<p> Biology 100– Biological Concepts</p><p>Instructor Information: Instructor: Dr. Susan Meiers Email: [email protected] Office: 205 Waggoner Research Labs: 203, 204 Waggoner Office Phone: 298-2008 Mailbox: 372 Waggoner (Miss Cyndi will assist you) Office hours: Office hours: MWF 9-10, Th 4-5, and by appointment. (don't be shy-- I am usually in my office or research lab when I’m not teaching)</p><p>Required Materials: Simon, E.J., Dickey, J.L. and J.B. Reece. 2012. Campbell’s Essential Biology with Physiology. Benjamin Cummings Publ. Aanenson, M., Barden-Gabbei, L., Meiers, S., and T. Vogel (Editors). 2013. Bio 100 Laboratory Manual. Hayden-McNeil Publ. 18 index cards, 3 in. x 5 in. only, for in-class quizzes. Have them by Friday, Aug. 23.</p><p>Recommended Materials: Carroll, Sean B. Into the Jungle. 2009. Pearson/Benjamin-Cummings Publishers. An academic planner of somekind will help you organize due dates for assignments, tests, etc. and your schedule for the semester. This is an essential tool to help you succeed in your classes- if you don’t already have one--- get one!</p><p>Lecture: MWF 1:00-1:50 PM in 271 Waggoner Laboratory: Tues. 8:00-9:50 AM in 104 Waggoner</p><p>Biology Assistance Center (BAC):104 Wg. Info on BAC’s door and in lab rooms</p><p>Course Overview: Biology 100 is a 4 semester hour lecture and laboratory course recommended for non-science majors, relating reproduction, heredity, evolution, ecology, and behavior to human life and the concerns of human society. Note: This is a general education course that does NOT count toward a major or minor in Biology. No prerequisites or co-prerequisites are required. </p><p>Course Goals: Biology 100 is designed for students who do not plan to major in any area of science, yet have an interest in Biology. Selected topics of interest to modern humans are discussed with a minimum of terminology. The laboratories are an essential component of your grade, and are designed to illustrate how biologists go about solving problems and determining support for hypotheses based on data. Living systems will be used whenever possible. The main goal of Biology 100 is an informed citizenry, the ability to understand and think about information and current topics in the news, in magazines or print, on television, and on the internet. </p><p>Among the major topics to be discussed in this course are: - Human Reproduction structure and function of human female and male systems, sexually- transmitted diseases, birth control, and sterility; - Human development, fertilization, basic fetal development, and some birth defects; - Cells, DNA, and Genetics cell organization and division, classical genetics, DNA replication, how genes function, explanation of and effects of mutations and cancer; - Evolution, brief history of evolution, support for evolutionary theory, mechanisms of evolution, and a very brief overview of human evolution; - Ecology, the physical environment and biotic (living) factors and their interaction, populations, communities, ecosystems, environmental pollution, and energy concerns; - Behavior, learned and unlearned behaviors, communication, territoriality, reproductive behavior, and biological rhythms.</p><p>State Accreditation Policy Information: </p><p>1 In accordance with Illinois State Board of Education certification rules, all students seeking teacher certification are required by Western Illinois University to obtain a grade of “C” or better in all directed general education course, all core courses, and all courses in the option. Note: A “C- ” is below a “C”.” Any secondary science teacher certification student wanting to see how this course is aligned with the State and National Standards should see their advisor and/or examine the Secondary Science Teacher Certification WesternOnline Advising site. </p><p>Exam Information: Bring your ID and two #2 pencils to the exam. If you forget your ID for an exam, you have until 4:30 p.m. of the day of the exam to show me your ID or your exam will be scored as a zero as I cannot guarantee that Einstein or Darwin didn’t take the exam for you. No one will be permitted to start an exam after any student has left the exam room, so make sure you are on time. Scantrons for exams will be provided for you.</p><p>Exams will be based on topics covered in lecture, AND the text readings associated with lecture topics. Questions are written to determine whether you understand the material, so don’t just memorize your notes or text, make sure you can coherently explain material/topics. There will be 4 exams for this course consisting of multiple choice and/or matching questions. Keep track of your exam grades, as you should be able to calculate your grade in this class at any time. </p><p>If for some reason you are unable to take an exam, you must contact me within 2 school days by office phone or in person. Failure to do so can and will jeopardize your chance to make up that exam. I do NOT consider email or voicemail as notification of missing an exam. You must speak with me either in person or by phone. As per University policy, I expect documentation for your absence (a copy of hospitalization papers, accident report, arrest report, copy or funeral services of a close relative who passed away, etc.) from you on the first class day after to you return to campus. Any make up exam is entirely composed of short answer and essay questions, and will be given only once within 5 days of the regular exam. It is your responsibility to make arrangements with me for the make-up exam. Failure to schedule and/or take the make-up exam will result in a zero for that exam grade. </p><p>Laboratory Information: Laboratory sessions DO start the first week of classes, so show up for your assigned lab session! Laboratory attendance is mandatory. Laboratory attendance is mandatory. Laboratory attendance is mandatory. Any student with two (2) or more unexcused absences will automatically result in a 0 for the lab portion of the course AND an automatic “F” for the course. Four (4) or more absences in any combination of excused and unexcused absences will result in a 0 for the lab portion of the course and an automatic “F” for the course. Students MUST pass the laboratory potion of this course (i.e., 60.00% or better minimum score) to pass Biology 100. More information on laboratory homework, assignments, expectations, etc. will be provided to you in your laboratory section. </p><p>Late Work Policy: Any late assignments, written reports, etc., will be docked 10% of its maximum grade per day. Any work submitted over weekends (i.e., slid under my door, in my mailbox, etc.) will be considered turned in on Monday morning (3 days late: Saturday, Sunday, Monday= loss of 30% of final grade). </p><p>Attendance Policy: In order to get the most out of your education, you are expected to attend class daily and to be on time. Late arrivals and early departures are noted, and if excessive, will be discussed with the student. Any assignments to be turned in late due to tardiness will be considered “late” one day and the late penalty will be applied. Any quizzes or in-class assignments missed due to tardiness cannot be made up if you have an unexcused absence or were not in class for the full period. Writing up and turning in an assignment, quiz, etc. for another student who is not present is academic dishonesty, and will result in an F for this course. DO NOT turn in ANY assignments, quizzes, etc. for students who were not in class; let them turn them in themselves.</p><p>Students with Disabilities: </p><p>2 In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies me of the need for an accommodation. It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to my attention, as I am not legally permitted to inquire about such particular needs of students. Students who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e., fire, tornado, etc) should contact me as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency. Please contact Disability Support Services (298-2512) for additional services.</p><p>Grading Criteria: 4 one-hour exams (60 questions each) 240 points (4 x 60 questions/exam) Homework/class assignments 300 points (30 x 10 points apiece) Laboratory assignments 150 points . (consult your lab syllabus) 690 points</p><p>Grades will be assigned on a standard 10% scale as follows 90.00-100% = A 621.00-90 points 80.00-89.99% = B 552.00-620.99 points 70.00-79.99% = C 483.00-551.99 points 60.00-69.99% = D 414.00-482.99 points <59.99 = F </=413.99 points</p><p>NOTE: The only options for extra credit are listed in a separate file posted to Western Online. Consult and follow those instructions for any possible extra credit in this course. Grades are not “curved.” Please do not “beg” for a particular grade at the end of the semester. </p><p>Academic Integrity: Academic dishonesty in any form is not tolerated in this (or any) class. Doing an assignment, quiz, etc. for someone else to be turned in as theirs, turning in a quiz for someone who left class early, copying on an exam or quiz, allowing someone to copy on an exam or quiz, copying someone else’s lab and turning it in as yours, etc. are all clear violations of the Student Code of Conduct concerning Academic Integrity. A first offense will result in an automatic 0 for that particular assignment, and the second offense will result in an automatic F for this course. A copy of the Student Code of Conduct is available in the student newspaper the first week of classes, and on the web: www.wiu.edu/student_services/student.../codeofconduct.php --read and understand it. Any concerns I have about academic integrity will be immediately turned over to the Department Academic Integrity Committee for disciplinary action. Penalties for academic dishonesty may include failing this course and/or expulsion from the university.</p><p>Absolutely, positively, and under NO circumstances will students be allowed access to/use of/etc. any and all outside material (notes, cheat sheets, cell phones, etc.) during an exam or quiz. Such use, access, and/or answering an electronic device will be considered an attempt to cheat on any quiz or exam, and I will follow the policy regarding cheating stated in the paragraph directly above. Should you have a family emergency that may require access to a cell phone during a quiz or exam, you MUST make arrangements with me beforehand.</p><p>Plagiarism: The faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences ascribes to a definition of plagiarism as expressed by V. E. McMillan in Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences (Bedford/St. Martin’s Press, New York, pg 16): “Plagiarism is the theft of someone else’s words, work, or ideas. It includes such acts as (1) turning in a friend’s paper and saying it is yours; (2) using another person’s data or ideas without acknowledgement; (3) copying an author’s exact words and putting them in your paper without quotation marks; and (4) using wording that is very similar to that of the original source but passing it off as entirely your own even while acknowledging the source.”</p><p>This includes any information from textbooks or laboratory manuals, honors and masters theses, any internet sources, all writing assignments, and images. The faculty of the Department do monitor student writing assignments (essay exams, papers, laboratory reports, and other writing assignments or exercises) for incidence of plagiarism. If plagiarism is found, the faculty will discuss </p><p>3 the situation with the student and indicate to the student the penalty for this academic dishonesty. Potential penalties include those cited in the academic dishonesty section of the WIU web page www.wiu.edu/student_services/student.../codeofconduct.php</p><p>Studying Recommendations: (Seriously, do this if you want to do well!) Ideally, you should plan to spend approximately 2-3 hours studying for every hour you spend in a college class. However, since most of us don’t have that kind of academic discipline, I recommend the following as a suggestion for studying for this class. If you are having difficulty with the material in any class you will need to spend more time on that class. Please feel free to see me with questions (that is what I am here for), and get some tutoring help (visit the BAC, Academic Advising, and/or get an individual tutor). Studying in small groups to review material, ask each other questions on major concepts and examples, etc. is extremely effective in learning any course material. A) Read/look over the chapter the night before it is to be covered. At the very least, look over tables and figures for that chapter—It is easier to take notes when you have an idea of what the topic is about. B) Don't try to write down everything being said in class. Write down key phrases, figure numbers, and short comments on what the instructor elaborated on, AND C) Before the end of the day, read over your notes and expand on the short phrases you wrote and clarify ideas and concepts as necessary. Every weekday you should spend 20-30 (uninterrupted) minutes going over your notes, especially concentrating on the more difficult material. On weekends, you should study in several 30-40 minute bouts with all your material. Repeated 30-40 minute exposures without interruption (such as the TV or internet, talking to your roomie, being on the phone, etc.) is much more conducive to learning the material than cramming, and the information will be in your long-term memory not your short-term memory. D) If you don't fully understand a topic discussed in class, consult your text first. If you still don't understand the topic, see me. The more interrelated the material is for you, the easier it is to remember for the long-term/exam. Be certain you understand concepts, and not just the terminology, as this will make studying for exams much easier. If after studying the notes and text thoroughly, you still have questions come see me. DO NOT WAIT until just before an exam to study or ask me questions, as you won't have enough time to thoroughly understand the material. If you are having problems with the course, see me EARLY in the semester and/or contact the Biology Assistance Center (BAC) 104 Wg, times posted on BAC’s door and in lab rooms. Do not wait until the end of the semester to ask what you can do to get a "better grade." Begin to study now for the grade you want at the end of the semester. Remember I do not give extra credit and I don’t curve, so don’t ask. Yes, I am serious about this. Start with this method and continue all semester, and you’ll get the grade you want to get! THIS REALLY WORKS (it got me through Chemistry so long ago)!</p><p>"Be respectful" policy: Be respectful of everyone in class. Please do not disturb other students by talking unnecessarily, surfing the web, checking your cell phone, texting, etc. during class. PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES DURING CLASS. If you repeatedly disturb the class with talking, using your cell phone, etc., I will ask you to leave the class, and it will be considered an unexcused absence. If you have a hard time hearing me, please don't hesitate to ask me to talk louder, or to move your seat closer to the front of the class. </p><p>About Western Online: Western Online is an online platform for WIU courses. For this class, you will be using Western Online to access a copy of the syllabus, exam study guides, extra credit instructions, scantron grades for exams, access websites that will help you learn the material in this course, and other useful information that will help you in this course. Western Online can be found at: https://www.wiu.edu, and choosing “Western Online” from among the Web Tools options. You will need to login by entering your ECOM login and your password. After you log in, you should see a list of courses, including Botany 200, Section XX. If you click on Biology 100, Section XX, you will see the Biology 100 home page. I will post a copy of the syllabus, study guides, various assignment instructions, and, when the time comes, a file of all grades posted by the last 4 digits of your ID. [Note: if you visit my office between the days of Aug 19-23, you will receive 10 points—mention this note to me, though!] </p><p>4 It is your responsibility to regularly access Western Online and make sure that you can access materials located there. If you have problems accessing Western Online, contact the Academic Computing Help Desk at (309) 298-1177. I do not control the software for Western Online system and so cannot solve your computer problems, but the Help Desk folks can.</p><p>Tentative Lecture Schedule:</p><p>Topic Chapter Introduction to the Class Introduction: Biology Today 1 Human Reproduction & Development 26 Essential Chemistry for Biology 3 A Tour of the Cell 4 Cellular Respiration: Obtaining Energy from Food* 6 Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food* 7 Exam 1 Cellular Reproduction: Cells from Cells 8 Patterns of Inheritance 9 The Structure & Function of DNA 10 How Genes are Controlled 11 DNA Technology 12 Exam 2 How Populations Evolve 13 How Biological Diversity Evolves 14 The Evolution of Microbial Life* 15 Plants, Fungi, and the Move Onto Land* 16 The Evolution of Animals* 17 Exam 3 An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere 18 Population Ecology 19 Communities and Ecosystems 20 Exam 4 * = overview of topic only, don’t panic!</p><p>Important Dates for the Semester: Date Why it is important Monday Aug. 19 Classes begin Mon. Sept. 2 Labor Day Holiday, no classes Fri. Sept. 13 Exam 1 Fri. Oct. 11 Exam 2 Fri. Oct. 18 Fall Break Holiday, no classes Fri. Nov. 8 Exam 3 Fri. Dec. 5 Last day of classes Weds. , Dec. 11: 1-2:20 pm Exam 4: 1-2:20 pm</p><p>Note: Not all due dates are listed here. Consult your lab syllabus, and other handouts for other due dates. YOU are responsible for all due dates for assignments in the course, so start early in getting organized for the semester!</p><p>5</p>