BIO104: Cellular Foundations of Life- Spring 2024

SYLLABUS OF STUDY

Spring 2024

UNION COLLEGE, SCHENECTADY, NY

• Location and Meeting Time: Olin 115;  M,W,F 9:15 AM-10:20 AM
• Office Hours: Wednesday 2:30PM-4:00PM, Thursday 9:00AM-10:30AM, or by appointment by clicking below or copying and pasting this link:
  Google Scheduling Page.
  or search on Google Calendar for my calendar (Union College only)

Laboratory:  ISEC 355,  TUESDAY– THURSDAY, Various Times

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• In this course, you will gain an understanding of how metabolic and cellular function arises from the interaction of structures and processes across different levels of biological organization.  We will focus on the following core concepts:
  1. Basic units of structure define function in biochemical and cellular systems
  2. Biological function depends upon pathways of chemical transformations of matter and energy, which are governed by the laws of thermodynamics; and
  3. Cellular systems are interconnected and interacting.
• Also, you will gain experience with the scientific method by learning how to generate and test hypotheses, to evaluate experimental results and to communicate their findings in writing.

COURSE RESOURCES

• Textbook (REQUIRED)
  • We are using Campbell Biology, 12^th edition by Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky and Reece (2020), published by Pearson Education, New York, NY.  This textbook is required as there will be assigned readings (see lecture schedule) that will expand upon or complement material presented during lectures.  You will find that the author’s voice and my own are different and that you will likely benefit from two discussions of the same material.
    • If you have the 11th edition this is totally fine- there is no need to purchase the newer edition
  • Even though the lecture period remains the most essential vehicle of information in the course, you will be responsible for the assigned readings in preparation for tests and the final exam, even if the material is not covered in the lectures.  It is strongly recommended that you do the readings before each class. The text and the Mastering Biology resource can be purchased in the bookstore.
    • You must have the Mastering Biology module (see more below)- I will be giving assignments as a part of the course
  • This course contains a lot of material and the pace may seem quite intense especially in a ten week format.  It is important to pay close attention to lectures.  ASK QUESTIONS if you don’t understand or if something requires clarification.  If a certain concept eludes you, please don’t delay in coming to see me.  As we proceed in the course, you’ll find that much of the material requires an understanding of the processes discussed during the first few weeks.
  • Perhaps most importantly, read your textbook and lecture notes every day.  Don’t forget to consult the online resources available through the publisher.  You may find these helpful in studying for tests.
• Companion Web Site (REQUIRED)
  • We will use Pearson’s online Mastering Biology that accompanies our textbook for many of its resources.  You will need to purchase an access code packaged with your textbook or else as a standalone access code. This can be done directly through the publisher or via the bookstore.
  • You will need to create a Pearson account and enter our class ID: cohen71027
  • The student registration instructions can be found on Nexus
  • This on-line resource supplements your textbook by providing a wide variety of highly interactive learning tools that should enable better preparation for upcoming exams.  The “study area” is conveniently organized for each chapter of the textbook, and features a copy of the e-text, multiple choice-based practice tests/quizzes, animations, HHMI videos, vocabulary study tools, Campbell figure walkthroughs, and various web-based activities. I invite you to make full use of this most important learning tool.
• Course Materials on Nexus
  • I am using Nexus as the online repository of information related to this course. The site can be found at: http://nexus.union.edu/
• Additional Support Resources
  • I strongly urge you to take advantage of the following extra help:
    • Bio Backup: There is tutoring help available from upperclass students through Bio Back-up, Tuesday & Thursday evenings 7:00-9:00 pm. The tutor is very helpful for lab reports too.
    • Supplemental Instructor:  The Supplemental Instruction (SI) program is an additional academic resource to support learning in this class.   will be your SI Leader this term and will conduct weekly review sessions to supplement lectures and help you understand course content and help you learn effective study and test preparation skills. SI sessions are not a re-lecturing of the material and are not intended to replace the lecture.  Research shows that students who attend these types of learning support sessions tend to do better in the course.

Lecture Presentations: Olin Center 115;  M,W,F 9:15 AM-10:20 AM

• The three-plus hours of class time per week are designed to be interactive.  Lectures still take up the bulk of the time; however, discussion will be encouraged.
• Presentations will primarily make use of assorted electronic resources (Power Point, videos, and animations). Almost all of the lecture material will be available as powerpoint documents on Nexus.
  • Many students find it helpful to make hard copies of the lecture figures and bring them to class.
  • You may also use laptops or tablets to take notes directly onto the individual slides.
• You will be responsible for all material covered during lectures, as well as any textbook readings, handouts or assignments (whether provided in this syllabus or at a later time).  Moreover, the lectures may contain new information not covered in the textbook.  Therefore, you should make every effort to attend lecture and take complete and accurate notes.
• Want more information on how to do well in class? Follow this link: How to do well in a Cohen class

Laboratories

• This course has a mandatory lab that begins during first week of the term.  Labs meet in ISEC 355. Be sure you know when your lab section meets before the first day of lab.  Unless you have already done it this year for another class you must watch the laboratory safety video and take the quiz.  You can gain access to the video and quiz on the Nexus site.

Course Policies

• Grades
  • Grades will be assigned on a straight scale (≥93 A, ≥90 A-, ≥87 B+, etc….) based on the following:

• • Quizzes will test your understanding of factual content, while exams will include higher levels of understanding (please refer to information on this below). Quizzes will be online and you will have 2-3 days to complete them.
• Attendance
  • Attendance in lecture is expected, but not mandatory. Failure to attend will prevent you from getting classroom participation points.
  • It is strongly suggested that you attend all lectures; many exam questions will come from lecture material (hand-outs, discussions, etc.).  Topics discussed during class may also prove to be useful when writing your lab reports.
  • Laboratory attendance is mandatory; missing lab may result in failure in the course. You must watch the laboratory safety video and take the quiz before you can take the lab.  You can gain access to the video and quiz on the Nexus site.
  • If you read this please email me and you can come to get a prize from my prize bag (don’t get too excited- we’re talking pens, stickers, a few stress balls, etc)
• Instructor/Course Policy on Quizzes, Tests (Exams) & Final Exam
  • Anyone who misses a lecture exam or quiz can take a make-up (provided you have a Dean’s or medical excuse).  If you anticipate an absence on one of the exam days, see me immediately.  Unexcused absence (absence without documentation or preapproval) from test will result in a grade of ZERO.
  • All grading mistakes on tests must be discussed within a week of getting the test returned.
  • It is Biology Department policy that all students will take the final exam at the time scheduled by the Registrar except if missing class for an official Union College activity.  Please do not make travel plans that conflict with the date of the final.
• Students Requiring Academic Accommodations
  • Union College facilitates the implementation of reasonable accommodations, including resources and services, for students with disabilities, chronic medical conditions and temporary disabilities resulting in difficulties accessing learning opportunities. All students needing services must first register with Accommodative Services located in Reamer 303. It is strongly recommended that accommodations be requested within first two weeks of the term. Last minute requests can be denied.
  • At the beginning of the term, please discuss with me the accommodations needed to facilitate your learning and test taking. Discussions will remain confidential. Appropriate documentation from the Dean of Students office and/or the Disability Services Office is required.
• Academic Honesty
  • Union College recognizes the need to create an environment of mutual trust as part of its educational mission. Responsible participation in an academic community requires respect for and acknowledgement of the thoughts and work of others, whether expressed in the present or in some distant time and place.
  • Matriculation at the College is taken to signify implicit agreement with the Academic Honor Code, available at honorcode.union.edu. It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that submitted work is his or her own and does not involve any form of academic misconduct. Students are expected to ask their course instructors for clarification regarding, but not limited to, collaboration, citations, and plagiarism. Ignorance is not an excuse for breaching academic integrity.
  • Students are also required to affix an Honor Code Affirmation on each item of coursework submitted for grading (either):
  • “As a student at Union College, I am part of a community that values intellectual effort, curiosity and discovery. I understand that in order to truly claim my educational and academic achievements, I am obligated to act with academic integrity. Therefore, I affirm that I will carry out my academic endeavors with full academic honesty, and I rely on my fellow students to do the same.” (Signed, afterwards), or:
  • “I affirm that I have carried out my academic endeavors with full academic honesty.” (Signed, afterwards).
  • Suspected breaches of the Honor Code (plagiarism, use of notes during exams, solicitation of help from other students during exams, providing assistance to other students during exams, theft or destruction of laboratory materials or other offenses not listed) will result in a minimum penalty of “0” for the assignment, and will automatically be reported to the Student Chair of the Honor Council and/ or the Dean of Studies.

BIO104 Tests and Levels of Understanding

• In BIO 104 you are expected to understand and apply the concepts presented in lectures and in the reading.  This requires skills other than merely being able to recall the information presented.  To learn more about our expectations and the differences between high school and college level learning, I encourage you to follow this link: BIO104 Tests and Levels of Understanding