Contemporary Biology

Instructor: Dr. Bill Retzlaff

Office: SL 3331A

Phone: 618/650-2728

email: WRETZLA@siue.edu

www:  http://www.siue.edu/~wretzla

Course Content:

This course will introduce you to the basic biological concepts associated with health issues, economic problems, environmental quality, and social responsibility.

Course Objectives:

Textbook:

The required textbook for this course will be Biology: Concepts and Connections, 3^rd edition by Campbell, Mitchell, and Reece. This is a good introductory text and lectures will follow the book closely. However, do not rely entirely on either the text or your notes. Testing will cover materials from both (text and lecture).

Class Exams:

There will be six (6) in-class exams in Biology 111. Each in-class EXAM will be worth 50 points. The final exam (100 points) will be administered during finals week and will be comprehensive from the beginning of the semester. Material presented in class lectures, from handouts, and your text will form the basis for exam questions.

The in-class exams will be held when scheduled on the syllabus. If you miss the class period when the exam is proctored because of a medical or non-medical emergency , you may schedule a make-up exam before the next class period with the instructor by following the procedure documented below.

Class Quizzes:

There will be six (6) in-class quizzes in Biology 111. Each QUIZ will be worth 20 points. The quizzes will be administered at the beginning of the class period just prior to an exam period (e.g., if an exam is scheduled for Wednesday's class, the quiz will be scheduled during class on the Monday before). Material presented in class lectures, from handouts, and your text will form the basis for quiz questions. The quizzes are designed to see if you are comprehending course material. Your performance should give you a good indicator of how well you will do on in-class exams.

The quizzes will be held when scheduled on the syllabus. If you miss the class period when the quiz is proctored because of a medical or non-medical emergency, you may schedule a make-up quiz before the next class period with the instructor by following the procedure documented below.

Rescheduling a Missed Quiz or Exam:

If you miss a quiz or an exam for medical reasons, please give the instructor a written statement signed by an attending physician. If you missed a quiz or an exam for a non-medical emergency, submit to the instructor the appropriate written documentation of the emergency. If the instructor decides it was a real emergency you will be allowed to retake the quiz or exam. Any other absence during a quiz or an exam period will result in a ‘0' for that quiz/exam.

Academic Misconduct:

Cheating (using unauthorized materials, information, or study guides), plagiarism (submitting others work as if it was your own), falsification of records, unauthorized possession of examinations, intimidation and any other unacceptable action WILL be determined to be academic misconduct according to SIUE policy. Aiding others in any such acts or attempts to engage in such acts is included.

Attendance:

Regular prompt attendance is required for success in this course. Although I won't be taking roll, if you miss several class periods you will not do well on the exams and quizzes in this course. If you miss a lecture, get the notes from a classmate and come ask me about the material if something is not clear. I will not provide copies of my class notes if you miss class.

Disability Support Services:

If any student has special needs they can contact the SIUE Office of Disability Support Services for assistance.

Grading System:

In-Class Exams (6) 300 points (50 points each)

Quizzes (6) 120 points (20 points each)

FINAL 100 points

TOTAL POINTS 520 points

A 90-100% 468 - 520 points

B 80-89% 416 - 467 points

C 70-79% 364 - 415 points

D 60-69% 312 - 363 points

F 59% < 311 points

Lecture 1 - Introduction to Science / The Cell

Lecture 2 - The Cell

Lecture 3 - Memorial Day - NO CLASS

Lecture 4 - The Cell ( Quiz 1)

Lecture 5 - EXAM 1 / Genetics

Lecture 6 - Genetics

Lecture 7 - Genetics ( Quiz 2)

Lecture 8 - EXAM 2 / Biodiversity

Lecture 9 - Biodiversity

Lecture 10 - Biodiversity (Quiz 3)

Lecture 11 - EXAM 3 / Animals

Lecture 12 - Animals

Lecture 13 - Animals ( Quiz 4)

Lecture 14 - EXAM 4 / Plants

Lecture 15 - Plants

Lecture 16 - Plants (Quiz 5)

Lecture 17 - EXAM 5 / Ecology

Lecture 18 - Ecology

Lecture 19 - Ecology ( Quiz 6)

Lecture 20 - EXAM 6 / REVIEW

Lecture 21 - EXAM 7 (FINAL)