BIOLOGY 101 - An Introduction to Biology
SU 2008 - 5 credit hrs – Lecture – Tue, Wed, &Thur – JE 001
Prerequisite - Math 075 or 076 or 104 or Mathematics Placement Level R
INSTRUCTOR: COURSE COORDINATOR:
DR. NEIL R. BAKER Adam Andrews
BIOL. SCI. RM 541A 255B Jennings Hall
baker.2@osu.edu - preferred andrews.171@osu.edu
292-3342 247-6345
Assistant Course Coordinator: Amy Kulesza; email – kulesza.5@osu.edu; phone – 247-0029; office – JE 255D
Head TA: Daniel Lima; email – lima.19@osu.edu
TEXT Materials –
Biology: Concepts and Applications (7th Edition) by Starr, Evers, Starr, © 2008, (available at all bookstores) – ISBN 0495119814
Biology 101 Laboratory Manual – 2007-8 – The Ohio State University
New York Times: Student Subscription information available on Carmen (carmen.osu.edu)
GOALS
The major goal of this course is to provide you with a foundation of principles that are central to biology. Through the study of these core concepts the nature of scientific inquiry will be reinforced. These goals are in-line with the goals and objectives of the GEC Natural Science category.*
LEARNING OUTCOMES
You will achieve a sound understanding of core concepts in biology. Some new terms and ideas will be introduced but as much as possible you will not be expected to memorize facts and figures. The information presented will also prepare you to make sound life choices related to biology, e.g. Are genetically modified foods safe to eat? This course is designed to provide you with the foundation of knowledge to discuss and evaluate such topics, which will be the focus of Biology 102. Thus Biology 101 will provide the framework of knowledge you need for life science future courses and biology related decisions. Specifically:
- Students will recall current and historical aspects of energetics, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Students will describe biological processes related to energetics, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Students will analyze the current and future significance of energetics, genetics, evolution, and ecology on society
- Students will apply skills that demonstrate their scientific literacy by communicating about the content and validity of articles related to science in the popular press.
- Students will value the study of biology.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the nature of science. This includes (1) the way that scientist develop and evaluate explanations of natural phenomena using criteria fundamental to scientific inquiry and (2) the understanding that science is a human endeavor.
- Students will work productively and effectively in a group.
*Goals and Objectives for the GEC Natural Science Category
Goals/Rationale:
Courses in natural sciences foster an understanding of the principles, theories and methods of modern science, the relationship between science and technology, and the effects of science and technology on the environment.
Learning Objectives:
1. Students understand the basic facts, principles, theories and methods of modern science.
2. Students learn key events in the history of science.
3. Students provide examples of the inter-dependence of scientific and technological developments.
4. Students discuss social and philosophical implications of scientific discoveries and understand the potential of science and technology to address problems of the contemporary world.
In Biology 101, non-major Biology students meet the GEC Natural Science Learning Objectives in multiple ways. Students gain an understanding of the foundations of modern biology by studying organismal diversity, evolution, ecology, energetics, genetics, reproduction, and cell structure and function. The students will perform inquiry-based laboratory activities that provide insight into scientific methods and habits of mind. Lectures and labs will include references to the development of scientific concepts to help students understand the history and nature of science. The interactions among science, technology, and society are interwoven throughout the course, and assignments give students opportunities to personally consider the interactions. Biology 101 is designed to help prepare students to make intelligent, informed decisions on the biological and technological decisions that they will face in life.
STRUCTURE
The class will meet 3 times per week for 1 hour and 48 minutes each session for lecture. The content of the lecture is determined by the laboratory activity that week. Lecture time will be used to reinforce the concepts that were introduced in lab and to expand upon those concepts. A mixture of lecture and group discussion/activity formats will be used. Participation by all members of the group in the activities is expected. In addition to lecture notes you will be asked to respond to specific questions or problems. Most of these will be group activities, but a few will require individual responses. These will be collected and graded.
Laboratories meet twice weekly for approximately 3 hrs. The lab activities are central to the course, as lecture will generally be used to explain and discuss the preceding lab. Each laboratory period includes a recitation period during which questions can be answered and concepts from the lab can be reviewed. Review your lab manual for lab policies and procedures.
MATERIALS
The text will be used to provide background information and to clarify points made during lecture. I recommend it highly as my lectures follow it fairly closely. The free On-line text – KimballÕs Biology Pages can be used in place of the text. It is excellent but does go into most topics in more depth than I will. Using it as a resource to supplement the lectures is the best approach. Additional handouts and web sites will be provided as needed.
Carmen is being used for this course to organize course material including grades, course syllabus, assignments and the pretest. Before you can use Carmen you must activate your OSU email account. The URL for Carmen is http://carmen.osu.edu/ and Biology 101 should be listed under My Courses on your Carmen homepage. The username is your OSU name.# and the password is the one you use with all OSU email and registration systems. If you have a problem logging in or using Carmen contact 688-HELP or carmen@osu.edu.
IMPORTANT: The CLSE and its course staff will only send email to your official OSU email account.
ABSENCES
If you must miss an exam for a university-sanctioned event, you must supply appropriate documentation to the Head TA, no less than one week before the event. If you are too ill to take an exam or must miss for another legitimate reason (the funeral of a family member, for example), please contact Adam Andrews (andrews.171@osu.edu) within 24 hours of the exam. Make up exams will be given only to students who produce, at the make up, documentation of a legitimate reason for missing an exam. Persons arriving late for exams will not be offered an exam after the first person has handed in a completed exam. The laboratory portion of this course is an integral part of the learning experience; missing two or more labs will result in the student being automatically assigned a failing grade for the course.
SECTION CHANGES
All section changes done at the Center for Life Sciences Education office between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The office is room 260 Jennings Hall. The lecturer and lab instructors are not authorized to sign change or add forms; these can only be obtained through the Center for Life Sciences Education office.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
OSU has a strict code of academic misconduct that requires us to report any and all cases of suspected misconduct (e.g. cheating on an exam, plagiarism in written assignments, using an exam proxy, etc.) to the OSU Committee on Academic Misconduct for adjudication. We will adhere to this policy.
ACCOMODATION OF SPECIAL NEEDS
Any students registered with the Office of Disability Services as needing accommodation should make an appointment with the course coordinator, Adam Andrews, to discuss those needs. Please do this within the first week of the term. Only the course coordinator is authorized to sign ODS forms. Please fill out those parts of the proctor sheet forms that are to be completed by the student before bringing the form for signature. This will help us ensure that your individual needs will be met appropriately and fairly.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
OSU and the Center for Life Sciences Education consider sexual harassment offenses to be unacceptable behaviors that disrupt opportunities for learning. While all members of the staff involved in this course have been trained in the OSU sexual harassment policies and procedures, this is not true for all OSU students. Please report any concerns about questionable or unwanted behavior to Dr. Baker or Mr. Andrews.
EVALUATION Grading Scale - Firm
|
POINTS |
Grade |
|
POINTS |
Grade |
|
500-465 |
A |
|
365-384 |
C |
|
450-464 |
A- |
|
350-364 |
C- |
|
435-449 |
B+ |
|
335-349 |
D+ |
|
415-434 |
B |
|
300-334 |
D |
|
400-414 |
B- |
|
<300 |
E |
|
385-399 |
C+ |
|
|
|
Exam 1 60 points
Exam 2 60 points
Final examination 120 points
In-class activities 6@5 pts each 30 points
On line Pretest 10 points
New York Times Project 40 points
Lab 180 points
Total 500 points
Total 500 points
Important Note: Carmen does not round averages up to the next nearest percentage point, so 92.11% and 92.97% both earn the grade of A-.
EXAM FORMAT – Each exam will be 30 multiple-choice questions worth 2 pts each. Only valid reasons (illness, death in the immediate family, etc.) for missing any examination will be considered and must be documented. For illness you must be seen by and receive written documentation from a professional health care practitioner on the day of the exam in order for a make up to be given. Persons arriving late will not be offered an exam after the first person has handed in a completed exam.
FINAL EXAM – The final is 60 multiple-choice questions and it is comprehensive. Approximately 40% of the exam will cover new material. The remaining questions will come from the first two exams. These will be reworded but will deal with the same principles. Thus reviewing the exams is highly recommended.
GROUP ACTIVITIES – These will be done in lecture mostly in your working groups formed in lab. Participation by all group members is required. Only the names of individuals who are present during the activity must be listed on the report sheets. There are no make-ups for in-class activities.
ON-LINE PRE-TEST – This will be completed via Carmen by the posted completion date. Responses will be recorded but scores will not be included in your grade. You will receive 10 pts for completing the test by the due date. Completion of the test after the due date will not earn credit. The purpose of the pre-test is to assist in structuring the lectures. It will also serve as practice questions for exams as it will remain online.
NEW YORK TIMES CLIPPINGS PROJECT – Each student group will be required to write a short summary on a ÔbiologicalÕ topic covered in the NYT during Summer Quarter. Students are encouraged to get a copy of the NYT via home delivery (see flier on Carmen), online, library, or dormitory and to scour it daily for the latest science news. More details on this assignment will be provided in lab/recitation.
LAB – There will be nine lab exercises each worth 20 points each. Labs are held on the ground floor of Jennings Hall in either room 074 or 080. Missing three or more labs will result in the student being automatically assigned a failing grade for the course. Students must contact their TA within two days of the original missed lab date. There is no opportunity for a make-up assignment if a student contacts her/his TA on the third day or later. Written verification is required for acceptance of all make-up work .
POSTING OF GRADES – All grades will be posted on Carmen. After grades are posted you have 10 working days to challenge any grade or inquire regarding an unposted or missing grade. After that time, grades are final. To challenge or inquire about a missing lab grade, in-class activity, or NYT Project grade contact your laboratory TA. To challenge or inquire about exam or exam grades contact Amy Kulesza at kulesza.5@osu.edu to set up an appointment to find your scantron.
LECTURE TOPICS FOR BIOLOGY 101
|
DAY |
DATE |
LECTURE TOPICS |
CHAPTER |
LABS |
|
1 |
June 17 |
INTRODUCTION LIVING THINGS VIDEO – ALTERNATIVE FIX |
1 (Review Ch 2 & 3 Basic Chemistry on your own) |
June 16-17 INTRODUCTION GROUP FORMATION
Ex 1 - How does science work? |
|
2 |
June 18 |
THE NATURE OF SCIENCE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
|
1 |
June 18-20 Ex 11 - How do molecules move in and out of a cell? |
|
3 |
June 19 |
CELL STRUCTURE and FUNCTION PRETEST DEADLINE – MIDNIGHT June 22nd |
4
|
|
|
4 |
June 24 |
FLOW OF ENERGY I |
5/6 |
June 23-24 Ex 12 - How do plants and yeast function? |
|
5 |
June 25 |
FLOW OF ENERGY II
|
6/7 |
June 25-27 Ex 7 - What is the structure of DNA and how do you get from a gene to a protein? |
|
6 |
June 26 |
DNA STRUCTURE FUNCTION
|
12 13 |
|
|
7 |
July 1 |
CONTROL OF GENE EXPRESSION EXAM 1 – Lectures 1-5 |
14 15 |
June 30-July 1 Ex 6 - How do organisms grow? |
|
8 |
July 2 |
BIOTECHNOLOGY |
|
July 2-4 NO LABS |
|
9 |
July 3 |
CELL REPRODUCTION CANCER |
8 9 |
|
|
10 |
July 8 |
INHERITANCE EXAM 2 – Lectures 6-9 |
10 |
July 7-8 Ex 2 - How do we categorize living things? |
|
11 |
July 9 |
EVOLUTION 1 |
13 16/17 |
July 9-11 Ex 3 - How does the environment select for characteristics of organisms? |
|
12 |
July 10 |
EVOLUTION 2 |
14 16/17 |
|
|
13 |
July 15 |
BIODIVERSITY 1 |
19 20 |
July 14-15 Ex 4 - How are plants, fungi, and protists related? |
|
14 |
July 16 |
BIODIVERSITY 2 |
21/22/23/24 |
July 18-19 |
|
15 |
July 17 |
FINAL EXAMINATION- 8:30 AM JE 001 |
COMPREHENSIVE |
|
