Biology 101, Sect 1 Dr. Jean DeSaix DRAFT
11 TuTh 100 GSB Spring 2016 962-1068 (302 Coker) 929-1580 (Home)
DATE SUBJECT READING: chapters and modules
Th / 14 Jan / 2 / Molecules / 3 (2 is optional review)
Tu / 19 Jan / 3 / Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes / 16: only modules 16.1-16.11
Th / 21 Jan / 4 / Cell Structure / 4
Tu / 26 Jan / 5 / Cell Function/Transport / 5
Th / 28 Jan / 6 / Harvesting Energy / 6
Tu / 2 Feb / 7 / Photosynthesis / 7
Th / 4 Feb / 8 / Test I (includes syllabus & Sakai / & Understanding Science Site)
Tu / 9 Feb / 9 / Cell Cycle, Mitosis & Meiosis / 8, 11.12-11.19
Th / 11 Feb / 10 / Meiosis / 8
Tu / 16 Feb / 11 / Introduction to Inheritance / 9
Th / 18 Feb / 12 / Inheritance, continued / 9
Tu / 23 Feb / 13 / Introduction to DNA / 10.1-10.15
Th / 25 Feb / 14 / Protein Synthesis / 10
Tu / 1 Mar / 15 / Gene Regulation / 11.1-11.11
Th / 3 Mar / 16 / Test II
Tu / 8 Mar / 17 / Evolution, Population Genetics / 13
Th / 10 Mar / 18 / Human Genome / No assignment
SPRING BREAK
Tu / 22 Mar / 19 / Speciation / 14
Th / 24 Mar / 20 / Adaptations (a hodge-podge) / 15.3, .4, .10-.19; 20.1,.2, .12-.15
Tu / 29 Mar / 21 / Endocrine System / 26
Th / 31 Mar / 22 / Animal Reproduction / 27
Tu / 5 Apr / 23 / Reproductive Hormones / 27
Th / 7 Apr / 24 / Test III
Tu / 12 Apr / 25 / Plant Reproduction, Development / 31.9-15, 33.1-9
Th / 14 Apr / 26 / Biosphere / 34.1-4, also 34.9-34.18
Tu / 19 Apr / 27 / Population Ecology / 36 & 37
Th / 21 Apr / 28 / Community & Ecosystem Ecology / 37
Tu / 26 Apr / 29 / Behavior / 35
Fri / 29 Ap / FINAL EXAM / Noon in GSB 100 (same room)
Required Resources: Campbell Concepts and Connections, 8e ModifiedMasteringBiology, the web based homework and study site with Learning Catalytics must be included. See Sakai.unc.edu for how to sign into MB. All course materials including your notes and assignments are covered by University Copyright Policy, @ http://www.unc.edu/campus/policies/copyright%20policy%2000008319.pdf 4 Jan 2016
Office Hours: 302 Coker Tuesday & Wednesdays 2:30-3:30 and other times by appointment
Course Materials: Text, Homework and classroom response materials listed above.
The ebook is recommended because:
ModifiedMastering Biology: You must register for ModifiedMasteringBiology by going to the website http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/northamerica/ and then join our course Course ID desaix57131, by the first day because homework will begin the first day. Instructions for registering for our course on MasteringBiology are on Sakai.unc.edu. Homework will make up 8% of your grade or 32 of 400 total course points. You will also have access to our in-class response system, Learning Catalytics, through MasteringBiology.
Sakai: You must log in to our course site at Sakai.unc.edu in order to find this syllabus as well as information such as textbook purchasing information and registration directions for the ModifiedMasteringBiology homework site.
Learning Catalytics: In class we will use Learning Catalytics which is a web-based student questioning system. This is part of the package with ModifiedMasteringBiology and your ebook. You are registered for Learning Catalytics when you register for MasteringBiology. I will give you a particular “session ID” for each class period as we use it in class. You need a web-based (wi-fi enabled) device (smart phone or laptop) each day to use this system. Your Learning Catalytics work will count 2% of your grade or 8 points of 400 points. In-class activities will often be targeted at parts of the material that, in my experience, students have most difficulty with. Targeting misconceptions in class offers the greatest opportunity for getting it right by test time. Learning research tells us that getting answers wrong and reasoning to determine why they are wrong results in quality long-term learning. One researcher refers to this as “desirable difficulties” (See “Getting it Wrong” under Helpful Resources on Sakai). The assigned reading and Mastering Biology homework you do before class, and following reading chapters are necessary preparation for in-class activities.
Notecards: At times we will do activities with work to turn in on index cards. Each day, bring at least several 3X5 notecards. Torn sheets of paper are not acceptable. Borrow a card or ask a classroom helper for one if necessary.
Laptops: Some days we will use laptops. If at least half the class has a laptop, that will be enough for group work. Keep your laptops “on task” since going to other sites distracts you and those around you.
Course Grading: Tests: Each test will be 30 multiple choice questions worth 3 points for 90 points total. Scores will be reported at points, not percent. If a test is missed with acceptable excuse, the other 2 tests will be averaged to make up the missing grade. If you miss a test, you must HANDWRITE an excuse for yourself explaining what circumstance beyond your control caused you to be absent. You must give that note to me in class. There is no option to drop a grade and there is no extra credit. Tests are not cumulative. Potential grading mistakes must be discussed before the next test. Compare your Onyen.unc.edu (bottom of the page) grade with the score you get by checking your answers with the Test Key posted on Sakai. We have never found a mistake on a machine scored test, but you have the right to be sure you’re not the first. For each of the first two tests and after the third test I will give you an estimated letter grade scale based on points out of 90. I do not have a pre-determined scale (such as 80-90 points is an A), although the class scale is usually similar to a 10 Percentage point scale. The final exam, in this room, will also be worth 90 points (but will probably be 45 questions), and will be cumulative. Tests and final will each count equally and will, together, make up 90% (360 points) of your grade. Where does the other 10% come from? (see above if you missed it)
In Biology, the grade of C is average. In other words the average student will get a C. More students will get a C than will get any other grade. It is not a bad thing to be an average Carolina student and get a C in Biology 101. It should not dissuade you from majoring in biology or continuing in science if you did as well as the average Carolina student.
Homework: Course ID desaix57131 There will be homework on Mastering Biology (see the Sakai site under the course materials folder for how to sign into the site) related to the reading in the book each evening in preparation for class. The program is keyed to your book and you will benefit greatly from using it. Each class period’s homework will be due at 11:59 the night before to help you be sure you have learned the material needed to complete class activities. Homework assignments do not show up until about a week before we cover any specific topic. The homework has a time and day that it is due with no credit for late work, so since your time and the program’s time may not sync exactly, plan to get it finished and submitted well before the time it is due. I recommend that you not begin any homework later than 10pm on the evening it is due. Aim to have it done 12 hours in advance. This homework is generally not hard and is meant more to offer additional learning than to “test” you. If you just scoot through the homework rather than using it to review your reading, you are missing the value of an important learning tool. The introductory assignment is designed to familiarize you with how MB works and the kinds of questions you might see.
If you have computer difficulties with MB, try a different browser or a different computer. If all else fails, contact tech support for the program (a link on each page) or UNC ITS help desk because I am not able to help with computer issues If you email me before 10:15 pm on an evening that a homework is due to tell me you are having technology problems, I will extend your deadline. Otherwise, there is a 100% penalty for late work. A mishap in your life the evening a homework is due will not be a reason to extend your deadline since your time management should involve getting the homework done well in advance. Some students actually set alarms on their phones to remind themselves each Monday and Wednesday afternoon that they must complete a homework.
Everything about the homework program and the ModifiedMastering Biology website is copyright. I remind you of the agreement you sign when you register for the MB program which indicates:
Login credentials (login name/username and password) may not be shared with others or otherwise disclosed to unauthorized third parties for any purpose whatsoever.
Except as you may be expressly permitted by this Agreement, you may not use, modify, adapt, reformat, download, upload, post, reproduce, broadcast, publish, display, perform, transfer or redistribute any Materials in any form, format or media or by means of any technology without obtaining the prior written authorization of Pearson and any other owner of the Intellectual Property Rights in such Materials.
You may not reproduce, use, sell, transmit, publish, broadcast, or otherwise disseminate or distribute Materials from the Website to anyone, including but not limited to others in the same company, school, college or other organization, whether or not for a charge or other consideration, including but not limited to use in with "course packets" or with courses which do include the Website part of the curriculum.
You may not post Materials from the Website [including your answers to any homework or test questions provided by the Website] to newsgroups, mail lists, electronic bulletin boards, [homework sites, content aggregators, file storage services] or any other on-line destination.
You may not reproduce any illustrations, charts, photographs, outlines, extensive text excerpts, chapters, or e-books included in the Materials for any use outside of the class with which the Website is being used.
Any breach of this agreement is punishable in a court of law as well as in Honor Court. To be clear, sharing answers with others or receiving answers from others is a breach of the honor code.
The reading and the homework are designed to be sure that you are familiar with the material before you come to class. You should know the general concepts and the terminology. This will allow us to use class time to expand on difficult points and to give you practice working with concepts from the lesson.
Class Policies: My assumption is you will be in class every day unless something serious comes up in your life to prevent it. There will certainly be questions on tests that come from in-class material that is not in the book. We will also do in-class exercises using Learning Catalytics which will count toward your grade. When you are in class be respectful of your classmates. Keep your laptop on topic (not on Facebook) and your comments to yourself or the class as a whole, not your neighbor.
In case of bad weather, our class will not meet if city busses are not operating.
Course Copyright Information:
All course materials including your notes and assignments are covered by University Copyright Policy, @http://www.unc.edu/campus/policies/copyright%20policy%2000008319.pdf which indicates
"STUDENT WORKS THAT CONSTITUTE NOTES OF CLASSROOM AND LABORATORY LECTURES AND EXERCISES SHALL NOT BE USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES BY THE STUDENT GENERATING SUCH NOTES." What this means is that you are in violation of the law (and the honor code) if you post any course materials for use by others or download any material for your own use or share your notes or any other course materials with anyone not directly affiliated with this class. Sharing your notes directly with other individuals in the class is fine.
How to be successful in this course
· Read the assigned reading for each class before coming to class.
· Read your chapter carefully before completing the MasteringBiology homework.
· Check Sakai for announcements every day. There are also study tips and helpful websites there.
· Check MasteringBiology the day before each class to see if new assignments have been posted. New assignments will appear throughout the semester, generally the week before they are due.
· Come to every class and take notes to include what is on the slides and what is said about them.
· Be sure your in-class behavior enhances your learning and that of those around you. Talk to classmates before class. Exchange names and phone numbers. Do not talk to classmates after class has started unless it is part of a group activity. If whispers of others bother you, ask them to be quiet. If you find you must arrive after the beginning of class or leave before the end, sit near the door. Do not walk down aisles or come to the front of the room while others are trying to pay attention, this is disruptive to the class and the instructor.