University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
BIOLOGY 111: Essentials of Cell Biology and Genetics
Course Description, Syllabus, and Lab Schedule - Fall 2011
LECTURE:
A0A: 10:00 – 10:50 pm M, W, F Phillips 007
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Rudy Buiser (email: buiserrg@uwec.edu)
Office: 351 Phillips Science Hall
Phone Numbers: Office 836-3022, Biology Department: 836-4166
Office Hours: M 1:00 – 3:00; T, Th 3:00 – 5:00; F 1:00-4:00; Other times by appointment.
LABORATORY:
All lab sections meet in Phillips Science Hall Room 369
COURSE MATERIALS: Biology 2nd ed., Brooker et al. (Rental), Biology 111 Laboratory Manual (purchase)
COURSE PHILOSOPHY:
Biology 111 is designed to provide students with an introduction to the basic principles and concepts of cell
biology and genetics. This course will prepare you for upper level courses, including, but not limited to Biology
302 Cell Biology, Biology 300 Genetics, Biology 304 Molecular Biology, Biology 353 Biotechnology, Biology 401
Recombinant DNA Techniques, Biology 409 Molecular Genetics, etc. This course is required for all Biology,
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, and Biology comprehensive majors. The prerequisites for this course include
Biology 110 and Chemistry 103 or 115 (or concurrent registration). I expect that you have learned and retained
information from these courses, thus certain material in this course should be review and will not be covered in
detail. Like all biology courses, this course will involve memorization. However, I will emphasize critical
thinking, problem solving, and application rather than strict memorization and regurgitation of lecture
material.
Everyone is encouraged to read the textbook before coming to class. If you do this, you will find it easier to
follow lectures and understand complex subjects. You will be introduced to many new terms and concepts that
may be unfamiliar to you. Therefore, if you do not follow this advice, you may find yourself having difficulties.
Tape recorders are recommended for those students that need help in taking notes. You must read the
laboratory exercises before coming to lab. The labs will run more smoothly and efficiently if you do this. Tutors
are available through the Academic Skills Center (ASC) and the Biology Club free of charge!! If you find
yourself having difficulties, please come see me (Don’t wait till it’s too late!). I will be happy to help you in any
way that I can.
DISABILITIES ACCOMMODATIONS:
Any student who has a disability and is in need of classroom accommodations, please contact the instructor
and/or the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance will be taken and recorded in accordance with University policies. Because this is a laboratory
science course, attendance in lab is mandatory!! More than two unexcused absences from lab will result in
a reduction in your course grade by a whole letter. Absences due to emergencies, illnesses, and universitysanctioned events will be excused with proper documentation.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
It is my goal that students taking this course will learn more than facts. Memorization of facts is just one aspect
of learning. True learning also involves the development of the following skills: critical thinking, problem solving
reading comprehension, and written and oral communication. These skills are essential in today’s job markets.
Many biology majors do not end up working in biology-related fields. Thus, even though the course content is
very important, it is of greater importance that biology students develop the skills that they will need to succeed
in today’s world. I believe that a good way to assess a student’s progress in the development of the abovementioned skills is to determine whether the student can a) make connections, b) apply what he or she has
learned to new problems or situations, and c) draw inferences and/or synthesize new information based on what
-2he or she has learned. Therefore, I have designed my exams to measure these three aspects of learning. In
order for a student to do well in this course, he or she must go beyond mere memorization and
regurgitation. Students must develop and use the skills listed above. Although this may lead to some initial
hardship during the course of the semester, I firmly believe that students will benefit in the long run.
GRADING: Your course grade will be determined using the following:
4 Lecture Exams @ ~75-100 points each
Final Exam
2 Lab Exams @ ~50 points each
9 Lab Quizzes @ 10 points each
Writing Assignment(s) @ ~25-50 points
Total
~300 – 400 points*
~100 – 150 points*
~100 points*
90 points*
~25-50 points
~615 – 790 points
*Note: These are estimated point
values. The actual
number of points may
vary for each exam or
quiz.
Your letter grade will be based on percentage and assigned according to the following scale:
A = 92.0% - 100%
A-= 90.0% - 91.9%
B+= 88.0% - 89.9%
B = 82.0% - 87.9%
B-= 80.0% - 81.9%
C+= 78.0% - 79.9%
C = 72.0% - 77.9%
C-= 70.0% - 71.9%
D+= 68.0% - 69.9%
D = 62.0% - 67.9%
D-= 60.0% - 61.9%
F = below 60.0%
Positive participation in lecture and lab is encouraged and will be helpful in determining borderline grades.
Chronic tardiness for lectures and labs, disruptive behavior, and lack of attention will also be noted and used as
a negative factor in determining borderline grades.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
At the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, we value academic integrity. Students bear the responsibility for the
academic integrity of their work. I consider any academic misconduct in this course as a serious offense, and I
will pursue the strongest possible academic penalties for such behavior. The disciplinary procedures and
penalties for academic misconduct are described in the UW-Eau Claire Student Services and Standards
Handbook and are available at http:www.uwec.edu/sdd/chap14.htm. In simplest terms: do your own work
on assignments that do not permit collaboration, do not present as your own creation the work of others
(plagiarism), and do not cheat on exams or quizzes.
MAKE-UP POLICIES:
Proper documentation from the Dean or sponsor of a university-sanctioned event is required in order to be
excused from an exam or lab quiz. If you need to make up an exam or quiz, it is your responsibility to meet
with me to make arrangements. Writing assignments must be submitted on time!! Late assignments (up to 1
week) will be accepted, but they will be discounted 10% of the total value of the assignment per day past the
due date. Assignments more than 1 week late will not be accepted unless arrangements are made ahead
of time.
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION:
A Supplemental Instruction (SI) component will be provided for all students in BIOL 111 this semester who want
to improve their understanding of the material taught in this course. SI sessions will be led by a fellow student
who has already mastered the course material and has been trained to facilitate group sessions where students
can meet to compare class notes, review and discuss important concepts, develop appropriate strategies for
studying, and prepare for exams. Attendance is free and voluntary. Students may attend as many times as
they choose. There will be three (3) available SI sessions offered per week beginning the week of September
12th. Once they are determined, session days and times will be posted in the classroom, the lab, and online at
www.uwec.edu/asc <http://www.uwec.edu/asc>.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
1. This course helps meet the following UW Eau Claire Liberal Education Learning Goals & Outcomes:
a. Knowledge of Human Culture and the Natural World, b. Creative and Critical Thinking, c. Effective
Communication, and d. Individual and Social Responsibility.
2. The last day to withdraw from class is November 14, 2011