Biology 100

Principles of Biology

(Call #1049)

Buffalo State College                                                                            Spring 2005

Department of Biology                                                                          Dr. McMillan

 

Instructor:            Dr. Amy McMillan (SC268)

                              Office phone:          878-3756

                              Email:         mcmillam@buffalostate.edu

      Website:     http://faculty.buffalostate.edu/mcmillam/

 

Office hours:        Monday, Wednesday 12-1 pm, Tuesday 11am – noon, or by appointment

 

Textbook:       Benjamin Cummings Special Topics in Biology Series: Biological Terrorism (Goodwin and Phillis), Biology of Cancer (Phillis and Goodwin), Stem Cells and Cloning (Prentice), Understanding the Human Genome Project (Palladino)

Prentice Hall’s Exploring Biology Series: Alzheimer’s Disease (Knowles), Genetic Testimony (Spencer), Mad Cows and Cannibals (Spencer)

 

Course Description:  BIO100 is a course designed for non-biology majors and covers the basic principles of biology. In this special freshman section we will cover some of these principles while focusing on recent issues in biology. The main focus of this class will be cell biology and genetics and we will be talking about cloning, cancer and other diseases, the human genome project, and forensics, among other topics.

 

Course Goals:  My primary goal is to give you enough background in some aspects of biology that you can read newspaper reports and watch newscasts of the latest scientific advancements and have some basic understanding of what is being discussed.  I also hope that you will have the tools to be able to learn more if you want to! 

 

Course Requirements:  Your grade in BIO100 will be based on exams, writing assignments, and in class discussions.

 

Exams:  There will be 2 hour-long examinations and a final exam, each worth 100 pts.  The final is not comprehensive. You must take the final exam when it is scheduled. 

 

Writing assignments:  There will be 7 writing assignments due during the semester.  Assignments will be given in class and will either be in-class work or outside of class work. Each assignment is worth 5 points and only 5 assignments count toward your grade (you can miss 2). 

 

In class discussions:  There will be 6 in class discussions; 5 count toward your grade. These will be based recent news about the topics we are covering in class. Discussions are worth 5 points each and based on your participation in class.    

The point breakdown is:

 

            2 hour-long exams and final:                  300 points                    85.7% of grade

            In-class discussions:                                25 points                       7.15%

Written assignments:                               25 points                      7.15%

            Total possible points:                            350 points                    100%

 

Final grades will be given as follows:

           

                                    Points                           Grade

                                    315-350                       A

                                    280-314                       B

                                    245-279                       C

                                    210-244                       D

                                    <210                            E

 

Attendance:    Students are expected to be in class.  The single most important thing you can do to improve your grade in this class is to attend!  Many of the writing assignments and all of the discussions are in-class assignments and you will receive a zero if you are not in class. 

 

Academic Misconduct:  All students at Buffalo State College are expected to display honesty and integrity in completing course requirements.  “Academic misconduct” refers to plagiarism or cheating on examinations or assignments, and is inconsistent with the aims and goals of Buffalo State.  Specifically, students may neither use the work of another individual without proper acknowledgement nor perform work for another individual.  Other examples of inappropriate academic conduct include prior acquisition or possession of an examination or submission of false data.  As a result of a sustained allegation of academic misconduct, a low or failing grade for part or all of the coursework may be given to the student, at the discretion of the instructor.  No penalty for an alleged instance of academic misconduct may be imposed unless the student has been apprised of the allegation, the penalty, and the procedures of due process that are available.  Cases of severe infractions of acceptable standards may be brought before the Academic Misconduct Board, chaired by the director of academic standards, and may result in academic dismissal.

 

Classroom Disruption:  Please be considerate of others during lecture!  Showing up late, leaving early, packing up your notebook before I have ended lecture, having your cell phone ring, and chatting with persons next to you during lecture are actions that are distracting to me and to other students.  Please show appropriate behavior and respect during class by refraining from these activities. 

 

Procedures Regarding Disruptive Individuals:  Disruptive behavior by students in my class will not be tolerated.  Whenever I deem a student to be acting in a disruptive or threatening manner, I will exercise my right to ask that individual to leave the classroom.  If refused, I will exercise my right to notify University Police.  The responding officer will determine whether an arrest should be made or whether a referral to medical or counseling staff is appropriate.  If a student is perceived as a danger to himself/herself or others, the dean of students, Phillip Santa Maria, may propose an interim suspension until a hearing is held.  Any student removed from class will have the right to a hearing.

 

Students Requiring Special Accommodations:  Any student who requires accommodations to complete the requirements and expectations of this course because of a disability is invited to make his or her needs known to me and/or to Marianne Savino, coordinator of services for students with disabilities, South Wing 120D, ext. 4500.

 

Biology 100 - Principles of Biology - Spring 2005

Lecture and Exam Schedule*

*exam dates will not change, lecture schedule is tentative

 

Week                                       Lectures                                   Corresponding Reading           

1          Jan. 24- 28                   Cells                                         Stem Cells and Cloning

2          Jan. 31-Feb. 4              Cloning                                    

                                   

3          Feb. 7-11                     DNA                                        Understanding the Human

4          Feb. 14-18                   Genes                                                   Genome Project

5          Feb. 21                        NO CLASS -President’s Day           

            Feb. 23                        Finish DNA and Genes

            Feb. 25                        EXAM I         

                                                                       

6          Feb. 28- Mar. 4           Inheritance                                Supplement

7          Mar. 7-11                    Gene Expression                       Biology of Cancer                              

8          Mar. 14-18                  Cancer                                    

9          Mar. 21-25                  Finish Gene Expression and Cancer

            Mar. 25                        EXAM II       

                                                                                   

10        Mar. 28-Apr. 1            NO CLASS - Spring Break

 

11        Apr. 4-8                       Disease Biology                        Alzheimer’s Disease

 

12        Apr.11-15                    Prions                                       Mad Cows and Cannibals

           

13        Apr. 18-22                   Bioterrorism                             Biological Terrorism  

           

14        Apr. 25-29                   Genetic Applications                 Genetic Testimony                 

15        May 2-4                       Finish topics

            May 6                         NO CLASS - STUDY DAY

 

CEP – Critique and Evaluation Period

NOT Comprehensive Final Exam

TUESDAY, May 10, 2005 from 9:40 pm to 11:30 pm in SC 220