GENERAL BIOLOGY - BIOLOGY 120

Fall 2009

Section 030 • MWF 9:00-9:50
Science Building Room 105


SI Information

SI Leader – Kelli Smith

kelli0426@msn.com

Monday 23 November:     2-3  Room 110

Tuesday 24 November: NO SI!!!!

Sunday 29 November: 6 pm, Multipurpose Room in the Library

Monday 30 November:  2-3 Room 110, Review for the Final


 

Quiz and Exam Scores Posted Here!!!

 



Course DescriptionGeneral OverviewGradingExam DatesLecture Schedule


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, nucleic acids, protein synthesis, basic principles of genetics, photosynthesis, and respiration.  A survey of the Plant Kingdom is covered.  Much of laboratory is devoted to a detailed study of the anatomy and physiology of flowering plants, while representatives of the lower plant phyla are studied with emphasis on life histories.



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 plant kingdom.



 
Text:

Biology: Concepts and Connections.  6th edition, Campbell, Reece, Taylor, Simon & Dickey, Pearson/Benjamin Cummings.  ISBN 0-321-48984-5 or 978-0-321-48984-5.  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) 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 3rd and will be essay exams, so be prepared to write!

Laboratory - See your laboratory instructor.



Drop:

Deadline - Monday, November 2nd.  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 9th.


Exam Dates:

·         Exam 1 - Wednesday, Sept. 16th

·         Exam 2 - Friday, Oct. 9th

·         Exam 3 - Monday, Nov. 2nd

·         Exam 4 - Monday, Nov. 30th



 

Tentative Lecture Schedule - Biology 120

MWF 9:00-9:50

DATES

READINGS

TOPICS

24 - 28 Aug.

Chapters 1 & 2

Introduction; Basic Overview of Life; Chemistry

31 Aug. - 4 Sept.

Chapters 2 & 3

Chemistry & Molecules

9 - 11 Sept.

Chapters 4 

 Cell Structure

14 Sept.

 

Review for Exam

16 Sept. (Wednesday)

 

LECTURE EXAM 1

18 Sept.

 Chapter 5

Cellular Function

21 - 25 Sept.

Chapters 6

Cellular Energy

28 Sept. - 2 Oct.

Chapter 7

Photosynthesis

5-7 Oct.

 Chapter 8

  Cellular Reproduction

9 Oct. (Friday)

 

LECTURE EXAM 2

12 - 16 Oct.

Chapter 9

 Patterns of Inheritance

19 - 23 Oct.

Chapters 10

Molecular Genetics

26 - 30 Oct.

Cancer & Human Genetics

 Cancer & Human Genetics

2 Nov. (Monday)

 

LECTURE EXAM 3

4 - 6 Nov.

Chapter  13

Population Genetics

9 - 13 Nov.

 Chapter 14

Origin of Species

16 -20 Nov.

Chapter 15a

Evolutionary Biology

23 - 25 Nov.

Chapter 15b cont.

The Big Picture

30 Nov. (Monday)

 

   LECTURE EXAM 4

2 Dec.

 

  REVIEW FOR FINAL

 

 

 


 

FINAL EXAM:  The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 11:30am-2pm.
 
 


Return to: