Biology 150/150H:
General Biology I: Introduction to Cellular Biology (4 cr.)
Fall semester, 2009
Lectures: MWF 10-10:50; Moore 16
Labs: Monday 11-12:50, Monday 3-4:50, Wednesday 12 – 1:50, and Thursday 3-4:50; Moore 210
Instructor:
Christopher Keller
Office: Moore 219, 858-3067 E-mail: christopher.keller@minotstateu.edu
Web: http://www.minotstateu.edu/biology/keller_01.shtml
Phone, e-mail, or drop by anytime. If I can’t help you right then, I will get back to you as soon as
possible or we will schedule a better time.
Objectives of the course:
General biology I is intended to give students an introduction to core concepts of cell biology
including cell structure and function, the role of cell membranes, energy acquisition and use, cell
division, sexual reproduction, and genetic inheritance.
Biology 150 is also expected to contribute to the five “common strands” of a general
education. Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
1. (critical strand) demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method of inquiry
2. (factual strand) describe the principle biochemical mechanisms of living cells
3. (historical strand) outline the progression of ideas leading to our current understanding of cell
membrane composition and function
4. (cultural strand) discuss the impact of modern biology on modern western culture
5. (aesthetic strand) describe how a knowledge of complex functioning of biological organisms
adds to their appreciation of the natural world around them.
Textbook:
Biology (Eighth Edition) by N. A. Campbell and J. B. Reece
ISBN: 978-0-8053-6844-4/0-8053-6844-2
Exams and grades:
100 % = 400 points
Course grade cutoffs: A-90% (360 pts); B-80% (320 pts); C-70% (280 pts); D-60% (240 pts)
Lecture: 300 points; assessed with 4 midterm examinations and a final examination. Each of these
exams will follow a short answer format (individual questions will vary in point value and will
require from one word to a few sentences to be adequately answered).
Unless there is a change of plans the examinations will be as follows:
1st in-class exam: Friday, September 18 (subject material from Chapters 1-5: 50 points)
2nd in-class exam: Friday, October 9 (Chapters 6-8: 50 points)
3rd in-class exam: Friday, October 30 (Chapters 9, 10 and 16: 50 points)
4th in-class exam: Monday, November 213 (Chapters 17 and 18: 50 points)
Final examination: Thursday, December 17 (10-11:50 am; 100 points). The final exam will
test both (a) material covered after the last (4th) in-class exam (subject material from Chapters 12,
13, 14, and 15: approximately 50 points) and (b) material tested previously.
N.B. It is your responsibility to be aware of any changes made to the above examination schedule.
Missed exam policy: Lecture attendance, while highly recommended, is not compulsory and will not
be monitored. If you are unable to be present for any exam, however, you will need to immediately
schedule a make-up exam with me. Make-up exams will consist of longer essay type questions.
Failure to deal with a missed exam in a timely fashion will result in a zero score.
All old exams from Fall 2003 through Fall 2008 semesters are available on my webpage [
http://www.minotstateu.edu/biology/keller_01.shtml:click on the link - BIOL 150 (General Biology I) –
then old exams: Fall 2003, Fall 2004, Fall 2005, Fall 2006 Fall 2007 ]
Lab: 100 points: Each lab exercise will include completion of questions and/or assignments which
are handed in at the end of the period. A separate lab syllabus detailing lab expectations will be
distributed at the first lab period.
Wednesday and Friday are “lab-days”. Labs are held in Moore 210 and are compulsory. Make-up
labs will not be possible, although it may be possible to attend another other lab section. If you are
unable to attend lab for a legitimate reason please see your lab instructor about it. Unexcused
absences will be penalized by a zero score for that week’s lab.
Lecture syllabus:
Campbell and Reece:
Subject:
Chapter(s); Pages
Week # (dates)
Introduction to biology
1;
1 (Aug 26 - 28)
Basic chemistry
2 + 3; 30- 57
2 (Aug 31 - 4)
Labor day / Chemistry of organisms
4;
58 - 67
3 (Sept 7 - 11)
Carbon macromolecules / Exam #1
5;
68 - 91
4 (Sept 14 - 18)
The cell
6;
94 - 124
5 (Sept 21 - 25)
The cell membrane
7;
125 - 141
6 (Sept 28 – Oct 2)
Energy, catalysis, enzymes / Exam #2
8;
142 - 161
7 (Oct 5 - 9)
Respiration
9;
162 - 184
8 (Oct 12 - 16)
Photosynthesis
10;
185- 205
9 (Oct 19 - 23)
Photosynthesis / DNA / Exam #3
16;
305 - 324
10 (Oct 26 - 30)
DNA (cont.) / Transcription
17;
325 - 350
11 (Nov 2 - 6)
Transcription and translation / Vets day
17;
325 - 350
12 (Nov 9 - 13)
Gene regulation - operons
18;
351 - 380
13 (Nov 16 - 20)
Exam #4 / cell division / Thanksgiving
12;
228 - 245
14 (Nov 23 - 27)
Meiosis
13:
248 - 261
15 (Nov 30 – Dec 4)
Inheritance
14+15; 262 - 304
Final exam:
1-27
16 (Dec 7 -11)
10am Thurs Dec 17