Exploring Biology BCOR 011,
Fall 2015 Syllabus
Dr. Laura J May-Collado
UVM Department of Biology
Ph: 656-98646; Email: lmaycoll@uvm.edu
Office hours: Wednesday & Friday 10:00 -11:00 am Office location: 102 MLS
Laboratory Coordinator:
Dr. Pedro Alvarez-Ortiz
107 Jeffords
Office Hours: by appt.
Phone: 656-9976
E-mail: palvarez@uvm.edu
Course Coordinator:
Laura Newman
118 Marsh Life Science Bldg
Office hours: T/Th 9:00-4:30
Phone: 656-5801
E-mail: Laura.A.Newman@uvm.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
BCOR 11 will cover topics in chemistry of life, cell structure and function, cellular
reproduction, energy metabolism, and physiology of plants and animals. All readings
referred to here are chapters within the assigned text, which is Principles of Life 2e by
Hillis et al. Other readings may be assigned and will be posted on blackboard
(bb.uvm.edu).
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the semester of BCOR 011, students will be able to…
 articulate how biological processes work using the appropriate terminology.
 identify new properties that emerge in biological systems from cells to organisms.
 recognize and utilize the scientific method.
 convert data into a summary figure, identify pattern, and use pattern to support a
conclusion.
REQUIRED TEXTS
1. Hillis, D. M., D. Sadava, R. W. Hill and M. V. Price. 2014. Principles of Life, 2nd
edition. Sinauer Associates.
2. Online access to LaunchPad (www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpadhillis2e) This
is included with new textbook purchases.
3. Knisely, K. 2009. A student handbook for writing in biology, 3rd ed. Sinauer
Associates.
4. Laboratory Manual for BCOR 11 (available at the UVM Bookstore in early
September).
REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY
 Blackboard: There is a Blackboard site for our lecture section, as well as a site for
your individual lab section. We will use the Blackboard site to post
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announcements, powerpoint slides, and review materials, as well as for weekly
exam-preparation question sets. Please make sure you can find and access
blackboard right away in case you encounter problems: if you do, let your
instructor know right away and we’ll work on finding a solution.
 iClickers: We will be using the iClicker system for interactive questions throughout
the semester. iClickers can be purchased at the bookstore if you do not already
have one. To use your iClicker, you will need to REGISTER your iClicker ID
(the number under the barcode on the back) within Blackboard (there is a remote
registration link on the left sidebar of the lecture site). You cannot receive points
for your participation until you have registered!
GRADING
Important note: In order to pass this course, you must achieve a passing grade in BOTH
the lecture and laboratory portions of the class. Please don’t use high performance in
one part to justify less effort in the other!
There will be three midterm exams and a cumulative final exam in this course. The point
breakdown is as follows:
Hourly exams (3 exams @ 100 pts each, lowest exam weighted at 50%) 250 pts
Cumulative Final
200 pts
Launchpad Assignments*
100 pts
iClicker questions*
25 pts
Pre-lecture questions*
25 pts
Laboratory
200 pts
Total
800 pts
*Scores on these assignments will be scaled as necessary so they contribute the correct number of points.
The three in-class exams will be on September 30, October 30, and November 20.
The third exam is on the Friday before Thanksgiving break, so please plan to be in class
that day. We will not give make-up exams just because you want to start your vacation
early. The final exam will be cumulative, however approximately one half of the final
will be weighted toward material covered the last quarter of the semester. Do not make
travel arrangements to leave campus before the date of the final exam! No electronic
devices are allowed during exams (including calculators). Dates for the midterm exams
and the final can be found on the lecture schedule.
Barring extraordinary circumstances, THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS and midterm
and final exams will not be rescheduled to accommodate travel plans during the semester.
The only legitimate excuse for rescheduling an exam is if you have three exams
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scheduled on one day, you have a documented medical condition or other emergency, or
you are required to be off-campus for a university sponsored event or religious holiday.
In such cases you may schedule to take the exam early, but not late. Discuss such exam
conflicts with your instructor as soon as possible!
LAUNCHPAD HOMEWORK (WEEKLY)
Homework assignments will be completed online using “Launchpad”. It is available
through the publisher’s website, http://www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpad/hillis2e).
The access code comes with the purchase of your new textbook from the UVM
Bookstore. If you have purchased a used book, you will need to purchase access to the
website separately. In addition to homework, the Launchpad website also has numerous
study aids that will help you prepare for exams. The online homework will total 100
points of your grade. Homework will be due each Sunday evening by midnight.
PRE-LECTURE ASSIGNMENTS (BIWEEKLY)
In order to be an active participant during lecture, it is mandatory that you read the
assigned material and respond to the biweekly pre-lecture assignment. Keeping up with
the assigned readings, as well as actively reading and reflecting on the material, is
paramount to your success in this course. Pre-lecture assignments are 2-3 short answer
questions posted on the BCOR 11 course page (bb.uvm.edu) under the “Pre-lecture
Assignments” link. Pre-lecture assignments are due online on Tuesdays and Thursdays
by midnight. Your first pre-lecture assignment is due Tuesday, September 1.
CONCEPT CHECKS AND PEER INSTRUCTION:
Your iclicker remotes will be used for in-class concept tests and peer instruction. Peer
instruction is a teaching method by which you will participate in a small group with your
peers reach final answers to questions posed during class. For each question, you will
receive 1 point for participating in the iclicker question during class, and 1 additional
point for getting the correct answer. You must attend class and bring your iclicker, with
functional batteries to earn in-class assignment points. If you miss class or forget your
iclicker, you will not be able to make-up the in-class assignments. Do not attempt to give
your remote to a friend to answer the question in your absence. This behavior violates the
Academic Honesty policy, will not be tolerated and can earn you and your friend an XF
fail (i.e., “failure resulting from academic dishonesty”) in this course.
LABORATORY
There is a separate lab syllabus and schedule posted on the BCOR 11 course homepage
(bb.uvm.edu) under “Lab Policies and Syllabus.” You must sign into that blackboard
page prior to your scheduled lab time, in order to be properly prepared for the first day.
The lab manual is available for purchase through the UVM Bookstore. You are required
to purchase the manual, and it is only available through the UVM Bookstore. Be
prepared to take a short quiz on the lab material at the beginning of lab.
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STRATEGIES FOR GETTING A HIGH GRADE IN THIS COURSE
COME TO CLASS. We often hear students say they don't come to class because "it's all
in the book." This is not true! Instructors draw from their own knowledge and expertise
when preparing teaching materials, so we often cover topics and examples that you will
not find in the book. You also have no way of knowing what material we emphasized or
how, without coming to class. Most students cannot skip class regularly and still do well
in this course. Plus, you can’t get iClicker points without being there to participate.
KEEP UP. There is a lot of material covered in this course, so do not expect to learn it
the night before the exam! The structure of the course with biweekly pre-lecture
assignments and weekly homework assignments help you keep a suitable pace
throughout the semester. It is VERY helpful to have read the material before you come
to class.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HELP. If you are having difficulty, or simply need
clarification of some of the material, see either your laboratory Teaching Fellow or one of
the instructors. We all hold office hours and intend for that time to be used helping
students. But if you don't seek us out, there's no way for us to know that you're
struggling. And remember... Academic honesty is expected of all students. If you are
caught cheating on an exam, you will receive a zero for that exam. That score cannot be
the one you drop. All laboratory reports MUST be written individually unless specifically
assigned as a group report. Free tutoring is also available. Look into the following
opportunities:
The Learning CO-OP (http://www.uvm.edu/~leanco) offers a variety of academic
support including study skills, time management, and test-taking tips.
Our Supplemental Instructor (SI) is Keren Shechter. Keren will have office hours and
group tutoring sessions at the Learning Coop. Email Keren at kshechte@uvm.edu and
take note of review session announcements in class and on Blackboard.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Academic honesty is expected of all students. The University of Vermont has a very strict
policy concerning academic honesty and plagiarism. Please see the statement on
academic honesty http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/student/acadintegrity.pdf .
PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism constitutes a violation of Academic Honesty and
warrants failure on an assignment and/or failure in the course. Plagiarism of ANY
sort - e.g., copying part or all of a fellow student's report, copying from original
references, texts, or websites - will NOT be tolerated. The consequences of plagiarism or
cheating range from a score of zero on the assignment or exam, to filing a complaint with
the University’s Coordinator for Academic Honesty which can result in expulsion from
UVM.
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COURSE CONTENT IS THE PROPERTY OF THE INSTRUCTOR.
Consistent with the University’s policy on intellectual property rights, all teaching and
curricular materials (including but not limited to classroom lectures, class notes, exams,
handouts, and presentations) are the property of the instructor. Therefore, electronic
recording and/or transmission of classes or class notes is prohibited without the express
written permission of the instructor. Such permission is to be considered unique to the
needs of an individual student (e.g. ADA compliance), and not a license for permanent
retention or electronic dissemination to others. For more information, please see the
UVM policy on Intellectual Property, sections 2.1.3 and 2.4.1
CLASSROOM RESPECT
It is import to maintain a respectful environment in class, and we expect this from all of
you as you should expect this from us. You are here to learn and we are here to help you
learn with mutual respect. Please arrive on time and do not leave early without
permission. When you come to lecture and lab, please turn off your cell phone. We will
not tolerate phone conversations or texting or email during lecture or lab. Come prepared
to dedicate your full attention to your instructor and TA during lecture and lab.
EMAIL ETIQUETTE: Your Instructors and Teaching Fellows will make every effort to
answer your emails promptly. Please return the courtesy by responding. Also, please
address your queries respectfully. “Hey” does not fall in this category, and any such
messages risk being ignored (perhaps the best litmus test is to ask the following: “if you
were looking for a job, would you greet your prospective new employer in that
manner?”). Also it is important to properly identify yourself and the particular
course you are inquiring about. Instructors often have multiple “Biology” courses and
multiple students with the same first name.
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS: Students should submit in writing to their instructors by the
end of the second full week of classes their documented religious holiday schedule for
the semester. Students who miss work for the purpose of religious observance will be
allowed to make up this work.
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Date
Aug 31
Sept 2
Sept 4
Sept 7
Sept 9
Sept 11
Sept 14
Sept 16
Sept 18
Sept 21
Sept 23
Sept 25
Sept 28
Sept 30
Topic
Principles of Life – Core Concepts in Biology
The Chemical Context of Life
Water and Life
LABOR DAY no class
Macromolecules: Carbohydrates and Lipids
Macromolecules: Nucleic Acids and
Proteins
Cells are the Unit of Life: Prokaryotic Cells
Reading
Ch 1
Ch 2
Ch 2
A Tour of the Eukaryotic Cell: Organelle
structure and function
DNA and its role in heredity
DNA and its role in heredity
Gene Expression Overview
Cell Membranes structure and function
Cell Transport Across Cells Membranes
Ch 4
Ch 2
Ch 3
Ch 4
Ch 9
Ch 9
Ch 10
Ch 5
Ch 5
Oct 2
Oct 5
EXAM 1 – material through Gene
expression: Transcription and Translation
Introduction to Metabolism
Catabolic and Anabolic Pathways
Ch 6.1
Ch 6.4
Oct 7
Oct 9
Oct 12
Oct 14
Oct 16
Oct 19
Oct 21
Cellular Respiration, Part I
Cellular Respiration, Part II
Cellular Respiration, Part III
Photochemistry and Photobiology of Light
Photosynthesis
Cell Membranes and Signaling
Cell cycle and mitosis
Ch 6.2-3
Ch 6.2-3
Ch 6.2.3
Ch 6.5
Ch 6.5-6
Ch 5
Ch 7.1-7.3 + 7.5
Oct 23
Being Multicellular
Oct 26
Plant structure and function, Part I
Supplemental
chapter pdf on
Blackboard
Ch 24
Oct 28
Oct 30
Finishing up material for exam
EXAM 2 – material through Cell cycle and
mitosis
Plant structure and function, Part II
Plant transport in the xylem
Plant transport in the phloem
Plants develop in response to the
environment
Plant hormones
Fundamentals of Animal Structure and
Function, Part I
Nov 2
Nov 4
Nov 6
Nov 9
Nov 11
Nov 13
Ch 24
Ch 25
Ch 25
Ch 26
Ch 26
Ch 29
Lab
No labs this week
No labs this week
First lab - How does
science work?
Lab techniques
Enzyme Function
and Analysis I
Enzyme Function
and Analysis II
Protein Analysis I
Protein Analysis II
DNA Analysis:
Polymerase Chain
Reaction (PCR) I
DNA Analysis: PCR II
Investigations in
plant physiology I
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Nov 16
Nov 18
Nov 20
Nov 2327
Nov 30
Dec 2
Dec 4
Dec 7
Dec 9
Final
exam
week
Fundamentals of Animal Structure and
Function, Part II
Neuron structure and function, Part I
EXAM 3 – material through Animal
Structure and Function, Part II
THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASSES
Ch 29
Neuron structure and function, Part II
Ch 34
Sensory Organs and Processes, Part I
Sensory Organs and Processes, Part II
Control by the endocrine and nervous
systems
Control by the endocrine and nervous
systems
Ch 34
Ch 34
Ch 35
Investigations in
plant physiology II
Ch 34
No labs this week
Water flea (Daphnia)
physiology
No labs this week
Ch 35
Final exam date/time TBA
cumulative + new material since exam 3
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