University of Scranton

SYLLABUS

BIOLOGY 141 – GENERAL BIOLOGY

FALL 2003

Instructor: Dr. Robert Waldeck

Office: Loyola 106

Email: waldeckr2@uofs.edu

Phone: 570-941-4324

Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday: 10-11 AM, Thursday: 1-2 PM or by Appointment

Course Text

Campbell, N.A. and Reece, J.B. 2002. Biology 6^th edition

Benjamin/Cummings Publishing company, Inc.

Basic Information:

This course is the beginning of a comprehensive study of the nature of living organisms, plant and animal, their structure, function, development and relationships. Learning these concepts and related fundamental principles of biology will orient your thinking in a way that prepares you for more advance study in biology. Memorization of facts and definitions will be needed, however you must be able to use this information to extrapolate to novel situations. This biology course is structured to serve the needs of the student planning to major in the natural sciences and health related fields.

Course Objectives:

Following this course the student should have knowledge of terminology, classifications, methods and trends in the biological sciences as well as a grasp of the fundamental principles and theories underlying biology. The scientific process of how this knowledge was gained and formulated should be clear. While memorization of facts will be needed, the student should begin to develop the creative capacity to use these facts in novel situations.

Grading Policy:

Lecture Exams: (3 x 100) = 300 points

Final Exam 200 points

Exercises & Participation 100 points

Total = 600 points

The lecture and final exam will be in multiple choice, matching, fill-in, and short essay format. Exercises will include homework assignments that I will explain during the course of the semester.

Exercises will include writing in class on text readings, quizzes on lecture material, as well as a writing assignment on a specific topic and a group learning project.

There will be no make-up exams. If an exam is missed and you have a written excuse, the grade for that exam will not be counted in calculating the final grade. I f you miss an exam and do not give an official written excuse you will receive a 0 for that exam and this grade will be calculated into your final grade.

Grading Scale for Final Overall Grade:

( A ) 100-95, (A-) 94-90, B+ (89-87), B (86-83), B- (82-80), C+ (79-76), C (75-73), C- (72-70), D+ ( 69-66), D (65-60), F 59 or less.

Tips for Succeeding in Class

1. Check the Blackboard course site for note outlines and figures to be discussed in class.
2. Attend class on time. I will not always take attendance, but will notice excessive absence. Exam material will be mostly from class work so it is to your advantage to be there.
3. Take good notes. If you have questions, please see me.
4. Keep up with the text reading so that the material is familiar sounding to you.
5. Ask questions- in class and in your dorm. Participation is greatly welcomed and rewarded.
6. Please see me if you have questions!

Academic code of honestly:

I expect you to be familiar and follow the University policy.

See: HTTP://ACADEMIC.UOFS.EDU/ORGANIZATION/USENATE/CODEOFHONOR.HTM.

Lecture Schedule & Reading Assignments*

Date	Topic	Assignment
August 27	Intro/Science/Organization of Life	1
29	Evolution and natural selection	22
September 3		22
5	Phylogeny & Classification Early Earth	Pages 484-494 Pages 510-518
10
12	Biological Chemistry	2, 3, 4
17	Macromolecules	5
19	Metabolism	6
24	EXAM 1	1-5, 22, 25,26
26	Metabolism	6
October 1	Cellular Organization	7
3	Membranes	8
8	Membranes	8
10	Respiration	9
15	FALL BREAK
17	Respiration	9
22	Photosynthesis	10
24	Exam 2	6-10
29	Cell Communication	11
31	Cell Cycle	12
November 5	Meiosis	13
7	Mendelian Genetics	14
12	Mendelian Genetics	14
14	Chromosomal Basis Inheritance	15

	Topic	Assignment
November 19	EXAM 3	11-15
21	Molecular Basis of Inheritance	16
26	Gene to Protein	17
28	Thanksgiving Break
December 3	Gene to Protein	17
5	Gene to Protein	17
Final week	Final as scheduled

*Schedule may change throughout the year.