BIOL 1107
Principles of Biology I
(CRN: #20757)
Fall 2014
Instructor:
Dr. Carrie S. Thurber
Email: cthurber@abac.edu
Daytime Phone: (229) 391-5115
Office: Conger 214
Office Hours: M 1:00-3:00pm
T 10:00-11:00am, 3:30-4:30pm
W 10:00-11:00am, 1:00-3:00pm
R 10:00-11:00am, 3:30-4:30pm
F 10:00-11:00am
**Appointments and walk-ins welcome; BOLD hour is at the AAC**
Course Meetings: TR 12:30-1:45pm Nursing 249
Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of modern biology from atomic
particles to evolution. General topics to be considered include chemical, molecular and cellular
basis of life, photosynthesis, cell metabolism, cell division, genetics, biotechnology, and evolution.
This course serves as a foundation in biology for all ABAC students and is a building block for upper
level biology coursework.
Prerequisites: Exemption from or successful completion of READ 0099, ENGL 0099 and MATH 0099.
Co-requisite: BIOL 1107L
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course students should be able to:
 Demonstrate knowledge of Biology, Science and the Scientific Method
 Demonstrate proficiency in the process skills associated with science
 Demonstrate knowledge of the basic chemical nature of living things (e.g., chemistry, carbon,
water, thermodynamics)
 Demonstrate knowledge of cell structure and function
 Demonstrate knowledge of basic chemical processes involved in living organisms (e.g.,
respiration, photosynthesis, and metabolism)
 Demonstrate knowledge of cellular reproduction and genetics
 Demonstrate knowledge of the basics of evolutionary theory and natural selection
 Demonstrate knowledge and general understanding of the history (and biologists) involved
in classic experiments
Note: Students may vary in their competency levels on these outcomes. Students can expect to
achieve these outcomes only if they honor all course policies, attend class regularly, complete all
assigned work in good faith and on time, and meet all other course expectations of them as
students.
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Course Materials:
1. Campbell Biology, 10th Edition, Campbell et al. Pearson Publishing
**Additional readings may be posted on the web and/or distributed in class
2. Mastering Biology Access Code
3. 882-E scantrons (7 total) due by 8/21/14
4. I-clicker 2 **
Textbook Website: http://www.masteringbiology.com/
Class website: https://abac.view.usg.edu/ (Desire2Learn)
**You are required to purchase an iclicker2 remote for in-class participation. iclicker2 is a response
system that allows you to respond to questions the instructor poses during class, and you will be
graded on your in-class participation using the iclicker2. In order to receive this credit, you will
need to purchase and register your iclicker2 remote by 08/19/14. You must come to class at least
once and vote on at least one question in order to complete this registration properly. Once you
have responded to a question with your iclicker2, go to http://www.iclicker.com/registration.
Complete the fields with your first name, last name, student ID, and remote ID. Your student ID
should be your ABAC 918 number. The remote ID is the series of numbers and sometimes letters
found on the bottom of the back of your iclicker2 remote. iclicker2 will be used every day in class,
and you are responsible for bringing your remote and extra batteries daily. Anyone who attends
class with more than one iclicker2 ( i.e. a friends or other classmates) will have all iclickers
confiscated for the class period and all parties involved will lose HALF of the TOTAL semester
points for participation; a second offense will result in loss of ALL participation points.
Grading:
Grades will be based on class participation, in class work, homework, quizzes and exams.
iclicker2 Participation
40 pts
(1 pt/class for answering at least 2 questions, 1 pt/class for
answering ALL questions, until 40 pts is reached)
Mastering Biology Homeworks
60 pts
(6 x 10 pts each, due before exam date for covered material)
Weekly In-Class Quizzes
100 pts
(11 x 10 pts each, lowest/missed quiz dropped)
Hourly In-Class Exams
500 pts
(6 x 100 pts each, lowest/missed exam dropped)
Final Exam
Total
100 pts
800 pts
Lecture grades will be determined on the percentages listed below of all the possible points that
you EARN. Percentages will be rounded UP to the nearest whole number when assigning letter
grades.
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Grading Scale:
A=
> 90% ( > 720 pts)
B=
> 80% ( 640 - 719 pts)
C=
>70% ( 560 - 639 pts)
D=
>60% ( 480 - 559 pts)
F=
<60% ( < 479 pts)
In the event that a student’s final class percentage is close to the next highest grade category, the
instructor may consider lecture attendance, lecture preparation and participation and/or
submission of extra credit assignments in determining the final class grade.
Bonus:
Attendance
010 pts
In an effort to encourage classroom attendance and thus enhance a student’s exposure to the
material, the following bonus points (see table) will be awarded on a sliding scale to students who
have no or limited non-institutional absences at the end of the semester. Be aware of the difference
between points and percentage points. The attendance points are not percentage points. Check with
the instructor regularly to see your absences. The instructor’s roll is official and will not
generally be changed after the day of class.
0 absences = + 10 pts
1 absence = + 8 pts
2 absences = + 6 pts
3 absences = + 4 pts
4+ absences = + ZERO pts
Academic Policies:
Attendance Policy:
Courses at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) are provided for the intellectual growth
and development of the students. The interaction with instructors and other students is an
important element of the learning process, and a high correlation exists between class
attendance and course grades. As such, it is expected that you will attend every class session on
time! The instructor will take roll or circulate a sign-in sheet at the beginning of class (~first 10
minutes). Any student not present at the time roll is taken and/or missing a significant portion of
class will be counted absent. It is each student’s responsibility to keep up with all classroom
activities; lecture notes (oral, written on the board, or on slides); and dates of exams, assignments,
quizzes, etc. Additionally, students are expected to be present for EVERY exam session, except
under emergency situations. Please come see me or email me if you know you will be missing an
exam. I check my email frequently throughout the day between the hours of 7 am and 9 pm; you can
expect a response generally within 24 hours (longer on weekends and holidays).
Mastering Biology Homework Policy:
Mastering Biology is a website designed by Pearson Publishers (they make your textbook!) that
contains study materials and online assignments to help students ‘master’ the material. I will be
assigning six (6) homeworks (10pts each) consisting of multiple chapters of material that will be
due by 8:00PM on the night prior to the exam covering such material. There may be an
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additional BONUS assignment due during finals week. It is expected that you will complete EVERY
Mastering Biology homework assignment on time. Any assignment turned in after the due date and
time will receive NO CREDIT. If you are having trouble with Mastering Biology please see me AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE so that you do not miss out on points. I strongly discourage you from turning
in assignments at the last minute as computer and website problems may occur resulting in late
work and missed points.
Participation Expectations and Conduct:
Students are expected to be prepared for class (i.e. bringing a notebook or computer to take notes
and their iClicker2, having read the materials prior to class and taken notes), participate actively in
the discussion of materials, and be respectful of other people’s contributions and opinions. “An
Abraham Baldwin College student is expected to show proper respect for order, morality, and the
rights of others. Conduct which is normally reprehensible or which is of a disorderly nature and in
violation of written policy shall subject the student to disciplinary action.” Participation includes
both asking and answering questions posed during class. Please respect your classmates by not
talking over them, ridiculing their contributions, or being disruptive to the discussion. In order to
have a fruitful discussion everyone needs to participate and help create an open environment for
dialog. Additionally, cell phones, pagers, and all other electronic communication devices should be
turned off and out of sight during class. Please notify the instructor in advance (at the start of
class) if an emergency exists where you need your phone. Disruptive behavior will result in
students being asked to leave the classroom for the day.
Exam Policy:
Make-up examinations will not be given. Any student who misses an examination should notify
the instructor in person or by e-mail prior to the next regularly scheduled class. Absences from a
lecture exam will result in a grade of 0 for that exam. The lowest regular exam score will be
dropped at the end of the semester. Subsequent missed exams will not be dropped and the
student will normally receive a 0 for the other missed exam. The final exam will be
comprehensive and will not be dropped or used to replace other exams. Cell phones, pagers,
music players, and any electronic communication device must be turned off and out of sight during
any testing periods. The wearing of earbuds is prohibited at any time during class, including during
exams. Students may not use programmable calculators on exams or quizzes. Students may be
asked to remove caps or turn them around during testing periods.
Withdrawal:
A student may withdraw from the course up to the midpoint of the semester and receive a grade of
W. After midterm, students may withdraw only with permission of the Academic Dean and may
receive a grade of WF. A student withdrawing from the lecture must also withdraw from the corequisite lab. Students that stop attending class without officially withdrawing will still receive
a grade for the course.
Academic Conduct Code:
Academic integrity is the responsibility of all ABAC faculty and students. Academic dishonesty and
irregularities include, but are not limited to, giving or receiving of unauthorized assistance in the
preparation of any academic assignment; taking or attempting to take, stealing, or otherwise
obtaining in an unauthorized manner any material pertaining to the education process; selling,
giving, lending, or otherwise furnishing to any person any questions and/or answers to any
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examination known to be scheduled at any subsequent date; fabricating, forging, or falsifying lab or
clinical results; plagiarism in any form related to themes, essays, term papers, tests, and other
assignments. Academic dishonesty and irregularities will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment
and may be subject to disciplinary procedures as outlined in the student handbook. Please check
with your course instructor if you have any questions about the conduct code.
(http://www.abac.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Student-Handbook.pdf)
Tutoring:
The AAC is a free tutoring center in the bottom floor of the library. Ask the student at the front desk
when tutors are available to help with biology. If you are struggling and not using all the resources
available then you are choosing to not succeed.
Disability Accommodations:
This course fully complies with the accommodations available through the office of disability
services. If there is a student in this class who has documented specific needs because of learning
disabilities or any other disability; please contact the course instructor immediately to discuss
accommodations.
Note: The above schedule, policies, procedures, and assessments in this course are subject to
change in the event of extraordinary circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better
student learning. The instructor reserves the right to make modifications to the schedule and/or
syllabus at any time. The lecture topics will be covered in the order listed above and exams will be
given on dates specified; however, the instructor may modify the pace at which the material is
covered; add or delete material; and/or modify the content covered on each exam. Students are
expected to read relevant textbook chapters and/or assigned material prior to each class period. If
the campus is closed due to inclement weather or class is officially canceled by the
instructor, plan on the missed activities occurring on the next scheduled class day.
**Tentative** Course Calendar
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Class
Meeting
(Date)
Assignments
Topic
T (8/19)
QUIZ 1
1/2
R (8/21)
QUIZ 2
First day of class; Syllabus review;
Introduction to Scientific Inquiry
Introduction to Scientific Inquiry
The Chemical and Energetic Context of Life
The Chemical and Energetic Context of Life
Water
T (8/26)
R (8/28)
T (9/2)
R (9/4)
T (9/9)
Exam #1
Carbon
Carbon/ Metabolism
Metabolism
4
4/8
8
Macromolecules: Carbohydrates
Macromolecules: Nucleic Acids
Macromolecules: Nucleic Acids
Macromolecules: Nucleic Acids & Proteins
Macromolecules: Proteins
5/ 16
R (8/14)
QUIZ 3
Exam #2
R (9/11)
T (9/16)
R (9/18)
T (9/23)
R (9/25)
T (9/30)
R (10/2)
QUIZ 4
QUIZ 5
Exam #3
Early Informal
Feedback
QUIZ 6
T (10/7)
R (10/9)
T (10/14)
R (10/16)
T (10/21)
R (10/23)
T (10/28)
R (10/30)
T (11/4)
R (11/6)
Exam #4
T (11/11)
QUIZ 9
R (11/13)
QUIZ 10
T (11/18)
R (11/20)
T (11/25)
R (11/27)
T (12/2)
T (12/9)
QUIZ 7
QUIZ 8
Chapters
1
2/3
5/ 16
5/ 16/ 17
5/ 17
Macromolecules: Lipids
Membrane Structure and Function
Membrane Structure and Function
A tour of the cell
Cell Cycle
Cell Cycle
FALL BREAK—NO CLASS!
Cellular Respiration
5/ 7
Photosynthesis
Mendel, Genes and Sex!
Mendel, Genes and Sex!
10
13/ 14
13/ 14
Chromosomal basis of inheritance
Chromosomal basis of inheritance\
Genomics
Genomics
DNA Technology
DNA Technology
Evolutionary Theory
15
7/6
12
12
9
Exam #5
QUIZ 11
Exam #6
Thanksgiving Break—No Class!
Evolutionary Theory
FINAL EXAM 10:15-12:15PM
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