Foundations of Biology I - Cell Biology & Genetics Course Syllabus BIO 201, Fall 2017, Sections 2 & 3 Dr. Corrette-Bennett COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course serves as an introduction to the foundational concepts of biology for students who chosen the life sciences as a major or minor, or who need it to fulfill the scientific discovery intellectual perspective (SDIP). A combination of lectures, laboratory exercises, and assignments will introduce you to ways of observing and thinking about fundamental concepts and processes common to many (Biology, 8th edition, 2005) living organisms (basic chemistry and biochemistry, cells, energy acquisition, and genetics). Various resources in lecture and laboratory will be utilized to reinforce biological concepts, enhance the learning experience and use of scientific skills, and to improve critical thinking skills. This course serves as the foundation for biology, molecular biology, and environmental science majors and as one of three introductory classes for all of the upper level biology courses. The concepts you learn during this course will be applied in your upper level courses. Instructor: Joshua Corrette-Bennett, Ph.D. Office Phone: 724-946-7208 Office: Hoyt 217 e-mail: [email protected] Office hours: MW 2-3:30pm, R 2-3pm, F 10:30-11:30am If I am not in my office during scheduled times I am probably somewhere nearby (another faculty member’s office, a research lab, etc.) and will return momentarily. Please be patient and wait by my office door for 5-10 minutes until I return. If I do not return in a timely manner, please leave a note on my door so I can contact you asap. If I am absent from my office during my office hours, I will leave a note on my door indicating where I have gone. You can always reach me by e-mail (preferable) or leave a message on my answering machine; I do not use text messaging. If it is a medical or family emergency and not during business hours, you can contact me at my home number: 724-657-1416. REQUIRED: Text: BIOLOGY by Campbell and Reece, 11th edition Mastering Biology (Pearson Publishing on-line exercises); access code Lab manual: WC Biology Faculty (2017) Laboratory Manual for Biology 201. (Each lab exercise will be available on D2L the Friday before lab or it will be handed out as a worksheet at the beginning of lab.) Quad-lined notebook (for lab) BIO 201 course pages on D2L: Much of the material for this course can be obtained from the text- book, the lecture, and labs D2L on course pages. Students are expected to download and print off material such as Labs and specific assignments. It is up to the student to decide whether or not they want to simply download or print off materials such as Powerpoints, on-line information, on-line assignments, and reading lists. DEPARTMENT OBJECTIVES, COURSE OBJECTIVES, and MEANS of ASSESSMENT: Our world is increasingly influenced by natural phenomena and ethical quandaries that require reason and a basic understanding of the natural world in which we live. With this in mind, students who successfully complete this course shall understand how course objectives align with department objectives and: Department Objectives Course Objectives MOA > demonstrate breadth of knowledge about current > develop an appreciation for, and a college > exams biological concepts and principles, including level understanding of, biological concepts that > quizzes recognition of the inter-relatedness of knowledge are fundamental to most living organisms (the > lab notebook among the various biological sub-disciplines chemical basis of life, cell structure and > research papers function, cell metabolism, energy acquisition > demonstrate an understanding of diversity, and use, cell division, principles of heredity, organization, and functioning of the living world DNA structure and function, and evolution) sufficient to insure informed participation in society and to exhibit a capacity for bioethical decision-making > utilize observational, investigational, and critical- > be familiar with the importance of > lab quizzes thinking skills, including the ability to develop new exploration and the process of scientific > lab notebook ideas, to design, implement, and evaluate scientific inquiry; demonstrate proficiency with this > skills workshops concepts and theories, and to assess, interpret and method of inquiry in the field and lab understand data and their meaning (developing and testing hypotheses, collecting data, interpreting results, and discriminating > participate effectively in collaborative learning among valid and invalid conclusions) with students and faculty > communicate scientific ideas through written > demonstrate proficiency with reading > information and oral presentation scientific literature, discover the “art” of literacy assignments scientific notation, and understand the > lab notebook > participate effectively in collaborative learning structure, style and purpose of scientific > skills workshops with faculty and students writing. > research papers > Capstone > effectively communicate important assignment concepts, hypotheses, materials and methods, results, and conclusions in a clear and concise manner > demonstrate a sense of scientific integrity and responsibility. > participate in co-curricular educational > demonstrate proficiency with basic > information opportunities that enhance interactions with faculty computer, internet and technology skills literacy assignments and other students outside of the classroom > lab notebook > demonstrate proficiency with time- > the College > acquire a foundation of knowledge and skills that management, self-motivation, and self- LMS prepare them for a wide range of professions assessment of learning > seminars > Capstone > cultivate an interest in, and appreciation for assignment the ways in which the biological sciences are relevant to our daily lives The ultimate goal of all these objectives is to have students realize the potential of using multiple biological perspectives, skills, and tools for understanding biological processes and solving problems. The broader goal is to provide students with skills and have students make well-informed decisions about current and future scientific discoveries and how they relate to human culture and the surrounding community of living organisms. CLASS STRUCTURE & ETIQUETTE: Each week there will be 3 one-hour sections (Hoyt 291), using lecture/discussion format, and 1 three-hour lab/research section (Hoyt 342). Please bring each of the following to lectures: required textbook, lecture notes, and any assigned readings. Please bring all of the above to lab along with your lab notebook, lab manual (as pages become available) and any pre-lab assignments because numerous assignments in lab require the use of resources and concepts discussed during lecture. Tobacco products are not permitted in buildings. Unauthorized electronic devices are not allowed in the classroom or laboratory (e.g., cell phones, MP3 devices). When a student’s cell phone rings/buzzes during class/lab, or a student answers their cell phone or engages in text messaging during class/lab, they disrupt the learning environment. Points will be deducted from their total class grade for any of these distractions (1 point for the first occurrence; 2 points for the second; 4 points for the third; etc.) I will make exceptions to this rule if you tell me that you are waiting for a call prior to that class and it pertains to a personal or medical emergency. Students are more than welcome to bring a laptop to lecture, but are not allowed to connect to the Internet unless the class exercise requires it. If a student has software or files opened other than what is necessary for class, I will ask the student to close them immediately. ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT: Westminster College actively strives for the full inclusion of all our students. Students with disabilities who require access solutions for environmental or curricular barriers should contact Faith Craig, Director of Disability Support Services, located in 209 Thompson-Clark Hall, phone: 724-946-7192, e-mail: [email protected]". If you have any type of learning, language or physical disability (documented or un-documented) that might affect your performance, please stop by my office within the first week of classes. ATTENDANCE POLICY: While there is no numerical penalty for missing class lectures, I have noticed a strong correlation between classes missed by a student and their grade (the more classes missed, the lower the exams scores, etc.). You are responsible for any material covered if absent from class regardless of the reason. Class notes must be obtained from classmates. Handouts or assignments can be obtained from me during my office hours. If you have questions and need help regarding material missed during an absence, I will be more than happy to sit and discuss the material with you during office hours, but I will not repeat the entire lecture or lab and can only be of help if you have read and thought about the material before our meeting. Attendance for exams and labs is required. Please identify any conflicts between these required course activities and college sponsored activities or events and report them to me prior to the absence. The only excused absences for exams or labs are the ones stated in the Westminster catalog. Fortunately there are multiple lab sections for this course offered throughout the week and all sections work on the same lab exercise each week. If a student cannot make the regularly scheduled lab, they can attend one of the other lab sessions. However, students are only allowed to make-up two labs and are responsible for coordinating this with the faculty member of the other section and me the week prior to the lab. Any exams that conflict with college sponsored activities must be identified by the student and taken prior to the scheduled exam date. Any medical or personal conflicts with exams must be brought to my attention immediately and passed onto the Dean of Academic Affairs for approval. Any absences from lab must be made-up that week and must be approved by the instructor and the professor teaching the other lab section.