GENERAL BIOLOGY - BIOLOGY 120

Fall 2011

Section 020 • MWF 8:00-8:50
Science Building Room 102



Course DescriptionGeneral OverviewGradingExam DatesLecture Schedule


 

Quiz and Exam Scores Posted Here!!!

 


SI Information

SI Leader – Adria Vasquez

adria.vasquez@go.tarleton.edu

Facebook:  TSU BIO 120 SI—Sudman Fall 2011

Web Page:  http://www.wix.com/adriavasquez/si

 

Final Exam Test Prep, Tuesday 6-8pm -  Room 102

 

 


Mastering Biology Course ID = SUDMAN2011

 

If you would like to use this learning tool, I will try and keep up with assignments.  However, remember that this is entirely voluntary and does not count any towards your grade in this course.


 

Links for YouTube cell cycle videos - #1, #2


Link for Mendelian Genetics Problems

Links for Transcription & Translation - #1, #2


GENERAL INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL

Dr. Philip D. Sudman
Office: 408 Science Bldg; Office Phone:  968-9154
email:  sudman@tarleton.edu
Office Hours: MW 2:00-4:00pm or by appointment



Course Description:

The course description for General Biology, at it appears in the Tarleton State University Catalog is as follows:

Detailed study of a typical cell, cell phenomena, mitosis, meiosis, mucleic acids, protein synthesis, basic principles of genetics, photosynthesis, and respiration.



General Overview:

This course is designed to be a basic introduction to biology - the study of life.  The biological sciences are arguably the most rapidly expanding scientific field, with daily advances in the areas of molecular biology, genetics, and a multitude of human related health issues.  Because of the growing complexity of biology, we will only scratch the surface of many of what you may think are the “interesting” areas of biology.  Please keep in mind that this course is designed as an “exposure” course, specifically aimed at 1) structure and function of the cell; and 2) a brief introduction to the evolution of life.



Text:

Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections, 7th Edition, by Jane B. Reece, Martha R. Taylor, Eric J. Simon, Jean L. Dickey - Pearson Education, Limited (2011) - Hardback - 928 pages - ISBN 0321696816 or 9780321696816.   It is highly recommended that you buy the text.  It is used for both semesters of introductory biology.  All lecture material comes from the text, and references are made to the figures, study questions, and sample test questions.  Additionally, the online material available through the text website is helpful for many students.

 



Grades:

Your overall grade in this course is a combination of your grades in lecture and lab.  Contributions for your final grade are as follows:

Lecture Exams + Quizes  50%
Final Exam 25%
Lab Scores 25%

Lecture grades - The lecture portion of the course comprises 75% of your final grade in BIOL 120.  There will be 4 regular lecture exams and a cumulative final exam.  All lecture exams will be multiple choice/true-false/matching types of exams.  Your lowest regular lecture exam will be dropped.  The basis for all lecture exams will be the material presented and assigned in lecture.  Please remember that the final exam is cumulative and taking this exam is mandatory, so “blowing off” a section of lecture material is not advised.

In addition to our lecture exams, I will be giving 8 quizes throughout the semester.  I will drop your two lowest quizes.  The remain 6 quizes will equal one lecture exam.  Quizes cannot be made up, and cannot be taken early.  Quizes will cover the previous weeks worth of lecture material and will be given at random (i.e. unannounced) mostly on Friday's.  On average, 2 quizes will be given before each exam.

Laboratory grades - Laboratory grades will be further discussed in lab and described by your laboratory instructor.



Make-up Exams:
 

Lecture - Should you miss a lecture exam for a University authorized absence, you may arrange to take a make-up exam. Pursuant to the University Catalog, you are responsible for providing evidence to substantiate the reason for any absence.  Evidence of a University authorized absence will be required and authenticated prior to my scheduling a make-up exam.  You should notify me of your intent to take a make-up and provide substantiating evidence as soon as possible.   All make-up exams will be given on Monday, December 5th and will be essay exams, so be prepared to write!

Laboratory - See your laboratory instructor.



Drop:

Deadline - Friday, November 4th.  This is the last date for dropping a course with no grade (W grade).  If you have any question as to whether or not to drop, see me before this date. After this date you must take a letter grade or withdraw from the University.  Courses may be dropped with no record appearing on the student’s record - deadline for no record drop is Wednesday, September 14th.

 


Cell Phones:

Please refrain from using cell phones during class – it is rude, disrespectful, and disruptive.  This includes texting.  If texting during lecture bothers me, I will ask you once to stop.  If I have to ask again, you will be asked to leave the room.  If caught texting during an exam, you will receive a 0 on the exam with no opportunity for a makeup exam.  Please turn phones off or put them on silent during class.

 


 

It is the policy of Tarleton State University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. If you are a student with a disability seeking accommodations for this course, please contact Trina Geye, Director of Student Disability Services, at 254.968.9400 or geye@tarleton.edu. Student Disability Services is located in Math 201. More information can be found at www.tarleton.edu/sds or in the University Catalog.

 


Exam Dates:

·         Exam 1 - Wednesday, Sept. 21st

·         Exam 2 - Friday, Oct. 14th

·         Exam 3 - Monday, Nov. 7th

·         Exam 4 - Monday, Dec. 5th



 

Tentative Lecture Schedule - Biology 120

MWF 8:00-8:50

DATES

READINGS

TOPICS

29 Aug.-2 Sept.

Chapters 1 & 2

Introduction; Basic Overview of Life; Chemistry

7 - 9 Sept.

Chapters 2 & 3

Chemistry & Molecules

12 - 16 Sept.

Chapters 4 

 Cell Structure

19 Sept.

 

Review for Exam

21 Sept. (Wednesday)

 

LECTURE EXAM 1

23 Sept.

 Chapter 5

Cellular Function

26 – 30 Sept.

Chapters 6

Cellular Energy

3 - 7 Oct.

Chapter 7

Photosynthesis

10 - 12 Oct.

 Chapter 8

  Cellular Reproduction

14 Oct. (Friday)

 

LECTURE EXAM 2

17 - 21 Oct.

Chapter 9

 Patterns of Inheritance

24 - 28 Oct.

Chapters 10

Molecular Genetics

31 Oct. - 4 Nov.

Cancer Genetics

 Cancer Genetics

7 Nov. (Monday)

 

LECTURE EXAM 3

9 - 11 Nov.

Human Genetics, Systematics

Human & Systematics

14 - 18 Nov.

 Chapters 13& 14

Origin of Species

21 -23 Nov.

Chapter 15

Evolutionary Biology

28 Nov.-2 Dec.

Chapter 15b cont.

The Big Picture

5 Dec. (Monday)

 

   LECTURE EXAM 4

7 Dec.

 

  REVIEW FOR FINAL

 

 

 


 

FINAL EXAM:  The final exam is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 12th, 3:00pm.
 
 


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