BIO 103-02
BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS I
FALL 2006
MWF 10:30-11:20 a.m.
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. B.W. WITZ
NazarethCollege
Department of Biology
Rochester, NY14618
(585) 389-2554
BIO 103-02
BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS I
FALL 2004
TIME & PLACE: MWF 10:30-11:20; SMYTH 225
OFFICE: SMYTH 202
OFFICE PHONE: (585) 389-2554
E-MAIL:
OFFICE HOURS: MWF 10:00-10:30 a.m. or by appointment
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
1. TEXTBOOK:Biology, Seventh Edition 2004. Neil A. Campbell & Jane B. Reece, Authors.
2. WRITING HANDBOOK:Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences. 3rd Edition. 2001. Victoria E. McMillan, Author
SUGGESTED MATERIAL:
- Notes to Accompany Campbell’s Biology. Brian W. Witz, Ph.D., Author.
PREREQUISITE: High School Biology and High School Chemistry
CO-REQUISITE: Bio 103L - Biological Systems Laboratory - You must be registered for this course concurrently with the lecture.
1
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Biological Systems I is a Perspectives I course designed primarily for biology, physical therapy, nursing, and chemistry majors. It is the first semester course in a two-semester sequence that introduces students to the science of biology. Emphasis will be given to topics such as fundamental biochemistry, the structure and physiology of cells, cell reproduction, nucleic acids, introductory genetics, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, protein synthesis, evolution, and the biology of unicellular organisms. The chapters in the textbook should be read before coming to lecture. Note taking and/or audiotaping during my lectures is encouraged as I occasionally may add material not specifically detailed in your textbook. My lectures will focus upon items in bold print in your textbook, however, you are responsible for all textbook and lecture material unless I specify otherwise. You should have taken and passed high school biology and high school chemistry to take this course. A score of 80 or above on the NYS Regents Biology Examination is the recommended level of proficiency. If you do not plan a career in some science discipline (e.g., nursing, physical therapy, medicine, professional biology, chemistry) this course probably is not for you. A non-science major course entitled ContemporaryBiology (Bio 111) is available for non-majors who desire a less rigorous exposure to biology. A rule of thumb for the effort required to do well in this course is that for every hour spent in lecture, the student should devote a minimum of 2-3 independent study hours. For a course that meets three hours per week, this translates into a minimum of 6-9hours/week devoted to studying the material above and beyond the time spent in class (I’m not kidding here). Substantially more study time is required prior to an examination. Because many of you are first time college students, the transition from high school to college may prove quite challenging. Such a transition is made easier if you accept the fact that the level of academic sophistication required in college is much greater than that which you were accustomed to in high school; you need to adjust your level of commitment and dedication accordingly. Please come to see me if you are having difficulty with this adjustment to college academics. This is a rigorous course but it can be highly instructive (and fun) for anyone; particularly for those who plan to continue their career in any biology-related discipline. I hope you enjoy this course as much as I enjoy teaching it. Welcome.
STATEMENT ON STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY:If you are a student with a documented disability that requires special accommodation, please notify the instructor as soon as possible.
STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC HONESTY:Students are expected to do their own original work within the confines of the course objectives and evaluation procedures. The expectation is that students will act in accordance with the Nazareth College Policy on Academic Integrity, which can be found in the Student Policies and Procedures Handbook.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
1. To describe the scientific method of inquiry.
2. To describe the details of the chemical and cellular basis for life.
3. To outline the hierarchy of organization in organisms.
4.To describe the biochemical/energetic mechanisms involved in the maintenance and reproduction of cells.
5.To discuss the genetic mechanisms involved in heredity.
6. To discuss the influence of both microevolutionary and macroevolutionary processes on the history of life on earth.
7.To list the unique characteristics of viruses, bacteria, and protists
You must earn a grade of C- or better to continue with the next Biology Department course in your academic program. For Biology/Environmental Science/Chemistry students, that next course is Biological Systems II (Bio 104/104L); for Nursing/Physical Therapy students, that course is Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Bio 150/150L). The core curriculum of our department is organized around the central themes of cell biology, organismal biology, and ecology. A detailed list of course objectives can be found by following the link to the biology department course offerings on the NazarethCollege web page.
UNIT EXAMINATIONS: Two unit examinations will be given during the course, one before and one after the midterm examination. Each examination will cover approximately 6-8 chapters in the textbook. Each examination will consist of multiple choice questions and will be scored on a 100-point scale. Failure to take an examination will result in a grade of zero for that test.
MIDTERM EXAMINATION: There will be a cumulative midterm examination that will cover all material discussed in lecture prior to this test. Special emphasis will be placed on the material covered since the first unit examination. This test will be in the same format as that of the unit examinations.
FINAL EXAMINATION: The cumulative final examination is taken during final's week (specific date/time TBA) and it will cover all material discussed in lecture, with special emphasis on the material covered after the second unit examination. This test will be in the same format as that of the unit examinations. You must pass this examination to pass the course.
1
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: One of the most important aspects of biological investigation is the ability to communicate ideas, results, observations, and conclusions to peers; writing is the most effective method for accomplishing this goal. Biology 103 is a vehicle to help students develop the skills needed to communicate with their future professional colleagues in writing. Avoid plagiarism (a particularly offensive form of cheating) at all costs. If you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism, please ask me for clarification. The following three writing projects must be completely successfully to pass this course:
1.Bibliography - Each student will generate and submit a bibliography on a specific topic in biology. Please submit your topic of choice by Friday, September 15as an attached MS Word document via e-mail for my approval. The following three sources in the Nazareth College Library may be helpful to identify references: the on-line catalog (for books); Info-Trac (for current scientific periodicals); and printed bibliographies such as Index Medicus for more specialized references. This bibliography should be typewritten in the format described inWriting Papers in the Biological Sciences(use the “Name-Year” system, NOT the “number” system and the CSE style). It should include a minimum of 10 current (within the past 5 years), published, peer-reviewed references (no Internet URLs, organizations as authors, or anonymous references, and a maximum of 3 textbook references; if both electronic and print versions are available, use the print version). You must provide me with a copy of the title page of each article/textbook, to be handed in to me in class. Encyclopedia, newspaper, magazine, and Science News references are not acceptable. The bibliography is due by noon Wednesday, October 11. This list of references will form the basis for the next two projects, so choose your topic carefully and include the name of your topic on the coversheet of your bibliography. Chapter 2 in Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences provides information on how to choose and research a topic.
2.Research Proposal - Each student will prepare a short paper proposing a topic for the term paper based on the bibliography described above. The proposal should be typed, double-spaced with 1" margins all around, and a 10-point, legible (no script) font. Do not put more than two spaces between paragraphs. The proposal should be no longer than 2 pages in length. In your paper, 1) describe the rationale for choosing your particular topic, 2) delineate the specifics of how it will be developed, and 3) discuss the potential conclusions you expect to reach. This assignment is due by noonFriday, November 3.
3.Term Paper - Each student will investigate and review a biological topic in a 5-page term paper (excluding the title page, Literature Cited section, and any tables or figures; no bulleted or numbered lists), expanding upon the information in the bibliography and research proposal described above. Please number each page of text. The paper should be typed and double-spaced with 1" margins all around, and a 10-point, legible font. Do not put more than two spaces between paragraphs. Use Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences as a guide for the preparation, format, and composition of this paper. The section entitled Writing a Review Paper is particularly pertinent. Be sure to cite literature in the text using the Name-Year format and CSE style described in McMillan, and include a Literature Cited section at the end of your paper with a minimum of 10 current references. Check to be sure that all references in this section have been cited in the text, and that all citations in the text appear in the Literature Cited section. Structure your paper according to the guidelines on the last page of this syllabus, and staple those guidelines to the last page of your paper. I will evaluate your paper based on your adherence to these guidelines.This assignment is due by noonMonday, December 6. I will not accept late papers, and the student will receive a grade of “0” for this assignment if the paper is late.
REGRADES – Re-grade requests for any test or assignment must be in writing and no later than one week from the time the graded test or assignment is returned to the student. It is the student’s responsibility to check over all exams/assignments after they are returned for any grading errors or disagreement with the stated answer.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance in the lecture is mandatory. No makeup examinations will be given without a valid written excuse (e.g., note from physician, copy of police report, etc.). Students who are absent for more than 3 consecutive days must notify the Academic Advisement Office. The instructor will report excessive absences and/or poor academic performance in writing to the Academic Advisement Office. Students who will be away from class for scheduled academic activities (class related field trips, attendance at programs required by faculty, etc.) or College-approved intercollegiate activities, are expected to report the anticipated absences to me in advance, in writing. Students are responsible for making up all work missed. Make-up examinations will be given no later than 1 week after the missed examination and they will be in the essay format. It is your responsibility to contact me and arrange for a make-up examination. It is both required and courteous to come to class on time and remain in the class for the full duration of my lecture. If you find yourself falling asleep in class, perhaps you should re-examine your priorities.
INTERACTIVE COURSE WEB SITES:
- Blackboard - I have set up an interactive course web site using Blackboard. You will be automatically enrolled in the blackboard site for my lecture course. I will post pertinent web site URLs, and other information here. You will also be able to access your test scores and final grade at this site. You should be automatically enrolled on this website. You can access the site by clicking on the blackboard link from the “Quick Links” drop down menu on the NazarethCollege home page (
- CourseCompass -We will also be using the Course Compass website ( The instructions for accessing and using this website are located in the packet included in your textbook. The CourseCompass ID# for the class is witz58498.Please register in CourseCompass Immediately.You will need the student access code that came with your textbook. If you didn’t purchase the textbook that came with the access code, you can either purchase an access code on line (go to coursecompass.com, then click on “Register” under the “Student” area), or a stand alone access code package at the Nazareth Bookstore. You will be required to take a chapter quiz for each chapter that we cover during the semester BEFORE I begin to discuss that chapter in lecture. I will calculate an average for all Course Compass quizzes, and this average will be equivalent to one unit test in your final grade calculation.
GRADING: You are required to take all four examinations, all CourseCompass quizzes, and complete all writing requirements to be eligible to pass this course. Attendance/attentiveness in class may be used as additional criteria to evaluate borderline students. The final grade will be calculated as follows:
Unit Examination 110%
Midterm Examination20%
Unit Examination 210%
CourseCompass Quizzes10%
Final Examination30%
Bibliography 5%
Research Proposal 5%
Term Paper10%
TOTAL100%
IMPORTANT DATES:
Fri, Sept 1Last date to drop/add course w/o “W” grade
Fri, Sept 15Topic for semester research project due
Wed, Oct 11Bibliography due
Wed, Oct 18Mid-semester grades for freshman turned in to Registrar's office.
Fri, Nov 3Research Proposal due
Mon, Oct30Last date for withdrawing from course w/o “F”
Mon, Dec 4Term Paper due by noon
Fri, Dec 8Regular Classes End
Mon-Fri, Dec 11-16Final examinations week
HOLIDAYS:
Mon, Sept 4Labor Day; no class
Thurs-Fri, Oct 5-6Semester Reading Days; no class
Mon-Fri, Nov 20-24Thanksgiving Recess; no class
CHEATING POLICY:You cheat-you fail (this includes plagiarism). No exceptions.
Note: This is a tentative syllabus. The instructor reserves the right to alter or change it at his discretion. I will make every attempt to notify the class in advance of any proposed changes.
BIO 103-02 COURSE SCHEDULE – F’06
CHAPTER # AND TITLE
/ DATE1. Exploring Life / 8/28 M
2. The Chemical Context of Life / 8/30 W
3. Water & the Fitness of the Environment / 9/1 F
No Classes - LABOR DAY - Monday, September 4
4. Carbon & the Molecular Diversity of Life / 9/6 W
5. Structure & Function of Macromolecules / 9/8 F, 9/11 M
8. Introduction to Metabolism / 9/13 W
FIRST UNIT EXAMINATION - CHAPTERS 1-5 & 8 / 9/15 F
6. A Tour of the Cell / 9/18 M & 9/20 W
7. Membrane Structure & Function / 9/22F
9. Cellular Respiration / 9/25 M & 9/27 W
10. Photosynthesis / 9/29 F & 10/2 M
12. The Cell Cycle / 10/4 W
No Classes –Reading Days - Thursday, 10/5 & Friday 10/6
MIDTERM EXAMINATION - CHAPTERS 1-10 & 12 / 10/9 M
13. Meiosis & Sexual Life Cycles / 10/11 W
14. Mendel & the Gene Idea / 10/13 F & 10/16 M
15. The Chromosome Basis of Inheritance / 10/18 W, 10/20 F
16. The Molecular Basis of Inheritance / 10/23 M
17. From Gene to Protein / 10/25 W &10/27 F
18. The Genetics of Viruses & Bacteria / 10/30 M & 11/1 W
19. Eukaryotic Genomes: Organization, Regulation, & Evolution / 11/3 F
20. DNA Technology & Genomics / 11/6 M
SECOND UNIT EXAMINATION - CHAPTERS 13-19 / 11/8 W
22. Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life / 11/10 F
23. The Evolution of Populations / 11/13 M
24. The Origin of Species / 11/15 W & 11/17 F
No Classes - THANKSGIVING RECESS - Mon-Fri, 11/20-11/24
25. Phylogeny & Systematics / 11/27 M
26. The Tree of Life: An Introduction to Biological Diversity / 11/29 W
27. Prokaryotes / 12/1 F, 12/4 M
28. Protists / 12/6 W & 12/8 F
CUMULATIVE FINAL EXAMINATION - DATE/TIME TBA
RESEARCH PAPER EVALUATION
NAME: ______GRADE: ______
TOPIC: ______
I.ORGANIZATION (25%)
A. ______Goal clearly and specifically stated in the introduction (5).
B. ______Writer's plan for developing ideas and reaching goal clearly stated in the introduction (5).
C. ______Paper includes clearly identified (labeled) introduction, development, and conclusion sections (5).
D. ______Paper follows its developmental plan (5).
E. ______Paper achieves its stated goal (5).
II. TECHNICAL PRESENTATION (25%)
A.______Spelling, capitalization, punctuation, wrong words, wordiness, etc. (4).
B.______Correct sentence construction (e.g. subject-verb agreement, no misplaced modifiers, etc.) (5).
C.______Paragraphs organized around a clear topic (4).
D.______Paragraphs arranged in a logical sequence (4).
E.______Reference number and type are appropriate and correctly cited as per McMillan (Name-Year format) (4).
F.______Paper shows evidence of being proofread (4).
III.CONTENT (50%)
A.______Facts accurately presented (8).
B.______Facts presented are comprehensive (complete) (10).
C.______Facts, concepts, and speculations handled with understanding & logic (8).
D.______Facts, concepts, and speculations presented support overall development (8).
E. ______Writer distinguishes between his/her ideas and those of others, and avoids use of quotations by paraphrasing (8).
F. ______Page limit adhered to (5 pages of text) (6).
G ______Grading rubric sheet attached and complete (2)
Helpful Information About The Grading Rubric For The Term Paper
I. A. In your introduction, you should include a sentence that begins with “The goal of this paper is to……”
I. B. This should be an outline, in paragraph format, of how you plan to structure your paper. For example, you might include sentences like “First, I will define ….”. “The next section of my paper will include a discussion of ….”. “In the third section of my paper,I will….”. “The final section of my paper will…”.
I. C. I expect to see all three sections labeled using bold type face.
II. A. Please run a spell and grammar check in MS Word on your document. These functions will not catch all errors, but it’s a good start.
II. B,C,D, F. Proof reading, at least 3-times, should catch nearly all of these problems. You may want to submit your paper to the Nazareth College Writing Center (Golisano Academic Center, Room 495 • 585/389-2636) prior to submitting it if you are having difficulty or if you just want an individual trained in writing skill development to examine your paper. I will not examine your paper prior to submission.
II. E. Please follow the “Name-Year” format described in McMillan’s “Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences”. If a journal is available in both print and electronic version, use the print version for your citation.
III. E. Don’t quote, unless absolutely necessary. Remember that when you submit quoted material, you are submitting something that was written by someone else…not you; paraphrase, using your own words, in the overwhelming majority of cases.