Fall 2014
USC-Aiken
BIOL 121 Section 300
Biology 121 Syllabus
PROFESSOR:
OFFICE:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE CREDIT:
LECTURE/LAB:
CONTACT:
E-MAIL:
TEXT:
LAB MANUAL:
Mr. Daniel Regelski
Room 111-D, Science Building
Monday/Wednesday 8:40-9:00 PM, other times by appointment
4 Credit Hours
(108 SCI BLDG) M/W 6:00 –8:40 PM
(803) 641-3349
danielr@usca.edu
Campbell Biology In Focus w/ Mastering Biology (w/ ebook) ISBN 0321813669
BIOLOGY 121 Lab Manual 6th Edition by Jackson, Yates, and Hancock.
Please read this syllabus carefully and refer to it when you have questions about the course.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:
This course is for Biology majors and non-majors and incorporates the study of biological principles and
concepts through the cellular level of organization. Upon completion of this course students will be
expected to:
- Define Biology and describe the characteristics that define life.
- Describe the major biological molecules and how they are utilized by cells.
- Describe the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and how structure facilitates function.
- Describe how things get in and out of cells and how cells signal each other.
- Describe the flow of energy in biological systems.
- Define the importance of enzymes and how they work.
- Understand cellular reproduction (mitosis and meiosis).
- Understand the basics of heredity and pattern of inheritance.
- Describe the structure of DNA and RNA and define the Central Dogma of Life.
- Understand and use the “scientific method.”
- Think critically, be able to analyze data and present it scientifically.
GRADE COMPONENTS:
Mastering Biology assignments (MBREGELSKI04313)
Three midterm exams
Assignments
Final exam
Lab (notes/reports/quizzes)
100 pts
150 pts each
50 pts
150 pts
250 pts
(10% total)
(45%)
(5%)
(15%)
(25%)
TOTAL
1000pts
(100%)
GRADING SCALE:
100-90% = A; 89-85% = B+; 84-80% = B; 79-75% = C+; 74-70% = C; 69-65% = D+; 64-60% = D; 59-0% = F.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
“When students enroll in a particular course, they obligate themselves for all the work which may be
assigned. Punctual and regular attendance is vital to the discharge of this obligation.”
Though attendance will not be taken, you must be present to receive credit for in class assignments,
quizzes, and reports. Due to the nature of lab, make-up labs cannot be given!
Fall 2014
USC-Aiken
BIOL 121 Section 300
There are no make-up exams. Should you miss an exam for a documented excusable reason (i.e.
sickness or required university event); an alternate exam may be arranged. Only one exam will be
treated in this manner; any other missed exams will be counted as a zero.
GRADING:
The exams, in class assignments, and laboratory notebooks will require hand written answers. Answers
will only be accepted if they are clearly legible.
Late assignments will receive an automatic reduction in score (up to 50% of the possible points).
Assignments due at the start of class are considered late 5 minutes after the indicated course time.
Assignments can be turned in early if needed.
Graded materials will be returned in a reasonable time period.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR AND PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
It is the instructor’s right to remove any student who disrupts or disturbs the proceedings of the class.
In extreme cases the professor can request assistance from the University police. If the student who has
been ejected causes similar disturbances in subsequent meetings of the class, he/she may be denied
admittance to the class for the remainder of the semester and assigned a grade of “F”.
The use of any portable electronic devices, including cell phones, pagers, MP3 players, iPods, etc., during
class is not allowed for any reason unless prior approval has been given to a student from the instructor
or unless required for the course. If you are planning to have any of these devices in class, they must be
turned off and stowed away for the duration of the class period. If you use a portable electronic device
during a test, quiz, or other assessment, you are eligible to receive a failing grade on that assignment.
DISABILITY STATEMENT:
If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability that might affect your performance in this
class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, B&E 134, (803) 643-6816, as soon as possible. The
Office of Disability Services will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical
documentation.
WRITING CENTER:
USCA provides a writing center located on room 201 of the H&SS building. If you need extra assistance
on any writing assignment for this or any other class that you are taking, please try the writing center.
TUTORING:
Academic Success Center, Penland 108. Free one-on-one or group peer-tutoring services for Biology 121.
HONOR CODE:
Students are expected to abide by the Academic Code of Conduct as described in the Student
Handbook. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if academic integrity is violated. The following
honor pledge is to be written, signed, and dated by the student on all exams and assignments turned
into the instructor.
“On my honor as a University of South Carolina at Aiken student, I have neither
given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment/ examination. To the
best of my knowledge, I am not in violation of academic honesty.”
Fall 2014
USC-Aiken
BIOL 121 Section 300
TENTATIVE LECTURE/LAB SCHEDULE Fall 2014
Date
Topic
Chapter
M Aug 25
Class Organization, Introduction
1
W Aug 27
The Chemical Context of Life/ Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life
2+3
M Sept 1
Labor Day No class
W Sept 3
Wet Lab: Introduction
Lab 7
M Sept 8
A Tour of the Cell (web-based class)
4
W Sept 10
Wet Lab: Measurement Technique
Lab 1
st
M Sept 15
1 Midterm Exam
1-4
W Sept 17
Measurement Technique write up (and review of exam results)
Lab 1
M Sept 22
Molecular Basis of Inheritance
13
W Sept 24
Wet Lab: Organic Molecules in Cells
Lab 2
M Sept 29
Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein
14
W Oct 1
Organic Molecules in Cells write up
Lab 2
M Oct 6
Regulation of Gene Expression/ Development, Stem Cells, and Cancer
15+16
W Oct 8
Wet Lab: Cell and Microscopy
Lab 3
nd
M Oct 13
2 Midterm Exam
13-16
W Oct 15
Cell and Microscopy write up (and review of exam results)
Lab 3
M Oct 20
Membrane Transport and Signaling
5
W Oct 22
Wet Lab: Enzymes
Lab 4
M Oct 27
Introduction to Metabolism
6
W Oct 29
Cellular Respiration and Fermentation/Photosynthesis
7+8
rd
M Nov 3
3 Midterm Exam & Enzyme write up
5-8, Lab 4
W Nov 5
Wet Lab: Photosynthesis
Lab 5
M Nov 10
Photosynthesis write up
Lab 5
W Nov 12
The Cell Cycle/ Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycle
9+10
M Nov 17
Mendel and the Gene Idea
11
W Nov 19
Wet Lab: Chi Squared and Maize Genetics
Lab 8
M Nov 24
The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance
12
W Nov 26
Thanksgiving (No class)
M Dec 1
Viruses/ Genomes and Their Evolution
17+18
W Dec 3
Comprehensive Final Exam review, Chi Squared and Maize Genetics write up
Lab 8
TBA
Comprehensive Final Exam ( Emphasis on chapters 9-12, 17-18)
1-18
LABORATORY DETAILS:
In general, the first session is a "wet" laboratory exercise. Potentially hazardous materials are used in
this course. For this reason, students who do not follow instructions, use safety equipment, or conduct
themselves in a professional manner will be removed from the lab. The general procedure for each
exercise will be obtained from the laboratory manual and your instructor. During these labs, the student
will complete experiments that require development of a hypothesis, experimental design, hypothesis
testing, and drawing conclusions. The notes and results of these exercises must be maintained and
turned in with the laboratory report.
Each “wet” laboratory exercise will be followed by a second laboratory period that will be used by
student groups to compose a report based on the data collected from the previous “wet” lab. Each
laboratory group will synthesize individual results into a single written report to be turned into the
Fall 2014
USC-Aiken
BIOL 121 Section 300
instructor. The format of this report will be that of a scientific paper (abstract, introduction, results, and
discussion). The first hour of this period will be designated for discussion and calculations as
appropriate.
TEST PROCEDURES:
Except in cases of limited seating, students will not be allowed to sit in adjacent seats during the exams.
If a student must leave during an exam, they forfeit their right to finish the exam. Calculators will not be
allowed.