Accelerated Biology BCOR 021

Accelerated Biology BCOR 021 Fall 2016 Syllabus

Dr. Don Stratton UVM Plant Biology Department Ph: 656-9371; Email: [email protected] Office location: 304 Jeffords Hall Office hours: TBA

Laboratory Instructor: Sarah Emmerson 313 Marsh Life Science; email: [email protected] ph:(802) 656-0457

COURSE DESCRIPTION BCOR 21 is an accelerated introduction to biology for students who already have a strong background in high-school biology. This course assumes that you are already familiar with many of the basic facts about biological processes, so we will be able to spend time discussing why they are interesting and how they are useful.

LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the semester of BCOR 021, students will be able to…  articulate how biological processes work using the appropriate terminology.  recognize and utilize the scientific method.  convert data into a summary figure, identify pattern, and use pattern to support a conclusion.  communicate results in the form of a standard scientific research paper.

SPRING PLACEMENT If you pass BCOR 21, you will be awarded a waiver for BCOR 12.  You will not get credits for BCOR 12, but will not need to take the course.  In the Spring semester you would then take BCOR 101, 102, BIOL 192, some other life science course, or another elective.  Or, you can take choose to take BCOR 12 if you wish.

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, 4th ed. Sinauer Associates. 4. Laboratory Manual for BCOR 21 (available on the course Blackboard web page)

1 REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY

 Blackboard: There is a Blackboard site for our lecture section, as well as a site for 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 two midterm exams and a cumulative final exam in this course. The point breakdown is as follows:

Lecture points Hourly exams (2 exams @ 100 pts each 200 Cumulative Final 150 Homework Assignments (Launchpad)* 50 iClicker questions* 25 Pre-lecture questions* 25 450

Three lab reports (Pollinators: 30; Enzyme: 30, Zebrafish: 100 40) Four short lab write-ups (10 pts each) 40 Group Oral presentation 20 Weekly quizzes (10 x 3 pts)* 30 Participation 10 200 Total 650 total

*Scores on these assignments will be scaled as necessary so they contribute the correct number of points.

2 The two in-class exams will be on September 30, and November 11. The final exam is on December 12 at 10:30 am. The final exam will be cumulative, however approximately one half of the final will be weighted toward material covered the last part 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).

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. 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.

3 LABORATORY There is a separate lab syllabus and schedule posted on the BCOR 21 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. Be prepared to take a short quiz on the lab material at the beginning of lab.

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 me or your lab instructor. We hold office hours and intend for that time to be used helping students. If you don't seek us out, there's no way for us to know that you're struggling. In addition, the Tutoring Center (http://www.uvm.edu/~leanco) offers a variety of academic support including study skills, time management, and test-taking tips.

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

4 UVM.

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 BCOR 21 Lecture and Lab schedule Fall 2016

Date Da Topic Chapte Lab y r 29-Aug M Water 2 31-Aug W Biological molecules 3 2-Sep F Enzymes 4 Pollination and bee behavior (outdoors) 5-Sep M Labor Day: no class 7-Sep W Focus: describing and analyzing data 9-Sep F Cells and membranes 5 Behavior 2-- data analysis 12-Sep M 14-Sep W Cell signaling 16-Sep F Microscopy; behavior lab report due 19-Sep M Cellular respiration 6 21-Sep W Focus: fructose and metabolism 23-Sep F Photosynthesis Lab skills 26-Sep M Cell cycle 7 28-Sep W Focus: cancer 30-Sep F Exam (chapters 1-7) Enzymes 1 3-Oct M Genes 9 5-Oct W 7-Oct F Gene expression 10 Enzymes 2 10-Oct M Gene regulation 11 12-Oct W Focus: genomics 12 14-Oct F Being Multicellular PCR 1; enzyme lab report due 17-Oct M Plant vs Animal Development 18, 20 19-Oct W 14 21-Oct F Focus: model systems PCR 2 24-Oct M Communication: hormones 35 26-Oct W Focus- plant development 28-Oct F Communication- neurons 34 Group Presentations 31-Oct M 2-Nov W Sensation 4-Nov F Immune system 39 Zebrafish toxicology 7-Nov M 9-Nov W Focus: disease ecology 11-Nov F exam Daphnia physiology (chapters 9-12 , 14, 18, 34, 39) 14-Nov M Meiosis 7 16-Nov W Mendel 8 18-Nov F Alleles in populations 15 no lab; zebrafish lab report due 21- 25 M Thanksgiving Break no lab Nov 28-Nov M Evolutionary Forces 15 30-Nov W Phylogeny 16 2-Dec F Phylogeny of mammals 5-Dec M Speciation 17 7-Dec W Focus: applied evolution 9-Dec F tba 12-Dec M Final Exam 10:30 am