Biology 1114 -- Syllabus

NATURE OF THE COURSE: This course introduces students to the integration between structure and function among all levels of biological organization. Students will learn to apply principles of evolution, genetics, physiology and ecology to understanding the integrated and interdependent nature of living systems through discussions that emphasize the process of science. Observation and investigation are emphasized in both lecture and lab.

REQUIRED TEXTS:	Lewis, R. 2002. Life. 4^rd edition. WCB/McGraw-Hill: NY.
	French, D. 2001. *Investigating Biology: A Laboratory Resource Manual. 4^rd edition* Harcourt Brace: NY.
	1pkg. 5x8" index cards, one side lined
	------- Note there is a $12 fee for laboratory equipment/supplies -----
RECOMMENDED:	Lawson, A. 1995. Studying for Biology. Benjamin/Cummings:NY
	This book has particularly useful suggestions for test-taking and general studying suggestions. It explains how to “think like a scientist,” a valuable, perhaps essential, skill in this course. It discusses scientific method, hypothesis formation and making predictions as you will need to do in lab and lecture. It outlines important points associated with some of the major theories in biology. For those continuing on in science, this book provides a summary of many areas of biology as well as providing suggestions and tutorials for improving your critical thinking skills.
	Pechenik, J.A. 2001. A Short Guide to Writing about Biology. 4^rd. Edition.Longman:NY.
	This is an excellent companion to help you with writing lab reports. It explains in great detail what you should put where, how to describe your data, the format for your literature cited, suggestions for clearer writing, and many other important points. For those continuing on in science, this is a valuable reference book discussing term papers, poster sessions, letters of application, research proposals and gives suggestions that may help you improve all sorts of other written or oral communication
	Breakwell, D.P. and A.R. Stevens. 2002. Student Study Guide to Accompany Life 4^rd ed By R. Lewis. WCB/McGraw-Hill: NY.
	This is a very basic and general study guide offering practice problems correlated with the material in the text.

ATTENDANCE: You are expected to attend both lab and lecture. Do arrive on time and stay for the entire period. A missed lab CANNOT be made up except by using your "disaster insurance" - see below

EXAMS: Four exams are scheduled: 3 throughout the course before final exam week and 1 during finals week. The dates are noted on the attached schedule. We are very concerned about students who due to circumstances miss an exam; students who miss an exam are typically under stress (e.g. personal or family tragedy, unavoidable personal obligation) therefore we developed the following policy to avoid creating a stressful situation for students. If you miss one of the first three exams, the final exam will be used to determine a substitute grade for the missed exam. If you miss taking the final exam and you let me know that you have missed it, thie grade of "I" will be assigned if you are passing the course at that point. You may then remove the "I" by taking the final exam for BIOL 1114 in one of the 2 following semesters, i.e., in Summer or Fall of 2002. If you miss the final exam and do not notify me, you will be assigned an "F" for the final exam grade.

All exams cover both theory and lab experiences and are cumulative; questions on exam 3 may deal, e.g., with material covered before exam 1 or 2. Exam questions will typically require interpretation of data and application of concepts rather than rote memory. While emphasis will be placed on material specifically discussed in lecture, exams will also include questions covering other assigned materials and readings.All exams are “in common,” i.e., everyone taking this course this semester, regardless of instructor, takes the same exam at the same time. Those dates and times (5:30 pm) are listed for each exam. (If you have a conflict with another common exam, let me know ASAP.) Compensation time for taking these 3 exams at 5:30 occurs in the 3-hr lab period when no lab is scheduled.

You must bring a NCS Answer Sheet (Available in the bookstore) a #2 lead pencil, and your student ID to each exam. The exams are usually NOT scheduled for the room where you attend lecture/theory. Be sure you know where to take your exams. Check your syllabus early.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: You should have read and now understand the O.S.U. policies on academic dishonesty. The penalty for ANY act of dishonesty in this class, including cheating and plagiarism, is a grade of ZERO on the assignment and academic discipline as warranted in accord with university guidelines. Do not even think of cheating.

SPECIAL NEEDS: If you have a disability and need special accommodations of any nature, I will work with you and the Office of Disabled Student Services, 326 Student Union, to provide reasonable accommodations so that you have a fair opportunity to perform successfully in this class. Please let me know about your disability and the accommodations you desire by the end of the second week of class.

LECTURE/THEORY: This portion of the course will combine mini-lectures, discussions, group activities, multimedia presentations, and other demonstrations and activities to give students an opportunity to learn biological concepts in as active a manner as possible. Each segment of the course is structured around one or more scenarios - case studies or vignettes that can be interpreted or solved by applying selected biological concepts. You will have the opportunity to accumulate up to 60 points toward your final semester grade from unannounced group activities (no makeups). It is your responsibility to insure that your name is on each in-class assignment when you are present.

LAB: This portion of the course offers the opportunity for students to explore and apply concepts to answer research questions. Success in the laboratory involves teamwork in designing and conducting experiments, performing pre-lab and lab activities and report writing. While you will be given the entire lab period to complete your experiments and lab reports, because each lab group’s experiments will vary in duration, you are not required to remain in lab after you turn in your report.

COURSE GROUPS: While taking exams is an individual activity, almost all other activities will involve your participation with two other class members in a group. Groups will form in the first week’s lab. Groups will produce their weekly lab reports AND complete their lecture exercises collaboratively.

BIOL1114-professor's name@listserv.okstate.edu (common e-mail address) will be used to supplement the traditional oral and written means of communicating. You are responsible for getting the information made available in this fashion. By sending to, replying to, or receiving e-mail from the listserv, you will be able to communicate to the entire class at once. You are also strongly encouraged to interact with the instructor and your classmates through this channel. Remember, however, that all messages posted to the listserv are sent to everyone. Be sure to send messages with any type of personal message directly to me at the e-mail address on this syllabus. Do not reply to a message from the listserv with any personal items.

WWW SITE: A variety of materials are available through the electronic Learning Resources Center. These include sample test questions, study guides, flow charts, outlines, tutorials and pre-lab exercises. It can be found at http://biol1114.okstate.edu. There are also additional ways to communicate with faculty and graduate students. You will find the study guides and reading assignments for each scenario (lecture topics) and many of the computer-based pre-lab assignments here.

LEARNING RESOURCES CENTER: Room 303 in LSW is staffed by the teaching assistants for the course and is open for extended periods throughout the week (See the schedule you will receive in lab). Various materials are there that will help you understand lecture and lab. Computers with tutorials for the course and sample test questions are available. There is also plenty of room for you to study with friends. The instructor on duty will be happy to help you understand any course-related material. Students who go there do better in this class!

Date	Week	Scenario	Lab Topic
14 Jan	1	Psychics and Scientists: A series of short scenarios will center on measurement of psychic phenomena, a faculty research question, a breath holding experiment, analysis of class score data, and what is a theory.	Lab Orientation.
21 Jan	M	Martin Luther King Holiday: No Class
21 Jan	2	Surviving Fire and Ice: The scenario focuses on surviving in desert and tundra and adaptations for thermoregulation and water retention.	Larger Quattro variegatus are eaten more often because they are easier to see.
25 Jan	F	Last day to drop with no grade
28 Jan	3	Out of the Rain Forest: An aboriginal fishing expedition in the rain forest is explored in terms of the action of a toxin produced by plants. Pesticides, coevolution, cell membrane function and cell respiration will be discussed.	Body shapes influence the rate of heat gain or loss in a predictable way.
4 Feb	4	Out of the Rain Forest continued.	How is metabolic rate influenced by ambient temperature?
11 Feb	M	EXAM 1 at 5:30 pm in TBA
11 Feb	5	Chemical Defenses: A Nigerian child eats a poisonous bean, which requires extraordinary treatment by the local physician, framing investigation of cell membrane structure, secretion, intercellular communication, and neurons.	How do various factors influence the passage of materials through a membrane?
18 Feb	6	Marooned in the Galapagos: This trip raises questions about what makes a species or organism successful. Attention to the physical character of these desert islands and animals living there highlights natural selection in action.	How can cell structure be used to identify cell type, function, or location?
25 Feb	7	Rainbow Connection: A scuba diving botanist is sent by the Smithsonian to collect algae. Blood is spilled and the biological uses of colored light, including photosynthesis, are explored.	How does seed/nut diversity and abundance influence survival of birds with different beak types?
4 Mar	8	Rainbow Connection continued	How does the color of light influence plant growth?
11 Mar	M	Exam 2 at 5:30 pm in TBA
11 Mar	9	Rainbow Connection continued. Emerging Diseases: On the Amazon we meet the Yanomami amidst a breaking TB epidemic, raising the roles of symbiosis, population dynamics and evolution in development of epidemics.	What factor(s) result in the greatest water loss from soil with plant cover?
18 Mar		Spring Break - No Class
25 Mar	10	Emerging Diseases continued	Does drug type or UV radiation influence evolution of antibiotic resistance?
1 Apr	11	Family Reunion: A family reunion opens the door to talk about cancer, DNA, protein synthesis, genetically determined diseases and biotechnology.	How can the genetic composition of bacteria be altered in the laboratory?
8 Apr	12	Family Reunion continued.	How can genetic material be identified in the laboratory?
12 Apr	F	Last day to drop with an automatic W
15 Apr	M	Exam 3 at 5:30 in TBA
15 Apr	13	Family Reunion continued. Hogs & Chickens: Statistics about concentrated animal feeding operations raise questions about nutrients in biogeochemical cycles, the effects of livestock and people on aquatic systems and the history of sewage.	Does sewage affect benthic and algal species diversity in streams?
22 Apr	14	Hogs & Chickens continued. Why We Care about Fat: our contemporary preoccupation with fat sets the scene for a discussion of fat metabolism, its genetic, nervous and hormonal control, and behavioral implications.	What leads to anoxia in polluted streams?
29 Apr	15	Why We Care about Fat continued.	On what basis do male or female guppies select mates?
9 May	Th	FINAL EXAM at 4:30-6:20 pm in TBA

Component	Format	Available Points	Maximum Points Allowed	Notes
Lecture Activities	1-2 pt. quizzes/homework	About 65-70	60	Can earn only 60 pts in this category
Exam 1	40 2-pt. questions	80	80	All exams are cumulative; Each covers ALL material studied previously.
Exam 2	40 3-pt. questions	120	120
Exam 3	40 3-pt. questions	120	120
Final Exam	70 3-pt. questions	210	210
Lecture Subtotal:		About 600	590	Can only earn 590 points in the lecture portion.

Planning Form	Weekly 10-pt write-up	130	130	Must be turned in by 5:00 pm day before lab.
Lab Reports	Weekly 20-pt report	280	280	Must be turned in BEFORE you leave lab and CANNOT BE MADE UP.
Extra Credit opportunities in lab	Pre-labs, Optional experiment components	More than 100		These serve as "disaster insurance" against absences and undesirable performances.
Lab Subtotal:		More than 510	410	Can only earn 410 points in the lab portion.
TOTAL:		Approximately 1,110	1,000