to Introduction Biology with Laboratory
BIO 155, Section 101, Fall Quarter 2010 Department of Biological Sciences DePaul University Lecture time/location: Mondays 1:00- 4:00 pm/ McGowan 149 Lab time/location: Wednesdays 1:00- 4:00 pm/ McGowan 149 Instructor Name: Office location: Office phone: Email address: Departmental phone: Departmental fax: Office hours: Dr. Jessica Pamment McGowan 111 312-369-7368 [e-mail] 312-369-7368 312-369-8075 M: 11:45 am-12:45 pm and available upon request
Required Text(s): Essential Biology by Campbell, Reese & Simon. Fourth edition. Publishers: Pearson Benjamin Cummings. ISBN 10: 0-321-65289-4 Laboratory Investigations for Biology, Jean Dickey. Second edition. Publishers: Pearson Benjamin Cummings. ISBN: 0-8053-6789-6. Other required materials: Check Blackboard for any additional reading assignments and announcements. The Blackboard website is http://www.oll.depaul.edu/. Course Description: This course is an introduction for non-scientists to the study of life at the molecular, cellular, and whole organism levels. It surveys cell structure and function, the principles of genetics, and the diversity of living organisms, including how they grow, how they evolve, and how they adapt. Through observation, experimentation, and interpretation of the living world during lab classes, students will develop an understanding of the biological functions that support life. The biological world will be studied emphasizing issues of every day importance to our society. General Science Objective: The objectives are to understand the basic principles of biology including : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The chemical foundation to biology The cell: differences and similarities between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells Respiration and photosynthesis The perpetuation of life: DNA replication, transcription, translation Viruses Biotechnology
This lists some of the material you should know and understand by the end of this quarter, but more importantly, the aim of this course is to highlight the importance of biology in our everyday lives. Learning about biology is basically learning about how you, and the world you live in, work. By having a good grasp of biology I believe you are better equipped to evaluate issues that will affect you throughout your lives. In summary, students will develop basic scientific literacy, understand the scientific method of inquiry and appreciate the impact of science on society. Grading and Evaluation: Exams = 50 % (25% each) Quizzes = 20 % Lab/homework = 30 % There will be one midterm and one final exam, a total of two exams. Each will be multiple-choice and may include short answer and essay questions based on readings and material presented during the lectures. The final exam mainly covers material presented after the midterm exam. There will be a total of three quizzes, consisting solely of multiple-choice questions. There will be a total of approximately 8 assignments. Please note that some are worth more points than others. Homework: assignments are based on work carried out during lab sessions. Assignments are due by the deadline indicated on each lab handout. If completed during lab class, you can leave the completed assignment with me as you leave the classroom. If you cant make it to class on the homework day is due, you have two options: i. ii. Send the homework to my digital drop box by midnight on the day it is due. Leave a hard copy in my mailbox, behind the door to Telesias office by 2 pm on the day it is due.
To send your assignments to the drop box, the document must be a word file. The drop box is found under course tools. Dont forget to press SUBMIT once you have attached your file. PLEASE DO NOT SEND HOMEWORK TO MY EMAIL ACCOUNT. Late homework will get graded as follows: you will get 80% credit one week past the due date. It wont get graded if it is one week past the due date. Attendance Policy: Missing class will have an adverse effect on the learning process and on your course grade. A sign in sheet will be passed around at each lecture/lab class.
Lecture Attendance: is strongly recommended but not required. Note that consistent class attendance will be favorably regarded when considering borderline grades at the end of the course (i.e. C+ versus B-). Lab Attendance: is required and there are no make-up labs. A missed lab will count as zero unless you have a valid medical or legal excuse (this is at the discretion of the instructor). You should be prepared to provide documentation to substantiate your emergency (note from your physician, police report, etc.) Arriving late or leaving prior to the end of a lab class is also unacceptable and will count as a zero. Please be aware that some lab classes are worth more points than others. If you know you are going to have to miss a lab class ahead of time, please speak with the instructor as early as possible to discuss being excused from that particular lab. Mandatory Lab Training All laboratory courses require students to complete the online lab safety training available at: https://www.itd.depaul.edu/auth/login.asp?prevURL=/InstructionBuilder/ To get to the training page, find section 101 of BIO155. Log in with your Campus Connect ID and password. The website allows you to start, save, and return later to complete it. Students who fail to complete the training by the deadline may be asked to drop the course. Academic Integrity: The course adheres to the Academic Integrity Policy at DePaul University. Please refer to the student handbook for information on the Academic Integrity Policy and related procedures. Any violations of academic integrity are subject to sanctions as dictated by current DePaul University policies. Electronic Devices: Audio or video recording of lectures or lab is prohibited. Students may not use laptops, MP3 players, cell phones or any other devices to record class. Exceptions will be allowed for students with disabilities given that proper documentation is provided to the instructor before the start of the first day of class. Text messaging is not allowed in the classroom. Students who have to use their cell phones for any reason during class must step outside the classroom. If you are expecting an emergency phone call, please sit close to the exit so you can step outside to take the call. Laptops may only be used for typing notes, they may NOT be used to surf the internet or to e-mail during class. No food is allowed in the labs, but you can snack outside the labs during breaks. Covered beverages are allowed but only during the lecture class on Mondays.