Date
Topic
Text Chapters
Aug 20
Introduction, Life & the Cell
1, 2
Aug 22
Atoms, atomic structure and molecules
2
Aug 23
Bonding and compounds
2
Aug 27
Water and simple chemical reactions
2
Aug 29
Biological molecules using carbon
3
Aug 31
Biological molecules using carbon
3
Sept 3
NO Classes--Labor Day
Sept 5
Review for exam 1
Sept 7
Exam #1
Sept 10
Carbohydrates, lipids and energy storage
3
Sept 12
Protein structure & function
3
Sept 14
Enzymes & energy relationships
6
Sept 17
Cell surface and cell parts
4, 5
Sept 19
Cell organelles
4, 5
Sept 21
Cell organelles
4, 5
Sept 24
Cell organelles
4, 5
Sept 26
Review for exam #2
Sept 28
Exam #2
Oct 1
Photosynthesis
7
Oct 3
Photosynthesis
7
Oct 5
Photosynthesis
7
Oct 8
Fermentation and glycolysis
8
Oct 10
Cell respiration
8
Oct 12
Cell respiration
8
Oct 15
Review for exam 3
Oct 17
Exam #3
Oct 19
NO CLASSES--Fall Break
Oct 22
DNA structure and replication
13
Oct 24
Chromosomes and the cell cycle
9, 12
Oct 26
Mitosis
9
Oct 29
Mitosis
9
Oct 31
Meiosis
10
Nov 2
Meiosis
10
Nov 5
Mendel & his laws, simple inheritance
11, 12
Nov 7
Mendelian genetics
11, 12
Nov 9
Mendelian genetics
11, 12
Nov 12
Mendelian genetics
11, 12
Nov 14
Review for exam 4
Nov 16
Exam #4
Nov 19
Chemical nature of genes
13, 14
Nov 21
How proteins are made
14
Nov 23
No Class--Thanksgiving
Nov 26
How proteins are made
14
Nov 28
How proteins are made
14
Nov 30
Translation of the code
14
Dec 3
Translation of the code
14
Dec 5
Regulation of the code
14, 15
Dec 7
Review
Dec 10-14 Final exams--check the UTM website or the Fall Courses
List for exact date and time
**syllabus is subject to change
Attendance: I take attendance at least once per week throughout the semester on a random basis (i.e. it could happen on any day during each week, and possibly every day during certain weeks). I use your attendance as a record of your willingness to learn the subject, and, at the end of the semester in cases where students are one percentage point away from the next highest letter grade, I use your attendance record to decide whether to increase your gradeto the next highest letter grade. For example, last year there were approximately 30 students who were one point away from the next letter grade, 10 of those had perfect attendance and those 10 students received the next highest letter grade. Therefore, your attendance, while not required, is an essential part of your learning experience, and I strongly suggest that you attend every class meeting. Those students who must miss class due to approved university activities should notify me in advance.
Grading: Total number of points possible: 1000 pts
Lecture = 700 pts (70% of total grade)
Lab = 300 pts (30%
of total grade) see lab syllabus for details
Lecture grade: 700 pts total from exams (640 pts), in-class quizzes (30 pts; see below), and web/writing assignments (30pts; see below)
4 exams: 640 pts total
Exam #1 = 120 pts
Exam #2 = 120 pts
Exam #3 = 120 pts
Exam #4 = 120 pts
Final exam = 160 pts
Each exam is cumulative with questions from previous exams (except
exam #1)
To calculate your point grade on exams, multiply the percentage
points at the top of your exam by the number of points that exam is worth
(e.g. 87% on exam 1 =
0.87 x 120 pts = 104.4 points
In-class quizzes (30 pts): these quizzes will not
be announced in advance. They must be completed during the class
period when they are assigned
(cannot make up unless have an approved university activity).
5 quizzes @ 6 points each quiz = 30 points
In-class web/writing assignments (30 pts): these
in-class assignments will not be announced in advance. They
must be turned in at the beginning of the class period when they
are assigned (cannot make up unless you have an approved university activity).
5 web/writing assignments @ 6 points each = 30 pts
DO NOT MISS LECTURE EXAMS! Make up exams will only be given in cases of serious emergencies or conflict. You MUST notify me in advance if you must miss an exam due to illness or an approved conflict. If I am not in my office, LEAVE A MESSAGE IN THE BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OFFICE (phone 7170) or send me an email. Otherwise, I WILL NOT GIVE MAKE-UP EXAMS.
Grading Scale: I grade on the standard 10 percentage point
scale:
100-90% = A; 89- 80% = B; 79- 70% = C;
69- 60% = D; < 59 % = F
POLICY FOR CHEATING ON AN EXAM: If you are caught cheating on an exam, you will receive an F in the COURSE! I will NOT tolerate academic dishonesty!
Extra credit: Extra credit assignments are not equivalent to the writing/quizzes/exam performance that is expected of you in this class. Therefore, I DO NOT give extra-credit assignments. Do not expect to come to me at the last minute and gain extra points for no reason.
Textbook: Starr, C., and R. Taggart. 1998. Biology: the unity and diversity of life. Eighth edition. Wadsworth Publishing Co. Belmont, CA.
website resource: www. wadsworth.com/biology