Fall 2009 San Diego Miramar College

Biology 107 – Principles of Biology Fall 2009 – San Diego Miramar College

CRN: 79855 – Lecture TR 11:10-12:35, rm S5104…..Lab T 1:30-4:35, rm S5100 79861 – Lecture TR 11:10-12:35, rm S5104…..Lab R 1:30-4:35, rm S5100

Instructor: Andrew Lowe Phone: (619) 388-7536 Email: [email protected] Web page: http://faculty.sdmiramar.edu/alowe

Office & Hours: I-104 C; TR 10:00-11:00, or by appointement Address: c/o Biology Department, Miramar College, 10440 Black Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92126

Required Texts Lecture – Biology: Concepts and Connections, 6th ed. by Campbell and Reece Lab – Biology 107 Laboratory Manual - available at Mira Mesa Copy (9363 Mira Mesa Blvd.)

Important Dates September 4th Drop Deadline – No notation on your record October 30th Withdraw Deadline – Records W Grade; no drops accepted after this date After October 30th an evaluative grade (A through F) will be recorded.

Course Objectives and Expectations The intent of this course is to examine major themes in the Biological Sciences, as well as the principles and concepts that form the foundation of these themes. To this end, I will use a combination of discussion, activities, and small group interactions to (1) emphasize problem-solving approaches in learning science and (2) gain an appreciation and understanding for how science works. Although this course is introductory and designed for non-majors, it is rather content heavy and will require keen study skills and self-discipline. You will be exposed to a great amount of information, new terminology, and interconnected concepts which may seem intimidating or perhaps overwhelming at times. However, if you will commit to it, I think you will find this course not only a highly rewarding experience, but fun as well. The feeling of accomplishment is a great one, especially when you do something well. It is my desire to expose you to information and experiences that will help you excel and make wise decisions in your academic and professional future. Your education is an extremely valuable commodity. It is therefore important to extend as much courtesy as possible to your fellow classmates, so that everyone gets as much as possible out of the course. These courtesies include the following: please do not talk, exchange notes, or otherwise disrupt the class during instruction. Please turn off pagers, alarms, and cellular phone ringers. If your behavior in any way distracts other students, you may be dismissed from the class.

Attendance is mandatory. District policy requires that you participate fully in lecture and laboratory experiences. If you are absent more than 6% of total course hours (or, more than 3 sessions), participation will be considered unsatisfactory and you may be dropped by the instructor. However, it is your responsibility to drop a course if you choose to discontinue. Failure to do so will result in an evaluative grade on your record.

Due Dates Due dates are tentative. You are responsible for knowing the dates of exams, and other assignments. Assignments are due at the beginning of a class period. Late assignments will be accepted (unless specified otherwise), but 10% of the point total for the assignment will be deducted for each day or part thereof that it is late. Lecture Exams On exam days, be sure to get adequate rest, have back-up mechanisms in place for getting to class on time, and arrange for reliable transportation to class. There is to be absolutely no communication of any kind, between students, once an exam begins. Nothing is allowed at the test area except for a writing instrument(s) and eraser. All questions should be directed to me and you may not leave the room during an exam and resume it when you return. If you leave the room I will collect the exam, and I will grade what you have completed.

Laboratory Exam and Quizzes Due to the nature of setting up lab activities, exams, and quizzes, there will be no make- ups. Quizzes are typically given at the beginning of class meeting. If you are late or miss class, there will be no makeup quizzes. Lab results, analyses, and conclusions will be due for each week’s lab activities.

Honor Code/Academic Dishonesty By remaining enrolled in this class you are pledging, on your honor, that you will not engage in any acts of dishonesty. Cheating, plagiarism, or any act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for work that is not your own is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. You are responsible to understand and abide by District policies in the college catalog. Abuse of these policies will be reported to the dean for appropriate action. If you are aware of cheating of any kind, I would appreciate what information you have, as it essential to maintain the integrity of the course--this includes communication between individuals in different class sections, copying assignments to be collected, plagiarizing papers, etc. Please refer to District Policy 3100.

Grading Points will be earned for activities in both lecture and laboratory. The lecture portion will comprise approximately 2/3 of the course grade; the laboratory approximately 1/3 of the course grade. I will keep a running total of points, as should you to maintain awareness of your grade standing in the course. Points may be earned in the following ways (these are approximations):

4 Lecture exams 100 pts ea. Lecture quizzes, assignments, and participation 200 pts Lecture Subtotal 600 pts

1 Laboratory exam 100 pts Lab Quizzes/participation 10 pts ea. Lab exercises, fieldtrip assignments, and participation 100 pts Lab Subtotal 300 pts

Your percent score in the class will be determined as follows: Course % = (Sum of points earned by you / Sum of points possible on each assignment) x 100

Grades in the course are assigned according to the following scale: A = 90% and above B = 80 - 89.99% C = 67 - 79.99% D = 60 - 66.99%

Lecture Schedule Tentative – adjustments made if necessary August 25 Intro to Course, Characteristics of Life 1 27 Chemistry & Water 2 Assignment 1 Due September 1 Biochemistry 3 3 Quiz 1, Intro to DNA & Amino Acids 3,4 8 Cell Structure and Function 4 10 Cell Membrane Structure; review 5 15 Exam 1 17 Proteins Synthesis 5 22 Diffusion, Osmosis, Osmoregulation 5 24 Enzymes 5 29 Quiz 2, Metabolism/Energy October 1 Cellular Respiration 6 6 Cellular Respiration 8 Photosynthesis; review 7 13 Exam 2 15 Mitosis 8 20 Meiosis 8 22 Quiz 3, Genetics 9 27 More Genetics 9 29 Transcription/Translation 10 November 3 Gene Expression, DNA technology 11 5 Biotech; review 12 10 Exam 3 12 Evolution, Pop-Gen, and Natural 13 Selection 17 Speciation & Macroevolution 14 19 Origin of Life & Biodiversity 15,16 24,26 Thanksgiving Break December 1 Quiz 4, Biodiversity 16,17 3 Biodiversity 17,18 8 Population Dynamics 34-36 10 Biomes 37 15 Ecosystems; review 37 17 Exam 4 Note: 20-33 covered in lab (Form & Function)

Personal Background and Objectives (20 pts), Due August 27.

Within two pages (double-spaced, 12pt font), tell me about yourself and be sure to include the following information:  A small photo of yourself attached (or preferably embedded) to the upper left corner.  Tell me about your science background (courses, instructors, institutions), and the reason for taking this class in particular.  What letter grade do you expect to earn in the class and why?  What are your academic and professional career goals, and what are your plans to achieve those goals?  What are your interests and hobbies?  Anything else you would like me to know about you (relevant allergies, medical conditions, etc)?  Lastly, reflect on what you hope to achieve from this course. In doing so, compile a single question that you personally would like to have answered or challenged during the journey of this course.