COMPANION TO BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 101

SUMMER, 2003

  INFORMATION ABOUT THE COURSE

Welcome to Biology 101!  This course is designed to introduce you to the basic principles of the life sciences. The intent is not to make you a biologist but to promote the development of certain skills inherent to biology and essential for a college graduate in the changing world.  I hope after you have completed this course, you will become biologically literate and be able to carry out an informed conversation (or read scientific articles and make sense out of them) on the current topics and issues in biology (such as genetic engineering, cancer, AIDS, environmental awareness issues, ethical implications of biological practices etc.) understand the logic of experimentation, learn how to interpret data, start thinking critically by reviewing literature and examining what several scientists say about the same issue, and finally question the underlying assumptions in biology.  Your instructor will be Dr. Khaleel from the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences (Office:  Sci 119;  Phone:  657-2017).  The text for the course is The Living World by George B. Johnson (3nd Ed. 2002).

Examinations: Keeping up with the reading assignments and regular attendance are extremely important, especially for classes during the summer, as the pace is faster.  In order to help you to keep up with the pace, four take home exams and two in class exams will be given as indicated below.  Each Take home exam will be worth 10% of your grade and the two in class exams will be 30% each. Every takehome examination is due following a weekend, that will give you ample time to study.   Furthermore, the take home exams should serve as a study guide/test bank for exams given during the class.  

 Take-home Exams:                               Due                          

Exam 1   (Chapters 1,3 & 4, 12)           May 20        

Exam  2  (Chapters 5,6)                        May 28                 

Exam  3   (Chapters 7-11)                    June 10                                                            

Exam  4  (Chapters 13-16,19)               June 14                                                           

In class Exams:

Exam 1 (Chapters 1,3-6, 12)                   June  3, 2002                                        

Final Exam (Chapters 7-11, & 29-30)    June 12, 2002                       

  In general, examinations and tests are a tool to communicate to the instructor, the learning that occurs in a course.  In this course, all examinations and tests are designed to assess the communication of learning the biological concepts and also other skills outlined in the first paragraph.  For example, thought provoking questions with multiple choice of answers are designed to promote analytical and critical thinking; analysis, interpretation and application of data in genetics problems allows you to develop problem solving skills, test your knowledge of factual information as well as give you the ability to apply them to new situations.  Throughout the course, you will be expected to be involved in discussions on recent biological issues and application of current technology used to address those issues. The tests may include short essay questions that reflect your understanding of concepts through good writing skills.  Therefore, the grade you receive in the class is not for the memorization of details, rather it is for learning and application of concepts that promote other skills.

Grading

A = 91- 100            B= 81- 90             C= 71- 80      D = 61- 70          F = Below 60%

Office & Hours: My office is in the Science Building Room 119.   My office hours are M-Th 11:00-12:00.  

Lecture Schedule                                                               Reading Assignment     

Topic                                                                                             

Introduction:                                                                 Chapter 1 & 12

a.  Characteristics & Diversity of Life 

b.  The Process of Science:  Scientific Method               

The Chemistry of Life                                                 Chapter 3

Atoms and molecules:  water

Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins & Nucleic Acids 

Origin of life 

Cells:  concept, diversity, structure and function               Chapter 4 

           Cell Membranes 

Cells and Energy

Photosynthesis &  Respiration                                            Chapter 5 

Mitosis and Meiosis                                                      Chapter 6                     Chapter 6

Mendelian Genetics                                                       Chapter 7 

Molecular Genetics                                                        Chapter 8 

Human Genetics & Biotechnology                               Chapter 9, 10 Chapter 9, 10 

Evolution and Natural Selection                                    Chapter 11

Ecosystems                                                                     Chapters 29

Ecosystems and Biosphere                                            Chapters 30,31

Prokaryotes, Protists & Fungi                                       Chapter 13,14,15

Plants & Animals                                                           Chapters 16,19