BIOL 178: PRINCIPLES OF
BIOLOGY
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE COURSE
Welcome to Biology 178. This is the first course in the Biology core for students majoring in Biology. It emphasizes principles of biology related to the unity of life. Pertinent topics are outlined in the syllabus that follows. The real key to success in this class is the assigned readings from the text before and after the scheduled class meetings. Get the big conceptual picture, and the detail will follow. You should not miss a class unless exceptional circumstances warrant your absence.
Course objectives and Expected outcomes: The course is designed to give you a strong foundation upon which your biological training in the future years rests. This foundation includes a solid grasp of biological concepts and their applications, development of critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills, and the ability to recall the concepts and be able to communicate them in writing.
ASSESSMENT: Assessment of your grasp of concepts and their applications, critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, and factual recall will be done through six examinations (details given below). These examinations will include multiple choice questions that will allow you to think critically and hone your analytical abilities; essay, short answer and other questions that will allow factual recall, application of concepts and problem solving. Your communication skills will be assessed through clarity in writing, accuracy in grammar, and spelling and organization in presentation of facts.
GRADING: Grades will be determined by numerical scores on each test; none of the tests will be curved. The scale will be as follows: 91-100%= A 81-90%= B 71-80%= C 61-70% = D Below 60% = F
EXAMINATIONS: Six examinations will be given during the semester on the dates indicated below. These are tentative dates because I would like to reserve the right to change the date if necessary. The first five exams will cover only material presented in the preceding part of the course since the last exam. The final exam (sixth) will be comprehensive. The examinations will include the material discussed in the class as well as the reading assignments from the text. The examinations dates are given below. Make up exams will be given only under the most pressing circumstances. Arrangements for make up exams should be made before the regularly scheduled exams. Each exam will be worth 100 points. You will be allowed to drop the lowest score on any one of the six exams.
Exam 1
September 22, 2003
Exam 2 October 8, 2003
Exam 3 November 3, 2003
Exam 4 November 14, 2003
Exam 5 December 5, 2003
Final Exam December 8, 2003 (10:00-11:50)
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Tasneem Khaleel Phone: 657-2017
Office: Sci 119 Office
Hours:. T, TH & F: 12.30-1.30 or by appt.
REQUIRED TEXT:
Raven, P.H. and G.B. Johnson 2002. Biology 6th edition. McGraw-Hill.
Note: Your text is packaged with a lab manual that
will be used in Biol 188, Principles of Biology Laboratory this semester, and
Biol 189 Biodiversity Laboratory next semester.
Website: This website (www.mhhe.com/raven6) developed exclusively for use with your text is a great study tool that enhances the material in your text. It is a wonderful site with quizzes, outlines and links to other biology sites. Use this resource as an electronic study guide and practice exams.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with disabilites. Please contact me ASAP if you need any help.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT/DISHONESTY: Please refer to the Student Handbook for details.
SYLLABUS AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
Sep 5 Introduction: A view of life 1
Sep 8 How we classify Organisms 32
Sep 10 How we classify Organisms 32
Sep 12 Origin and Early History of life 4
Sep 15 Cellular Structure 5
Sep 17 Cellular Structure 5
Sep 24 Energy and metabolism 8
Sep 26 Respiration: How cells harvest energy 9
Sep 29 Respiration: How cells harvest energy 9
Oct 1 Photosynthesis 10
Oct 3 Photosynthesis 10
Oct 5 Review 8-10
Oct 8 Exam 2 8-10
Oct 10 How cells divide 11
Oct 13 How cells divide: Mitosis 11
Oct 15 Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction 12
Oct 17 Patterns of Inheritance 13
Oct 20 Patterns of Inheritance 13
Oct 22 DNA: The Genetic Material 14
Oct 24 Genes and How They Work 15
Oct 27 Genes and How They Work 15
Oct 29 Control of Gene Expression 16
Oct 31 Review 11-16
Nov 5 Evolution: Population Genetics 20
Nov 7 Evolution: Mechanism and Evidence 21
Nov10 Evolution: Origin of Species 22
Nov 12 Evolution
Nov 17 Population ecology 24
Nov 19 Community ecology 25
Nov 21 Ecosystems 28
Nov 24 Ecosystems 28
Dec 1 The Biosphere 29,30
Dec 3 Review 24,25,28,29,30
Dec 8 Final Exam: (10:00-11:50) Comprehensive