Biology 100: Introduction to Biology
Fall Semester 2011
Syllabus
Instructor: Dr. Michael Franklin
Ticket #: 14742; Tuesday-Thursday; 1400-1315, CH 5125 Office: Magnolia Hall 4112C
Office Hours: MW 1100-1230, T 1300-1400, or by appointment
Telephone #'s: Office #: (818)677-7145; or leave messages in Biology office (818)677-3356.
E-mail: DrMFranklin@aol.com; Website: www.drmfranklin.com
Required Text: Biology the Science of Life with Physiology, 3rd Edition, by Colleen Belk and Virginia Borden Maier. Published by Benjamin Cummings, 2010.
SCHEDULE (subject to change depending on the rate of progress): The course will be broken down into five sections.
LECTURE TOPIC(S)CHAPTER(S)
Definition of science/biologyIntro & 1
Characteristics of Living Things1
The Molecules of Life & the properties
Biological Molecules/Macromolecules2 & 3
Chemical Reactions and Energy3
TBAQuiz #1, 50 points possible, last half hour of class
Introduction to Genetics6
Principles of Inheritance6 & 7
TBA*********** MIDTERM I, 100 points possible******************
Introduction to Systematics11 & 12
Introduction to Evolution9 & 10
Regulatory Mechanisms10 & 11
(Natural Selection, Mutation, Genetic
Drift, Extinction, Hardy-Weinberg, etc.)
TBAQuiz #2, 50 points possible, last half hour of class
Major Taxonomic groupsHandout, 11 & 12
Introduction to Population Biology13 & 14
TBA*********** MIDTERM II, 100 points possible******************
More about populations14 & 15
Population Growth and Regulation13 - 15
(there will be more information presented here than it appears....)
There may be a portion of the class on Monday August 18th for optional review. Please bring your questions.
DEC 15-Thursday **** FINAL EXAM, 200 points possible, 1500-1700**********
Course goals (Student Learning Objectives, SLO’s): This course covers general aspects of biology (e.g., physical and chemical biology, biological processes, human biology, etc.). You should (1) gain an appreciation and understanding for the complexity and diversity of life, (2) learn biological processes and ecological concepts relevant to individuals, especially those processes that occur within individuals, and (3) gain insight into how scientists examine biological questions.
Class: There will be 2, 75 min. lectures per week. Occasional video and slide presentations will help us to get out of the lecture room and into the field.
**NOTE 1**: material covered will come from several sources, including but not exclusively from the text. You are responsible for all readings, lectures, and video/slide presentations which may be included in the exams.
Grading and Exams: Grades will be based on 2 quizzes (50 points each), 2 mid-term exams (100 pts each), and 1 cumulative final exam (200 pts), two short reports, 2 @ 50 pts each (100pts), for a total of 600 points. Lecture and reading material (as stated above, etc.) is included on these exams. Grades will be based on the percentage of total points accumulated. I will utilize the following grading scale throughout the semester: 93-100% = A; 89-92% = A-; 88-86% =B+; 85-82% = B; 79-81%= B-; 76-78% = C+; 69.5-75%=C; 65-69.4%=C-; 62-64%=D+; 57-61%=D; 54-56%=D-; below 54% = F. Improvement is also taken into consideration, but don't expect miracles, you are responsible for your grade. As a rule, and a general policy, I do not assign incomplete’s (I), unless there is a compelling reason to do so (not doing well in the class is NOT a compelling reason). Also note, withdrawals will not permitted during the last three weeks of the semester (again the reason must be valid and verifiable). Be sure to refer to the schedule of classes and the CSUN catalog. You are responsible for attending the scheduled exams and quizzes: there are no make-up or rescheduled exams or quizzes. Exams will consist of multiple choice, matching, and fill-in-the-blank types of questions that can be completed on a scantron (form 882). The exams will take just about the whole class period, so be on time. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask
NOTE 2: I do not give make-up exams. You have the exam dates, so make it a point to be here for the exams. Let me know as soon as possible about any possible conflict. I will make accommodations for those with a verifiable and valid reason. Note, I also do not (and will not) make allowances for having more than one exam during any given day.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Biology Department Withdrawal Policy: Unrestricted class withdrawals are permitted only until the end of the third week. Thereafter, requests to withdraw will be honored only when a verifiable serious and compelling reason exists and when there is no viable alternative to withdrawal. Poor performance is not an acceptable reason for dropping a class; in fact, you must be passing in order to withdraw. During the last three weeks of class, withdrawals will not be approved except when a student is withdrawing from all classes for verifiable medical reasons.
Cheating and Plagiarism: Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated and violators of this policy will be punished as per university policy (please see the Catalog). You should cite your sources when you write a paper. Provided that you do give the citation, it is acceptable to relate someone else’s findings or arguments in your own words. Copying another individuals work without proper citation is theft (of intellectual property). Like cheating on exams, this is not to be taken lightly, and will be punished according to university policy (when in doubt, please check your Catalog). Go out of your way to avoid the temptation of academic dishonesty in any form. The consequences far outweigh the “benefits”. In short, don’t do it.
NOTE 3: As a courtesy to others, please shut off all cell phones, pagers, and alarming watches during lectures and exams. As a rule electronic dictionaries and other aids will not be allowed during exams.
NOTE 4: This isn’t the only class I teach, and teaching isn’t the only thing I do, so when you contact me, please include your name and class so I may address your concerns. Please don’t assume I know who you are (there are many more of you than me...)
Last Note (really): The grade I report at the end of the term is the grade you have earned. There are no “victims” in my classes, and I do not “play favorites”. You may get a breakdown of your grades by visiting the class website (www.drmfranklin.com).
GOOD LUCK !!!!
Keep this document with your syllabus and refer to it often.
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Sample Questions
The following are the types of questions you will see on the quiz and midterm.
A) The synthesis of proteins and the duplication of chromosomes occurs during:
a) cell cycle; b) G1; c) G2; d) S-phase; e) A and D only;
B) Membrane bound organelles, compartmentalization, and a true nucleus are characteristics of:
a) prokaryotic organisms; b) eukaryotic organisms;
c) bacteria; d) fungi; e) more than one of these is correct
C) The bond that results from the unequal sharing of electrons is:
a) polar covalent; b) nonpolar covalent; c) ionic; d) hydrogen;
e) any of these would be correct
D) All of the following are an important characteristic of living things, except:
a) growth; b) development; c) metabolism; d) reproduction;
e) all of these are characteristics of living things
E) Cholesterol, a steroid, is an example of:
a) a carbohydrate; b) a lipid; c) a protein; d) a nucleic acid;
e) all of these; ab) MARK A & B on the scantron...none of these
You will find questions like this on the quiz and midterm. If you can answer these and handle all of the terms and concepts on the study guide (which will be distributed soon), you will do well. If things aren't clear, again please ask.
