CELL 1010-02 Intro to Cell and Molecular Biology - Fall 2016

Class Schedule: TR, 11.00AM – 12.15PM, Goldring/Woldenberg Hall II - 1111

Instructor: Dr. Meenakshi Vijayaraghavan

Office: 4006 Percival Stern Hall

Phone: (504)862-3154

email:

Office Hours: Dr. V: Mon., and Wed., - 10-11 AM; appt.

Catalog Description:

A study of phenomenology and fundamental concepts that apply to all living

systems. Major topics include: cell biology, physiology, genetics, and development.

Credit hours:3

Pre- requisites: None

Course Description:

This course aims to impart knowledge of the general principles

of biology, chemical basis of life, general features, structures, functions

and physiology of the cell, cytogenetics, and microbial genetics. It

meets the core requirement for a major in cell and molecular

biology (CMB) , biomedical engineering (BME), neuroscience (NSCI),

and ecology and evolutionarybiology (EBIO)

CMB BS Program outcomes:

  • Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to apply a broad knowledge of cellular phenomena and molecular mechanisms
  • Students will be able to solve biological problems through experimentation, which includes the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data.
  • Students will be able to communicate scientific information precisely and effectively.
  • Students will be able to critically read and evaluate scientific resources.

BME BS Program Outcomes:

  • Students will be able to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
  • Students will be able to function on interdisciplinary teams.
  • Students will understand professional and ethical responsibility.
  • Students will be able to communicate effectively.
  • Students will recognize the need for and be able to engage in life-long learning.
  • Students will know contemporary issues.

Neuroscience BS Program Outcomes:

  • Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical bases of nerve cell activity and the consequences for physiological and behavioral functions.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the Scientific Method, including hypothesis generation and testing, experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.
  • Students will be able to communicate scientific information effectively both orally and in the written form.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology BS Program Outcomes:

  • Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to use a variety of resources and techniques to acquire, evaluate, and communicate scientific evidence.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate oral and written communication skills for careers in environmental science and related disciplines.

Course Specific Learning Outcomes:

  • Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to list the properties of life
  • explain the general principles of biology
  • describe the difference between discovery-based and hypothesis-based research
  • label the parts of a cell
  • list the general features, structures, functions and physiology of the cell
  • differentiate and explain a prokaryotic cell from a eukaryotic one
  • explain the laws of heredity
  • explain patterns of inheritance

Textbook:

Biology–Chemistry, Cells, and Genetics (3rd ed.) by Robert J. Brooker, Eric P. Widmaier, Linda E. Graham, and Peter D. Stiling.

Grading:

Homework 10%

Three midterm exams at 20% each 60%

Comprehensive final examination 30%

____

Final grade 100%

93.33 / A
90 / A– / 93.33
86.67 / B+ / 90
83.33 / B / 86.67
80 / B– / 83.33
76.67 / C+ / 80
73.33 / C / 76.67
70 / C– / 73.33
66.67 / D+ / 70
63.33 / D / 66.67
60 / D– / 63.33
F / 60

Attendance,Homework, andReading:

Attendance will be taken; if you miss too many classes (>3) your grade will be reduced one

level (E.g. A to A-)as will be the case when you use cell phones to receive or send

voice or text messages. Tardiness in class is not tolerated as is leaving early

during the lecture. At the discretion of the instructor, homework quizzes will be posted on

Connect (McGraw Hill) for a scheduled time. If more than three quizzes aremissed and or not

completed, there will be a letter grade reduction. Syllabus and class schedule are posted on

the Blackboard website – The tentative lecture topics and

assigned textbook readings are given below.

Tentative Class Schedule – TR (11.00 AM - 12:15 PM)

Date / Topic / Reading
August
30 / An Introduction to Biology / Chapter 1
September
1 / Biology as a scientific discipline / Chapter 1
6 / The Chemical Basis of Life I / Chapter 2
8 / The Chemical Basis of Life I / Chapter 2
13 / The Chemical Basis of Life II / Chapter 3
15 / General Features of Cells / Chapter 4
20 / General Features of Cells / Chapter 4
22 / EXAM - I
27 / Membrane Structure, Synthesis, and Transport / Chapter 5
29 / Membrane Structure, Synthesis, and Transport / Chapter 5
October
4 / Membrane Structure, Synthesis, and Transport / Chapter 5
6 / Energy, Enzymes, and Metabolism / Chapter 6
11 / Energy, Enzymes, and Metabolism / Chapter 6
13 / Fall Break
18 / Cellular Respiration, Fermentation, and Secondary Metabolism / Chapter 7
20 / Cellular Respiration, Fermentation, and Secondary Metabolism / Chapter 7
25 / EXAM - II
27 / Chapter 7, Photosynthesis / Chapters 7, 8
November
1 / Photosynthesis / Chapter 8
3 / Cell Communication / Chapter 9
8 / Cell Communication / Chapter 9
10 / Multicellularity / Chapter 10
15 / The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle, Chromosome Structure, Mitosis, / Chapters 11,15
17 / The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle, Mitosis, and Meiosis / Chapter 15
22 / Exam- III
24 / Thanksgiving Holiday
29 / Chapter 15, Simple Patterns of Inheritance / Chapters 15, 16
December
1 / Simple and Complex Patterns of Inheritance / Chapters 16, 17
6 / Nucleic Acid Structure, DNA Replication / Chapters 11
8 / Genetics of Viruses and Bacteria / Chapter 18
16 / Final Exam – 8- 10AM

Missed Exam:

All exams are expected to be taken at the scheduled date and time. Score in a missed exam

will be recorded as zero. No make-up exam will be given. The final exam must be taken at

the assigned time (16th December, 8:00 - 10 AM)andwith the section registered. Please do

not schedule early flights, vacations, etc before the final exam date/day for the course and

section you have registered under as you will not be allowed to take the exam with another

section for this course.

Code of Academic Conduct: This Code applies to all undergraduate students, full-time, and part-time, in Tulane University. The full text is available at: By accepting admission to Tulane University, each student accepts its regulations and acknowledges the right of the university to take disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, for conduct judged unsatisfactory or disruptive. The student has the right to be heard at an Honor Beard hearing and retains the right to appeal a decision of the Honor Board hearing panel.

Graduate Students are subject to the Unified Code of Graduate Student Academic Conduct.

Accessibility statement: Any student with disabilities or other special needs is invited to bring these concerns or requests for special accommodations to the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility. Once accommodations are approved by the Goldman Center staff, the student is encouraged to notify the instructor as early in the semester as possible to avoid unnecessarily delaying accommodations. or (504-8)62-8433

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Because this class needs to be a participatory community where students are able to fulfill their potential for learning, people who disrupt the community by their words or actions will not be tolerated. Rude, sarcastic, obscene, and disrespectful speech and disruptive behavior have a negative impact on everyone’s learning.