Biology 111 - Contemporary Biology Spring Semester 2002

Text - Biology: Concepts and Connections Dr. R.B. Brugam

Campbell, Mitchell and Reece Office = Biology Office

Room Lecture SL 0209 Lab = SL 3211

Phone = 618-650-2377

Time 11:00 to 11:50 MWF Email = rbrugam@siue.edu

Course Goals:

1.To teach you how biology impacts modern life

2.To give you an understanding of how science works

3. To improve your critical thinking and writing skills

Lecture Schedule

Introductory Chemistry

Week Date Title Readings (Chap.)

1 M Jan 7 Introduction - The Nature of Science 1

W Jan 9 More on the Nature of Science 1

F Jan 11 Atoms and Molecules 2

2 M Jan 14 Atoms and Molecules 2

W Jan 16 Molecules of Cells 3

F Jan 18 Molecules of Cells 3

3 M Jan 21 Dr. M.L. King Day - no class

W Jan 23 A Tour of the Cell 4

Cells

F Jan 25 Quiz 1

4 M Jan 28 Continuing our Tour of the Cell 4

W Jan 30 Cell Division - The Basis of Genetics 8

F Feb 1 More on Cell Division 8

Genetics

5 M Feb 4 Mendelian Genetics 9

W Feb 6 More Mendelian Genetics 9

F Feb 8 Quiz 2

6 M Feb 11 Even More Mendelian Genetics (Wow!) 9

W Feb 13 DNA and Molecular Genetics 10

F Feb 15 More on DNA 10

7 M Feb 18 Protein Synthesis 10

W Feb 20 More on Protein Synthesis 10

F Feb 22 Quiz 3

Modern Applications of Genetics and Molecular Biology

8 M Feb 25 Recombinant DNA 12

W Feb 27 More Recombinant DNA 12

F Mar 1 Still more Recombinant DNA 12

F Mar 1 Genetics and Molecular Biology Critique Due

9 M Mar 4 Cancer and its Causes 11.13 to 11.7

W Mar 6 Cancer and its Causes 11.13 to 11.7

F Mar 8 Quiz 4

Spring Break March 11 to 17

Evolutionary Biology

10 M Mar 18 The History of Ideas on Evolution 13.1 to 13.3

W Mar 20 Darwin’s Ideas 13.4

F Mar 22 Darwin’s Theory and the Modern Synthesis 13.4 to 13.12

11 M Mar 25 Variation and Natural Selection 13.13 to 13.21

W Mar 27 The Origin of Species 14

F Mar 29 Quiz 5

12 M Apr 1 More on the Origin of Species 14

W Apr 3 Human Evolution 19

F Apr 5 Human Evolution 19

Ecology and Environmental Science

13 M Apr 8 The Biosphere 34

W Apr 10 More on the Biosphere 34

F Apr 12 Quiz 6

14 M Apr 15 Population Growth 35

W Apr 17 Population Growth 36.1 to 36.2

F Apr 19 Illinois State Academy of Sciences Meeting

No Class today, but

You are Invited to Attend the Meeting in the

Morris University Center

15 M Apr 22 Ecosystems 36.3 to 36.6

W Apr 23 Ecological Energetics 36.8 to 36.12

F Apr 24 Biogeochemistry 36.13 to 36.20

F Apr 24 Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Science

Critique Due

****FINAL EXAM : Thursday May 7 at 10:00 AM to 11:40 A.M. SL 0209*****

This time is the time assigned for our course in the Spring Course Schedule.

1. Class Attendance

It is expected that everyone will be present at every class meeting. Those students who are chronically absent will be asked to withdraw from the course. Roll will be taken intermittently so you must come to every class. Attendance will be part of your final grade!

Lecture material will be taken from the text entitled: Biology: Concepts and Connections by Campbell, Mitchell and Reece and from the instructor's own experience. You will be tested both on the readings and on the lectures. Absences from class will make it

impossible to score well on the exams.

2. Reading Assignments

The syllabus lists the readings required for the class. You will, on average, need to spend 2 hours reviewing the class material for every 1 hour spent in the lecture. You should read the required material before class.

3. Writing Assignment

You will be expected to complete two writing assignments in the semester. The assignments will be critiques of articles in the popular press on biological topics. The first assignment will be due March 1 and will be on some aspect of genetics, molecular biology or biology in medicine. The second assignment will be due on April 24 and will be on some aspect of ecology, evolution or environment.

For the writing assignment you will read an article and write a critique. The critique will include 1) a brief review of the main points of the article. 2)A statement of the impacts of the ideas you read about on human life and society 3) A critique of the scientific point of view expressed in the article. Critiques should be approximately 3 pages in length.

You will be limited the following popular magazines and newspapers:

1. Scientific American 6. Smithsonian

2. American Scientist 7. Nature

3. BioScience 8.Audubon

4. Science 9. National Wildlife

5. Natural History 10. Discover

These sources are available in Lovejoy Library or in your local town library. Alternatively, you can purchase the latest edition of the magazine at Borders in Fairview Heights. If you have questions about an article that you want to critique, please consult the instructor. If you want to write on an article from a periodical that is not on the above list, please contact your instructor.

The format of the critiques must be as follows:

a. You must type your paper on a computer with 12 font. No hand written papers will be accepted.

b. Your paper must be stapled

c. Your paper must be double space and printed on only one side.

d. You must include the author, title, volume and date of the magazine from which you got the article.

4. Make‑up Exams (NOT!)

There will be no make‑up exams. Six exams have been scheduled at intervals through the semester. Your top five grades will be used in determining your final grade. If you miss an exam, then the zero that you get will be considered one of your dropped grades. If you miss more than 2 exams, the zeros will count! Beware! The final is comprehensive and very heavily weighted.

5. Grade Calculation

Grades will be calculated as follows:

First Quiz 10%

Second Quiz 10%

Third Quiz 10%

Fourth Quiz 10%

Fifth Quiz 10%

Final Exam 30%

Critiques (2) 15%

Attendance 5%

Total 100%

6. Availability of the Instructor

If you are having difficulties with the class material, please do not hesitate to contact the instructor so help sessions can be arranged. The purpose of Biology 111 is to give you an understanding of the contributions of biology to the modern world. If you are having difficulties with the class material, the class is not fulfilling its purpose. The instructor is very concerned that every student gets as much as he or she can from the class. If you are frequently absent from class, however, you must not expect the instructor to conduct special classes for you.

The Instructor's office hours are: 10:00 to 11:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If he is not in his office, he will certainly be in his lab. You may also make an appointment for a specific time with the Biology Department Secretary.