BIOLOGY 160: Cellular and Molecular Biology
Spring 2015
Tuesday/Thursday 8:10 – 9:00, 32 Alumni Memorial Building
Instructor: Dr. Rick Weinstein
Office: F-207 Walters Life Sciences
e-mail: rweinste@utk.edu or weinsteinutk@gmail.com
Phone: 974-2999
Office hours: Monday, 9:00 – 10:00; Tuesday, 12:30 – 1:30 (or by appointment…)
Discussion: 50 minutes per week; accounts for about 25% of your grade. Discussions begin the week of January 12th.
You will receive a separate discussion syllabus with additional information.
Required Texts and Materials:
 Text: Freeman, et al. 2014. Biological Science (5th ed). Pearson Publishing. This book is available at the
bookstore. You can also purchase it as an e-Book from Pearson Publishing directly (www.mastering
biology.com). The library also has a limited number of copies on reserve.
 Mastering Biology software: free with purchase of a new textbook at bookstore; you can also purchase the
software directly from Pearson as either Mastering with or without the e-Book.
 TurningPoint response “clicker” (“ResponseCard” - Instructions for registration and use are found on the lecture
Blackboard site). At the UT Bookstore
Major concepts and learning goals for Biology 160:
1) Different types of chemical bonds have an effect on the character of simple molecules and, ultimately, how each
participates in and affects larger-scale molecular structure and function of biomolecules.
2) Many biological molecules are based on the monomer-polymer concept, with an increasing structural complexity as
the simple building block units assembled into larger molecules. (These molecules can be appreciated for their roles as
dietary nutrients.)
3) The course will concentrate on biological processes in eukaryotic organisms, although you should understand the
difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
4) Structure, function and location (and origin) of organelles is key to understanding cell biology.
5) Energy capture (photosynthesis) and release (respiration) are key concepts to understanding both biotic (living) and
abiotic (non-living) processes. A full understanding of these processes includes an appreciation for the role of carbon
dioxide and the carbon cycle, including the influence of this cycle on the world’s climate.
6) Aspects of genetics and biotechnology include the cell cycle, DNA replication, protein synthesis as well as meiosis
and the basis of inheritance. Includes aspects of biotechnology (how humans manipulate and exploit genes).
This course will be split between lecture and discussion. In discussion sections, you will relate the concepts you are
learning in lecture to the modern scientific investigations and discoveries being conducted by scientists. The discussion
will focus on the same five big ideas (FBIs; see below) and scientific practices as the lecture course, but with a specific
focus on helping students to be able to do the following by the end of the semester:
1) Interpret a figure.
2) Formulate a testable hypothesis to address a scientific question.
3) Synthesize information and identify patterns from the primary literature.
4) Evaluate data and come to a conclusion.
5) Use a model to make predictions.
What you should learn in this course (and for a Biology degree)
In addition: By the end of the course, you should be able to explain how scientists define and study cell biology, as well
as how the five big ideas (FBIs) in biology relate to cell biology:
1) Evolution: Populations of organisms and their cellular components have changed over time through both selective
and non-selective evolutionary processes.
2) Structure and Function: All living systems (organisms, ecosystems, etc.) are made of structural components whose
arrangement determines the function of the systems.
3) Information Flow and Storage: Information (DNA, for example) and signals are used and exchanged within and
among organisms to direct their functioning.
4) Transformations of Energy and Matter: All living things acquire, use, and release and cycle matter and energy for
cellular / organismal functioning.
5) Systems: Living systems are interconnected, and they interact and influence each other on multiple levels.
How you will learn the material
Learning is an active, demanding process. Outcomes – intellectual growth and grades – depend on how much you put
into the process and how effectively you apply yourself. You will need to process information both in class, as well as
out of class, for learning to occur. I will organize and present information in a logical manner to facilitate your learning,
but it is up to you to synthesize the information. Quizzes and tests will test your understanding of the material, NOT just
your ability to memorize. Reading the assigned text and other readings before coming to class will help you obtain
maximum benefit.
Course Website: http://online.utk.edu
You will find the Biology 160 discussion and lecture web pages by signing on to Blackboard at
http://blackboard.utk.edu/webapps/login/ . If you don’t know how to use this resource, tutorials are available at
http://online.utk.edu/ . You should check Blackboard for new announcements and discussion threads.
You will have two course sites: one for lecture and one for discussion. You will find lecture notes and assignments
posted on the lecture Blackboard site. Your discussion instructor will record your grades on the discussion site.
Additional Information on Required Materials
1) Clickers:
Clickers will be required for this class. Clicker questions will be asked randomly during the class, and may be based on
previously covered material, reading assignments or any other in‐class exercise I deem appropriate.
Clicker questions will be used primarily as a means to determine or track comprehension of the material. Clicker points
that accrue over the course of the semester are NOT added in to your overall score. For the most part they will be used
to determine class attendance and may end up contributing up to 30 “participation” points (number of points may vary).
Bear in mind however that I will occasionally use clicker questions as a means of quizzing for “real” points.
Questions will not be regularly asked until two weeks after the beginning of the semester in order to accommodate
drop/adds.
You must register your clicker device ID into the Blackboard course site:
- Go to online.utk.edu and login to your Blackboard course
- From the Course Tools link, click on the TurningPoint Registration Tool
- Enter and confirm your Device ID
2) Mastering Biology software: free with purchase of a new textbook at bookstore; you can also purchase the software
directly from Pearson as either Mastering with or without the e-Book.
Discussion:
Will meet two hours per week in the Neyland Biology Annex. Attendance is mandatory; it is unlikely that missed
discussions can be made up (this is at the discretion of your instructor – but don’t count on this!).
Discussion is worth a total of 250 points. This is a substantial portion of your grade! It is often the case that points
accumulated for lab can boost your final course grade a whole letter above that which you may perceive your grade
to be based on lecture exams.
COURSE TIMETABLE…
…Will appear at the end of this document (for ease of printing separately)
Grading and Exams:
The following grading rubric is a very close approximation of how points will be distributed. Please be aware that this is
subject to modification.
Lecture exams will consist of 30 multiple choice questions worth two points each (60 points total) along with short
answer questions worth a total of 30 points (each exam is worth 90 points). The final exam will consist of multiple
choice and short answer questions totaling 200 points. Discussion, quizzes and assignments will make up the remaining
points.
- Three lecture exams (90 points each)
- Final exam
- Discussion
- Blackboard assignments (3; 30 pts each)
- In-class assignments
- Mastering Biology quizzes
Course Total:
270 points
200 points
250 points
90 points
50 points
140 points
1000 points
Assignments will be evaluated based on the clarity and originality of the ideas, the depth of treatment and accuracy.
Dates of the assignments will be announced in class. Assignments must be word processed. Quizzes will be both
announced and un-announced; in-class and through Blackboard. There are no make-ups for missed assignments or
quizzes.
Final letter grades will be determined by the total percentage of accumulated points as follows:
A
93 – 100%
C
73 – 76%
A90 – 92%
C70 – 72%
B+
87 – 89%
D+
67 – 69%
B
83 – 86%
D
63 – 66%
B80 – 82%
D60 – 62%
C+
77 – 79%
F
<60%
Course Policies and FAQ (This is the brief version. See the posted “expanded version”!)
- Don’t miss exams. There are no make-ups unless you have an airtight and documented excuse. The make-up exam
for those with a documented excuse will be a short-answer exam at the end of the semester.
- There is no extra credit.
- Curves: individual assignments and exams are not curved since your final grade is a percentage of total possible points.
However, don’t count on there being an end-of-semester curve: grade distributions have historically been evenly
proportioned (by “historically” I mean “every single semester that I have ever taught.”)
- The question I am asked most frequently is “how can I study in order to do well/better in this course?” This requires a
long and nuanced answer with facts, advice and philosophy. Please see the “expanded version” for the answer to this
question.
Contacting me:
Although I have an office phone, the best way to contact me is through email. You must put the course name (i.e. “Bio
160”) in the subject line. It would also be helpful if you included the name of your lab TA.
Please understand that all honest inquires will be answered. However: questions relating to those issues already
addressed in this syllabus or in the accompanying FAQ or (most annoyingly) those that I had already addressed several
times in lecture may remain unanswered.
Finally, if I send an email to the entire class about some issue and you wish to respond, YOU MUST NOT HIT
“REPLY” TO THAT MESSAGE!!!! START A BRAND NEW MESSAGE!!! Make a note that I wrote that in allcaps, bolded, underlined.
Statement on Disabilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a documented disability, or if you have questions about
disabilities, contact Disability Services in 2227 Dunford Hall or call 974-6807 or email ods@utk.edu or visit their
website at http://ods.utk.edu/
Academic Counseling:
Counseling Center: http://counselingcenter.utk.edu/
900 Volunteer Blvd
974-2196
email: counselingcenter@utk.edu
Tutoring:
The Division of Biology does not offer tutoring services. Your instructor (and lab instructor) will be happy to assist your
learning (e.g. during office hours) but cannot serve as your personal tutor. Contact the Student Success Center and the
Academic Support Unit of the Office of Minority Student Affairs for information about tutoring opportunities
1) The Student Success Center is a comprehensive source for information, services and resources to assist your success at
UT: http://studentsuccess.tennessee.edu/studentsuccesscenter/
1817 Melrose Avenue
974-6641
email: studentsuccess@utk.edu
2) The Academic Support Unit of the Office of Minority Student Affairs offers some tutoring available to all students,
but openings are limited and are filled quickly.
http://omsa.utk.edu/services/
1800 Melrose Avenue
974-6861
email: omsa@utk.edu
Technical Assistance:
http://remedy.utk.edu/contact/
Blackboard, clickers and/or general information regarding technical assistance:
Help Desk: 974-9900
OIT Computer Support Service Center and Walk-in Help Desk: Commons floor of Hodges Library
Statement on the Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty of any sort will not be tolerated. This includes any action where you are misrepresenting work as
your own: plagiarism, cheating on exams, copying another’s work, etc. You are expected to abide by the University of
Tennessee’s honor statement:
“An essential feature of The University of Tennessee is a commitment to maintaining an atmosphere of intellectual
integrity and academic honesty. As a student of the University, I pledge that I will neither knowingly give nor receive
any inappropriate assistance in academic work, thus affirming my own personal commitment to honor and integrity.”
All work should be done independently (unless group work is permitted, and then you may ONLY work within your
group on the assignment); plagiarism software will be used to check written assignments for copying from classmates or
other sources. Plagiarism will result in stiff penalties. **Using a classmates’ clicker to give them points is
plagiarism!!
Penalties for academic dishonesty range from the grade of zero for the assignment to an F for the course to the filing of
formal academic dishonesty charges seeking dismissal from the University.
Course Timetable
Date
Thurs, 1/8/15
Topic
Intro to Bio 160
Reading
Syllabus
Tues, 1/13
Overview of cells and Chemistry
Chapter 1 pp. 1-5; Chapter 2
Thurs, 1/15
Macromolecules I: Lipids
Chapter 6 pp. 84-91
Tues, 1/20
Macromolecules II: Nucleic Acids; Carbohydrates
Chapters 4 and 5
Thurs, 1/22
Macromolecules III: Proteins, Enzymes
Chap 3; Chap 8, pp. 144-153
Tues, 1/27
Prokaryotes
Chap 7 pp 106-109; Chap 29
Thurs, 1/29
Biological membranes
Chapter 6 pp. 91-105
Tues, 2/3
Biological membranes; life in extreme environments
Chapter 6 pp. 91-105
Thurs, 2/5
EXAM ONE
Tues, 2/10
Cell compartments; Origin of eukaryotes
Chap 7 p 110-127; Chap 29 pp. 559-562
Thurs, 2/12
Cytoskeleton and Cell Cycle
Chap 7 pp. 127-133; Chap 12
Tues, 2/17
Thermodynamics; Directions of chemical reactions
Chap 2, pp. 30-32; Chap 8 pp. 136-144
Thurs, 2/19
Intro: Energetics of Photosynthesis and Respiration
Chap 8 p. 141-144; Chap 10 p. 176-184
Tues, 2/24
Photosynthesis: light dependent reaction
Chapter 10 pp. 176-189
Thurs, 2/26
Photosynthesis: light independent reaction
Chapter 10, pp. 189-197
Tues, 3/3
Climate change
Chapter 56, pp. 1163-1169
Thurs, 3/5
EXAM TWO
Tues, 3/10
Harvesting energy I: Glycolysis & Krebs cycle
Chapter 9, pp. 154-165
Thurs, 3/12
Harvesting energy II: Krebs cycle & electron transport
Chapter 9, pp. 162-175
Tues, 3/17 – Thurs, 3/19
SPRING BREAK
Tues, 3/24
Muscle cells and exercise physiology
Chapter 48, pp. 972-981
Thurs, 3/26
DNA structure and replication
Chapter 15
Tues, 3/31
Protein synthesis I: Transcription
Chap 16; Chap 17 pp. 317-324
Thurs, 4/2
Protein synthesis II: Translation
Chapter 17 pp. 324-335
Tues, 4/7
Regulation of gene expression (prokaryotes)
Chapter 18
Thurs, 4/9
Regulation of gene expression (eukaryotes)
Chapter 19
Tues, 4/14
EXAM THREE
Thurs, 4/16
Hormones/cell-to-cell communication
Chap 11 p209-215; Chap 49 p1003-1011
Tues, 21/
Biotechnology
Chapter 20
Thurs, 4/23
How the first cells arose
Chap 2 pp. 32-36; Chap 4 pp. 68-69