Exploring Biology BCOR 011 Section C, Fall 2015 Syllabus

Exploring Biology BCOR 011 Section C,
Fall 2015 Syllabus
Dr. Jill Preston
UVM Plant Biology Department
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: Mon, 3.30-4.30 pm and Wed 3.30-4.30 pm by email appointment
Office location: 311 Jeffords Hall
Laboratory Coordinator:
Dr. Pedro Alvarez-Ortiz
107 Jeffords
Office Hours: by appt.
Phone: 656-9976
E-mail: [email protected]
Course Coordinator:
Laura Newman
118 Marsh Life Science Bldg
Office hours: T/Th 9:00-4:30
Phone: 656-5801
E-mail: [email protected]
COURSE DESCRIPTION
BCOR 11 will cover topics in chemistry of life, cell structure and function, cellular
reproduction, energy metabolism, and physiology of plants and animals. All readings
referred to here are chapters within the assigned text, which is Principles of Life 2e by
Hillis et al. Other readings may be assigned and will be posted on blackboard
(bb.uvm.edu).
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the semester of BCOR 011, students will be able to…
• articulate how biological processes work using the appropriate terminology.
• identify new properties that emerge in biological systems from cells to organisms.
• recognize and utilize the scientific method.
• convert data into a summary figure, identify pattern, and use pattern to support a
conclusion.
REQUIRED TEXTS
1. Hillis, D. M., D. Sadava, R. W. Hill and M. V. Price. 2014. Principles of Life, 2nd
edition. Sinauer Associates.
2. Online access to LaunchPad (www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpadhillis2e) This
is included with new textbook purchases.
3. Knisely, K. 2009. A student handbook for writing in biology, 3rd ed. Sinauer
Associates.
4. Laboratory Manual for BCOR 11 (available at the UVM Bookstore in early
September).
REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY
• Blackboard: There is a Blackboard site for our lecture section, as well as a site for
1 your individual lab section. We will use the Blackboard site to post
announcements, powerpoint slides, and review materials, as well as for weekly
exam-preparation question sets. Please make sure you can find and access
blackboard right away in case you encounter problems: if you do, let your
instructor know right away and we’ll work on finding a solution.
• iClickers: We will be using the iClicker system for interactive questions throughout
the semester. iClickers can be purchased at the bookstore if you do not already
have one. To use your iClicker, you will need to REGISTER your iClicker ID
(the number under the barcode on the back) within Blackboard (there is a remote
registration link on the left sidebar of the lecture site). You cannot receive points
for your participation until you have registered!
GRADING
Important note: In order to pass this course, you must achieve a passing grade in BOTH
the lecture and laboratory portions of the class. Please don’t use high performance in
one part to justify less effort in the other!
There will be three midterm exams and a cumulative final exam in this course. The point
breakdown is as follows:
Hourly exams (3 exams @ 100 pts each, lowest exam weighted at 50%) 250 pts
Cumulative Final
200 pts
Launchpad Assignments*
100 pts
iClicker questions*
25 pts
Pre-lecture questions*
25 pts
Laboratory
200 pts
Total
800 pts
*Scores on these assignments will be scaled as necessary so they contribute the correct number of points.
The three in-class exams will be on September 30, October 30, and November 20.
The third exam is on the Friday before Thanksgiving break, so please plan to be in class
that day. We will not give make-up exams just because you want to start your vacation
early. The final exam will be cumulative, however approximately one half of the final
will be weighted toward material covered the last quarter of the semester. Do not make
travel arrangements to leave campus before the date of the final exam! No electronic
devices are allowed during exams (including calculators). Dates for the midterm exams
and the final can be found on the lecture schedule.
Barring extraordinary circumstances, THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS and midterm
and final exams will not be rescheduled to accommodate travel plans during the semester.
2 The only legitimate excuse for rescheduling an exam is if you have three exams
scheduled on one day, you have a documented medical condition or other emergency, or
you are required to be off-campus for a university sponsored event or religious holiday.
In such cases you may schedule to take the exam early, but not late. Discuss such exam
conflicts with your instructor as soon as possible!
LAUNCHPAD HOMEWORK (WEEKLY)
Homework assignments will be completed online using “Launchpad”. It is available
through the publisher’s website, http://www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpad/hillis2e).
The access code comes with the purchase of your new textbook from the UVM
Bookstore. If you have purchased a used book, you will need to purchase access to the
website separately. In addition to homework, the Launchpad website also has numerous
study aids that will help you prepare for exams. The online homework will total 100
points of your grade. Homework will be due each Sunday evening by midnight.
PRE-LECTURE ASSIGNMENTS (BIWEEKLY)
In order to be an active participant during lecture, it is mandatory that you read the
assigned material and respond to the biweekly pre-lecture assignment. Keeping up with
the assigned readings, as well as actively reading and reflecting on the material, is
paramount to your success in this course. Pre-lecture assignments are 2-3 short answer
questions posted on the BCOR 11 course page (bb.uvm.edu) under the “Pre-lecture
Assignments” link. Pre-lecture assignments are due online on Tuesdays and Thursdays
by midnight. Your first pre-lecture assignment is due Tuesday, September 1.
CONCEPT CHECKS AND PEER INSTRUCTION:
Your iclicker remotes will be used for in-class concept tests and peer instruction. Peer
instruction is a teaching method by which you will participate in a small group with your
peers reach final answers to questions posed during class. For each question, you will
receive 1 point for participating in the iclicker question during class, and 1 additional
point for getting the correct answer. You must attend class and bring your iclicker, with
functional batteries to earn in-class assignment points. If you miss class or forget your
iclicker, you will not be able to make-up the in-class assignments. Do not attempt to give
your remote to a friend to answer the question in your absence. This behavior violates the
Academic Honesty policy, will not be tolerated and can earn you and your friend an XF
fail (i.e., “failure resulting from academic dishonesty”) in this course.
LABORATORY
There is a separate lab syllabus and schedule posted on the BCOR 11 course homepage
(bb.uvm.edu) under “Lab Policies and Syllabus.” You must sign into that blackboard
page prior to your scheduled lab time, in order to be properly prepared for the first day.
The lab manual is available for purchase through the UVM Bookstore. You are required
to purchase the manual, and it is only available through the UVM Bookstore. Be
prepared to take a short quiz on the lab material at the beginning of lab.
3 STRATEGIES FOR GETTING A HIGH GRADE IN THIS COURSE
COME TO CLASS. We often hear students say they don't come to class because "it's all
in the book." This is not true! Instructors draw from their own knowledge and expertise
when preparing teaching materials, so we often cover topics and examples that you will
not find in the book. You also have no way of knowing what material we emphasized or
how, without coming to class. Most students cannot skip class regularly and still do well
in this course. Plus, you can’t get iClicker points without being there to participate.
KEEP UP. There is a lot of material covered in this course, so do not expect to learn it
the night before the exam! The structure of the course with biweekly pre-lecture
assignments and weekly homework assignments help you keep a suitable pace
throughout the semester. It is VERY helpful to have read the material before you come
to class.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HELP. If you are having difficulty, or simply need
clarification of some of the material, see either your laboratory Teaching Fellow or one of
the instructors. We all hold office hours and intend for that time to be used helping
students. But if you don't seek us out, there's no way for us to know that you're
struggling. And remember... Academic honesty is expected of all students. If you are
caught cheating on an exam, you will receive a zero for that exam. That score cannot be
the one you drop. All laboratory reports MUST be written individually unless specifically
assigned as a group report. Free tutoring is also available. Look into the following
opportunities:
The Learning CO-OP (http://www.uvm.edu/~leanco) offers a variety of academic
support including study skills, time management, and test-taking tips.
Our Supplemental Instructor (SI) is Keren Shechter. Keren will have office hours and
group tutoring sessions at the Learning Coop. Email Keren at [email protected] and
take note of review session announcements in class and on Blackboard.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Academic honesty is expected of all students. The University of Vermont has a very strict
policy concerning academic honesty and plagiarism. Please see the statement on
academic honesty http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/student/acadintegrity.pdf .
PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism constitutes a violation of Academic Honesty and
warrants failure on an assignment and/or failure in the course. Plagiarism of ANY
sort - e.g., copying part or all of a fellow student's report, copying from original
references, texts, or websites - will NOT be tolerated. The consequences of plagiarism or
cheating range from a score of zero on the assignment or exam, to filing a complaint with
the University’s Coordinator for Academic Honesty which can result in expulsion from
UVM.
4 COURSE CONTENT IS THE PROPERTY OF THE INSTRUCTOR.
Consistent with the University’s policy on intellectual property rights, all teaching and
curricular materials (including but not limited to classroom lectures, class notes, exams,
handouts, and presentations) are the property of the instructor. Therefore, electronic
recording and/or transmission of classes or class notes is prohibited without the express
written permission of the instructor. Such permission is to be considered unique to the
needs of an individual student (e.g. ADA compliance), and not a license for permanent
retention or electronic dissemination to others. For more information, please see the
UVM policy on Intellectual Property, sections 2.1.3 and 2.4.1
CLASSROOM RESPECT
It is import to maintain a respectful environment in class, and we expect this from all of
you as you should expect this from us. You are here to learn and we are here to help you
learn with mutual respect. Please arrive on time and do not leave early without
permission. When you come to lecture and lab, please turn off your cell phone. We will
not tolerate phone conversations or texting or email during lecture or lab. Come prepared
to dedicate your full attention to your instructor and TA during lecture and lab.
EMAIL ETIQUETTE: Your Instructors and Teaching Fellows will make every effort to
answer your emails promptly. Please return the courtesy by responding. Also, please
address your queries respectfully. “Hey” does not fall in this category, and any such
messages risk being ignored (perhaps the best litmus test is to ask the following: “if you
were looking for a job, would you greet your prospective new employer in that
manner?”). Also it is important to properly identify yourself and the particular
course you are inquiring about. Instructors often have multiple “Biology” courses and
multiple students with the same first name.
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS: Students should submit in writing to their instructors by the
end of the second full week of classes their documented religious holiday schedule for
the semester. Students who miss work for the purpose of religious observance will be
allowed to make up this work.
5 Date Aug 31 Sept 2 Sept 4 Sept 7 Sept 9 Sept 11 Sept 14 Topic Principles of Life – Core Concepts in Biology The Chemical Context of Life Water and Life LABOR DAY no class Macromolecules: Carbohydrates and Lipids Macromolecules: Nucleic Acids and Proteins Cells are the Unit of Life: Prokaryotic Cells Reading Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 2 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Sept 16 A Tour of the Eukaryotic Cell: Organelle structure and function DNA and its role in heredity DNA and its role in heredity Gene Expression Overview Gene Expression: Transcription and Translation Introduction to Metabolism Ch 4 Lab No labs this week No labs this week First lab -­‐ How does science work? Ch 9 Ch 9 Ch 10 Ch 10 Lab techniques Ch 6.1 EXAM 1 – material through Gene expression: Transcription and Translation Catabolic and Anabolic Pathways Cellular Respiration, Part I Enzyme Function and Analysis I Cellular Respiration, Part II Cellular Respiration, Part III Photochemistry and Photobiology of Light Photosynthesis Cell membrane structure and function Transport Across Cells Membranes Cell Membranes and Signaling Cell cycle and mitosis Being Multicellular Ch 6.2-­‐3 Ch 6.2-­‐3 Ch 6.5 Ch 6.5-­‐6 Ch 5 Ch 5 Ch 5 Ch 7.1-­‐7.3 + 7.5 Enzyme Function and Analysis II Protein Analysis I Protein Analysis II Supplemental chapter pdf on Blackboard Ch 24 DNA Analysis: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) I Ch 24 Ch 25 Ch 25 Ch 26 DNA Analysis: PCR II Investigations in plant physiology I Sept 18 Sept 21 Sept 23 Sept 25 Sept 28 Sept 30 Oct 2 Oct 5 Oct 7 Oct 9 Oct 12 Oct 14 Oct 16 Oct 19 Oct 21 Oct 23 Oct 26 Oct 28 Oct 30 Nov 2 Nov 4 Nov 6 Nov 9 Nov 11 Nov 13 Nov 16 Nov 18 Plant structure and function, Part I EXAM 2 – material through Cell cycle and mitosis Plant structure and function, Part II Plant transport in the xylem Plant transport in the phloem Plants develop in response to the environment Plant hormones Fundamentals of Animal Structure and Function, Part I Fundamentals of Animal Structure and Function, Part II Neuron structure and function, Part I Ch 6.4 Ch 6.2-­‐3 Ch 26 Ch 29 Ch 29 Ch 34 Investigations in plant physiology II 6 Nov 20 Nov 23-­‐
27 Nov 30 Dec 2 Dec 4 Dec 7 Dec 9 Final exam week EXAM 3 – material through Animal Structure and Function, Part II THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASSES No labs this week Neuron structure and function, Part II Ch 34 Sensory Organs and Processes, Part I Sensory Organs and Processes, Part II Control by the endocrine and nervous systems Control by the endocrine and nervous systems Final exam date/time TBA cumulative + new material since exam 3 Ch 34 Ch 34 Ch 35 Water flea (Daphnia) physiology No labs this week Ch 35 7