab
8/15 26 Hormones
Ch 45
8/16 27 Sex, reproduction, fertilization and developmentCh 46, 47
NO discussion.
8/17
Final (Lects. 21-27, see handout)
See handout.
All reading assignments are from Campbell, Biology, 7th edition.
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