BIO 100 General Biology I
Course Information
Delta State University
Biological Sciences
Fall 2015
Instructor: Dr. John Tiftickjian
Section: BIO 100, section 1 CRN 44471 or section 2 CRN 44560
Class meetings: Lecture: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:00–8:50, Broom 165
Lab: Wed, 10:00-11:50 (sec 1) or
Thu, 3:05-4:55 (sec 2), New Science Building 133
Credit: 4
Prerequisites: None
Textbook: Brooker, Widmaier, Graham, and Stiling, 2015, Principles of Biology
Choose one of the following options (explanation below):
1. For both BIO 100 and 101: ISBN 9780073532271 or
ISBN 9781259679919 (full print book)
2. For BIO 100 only: ISBN 9781308145013 (custom print book)
Lab manual: Available for purchase in the Department office: Gibson-Gunn 127
Internet access: You will need Internet access for email and to download assignments,
lecture outlines, study guides, etc. The course website can be accessed
from any computer connected to the Internet. Network access is available several places on campus, including the computer lab in the library.
Lab hours are posted here: http://www.deltastate.edu/about-dsu/administration/special-projects/office-of-information-technology/computer-labs/.
Course website: http://www.doctortee.com/bio100
Who is this course for? (Please read carefully.)
The Department of Biological Sciences offers two introductory biology courses: General Biology I
and II (BIO 100/101), which is for science majors and other students who need a majors-level biology
course, and Biology and Human Concerns (BIO 110), which is for non-science majors who are just fulfilling the general education science requirement. The course you are enrolled in is the majors-level
course. If you are NOT required to take majors-level biology, you are probably in the wrong course and
should switch to BIO 110.
The DSU majors that require majors-level biology (BIO 100) are: biology (all concentrations),
chemistry (premedical science and chemistry education concentrations), environmental science (all concentrations), family and consumer sciences (nutrition/dietetics concentration). BIO 100 is also required
for the biology minor.
BIO 100 is also required for all pre-health professions programs including: pre-medical, pre-dental,
pre-clinical laboratory sciences, pre-dental hygiene, pre-occupational therapy, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-radiologic sciences, pre-veterinary medicine, and pre-nursing.
If you are in any other degree program, you are probably in the wrong course. BIO 100 is a more
rigorous course than BIO 110, and non-majors usually find it much more difficult. We have seen many
cases of students who don't think this matters much, only to find out that they have a very hard time surviving the majors course when they don't need it. We don't want you to be overwhelmed by a course that
is really not right for your situation. Do not come to me later in the semester complaining that you were
in the wrong course.
BIO 100 General Biology I
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General course description
BIO 100 is the first course of the two-semester General Biology sequence. Most students will go on
to BIO 101 after completing BIO 100. BIO 100 is the foundation for all succeeding biology courses at
DSU, making it one of the most important courses taken by biology majors. This course also gives
those who are considering a career in the sciences or heath professions a general look at the various
branches of biology so that they might better choose areas of concentration for further study.
BIO 100 starts with an introduction to what life is, and how it is studied. We then cover introductory
ecology and how organisms are classified. Covered next are the building blocks of life-molecules and
cells. We then go on to such topics as metabolism, transport, respiration, and photosynthesis. Although
we will cover some of the general features of plants and animals, we will emphasize features that are
common to all organisms. By the end of the semester, we should have a good idea of what biology is and
appreciate the importance of studying living organisms.
Course objectives
After completing this course, students should be able to:
• analyze biological data, develop hypotheses, interpret experimental results, and draw conclusions.
• analyze biological phenomena by considering the reasons behind the structures and processes that
define an organism.
• think beyond just knowing names of molecules, cells, organs, and the functions they perform by developing an understanding of why structures and processes make sense for survival.
• begin to appreciate that there are millions of species, from the simplest bacteria to the largest plants
and animals, and realizing that this species diversity is part of what defines life.
• understand that there are diverse adaptations for survival. All species must solve problems to survive: obtain energy, water, and nutrients; grow; and reproduce. These problems are different in different environments, and organisms have evolved to solve these problems in different ways.
• understand that all organisms are the products of natural selection. Every biological phenomenon
must be considered in light of the process of evolution.
• appreciate that biological systems are complex and that science recognizes a hierarchy of organization: atoms, molecules, cells, organisms, populations, ecosystems, biosphere.
• describe how basic chemical and physical principles apply to cell structure, metabolism, reproduction, heredity, and evolution.
• achieve competency in the use of the basic laboratory tools of biology including measuring equipment, the light microscope, and technology required to analyze experimental data.
The second semester of the sequence (BIO 101) covers evolution; classification of prokaryotes, protists,
fungi, plants, and animals; plant form and function; and animal form and function.
Expected preparation
Because this is the first course in biology for science majors, it has no college-level prerequisites.
You have had at least one course in biology in high school, but I won't expect you to remember all you
learned in those courses. High school courses vary depending on the school you attended and the teachers you had. Some of you will know more to start with than others will, but most of you will find the
topics we cover are at least basically familiar. Don't worry about being unprepared! I will not assume
that you know a lot now, but I will expect you to know quite a bit when we are done.
BIO 100 General Biology I
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The textbook
There are two versions of the textbook. If you are a biology major, or in
any program which requires both semesters of the General Biology (both
BIO 100 and BIO 101), you need the full Principles of Biology book. Don't
panic at the size of the book! It will be used for the whole 2-semester course.
We cover about half of it in BIO 100 (But that will be plenty of information!)
and the rest in BIO 101. If you prefer to use an eBook rather than the print
version, that is available too.
If you are in a program which requires only one semester of general biology (pre-nursing and some non-degree pre-health programs), you should
purchase the custom book. It contains only the chapters covered in BIO 100.
This will save you money over the full book, because you don’t have to pay
for chapters that are covered in BIO 101.
Check carefully when you purchase your book to be sure you are getting the right one. At the top of
this syllabus you will find the correct ISBN for the book you need. Check the ISBN carefully. The full
book comes in several versions. One of them includes “ConnectPlus.” We WILL NOT be using Connect
in Dr. T’s sections this semester, so you don’t have to purchase that version. But if you plan to take BIO
101 in the future, your instructor may use it, so it might be worth it to invest in that version. As far as
this semester is concerned, you just need to book itself. How you get the book is up to you. You can buy
the regular book, eBook (if available), or rent the book. As long as you have access to a copy for the
reading assignments, you will be fine.
We will follow the text closely, and there will be regular reading assignments for every lecture, so
you must have a copy. Watch reading assignments carefully to make sure you are reading the correct
sections in the correct order. Some topics are covered in a different order than the book covers them.
The book is available in the campus bookstore for purchase. There are other sources you might want
to check for the best price. Several online book sellers carry the book, both new and used. If you consider buying online, remember to consider shipping costs and how soon the book will get to you. If it takes
longer than a couple of days, you may get behind on your reading assignments.
The faculty who teach BIO 100 at Delta State have compiled a set of laboratory exercises specifically for this course. You will be able to purchase this lab manual for a very minimal fee from the Department of Biological Sciences office (Gibson-Gunn 127) shortly after the beginning of the semester.
Lecture format
Lecture format for this course is pretty traditional for an introductory science course. We will discuss
concepts that you read about in the textbook. Although most of this will be me talking, be prepared to
answer questions that I may ask of the class and do some class discussion where the topic is suited to
that approach. I will expect that you have read the textbook assignment before each lecture.
I will present an outline of the lecture on the projection screen that we will work from. This is not a
slide show format, like you might be familiar with in other classes, but just a guide to work from for
more in-depth discussion. All lecture outlines will be available on the course web site after class, so you
don’t need to copy everything down that you see on the screen. You can go online later to print that information if you want to. I try to include illustrations, diagrams, micrographs, etc. wherever possible to
make the lecture a more visual experience.
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Laboratory format
Labs meet once per week. About 1/2 the class is registered in one lab section, and about 1/2 in the
other. Make sure you know what day and time your lab section meets. I will be your instructor for both
lecture and lab. We will talk about exactly how labs will work at the first lab meeting.
Unlike some chemistry and physics courses, the lab is not a separate course. You won't get separate
lecture and lab grades. Grades for lab assignments and lecture assignments will be combined to give
you a single letter grade.
Course web site
The URL for the course web site is given above. Here you will find class news, assignments, lecture
outlines, study guides, and other information that will be useful. This is by no means an “online” course,
but should be considered “Web-enhanced.” You are only required to use the website to access assignments, but it is strongly recommended that you make use of the other materials posted there. You will
find some materials here that may not be in the textbook or covered completely in lecture. All the online
content is designed to enhance the course and help to improve your grade. You should check the site frequently as it is constantly changing. The most important page is the course outline that shows an up-todate schedule of lecture and lab topics, reading assignments, and assignments.
Assignments and testing
Daily quizzes. [Approximately 50 points] There will be short quizzes each day at the beginning of
the lecture period. A typical quiz will take about 5 minutes. Material for quizzes will come from the
day’s reading assignment and recent lectures.
Laboratory. [Approximately 100-150 points] Some of the lab exercises will have associated lab reports that will be turned in and there may be a few lab quizzes.
Exams. [300 points] There will be three major exams during the semester. Each exam will cover material presented in lecture, textbook readings, and lab work. Questions will be both objective (mostly
multiple choice) and short essay questions. I will give you more specific information about exams as we
get close to the first one. Planned exam dates are shown on the course outline but are subject to change.
You will find some example exam questions on the web site.
Other assignments. [0-50 points] There will occasionally be additional written assignments. Each of
these will carry a certain point value. The total will depend on exactly how many assignments are made.
Final exam. [150 points] The final exam is comprehensive. That is, it will cover information taken
from the whole semester. However, questions on older material will be more general than on earlier exams. Those questions should not be difficult as long as you have reviewed the major concepts covered
throughout the semester. Approximately 2/3 of the final will come from material covered after the 3rd
exam. The format of the final is similar to that of the lecture exams, but will of course be a bit longer.
BIO 100 General Biology I
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Grading
Assignment
Points
Percent grade
Letter grade
Daily quizzes
~50
90 -100
A
Lecture exams
300
80-89
B
100-150
70-79
C
Other assignments
~50
60-69
D
Final exam
150
below 60
F
Total points
650-700
Laboratory work
The point total is only approximate and may change somewhat. Because your grade is based on total
points, it is easy to determine your grade at any time. Just add up the points you have at any moment in
time, and divide this total by how many point are possible at that time.
Checking your grades
You will be able to check your grade online through a secure web page. You will log in with a
unique password so no one else will be able to see your grades. You will receive your password by
email. This web page is independent of the Blackboard system used by Delta State. The login ID and
password you might be using for another course through Blackboard will not work for Dr. T's courses.
Other course policies
See the course policies handout for additional information on attendance, grading, dropping the
course, etc.
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BIO 100 Course Schedule
Date
Topics
Readings
Assignments
Introduction
Welcome
Welcome message
Mon 8/17/2015
Course policies
Review syllabus
Wed 8/19/2015
Course introduction
LAB: Introduction and concepts pre-test
Biology content test
Fri 8/21/2015
Science skills test
TIPS assessment
Mon 8/24/2015
What is life
Ch 1: 1-12
Introduction study guide
Wed 8/26/2015
What is biology
LAB: Scientific method I
Ch 1: 12-17
Lab 1: 5-11
Introduction study guide
Ecology and systematics
Fri 8/28/2015
Biomes
Ch 43: 886-900
Ecology study guide
Mon 8/31/2015
Population ecology
Ch 44: 902-919
Ecology study guide
Wed 9/2/2015
Population ecology
LAB: Scientific method II
LAB: Measurement
Ch 44: 902-919
Lab: 1: 11
Lab appendix 1: 80-88
Ecology study guide
Fri 9/4/2015
Communities/ecosystems
Ch 46: 935-952
Ecology study guide
Mon 9/7/2015
LABOR DAY (no class)
Wed 9/9/2015
Ecosystems
LAB: Statistics
LAB: Scientific method III (report due 9/25)
Ch 46: 935-952
Lab appendix 2: 89-99
Lab 1: 12-20
Ecology study guide
Fri 9/11/2015
Taxonomy and systematics
Ch 21: 426-440
Taxonomy study guide
Mon 9/14/2015
Taxonomy and systematics
Ch 21: 426-440
Taxonomy study guide
Mon 9/14/2015
Tree of life assignment
Due Friday, 9/25
Assignment instructions
Wed 9/16/2015
Basic chemistry
LAB: Taxonomy
Ch 2: 18-27
Lab: 2: 21-30
Chemistry study guide
Fri 9/18/2015
EXAM 1
Through taxonomy
Review for the exam
Mon 9/21/2015
Basic chemistry
Organic molecules
Ch 2: 28-34
Ch 3: 35-41
Chemistry study guide
Organic chem study guide
Wed 9/23/2015
Organic molecules
LAB: Biological molecules
Ch 3: 41-53
Lab 3: 31-40
Organic chem study guide
Fri 9/25/2015
Organic molecules
Ch 3: 41-53
Organic chem study guide
Metric system study guide
Report instructions
Chemistry of life
Cell structure and function
Mon 9/28/2015
General features of cells
Ch 4: 54-68
Cells study guide
Wed 9/30/2015
General features of cells
LAB: Microscopy
Ch 4: 68-86
Lab 4: 41-52
Cells study guide
Microscopy information
Fri 10/2/2015
The plasma membrane
Ch 5: 87-106
Membrane study guide
Mon 10/5/2015
The plasma membrane
Ch 5: 87-106
Membrane study guide
Schedule for BIO 100
August 12, 2015
Date
Topics
Readings
Assignments
Metabolism and cell interactions
Wed 10/7/2015
Energy and enzymes
NO LAB
Ch 6: 111-119
Enzymes study guide
Thu 10/8/2015
FALL BREAK (10/8-10/9)
Mon 10/12/2015
Energy and enzymes
Ch 6: 111-119
Enzymes study guide
Wed 10/14/2015
EXAM 2
LAB: Cell structure
Through membranes
Lab 5: 53-58
Review for the exam
Cell lab info
Fri 10/16/2015
Respiration
Ch 6: 119-136
Respiration study guide
Mon 10/19/2015
Respiration
Ch 6: 119-136
Respiration study guide
Wed 10/21/2015
Photosynthesis, light reactions
LAB: Osmosis
Ch 7: 137-143
Lab 6: 59-62
Photosynthesis study guide
Fri 10/23/2015
Photosynthesis, light reactions
Ch 7: 143-147
Photosynthesis study guide
Mon 10/26/2015
Photosynthesis, dark reactions
Ch 7: 147-155
Genes and chromosomes
Mon 10/26/2015
Pigment assignment
Due Monday, 11/2
Assignment instructions
Wed 10/28/2015
Nucleic acid structure
LAB: Respiration
Ch 9: 172-182
Lab 7
Nucleic acid study guide
Fri 10/30/2015
DNA replication
Ch 9: 182-184
Nucleic acid study guide
Mon 11/2/2015
EXAM 3
Through photosynthesis
Review for exam
Wed 11/4/2015
Gene expression
LAB: Photosynthesis
Ch 10: 194-213
Lab 8
Gene expression study guide
Fri 11/6/2015
Chromosomes
Ch 13: 252-262
Chromosomes study guide
Mon 11/9/2015
Cell cycle and mitosis
Ch 13: 252-262
Chromosomes study guide
Wed 11/11/2015
Meiosis
LAB: DNA isolation
Ch 13: 262-268
Lab 9
Meiosis study guide
Fri 11/13/2015
Basics of inheritance
Ch 14: 275-281
Genetics study guide
Mon 11/16/2015
Basics of inheritance
Ch 14: 281-287
Genetics study guide
Wed 11/18/2015
Basics of inheritance
LAB: DNA analysis
Ch 14: 281-287
Lab 10
Genetics study guide
Fri 11/20/2015
Genetics problems discussion
Mon 11/23/2015
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS ( 11/23-11/227)
Mon 11/30/2015
Genetics problems discussion
Genetics study guide
Wed 12/2/2015
Review
LAB: Biology concepts - post-test
Biology content test
Fri 12/4/2015
Science skills - post test
TIPS assessment
Wed 12/9/2015
FINAL EXAM 8:00 AM
Inheritance
Schedule for BIO 100
Genetics study guide
Final exam topics
Prepare for final exam
August 12, 2015